The History of Dakota Outfitters

Dakota Outfitters owner, Jim Moses, has more than 50 years of worldwide hunting experience and understands exactly what hunters expect in a first-class hunting experience. When Jim decided to expand his operation from South Dakota to Ohio, he searched for and found the perfect location in the pristine Appalachian foothills near Quaker City. He realized this rolling countryside would provide a panoramic and aesthetically pleasing setting for hunters to experience dream hunts, as well as a geologically superior place to breed and manage MONSTER whitetail bucks. Jim’s vision for the 3-square-mile tract of deer heaven was simple; create a cutting-edge estate-hunt experience, and develop a deer herd that will astound even the most jaded trophy hunter. With a hard-working staff and through endless planning, Jim’s vision has quickly become a reality. From professional hunters, to beginners, to handicapped hunters, to the working man who simply wants to take his buck-of-a-lifetime, Dakota Outfitters can provide you with deer ranging from 140-inch management bucks, up to 350-inch mega-giants! Dakota Outfitters is one of the largest estate properties in the Whitetail Deer Hunting Industry. But we aren’t just another run-of-the-mill, big buck operation. Sure, others can provide big deer, but consider this: Dakota Outfitters’ mandate is to provide BEAUTIFUL bucks, not just big ones.

World-Class Deer Herd

It’s no secret that, year after year, The Buckeye State fills the record books with gigantic deer. That’s one reason Dakota Outfitters expanded there. The estate’s supplemental feeding program, factor in cream-of-the-crop genetics coupled with the nutrient-rich Ohio soil, gives antler growth an extra kick. Through extensive management practices and tireless bloodline research, no expense has been spared in developing a herd with stunningly beautiful antlers. Dakota Outfitters' team maintain a herd sporting characteristically long, sweeping tines with incredible mass carried throughout the deer’s entire framework of antlers. Whether you like massive, tall-tined, wide-antlered bucks, or gnarly-antlered giants with lots of stickers and character points, you’ll find them all at Dakota Outfitters.

Outstanding Accommodations and Superb Dining

Dakota Outfitters’ cozy lodge will be your home away from home, with all the amenities you could possibly want, and then some. Your private or semi-private room is comfortable, with your own shower/bathroom and full maid service. The spacious great room has a large, flat-screen, satellite TV for when you want to watch a football game after an action-packed day in the field. And, if you’d prefer hunting DVDs, movie channels or video games, you got ‘em. What makes things just perfect after a hard day's hunt is coming back to a hot, delicious food waiting for you. You may also help yourself to an array of snacks and sandwiches in the kitchen at any time. But don’t ruin your appetite! Several of Dakota Outfitters’ recipes have been featured in Buckmasters Whitetail Magazine.

The Dakota Staff

Head guide, Eric Stonecipher, and other members of Dakota Outfitters’ staff live close to the ranch year-round. It’s their job to provide the client his/her best chance of coming home with the buck of their dreams, as well as ensure an experience that’ll bring folks back year after year. They accomplish this by knowing the property, knowing the deer herd and by making clients feel like family. Eric and the boys scout hard, pattern bucks perfectly, and you’ll find them to be among the friendliest, most knowledgeable outdoorsmen you’ll ever meet.

What to Expect in the Stand

Expect to see more, and MUCH larger bucks in one day of hunting with Dakota Outfitters than you’ve seen in your entire life. Also, be prepared for your biggest dilemma to be deciding which incredible buck to take! Dakota Outfitters’ estate features large, comfortable shooting-houses; well-placed tree stands and strategically located ground blinds to put you in range of your dream buck. Although the guides see this herd on a daily basis, there are so many deer that they usually spot a buck they’ve never seen before on each outing. It is completely legal to use centerfire rifles, muzzleloaders, crossbows and archery equipment on private preserves at anytime in Ohio, and you may do so at Dakota Outfitters. Also note that hunting licenses are not required for non-Ohio residents to hunt with Dakota Outfitters. Most hunts are conducted over large fields and food plots surrounded by dense hardwood forest and incredibly thick cover. This is not a “canned hunt” and it may be quite a challenge taking your buck on 3 square miles. But your private guide is an expert at putting you in the right place at the right time. They don’t have a better than 99% shot opportunity rate for nothing. Hunts are conducted in a natural setting, the deer do not have ear tags and there are no automatic feeders to distract from the experience.