Trip Planner & Frequently Asked Questions

How do packages & trophy fees work at BigTine Whitetails?

At Big Tine, all our hunt packages are created and managed with the primary purpose of improving the quality of wildlife on our property. Over the past many years, we have selectively harvested animals in an effort to only allow those animals with superior genetics to promulgate the species. We are now at a point where we can have hunters actively help manage our wildlife populations in accordance with the best wildlife conservation methods and maintain these populations within the proper carrying capacities of our habitat. To that end, we continue to carefully determine the approximate number of whitetails to be hunted with consideration to age, sex, and traits.

Please allow us to describe the various hunts and associated fees which are associated with each. As always, please contact us with any questions or concerns. Deer are judged by your guide, often ahead of time based on previous encounters. While estimated score is important and considered in this judgement there are may other characteristics which are taken into consideration.

The Hunt Fee is the basic fee you pay for your experience at Big Tine. This includes hunting on the dates listed. It includes the accommodation, meals, transportation and guide service. It does not include the trophy fees listed below. Trophy Fees are therefore in addition to the hunt fee and payable at the conclusion of the hunt. The reason we separate the hunt fee from the trophy fee is so that hunters do not feel obligated or pressured to shoot an animal or a particular size animal. If you don’t have the opportunity to shoot what you are looking for or something that brings you joy, then that’s okay - don’t shoot and you don’t pay a trophy fee. We hope this relieves any pressure any hunter may feel regarding hunting or related fees. The hunt fee is non-refundable and is due at the time of booking. An invoice will be emailed upon booking.

Weapon and Proficiency Suggestions for Archery, Rifle or Muzzle Loader Whitetail Hunt

Please let us know ahead of time what your preferred hunting implement is… Archery, Muzzleloader, or Rifle. All of us at Big Tine are seasoned hunters. Many of our stands are set up ideally for archers and we have both hang-on stands as well as ladder stands. Furthermore, we have quite a few enclosed blinds.

Regardless of weapon, we ask that you are well-acquainted and proficient with it prior to your arrival. Practice makes perfect! Prior to hunting, we ask all hunters to shoot their bows or rifles to make certain they are sighted in and working properly. For bowhunters, we ask that you can consistently hit a pie plate at 40 yards. For rifle hunters, we want to make sure you are sighted and good to shoot within your limits. Know your distances and use a range finder. If you don’t have one, just ask your guide for help with distances. Please discuss your comfortable effective range with your guide, and do not ever feel obligated to take an uncomfortable shot. As hunters, we should feel honored to pursue our game and have a profound ethical responsibility to ensure clean kills. Please understand your ethical limits and stay well within them. To that end, we ask that each hunter demonstrate proficiency with their selected weapon. Bowhunters are asked to consistently hit a pie plate at 40 yards, while rifle hunters must hit a pie plate consistently at 100 yards. Should a hunter not be able to demonstrate proficiency, we will ask them to use another weapon with which they can demonstrate proficiency. For example, if a bow hunter cannot adequately shoot their bow, we are happy to offer them the use one of our crossbows (they are quite cool!). Similarly, if a rifle hunter cannot shoot their rifle properly, we will offer the use of one of our rifles. We then provide time as needed for the hunter to acclimate to the new weapon and shoot it properly and ethically. In the spirit of ethical hunting, we reserve the right to deny hunting to any hunters who are not able to demonstrate accuracy and proficiency with the final weapon of their choice.

Archery targets will always be available before and after hunts at the hunting barn. Bowhunters are encouraged to make good use of them! We have a rifle range available and if you would like to practice, just let your guide know and we will make sure you get all the practice you would like.

Policy on Wounded Game

Wounded game is considered harvested game. We will do everything we can to recover a wounded animal, however, please know that regardless of whether your animal is recovered or not, the corresponding trophy fee will be charged if blood is drawn.

Can I upgrade from one type of whitetail hunt to another?

If on page one of this document, it states “yes” next to the word “Upgradable”, you may upgrade your hunt on the spot with your guide’s permission. For example, if you are on a Management Deer Hunt and a Fanatic Deer steps out in range, and your guide indicates that it is a Fanatic deer and is upgradable, you may do so. You will simply pay the Fanatic Deer trophy fee rather than the Management deer fee.

Can I downgrade from one type of whitetail hunt to another?

Yes. Again, if your guide makes the determination and approves, you may take the deer and pay the corresponding trophy fee.