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All testimonials are appreciated and very important no matter who they come from. However, there are a few individuals who stand out because of their occupation. Like Glenn Helgeland, who puts on the best deer shows in the mid-west, Tom Campbell of Woods-n-Water magazine, Adam Doro who is the publisher and owner of Rub Line magazine, and Ed Spinazzola who is the author of several food plot books. These individuals make their living in the whitetail world. They know all the newest information out there on whitetail deer. They know all the top hunters, all the biologists, outdoor writers, whitetail consultants, foresters, etc… They simply know who are the want-a-bees, the BSer’s, and the real deals out there. With all their connections and information they have at their fingertips, they could literally hire anyone they chose. But, when they decided to hire someone to take their hunting property to the next level, they hired me. To me this is a very powerful statement when you can impress these types of individuals with your whitetail knowledge, you know you are doing it right. I am extremely proud, grateful, and honored about what my clients write about me, my services and integrity. I am a man of true passion for my work and the whitetail deer. Everyone sees it as soon as they meet me. I know I will never take it for granted. I always give 110%. There is one more thing I would like to comment on. Hunters always want to know what I can teach them that they haven't already read or heard about. The information I will show you and explain in great detail is my exclusive discoveries and techniques. The information didn't come out of a book, and I didn't steal it from someone else. P.S. With all these great testimonials and being consistent since 1987 on 28 quality bucks, plus my 100% satisfaction guarantee. I can't think of anything I could do more to help you make the decision to call me. If you do, you will not ever regret it.
The real deal - Tony LaPratt
Tony LaPratt knows whitetails. Period. He knows how to create great whitetail habitat. Period. He's studied them on a totally informal basis for years.....with an open mind, to see what's there and what's not there, instead of seeing what he wants to see or not seeing what he doesn't want to see. This is the beginning credential for a great deer hunter. I've seen his 52-acre parcel in southern Michigan.. It resembled a whitetail zoo without fences. He took us for a short drive and a walk: there were whitetails busting out of little clumps of cover everywhere. I've been to three or four county fairs and a couple of goat ropings: I've studied a ton of natural resource stuff and wildlife biology, and over the past 40 years I've talked to just about all the better whitetail hunters ... those willing to talk. I approach every latest earth-shattering revelation with the usual skepticism... but Tony's little plot of deer heaven, and subsequent discussions, made a believer of me. Glenn Helgeland February 2007
Over the years, I've been able to pick the brains of many of the world's best deer hunters and managers. I can honestly say that Tony LaPratt's ideas and techniques are unique -- and they work in the real world. If your goal is to make your land better for whitetail hunting, he really can help you get there.
GORDON WHITTINGTON MARCH 11 2007
Many years ago, Tony gave me a tip
on creating bedding areas. Ever since, it has been one of the two
techniques I use the most often to get deer to bed in specific locations
on a property. Out of all the land managers I’ve met, Tony and Chris are
two of the very few to truly grasp that we can dictate deer movement
and, with a little thought, know how and effort, can do so to maximize
our hunting results. They’re the real deal!
STEVE BARTYLLA MARCH 14 2007 Outdoor writer, TV personality, seminar speaker, hunting consultant
Step up to Ultimate Land Management: If you want to take the next step in deer hunting and habitat management, and move beyond simply scattering seeds and having food plots, then you need to talk with Tony. He can help you keep bucks- and does- on your property, and know where they are while they are there. Tony's system is unique: and you can attend a boot camp or have him visit your property for a consultation. This a rare opportunity to do more than feed and hunt deer, it's a chance to micro-manage deer while growing trophy quality deer on small, average-Joe sized hunting acreages. His systems works on his 50-plus acre tract, and he's helped many landowners with less than 100 acres. And he can help large tracts also. Don't face another frustrating deer hunting season of wondering where the deer went when hunting season opens. Let Tony help you install buck and doe bedding areas on your property while you also work to greatly improve the deer habitat found there. I had the opportunity to work with Tony during winter 2007 across the Midwest, and he helped thousands of hunters understand the big picture of how deer see and use a property. His elements of management move far beyond most of today's white-tailed deer management concepts. And they work.
Michael D. Faw, freelance hunting sports writer
Check out this article by Ron Lanford of the Safari Club International - Click Here
Tanner, Hank, Hunter - Ohio - November, 2011
Tony & Alpha Doe - Lesa Hey ya'll hope you've had a great Christmas! And congrats to Tony and Chris on their great bucks! Attached you will find a pic of the buck I harvested this year on November 10th, a low 140s buck I harvested using a funnel tecnique I learned at camp. The other thing I attribute my success to is what I learned on how to hunt. I hunt less and observe more. We also put less pressure on our property in the early season and this year the first time out on Oct 22 my son had a 150" deer 30 yards away but couldn't get a shot. - Curt - Ohio - December 29, 2011
I wanted to provide you an update on our property in Ohio that you visited and mapped out in late August of 2010. After your visit we only had one work weekend available to build bedding areas, sneak tunnels. We did this on two of our favorite areas and then we waited for the archery season to begin. We took your advice and we stayed out of the woods until the third week of the 2010 season. During my 12-year old daughter’s fall break, (October 20, 2010) she arrowed a 6.5 year old 7 point buck that weighed 258 pounds. He walked out of one of the two bedding areas that we built in September, through the sneak tunnel heading to a food plot and past my daughter and me before she made a perfect heart shot. The first phase of your plan worked perfectly! Here is a picture of her first buck with a bow. The 2010 season other than my daughter’s bow kill was pretty much on par with other hunting seasons….unspectacular. After the 2010 season ended we started implementing your full plan in full force. My buddy, Jack whom you met was a little skeptical. As a result, he decided to place a game camera in the new buck beds that we just created near his food plot. A funny thing happened….just 2 hours after making this new buck bed we had a young buck come in and bed down. You read it right….2 hours after building it. Scott - Ohio - December 28, 2011
Just wanted to thank you again for another good year of hunting. Thanks for all the tips and we’ll see you again this year. - Frank - Michigan - December 26, 2011
Just wanted to update you that things are starting to come together. I had my best year of hunting ever and finally got a buck that broke 150". Here are pictures of my bucks this year. Trieu - Michigan - December 14, 2011
Thanks for all your help. Had several good encounters with 140 class bucks that I could close in bow season. You guys helped a lot. Chad - December 8, 2011
Rick - December 7, 2011
HI TONY ,CHRIS LISA,THANKS AGAIN FOR ANOTHER GOOD YEAR EVERY YEAR GETS BETTER.18 IN 8PT. BILL - Michigan - November 29, 2011 Thanks to you and Tony's information that I got from boot camp. Everything is coming together now and working great. I only was on stand for three hunts before getting a shot at this guy. Travis - Michigan - November 22, 2011
Tony was at our property in May. This buck came out of one of the bedding areas that Tony told us to improve on. He came out of it following a couple of does. I am positive this buck made this bedding area his core bedding area. Without the improvements we made, I doubt he would have chosed it. We have had a remarkable year. We have seen and photoed more mature bucks this year that any year. The best thing is that we only got part of what Tony wanted us to do completed. It is only going to get better. Matt - Michigan - November 20, 2011
Troy - Michigan - November 17, 2011
Kevin - Minnesota - November 17, 2011
Jeff - Michigan - November 17, 2011
I was blessed to take this 142.5" 10 pt. (main frame 8 pt.) Monday morning with my bow before the war broke out Tuesday. Tony, since spending my first day in the woods with you in the summer of 2006, I've killed my best 4 bucks. A 158 6/8" and 160 5/8" both with gun and then last year my best bow buck, a 120" 10 pt. followed this year by a new best (see attached). You've always been a superb teacher but I wasn't always a good student. I thank you for the knowledge that you have impressed upon me and more importantly, for your friendship and encouragement. Tony - Michigan - November 16, 2011
Tony. Lesa, and Chris: I have implemented about 90 % of the special tactics on my property that Tony layout when he visited my property in 2010, after I attended his boot camp in August of 2009. Before going to Tony’s boot camp I had built an elevated box blind. I always observed lots of deer and small bucks but never the big boys. Tony told me special tactics to make the blind work for big bucks. I never implemented the special tactics until this year. This buck (score 149 7/8) came out of a bedding area (Tony had picked out) that I had implemented about 75 yards from the box blind and I shot him at 40 yards. That’s how comfortable the buck felt with the blind after special tactics. After implementing the special tactics that Tony talked about in boot camp and when he came to my property I am seeing more and better bucks than ever before. In 2010 I again attended Tony’s boot camp and learned even more. Chris was also a wealth of information on how to implement the special tactics. Since attending Tony’s boot camp I have called several times with questions and Tony has always been there and provided the answers. Thanks Tony, Lesa and Chris. You guys are the real deal. Anyone interested in shooting big bucks needs to attend Tony’s boot camp. Sam , Indiana - November 14, 2011
Here's a few bucks that we've harvested in the past 2 years since boot camp and your visits to our camp in the UP. Thanks for teaching and coaching us and also thank you especially for selling me on the Ultimate Muzzleloader. I've killed my three biggest bucks with it in the past 2 years. Hope your season is going well. Drew - Michigan - 11-10-2011
I was hunting a creek bottom on November 5th about 8:30am when this fella came by my stand. He was chasing does and he stopped broadside at about 20 yards right in the middle of my shooting lane. It was a double lung shot and the buck ran about 120 yards. He died about 50 yards behind the barn so it was a short drag, and I'm very thankful for that. Mike - Michigan - 11-9-2011 Roger - Ohio - November 7, 2011 Richard, Ray, & Sarah - Michigan - November 4, 2011 Phil - Wisconsin - November 4, 2011 Just wanted to send a pic of my 2011 bow kill. Its been a great season for us, my brother killed a new farm record Oct 1 and I was hopeful that another big buck would move into his area, as it is the best habitat around now. Well I wasn't disappointed, I had this big bruiser come in just before dark headed to my field to chase does, and he came perfectly through my funneled area. He is a 14 pointer with a 21 inch inside spread and scores about 175". What an unbelievable year, we had two new farm records in one month, after owning the farm since 1988! Mike - Wisconsin - October 30, 2011 John - Michigan - October 27, 2011 Ken - Michigan - October 10, 2011 Grandson shot this on property during the first year using Tony's techniques. Gross 143 3/4. Field dress at 210 pounds. Jack - Indiana - 2011
We had does using the beds Chris put in 3 days after he left. Thanks, Bryan - Wisconsin - 9-1-2011
Doe bed worked great had hair and tracks when I was back weeding 3 days later and doubled checked. Thanks Kevin - Michigan - August 2 2011
Chris and
Sal left a short time ago and I wanted to take this opportunity to let you
know how satisfied I am with the work they did today. I was amazed and very impressed at the speed and care in working their magic on my property, even with the intense summer heat. I have already discussed my second workday plans with Chris and we will be scheduling that for the early spring 2012.
Thanks again for
sharing your deer knowledge, with the little work I have done so far, my four
resident alpha does all have healthy young and I now have eight fawns running
around my home on a daily basis, this is doubling the number of fawns that I
have been seeing since moving here three years ago. - Bob - Michigan - July 28,
2011
Hello! Hope all is well, Thanks to your help I have 5 bucks on my property now in my small 5 acres. Thank you. Rick - Michigan - 7-14-2011
Tony GREAT class I learned so much it was also good to know I was doing some things right. I've already started & have deer useing the beds. A LOT OF WORK but it's fun & realy looking forword to the results. If your ever in the area your more then welcome to stay with us. If your in upstate near Lake Ontario our house is open or if your near the N.Y. Pa. border our camp is open to you. the camp sleeps 18 so you can bring your whole crew. Looking to come back so much I missed can only rember so much. Also tell Ed great book & dvd learned a lot. Lesa your a great host. - Bill - New York - May 27, 2011
Just thought I would write to express my congratulations on an excellent two day experience that I had at your May 18 and 19 Boot Camp. On the trip over we were all very excited with anticipation of what we would learn at your camp and I will say that the entire trip back to Ohio, we talked non stop about your methods and things that we had learned. Before attending you camp I had heard good things from Mike McGuire and Mike Schiller, former attendees of your camp. Based on their recommendations, I began suggesting to landowners who were interested in improving their deer hunting property to look into attending one of your Boot Camps. After attending myself, I will go out of my way to encourage landowners and hunters in general to invest the time to sign up for your camp. I have already talked to two landowners in Oceana County and encouraged them to send at least one of the hunters from their property to your camp. It was also nice to see that some of the negative comments that I had heard about your forest management practices were totally unfounded. - Dave - Michigan - May 25, 2011
had a great time w/ Chris and Sal on May 12. they are extremely hard workers, and a credit to your outfit. Chris knows his stuff and does a great job. Trying to take our "F" grade property, and gradually taking it to an "A". Very dangerous work, worth every penny. Sal never complains, and never stops working. Great team!!! See you soon - Ron, Rick & Fran - New York - May 19, 2011
I have been hunting and spending time in the great outdoors for more than 40 years. I was trained as a hunter by an old trapper and one of the great woodsmen of Northern Michigan. Taking that into consideration, I believe I learned more about Whitetail hunting and deer habits in two days with Tony than I have in the past 40 years. Tony LaPratt: A gifted man passionate about his work as a Whitetail Expert! Two speeds, Sleeping and 100 mph, full speed ahead! Great voice projection. Chris Pierson: A little more refined than Tony, and equally knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his work. Lesa LaPratt: The key person that makes all the trains come and go on time! Knowledgeable, diligent, and most importantly VERY kind and personable, a GREAT PR resource. When I first talked to Lesa on the phone I could “hear it” in her voice. Ed Spinozolla: The Grandfatherly type, kind and polite, and a great resource of vast knowledge in whitetail management, specifically food plots. - Clay - Michigan - March 12, 2011
Thanks Tony, Lesa and Chris Thank you for sharing your knowledge in the boot camp I attended in 2010. Well this is the results so far. I can't wait till the whole plan comes together. I will be able to let these type of bucks go and let them grow. Thanks again - Frank - Michigan - March 1, 2011
Tony,
Hi Tony, Lesa, & Chris, I wanted to let you know I got a nice buck with my rifle last week. It’s the 2nd largest we’ve taken off our place, he scored 133 5/16” with a broken g3. He’s pretty good buck for our part of Alabama. We’re fired up to be so close to our goals in year one. Thanks again for everything you guys do. - Trey - Alabama - January 21, 2011 Just thought I would send you a note to let you know everything on our property is improving every yr , this buck lived in the bed Tony made as an example when he came to our property . He is not big by southern Mi standards but is the biggest buck I have ever shot with a bow and judging buy what was on the local buck poles this fall pretty respectable for Alpena Co. I shot him at about 9:00am on Oct 30th - Robert - Michigan - January 16, 2011
Hi Tony and Lesa, I'm starting to incorporate what you've taught me and it's working. Here's my bow kill for this year. Grossed right at 170 and netted 164. Shot him off of a food plot using one of your recommended seed companies and also used the recommended minerals. It's my biggest by bow so far. Thanks. - John - Kansas - December 30, 2010
Hi Tony, Everything worked out like you planned. I shot this with my 5 year old son opening morning 2010 gun season. Thanks for your help! - Jeff - Wisconsin - December 19, 2010
Hey
guys,
Tony & Lesa, We have had our best deer season ever at our farm. Thanks for the great ideas and inspiration, boot camp has already paid off and I have barely started to implement your ideas. Attached is a picture of my 3.5 year old 8 pt. - Erik - Michigan - December 5, 2010
Chris Pierson's visit with us at our farm was an absolutely amazing experience from start to finish. We were excited about his visit before arrival and even more excited to utilize the information we received from Chris. The man is a true professional and is passionate about whitetail management. He arrived early and left late to insure we had the ultimate experience and if I am not mistaken, Chris was talking whitetail before he even got out of his truck that morning! We all felt we were treated like gold in that Chris took the time to be sure we understood concepts and walked us through the management process. The knowledge gained from Chris will be used immediately and during the next few decades of our hunting lifetimes. Thank you. Joe, Russ, Tim & Tim - Ohio - December 2, 2010
Thanks Tony and Chris, This week end with my two youngest boys on the farm, 3 for 3!!
I just heard you shot another monster. Congrats! I wanted to let you know that shot a nice 10pt. directly between the doe beds and buck beds that you and Chris showed us how to build. I have attached some pics. We have a green score of 172 7/8 but I will let my brother Terry and CBM score it at the Deer Spectacular in Lansing for a final. We are using your directions for enhancing the rest of ************* Farms and we are more pumped up than ever. I am constantly seeing huge bucks and more of them. Between the knowledge you have provided us and making sure that our lessee’s practice some QDM I’m sure that we will be giving you a run for your money on where the biggest bucks in Mi. are harvested. Thanks again to you - Dana - Michigan - November 23, 2010
Tony, Lesa, and Chris, I just wanted to say thank you for the enormous amount of help you have given me on setting up my property. I knew within a few minutes of meeting Tony my day would be a bit of a life-changer with regards to how I view deer hunting. We began implementing a lot of your techniques as soon as possible, and I of course sent my Dad to Boot Camp. A few weeks later we had Chris out to work some chainsaw magic--he accomplished more in a day than we could have in a year. It was an amazing summer as we watched many of your ideas work just as you said they would. Dad was a little worried when the bucks all left during fawning season, but hunting season has been outstanding as the bucks have (as predicted) moved back in. I managed to harvest this buck on the 3rd day of firearm season after seeing him on 2 previous (nerve-racking) occasions. We have also been able to witness deer behavior that we had previously only read about. We still have a lot of work to do, and as soon as I figure out my schedule I need to hire Chris again for some more tweaking and bedding area expansion. Once again, thanks, and Happy Holidays. - Jeff - Florida - November 21, 2010
Just wanted to say thanks to all three of you, I attended your boot camp and followed the ideas and strategies that I had learned and within one year saw huge changes in the numbers of deer on my property and the new bucks moving in.. Here is this years bow kill, thanks so much for all the great ideas!! They truly work! - John - Michigan - November 20, 2010
Thanks for everything. - Ron - Michigan - November 18, 2010
Hi Lesa, Tell Tony another bites the dirt at the Kozminski cabin. The buck was shot on the river bottom about 20 yards where Tony found a shed at my place this summer and where we built a buck bed. Not a monster but a very unique buck with beams that cross in the front. Shot at 11 AM yesterday morning. Rubs from him everywhere on the property. What is unique is that the rubs are about 5" off the ground and up to 3' off the ground. Had me puzzled as they are good size trees, and the reason is that he has to bend all the way down to get his rack into the tree. For my area this a super buck and my friend Dan, who was on the tour with Tony that day, shot him. - Ken - Michigan - November 17, 2010
Thank you all for improving my property and my hunting skills. I truly believe I am ready to enter the trophy ranks soon based mainly on the things I have learned from you. Maybe yet this year. At the age of 60 I feel like I only have so many chances so will of course continue to hunt but will only kill a substantially bigger buck than this one. - Jim - Michigan - November 17, 2010
Oct 29 was the day it all paid off. Me and my brother worked on the land none stop all summer long. It's funny how easy you can pattern your deer when you build there home. I started hunting hard oct 20 . I new the buck I wanted to shoot . The buck always came from the west and went east. I thought he was bedding on the neighbors land. Oct 29 at 4 pm he come out from the west I shot him and he went east like he always did. Now to my surprise I found out where he was going. he died 4 feet away from the buck bed you told me to build in my crp grass. He was living on my land all the time. How big was my buck 5 year old 10 pointer scoring 145 and dressed out at 206. Not bad for my first year on your program. Do I think this would of happened with out you..........NO. Killing this mature buck worked out only because of the camp information. I hope next year I can have you come to my land and improve it even better. I will send pictures as soon as I can figure how to load them. Mike Wisconsin - November 11, 2010
Tony and Alpha
Doe,
Just wanted to update you on the archery deer season here in WI. Tagged out! Shot him at 8:00 am on Halloween morning. He was cruising between between bedding areas that were made earlier this summer. - Eric - Wisconsin - November 5, 2010
Hello Tony, Chris, and Lesa,
Lesa, Saw 9 bucks all young in 2 sits on my place. All within bow range. Tell Tony I love him! I think this is the building year for the future on my place. This morning I watched a buck get up out of a buck bed that Tony and Dan helped me build. He stretched, popped and then rustled up another buck and a fawn from another bedding area and they came through my tunnel at 10 yards and I video taped them Pretty darn cool stuff! Ken Michigan October 29 2010
Gross 209 4/8 net 196 official green score. Biggest non typical bow buck ever killed in Lapeer county, Will go around top 13 biggest non typical ever killed with bow in michigan. Thank you Tony LaPratt. Kyle Michigan October 25, 2010
Killed this dude at 7:45 Sunday morning. He gross scores 120"+ and dressed
at 205#. Best bow buck to date and heaviest buck ever by a long shot. -
Tony - Michigan - October 24, 2010 Alpha Doe: Tell Tony he is a good man. I will be back for another class, maybe 2012. Meanwhile I am still executing on I learned in his class in 2009. That class was one of the most exciting events I have ever attended. Another attendee said the same. I am grateful he decided to share what he knows. Best Regards, Mike Michigan October 22 2010
Tagged out early in Southern Indiana. Killed this 10 point on Oct. 5th (season opened Oct. 1). He scores right at 160, 6 1/2" bases. Had several nice trail cam. pics of this deer over the past several weeks. He was frequently visiting this waterhole, with the extreme drought conditions we are having. We have had less than 1" of rain in the last 2 months. With a one buck rule in Indiana, I'll have to start getting ready for chasing some waterfowl.
Thanks,
Lesa & Tony LaPratt - Chris I'm just a common working guy and the price seemed like a lot of money. I talked it over with my wife. We decided it would be a great High School graduation gift for our son Clay. You know we could just give him cash like most parents, then they would blow the money, and don't have much to show for it. Knowledge you can use forever. So my Son and I were off to Michigan. Oh my gosh did we make the right choice for a graduation gift. What a weekend! The knowledge, the information was priceless. I learned more in the first hour than in 16 years of hunting. And I really thought I knew a lot about deer "yea right" "not", Clay said "man dad this is awesome!" "I'm glad were here. This is a great graduation gift." Plus I got to spend the weekend with my son. The Boot Camp answered questions I had and confirmed that a lot of these writers in magazines are full of B.S. You know when you read an article on guy says one thing and then next months issue another guy says something to total opposite. There's no B.S. at Tony's Boot Camp! Tony & Chris show you in person so you know its real and how it works. Tony & Chris explain the "why" and "the how to" make this possible on your property. Within 2 weeks deer were using the beds that my son and I made. I don't think that I've ever read about that in any magazine. Tony & Chris you guys know what your doing. Your Bucks on the wall tell the whole story. Thank you. And you know what they say, behind every good man there's a great woman, Thank you Lesa for having us in your home. Scott & Clay Michigan
Wayne Briggs June 5, 2010
Hi Tony. I was at your camp with my dad in May of 2009 and we really enjoyed it. We implemented a few of your ideas and I was able to harvest my biggest bow kill in 20 years of bow hunting. I also killed a smaller nine point and a doe with my gun. At a time when the deer kill in the state has dropped 50% in two years I feel very fortunate to have accomplished this. With your ideas I know my property will be better than the others around me. My dad also took is biggest buck with his gun on his land. Thank you. Look forward to seeing you Chris and Lesa again Jeff Davey May 8, 2010
Carson Henneberry April 16,2010
Tony, Lesa, Chris, Just wanted to send a note, in response to our weekend, at your boot camp. We were truly blown away at the info that was relayed to us in those 2 days. Going into the weekend we new that we were going to learn some new stuff, but we had know idea what we were in store for. Talk about being light years ahead of the curve. Not only have you re-invented the wheel, but you were able to put it into terms that made perfect sense to all of us. Our hopes have been lifted, and we now feel that we have a chance at making our property a quality place for deer to live. Its hard to describe the feelings going thru us at this time. Your blue print, and strategies, will turn our property on its head. Our animals will be the beneficiaries, of this program, making their lives better in the process. For anyone who loves the outdoors, this can only improve the world in which our animals live. What a novel concept. Thanks for sharing your secrets w/us. Looking forward to seeing you in May, can’t wait to lay out our property the “right” way. You are providing generations of hunters, the blue prints, for a lot of great times, and a bunch of memories that will last forever. Thanks again, Ronnie Kull Pittsford, NY 4-9-2010 PS: we talked non stop for the 6 hour drive home/ what a great time!!!! We are writing this letter in regards to our personal U.L.M (Ultimate Land Management) visit with Chris Pierson on 03/31/11. We would like to thank him for doing an excellent job. First, we would suggest to anyone interested in a U.L.M visit by Chris or Tony, that they should have already attended boot camp. Boot camp physically allows a person to see how a piece of property can be developed. Boot camp is a living/working example of showing how "you to" can achieve similar results on your property with work and determination. Now back to our visit with Chris on our property. Chris was very easy to talk to and understand. If you weren't familiar with something or didn't understand it, Chris would then make sure he explained it before proceeding to another area or topic. Chris's knowledge of setting up our property was great. Chriswas able to expand and add to what we previously heard and learned from our boot camp visit. We were very impressed with the thoroughness and time given to us by Chris and definitely recommend having him come out to your property. A suggestion to people after a visit from Chris would be to sketch your property out on paper and mark it according to how Chris flagged and marked the same areas in the field. This will help you remember items that Chris went over for future reference. To Chris, we just want to say thanks. To Tony & Lesa, the both of you should be very thankful to have an associate like Chris. This is a note to everyone that Big Bucks come and go but good friends are once in a lifetime. - Randy & Tammy - Michigan - April 1, 2011
Thanks Lesa,
The attached photos are of a buck I called “Sox” due to the dark hair color on his legs. The trail cam photo was taken in 2008. I harvested him on the ground at 9 yards on the evening of Oct 31st (Halloween). He’s a 5x5 with split G-2s on both sides, probably 4 ½ years old. I was hunting this particular buck, so it’s special to get him. Please share the news with Chris Pierson as well. Thank You, Chris Aasland February 16, 2010 Hi Tony, Lesa, &Chris, I wanted to let you know I got a nice buck with my rifle last week. It’s the 2nd largest we’ve taken off our place, he scored 133 5/16” with a broken g3. He’s pretty good buck for our part of Alabama. We’re fired up to be so close to our goals in year one. Things should really start to come together for us in the next two years, and we definitely need to get you guys down here for a January rut hunt. Thanks again for everything you guys do. Sincerely, Trey Sims Alabama 1-21-2010
Can you please show this deer to Tony……….I am sure that Tony still remembers me. He was at my property in July 2008 and I was at your boot camp last year in February. Anyhow my 14 year old boy shot this deer last fall. It scores 158”. Thanks, Aden H. Yoder January 7, 2010
I think I have seen it all. Outdoor writer/consultant Don Higgins bashed a fellow habitat consultant on a national (QDMA) web forum. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see Don was referring to Tony. I wrote back to Mr. Higgins explaining that I learned more in 2 hours with Tony that all the articles he wrote in 3 years. I just can't believe the jealously that these other idiots have for Tony & Chris. Mr. Higgins says he isn't a consultant, yet his website boasts how "Don is a habitat consultant". What a joke. Many thanks go out to you guys for the July 2009 boot camp. Had my best season ever. Shot a 9 & 10 point & we saw more bucks in 2009 than the last 3 years combined,
John Komp, December 30, 2009
We had a tough
year at the Chippewa Hunt Club in the UP, however Mike was able to kill a nice
10 pt the day before Thanksgiving. It weighed 230 pounds dressed. We had
fantastic food plots prepared and ready for the fall, but there were very very
few deer on the property all season until very late in the Muzzleloader season.
There were loads of coyotes on the property but no deer. I've never seen this
before, but there were purple turnips in the coyote scat. They must have been
hungry as most of their scat was white with purple specs. Interesting. Last
season we killed several bucks including a very nice 13 pt. during muzzleloader
season. Here's a picture.
Thanks to Tony LaPratt for teaching me how to hold deer on my property, especially once the pressure get on! The plan was to shoot the big one, but after the reload and some confusion, two bucks went down. Ken Kozminski December 12, 2009
My son shot this out of our covered box blind. Dads “free” guide service at its best. Chris Bee December 11, 2009
Hey there! Just checking in to see how your seasons went. I missed a 145"+ 10 point on the evening of 11/14. Simply misjudged distance what I thought was 30 yards was more like 37 yards, LOL. It was one of 4 "shooters" I saw during the bow season. I shot a doe and a goofy 8 point during gun season. This buck really fooled me. It only presented a broadside moving shot and I decided to shoot this buck due to it's sheer size, body characteristics and the mass of its antlers. When I approached I was surprised to out that this buck only had a 16" spread but had mass measurements of 8" ! I estimated this buck at 6.5 years old + and I am sending his jaw for aging. Jamie Jent December 9, 2009
I shot this buck at my father's house, in Casanova, down on our power line along the swamp on Nov 13. He was aged by the DNR at 3.5, and I put an honest tape on him at 124 7/8 Gross, 117 1/2 Net. I am planning to have him measured by a friend who is a Commemorative Bucks official scorer. To date, he is the biggest buck in MI I've ever shot, and the biggest with a bow all together. I'd seen him 6-7 times between Nov 1 and the 13th. Talk about a fun couple of weeks. On the morning of the 11th, I had 5 different bucks around me which had herded up 8-10 does and had them pinned down right below me. They couldn't go anywhere as the bucks were cutting a doe at a time from the herd and running them ragged. Of the 5 bucks, this guy was among them, along with (2) 2.5's and (2) 1.5's. Looking forward to next year already! Thanks for all the help. Troy Kent, December 8, 2009
Hello Tony, my name is Don O'Donovan. I'm from the Cadillac area and have 80 acres. I attended your boot camp this spring and went home and took immediate action on our place. I wanted to let you know that we had our best deer season ever. In an area where 2.5 yr old bucks are trophies and 3.5 yr old bucks are monsters I had opportunities at both. I passed up a nice 7 point on Oct.26th, shot a nice 2 yr old 8 point Halloween night and blew a great opportunity on a big 3 yr old Nov 4th morning. I had a 17 yard broadside shot and hit him right in the shoulder blade with an expandable broadhead. He walked away and is still alive. The most horrible feeling I have ever felt in the woods. We had the poplar on our place logged this summer so it really made this thick sneak funnel work great. I am so excited about this upcoming spring, I can't wait to get back out in the woods and continue to tune up our property. I wanted to thank you for such an awesome course. That was two of the greatest days of my life. Thank you so much for the book that you sent to my son also, it really meant a lot to him. I was wondering if you were going to do any seminar's this winter or have any booth's set up? If so, will you let me know when and where. Thank you so much for everything. God Bless you and your wife. (And Chris Too) 11-29 -2009
Lesa Alpha Doe: Well, been busy with the hunting season. Congratulations Tony on another fine buck, been watching your web site to see if the picture was posted. I knew it was not IF but WHEN Tony would get the big boy. Came home from Aug boot camp and put in all the other tactics and beds. In early October I started worrying about the bucks not using the other tactics. I sent Tony and you an e-mail and Tony called me and said, Be patient THEY WILL BE THERE. He was right around October 20th the bucks starting using the other tactics. I started hunting on the 24th and every buck that came into the field went straight to the other tactics. I also used Tony’s scent control and entry into and out of the stand information. What a neat experience to watch the bucks ACTING NATURAL, and be like a ghost. They never knew I was there. Based on my new information obtained at Tony’s boot camp I hunted on my own property for a change this year. The reason? Without the use of trail cameras I was able to determine that I had many bucks that were 4 ½ years of age or older. I was even able to determine where they were bedding which made it easy to put up stands. You guessed it just like Tony said the bucks came right out of the beds that I had made. One night I watched 3 bucks, 2 small ones and a 120 class walk out of one small bedding area. Funny thing was I was not surprised, because of Tony, I already knew they were there I had the opportunity to shoot three 150 class bucks on my property this year, before I shot this buck (see attachment). Because of simple mistakes that I made with my equipment ETC I was not able to bag one of them .This buck is small compared to the other bucks I have seen. Before Tony’s camp I never hunted my property. I had to try Tony's system and it worked. Can’t wait for Tony to do my property. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, PS Don’t forget to send me an e-mail when you start to schedule the land management dates. Sam W. Claypool, Indiana 11-24-2009
Hunters first deer. 10 pt. grossed 135
Harvested with my bow Nov 17th at 10am.
ALWAYS MAKE MEMORIES, Chad Marsh 11-23-2009
TJ 11-23-2009
Tony, Here are some pictures of the buck I shot this afternoon, including one of the Buckeye Cam scouting camera pictures of him walking through the food plot where I shot him. You can see my ladder stand in the background in the big cedar tree. I have a lot of pictures of him from this camera and he was showing up so regularly in this food plot that I figured that it would be just a matter of time before I got him if I kept hunting this stand. He went less than 50 yards after I shot him. I have no idea what he scores yet. What he lacks in width and height he sure makes up for in mass! Two nice bucks down this year! I definitely feel blessed! Ken Southworth, Jr. 11-19-2009
Tony,
Lesa, and Chris I killed this 12 pointer at my house on Dr.
Bryan 11-17-2009 Tony and Chris Nov. 15 2009 9am Ron Mather 11-16-2009
8pt thanks guys a great year Keith Hubler 11-16-2009
16pt thanks for your help Bill Hubler 11-16-2009
Here is a picture of Jakes first buck. Not a bad start Jeff & Jake Rider 11-16-2009
Hello Tony & Chris, I attended your boot camp on March (29,30) in 2008. This is a buck I called “Sox” due to the dark hair color on his legs. The trail cam photo was taken in 2008. Harvested him on the ground Saturday evening (Halloween). He’s a 5 x 4 with split G-2s on both sides, probably 4 ½ years old. I was hunting this particular buck, so it’s special to get him. (The hit on the first photo is the exit wound as he was quartering towards me slightly for the shot, only went 125 yards). Go ahead and post him on your web page if you like. I want to thank you guys again for the knowledge I learned from attending your boot camp. I did “maid service” with a rake this spring to several beds on our property. Hope you guys are having a good fall. We have had rain through October, (10 inches) so harvesting has been delayed. Good chance for all the 1 ½ olds to make it with all the corn standing for cover. Thanks again, Chris Aasland (MN Whitetailer) 11-9-2009 Well after 3 years of U.L.M. its gratifying to see a bigger bucks than have ever been taken on our little slice of heaven. This buck I have been watching since early summer. I have video that was taken while he was still in velvet – so cool! It’s amazing how proper management can grow and hold nice bucks even on smaller tracts with hunting pressure all around. Scott 11- 5-2009
You and Chris came out to my land
April 6, 2009. My group and I have spent countless hours improving the land
since your visit. (We call it "Tonying" the land)
Anyways, 6 months into Land
Management and I've already taken my largest deer since buying the property 5
years ago. If this is just the start of the program I can't wait until I'm 3
or 4 years into it. We all enjoy improving the habitat, it's as much fun and
rewarding as hunting, and it's a good feeling knowing were actually improving
the property and not just running in circles hoping we're doing the right
thing. I wanted to share my success with you, because you were such a big part
of it.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks,
Dan Schneider
11-4-2009
Hi Tony and Lesa, I hope all is well. More pictures. My daughter’s first buck. She is 13 this year. It was shot form one of Tony’s ladder stands it was using one of scrapes we made on the 14 acre lot down the street. We have 25 scrapes being used on about a 2 acre area. I haven’t hunted the rest of the property yet but I am sure they are using the rest of the scrapes there too. 15 yard double lung. Thank you, Chris Bee 10-22-2009 Lesa,
THANKS TONY AND CHRIS AND LISA ,IT REALLY PAYS TO LISTEN TO THE PRO WE HAVE FOLLOWED YOUR ULTIMATE LAND MANAGEMENT TO THE LETTER, AND IT REALLY WORKS, THE THING THAT WE LIKE IS WE HAVE A PLAN AND A PROGRAM TO FOLLOW, AND ITS FUN. THANKS AGAIN BILL, AND KEITH HUBLER 10-29-2009
How is it going for you? My name is Bob Bergeson; I attended your boot camp 3 years ago and have followed Tony’s advice as close as possible on my 96 acre farm. I have seen an improvement in big buck sightings every year!!! Now on this third year it is common to see several bucks each night that are 150”+ Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with those of us that thought we knew everything that there was to know about deer. Bob Bergeson October 12,2009 I just
wanted to share these pictures with you guys, My friend killed Lesa let me
Know on the dates for Chris to visit my farm I want to do Here's KS Buck I killed last night!
Take Care,
Cory 10-4-2009
Lesa (Alpha Doe) and Tony: Elk hunt in Wyoming was a great success. Had a ball, My friend and I both shot bulls. Shot mine at 34 yards. Sending a picture to keep you informed. Can’t wait tell spring and get Tony on my property. Sam Whitaker 9-29-2009
Tony,
Thank you very much for taking the time to show me what
you have learned through your studying whitetails. Being a rookie with
whitetails I had tried to gain as much knowledge as possible from everywhere
and anywhere. Most of it was wrong. Your knowledge is unparalleled in
regards to whitetails. As I said I have read every book, every magazine, and
hundreds if not thousands of hours of deer shows however, I was lost. Try
this. Try that. You made me understand the way whitetails think and if only
you could do that for my wife I would be forever grateful. I guess the
whitetail will have to do. I cant believe you gave me as much insight into
the whitetail in just 6 hours with you. I appreciate the way in witch you
explained things to me and showed me the way of the master. I can without a
doubt say that is the best money I have ever spent and will ever spend in
regards to whitetails. Thanks again for taking the time to help set up the
Ultimate property plan so my sons and I will have many years to hunt big bucks
year in and year out. can't wait for the boys to come out and work their
magic.
Dr. Rick Stanley 9-16-09
Tony, Lesa, Chris.....I may now hold the record
for fastest usage by a deer in a doe bed....
I had just finished building my second doe bed just off
our main destination food plot and wanted to check some beds I had made
earlier that month. took a walk and found that the first doe bed I made is
being used as well as one of the many buck beds I built. walking back to the
truck. I headed to the newly created doe bed just to see if I could see it
from the plot ( I can) and there was a deer in the middle of it 35 MINUTES
AFTER I BUILT IT!!! No, that is not a typo, 35 MINUTES!!
This stuff really works!!!!
Thanks for everything!! John Komp 9-08-09
July 2009 boot camp
Lesa, Alpha Doe: Been busy since the Aug boot camp. Have put out fifty buck beds and many doe beds. Guess what they are using the beds already. You guys sure know whitetails. Since boot camp it seems so much easier to understand what the big deer are doing. Sam Whitaker Thanks. Sorry just get excited talking about it. 9-07-09
Tony and Lesa,
The boys put in a hard day of bed building and earned
themselves another gold star.
Chris Pierson and I walked most of the property first
off and he answered tons of questions. He is very knowledgeable and I can see
that he makes a great partner for you.
What a great guy! I enjoyed the other Chris as well and he worked very hard.
I learned a whole lot again and for this I am grateful.
I am very satisfied with your services and hope to bring
you more customers in the future. I will sleep well knowing the property is
properly set up, thanks to you and your crew.
Thank you very much Irv Eichorst 8-23-09
Tony,
I wanted to thank you for supplying Chris P., Chris,
and Vyrle for the 3 days work this past weekend. They know what to do and get
on with it. The knowledge that Chris has is unbelievable. The things we were
shown are unmatched anywhere in the entire deer hunting world. I also realized
just how much work we have left to do to turn our deer hunting property into a
world class place to hunt. Oh well, Rome wasn't built in a day and I know now
it will be an ongoing "work in progress" to get to where we want to be 5 years
from now. Please pass along to Chris my sincere thanks,
Thanks again,
Tom Griffin 8-17-09
We have you to thank for it. Allen B.
Tony,
Just wanted to relay my appreciation of your visit to my
farm in Kentucky. The information you provided will be put to good use and
hopefully help me land a big buck in the future. The knowledge you have is
unforeseen in the deer hunting world. The best part of it all though is "You
call a spade a spade and it comes with no sugar coating". The grades I
received from you bring back memories of high school. Also please have Lesa
determine when your guys can visit my place for 3 days and build some
additional bedding areas, and call or e-mail me with the details.
You are a tribute to your profession and I enjoyed
learning from you.
Thanks Again, Tom G.
Hello Lesa,
I wanted to once again thank you, Tony, and Chris for
the hospitality, openness, and passion for the whitetail deer that you shared
with our group this past weekend during the boot camp. I truly believe that
for deer knowledge this was the single best investment that I have made in my
entire life. The product that you are marketing is truly unique and I believe
that it is hands down the best investment for the money in the deer hunting
world.
In addition to the thanks I also wanted to pass along
a recommendation that my friend Pat and I have for future boot camp attendees.
We recommend that they bring with them a GPS for their vehicle, you know, one
of those small vehicle GPS units that talk to you. And the reason that we
recommend this is not to help them find the boot camp location, but
rather to help them get back home! Pat and I were so consumed and energized
after leaving your house yesterday afternoon that even though we successfully
navigated our way onto I-69 south to head towards I-80/I-90 and on back
towards Wisconsin that we missed our first exit after that because we were so
focused on deer. We realized our error just before almost missing the
following exit, we "righted the ship", and then drove back to where we
originally wanted to grab a bite to eat and get gas before heading for home.
While at the restaurant we never stopped either talking or thinking of the
just completed training. We got our snack, got back in the car, and took
off......Once back on I-69 we suddenly realized that we never got any gas!!!
So we had to get off of I-69 a 2nd time before getting onto I-80/I-90. Even
though it took us 2 mistakes we realized that we needed to focus on driving at
least until we got onto I-80/I-90. So a talking GPS might have just saved us
some time because the GPS voice could possibly have been enough to wake us up
out of our "whitetail state of mind".
Once actually out on the toll way that became the
fastest 6 hour drive both of us have ever taken. Obviously your boot camp was
a huge success with us.
Thanks to all of you for sharing and passing on a
piece of that passion for the whitetail on to Pat and I. See you down the
road.......... :) Lee Wisconsin
Just wanted to send you a picture of my opening day buck. I don't know how much you remember about Bob E's farm.....I killed him on the NW corner of his orchard along the south side of his deer fence. He was walking down that bulldozed path along the fence and I shot him at 5 yards. Judging by his sheds from last year and looking at his teeth I figure him for 4.5 years old. Rack wasn't that impressive, but he weighed 315 pounds! My guess is he was eating good. I also included one of the many trail cam pictures we got of him.........
Here are
some pics from opening weekend on our new property.
Hey Tony, Thanks for your help this summer. Here is a picture of a bow kill this year on my land. Thanks Again, Craig, Christina, Seth, & Garrett
Tony,
Here's a picture of the 11-point buck that I shot in November 2007, after
attending your boot camp. This is the biggest deer I ever shot!
I just want to let you know that I really enjoyed your boot camp, and your
hospitality. You and your partner Chris were great hosts and great teachers.
You and your wife literally welcomed all of us into your home for the classes,
and you both made the learning experience really enjoyable.
What I really appreciate, though, is what I learned at your boot camp. From
learning unique techniques on how to keep deer on your property to various
hunting methods, your classes were full of new ideas and information that you
just can't learn anywhere else. You can see from my picture that your
teaching really works!
Thanks again for a great learning experience, and hope to meet up with you
again!
Sincerely,
Fred
Lesa, What a great and life long memory it was to meet and spend the day with Tony today. The day ended fast for me as I was overwhelmed with Tony knowledge of whitetails and hisapproach to land management and hunting Truly fascinating! As I drove home I thought of Saint Hubert, the Saint of the Archers. I think there will be hunting in Heaven (of course, nobody know for sure) but if there is I will be looking forward to hunting with Tony and you.Thanks again for your professional and fun approach to hunting and land management! Sincerely, Dennis Craig August 9, 2008
Tony, This was the second time in the stand during 2008 season. I learned a lot at the boot camp and am very grateful to you for passing along your knowledge. Thanks again, Keith Beach
Hi Lesa and Tony! I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to come up and have Tony show us his techniques on our U.P. property. I learned so much from Tony about deer, deer movement and our property in the short time he was there. The amazing thing about the beds is that we had deer in them within about 18 hours after we built them!! And not only one bed either! Tony’s tactics will definitely benefit anyone hunting up here in the U.P. just as it has on ours, I have no doubts. No matter what anyone says about Tony’s techniques not working up here, our camp is a real example that they do!! I can’t wait to keep applying other tactics he’s taught us. Tell Tony we said Hi!! Sincerely, A Happy U.P. Hunting camp!!! April 23rd, 2008
Tony, Chris & Lesa, I want to start out by saying thank you for putting on your boot camp and sharing the experiences and knowledge you have learned about Whitetails. I had high expectations about attending your boot camp and it surpassed my expectations. After arriving home, I walked my small 15 acre river property and saw 50 things to improve it for deer. I even had the "ah ha" moment of identifying a buck bed location and it was right under my nose all this time. I am looking at things in the whitetail world in a different way because of the things I've learned at your boot camp. I have read many books, watched videos, and written in my own journals always yearning to improve my knowledge of why deer do the things they do. The fact you know Mitch RompoIa was a big factor why I choose to attend your camp. I was in need of raising the bar to the next level and your boot camp did that for me. The things I learned have completed the circle of the many questions I wanted answers for. Your boot camp has made me a better hunter and student of the whitetail's world.
Lesa, Thanks for helping me prepare for the trip, ordering the pizza, and making sure our visit ran smooth the entire time. You truly are the Alpha Doe. Could you let me know what a personal visit by Chris would run for. I believe he talked about visiting Minnesota sometime this year. Appleton is located one hour west of Willmar, MN. Thanks.
Tony, Thanks for sharing your knowledge and explaining things in simple ways, but more importantly, explaining things how the deer would explain it in their world. I enjoyed your enthusiastic teaching style.
Chris, Thank you for taking Brad and myself "under your wing" and making sure I understood each point you were "driving" us to learn. I respected the fact that you didn't allow camera's during the outdoor tours, but I didn't need one with you as a teacher. Thanks for driving home the key topics that I needed to learn. It was fun finding the sheds that the rest had overlooked. I take my deer hunting seriously and I'm glad you noticed that and helped me further understand key parts of the puzzle as the deer sees things, not as we see them. Thanks again.
Guys, I work in agriculture, which doesn't leave much time for hunting until harvest is over. This has always pushed me hard to learn the ways of the whitetail to capitalize and make the most of the time I do get to hunt. Your Boot camp was exactly what I was looking for. It helped answer the hard questions know one else could answer. I plan to keep in touch and share results of what I’ve learned from West central Minnesota. Thanks again...All the Best! Chris Aasland
QUOTE: "If you are looking to take that next step and expand your knowledge as a whitetail hunter, attend Tony LaPratt’s Boot camp. Start seeing and understanding the whitetail's world through his eyes, not just your own. The Boot camp is worth every cent and I can't wait to apply the things I learned from Tony and his crew. Thanks a Million!" Chris Aasland, Minnesota Whitetailer
Tony/Lesa,
I'm sure you hear this all the time, but I have to tell you anyway: Remember
the first big doe bed we built down in the tag alders in the NE corner of my
place? 8 beds in it! Just went down there to build a couple buck beds and
couldn't believe it! Only 3 days later! They have trampled the whole area eatin the buds and
decided to camp there...quite impressive!
Thanks again
John
Wednesday's Property in Pinconning. 3-15-2008
Hi Lesa,
Hello Tony, Just had to let you know about the massive amounts of deer droppings on my farm (never seen before). Seen large B.C. plus killed one. Seeing many Larger deer. What Tony taught me IT WORKS!! Mike Dougherty March 3 2008
I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY, I ENJOYED BOOT CAMP. I TOOK
TWO BUCKS OFF MY 20 ACRES THE #1 BUCK & #4 BUCK.
THERE ARE A FEW STILL RUNNING AROUND, I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE #2 & #3
BUCK LOOK LIKE NEXT SEASON.
BIG NON TYPICALS, WITH JUNK. IF I FIND THE SHEDS I WILL BRING THEM TO THE
DEER SHOW IN MADISON.
THANK YOU,
DAVID March 2008
Tony and Lesa, Thanks for all the great info at the May 2007 boot camp. We a lot going against us this year during deer season but I was able to take this buck leaving a bedding area that you helped me plan. This one was 3.5 years old. After the season, I have trail cam footage of 11 different 2.5 year old bucks using a scrape close to this bedding area. 2 of the 11 are over the hill bucks and 3 others look to be 4+ years old. Next season should ROCK and I’m adding more beds now. John Bobe Alabama February 20, 08
Dear Tony,
Almost a year has gone by since our incredible weekend with you at Boot
Camp. My son-in-law, Troy, and I are making progress implementing your
ideas. Troy took a great 8 point this year. We let approx. 12 different
bucks go, which are for the most part staying on our property (need more
beds).
Thanks for your help
Jim Hall February 10,08
Dear Tony and Lesa,
I hope everything is
going great for you 2. I just wasn't to drop a line and let you know that I
had a great year hunting. During bow season I harvested a great 3 1/2
year old 10 point. Scored 127. Then on the first day of gun I again was
thankful for a 3 1/2 year old 8 pt. Both were the largest I've ever seen up
close. I passed on at least 15 different bucks this year. Usually only see 2
or 3. I didn't even get to implement all of the things Tony pointed out to me
during the walk through, so I'm sure this season will be better.
Thanks and I hope you
have a great year
Howard Harrison (chip)
walkthrough Feb. 2007
Dearborn Police Officer
February 17,08
Tony visited my property in Calhoun County 3 years ago. I was already into food plots, and he corroborated this to me as a good practice, along with teaching me a lot more. 2 practices that I have been very aware of from Tony: 1) know where your deer are bedding; 2) don’t hunt your prime area until the rut. I have learned to respect the deer sanctuaries (and support them as much as I can). I have maintained the discipline to harvest nothing less than 2 ½ years old. I was rewarded this season by shooting a 10 point- 2 ½ year old with my bow, and a nine point monster that was either 5 or 6 ½ years old (somewhere between 130 and 140 B. & C). These both were the largest bucks that I have harvested. I shot the 9 point during the rut in a high grass field near a doe bedding area that I had stayed away from all season. He was easy picking from 30 yards with my muzzleloader. As there had been no hunting pressure in that area, it was the right time to shoot a large buck there. I even had chances to shoot 2 larger deer- an 11 point that I was not smart enough to get with my bow (I will learn from my mistakes) and a absolute monster (I could not count the times- anywhere from 12-15 with each one at least 3 inches thick and 10-12 inches tall- he was in excess of 200 “and probably around 300 lbs.). I was drawn on him from 35 yards but passed on the shot, as it was not right. Next year will yield a different stand to better take advantage. I am sure that Tony would tell me that it is very important to observe and learn from what you see and correct your mistakes. Constant improvement in the habitat and deer management techniques will yield the desired results- as you can see- it is working great! February 10,2008 Anton Stark
Tony and Chris here's a picture of a buck I took this year. only after 2 short years we are starting to see the results of all the hard work and it was worth every minute of it. just wanted to say thanks for all of your help, the berring areas are holding more deer than they have in many years we are pulling so many deer off of our neighbors property that the 21 food plots we planted this year have been absolutely eattin to the ground, I will definitely have to plant more and bigger plots this up coming year.
thanks again, Scott
Congratulations on
your great buck this year. I also had a great year. I shot my largest buck
to date a big 8 point and almost got a chance at a 160 class 10 point. I
don't think it is coincidence that after 18 years of hunting my best year was
the same year I attended your class. What amazes me is that I had such a good
year and I haven't got all your ideas fully implemented yet. I can't wait
until next hunting season. It is obvious that your ideas will only make my
place even better with time. I have attached a picture of my trophy.
Thanks again,
Dusty Buckingham
Hello Tony
Dear Tony, Lesa and Chris, Just wanted to wish you guys a Merry Christmas and thank you for all you've done for us to make our property so much fun to hunt. Yes, we have seen bucks almost everyday. We still have more work to do, But after boot camp we're putting it together. Thanks again! Mark and the boys P.S. Josh shot a nice 8pt. and Eric a nice 9pt. Dad missed a 10pt. ( buck fever!) December 2007
Following is my father's deer that he got here on the second day of PA. ( the day before his 79th. birthday) 22" outside 9 pt. 4 1/2" bases 24" main beams 167 lbs. dressed. Will get the age when we get the jaw back from southern tier Tax.
Hi Tony and
Lesa,
I think we were your
last customer this year when you laid out two properties for us in Wisconsin
in September. You can't believe how I anticipated your arrival! We were lucky
to get you at all this year, as busy as you are.
We are only getting
started with your recommendations, of course, as there is a lot to do and it
is already deer season. The work is enjoyable and not that hard. Improving
your own land is a great feeling.
I have a hunting
partner who was very hesitant to buy into any "snake oil" whitetail nonsense.
I had been to two of your seminars and to Boot Camp, so I knew the power of
your program. He still resisted. You should see his excitement now! Your visit
changed his thinking completely, and we are going to implement 100% of your
program.
I wanted to tell any
potential customers how pleased we were.
By all
means...attend one of Tony's Boot Camps! Take plenty of note paper. You won't
believe what you will learn.
From there...think
about the investment you have in your hunting land. How many
hours/months/years do you want to spend on stand hoping for better results?
What quality of deer do you want to harvest? Do you want to take that nephew
or grandson hunting some day and show him a great time? Then sign up for the
Ultimate Land Management Program.
Tony's guarantee is
as good as gold. The U.L.M program will work or he will fix it!
Tony and Lesa are so
pleasant to work with, you will feel just like we do...that we truly got our
money's worth, and that we have made two new friends.
I have never seen a
man so passionate and so knowledgeable about the whitetail deer world. It was
amazing to be told about deer's habits, then to witness it in real life on
your own land. Like the natural beds we found...right where he said they would
be. It was especially exciting to find a complete skeleton in one, just the
way Tony described they like to lay. This kind of stuff erases all doubts!
It was a real
pleasure to walk through the woods with Tony.
Two reasons not to
hire Tony... (1) you already know it all, or (2) your taxidermy bill is
already way too high.
Sincerely,
Irv Eichorst
Hi Tony and Lesa, We had a successful opening morning youth hunt with Derek’s brother-in-law (age 15). He shot this nice 8pt (he called it a 9 because it had a ½ inch pt.J) in the cotton woods and out of the tree that Tony told us hunt last year. He dropped it just before he entered his bed that we made last year. We assumed it was a 2 ½ year old; the DNR was not there when we took it to get aged. Although this would have been a nice buck next year, I think we just made this young man a hunter for life and as a bonus he wants to trophy hunt now! This was the first buck he ever shot and it was well worth the sacrifice of one younger buck. We can honestly say thank you for wealth of knowledge Tony has taught us. We have seen more 2 ½ and 3 ½ than ever before; so I can honestly say that Tony’s Buck management is outstanding! In fact we have never before seen more buck activity than this. I can’t wait until the switchgrass comes in because, I think this will be the one missing link to our success of 3 ½ and older deer hunting. Once again we would like to thank Tony LaPratt for showing us how to grow and keep mature bucks on the property! Happy Hunting! Anthony Graham Derek Breidinger (property owner)
Tony, thank you so much for your help this year at your May boot camp. I learned more about deer and deer hunting then I thought possible. Last year I don't think I had more than 6 or 7 deer on my land. This year, I saw 117 deer and know that I have 35 to 40 deer on or near my land. This was the smallest of the three shooter bucks that i was committed to killing. Thanks again, Bob Buresh
Tony,
Hi Tony and Lesa, I thought I would send you a picture of my 10 year old son's first deer. He has helped me a lot with the beds and food plots. This was from our property at the house. It looks like some of the work is paying off. My daughter Emily (age 11) is up next. She had a nice 8 point in front of her but could not get a shoot off in time and was gone. Good luck with your season this year. Thank you, Chris Bee
Hi Tony and Chris (and Lesa),
Tony and Alpha Doe, Just a quick note and a thank you. My nephew smoked this 11 pointer Sat. afternoon at 16 yds. Rough score at 179 3/4 plus a small kicker. It will take us years to get our farms Tonyized but we all learned so much and it's already paying off. It works like a charm> Thanks Again for everything!! Roger Cline and Isaac Cline.
Dear Tony, Thanks for the boot camp and all the info you gave me when we looked at my property. The year was a very interesting year. I looked outside the box and did a lot of different things on my property. After going to your boot camp and having you look at my property I look at my hunting land completely different. Creating bedding areas I have had more deer then I could imagine. The biggest part was not telling people how many deer I was seeing and keeping it to myself. The buck I shot was on Oct. 28. He was fighting with another buck who was also a shooter, this buck put him right to the ground. By the time they where done fighting there where 7 bucks in the area. I could have shot 4 bucks that night. His inside spread was 19", and he weighed 200# dressed. The taxidermist determined him to be 4.5 - 5.5 year old. I was very excited since you do not get very many opportunities to kill deer that old. Thanks again for the info I have been telling a lot of guys about your boot camp and are telling them their missing the boat. Sincerely Andy Ogilvie What I learned at Tony's boot camp was priceless information. He gave me the ability to confidently lay out an action plan for better deer hunting on my property. I now spend countless hours making maps using all the concepts taught at his camp. You will definitely learn more in two days than 20 years of hunting and managing deer by yourself. Thank you! Say hi to the alpha doe Andy Rogowski March 2007 Boot Camp
Today we spent 10 hours making buck and doe beds. We made 4 beds in one area in the morning and worked our way back to the truck in the evening. There were deer tracks in 3 of the 4 beds we made in the morning. We are having a lot of fun implementing Tony's system. I am sure it will take us several years to get things in shape like his property, but the improvement already has been outstanding. Bill Reis May 2007 Boot Camp August 27 2007
The Deer are already using my beds. Your system works in Alabama too! Thanks a MILLION! John Bobe May 2007 Whitetail Boot Camp August 09 2007
Just now able to sleep, From my U.L.M. day with you. You filled my head with so much info! It was great and I got every penny's worth! Nice to hear my farther speak so highly of you! He is not a big talker so his words have meaning. Quite enjoyed meeting you! Your passion and character speak volumes! Don Torchia June 14 2007
Lesa, Please tell Tony that within 5 days of making buck & doe beds the deer were using them!!!!!!!!!!! Richard Bray May 2007 Whitetail Boot Camp
Tony Lesa and Chris I would like to thank you for your hospitality during my time at your Boot Camp. I have been hunting since the mid 60's. I learned more in those 2 days then all of my time spent in the woods. Tony and Chris have fantastic personality's. I can't wait to head to my farm in WV. to put his concepts to work. I have already passed your brochures on to some friends of my. They are very interested in coming out for a Boot Camp. Will Randolph May 25 2007
Tony, After attending your Whitetail Boot Camp I made 2 of your deer beds and just two days later deer where already using. WOW, amazing!!! Greg Bondarenko May 2007
AFTER TAKING TONY LAPRATT'S WHITETAIL BOOT CAMP I'M SEEING MY WOODS DIFFERENTLY! AND IF YOUR THINKING OF BOOKING AN LAND MANAGEMENT WITH CHRIS PIERSON YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED. I SURE WASN'T THANKS TONY & CHRIS CHRIS COREL MAY 2007
TONY'S TAKING DEER HUNTING AND LAND MANAGEMENT TO A NEW LEVEL IT'S LIKE HE KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR HEADS. I'M GOING TO START CALLING HIM "THE DEER WHISPERER" THE WAY HE GETS THEM TO DO WHAT HE WANTS. AL LUPINSKI APRIL 2007 BOOT CAMP
Do deer shit in the woods? They do now! Thanks to Chris Pierson. After only a few weeks, deer sign on my property has improved tremendously. Over his 10 1/2 hours of property evaluation and work,
he expelled his vast
knowledge of deer caricaturists while implementing his techniques to my Best money I have ever spent. By noon already got moneys worth 10 times over. Between my hunting partner and myself we have 30 years of hunting and have never heard any of the amazing info Chris showed us. Kim Seymour. 4-16-2007
Can't thank you enough for all your efforts. The 2006 season was the most rewarding season in 17 years. All your ideas worked great. Here are some photos I thought I would share. Look forward to seeing you again in May. "Let's build some buck beds". p.s. We passed on 40 to 50 different bucks! Tim Moore 2-7-07 U.P.
To all hunters willing to put a little effort into there future of hunting. I purchased my property in 1999. I've hunted it every year .I also have no bordering hunters. I would think I could shoot big bucks every year . Well on 84 acres I have a little of everything , Food plots , oak trees , apple trees , great cover for the deer but with all this I still seen few bucks . As matter of fact I've never have seen a deer in the morning on my property ever!!! I went to a QDMA banquet and met Tony LaPratt . I listened very well when he spoke to everyone . I spoke to him after awhile , he said you won't have the problem of seeing deer in the morning again .Guaranteed even I would see more bucks , more sign or just call him an I would be out nothing , I would get my money back . I thought to myself for awhile, you think of the time I spend in the woods scouting buying the latest hunting equipment , what did I have to loose. I signed up not sure I was doing the right thing , but I also thought of all the money I had put into my property .The word "GUARANTEED" stuck out. Well my 05 season I saw 5 bucks all season through muzzle loading season . My dad saw 3 bucks in the same time. Only one shooter on the last day of the season , I missed it running away from my stand. I only shoot bucks I can get mounted 8 to 10 point minimum. Tony came to my property in June . My dad and I worked very hard to get as much done as possible before August . We couldn't wait till the opening day of the firearm season . November 15 I had to work in the mourning . I felt it was no big loss because I have never seen anything before in the morning . Well I was in for a shock, my dad calls my cell phone and leaves me a message .Quote "I had 25 does and 5 bucks in front of me by 10:00 am at one time , 3 of the bucks were 8 to 10 pointers my dad waited for a good shot on the 10 pointer and couldn't get in the scope. " I knew he was pretty excited I could get there fast enough . I saw 30 bucks for 11 days of hunting . I had many sightings of 8 to 10 pointers and never got a shot off . But I was not ready for this kind of hunting action . With a few adjustments after season I'm sure ready for next year . My dad saw 17 bucks during the same time frame . We still have a lot of work to do this year but with the results we had you'd be sure it will get done . We saw deer all day long every time we sat , seen SIX times the bucks . I have one camp just south of me they saw one buck between 4 hunters all season . Do you think I want my money back " NOT A CHANCE " TONY LAPRATT' S help completely turn my property around to the land I always wanted . Thank you Tim ! 1-24-07
Tony,
I just wanted to drop you a quick e-mail. I wanted to say Thank You to you and Chris for all the hard work you guys put in building the deer beds on our property. You guys did an awesome job!! Even though the temperature was 110 degrees. We all know it felt like 150% :). We hope to see you again next year!! Thanks Again Dustin Messner P.S. With this I'm sending a picture of my uncle and I with one of the Big Bucks that we shot off our property. It was a Twelve Point with a 24" spread! Also I am sending a picture of an 8 pointer that i shot last year! Thanks Again!! 12-14-06
Tony and his knowledge of deer have made a world of difference. The biggest difference is the amount of Doe and Buck sightings. Best year we've had went from 27 buck sightings to 62 sightings this year (2006). no deer stayed on property during summer months, now have many that stay here. Tony's program has really paid off. Keith Davis 11-06
Before Tony came I never got glimpse or sightings at these types of bucks. The very first year me and my hunting buddy both shot great bucks. Tony's system and detailed instructions made the difference. My unofficial score is 186 3/8. Me and my hunting partner will see you at the Boot Camp. Mike Dougherty ILL. 11-06
I couldn't believe all the bucks I've been seeing. Even seen 3 bucks on the very last day of gun season, and have more scrapes on property then last 30 years. combined. Tony - your stuff really works Cary Pichan 12-10-06
I can't say enough about Tony LaPratt. This is the biggest buck I've ever shot in Michigan in my 25 years of hunting. From of the moment I met Tony I could tell he was an honest and down to earth person you could trust. He helped me acquire and land manage a piece of property and in just 6 months this deer is the result. The money spent for the land management and excellent boot camp with Tony will be like spending mere pennies after the results you will receive. I can't say enough about how much knowledge and information Tony has, he is truly a pioneer in his field and I would like to sincerely thank him for this buck and the bucks to come and that's how confident I am after Tony's boot camp. He's made me a better hunter, thanks Tony. P.S. the money I spent with Tony is the best investment I have ever made. Sincerely, Hank Siwecki October 2006
Tony , Bob Nowicki here (kinter rd. farm). Just wanted to Thank you for coming out to our farm and to let you know that many of the things learned were put into place this spring and summer. Although we did not get our timber logged off, we were able to build several buck and doe beds. placed several more stands in strategic places for a total of 13 and we also planted 9 attraction food plots and one 1.5 acre destination food plot with 750 spruce trees. Although we didn't get everything done we wanted to, we feel we are ready to have a great season. Hopefully we will drop by with a bruiser to show you. Thanks again Bob Nowicki 8-30-06
Tony LaPratt will soon be a legend Tom Campbell Woods-N-Water News
Please let Tony know I was skeptical at first. But now after seeing the preliminary results. I can't believe how many Deer we are seeing. The big bucks we were seeing 3 years ago are back. We are following his instructions to the letter. I can't wait until the switch grass is mature and the food plots are fully grown. Thank you Tony for showing mike the way to many deer. Paul Mike Dougherty 8-28-06
Tony, here are my 2 bow kills from 2005. They were both taken on our 60 acre parcel in Hillsdale county. things are coming along real well. Thanks again Mike Hartges. Maybe you can post the pictures next to my other buck on your testimonial page. 8-11-06
Hi Tony after attending your boot camp in July I returned home and seen things I've been doing wrong on my land, but more I see things I can do in time to make it the best 20 acres in the neighborhood. I learned more at your boot camp then 30 yrs. of hunting on my own Rob Edwards 8-11-2006
Tony & Chris, It's always a pleasure seeing you and sharing time with you. Tony, love your honesty and since of humor. Haven't convinced Irvin in giving blind as a good neighbor jester. Want you to know that we really and truly appreciate all what you and Chris do for our organization.( QDMA N.E. Michigan Branch ) You have made a big difference in sharing your knowledge in management of property and deer. Your the "Guru!" Tony thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit our homestead. Your knowledge has given another dimension to our hunting. Thank You Irvin & Vicky Timm 7-23-06
hi! I just attended your July 7&8 boot camp ( I was the big guy). before taking your class, I thought I knew a lot about hunting, boy was I wrong! I learned so much from you and your weekend camp. you are to hunting what Michael Jordan is to basketball: simple the best. I would gladly recommend your camp to any hunting enthusiast! sincerely, Dan Zacny 2006 Tony I would like to thank you for coming to my place yesterday and sharing all of your valuable deer hunting knowledge with us. I was glad my friend was able to be there also, because he said before you arrived that i was pissing away all that money. But when you arrived one hour ahead of schedule he said well at least he's prompt. He said you probably were going to just sit down and mark up the aerial photo and be gone, well lets just say i did all of the driving going back last nite cause he SLEPT. I'm a pretty good judge of people and I use the eyes. I liked when I talked to you at the deer show you looked me right in the eyes when talking. Because when I talk I look people in the eye and can intimidate them if they are lying they can't look me back. Well buddy all I saw in your eyes was a fire and passion for deer and deer hunting. Well thanks again. Alan Lupinski June 06, 2006
In March of 06 I had the privilege of attending one of Tony LaPratt's whitetail boot camps with some fellow N.E. MI. hunters. I wasn't sure what to expect & quickly discovered why Tony has become very popular in hunting groups thru-out the Midwest. His knowledge of hunting & trapping was evident immediately. We spent two days in the woods talking whitetail deer hunting strategies, he took us to several different properties with a variety of landscapes but all had one thing in common, they were set up to hold deer! The things that we witnessed in those two days I've never seen in a book or on TV. If you own property or love to hunt whitetails then this is money well spent, by the end of the weekend my mind was racing with new ideas I couldn't wait to try out. I can honestly say that Tony helped me see my property with a new perspective. I look forward to the challenge of putting this knowledge to work.
Sincerely Jeff Brown President of the N.E. Michigan Branch QDMA.
I just wanted to say thanks for the great job Tony did on my family's property in NE Mi this spring. My family has owned this property since I was 8 "I'm almost 40 now", I never realized how much potential it has. I always thought the solution was to own more land. But now I think it has more to do with how your land is set up. The day Tony was there we built some beds, I checked them two weeks later and there were already deer living there. My father and I build some beds two weeks ago i checked them last week end, and a couple of the them are now occupied. I just wished I had done this sooner, when Tony left we had a workable plan for our property and my Father who had his doubts about my wife and I hiring Tony is more excited about deer hunting than he has been in years. I've been bow hunting since I was 12 and it really amazed me just how much he knows about whitetail deer. He doesn't just tell you what you should do; he also tells you why you should do it. And the best part is it really makes sense. Thanks Tony and I look forward to talking to you at the Food plot days in July. Bob Wells June 15, 2006
Tony I just wanted to drop you and Chris a thank you for all the hard work you did on the farm over memorial day week-end. Since then I've added a few more beds and am getting started on the scrape lines. Last week-end while working on a couple of bedding areas I found 15-20 fist sized droppings just in the junipers and Dave had deer in all of the bedding areas in the swamps ( incredible ), Dave and I are really excited about the future of our deer hunting. We are looking forward to September when you and Chris return Scott 6-9-06
Dear Tony, I greatly appreciate the time spent with you on our farm in May of 2006. Our farm always had alot of potential but it never produced any mature bucks, once in a great while a neighbor would harvest something decent. After your property evaluation at our farm, things started to change for the better as far as seeing mature deer goes. We implemented a neighborhood QDM practice in the fall of 2004 and along with your information; our farm of 150 acres harvested the largest buck for our roughly 2700 acre QDM co-op. The buck gross scored around 151 and netted around 138 with a live weight of 231 lbs. I look at our property and everybody else's a little differently now and see things that I would have just walked right passed before. I am able to take little pieces of our property and make it its own piece of habitat for does and bucks, thus making our property seem larger than it is. Thanks again and keep up the good work! Chad Thelen Stoney Creek Habitat Specialists 4-28-06
Tony, Please let me thank you again for being the featured speaker at our Annual Antler Round-Up get together. It was by far the most successful and largely attended (120+) function to date. I continue to get calls from attendees saying how much they enjoyed your presentation and that this guy really knows his stuff. Your enthusiasm for whitetail deer hunting is very obvious and contagious. I was also very pleased with your analysis of my hunting property. You tell it like you see it and I appreciate your honesty. You were quick to point out the things we're doing correctly and those areas that needed improvement. There is no substitute for actually walking the property. The prioritizing and check list at the end was a nice professional touch. Keep up the good work.
Phil Nichols Evergreen Deer Mgt. Co-op 3-27-06
Tony and Lesa,
Thank you again for the wonderful Boot Camp weekend. Colleen and I truly enjoyed ourselves. I learned more about whitetails in this one weekend than I've learned in the last 10 years. Can't wait to get into my woods and Tonyize it. I'll send pics as we transform our land. Best regards.
Milt Clark Quality Deer Management Association NE MI Branch-Director 3-21-06
To Tony LaPratt, I attended Tony's 2 day Boot Camp and was I surprised. I've hunted deer in Michigan for over 50 years & thought I knew quite a bit about deer & deer hunting but Tony taught me more in 2 days than I learned on my own in 50 years! If you want to be successful in taking big bucks and want to have a better hunting experience I recommend you to attend his boot camp. It will make you a better hunter & sports person Frank Myers Vice President QDMA Mid Michigan Branch Tony, I wanted to update you on my 2005 hunting season. March of 2005 you made some recommendations how to improve my land. I had not taken a buck in the 9 years I owned the property. I implemented as many of your ideas as I could prior to the start of the season. To make a long story short I took a nice 5pt. buck on Oct. 1st. Later on Oct. 28th. when you suggested I start serious hunting, I missed a huge buck on the other end of my land. I had no idea he was even cruising my area. I have been vigorously implementing the rest of your Land Management ideas thru this winter and can't wait until the 2006 season get here! Don Piwonski 3/27/2006 Hi Tony.... just a quick note to thank you and let you know how pleased I was with the day you spent on Thursday , March 23 2006. You were a great encouragement to me on the direction that I was headed. I have always felt that our property had great potential, but I didn't have all the pieces of the puzzle, so could never quite put it all together. The new ideas are mind boggling in their simplicity and effectiveness... how much would it cost me to keep you out of Ogemaw county from here on out??? Just kidding!! Dan Bruder 3/24/06
Sincerely, Corey Hutchins 3-20-06 Hello Tony, Just wanted to drop you a line and send you a picture of my 2005 buck. Things are going great. In just 2 years I more than doubled my shot opportunities at bucks to over 50. I had recorded over 100 buck sightings through several bucks I have seen before. It's still pretty incredible! This was all while hunting less than ever before. I still have a huge amount to do, but that's half the fun. Congrats on your 2005 bucks- awesome as usual. I'll catch you around sometimes. Thanks, Matt Miller 3-15-2006
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, TONY LAPRATT'S WHITETAIL BOOT CAMP IS PROBABLY THE BEST HUNTING TOOL I HAVE SEEN IN THE APPROXIMATELY THIRTY FIVE YEARS I'VE BEEN HUNTING. HIS CAMP IS FOR EVERYONE, FROM THE BEGINNING HUNTER TO THE SEASONED PROFESSIONAL. IT GIVES YOU THAT LITTLE EXTRA EDGE. IT OPENED MY EYES TO MANY OFTEN OVER LOOKED STRATEGIES. THIS CAMP WILL SAVE YOU HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON PERFECTLY PLANNED FOOD PLOTS (UNLIKE SOME OF THE TRAIL AND ERROR MISTAKES I HAVE MADE). I CERTAINLY HAVE KILLED MY SHARE OF DEER EVERY YEAR SINCE I HAVE BEEN HUNTING. AFTER USING SOME OF THE TOOLS GIVEN TO ME AT THE BOOT CAMP, I TOOK A 142" TEN POINTER FROM THE SAME AREA MOST OF THE SMALLER DEER CAME FROM. GOOD LUCK! RAY M. BOSWELL 1\15\06 Like many other whitetail hunters, we shared the frustrations of knowing there are deer in our area, with never being able to get a look at them during hunting hours. After practicing QDM for the past few years we could see a faint start, however we knew there was still something missing. Then, we learned of Tony LaPratt and his techniques. After some extensive research, we made the decision to bring him to our hunting property. Tony came on the 22nd. of September 2005 to set up our 100-acre hunting area. The day started off at 8:00 A.M. After spending all of about 10 minutes in the woods with Tony, I realized that this guy knows what he is talking about. We spent most if the day in the woods learning Tony's methods and how to apply them. Tony spent time with us talking about all the aspects of hunting, leaving no question unanswered. Come October 1st, we were not sure what to expect given the short time between Tony's visit and hunting season. Tony pointed out the fact that this system will not reach its full potential overnight and that we had to hold up our end of the deal to make it work. At the end of deer season, all-inclusive, we took some time to note the results. We consistently saw more deer through the season, seeing deer every time out. We had the opportunity to comfortably pass on bucks that we would otherwise considered nice. We also had the opportunity to observe the deer in the woods and understand what they were doing and why, enabling us to more accurately predict their next move. In the short time we have been putting Tony's techniques into practice we have seen very unmistakable and measurable results. We are convinced that through the implementations of Tony's techniques and some discipline on our part, for less than the cost of one trophy hunt, we have gotten trophy hunts for life. If you are willing to do your part, I assure you Tony will do his. Thanks again Tony, Lowell Kollien Ossineke Michigan Board of Directors of Northeast Michigan QDM Jonathan Kollien Taken 11/15/05
Tony, There is so much I could say about you and your boot camp that I just don't think I can do you justice by writing this, but I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your generosity and integrity, as well as your knowledge and enthusiasm for the Whitetail deer. You jokingly mentioned at one point that what you were going to show us works so good it ought to be outlawed. I thought you where exaggerating a little bit. but now I have to agree! However, now that I know it, I wish you wouldn't let anybody else know it ( call me selfish ). It's that deadly. I also wanted to say that before I attended your boot camp it was like I had a 500 piece puzzle of a hunter holding a Big Buck, but was missing some pieces that formed the hunter. After I attended I now have those missing pieces and when I put them together the hunter I see holding the Big Buck is me. I have no doubt anyone that follows your Land Management and Hunting Techniques can put the missing pieces into their puzzle and find a picture of themselves holding a Big Buck. Sincerely, LANCE BROWN P.S. It wouldn't hurt to forewarn people they need to show up well rested and mentally sharp. Even then they will probably leave feeling like their head is swimming from all the information you cover and every detail is so important. We started implementing QDM principles to our property in 2000 and improved our deer herd and our hunting opportunities by a factor of 10. When we've finished Lapratinizing the property it's going to be like QDM on steroids. The standard brand strategies of food plots, sanctuaries, timber management, and habitat improvement are the foundation of any well managed property. Most of us who have any serious interest in managing hunting property have known about these basic fundamentals for several years now and every consultant that I have talked to, or heard of, is focused on maximizing the effectiveness of each of those four elements. Tony LaPratt does this as well as anyone in the business but he is the only one in the business that goes beyond those basic strategies to such an extraordinary level. No one else is designing hunting property to manage deer movement and maximize huntability to this extreme. I wouldn't be surprised if, in a few years, every seriously managed hunting property in Michigan and beyond will have Tony LaPratt's signature on it, or at least his fingerprints. Joel Malcuit My name is Jeff Brown, I am the president of the Northeast Michigan Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association. In September of 2005 we had our first annual fund raising banquet. Tony LaPratt was our guest speaker for the event. Tony put on a very informative & entertaining seminar on Holding Mature Bucks On Your Property. He did an awesome job, the crowd loved his message & the way he delivered it. I would highly recommend Tony for any speaking or educational events. I'm looking forward to having him come back to N.E. Michigan in the near future. Sincerely Jeff Brown Intensity, You can see it in the eyes of anyone who's totally focused on the task at hand. Tiger Woods has it on the links, John Elway on the gridiron and Cal Ripken on the diamond. And the first time I ever met Tony LaPratt, I knew he had it in the deer woods. I could see it in his eyes. Here was a man totally consumed by the quest for big whitetails, and loving every minute of it. Nationally Known Outdoor Writer - Gary Clancy
Publisher of Rub-Lines and Author of Food Plot Strategies - Adam Doro Thanks so much for all of the great knowledge that you have passed onto me. The secrets that I learned in your boot camp about bedding areas and much more is really changing the properties I hunt on. We are seeing many more deer than in the past and they are staying there on a regular basis. I have also seen the results of intense quality deer management that you have done, and the potential anyone can have if they practice it. Tony, when I tell people that I pass up 30 or more bucks a year they think that I am telling them stories, but it's the truth. You once told me that "if I wanted a wall full of small bucks keep shooting them, but if I want to have nice bucks I had to pass them". You were so right. Thanks. Bob DuCharme - Michiana QDMA President - 2005 Thanks allot Tony!!! With the help of Tony's boot camp, I used the techniques for scent control and stand placement, along with entering and exiting my hunting area, to successfully take my second Michigan Archery record book buck this year [ 2004 season ]. I also have seen more deer on my property this year using the food plot techniques that he helped me with. Bob DuCharme - Michiana QDMA President We all learn as we age and spend time in the woods, but it is to our major benefit if we learn from the experience of others also. One such person is Tony LaPratt. Another person I have learned from is Dr. James Kroll, AKA Dr. Deer, who is probably the most knowledgeable all around deer expert in the world. While no one in my book can match Dr. Knoll in overall deer knowledge, no one can match Tony LaPratt in his expertise in knowing how to control deer movement on you land, no matter how small. Ed Spinazzola I met Tony in the year 2000. I told him that if he wanted to he could come down and hunt with me if he had the time. Before I knew it we were setting up stands. I have hunted this farm for over 20 years and I figured I had a good idea on how the deer move on this farm. We were setting a stand in one of my favorite spots when he looked at me a said the stand needed to be 30 yards further to the south. He pointed to a spot in the woods and said that is where your shot will be! I told him which way the deer traveled through the woods and I didn't move the stand where he said. I thought to myself there is no way somebody can walk onto a farm that he has never been on and tell me where a trophy buck will be, let alone where he will stand!! That statement was forgotten until late October when I was hunting my stand and a 170" buck appeared and walked to the exact spot were he said it would stand! Well I shot and missed because where I had the stand was to far away. I figured that Tony had just been lucky and it was a fluke. In the next 2 years of hunting with him he has done it 2 other times. After the 3rd time I figured I had better start listening to what he tells me. After hunting with him for 5 years I can tell you, Tony has the rare ability to not only predict where a trophy buck will be, he can also make that buck come to your hunting land and make him stay! I doubt if there are many people in the country that can do the things that he does. Since hunting with him I have killed 9 trophy bucks in Indiana and Michigan. My oldest son has been hunting for 3 years and has 2 trophy bucks. His second year he killed his first buck which was a 140" 10 point (It was the 31st buck to come past in 3 1/2 days of hunting form the same stand!) If you are looking for somebody to help you hunt trophy whitetails in the Midwest, his knowledge and abilities can't be matched Dave M. Patton WOW - What a season! Tony and his crew showed up early, we worked together all day, and converted our property from "Park Effect to Big Buck Habitat" In only 6 months we are seeing more scrapes, rubs, and bedding. In the "skull session" at the end of the day as we went down the check list, Tony TOTALLY changed our mind on our thoughts and practices. We abandoned trails, designated sanctuaries, and tucked blinds onto travel corridors. We are definitely moving to the "Next Level" Howard Colthurst
Jarod Jackson, owner Illinois Ohio Valley Trophy Hunts Simpson, IL. Tony, I can't thank you enough. I came away from the experience with the knowledge and confidence that I can now go out and successfully hunt the biggest bucks in the woods. Your explanations of how and where to hunt were the best that I have ever heard. I don't think that I would have ever picked up on the subtle way that you read edges and terrain on my own. Your enthusiasm for the outdoors is contagious. I will never forget the lessons that you taught me. thanks again Sincerely, Garcia Allen Pasadena, M.D. CONSISTENCY. This is what all trophy deer hunters are looking for. I have been hunting deer for over 25 years. The first 15 years I harvested 2 year & half old bucks. Since 1993 I have harvested 9 quality bucks. This is solely due to the expertise help and land management skills of Tony LaPratt. Gary Clancy, a great out door writer, once wrote that Tony is like the Tiger Woods of the deer woods. Let Tony make you a better deer hunter, like he has done for so many hunters just like me. Chris Pierson
Mike Hartges
Jamie Jent Best part (of the boot camp) was learning tips & techniques from a pro who knows what works. I liked your unconventional setups. Irv Eichorst I enjoyed the classroom, very educational. The field training was awesome. There wasn't one thing that wasn't inspirational. Fred Merten I CAN'T BEGIN TO TELL YOU
HOW INCREDIBLE THE HUNTING PROPERTY WAS THIS YEAR COMPARED TO
PR Thanks a million Matt Miller November ,7 2004 Tony did a management plan for my property two years ago. At first I was skeptical as to weather or not he could really help us. I shouldn't have been, he pointed out things that we just didn't see. He spent the entire day with us answering questions and making suggestions. He was not in a hurry to get us out of the way and back on the road money in hand. If you think you have all the bases covered you are only kidding yourself! You may have 90-95% there as we were but that additional 5-10% is the difference between taking a 2 1/2 year old buck vs. a 3 1/2 and older bruiser buck. I highly recommend Tony and it will be money($$$) WELL spent. Phil Nichols Evergreen Deer Management Coop. (Thumb Area) 2003 TONY, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP! I can tell you - I got all facts and no "fluff" out of our day. I learned more in 8 hours than 30 years of reading field & stream. you got a room if your ever in the area. Sincerely Greg Umland 2005 U.L.M. AWESOME, I LEARNED MORE LEGITIMATE INFO ON WHITETAIL DEER IN TWO DAYS THAN THE LAST 16 YRS. OF READING MAGAZINES, BOOKS, ETC. IT REALLY CONNECTED A LOT OF DOTS FOR ME BRIAN BURGER, MAY 2005 BOOT CAMP I ENJOYED ALL ASPECTS OF THE BOOT CAMP. YOU TAUGHT ME MORE ABOUT DEER THAN I WOULD EVER LEARN FROM MAGAZINES. YOU ARE A TRUE GENIUS IN THE WOODS. CHRIS BURGER, MAY 2005 BOOT CAMP
My first contact with Tony came in 1993 at the Deer & Turkey Spectacular held in Lansing, MI. Tony & other recognized trophy deer hunters were on a panel of experts that gave advice based on their experiences and answered questions from the audience. Tony had to be no older than late 20’s and what could a young guy like Tony really know about trophy deer hunting. Tony talked about hunting farm type deer, for he was a produce farmer in the Coldwater, Michigan area. I also was a farmer and knew quite well farm deer are more on the alert and move out of their cover much later in the evening and head back into cover earlier in the morning than the big forest type. Well, this young and confident guy seem to know a few things that others on the panel didn’t mention. The year of 1995 Tony gave a seminar and offered his expertise to improve you hunting experience on your land for a fee. Hmm, What can this thirty-year old kid really show me? I think I was his first customer. Tony showed up in early September and we cruised my 160-acre hunting property in Clare County. Tony spotted a brush that was recently used by a buck to shed his velvet. He next picked up on a rub on my neighbors land and showed me how that mature buck was moving through the area. He told me where to set up my bow blind and how to access it. I couldn’t believe how this guy was picking up on the deer signs so easily. I did use that blind and saw that buck several times, but decided to pass on this 2-1/2 year old eight pointer. We moved throughout the property and Tony recommended a firearm site in a low area. Deer signs and traffic was so intense in that site that I called it the crossroads. In 1996 I took a 10-point buck that was my largest buck ever to that date out of that blind and still use it today (I have deer hunted since 1952). Following Tony’s advise on land management gave me the pleasure of having 10 mature bucks living on my land during the spring, summer, and early fall of 2000. I took my many videos of this mature bachelor group and had them on TV. The biggest one was shot but not retrieved that year. He was found in the first week of November of 2001 by my neighbor while partridge hunting 50 yards off my property. This guy was a 5-1/2 year old non-typical 19 pointer that was scored officially at 190-2/8. Nothing like him has ever been taken or seen for many miles around. At least five others of the bachelor group were taken that year or the following. A young neighbor youth took a 5-1/2 year old typical ten pointer that scored 151-1/8 on the firearm opener of 2001, which was the second buck of this original group. People ask me to describe Tony LaPratt and what I think of him. Well, Tony is still in the business and giving advice to manage your land and deer. There is no one else like him that has his uncanny ability to understand deer, and what it takes to keep them on your land or how to setup your hunting sites for the best chance of success. I think of Tony as a throwback to an 18th century backwoodsman. Daniel Boone would of loved to tramp through the woods with Tony. How about this for an endorsement, I had Tony come back to my land in Clare county in the spring of 2005 for another round of expert advise on buck bedding setups, doe bedding areas, food plot arrangements, bow and firearm site locations, etc. Keep the fun in hunting! Ed Spinazzola
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