Bowsite.com

Hunter Comments

My Dad and I have been blessed to hunt all over the US, Canada, and Africa over the past 20 years. We have seen the best, and worst, of hunting guides. I can honestly say that Lloyd Gates has to be one of the most difficult, ornery, and downright obstinate outfitter that I have ever had the displeasure of hunting with. I located Lloyd Gates and Trophy Hunting Outfitters in NB, Ca thru the internet. His past hunters spoke very highly of his operation. Most Bowsite reviews were good. From the minute we came into camp we were treated with total disrespect. I know from experience that any time an outfitter starts spewing off about all the mistakes his previous hunters have made, and blames the hunters for all his problems, then you can bet the barn that the outfitter is the problem. No matter what the subject matter, Lloyd considers himself the expert- you the paying customer are never correct, under any circumstances. We had to beg to see the daily trail cam photos. Lloyd did not want us to see them because for the entire time we we there, and several days prior, he could not produce 1 daytime photo of a Bear. Because all of his sites were OVERHUNTED and worn out. We hunted at the end of the season, and his sites had been hammered by other hunters before we arrived. Dad and I have harvested over 20+ Bears, and one thing is a given. Bears learn QUICKLY when they are being hunted. Lloyd WOULD NOT get that thru his skull. Our last nite there Lloyd put my 75 year old Dad in a tiny lock on accessible only by an unstable ladder. Lloyd put me in a stand with the wind blowing directly to the bait. When I called Lloyd to move me, he refused and I was forced to stay there. I did harvest a smaller Bear. My Dad hunted hard, over 40 hours in the stand, and did not see a Bear. We could not wait to leave camp, one day early to be exact, because of how we were treated. I would not go back there even if I could hunt for free. What I do not understand is the fact that I told Lloyd we were looking for a "Bear hunting home", and for him to treat us like we were incompetent idiots is below my level of compehension. If every hunter get treated like we were, I do not see his business lasting very long. Shame on you Lloyd Gates- and try reading a book or two on Bear Hunting and Customer Service. You may not believe it, but you have a lot to learn.

Was the outfitter notified of problems? - NO

Outfitter's Response

We disagree. First of all, Mr. Hubka your review is full of lies. You arrived in camp one day early, from the time you exited your vehicle you were running your mouth, making my other hunter feel uncomfortable causing me to have to relocate him to another facility to sleep. I have never once blamed any of my hunters for anything. That is an outright lie! You cam into our camp, barking orders, trying to change everything to your liking. You also contaminated my bait sites by not staying in your stand, and adding your own scent products to the barrel unknown to me. Then, you spend the whole week trying to guide the guide. As, to having to beg to see trail cam photos. That is another lie, as I share trail cam photos with every client. As, to your statement of harvesting 20 + bears, I doubt it. With all the questions you had and the way you acted I can spot a green horn every time. As, to your father and your statement of an unstable ladder stand, that is another lie. As, I use and you know because you sat in them they are Ameristep and Big Game Two-Man Ladder Stands which I started using two years ago to make it harder for a certain thief to place them in his small vehicle. As, to your call to be moved to an another stand, one hour before dark, I was not prepared to do so under those circumstances. As, to your statement of leaving camp one day early because you were supposedly offended, you had to depart one day early in order to get home in time for Monday morning work. As, for you looking for a bear hunting home, I guarantee you we would never book you again. As, I relayed to you upon your departure when you asked me about dates for next year. As, to my baits being over hunted before you arrived is another lie because I keep all trail cam photos in a file tagged with the hunter that hunted that site. All those sites hunted that week were active with several different bears. Mr. Hubka you are living proof why there should be a bad hunter website for Outfitters to review before booking. Another thing you were cautioned about your foul language in front of my family, and walking around in your shorts with no shirt on, especially in front of my children and in my camp kitchen. Also, your views on the North and South conflict are not needed here. Your problem Mr. Hubka is you did not like it when I brought these concerns to your attention on several occasions during the week. You are obviously having a temper tantrum. This is your problem, not mine! Anyone who has hunted here, knows your report is full of lies.