Big Boar Lodge NY - Review

[BT]

This is hands down the most challenging terrain I have had the opportunity to hunt in the last five years when speaking of preserves

When talking with Owner Mark Clark I was surprised to learn that all of the undergrowth on the property was due to management of the sheep and goats.
Every other operation that I have been to is bare ground for the most part due to the fact that goats eat anything and everything.
Mr. Clark's method of avoiding this issue is to separate these animals from the main area throughout the spring.
Once the foliage has taken a firm hold it is then that he will re-introduce the animals.
With so much growth , it is near impossible for any real damage to be done over the remaining months.

Obviously this increases the difficulty of spotting any animal short of an Elk.
Therefore the animals acclimate quickly since they are not harassed , due to the fact that they really cant be spotted by glassing and such for the vast majority of the property.

To give an example of just how difficult this terrain is to hunt..... we spotted a good sized blond Russian at one point but there was no possibility of a shot.
Over the next 9 hours , we never saw that yellow pig again
4 of those 9 hours were spent griding so closely to one another that we often were within spitting distance of each other.
5 Guys in a line at times
A few times that day I nearly stepped on 2 mature fallow deer before they exploded out of their beds and departed with the speed of a funny car

This is walkable property though.
It's not dense as much as it is diverse.
Constant dips and rises are hidden by the ground cover and this is where the animals will bed.....totally hidden from the eye most times.
By the time you see them.....they've seen you
Hence the reason for so much viewing on our part as opposed to shooting.

There are some stands that I am very sure would be very productive during the onset of the evening but if you are hunting hogs as we were .... thats the only time that they will be productive unless by total happenstance.
These stands are low and eliminate the ability to mess up shots due to angle of entry
Everything at the Big Boar Lodge seems to be based on safety and enjoyment first.
Stands are roped and have easy entry.
One handicap stand on a fields edge has a well thought out incline ramp and large base platform where maneuverability and ease of access were obviously first priority to it's designer
Those who are handicapped will find this Lodge to be one who caters to you happily ...... not just willingly
To me.....thats a huge difference in attitude and outcome potential

The Back of the property (east I believe) is wonderful saw grass that is generally covered with water and therefore mud as well which gives the animals a safe haven from hunting pressure.
Once they make it there....it's pretty much over
I like that alot!.
It's for this reason that some of the animals in this area have been here for a year and a half...... or more.
Imagine that! ..... 2 years in a preserve
Thats like saying that you went 14 rounds with Mohamed Ali and then won!
This is really a great area

The southern side of the property is open old growth pine which takes all advantages away from the bowhunter but does allow the gun hunter an advantage of being able to reach out and touch something
But be aware that these animals do not like it and will be on the move when they enter it.
Perhaps an Elk or Buffalo would feel more at home here and would slow their pace but animals such as the fallow , hogs and black buck would be using this as a transition zone.
So speed is of the essence here.



The western side of the property houses the entrance and is only slightly more open than the northern side which is dense.
the north and western side offer the traditional bowhunter an advantage when snap shooting is employed.
(if you are extremely fast )
Perhaps the best way to hunt these area's would be to still hunt.
During the afternoon this is going to be the preferred area because of the afforded shade and cover.
This will be the hardest area for either gun or bow

The center of the property is an open field where you may due best toward the latter part of the day in reference to the smaller game animals.
The Buffalo love it and rarely leave that field.
Great photo opportunity's for those with telescopic lenses while waiting for the evening forage to commence.

Back at the lodge there are 4 bunk beds (I believe) and two single beds for a total of 10 spots plus two more coaches that are perhaps even more comfortable than the beds
The kitchen area is good size and very clean with the lounge area being smaller but comfortable for 4....6 if you pull up some chairs.



The dinning area is center of the lodge between the kitchen and lounge area and is roomy enough for 12 around the table.
Breakfast and lunch are supplied and there is a small Pizza place down the road for dinner if you have enough energy left to drive there.
(I suggest cutting up some ribs instead )





The bed rooms (2) are located off the hall , past the kitchen.



At the end of the hall is the cleaning area which houses a walk in cooler and cutting tables.
Everything you need


(Our host , Mark Clark)












Don't want to clean your own? .... don't blame you
$20. for skin and quartering and another $80. for custom cutting,grinding , packaging and flash freezing of your meat for the return trip home.
Not a bad deal when your facing the end of the day with 200# off pig in front of you that needs processing

When you arrive at the Lodge , be prepared to shoot at targets.
Nobody gets out until they are able to prove proficiency
Thats two big thumbs up from me



Bring your own targets if your shooting compounds
These cheap things shown will stop a recurve but are no match for real hunting bows when stacked three deep

Mark says that he is going to de a redo on their set up in this respect and it is my suggestion to replace these weak targets with a couple of Rinehart's which will last 100X's longer and will stop bullets as well as broadheads
(not that I am suggesting then for bullets )

Also....orange vests are provided if you do not bring your own.
I would strongly suggest bringing the camo pattern blaze if you are bowhunting.
These two things are part of the safe environment mentality expressed at the Big Boar Lodge
I would feel totally comfortable bringing and youngster here with the attention paid to safety by the owner and staff

Bottom line?
I'll be back each year until I find a better preserve ..... if thats at all possible.







I thanked Mark and John (head Guide) for a totally awesome hunt and assured them that I would be making it back again



Mark Clark Owner PO Box 303
Homer, NY 13077 [phone]