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Do Your Homework - Eddie's Opinion |
The hunting preserve industry, like all privately owned businesses
are operated as the owners sees fit. There is no set standard.
That’s one reason why the hunter should ask good questions
and listen carefully to the answers. You might also want to look
at a hunting operations investment in land, animals, lodge, buildings,
ponds, fence, road systems, maintenance, and the list could go
on and on. I personally feel the ones with the most invested are,
the ones most likely to do a good job consistently. They are going
to do it right and they are in it for the long haul.
Now let’s talk price. Low Price. High Price. Whose’ to say? How
do you know? I feel a low price is intended to compensate the buyer for lesser
value; it might be animal size, acreage, environment, over all experience,
or many different things. It’s simple, you paid less but…did you
get less? Was there a bargain? You just have to ask the questions,
so you
can compare “Apples to Apples.” Misunderstanding and disappointment
are waiting for the hunter that just assume things and doesn’t’ do
his homework.
Some of my personal pet peeves in this industry today are:
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Places that shoot domestic hogs, and try to call this a boar hunt. It is simply
the local farmers domestic pig
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“Lodges” that are really old mobile homes or remodeled garages, maybe
your sleeping in the basement, and do you really want to do your own cooking
at the end of a hard day of hunting?
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Preserves that have so sanitary skinning areas or walk in cooler or ice, lousy
support equipment and little or no help, but plenty of excuses.
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Established Deer and Elk “farms” that have recently turned into “Hunting
Preserves.” I personally feel you can’t turn one into the other.
If a “farm” was designed and built originally, then you are not
going to turn it into a Hunting Preserve just by changing the name.
Well…., these are just my opinions on a few subjects but
I hope it has you thinking. You really need to do your research
before any hunt, and by the way, I would enjoy answering your questions
about White Oak.
sincerely,
Eddie G. Potts with his 2003 Ohio whitetail
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White Oak, a little history
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Through the years, White Oak Exotic Hunting Preserve
has gained a reputation as one of the finest hunting preserves
in the eastern United States. If you have heard negative stories
about preserve hunting or have been disappointed on a hunt within
an area too small to really “hunt”, then give us a
call.
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White Oak is the largest hunting preserve in Ohio, we are also
the first to be recognized and licensed by the Ohio Division of Wildlife,
we are current on all applicable licenses issued by the Division
of Wildlife. Our large hunting area provides a good challenge even
to those in good physical condition. A hunt with us is truly a hunt
to remember.Depending on current weather, recent hunting pressure,
feeding or breeding activity, etc., we will choose the best suited
hunting methods during the hunt. |
| We use the standard hunting methods of still hunting,
stand hunting, drives and spot & stalk. We also have available
a fleet of rugged 4x4 hunting vehicles, with so much ground to cover
and very educated animals, these have become a necessity. |
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Responsibility
We try our best to be responsible land stewards and herdsmen. The same as my Dad, Granddad, and Great Granddad did on this same land. I manage the Oak forests, removing inferior trees so the superior ones can grow bigger, and don’t harvest them until they are mature.
I have built ponds and lakes and try to manage the fish and wildlife to keep a balanced ecosystem. I have provided a quality environment for the animals to thrive and live up to there potential and we do not want to harvest them until they have reached maturity.
With lime, fertilizer, dozer and many, many years, I have tried to enlarge and improve the pastures so the animal herds can florish.
At White Oak, we harvest trophy game to make a living and to pay the mortgages, but we work very hard to care for the land, timber and animals and to continually improve this environment and genetics while having a Sustainable Harvest. I am starting my third decade in this business and to say I have learned a lot is an understatement. I think I learned all of it the hard way! If you’re looking for a hunting destination that offers more than just a kill, then consider joining us here at White Oak.
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