Yes, I’m still out here and haven’t been mauled by wild dogs! Admittedly I’ve been a little lazy when it comes to updating the blog, but I think I may be slowly working my way out of my writing slump. The previous season took a lot out of me, and sometimes you just need to step away and take a deep breath. For those of you who have been asking, I’m happy to say that I’m alive and well, and ready to start filling Rub Lines with worthwhile content.

Although it seems like I have 100 things to write about, I figured I’d start with my 2009 whitetail hunt that I just booked in Hancock County, Illinois. Early this year I made a declaration that I needed to get back to the Midwest for a hunt, and began researching properties. I started my search with a hog farmer in Pike County, Illinois who was helping his neighbors meet up with hunters who wanted to lease property. He was a great guy, but I wasn’t excited about the properties he had to offer. They were mostly smaller properties that were spread out, and I was trying to find a place for five of us to hunt. I also talked with a couple of other landowners, but decided to hold off on booking anything until I talked with outfitters at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, PA.

Josh and Tyler, owners of Riverview Outfitters.

I’m normally not one to recommend booking a hunt at a sports show, but when we met the young men from Riverview Outfitters, I had a change of heart. First let me say that I told Ben and Brian, who went to the show with me, that we would simply pass by all of the outfitter booths that had the fanciest displays and several loudmouth guys standing there with fancy shirts and hats, just waiting to flatter us with their BS about how great their operation is. To me, fancy displays, hats and shirts signal big business more than great hunting.

We finally came upon the simple display put together by Riverview Outfitters. You could tell these guys were new, and frankly, I think they were more afraid to talk to us then we were to talk to them. I quickly realized that this was a brand-new operation, and that these guys actually live and work on the farm that they’re hunting. They described 1,000 acres of pure whitetail heaven, and they had some good photos to prove it! One of the young men took down a 170 inch buck with his muzzleloader just last season. After a little negotiating, we were able to book a hunt for six days starting on November 16. We’ll get all of our meals taken care of, as well as lodging and a host of other services.

One of the many fine bucks taken on the property recently.

This will be my first guided whitetail hunt, and I’m anxious to see how it goes. As much as I like to do my own scouting and stand placements, I know I’ll be exhausted at the end of the Pennsylvania season, and won’t have much energy left to do my own work. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try it for one year and see how it goes. Who knows, I might actually like getting pampered a little bit? Still, the object of the trip is to have a good hunt, and possibly get an opportunity at a buck of a lifetime. I’m hoping Riverview Outfitters can offer that.