Reviews

"The Best Whitetail Outfitter in the Midwest" is probably the easiest way to describe Joel with Buffalo County Outfitters. From start to finish Joel creates an amazing hunting experience that you truly have to be a part of to understand. I was able to hunt on his Missouri property in 2022 where I passed up 18 bucks before finally taking my largest whitetail to date. This +160" deer will forever be on my list of amazing hunting experiences. I can't wait to be back in the tree stand with BCO this coming year and would recommend Joel to anyone looking for an amazing whitetail hunting experience.

If you are looking for a quality bow hunt, you have come to the right place! Joel as well as his two guides, Marty and Lance, know what they are doing and care about setting you up for success. Stand location, lane trimming, wind direction, hunting pressure and trail camera data are all taken into consideration when directing you to a particular site. You are hunting primarily out of Millennium ladder stands that are secure and include safety lines and bow ropes. You are also hunting totally free range! No corn pile or feeder at 30 yards, although you may have massive ag fields surrounding your hardwood set up.
Accommodations are super comfortable. You are actually staying in a massive Log cabin that is part of the Cedar Valley Resort in Whalan, Minnesota. I would certainly be remiss if I did not mention that the food is over the top good! Dann goes out of his way to prepare supper meals that are incredible. He also packs a lunch for your all day sit that is a sandwich of turkey or ham that he smokes himself… much better than a standard cold cut sandwich!
Our Alabama group will definitely be back to hunt w Joel, Marty and Lance!

After seeing as much of Joel’s operation as I could online. I decided to head up and help Joel on one of his stand hanging weekends.
To say I was impressed would be an understatement. We started at a couple of his properties in Minnesota. These places are made to grow big bucks. After a day there we spent the next two setting up a new farm in Buffalo co. I can assure you there aren’t many that work as hard in the off season! Joel is on the go from sun up to sun down and hard to keep up with!
The lodge and equipment are all top notch as well. It was hard work but having good stands, saws and side by sides made for a fun weekend. I can’t wait to head back up and help out again soon and hopefully sooner than later get up to hunt with Joel!!

After trying several guide services in various states, a friend recommended BCO. Because of past experiences I contacted Joel and asked if I could come and see some of his some of his properties, stands and stand placement. Joel said he was having a stand hanging weekend and invited me to come help\see the properties as well as the placements of the stands.
That was three years ago and not only am I a customer now, but I also make the trip every spring to set and or maintain stands. I decided to write a review for those who may be undecided or are not familiar with the time, effort, equipment, and planning Joel puts into each property as well as the locations within the property to provide the best opportunity to see and take a trophy buck.
Equipment:
Joel uses top notch stands, hang on stands (Lone Wolf), ladder stands (Millennium) and Box Blinds. There are other stands used as well but all are chosen to provide comfort and quiet. In the last two years we have put up mostly Millennium ladder stands as they are sturdy, quiet, more secure for hunters who are not comfortable with heights and most or all comfortable for long sits.
Location:
This is where Joel really shines. His knowledge of the property, he scouts the area before we ever show up, he considers wind direction, morning and evening currents, movement patterns, seasonal routes, and outside pressures. On existing properties, he also uses camera data, hunter feedback and first had observations to adjust stand placement. Every single stand is checked, adjusted and clear shooting lanes cut to provide opportunity for the hunter.
Extras:
This truly is something Joel works very hard at. It is almost impossible to sit in a stand without seeing licking branches/ropes and scrapes. Most times several per stand or on trails leading to the stand. Most are placed to offer a clear shot.
He also puts in food plots where appropriate, some at the stand, some along the field edges and some in areas which will pull deer past the stand.
Water Holes are also used, and I have seen them placed to not only bring in the deer, but also place them for an ethical shot.
When asked how Joel chooses where a hunter will sit, the answer was, it depends on many factors:
• Skill level
• Physical ability. Some stands are awesome but require the ability to climb.
• Comfort with heights
• Wind direction
• Photo/video evidence the stands are used and if entry/exit will allow for a good hunt
• Weather, temperature, or changes in the forecast
• Weapon used
• Hunter willingness to be open to move.
Without question, Joel goes above and be on to make every hunt successful and safe.

Good lord I don’t even know where to begin! I have known Joel since my brother owned the business and he was the hunter!! I can tell you without a doubt there are very few that are as passionate about what they do then him. Simply look at his facebook page! Every single day (including Christmas and New Year) he’s in the field. He doesn’t consider what he does work, it’s a labor of love.
I have been working at BCO for 20 years.. yes 20 and I can tell you it just keeps getting better every year. I have worked for him since he took it over and enjoyed every year. We have formed far more than a friendship…we’re family. His father helps out every year on and off season. They make you feel at home. He strives to give you the very best hunt possible, and remember it’s about the whole experience from the lodging ,,guides and stands. He spends his nights in the office plotting and planning where your going the next day for the wind and best activity! Joel strives for perfection and is never satisfied, he’s always looking for the next best spot and hottest property. You can’t go wrong hunting with him!!

I hunted with BCO in Iowa this year (2023) after waiting 6 years to draw a tag.  I told myself I wanted to try a semi guided hunt to see what the experience would be like.  I  was very happy with how Joel ran the operation and how he had the farms layed out.  Stands were in places that you would want to be in and not just were you can see deer moving in the distance.  I have re booked my next hunt in 6 years and am looking for to that hunt already!

I hunted n Minnesota Oct 21-25. I have hunted in several different states with various outfitters and I can tell u this was one of the best hunts I have ever been on. It’s one of the most beautiful places I have ever had the opportunity to hunt. The lodging was extremely nice at cedar valley resort. Rooms were big and clean with plenty of room for all your gear. The food was great every night we even had lobster a guy brought one night. Can’t say enough about the guides Lance and Marty who worked hard to strategically place people in the right spots for the right wind directions. Movement was slow due to the unseasonably warm weather but everyone was still seeing deer. I killed a 150” deer on my second morning and had deer all over me. The stands are all really nice ladder stands and they have lots of different sets to be able to move you when needed. I have been following the Buffalo county outfitters page for a few years and was very impressed with the work Joel puts in on his properties. I mean the amount of time he spends in the woods trying to give his clients the best opportunity at a great book is unmatched with anything I had ever saw so I decided to book a hunt with him and I can tell you that the hunt in Minnesota was an amazing experience. I plan on making this a every year trip and im already looking forward to next year!

I hunted with BCO at their Iowa locations. Investing in nonresident preference points for years and finally getting a kill tag in your pocket to hunt, BCO insures they are doing everything in their power to make your dream a reality. 150" deer where I hunt at home are one in a lifetime, at BCO in Iowa I saw 2 in back to back hunts, the 2nd one stares back at me in the living room! The hunt from start to finished was organized, stand locations were easy and comfortable. Hunting is hunting and never a guarantee, but our group managed to kill 4 beautiful bucks in 5 days on property we never stepped foot on until that week, so the guides at BCO have it figured out!

An outfitter is someone you rely on to put in the work so you can make the most of your time in the woods and Joel and his crew at Buffalo County Outfitters definitely put in the work. Whether it's stand prep on leases in the most beautiful land Buffalo County, Wisconsin has to offer or working with their clients to put together a game plan for the next days hunt, these guys work to tilt the scales in their clients' favor. I've had the privilege of hunting with BCO for the last 4 seasons and each time has resulted in encounters with mature shooter bucks. Add in great camp accommodations, even better camp camaraderie, and you have one of the top hunting experiences in the Midwest. BCO is a rebook for me each fall and I would highly recommend them to anyone!

I've been hunting BCO's Wisconsin property since 2006 and have never been disappointed. Joel takes meticulous care of his properties to ensure that each stand or blind is placed to give you the best opportunity. You can tell that he spends a lot of his time checking cameras, looking at deer signs, and checking the weather, so he can place you in the best spot. Staying at the lodge is like a home away from home. Joel goes out of his way to make you feel comfortable. If you're looking for that whitetail trophy hunt of a lifetime this is the place to go.

Buffalo County Outfitters is the whole package! The second you show up at camp, you will feel Joel's energy and passion for hunting trophy whitetails. He puts countless hours in during the off season to prepare for each years hunt and it shows! Everyday of the hunt can be different, Joel is always gathering information and putting together a game plan daily. He truly is about giving his clients the best experience possible. Even if you don't get a trophy deer you will not leave disappointed. Can't say enough good about my time(s) when hunting with Joel at BCO! Thanks Joel.

I archery hunted as a nonresident with BCO in Iowa 2022. Chose BCO after meeting with Joel and watching his efforts via social media. His limited numbers of hunters taken each season and opportunities at mature deer is what drew my attention to his business. The hunt met all expectations and shared trail camera photos kept anticipation high. My guide Kyle was stellar. I enjoyed nightly conversation regarding game plans based on weather and his dedication to success is what set him apart. There was good communication throughout the day on the hunt action. My hunt was successful and I fully intend to return to BCO in the near future. I recently booked a hunt with Joel with his Minnesota operation while I wait to draw another Iowa tag in the future.

What a hunt! I never was an early season whitetail hunter, but Joel at BCO, sold me with his dedication in his food plots and knowing what animals are in the area. Every day can be different and Joel is dedicated into looking at every option to put you on a trophy deer. The BCO lodge feels like home!!

I've bow hunted with Joel for several years in Wisconsin. I always feel that he's putting me and the other hunters in the best stands for getting an opportunity at a great buck. Joel takes great effort in putting in food plots and stand placement. Stands are always safe and easy to find. Extremely easy! The lodge is very comfortable and well stocked with everything you'd need. Dinners are very good with plenty of food.

I also started to gun hunt in Iowa with Joel. This year will be my 3rd time and have always had great hunts. Just like Wisconsin, Joel spends a lot of time and effort putting in food plots and setting up blinds. I've seen shooters both years as well as many up and comers. I've hunted whitetails with quite a few outfitters across several states and can honestly say that Joel does everything possible to get his hunters on great deer. Whether I've harvested a buck or not, I have always come home feeling good about my hunt in both states.

I've archery hunted with Joel in Wisconsin and Iowa. The knowledge of his properties and the work he puts in, both in and out of the field, have led me to successful harvests and some of the best hunts of my life. Trails are marked, stands are rock solid, lanes are cleared. Joel knows how to get you close, leaving only the shot execution up to the client.

I have hunted with Joel & BCO in Wisconsin since 2008. Not only are the amenities, people, guides, bucks, and properties world class, so is Joel! Joel puts his heart and soul into the deer on his properties 24/7/365! He is out there laying his heart and expertise on the line only to be sure he has each hunter in the best position to take the buck of a lifetime! Believe me! I have seen it and he's made it happen for me numerous times! One thing that gets looked over, a lot of times in a hunt of a lifetime, is what happens after you release on the buck of your dreams...be truthful about your shot placement and remain confident and I assure you that won't find any outfitter that will out work Joel & BCO in recovering your trophy!

So, if you're interested in hunting the buck of a lifetime where the people are just as interested in you fulfilling that dream of tagging a trophy buck, then give Joel@BCO a call! You won't regret it!

I have been hunting with Buffalo County Outfitters for over 15 yrs. During this time I have hunted in Wisconsin and Iowa with Joel. Besides the obvious incredible deer photos that are captured on the game cameras each year, the first thing I was taken back by in Buffalo County Wisconsin, was the beauty of the landscape which included agricultural fields with the rolling wooded hills that provided incredible habitat for the deer and basically was just incredible to see. The second thing was a combination of the lodging accommodations and dedicated professionalism of the guides.

There are an array of stand set ups that include elevated stands and blinds as well as ground blinds to accommodate whatever his clients prefer.

I have been fortunate to have hunted and formed friendships with a lot of fellow hunters that I continue to hunt with at BCO each year. I was fortunate enough several years ago to book a hunt with BCO in Iowa after I finally drew a Non-resident archery tag and saw an absolute "Giant"....the first deer I ever saw alive that was at least 200 inches. My friends I met at BCO and I have already booked a 2025 archery Hunt in Iowa with Joel and I can't wait to book a hunt with his newest area in Minnesota and Missouri.

Joel works extremely hard the entire year to ensure that he is providing his clients with the best possible opportunity at a chance to harvest that deer of a lifetime and his guides are there to assist in making everything enjoyable.

Also, You have to stop into Buzz's Bar and Grill in Mondovi...it's just part of the BCO experience.

I have hunted with Joel 3 times so far. My first was an archery hunt in Iowa in 2018, second was a shotgun hunt in Iowa in 2020, and the third time was an archery hunt in Missouri in 2022. On my 3 hunts I have harvested 3 deer gross scoring from 145"-187". I have hunted many places in the U.S. and Canada and will tell you that hunting with Joel is the best I've ever had. He is very knowledgeable and will stop at nothing to do his very best to give you an opportunity of harvesting a great deer. The guy never stops. He is constantly checking trail cameras, watching wind directions, planting food plots, and making sure stands are where they need to be. He is the only outfitter I've hunted with that I believe wants you to kill a deer as bad as you the hunter does. I would recommend Joel and BCO to anyone I know looking to go on a trophy whitetail hunt. Thank you Joel for 3 great hunts already and more in the future.

I hunted with Joel during the first shotgun season in Iowa. You will not find a harder working outfitter than Joel. He literally works 365 days a year improving his properties for trophy Whitetails. Joel truly wants you to shoot the biggest deer of your life and will put in the effort to help you tag a trophy buck. I killed a 164 inch buck during my hunt and our group of three hunters all shot nice bucks. I have hunted with many outfitters over the years and Buffalo County Outfitters checks all the boxes.