As many of you are aware, I have been running my Trophy Whitetail Bootcamps for years in order to hopefully pass down some of the diminishing woodsmanship skills needed for hunting trophy whitetails. 2017 will be my thirteenth year believe it or not. I've mentioned the last couple years this may be my last year for doing them because of the physical efforts involved for an old guy (I'm 72). Well, last spring almost was my last! I scheduled and totally sold out two bootcamps. Because of the demand I decided to do an additional third one. The night after bootcamp #2, I ended up having a heart attack 4/3/16 and subsequent triple bypass surgery on April 6, 2016. I finished four months of cardiac rehab and supposedly I'm good as new. No sweat... well, maybe just a little sweat! Ha. Anyway, thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers. I really appreciated that.
Because I obviously had to cancel my #3 session last spring and had to reschedule it for 2017, I decided I might as well have a couple more. I've just confirmed the dates as:
#1- March 16-17-18, 2017
#2- March 30-31 & April 1, 2017
#3 April 6-7-8, 2017
Since the practical aspect of the sessions are held outside in the timber, I prefer to hold them after snow melt but before spring green-up when sign is easiest to read. Easter in 2017 isn't until mid-April this coming year, so the above dates will hopefully not interfere with family schedules. They also should coincide with spring break for any students wanting to attend.
As previously stated, you can read all the books, listen to the seminar/lectures and watch the DVDs, that's all well and good, but when someone takes you by the hand and walks you through the practical application of actually doing it, therein lies the true learning and real understanding. There are just too many gray areas that are hard to explain other than being shown.
I do enjoy sharing my knowledge and personal opinions gained through many decades of trial and error. It's my hopes you can take my proven methods home, apply them to your own area and hand them down to future generations. I walk you into my own personal hunting areas, sharing my opinions, stand placement; why; when; how; entrance/exit. timing, etc. Basically I spill my guts on a lifetime of hunting techniques and theories., condensing decades of trial and error into a three day weekend showing you what to look for. The fact is my techniques work.
Older age has taught me to slow down and cover each situation with a fine-tooth comb. I run each camp on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Thursdays are lectures which set the stage for the next two full days in the timber. This schedule also allows attendees to travel home Sunday to get back to work or school.
I've found small groups of two to four (hunting partners/club members/ dad, granddad and the kids/ husbands and wives, family members, etc.) work exceptionally well in that they can share opinions and relate my findings with their own areas back home. This also give attendees the option to share travel expenses both ways.
My prices have not increased in thirteen years. A single adult is $895. Youth rates 14-18 year olds are 50% off with one paid adult. So a father and single youth would be $1345. total/all inclusive. Prices include the entire three-day session, eight full home cooked meals and three nights lodging in an excellent, modern facility/lodge that sleeps fifteen.
When you consider a typical guided whitetail hunt sells for $1000. per day with meals/lodging, etc. at $895. you get three full days of mini-vacation that will likely change the way you hunt whitetails for the rest of your life. That's a real bargain. Not only is it a lot of fun to share opinions and ideas with a dozen plus whitetail fanatics, at the very least it's a mini-vacation and unique opportunity to compare your hunting techniques with tried and true new methods. This also makes a great/unique Christmas present to yourself or another.
If you and/or your partners would like to consider joining one of the groups, email me at:
[email protected] for availability. Most info is also available at
www.brothersofthebow.com on the menu under "Barry's Bootcamps" or you can contact me for a color brochure. Here's hoping you can join us.
Best wishes for a safe and successful fall. Thanks, Barry Wensel
Topic: Wensel's Whitetail Bootcamps 2017 (Read 1733 times)
