Southern Ohio Hunting Preserve

Southern Ohio Hunting Preserve sits on 600 acres of rolling Appalachian foothills near McArthur, about two miles from a general store. Since 1992, they've focused on one thing: real hunting experiences with animals born and raised on the property—not released animals from elsewhere.

They stock 20+ species across the preserve:

Big Game: - Elk bulls (multiple photos available before booking) - Red stag - Whitetail deer (native population, 18 tree stands available) - Russian-cross and pure European wild boar (250-300 lbs. standard, super boars 300+ lbs.) - American bison/buffalo - Black buck antelope

Exotic Game: - Fallow deer (gold medal bucks) - Sika deer - Texas longhorn - Scottish highlander - Zebu - Eland, oryx, ibex

Rams & Sheep: - Corsican ram - Mouflon ram - Barbarossa ram - Texas Dall ram - Black Hawaiian ram - Jacob 4-horned sheep - Aoudad sheep

Other: - Merriam turkey (4+ inch beard) - Javelina - Spanish Catalina and Angora goats

Availability varies daily based on market conditions. Contact them directly for current options.

Recent renovations invested over $30,000 into the lodge:

• •Sleeping: Three rooms accommodate up to 14 people (4-bed, 4-bed, 6-bed). No forced room-sharing with strangers unless you book a 14-person promo event (which you'll know about in advance)
• •Bathrooms: Two newly renovated bathrooms with hot showers
• •Meals: Three daily home-cooked meals featuring wild game—wild boar, bison, watusi, fallow deer, red deer, longhorn, Scottish highlander
• •Recreation: Dining area, recreation room, central air conditioning
• •Gear: Mudroom with lockers, plus bedding, towels, and washcloths provided

• •Arrival: After 7 p.m. the evening before your hunt (unless arranged otherwise). If you skip lodging but want meals, tell them in advance.

• •Why prices vary: Market conditions and game availability shift daily. They offer frequent specials below standard pricing. Call directly for current rates.

• •Payment methods: Checks, money orders, cash, pre-approved checks. No credit cards (they eliminated the 3-4% processing fees to keep prices lower).

• •Ohio residents: Must have Ohio hunting license
• •Non-residents: License required only for native whitetail hunts

• •Weather-appropriate clothing
• •Your personal hunting gear
• •Appropriately-sized coolers if you're handling meat yourself (ask about size—a 250 lb. hog needs at least 150 quarts)
• •Ice is available for purchase on-site

They've gained national attention for their elk program. Key differences from western outfitters:

• •See before you commit: Review photos of your specific bull before paying. You know exactly what you're hunting.
• •No false hope: Unlike multi-trip western hunts where you might never get a shot, you hunt until you succeed here.
• •Real terrain: Thick, steep Appalachian terrain—you earn your trophy.
• •Accessible pricing: Positioned as more affordable than major western outfitters.

According to USDA guidelines, hunting your own meat at Southern Ohio Hunting Preserve costs about the same or less than buying equivalent cuts from a grocery store—but it's clean, organic, and free from antibiotics, steroids, and growth stimulators. You know where it came from, what it ate, and how it lived.

• •Full day of hunting (arrive 9 a.m.)
• •Lunch and dinner featuring wild game
• •One night in the lodge
• •BYOB (bring your own beer), but no alcohol until after the hunt
• •Refundable deposit required

They have a skilled taxidermist on staff and access to a walk-in cooler for proper handling of harvested animals from field to finish.

Group discounts available, but only if the original number of hunters and booking dates remain unchanged.

At Southern Ohio Hunting Preserve, you'll either see a photo of the animal you're hunting or get something even better in person. If not, they refund your deposit—no hard feelings.