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Bura Nut
Guest
Its my understanding that Garth Carter sold "Hunting Fool". I dont know if it is just the application portion or the whole deal. Does anyone know if/who the business was sold to? Thanks, Allen Taylor......
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440sixpack
Guest
I really really doubt that. Garth and Jason had a blow up but I haven't heard anything about a sale.
But like you all I know is what I hear.
Stay thirsty my friends
But like you all I know is what I hear.
Stay thirsty my friends
K
Knockmdead
Guest
I know that Trophy Hunter Mag was sold. Don't know anything about Hunting Fool.
Tines Up bought Trophy Hunter Mag.
Jeff
Tines Up bought Trophy Hunter Mag.
Jeff
nontypical
Long Time Member
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Huntin' Fool has indeed been sold.
B
bugle22
Guest
I don't know who bought it but I heard they were avid hunters and they want to keep doing what its been doing.
It has surely sold, the entire thing. Jeni (Garth's daughter) is still on board and a key part of the biz. Garth has some minimal involvement but has indeed sold his portion of the business.
The new owners are indeed avid hunters and after meeting the main guy involved I was impressed by his passion as a hunter and steward of the land/animals that he regularly hunts. It's a business and of course they'll be doing things to grow it, but they remain committed to providing a stellar tag service and first rate magazine as well as adding more (I don't know the details so I don't want to speak out of context) benefits and value to members.
I would rest easy if you're an existing member of Huntin' Fool.
The new owners are indeed avid hunters and after meeting the main guy involved I was impressed by his passion as a hunter and steward of the land/animals that he regularly hunts. It's a business and of course they'll be doing things to grow it, but they remain committed to providing a stellar tag service and first rate magazine as well as adding more (I don't know the details so I don't want to speak out of context) benefits and value to members.
I would rest easy if you're an existing member of Huntin' Fool.
cmbbulldog
Very Active Member
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Interesting. Wonder when they are going to let their members know.
grosventrehunter
Very Active Member
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I'm guessing that's why the prices went up. Either way I'm out.
sagebrush
Very Active Member
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LAST EDITED ON Jan-19-14 AT 10:32PM (MST)[p]I don't like secret BS like this. Why let it leak out slowly like you're ashamed of it? First off, all of the members should have been notified as soon as the deal went down. The new owners should introduce themselves and state their intentions. Then all the members that haven't renewed should get a letter explaining how the magazine and service are going to be even better and worth a renewal. Its good manners and good marketing. In a business where your reputation is everything and the bushes are full of snipers waiting for you to step one inch out of line, I think they are making a big mistake. I always seem to get a solicitation to book a hunt with one of their approved guides without any difficulty. The best thing about a Huntin Fool membership is the contact list you can get when you draw a tag. Invaluable, in my opinion, if you are applying out of state and don't have a lot of time for pre-season scouting.
Califelkslayer
Long Time Member
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My renewal is in the out going mail at the local Post Office, I dropped it in today.
After being a member for probably 10 of the last 12 years, I thought I could do without. But after working or chasing chukar every day the last month, I realized the WY elk deadline was approaching even though I planned to PP it this year. I got to thinking about Ut and Az elk deadlines and decided to renew.
Not saying it's for everyone but as busy as I am, it helps me.
After being a member for probably 10 of the last 12 years, I thought I could do without. But after working or chasing chukar every day the last month, I realized the WY elk deadline was approaching even though I planned to PP it this year. I got to thinking about Ut and Az elk deadlines and decided to renew.
Not saying it's for everyone but as busy as I am, it helps me.
Mallards_Only
Active Member
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They may have to rethink their new business plan. $200 for a Premium membership that gives you access to the forum and consultants? None of the advice I ever got from the consultants was ever worth an extra $100 and I'm now questioning whether their mag and unit recs are worth $100 when I can get nearly the same info from Eastman's.
Mallards_Only
Active Member
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LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-14 AT 09:20AM (MST)[p]I know but it's still overpriced "consulting," especially now that I know how they get their "endorsed" outfitters.
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440sixpack
Guest
As someone who has points in 7 states I feel what I get for $100 is worth it to me.
What I do see is with 15,000 members it's more of a hunting magazine and general info source than the top secret personal service company they would claim to be.
It's been a gold mine for the Carters, I hope whoever bought it doesn't expect it to keep growing like it has, it's pretty much reached it's potential. I suspect Garth thiks so too that's why he sold it.
Stay thirsty my friends
What I do see is with 15,000 members it's more of a hunting magazine and general info source than the top secret personal service company they would claim to be.
It's been a gold mine for the Carters, I hope whoever bought it doesn't expect it to keep growing like it has, it's pretty much reached it's potential. I suspect Garth thiks so too that's why he sold it.
Stay thirsty my friends
littlebighorn
Long Time Member
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How a father can suddenly fire his son and then sell the business out from under everyone is beyond understanding for me.
I am out!
I am out!
one_dryboot
Long Time Member
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- 5,043
>How a father can suddenly fire
>his son and then sell
>the business out from under
>everyone is beyond understanding for
>me.
>I am out!
Greed has no boundries for some, whether it's blood or not.
>his son and then sell
>the business out from under
>everyone is beyond understanding for
>me.
>I am out!
Greed has no boundries for some, whether it's blood or not.
ducksbucksandbulls
Active Member
- Messages
- 448
Point creep went thru the roof with garth and the magazine.
He bought a lot of landowner tags with your and my $$$ too.
They did very good for themselves...
He bought a lot of landowner tags with your and my $$$ too.
They did very good for themselves...
MQQSE
Active Member
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- 187
I am not someone to jump ship over $8 per month or without having information regarding whether or not the change will be positive or not. I have been a member since shortly after the company began and have enjoyed their service over the years. I honestly liked it much more in the early years than I do now, so a breath of fresh air may be welcome. I also wish Garth well in retirement. He has always been a class act in my dealings with him and his family.
P
PointsHunter
Guest
I've also been on/off member since HF started. Agree the service has declined... Early years I called and talked to Garth for unit advice - he gave great feedback. Last I called about 18 months ago it was average at best.
Still... My hats off to him - there was a definite market for the service and HF filled the niche perfectly. As a business It just didn't feel like the #staff grew as quickly as the membership and they lost the personal touch. It will be interesting to see what fresh ideas new ownership bring... There are only so many ways to re-write the descriptions for the best areas in each state!
Still... My hats off to him - there was a definite market for the service and HF filled the niche perfectly. As a business It just didn't feel like the #staff grew as quickly as the membership and they lost the personal touch. It will be interesting to see what fresh ideas new ownership bring... There are only so many ways to re-write the descriptions for the best areas in each state!
nontypical
Long Time Member
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Pretty sure Jason wasn't fired...he quit on his own. Disagreement between father and son over Jason buying/taking over the company. I'm also pretty sure it was about money.
Seems that there is some secrecy going on, but I'm not so sure it's intentional. Perhaps sale details have not been completed, so why say anything at all( from Garth's standpoint)?
I like the mag. Good articles, stories, and serves as a reminder to me of when to put in for each species and state. It's worth a C-note a year(IMO).
My info comes from a good friend of the Carter family, who is also a personal friend of mine.
Seems that there is some secrecy going on, but I'm not so sure it's intentional. Perhaps sale details have not been completed, so why say anything at all( from Garth's standpoint)?
I like the mag. Good articles, stories, and serves as a reminder to me of when to put in for each species and state. It's worth a C-note a year(IMO).
My info comes from a good friend of the Carter family, who is also a personal friend of mine.
Sounds unfortunate.
Hindsight and all, perhaps things should have been talked about long ago with both expressing their expectations. Then again, maybe they were but they never came to an agreement. Never really heard anything bad about Garth, just the usual "they ruined my odds" rants.
Hindsight and all, perhaps things should have been talked about long ago with both expressing their expectations. Then again, maybe they were but they never came to an agreement. Never really heard anything bad about Garth, just the usual "they ruined my odds" rants.
JayJohnson
Member
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- 44
I would say Travis Murphy is a safe assumption
JayJohnson
Member
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- 44
LAST EDITED ON Jan-21-14 AT 04:45PM (MST)[p]It is confirmed that it was sold and my bet is it's Travis. He was just introduced as a new consultant. They'll gradually work him in before announcing it. He's got the money, time, and knowledge to continue the business forward
littlebighorn
Long Time Member
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nontypical,
None of us were in any meeting to hear what was said, so anything reported here is only hearsay. I am also pretty sure that Garth's perspective and reported happenings are probably different than Jason's.
My information came from a source closer to the situation than a friend of the family.
Regardless, it is an unfortunate way to end a once good thing.
None of us were in any meeting to hear what was said, so anything reported here is only hearsay. I am also pretty sure that Garth's perspective and reported happenings are probably different than Jason's.
My information came from a source closer to the situation than a friend of the family.
Regardless, it is an unfortunate way to end a once good thing.
nontypical
Long Time Member
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- 4,195
+1, LBH.
BIGJOHNT
Long Time Member
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- 5,172
There is more then one new owner. They do come to this site. So I will leave it up to them to come forward. I will say they are hunting fools. I was a subscriber, but it was just a 100 dollar magazine subscription to me. As far a Jason goes. I would think he would say things worked out for him. I really enjoy his new show. I guess change is hard for some. 
LIK2HNT
Long Time Member
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- 3,396
Well either they did not get sold or I was flat out lied to when I renewed last week. I renewed a day or two after Allen first posted this. The first thing I asked them was if they had been sold before I renewed and the lady said no.
It is another research tool with some good members willing to share information. But if they sold the responce I got was not the way to start off. I would have renewed either way and give it a year, but I hate being lied to if it did sell.
Bill
It is another research tool with some good members willing to share information. But if they sold the responce I got was not the way to start off. I would have renewed either way and give it a year, but I hate being lied to if it did sell.
Bill
4
440sixpack
Guest
It does seem like they'd just say it if the deal was done, or they should anyway.
The Huntin Fool really is Garth Carter, since it started that was the whole thing you get Garth's advice and you can talk to him. I'm not saying it can't be as good or better without Garth but if he's not part of what you're paying for you should be told.
Stay thirsty my friends
The Huntin Fool really is Garth Carter, since it started that was the whole thing you get Garth's advice and you can talk to him. I'm not saying it can't be as good or better without Garth but if he's not part of what you're paying for you should be told.
Stay thirsty my friends
This came in my inbox today....
We are pleased to announce that Garth and Sharyl Carter have sold the majority interest of Huntin' Fool and have partnered with a group of private investors led by the Unique Investment Corporation, a private equity firm that specializes in advising and growing small businesses.
Garth will always serve as the founder of Huntin' Fool but will be retiring from all day-to-day responsibility in May of this year. He leaves the company in excellent hands. The new owners and advisors have 20 years of experience and a phenomenal record of assisting companies in adding value to all of their stakeholders. Most importantly, they are avid, longtime hunters and understand our business. In fact, John Makoff, a Managing Director at Unique Investment, joined Huntin' Fool in 1996 and is member number 36.
The current management team at Huntin' Fool includes Travis Roundy, Jenny Welch, John Makoff, and Burke Plummer. Burke is another Managing Director from Unique Investment. The staff is dedicated to providing the best service and value in the hunting industry. The office will greet our members with the same energetic secretaries, the Application Service is still run by the same excellent ladies, and the consultants are researching the best hunting opportunities available on the planet. We realize hunting is a limited resource that has more demand than supply. Our services and products have never been more important for members to gain access to a lifetime of better hunts and better hunting experiences.
We are pleased to announce that Garth and Sharyl Carter have sold the majority interest of Huntin' Fool and have partnered with a group of private investors led by the Unique Investment Corporation, a private equity firm that specializes in advising and growing small businesses.
Garth will always serve as the founder of Huntin' Fool but will be retiring from all day-to-day responsibility in May of this year. He leaves the company in excellent hands. The new owners and advisors have 20 years of experience and a phenomenal record of assisting companies in adding value to all of their stakeholders. Most importantly, they are avid, longtime hunters and understand our business. In fact, John Makoff, a Managing Director at Unique Investment, joined Huntin' Fool in 1996 and is member number 36.
The current management team at Huntin' Fool includes Travis Roundy, Jenny Welch, John Makoff, and Burke Plummer. Burke is another Managing Director from Unique Investment. The staff is dedicated to providing the best service and value in the hunting industry. The office will greet our members with the same energetic secretaries, the Application Service is still run by the same excellent ladies, and the consultants are researching the best hunting opportunities available on the planet. We realize hunting is a limited resource that has more demand than supply. Our services and products have never been more important for members to gain access to a lifetime of better hunts and better hunting experiences.
