Buffalo County Outfitters

Buffalo County Outfitters books fair-chase trophy whitetail hunts in Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, and Minnesota. Owner Joel Artis runs a high-return operation—repeat clients come back year after year because they know the odds. That success comes from limited bookings (they intentionally don't overbook) and guides who live on the properties they hunt.

Every hunt starts with a pre-hunt meeting where Artis and his staff set expectations and answer questions before you step in the woods. They don't mess around with random stand placement—each morning they select your stand based on time of year, food sources, wind direction, weather patterns, and recent sightings. You get an aerial map before you leave the lodge and one of their licensed guides takes you in on clearly marked trails (reflective 3M tape and orange survey tape).

On a typical day you'll see 6-20 deer. It's not uncommon to spot as many bucks as does by hunt's end.

If you harvest, the guide staff tracks, retrieves, field dresses, photographs and delivers your animal to a local processor for caping and freezer prep. They can recommend taxidermists if you want your trophy mounted locally.

Four archery packages throughout the season, all $3,750 for 5 days:

Additional costs: 5.5% Wisconsin sales tax + 10% minimum gratuity. Half deposit required to reserve; remaining balance due by September 1. Deposits are non-refundable.

Iowa is a drawing state for non-resident tags, which means planning ahead is critical. In Zone 5 (where their properties are located), it's taking approximately 5 points to draw an archery tag and 1 point for shotgun/muzzleloader. Non-resident applications happen in May, so you need to apply years in advance.

Artis can help you navigate the Iowa draw process and book your hunt for the year you'll actually draw your tag. Their Iowa hunts book out years ahead—if you wait until you draw, there won't be room.

Hunts take place across four southern Iowa counties in Zone 5, mixing crop land, timber, ditch lines, and CRP. Properties have a mix of Lone Wolf hang-on stands, Muddy hang-on stands, Millennium ladder stands, Muddy ladder stands, X-Stand ladder stands, and Radix enclosed blinds (over 80 preset stands total). Most properties have clover or brassica food plots plus natural food sources from crops. Late season hunts utilize grain buyback with standing beans or corn.

Iowa hunts are 6 days, but they allow extra days at no additional charge if you don't tag out. They want you to maximize that hard-earned tag.

• •Lodging: Not included. Hunters typically stay at Country Cabins in Chariton, Iowa (rooms include kitchens, bathrooms, dining areas) or Super 8. Chariton has a Hy-Vee and multiple restaurants.

• •Antler restriction: 140 inches minimum with $1,500 penalty for shooting under.

• •Safety requirement: Harness required on all tree stands.

• •Personal investment: Artis creates relationships with clients, not just transactions. Success drives referrals and repeat bookings.
• •Strategic stand placement: They don't guess—they adjust daily based on conditions.
• •Full-service logistics: Tracking, field dressing, processing coordination, taxidermist referrals.
• •Experience matters: All guides are accomplished hunters familiar with their own properties.
• •Antler restrictions enforced: Wisconsin 130" minimum ($1,000 penalty), Iowa 140" minimum ($1,500 penalty). This maintains quality genetics across their land.

• •Phone: 715-491-7162
• •Email: [email protected]

State DNR resources: - Wisconsin DNR - Iowa DNR - Missouri DNR - Minnesota DNR