Loading...
Loading...
The Refuge Ranch, run by Paul Wyman and his family, sits on preserved acreage in Mecosta, Michigan—about an hour north of Grand Rapids. This is a guided, fair-chase whitetail preserve where hunters book multi-day trips to hunt trophy-class deer in a managed environment.
Own The Refuge Ranch?
01 // DETAILS
Full description and what we offer
The Refuge Ranch, run by Paul Wyman and his family, sits on preserved acreage in Mecosta, Michigan—about an hour north of Grand Rapids. This is a guided, fair-chase whitetail preserve where hunters book multi-day trips to hunt trophy-class deer in a managed environment.
The ranch operates a state-of-the-art breeding facility focused on genetics and nutrition. Most deer hit 200+ inches by age 2 and weigh around 250 pounds. Mature bucks at 4–5 years can exceed 400 pounds and 230 inches SCI. Recent harvests include bucks with 29-inch inside spreads, double drop tines, and 300+ pound body weights—animals most wild hunters never see.
"It was an amazing hunt at the ranch and was probably the most exciting trophy whitetail hunt of my life and the rack was enormous." — David, Texas hunter
Stand Setup: - 14-foot Ambush stands overlooking food plots - 20-foot double-person ladder stands over funnels and draws - Open ladder stands for archery/crossbow hunters - Most shots: 100–125 yards (rifles), ~25 yards (bows)
Rifle Requirements: - Minimum .243 caliber - AR-10 acceptable; AR-15 limited to 6.5 Grendel or 6.8 SPC - Bring 40 rounds (2 boxes) for sighting and hunting - Must have fired your rifle within 30 days before arrival - Gun range provided with covered shooting benches
Archery & Crossbow: Compound bows and crossbows welcome. Notify guides if you want a longer-range challenge.
The property includes: - Five 13-acre food plots planted with white clover, irrigated underground - River bottoms and marshlands for cover and water - Pine and hardwood forests on rolling upland - Swamp cover where mature bucks hide during daylight
Deer are fed 16–18% protein daily via mineral and protein feeders to support growth that rivals or exceeds wild genetics.
The 7,000-square-foot Hunting Lodge features: - Six private bedrooms - 4.5 semi-private bathrooms - Free Wi-Fi throughout - Custom kitchen menu designed with each guest before arrival - Meals included (Paul usually cooks) - Custom hunt gift bags for all guests
Most guest fees waived for paying clients. Capacity for multiple hunting parties simultaneously—you share camp with other hunters.
| Buck Class | Price |
|---|---|
| 181"–200" | $8,000 |
| 201"–220" | $10,000 |
| 221"+ | $12,000 |
Every package includes: - 3 days hunting, 2 nights lodging - All meals - No license required - Game processing (meat butchering available) - Professional guide (hunt guide has final say on wounded animals)
Family discounts available—ask when booking. Reserve early for best selection of the largest bucks.
After your harvest, the ranch offers: - Caping and antler prep - Full taxidermy coordination - Professional meat processing through trusted butcher - Photos and video documentation during your hunt
Downtime includes a professional clay pigeon range. Shoot 25/25 and you leave with a new Remington 870 shotgun (or comparable) from their local gun store partner.
Ranked as one of the Top Michigan Trophy Whitetail Deer Hunting Destinations (2021–present) by Ranch Review and Outfitter Connection.
Paul Wyman describes the experience as "a premier hunting experience for folks on Main Street, not Wall Street." The ranch is operated with Christian values; hunts feel more like trips with longtime friends than transactional outings. Guides are young, tough, and capable of recovering deer from remote swamp areas.
Contact: Phone: (616) 460-8100 Email: [email protected] Address: 9999 70th Ave., Mecosta, MI 49332
Ranch open year-round for visits and to observe deer through all growth cycles.