I am taking my nephew hog hunting this fall/winter and wanted opinions on Florida outfitters. The only one I've spoken with so far is Chappy's - any recommendations?
He will be using a shotgun - I will be using handgun only.

I would recommend that he NOT use a shotgun unless he is shooting slugs.

I have used Hoppy Kempfer from Osceola Outfitters before. Great guy. Lots of fun.

I hunted with Bob Hayes at Little Lake Lodge www.LittleLakeLodge.net last Saturday. I killed 2 pigs and one of them had some excellent tusks. I was using my drilling in 16x16 x 7x57R. I meant to try the slugs but I ended up using the rifle on both.

I enjoyed hunting with Bob and will be returning soon.

Suggest avoid "Ron's Guide Service"

Where you going down there? That's much of what we need to hear so we can help better.

One thing I can tell you. IF you go to Cedar Key and that guy. Get it in writing as his word is NO GOOD. Don't recall his or the name of the place but, it's the only one in the area. Shouldn't be hard to find.

Wish you the best hunt. I used a .243. Only problem I had with that, the shots on my two were too close for the 6x scope I had. Couldn't find their heads for a long time in the dark shadows. I'd not use a shotgun either. Even a .22 or .22mag would be much better.

George

Another solid YES for Hoppy @ Osceola Outfitters. My wife& I have hunted with him many times, a great guy & always a fun time & exciting hunting. He's usually booked pretty far ahead...

quote:

Originally posted by georgeld:
Where you going down there? That's much of what we need to hear so we can help better.

One thing I can tell you. IF you go to Cedar Key and that guy. Get it in writing as his word is NO GOOD. Don't recall his or the name of the place but, it's the only one in the area. Shouldn't be hard to find.
George

Near Cedar Key is a place "Tiger Island Outfitters" that DOES offer guaranteed hog hunts, but the hogs are wild-caught and then placed in fenced in woods. Hunters are placed in tree stands, and inevitably....the hogs will come by. The outfitter is legit. His son skins and quarters for 30./hog. If you like high-fence hog hunts, this place is just fine.

Florida is so large, you really should perhaps start with what area of Fl. These areas can be hours and hours apart. There are several near the Orlando area.. Some way down by Arcadia, Ft Myers...some way by Okeechobee etc.
I've hunted them in a few different areas

Conifer:
Thanks, that's the chicken shit I hunted at July '11. The man's word is NO GOOD!! Get it in writing or he'll put the screws to you! BTDT and had it happen to me.
Plus, had two heads mounted by him too. When I got them, they'd put a handful of paper napkins and a dirty old pillow in the box. The teeth and ears all poked out thru the boxes and broke off. Had a local taxidermist touch the ears up and reglued the teeth, cost me $30 so no big deal. But, still a very bad experience with the guy.

He had 43 acres, gets them from a trapper 4hour drive south. He did not have tree stands then, a couple tripod's with seats and some small bench's surrounded by fencing and tree's watching a corn feeder hung in a tree.

Yes sir, you may wish to give him my name, that's fine, let him know I'm telling how he treated me on here.

The bank back charged his account the grand I'd spent with him. During the argument I got sick and it was nearly a yr before I got back to it. So he got his money back because I was laid up in the hosp and N/H for too long. That's the only reason he got the money back. I'd paid w/ CCard. He does talk real good and makes all the promises he thinks you'll bite on. His taxidermy work seems to be holding up so far. I didn't want a back yard tanning done, we agreed I'd pay extra to have the capes sent up east to a tannery. He had a neighbor do it instead. I'm hoping he let it cook long enough and they don't start going hairslip as I expect they will. So far the work does still look good. It's just the sorry packing, damage's and not following thru with promises. He'd also said he would boil the skulls out and ship them too. After the fact, he claimed my head shooting ruined them. At the time we inspected both and the bullets went thru the skull about an inch above the eye's and out the throats. No damage at all other than a bullet hole. I was very careful of the shots I made as I wanted those skulls. I've shot a great many hogs to butcher, beef, and deer in the heads so I knew what I was doing with my shots. He just wanted to screw me out of the extra money for them as it wasn't written on the tickets. Like I said: His word is NO GOOD!

George

George:
VERY sorry to hear of your bad experience. I am not shilling for the place. Actually I, myself, have no complaints. He offered 3 hogs for 180.00.
His son skins and quarters for 30.00 each. I got tired of sitting in the tree stand after 1st 2 hogs, and wanted to walk/hunt. Owner's son was very obliging. I was treated well. Your experience, however, leads me to look elsewhere from now on.
Respectfully,
Alex

There is another place nearby Gainesville (my home)....will find it, and report. I think it's 125 per hog including skinning and quartering. I used it 3 times and it was always professional and friendly.
Here it is:

http://gainesville.craigslist.org/spo/4656097868.html

Yet another one:
http://gainesville.craigslist.org/sgd/4645443860.html

Conifer:
Pm coming.
G

TJVCT,
I utilized Chappy's back in April. I had a great hunt, and met wonderful people. Brett is a great guy.
We used spear, knife, and handgun. They have a wonderful operation down in Moorehaven. I will be there again next April. Good luck with whoever you choose, but you won't be dissapointed with Chappy's.
Mike

thanks to all that responded to my post. We can go anywhere in Florida but heard good things about Chappy's from some on a handgun forum. I will be using either my .44 mag or .454. My nephew would like to use his 12 gauge with slugs. any recommendations on slugs. He has a 30-06 but with a scope that may be difficult in close quarters

Whichever slug shoots best. Later on in the day, if you end up running them with dogs, alot of it could be close quarters, in which case you may not want a scope on the gun. Scope will be handy first thing in the morning though, if on stand.