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To: The Hunting Report From: Darrell York Re: Mr. Grimsley's hunt in Texas Date: April 1, 2000
I appreciate the opportunity you have afforded me to respond to Mr. Grimsley's accusations. In the 48 years I have been conducting hunts for mule deer I have had 100 percent satisfaction from my clients, with exception of Chet Grimsley.
What surprised me most regarding Mr. Grimsley's report was that he gave no indication of being dissatisfied regarding anything. He gave the guide a generous tip and told him he liked his buck and would like to come back to hunt aoudad.
I will respond to Mr. Grimsley' s accusations. However, I feel the most conclusive and fair way for you to evaluate this situation is to compare Mr. Grimsley's evaluation of our operation to some of our other clients who have hunted mule deer on the same ranch as the one where Mr. Grimsley hunted. Mr. Grimsley stated he had to hunt the same small area over and over. In reality Mr. Grimsley had exclusive hunting on the entire ranch considerably over 5,000 acres of prime mule deer country. This area is known for having the heaviest mule deer population in the Davis Mountains, partly because of the vegetation and an excellent game management program. We have casually counted over 60 deer in one day.
Regarding having to cook your own food in camp, every hunter has the option of having meals prepared at extra charge. Mr. Grimsley chose to do his own.
Regarding the dismal picture Mr. Grimsley painted of the hunt, he told the guides at the onset of the hunt that he would not shoot a buck under 24 inches, but if he went home without anything he would be happy as long as he had a good hunt. On the first day he passed on what the guide assured him was a good buck. He then proceeded to miss two good bucks and finally killed an 8 or 9 point buck on the last day. They saw many younger bucks and doe during the hunt. I feel anytime a hunter passes a good buck, misses two others and kills an 8 or 9 point, he has had pretty good hunt.
I have tabulated the results on the hunting reports that some my other hunters sent in and I would appreciate it if you would compare them with what Mr. Grirnsley had to say in his report.
Mule deer availability Grimsely said scarce. Six others said abundant.
Trophy Size Grimsely said average/poor. There was one very good 1-10 point, one 6-16 point, one 27 wide 9 point, one 7-14 point.
Quality of Outfit Grimsely said fair. Seven others said excellent and two said good.
Condition of Camp Grimsely said poor. Four others said excellent and three others said good.
Quality of Food Grimsely did his own. Five others said excellent.
When you examine the hunting reports you will see a vast contrast between Mr. Grimsley and the other hunters. You will note that some of the other hunters hunted species different than Mr. Grimsley, but they hunted the same area and noted an abundance of mule deer. Last, but not least, please read and evaluate carefully what the two guides said about Mr. Grimsley and his hunt.
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To: The Hunting Report From: Jason Grizzle Re: Mr. Grimsley's hunt. Date: March 19, 2000
I was a guide during Mr. Grimsley's hunt in December, on the Moore Ranch. This was a three-day hunt in which Mr. Grimsley passed a good buck on the first day. I was with him when he shot and missed one good, big buck on the second day. James Baird, the other guide, said that he also missed another good buck. We saw lots of young bucks and doe throughout the hunt. He ended up shooting an 8-point buck.
At the beginning of the hunt, Mr. Grimsley told me that he wanted a 24-inch or better buck. He said that if he had to go home without one, he would be happy as long as he got a good hard hunt. We hunted hard every single day. By choice, he took the 8-point buck. He was happy with his hunt and even talked of coming back to get an aoudad at a later date.
I observed the cabin and it was nice and clean. To my knowledge, the vehicle that we were in has never broken down, causing hunters to have to walk in. It was very reliable on our hunt. Mr. Grimsley never registered a complaint of any kind with me, and as far as I knew he was well pleased.
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To: The Hunting Report From: James L. Baird Re: Mr. Grimsley's hunt Date: March 15, 2000
I guided Chet Grimsley on his mule deer hunt at the York's this past season (December 1999). On the first evening of his hunt, Chet past up a very nice 10-point buck just before sundown. I got him inside 100 yards from this deer. On the second afternoon Chet missed a shot at a good 10-point buck from about 250 yards. That same evening he missed still another good buck and had more shot opportunities at this same buck but, he said he could not find the right rest. The third and last day of his hunt Chet shot a 9-point buck that he said he was very happy to get.
Chet tipped me well and told me he had a great time and that he wanted to come back and hunt again for other game animals offered.
As far as lodging at the York's hunting cabin, I arrived there shortly after Mr. Grimsley did, to welcome him. The cabin was very clean and organized. Why Mr. Grimsley returned home and decided to try and put a bad word out about his hunt with us at the York's is beyond me. Let the truth be known by talking to other hunters who have hunted at the York's. "This is a good hunt."
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To: The Hunting Report From: Chet Grimsley Re: Hunting with Real Hunting
Please let me expand on the response by Mr. Darrel York, Jaimes Baird and Jason Grizzle of "Real Hunting" in Ft. Danis, Texas.
Mr. York states I had excusive insight to hunt a 5,000-acre ranch, however we hunted the same couple of mountain slopes and one "brushy draw" each morning, noon and evening. The actual area we "drove over mainly" two or three times each day was approximately 1,000 - 1,500 acres I would estimate. This is a lot of hunting activity in a small area I thought.
I did pass on a buck the first afternoon. The buck's spread was not as wide as his ears. I was looking for a 24-inch or better. We could not count the buck's points, it was very late. I don't know how Mr. Bird could tell it was a 10-point in poor light, at the time he never stated the point count. I did miss a 24 inch spread buck the second afternoon at 250 yards (no fault but mine). The guides said I missed another buck later that evening. The head guide, Mr. Baird, said at the time he thought it was the same deer missed approximately an hour earlier. It was on the same mountain approximately half-mile in the direction the first buck missed had run. This buck was missed in poor light, 35 yards or greater. Mr. Baird and I had made a stalk on the buck and he moved up the mountain to escape. Mr. Grizzle states: " We saw a lot of young bucks and does throughout the hunt." This is a fairly accurate statement.
We saw "same does and young bucks" time and again hunting the same area.
However in three days of hunting I maintain we saw only one buck of 22 - 24 inches spread. The second buck missed was most likely the same buck I missed at 250 yards an hour earlier. The guide, Mr. Baird thought so at the time. The second missed was "excusable" in fading light, 350 yards plus and poor rest.
I would recommend this outfit for an aoudad hunt. I saw several groups of aoudad and the mountain are open terrain and gentle slopes to walk. The guides and the outfitter are friendly, honest people.
However, for a $600.00 per day mule deer hunt I do not recommend this hunt. "Trophy" animals are scarce. I think one would be better served to spend $600.00 per day for a mule hunt in Southeast Montana or Wyoming on a private ranch hunt.
In three days of hunting I maintain we saw one deer greater than a 16-inch spread.
The buck I took was an 8-point, taken at "noon" of the "last day" and had a 14-inch spread. I elected to take this deer due to few trophy animals present and wanted to have some venison for the table.
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