07/27/2022
it's bittersweet but the weight off my shoulders and the stress I will no longer endure is gonna be really nice. This year would have made ten years of Owner/Outfitter/Guide of Bullzeye Outfitters. From greedy/unrealistic landowners, anti-hunters, and poor hunting the last few years I have decided to retire from outfitting ducks and geese. I absolutely stressed about the success of my business being on the shoulders of landowners saying I can or cannot lease their land. It's not a sustainable business model. I offered a landowner a couple of years ago $1,000 cash to hunt his property for just a single morning so I didn't have to turn my clients away because I had no birds. I wouldn't have made a single penny, it was just to make my guests happy. And the landowner told me to get lost. That's just one story of many. I have met some really terrible people doing this business and I have also met some really amazing and good people both landowners and clients. Many of which I now call friends and I am blessed to have them in my life or my family's life. I have had haters and I have had people who supported me from day one. I learned so much through doing this business and a big part of me is sad to see it go but another part of me is excited to see what the next step in life is. I am happy to not be so tired during the holidays and be able to spend more time with my family during that time.
A huge thank you to everyone who has booked a hunt with me, supported me, helped me, let me lease their land, and the guides who also made Bullzeye Outfitters what it was. We just treated people right and did everything we could every single hunt. All the memories and high fives to the emotional rollercoaster that is guiding waterfowl will be missed. (We are only hunting reschedules from last year to finish up business, we are no longer taking on new business)
Hunting and fishing are in a world of trouble. Public lands are becoming crowded, purchasing land is becoming only for the wealthiest and those landowners don't want you on their land no matter the amount of money. And it's a growing problem. It may not be where you are now but it will be one day. And there is another issue I see. Hunters and fishermen themselves are out for their own blood. Being destroyed within. Too much look at me, too much greed, too much one for all. Too many video games and not enough kids outside. It's really sad.
My Tour Company Tornadic Expeditions is doing amazing and for right now my focus will be solely on tours and my family and friends. Sorry for the long read!
