Dear Gary,
I would like to take a few minutes and thank you and the crew at Pine Mountain Ranch for my recent and successful hunting trip and an adventure of a lifetime. It was also a hunt I have dreamt about for years.
My hunt was all the more special as it was spent with the company of a qualified guide, an exceptional cook and a hard working packer. The standards at the Pine Mountain Ranch were out of this world. You and your staff were knowledgeable, courteous and professional.
I was very impressed that you and your crew were not just a wanna-be elk camp. You could definitely tell that the staff lives and breathes elk hunting. They were as exiced for the hunt as I was. Their confidence that I would bag a trophy bull elk was very contagious throughout the camp. In their hearts, this is all there is, this is what they enjoy doing.
Not only were the facilities and accommodations 5 star, the entire camp was first class. Your cook cleaned our tents on a daily basis, ensured that we had enough food, water and snacks for the daily hunts, cleaned the bathroom facilities daily and feed us like we were kings. Your fellow guide was extremely knowledgable, competent, safe, and had a great sense of humor. Your packer was a great kid. He looked forward to hearing our success stories, took pride in preparing the meat and the heads/capes in appropriate manner, and did little things around the camp like making sure we had a fire in the wood stove every night so that our tents were nice and warm when we went to bed. You and your crew are not only competent, but highly dedicated and extremely hard working. Additionally, you are definitely a man of your words and a man of honor. These are rare qualities that are not often found in most individuals, especially strangers. You take your hunting facilities extremely serious and it shows. You and your staff should be commended. Each member of your staff worked as an well-organized team with an attitude and politeness I found very refreshing. Nothing was overlooked; it couldn't have been better.
I used to think that this type of a hunt was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm glad to say that this type of a hunt can occure each and every year and i'm honored to say that I will be returning in September of 2004. I have come to realize that the special and wonderful feelings that come with a successful hunt can be seperienced each year by hunting at the Pine Mountain Ranch.
I know I speak for my entire hunting party when I say thanks for putting us onto some incredible bulls. We ended up taking three 6x6 and one 7x7. That's unbelievable. Three of the bulls are curently at one of our states bes taxidermist as they were so nice and definitely better than anything that could be harvested in the State of Washington let alone other States.
You're a man wth a strong love and desire for elk hunting and it shows in your incredible ranch. I have been hunting elk for approximately 10 or so years. I have had the opportunity to harvest other animals. However, nothing compares to my hunt at your ranch. If a hunter is looking for a trohpy bull elk, viewing incredible scenery, meeting and visiting with other hunters, wants wonderful accommodations, eating fantastic meals, and being comfortable during their hunt, they need to check out your ranch, If they go, they will return.
I have never written a letter to an outfitter regarding how I thought my hunt went. I really didn't know what to say or write. However, before I knew it, I had written about 1 1/2 pages, that says it all, It's really beyond words. It was a fun letter to write and it made me smile about the memories and look forward to next year's hunt.
Again, thanks for the incredible experience and I pray that the Lord will continue to bless you and your family, your crew and your entire operation. I consider you a friend and I look forward to our continued friendship. Take care.
Sincerely,
Pat Gosney Olympia, WA.
Dear Gary,
What a great Christmas card, thank you very much. Sorry I've not gotten back to you before now. Its's been kinda crazy. But I hope that you can use some of my comments for your webpage.
It was my pleasure to be in one of the first groups to hunt the pristine elk habitat of Pine Mountain Ranch. I've hunted elk for over 30 years and have never found it more enjoyable. It was everything that it was sid to be and much, much more.
From Gary and his staff came professionalism, friendliness, comfort, great food and comradery. The bonus was, of course, the hunt which was beyond my wildest dreams.
Pine Mountain Ranch is what I would call a "Five - Star" class hunting camp. It's my opinon that it would be hard pressed to be beaten by anyother such guided hunting camp.
I've talked it up to my friends and am planning on returning soon.
Thanks to Gary & the gang.
Richard D. Vanderhoof, Olympia, WA. 360-866-0648 360-866-0648 (questions feel free to call)
"FOR THE PINE MOUNTAIN RANCH CREW"
By: Richard D. Vanderhoof
Some of my hunting buds and I decided, To take a hunting trip one that was guided.
We heard about Gary Kelly and the Pine Mountain Ranch, So we pooled our money and took a chance.
We met up with Gary in Idaho Falls, It didn't take long and we were having a ball.
When we got to the camp what a great suprise, Tucked back in the aspens was a treat for our eyes.
One tent, two tents, three tents, a cook tent was four, Each and everyone with hard wood floors.
A stick framed outhouse with toilet, sink and shower, Ten minutes in there felt like an hour.
Gary was the owner and our guide was he, When he put you on your elk he'd say shoot that S.O.B.
Shoot we did and when we talyed the score, Each hunter was blessed as we bagged our four.
Al, was the other guide and what a great guy, too, Listening to his experiences you knew he was no fool.
He'd hunt hard and give it his all, But you knew by watching he was having a ball.
Trapper, was our skinner and much much more, From gathering firewood, water, to sweeping the floor.
A young man is he with want and drive, I personally think that he'll make a great guide.
Shelly, was our cook, and oh how we ate, From pancakes, eggs and bacon to bar-b-cued steaks.
Always wanting to please, making sure you had enough, I never left the table, that I wasn't stuffed.
It was a great time had by all, Great friendships developed too. The hunting was great and everything was cool, And I was the one with the 345 bull.
Hard Copy Letters and Testimonials:
Letter From Andy McCormick - VP Marketing / Sales - Legacy Sports International
Letter From Keith Warran - Executive Producer - Hunting and Outdoor Adventures