Tails of the Hunt Outfitters

Tails of the Hunt Outfitters, owned by Aaron Volkmar, operates year-round to deliver record-book whitetail hunting experiences. The operation is based in Bedford, Iowa (1403 Bent Street) and manages private hunting properties across Southwest Iowa and Northwestern Missouri—remote areas that provide both excellent deer habitat and peace away from everyday life.

Aaron is a 100% outfitter, not a farmer with hunts on the side. He's a lifelong Iowa resident who understands whitetail behavior and habitat management at a level that out-of-state operators can't match. The operation accepts only a limited number of hunters each year. This controlled pressure on vast private land—combined with strict herd management—directly increases your odds of encountering a trophy-class buck.

"Aaron is not a farmer that offers hunts as a side business, he is a 100% outfitter that works year round on providing quality big game habitat." — Mark Ferman, Oklahoma

The operation offers multiple hunt formats:

• •Archery deer hunts (early season)
• •Firearms hunts (rifle season)
• •Muzzleloader hunts (late season)
• •Spring turkey hunts (Eastern gobblers)
• •Waterfowl and upland game
• •Hog and predator hunts

Hunters can access both Iowa and Missouri properties during a single trip—essentially hunting two states for the price of one.

Stand placement is methodical. Aaron and his guides scout throughout the year, positioning stands to optimize your success and safety. Fresh stands are the rule, not the exception. The operation puts hunters in locations that have been productive historically and manages access to ensure you're not hunting pressured deer.

Clients report seeing multiple mature bucks per day. A two-year client from Maine saw "a bunch of deer" despite poor weather. A Pennsylvania dentist documented numerous B&C-class bucks on his hunt. A Texas hunter killed a 182-inch mainframe 10-point on one trip and a 151-inch 9-point on another—both taken from Aaron's access to some of the best whitetail ground in the country.

The operation emphasizes comfort between hunts. Lodging is comfortable and clean. Meals are home-cooked—Jodi and Pam handle kitchen duties, and clients consistently praise the food quality and variety. One client noted the kitchen mixed things up with "pizza night and the fish fry." Another said it was "like mom makes."

There's a lively lodge atmosphere where hunters share stories and experiences. Accommodations include extras like morel mushroom hunting and horseback riding on some trips.

Aaron treats clients as hunting buddies, not transaction slots. His guides are knowledgeable, accommodating, and willing to go the extra mile—including accessibility for hunters with disabilities. One wheelchair-bound client praised Aaron for ensuring mobility wasn't a barrier to accessing productive stands.

Clients frequently book their next hunt before leaving the current one.

Over 30 documented reviews from hunters across the country show consistent themes:

Clients include outdoor media professionals (Deer & Deer Hunting, Realtree, National Wild Turkey Federation), treesstand manufacturers, and industry veterans who hunt across the country and consistently rate Tails of the Hunt among the best.

The operation caters to hunters of all experience levels—first-time guided hunters and seasoned veterans. They accommodate special requests and adapt to physical limitations. Weapon flexibility includes archery, rifle, shotgun, and muzzleloader hunts.

Tails of the Hunt, L.L.C 1403 Bent Street Bedford, IA 50833 Cell: 515-230-9397 Email: [email protected]