ComplaintsforWhitetail Heaven Outfitters

• Initial Complaint

  05/28/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  TERRIBLE. I purchased a hunt for my husband and father-in-law for their 2022 Christmas gifts. It was for a 3-day, Kansas rut archery hunt. Speaking with ****** he shared they would help me with the entire process. He explained his outfitter had 5-star lodging and meals. After I sent my payment, I heard nothing more from ****** even after text attempts. I then reached back out and spoke with ****** They never told me that there was a lottery for Kansas, and we ended up having to switch to Ohio due to not getting drawn. They never reached out, I had to make several attempts to see what the next step was. Once my husband and father-in-law arrived, **** was at the lodge and was NOT friendly or very hospitable. **** directed them to their "room". This consisted of one large room with 8 cots set up and one bathroom for 8+ people to share. They left the lodge and got a hotel room nearby so they could actually get rest to prepare for the next few days of all-day hunt. It was explained to me that the outfitter would take the hunters to their stands and pick them up in the evening. **** proceeded to give them the address for their hunt stands and stated, "You can find it just like you found this place". **** said that he decided where each hunter was to hunt. **** never offered to take them in or anything. Later, **** was heading out to put some corn near their stands and allowed my husband and father-in-law to go with him after much back-and-forth questioning. The next day, which was their first official hunt day, they woke up and headed to the stands alone. They hunted all day and had no deer action at either stand. After dinner, my husband was speaking with 3 other hunters who explained their extreme disappointment with the outfitter and lodge. My husband and father-in-law decided to cut their loss and head home. The other hunter that they had been taking with did the same. I will NOT recommend this company and will share this terrible experience. *I filed a review also.

• Initial Complaint

  02/29/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I'm writing this review after waiting for months for ***** to remedy the atrocious experience that we experienced this past November! I've asked multiple times since *****' promises for some resolution. If you're considering this place, save your time and money. I've gone for the past 2 years and will not be returning. I lost count of all of the lies that abound throughout this place. You will likely not receive a guide for your trip. Expect more fees than were advertised in the website. Unless you're in Central Camp, don't expect the food that's advertised. It wont be there. Don't expect ***** to care either. When he has your money, you're nothing to him. Our camp was horribly staffed because the entire staff walked out earlier in the season. We were locked out of our lodging because *****'s payments were in arrears to the owner of the marina. Many hunters in the 2 groups of hunters in our lodge left early and frustrated. They were frustrated for similar reasons. I've reached out multiple times for resolution. The basic response I get is that we will do better next time if you remove the post or complaint. WHO has no desire to serve you like their advertising indicates! You are nothing but income to them!

• Initial Complaint

  01/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I emailed and texted asking for a copy of my signed contract and have no response. We asked for a copy when we signed it and they refused to provide it at the time saying they could “figure it out later”. 3 of us were part of a group that was supposed to hunt Nov 20-22, 2022. Snow delayed the hunt, we were able to come the following year , Nov 21-23 2023. We went and it was advertised online no trophy fees. There were fees for handling any deer (female deer were less than male deer which is essentially a trophy fee). It is advertised online that the penalty for shooting a buck that is too small is no more than $1500. When we got there we had to sign a contract that we’d pay up to $2000. In addition to this we were supposed to be dropped off at our hunting stands by an employee in an ATV and picked up. my 69 year old father had to cross a creek that was over a foot deep as the employee did not show. We were promised dinner and after being left on our own to get out of the woods, we got back late because the employee never showed to get us and most of the dinner was gone. They advertise “as far as 50 miles” driving to our hunting area. We had to drive 62 miles. In our own vehicle. Employees also drove ATVs and walked around looking for deer shot the day before where we were hunting and scared away deer for us, essentially giving us almost no chance of even seeing deer.

• Initial Complaint

  05/24/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Whitetail Heaven outfitters in KY was running an online auction for a duck hunt. This a guide service and this is the product they offer. I bid on the item and won. Subsequently I was contacted via text from a guide or general manager. I have all the texts and data to provide you all should you need it. The guide told me in the text that this was a 2 state hunt, which is as the ad reads in the auction. When I asked what that meant he said well we can shoot a limit in one state and then drive over to the other state and shoot another limit. That sounded shady so I contacted US Fish and Wildlife and they said that is 100% illegal. As such I requested a refund because I don’t want to be a part of anything illegal. They refused to give me a refund. When I reviewed the terms of the auction it said they will honor refunds, etc. I have this saved as well. Upon reading all the terms I noticed that Community Auctions was listed as the auctioneer and the that company is mentioned several times in the terms of the auction. I contact Community Auctions and they said they are in no way involved with Whitetail Heaven Outfitters….that company was very angry they were being used as the auctioneer and terms of the auction without their knowledge and filed their own complaint. Basically this whole thing is one big mess of false advertising. Also, the company is using other companies disclosure terms without their knowledge and public stating that Community Auctions is running their auctions when they are clearly not. Please contact me and I’ll provide full details.

• Initial Complaint

  02/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I placed my order on November 12, 2022 and the first part of my order that ireceived I requested 2 pants in size Large but I received 2 pants in XXL, and no one has replied to me about the issue. The second part of my order has still not been shipped and that is know 87 days ago, and I it was paid for so I am getting more then frustrated about not receiving it. I have reached out to them through their customer service (help) email 4 times and have never gotten a response back. I uave been very patient but this is ridiculous as a simple reply or the rest of my order would be satisfactory.

  Business response

  05/31/2023

  Hi ******

  This was fulfilled by an employee who is no longer with the company. I went ahead and refunded the whole order with shipping cost included to the customer. I am sorry for the delay with this however, I did not know that the whole order had not been fulfilled. I have emailed the customer and sending you a copy of the order refund. If you have any questions please let me know.

  Kind regards,

• Initial Complaint

  12/01/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Booked a Hunt November 17-22 at the North Kentucky Camp, a 5 night 4 Day hunt. We didnt receive what we paid for, we were lied to and deceived. When i booked hunt with ***** i asked alot of questions as i had never been on a hunt with Outfitter. I was told upon arrival we would view all trail cam pictures and decide which bucks we were going to hunt and that we would be transported to and from the stand by guide. Neither of those 2 happened when i specifically asked what to expect as we never visited outfitter before. We were told upon arrival we would view trail cam pics and when we asked we got 50 million excuses. **** said "im not tech savvy, i dont know how to do that ask ****", when i asked **** he said "Need to change batteries and stuttered and went on to say server is down" while i could clearly see on guides smart watch Stealth cam notifications coming through. Then the following mourn i was put on a very sketchy leaner stand that was 1 hour away from lodge, stand was very crooked and i felt very unsafe, this stand was 5 feet off parish road, then to top it off i had cow mooing under my tree all mourning long. This whole hunt had me feeling defeated from time of arrival not getting to see trail cam pics from anyone and being put on stand like that after driving 14 hours and having to drive an hour to get to stand... was really bummed and just knew it was going to be horrible trip. My buddy left on 2nd day of hunt after getting into it with guide because he confronted guide about service provided and guide was being rude about it. I called owner ****** ******** after trip and got no answer, sent him txt of what went on and he called me, sounded like he was going to make it right, was supposed to call me back and cant get in touch with him. Very disappointed at the customer service and services received.

  Business response

  07/18/2023

  ** ******

  I am reaching out because I wanted to let you know that we have resolved this issue with this client. He had previously demanded a full refund and didn't want a hunt. He is now willing to remove the comment and come back and have a new hunt with our group.  He will be able to come with a friend and stay at our lodge with Josh and Michelle as the host for that specific lodge. I am not sure what else you will need from me to get these cleared up and removed from our file. I would also like to make sure that we are doing this correctly because I don't want to have to keep trying to go back and forth so it's less work for us.  I want to make sure you have everything you need from me. I appreciate your patience and assistance with getting this information.  Sorry for the delay in resolving this but he was hard to get ahold of in the beginning. Kind regards, *****  * ***** ***** ** ***** ******** *** ********* ****** *********** ****************** ******************* ****** *********************************** ***************************************** *********** ******* *** ************** ** *****
  

• Initial Complaint

  11/17/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  They lied about the hunt trip. They told us they would take you to the tree stands and they drop you off and tell you to use an app to get to the tree stand. They told us that we wouldn’t be hunted in an over hunted tree stand which is not true. There were people that are a member of a club gets priority over the customers paying full price for the hunt. They overbooked the hunts. We were told that we’d have a private room and this was not the case. We were sleeping in community rooms. There was not enough bathrooms or showers. We were told we would be supplied with quality home cooked meals and we were not. Most of the time it was frozen food. We only had 2 good meal and lunch was always left overs or sandwiches that was in the fridge for days. Some of the hunting guides were still intoxicated the night before when taking hunters out. I had to leave after 2 days due to these conditions. I reached out to the company and did not get a response at all. There was also hidden fees that I was not told about that. This was not the service I paid for and it was not a safe environment.

• Initial Complaint

  11/17/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I bought my son(***** *******) a deer hunt at Central Camp at Whitetail Heaven. This is a five star accommodation lodge. When we arrive, we are told that we have been moved to West Camp lodge. West camp is a old school no where near the accommodation I paid for. I want the experience I paid for or a refund. Receipt is downloaded with prices and dates.

  Business response

  07/19/2023

  ** ******

  We have resolved this issue with Mr* ********

  **** reached out to him and he has agreed to a hunt of choice for both him and his ***.  They said that they will be removing the complaint but just wanted to make sure you knew that we did resolve the issue and have taken care of this client also. Kind regards, *****  ***** ***** ** Elite Outdoors LLC Whitetail Heaven Enterprises ****************** ******************* ****** *********************************** ***************************************** *********** ******* *** ************** ** *****

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• Initial Complaint

  10/04/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  Paid $2750 for a hunt opening week in 09/2020. Horrible experience. Guides are not knowledgeable (not of their own fault truly) and try to assist in hunts with very little information. There apparently are never any working cams for photos to show you what you'll be hunting, which makes a person question a lot once they get there and realize that. If you don't stay at central lodge, you are out of the loop on everything. Had no idea of an opening party event until I was 2 hours away and if you don't pay for the big hunts, you're just another number to them. They definitely choose quality over quality. Was an awful experience for my first hunt and knowing that money could have been used elsewhere for my family made me come home feeling like I had fell for a scam was absolutely disappointing. Lodge was nice, food was good but this outfitter is not professional. Emailed owner upon returning, he promised to call twice in email and still hadn't heard from him. Don't fall for their pictures.

  Business response

  07/18/2023

  ** ******

  I am responding as we have resolved this issue as well.**** spoke with Mr. ***** and he and his son plan to come hunt with us next year for a free trip with us.If you have any questions please let me know.Do I need to let the people know they need to close out the complaint with you or remove it?Thanks for all your assistance with this.Kind regards,

  ***** ***** 

  Whitetail Heaven Enterprises 

   

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  Customer response

  07/19/2023

  
  ********** ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  This is not the conversation we had. I’ve shared multiple times that I want a refund of some sort as I have already been promised to come back and get a redo and had it scheduled. I took off work, planned to come and never heard a word from anyone. I told **** would love to consider bringing my son back for a hunt but we didn’t finalize anything and I shared my concern of being told I could come back again (second time) and you all not keeping your word. I have been yanked around, lied to, the owner lied and yet all you all seem to care about is your name and reviews. It’s devastating to know myself and others have been impacted by poor management and customer service. 
  

  I don’t believe we have found a solution. 

  Sincerely,
  
  **** ******

  Customer response

  08/30/2023

  ** ******* ****** ** ******** **** ***** ********* **** ********** ** ********** ** *** ***** *** *** ****** ** ****** ******* ****

  Better Business Bureau:

  In reference to complaint ID ********** , I agree to participate in BBB Mediation.

  Regards,

  **** ******

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩