Client Reviews
Mark S. - WA
Mark S. - WA
Mark S. - WA
I met Joe St. John last fall for a guided mule deer hunt on public land in Nevada. Joe is the first guide I’ve ever worked with to reach out by text in advance of our first day, providing me very helpful and detailed directions to our remote meeting location. When we started hunting it was evident that Joe had done pre-season scouting on my behalf, and knew the vast hunting area well.
During our hunt, Joe consistently demonstrated a professional level of hunting knowledge and skill in glassing and stalking. He was also quite familiar with the area, its geology, geography and fascinating history. We moved on foot comfortably at my pace, which he ascertained without comment or judgement. When we spotted our buck, Joe skillfully and patiently put me in a position for a shot at a range comfortable for me, and at no point was there any pressure to shoot or hurry the shot, even though the deer were moving away. Joe was calm and supportive throughout the process, allowing me to make the final decision. After the shot, he skillfully and carefully dressed and caped the buck, and prepared the meat for packing to my specifications. His ethical care of the meat and its proper storage continued until it was loaded into my pick-up on the day of departure.
As a hunting camp partner Joe was easy to be with, showing a genuine interest in my comfort, and I enjoyed our conversations. He never talked down or up to me as a client. He’s just a good guy who is passionate about hunting and caring for his clients. Anyone who hunts with him will be enriched for the experience.
Ron H. - CO
Mark S. - WA
Mark S. - WA
Joe did a great job for me.
It started with phone calls before the hunt to work out the details. I met with Joe the day before the hunt started and he took me into camp that Joe had already set up for our hunt. He had everything ready to go. I was amazed on how well the set up was for the hunting shack.
We spent the next few days looking for a good buck. Joe knew the area and was doing everything he could think of to find me the big one. He always kept a positive attitude. If I ever draw another tag for Nevada, Joe is who I would want guiding me.
I highly recommend Joe.
Rendle T. - NV
Absolutely amazing experience with Joe at High Country. If you've never been 10yds from a bull elk prepare yourself, it's life changing. Joe and Ashton made for a great experience and stuck with me through the many ups and downs of a Nevada Bull Elk hunt. Joe's professionalism and knowledge made for a much more enjoyable hunt, and provided this first time elk hunter with a lot of confidence regardless of what the hunt threw at us. I cannot recommend Joe and his team at High Country Outfitters enough!
John M. - NV
I had the opportunity to hunt with him in the Fall of 2022. Joe was my personal One on One guide for an archery Elk Hunt in Mid September. Joe contacted me prior to the hunt to assess my interest in the hunt. He wanted to know if I was a trophy hunter, what kind of physical shape I was in and what my expectations were on the hunt. We then discuss what I should expect during the hunt.
Prior to my arrival we touched base a couple of more times, which I believe was to keep our mutual expectation in line. Joe was very prepared, he had scouted long before my arrival and located several potential animals. As goes with hunting, the day I arrived the land was void of previously scouted animals. We had made an alternate plan and over the next few days successfully targeted and harvested a nice mature Bull Elk with my archery equipment.
During the course of the hunt it was evident Joe had my safety and customer experience in mind. We took no unnecessary risks and knowing my limitations, we always stayed within my comfort zone. When we harvested the Elk, Joe expertly quartered and hung the animal for proper preservation until we could extract the animal, as we were several miles in the wilderness on foot.
Allen P. - CA
Joe is a true optimist, and his positive attitude helps him to navigate through any situation he has been dealt with. Joe is a true go-getter and a natural leader, who will always go the extra distance to provide a safe and quality experience for all his clients.
Above all his professional qualities the thing that I admire most in Joe is that he is a great human being. His helpful nature is not restricted to matters of studies or work, but is extended to anything of conversation. He is a great listener and is always willing to talk things through no matter what the topic may be. Joe prides himself on being a great father to his children and loving husband to his wife.
For all these reasons, I would definitely recommend Joe for any job that requires enthusiasm, hard work, honesty and dedication.
Jeremy W. - NV
What an experience! My wife and I were both able to harvest our mule deer on our hunt and good thing High Country Outfitters was there with us, we had a lot of meat to pack out! I have been hunting for most of my life and Joe, with High Country Outfitters, was able to teach me some new techniques for butchering a deer and help me adjust my Kuiu pack to optimize the pack's potential to haul out the deer meat. I would highly recommend High Country Outfitters for a great hunting experience. I will definitely be using High Country Outfitters in the future, especially when I finally draw my Nevada bull elk tag.
Travis M. - NV
I couldn't have scripted a better hunt. Joe with High Country Outfitters helped me start to finish with my nevada bull elk. He helped walk me through the application process reviewing weapon and area choice to best use the points I had accumulated. He gave me the confidence to apply for an archery hunt that I would not have tried without the help of a guide. Due to his guidance I got an archery tag for the best time frame for the rut. With the tag in hand I did some review of the area and Joe helped me come up with a few scenarios for the hunt. He was fully flexible to do any kind of hunt I wanted, including backpacking into the wilderness. Joe went out to do some scouting a couple of days before I arrived at the hunting area. High Country Outfitters had supplied a wall tent with cots, ready and set up when I arrived. Based on the bull elk Joe had seen in the previous days, he laid out the different options we had for hunting and let me choose the approach. I selected backpacking into the wilderness where we saw the first nice bull at the trail head. We saw three bulls I would have been happy to shoot on the first day. After listening to bugling all night, the morning provided two chances at two different bulls. After additional hiking, we found the mother lode in the early afternoon. We crested a ridge into a valley where there were numerous wallows and over a dozen bulls bugling. This experience alone was worth the entry fee. We observed the elk and were able to make a plan. We got to our location and with Joe's knowledge on how to set up and calling ability two nice bulls came to our location. I was able to take a beautiful 6 point bull at 40 yards with my bow. It was an amazing experience. Joe assisted in processing the animal and packing him out over five rugged miles. It's a hunt I'll never forget. Thank you High Country Outfitters!
Sylvia L. - NV
My elk hunt was like a dream! I had never hired a guide before, but it was such a special tag that I wanted to maximize my chances for success. I’m so glad I went with High Country Outfitters! Joe put us on elk immediately on opening morning. In the second herd of elk we saw, there was a great bull that I wanted. Joe made a plan for us to stalk it and pointed out a good spot to shoot from. I got my dream bull on opening morning, so it’s safe to say I had a great hunt! Joe did all of the field dressing and helped pack out as well. Throughout the whole experience, Joe was fantastic! Super knowledgeable, competent, and professional. He was always gregarious and friendly and had a positive attitude despite the frigid cold and windy weather. Knowing he was there to take care of things made it easier for me to relax and enjoy the hunt. I would highly recommend High Country Outfitters and look forward to working with them in the future!