Zupetz met Harry Walker of Sandy River Outfitters at the 2009 Eastern Sportsman's show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He and his brother and father had been looking to book a whitetail hunt for the fall, and after talking to Walker and others who had hunted with him, they felt confident that this was the hunt for them. They stayed in contact with Walker and his wife, Angie, via e-mail over the summer. Zupetz says the Walkers took the time to answer all their questions and give them specifics about what to bring on their hunt.
Sandy River Outfitters hunts the InterLake region of Manitoba, between Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba. While they hunt remote and rugged terrain, according to Zupetz, "accommodations are in a comfortable ranch-style lodge house where hunters can hang out in the evenings with each other and the guides. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed and focused on the hunt." The food, Zupetz adds, was "phenomenal, with a hearty breakfast, snacks and a fantastic lunch and dinner provided every day."
Zupetz tells us all of Walker's stands are fully enclosed. "Although we didn't need them on this trip, each stand has a portable heater," he adds. Most stands can accommodate two hunters, so parents can bring their children (12 years or older). Access to the hunting area is by truck, ATV, or when necessary, snowmobile.
Zupetz has high praise for the guides in this operation. "The guides were totally dedicated hunters themselves, so they weren't out partying at night and then coming in the next morning smelling of cologne and smoke. They told us the pros and cons of each stand, dropped us off and continued to scout while we hunted. They checked in with us at mid-day........(continued)
