hear from the hunters
Dear Big Jim,
I’m still remembering, fondly, the great hunt at Ted’s ranch. Thank you so much for everything you had a part in to make the experience such a blast. I especially appreciated your wife making us those delicious meals along with our grill meister, Ted. You all really rock, David and I are looking forward to the next hunt with y’all this coming November. We are already counting the days!
Take care and see you this year! Susan Saroli
Paul,
Paige and I just want to say thanks again for a fabulous weekend at Sunrize Acres! We appreciate everything you did in order to make our hunt enjoyable and successful. Here are the pictures for Ted to sign for us. We also included two pics that you are in with us, and we would like for you to sign those, if you don’t mind. We had a wonderful time that we’ll never forget!
As for you, Paul, we consider you more than just our awesome guide – we now refer to you as our new friend and hunting buddy! And that’s a fact. I knkow if it weren’t for a 14 hour drive between us, we would be layin’ the smack down on everything from here to yonder! I’m proud to say that Daniel and Paige Smith will have many future adventures with Mr. Paul Wilson – an awesome guy, a superb guide, and a great friend!
Daniel Smith
Brookhaven, MS - 10/24/07
Hi Ted,
Tyler and I wanted to thank you for the kickass time we had hunting in Texas. It was a great father and son experience and one neither of us will ever forget. Just seeing the wildlife was the opportunity of a lifetime, being able to take a shot at a trophy animal was an off the charts experience. The time you provided us individually and as a camp was unexpected and a great privilege. It was an honor to hunt with a man who speaks his mind and stands by his guns. Thanks to Big Jim for his tracking expertise.
Thanks,
Todd & Tyler Miller
Ted,
You must hear it all the time but I just gotta tell you, being able to hunt with you on your "sacred ground" this November's bow season was just about the best thing I've ever done for my birthday. My wife created a monster 'cause I just can't wait to do it again. The whole experience was tremedous. Both your guides Paul and Big Jim are Class A. They showed that if you never give up it always pays off by finding my buck.
Once again Ted, thanks so much for the experience of a lifetime,
Robert Borrego
Dear Paul,
It is days later and Connor is still high from his first kill. Connor has shown everyone in the neighborhood his trophy wild boar pictures. He can’t wait to get to school to show all his classmates. Connor has been on cloud nine these past couple of days, walking real tall! My wife says both you and I have created a monster. I told her we have lit the fire within him. Paul, you’ve played a huge part in putting wind to a brand new hunters sails. I have no doubt Connor will enjoy the hunting lifestyle for the rest of his life. Thank you so very much for making a little boys' dream come true! It was the father/son hunt of a lifetime, what a scream, had a blast! Tell Ted and all at Sunrize Safaris, thanks! Connor wants to go again next year.
William & Connor Bohley
Gen Whackmaster,
It was an absolute honor to share hunting camp with you this week at the Newell. The roadtrips crew were blown away with your humor and you just being yourself expresing your views and thoughts on hunting and life.
Both Blake and Miranda are confused as to what to be more proud of, their bucks or hunting with nuge.
You impact a lot of people, and its easy to see why you have been so successful, after hanging with you for a couple of days celebrating laying the smack down.
You have made me even more dedicated to changing some of the bogus things that the hunting industry does when it comes to creativity and entertainment. Please know that no matter what camo flag is flying I will always be one of your supporters and will jump in the trenches with you anyday to fight the enemy for all I'm worth.
Here's to many, many more perfect arrows...
Michael Waddell, Roadtrips
"Thanks for everything Jim and Paul, you guys are the best! This was the second time I've hunted at Sunrize and it gets better each time. I got to see every kind of critter ya got there up close and personal. What a rush! Just to be able to use Ted's Whackmaster blind... brought a shiver down my spine. Put me down for next year!"
Bob
"What a fine crew you have up there at Sunrize. My whole experience was first class!
Paul was one of the nicest people you could ever meet. He was friendly, knowledgable, and above all very encouraging. He worked his hind-end off this weekend during my hog hunt. He made it feel as if we were all part of one great big family. I will always cherish that feeling.
Jim, well, what can I say, he is just as great! He was also friendly, took the time to talk to everyone, and made the whole weekend a blast. I am very appreciative of him letting me help him to skin and quarter the hogs, as that is something I never knew how to do, he made it so easy to understand and I learned alot that weekend.
I was equally impressed when Sasha, Toby and Jack showed up at Sunrize on Saturday. They were all so friendly, again like everyone else, made me feel like I was part of the whole big Sunrize family. They are some great people!!!
You have a beautiful place there in Michigan and I hope to return soon for another experience of a lifetime! To be honest I was sad when my trip had come to an end. I formed several friendships throughout those several days and that is the best part of all! Thanks for all you do to allow this kind of experience to take place!!"
Misty Hollingsworth
"I recently had the opportunity to hunt TaTonka, the mighty American buffalo, at Ted Nugent's Sunrize Ranch in Michigan. The conditions were perfect for hunting, with the temperature in the 20's and a light snow cover. My guide Paul Wilson and I set out on foot at sunrise and began stalking the the Beast. Once we spotted a large bull the hunt was on. Getting to within bow range of such a majestic animal is an experience, killing a buffalo is a sacred experience never forgotten.
Ted's master guide Paul Wilson was outstanding. His knowledge of the ranch and pre-hunt scouting paid off for me with a perfect hunt. With Big Jim's help after the kill, the beast is now ready for the BBQ.
If anyone is looking for a hunt in the midwest Sunrize is the place. If Texas, Hawaii, or Africa is your dream hunt, Paul is the man to call. He knows his stuff and can recommend a great Nuge tested hunt. I know, I call Sunrize Safaris first for all of my hunting."
Craig Kirkpatrick
TaTonka Real Estate Advisors
Minneapolis, MN
"I want to let everybody know what a F***ing great experience this is. JJ Miller and I hunted, ate raw meat, shot Glocks, and about anything else you can fill your mind with at Ted's own Texas Ranch.
Every other minute I would look at JJ and say can you believe what we're doing?!?!
Let Ted BBQ for you and Big Jim will take care of the rest. If you want a hunt and awesome experience of your life, GO For It!" - James E. Brown
My son Lance Ferrier, his best friend Dusten DeHoff and I went on a Russian Boar hunt at Sunrize Safaris and WOW !!!!!
This was the first hunt like this I've ever been on, and I'm glad it was with my best friend, my son!
Our guide, Paul treated these 14 year old young men like KINGS!! I hope that Ted knows there is no way he could have anyone better to represent him and his first class hunting opperation than Paul!
The only thing that could have possilby been any better, would have been if we could have met Ted. Every part of this hunt, way surpassed every expectation we had!
Thank you for the great memories, and we look forward to seeing you next year!
Bob Ferrier
Montague,MI
Paul, Jim & Ted:
This letter is in response to the trip I recently booked at Sunrise Acres. This was my second trip to Sunrize, it was Ray's second trip, and the first time for Jeff Armstrong & Scott Maurer of Woodland Archery. As I expected, everything was PERFECT!
I have hunted all over this great country of ours & Paul & Jim & Sunrize Acres are second to none. Their knowledge of the game at Sunrize is as amazing as the efforts they made to satisfy our needs & wants. They knew where to set us up for good clean fast-kill shots. When I think back on the many hunts I have been on, it is clear to me that a hunt at Sunrize if the very best value for the money in the mid-west, & maybe the entire United States. We will definitely be back for many more enjoyable hunts.
In closing, I want you to know that I know what kind of efforts, both
physically & financially it takes to set up such a first class operation &
you should be proud of your accomplishments at Sunrize. Your place ranks
right at the top!
Your partner in Activism!!
Rick Schnase
Manufacturer's Representative
Renegade Archery
Helping the Soul Mend
This spring, while most hunters are planning for whitetail in the fall or maybe that big hunt out west, I was headed for a hunt of a lifetime. My wife had given me the best birthday present a man could imagine. She booked me at Sunrize Acres for an October Pork Slam with the Wackmaster himself, “Uncle Ted.” I was on a high for the next few months in preparation for something I surely would never forget. I have taken animals from rabbits all the way up to elk with my bow, I was a guide in New Mexico for four years and met some really great people along the way but I could not imagine any hunts that would measure up to this one.
September 4th 2001 my world was shattered. My father was killed in a senseless automobile accident. This man was my hunting partner and my best friend. Hunting season came and went with no interest at all, I could not even tag along with others on scouting trips or anything. Encouragements from my wife and reading certain sections of God, Guns and Rock-n-Roll prompted me to pick up the pieces, grab my bow and do a little soul searching with the mystical flight. Everyone at Sunrise Safaris was understanding and put no time limit on my hunt. Paul told me to give him a call when I was ready and he even called a couple of times to check on my mental status. January 2004 - I was set and arrangements were made for the March hunt. Sunrise Acres is a beautiful piece of earth and it was easy to see that the land and the animals were well-taken care of. The moment I first pulled in the gate I could tell this would be just what the doctor had ordered. No time is wasted on the sacred ground, after a meeting to stress the importance of safety and rules it was time to hunt. Paul Wilson, Jim Lawson and Bryce Snow put a great hunt together. On this hunt there were all kinds of weapons used and these guys made accommodations for everyone with safety in mind. I have taken lots of feral hogs with my bow, but these boars at Sunrise are big, tough and an awesome sight to behold. Everyone on the hunt got to see lots of wildlife and a great variety of animals. No animals were left unaccounted for at the end of the hunt. I had the honor to take two trophy boars with my bow, with each arrow I released I was able to release some demons that had tortured me for the past few years over my father’s death. To continue to hunt and to pass the same things onto my wife and kids that my father had taught me are what keeps me going.
I cannot say enough about Ted. This man has an unmatched passion for wildlife and our hunting heritage. There is a wildfire burning inside this fellow that no water tanker or smoke jumper could contain. I watched Ted spend more energy in one day than most of us spendin a week. He made sure he spent quality one on one time with all of us and not just as a group. After that and some songs around the campfire, he sat for a couple of hours autographing numerous items for events to promote his Camp for Kids.
Any of these guys can drag a chair up to my campfire any time they like; thank you all at Sunrise for lifelong memories and new friendships. Thank you Ted for fanning those flames that were still burning deep in my soul.
Your Blood brother,
Bill Offield
Equipment $700
Lodging/gas $450
Hanging out with Ted, Paul, Big Jim, Bryce and the hunt. PRICELESS!
I hope this message will be passed on to Ted.
I was going through my hunting gear to get ready for the bow opener and I came upon some photo's of our boar hunt that we had the pleasure to book at your ranch back in April. We had eleven guys and not only did we have an excellent time we all went home with pork!
It also reminded me that I never got around to letting you folks know what a awsome job Paul Wilson did as our guide. He was very patient with a couple of our less gifted hunters and showed us all a good hunt. That guy should get a raise!
Kirk
Howell, Michigan
PAUL, I PERSONALLY JUST WANT TO DROP YOU A LINE AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT AN EXCEPTIONAL TIME I HAD AT SUNRIZE ACRES. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A HUNT LIKE THAT IN MY LIFE! THIS WAS TRULY AN EXPERIENCE I WILL CHERISH FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.YOU ARE VERY GOOD AT WHAT YOU DO, MY HAT IS OFF TO YOU. I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY ANIMALS! .I SAW OVER 100 ANIMALS IN JUST ONE HOUR. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW SPECIAL I FELT WHEN I DROPPED THAT BEAUTIFUL BARBAROSSA RAM. THEN TO TOP IT OFF I HAD A CHANCE TO DROP A BEAUTIFUL BLACK RUSSIAN WILD BOAR ON THE SAME MORNING.YOU HAVE MY VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. HOPEFULLY WHEN YOU GUIDE MY NEXT HUNT WE CAN HAVE EVEN A BETTER TIME. THATS RIGHT MY NEXT HUNT!!!!!!!!
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY FEEL FREE TO CALL .
THIS WAS A VERY SPECIAL DAY.
JOHN KIRK
Hi Ted,
My name is Kevin Nolan. My son Korey and I just returned from our second
successful hunt at Sunrize Acres. I must commend Paul Wilson for being an
outstanding guide. He made our trip enjoyable and worthwhile. Korey (15)
took a beautiful black Hawaiian Ram. We had a fabulous time.
Sincerely,
Kevin T. Nolan
Dear Ted,
Just wanted to let you know what an exciting and fun time my son and I had at Sunrize Acres hunting with you. Jim and Paul were also outstanding as guides. They are knowledgeable, helpful and paitient.
Ryan was estatic about bagging his first wild hog and already is asking when we can go back! He also enjoyed seeing the majestic buffalo and deer that roam Sunrize Acres. I am positive the Nebraska Chapter of TNUSA will be making an annual trip to Sunrize Acres to hunt wild hogs.
Thank you again for an outstanding hunt at Sunrize Acres.
Regards,
Ward Parker
I wanted to let you know what a fantastic time I had on my recent hunt at Sunrize Acres. I was fortunate enough to down a Russian Boar as well as a beautiful Corsican Ram. My guide, Paul, was dedicated to my success and enjoyment. I can't over emphasize what a memorable experience it was. I will definitely be back!
-Thomas Schiffer, Mindoro, WI
I must say that my hunt at Sunrize Safaris was quite mystical. The Buffalo were very hard to hunt with a bow, It took all day to get close enough for a good shot, but thanks to Big Jim I got within forty yards and made a perfect heart shot with a Magnus stinger two blade buzz cut, it only went 20 yards "WOW". I can't say enough about Ted, Another "WOW" you just have to experience hunting with him yourself you'll be changed for the better.....The next day while hunting a ram, I put a less than perfect shot on him and it was the last arrow in my quiver. I didn't know what to do. I took two more steps and there It was laying on the ground A bloody zebra striped arrow left from the buck Ted had shot that morning, Big Jim said pick it up and finish him off, and of course I did and made another perfect shot "WOW" Mystical? I think so. Thank you to Paul, Big Jim, and all of tribe Nuge for the hunt of a lifetime, Rock hard, Hunt even harder!!!!!!
Sincerely Dan Eudis, Freeland, MI.
Shawn Clark column:
Women hunters rocked at Ted Nugent's Michigan preserve
Everyone knows that each hunting camp has its share of stories. After all, isn't that half the fun of it? So this week, I'm going to share the story of our recent trip to Sunrize Acres in Jackson, Mich.
Sunrize Acres is a preserve hunt owned by rock star Ted Nugent. Most people seem to know that. Last week, my wife, Connie, and I made the six-hour trip there to hunt.
This was Connie's first time hunting there, and her first time in pursuit of the Russian Boars on the property.
Saturday morning found us perched in separate tree stands waiting for the hogs to make their move. I seemed to have enough action around me with all the deer moving around, buffalo roaming about and a bunch of hogs that would move in and out of the area, but wouldn't seem to come into bow range for the longest time.
Connie, on the other hand, had only seen three hogs, but they were too far out of range for her.
While I did manage to get a shot off at one, I merely grazed him.
Later in the day, after lunch, Connie and I went back out. Guide Paul Wilson dropped her off, and we went off to track down my hog once more. It didn't take long. Within minutes after dropping her off, and just a short distance from Connie, we not only found my hog, but three others with it.
We decided to switch the plan a bit, and go get Connie with the hope of her getting a shot at one. Guess what? She got the one I had hit, only she got a better hit on it than I did!
But the hog still had a lot of gusto, and after a bit of a chase, she ended up not only getting her first hog, but her first bow-killed animal.
I got one as well, but for me, it was all about Connie getting one. In fact, her hog went about 250 pounds, and mine went about 225. And remember last week's article about women and hunting? Out of 13 hunters at Sunrize, three were women, and the three biggest hogs were taken by them. How cool is that? And the biggest one was about a 300-pounder taken by a lady named Stacey Stewart.
If you are looking to possibly expand your time afield, a preserve hunt may be for you. And I can wholeheartedly recommend Sunrize Acres. Paul Wilson and "Big Jim" are excellent guides, and will do what it takes to make you comfortable, and most of all have fun.
Connie and I really liked it, and are probably going back next March. For information about Sunrize Acres, call Paul at 1-800-343- HUNT. He will answer any questions you may have, and get you set up.
Shawn Clark is a local hunting and fishing enthusiast.
Ted,
Man, I can’t begin to tell you what a time we had this past weekend. Your whole crew is absolutely the best in the business.
Paul is the ultimate kick ass huntguide that naturally makes every single person feel like the whole trip is all about them, Sasha goes way out of the way to make all my friends feel at home…
And Big Jim, man, I can’t even begin to tell you what a smoking, perfect asset that guy is. He’s my friend, but when we come out, that fella goes so far above & beyond the call of normal duty to make damn sure EVERYONE has the time of their life. He makes sure he spends time with everyone, away from the ranch, at the ranch, wherever, he promotes Ted Nugent & Ted Nugent’s Spirit of the Wild nonstop! Don’t ever let that guy get away from ya!!!
You’re surrounded by assets, no liabilities, none!
I’m proud as hell to stand by your side in the cultural war & we won’t lose son! We’re promoting the TNUSA Spirit every day, every where!
God Bless ya & have a kick ass FALL!
Rick Schnase