Shadow Valley Outfitters - Testimonials

Michael Long

Fall 2021 - Mesa, AZ

Just wanted to send my thanks and appreciation to Shadow Valley Outfitters for a great antelope hunt. You were right when you told me that my guide would be a good fit. Justin Smith was a real joy to hunt with. He is knowledgeable and easy going. The hunt went about as well as can be expected. Justin knows the country exceptionally well and obviously does his pre-hunt scouting and his homework. In addition to being an amiable hunting companion, Justin is very honest and forthright. During our conversations before the hunt he asked about my expectations for the hunt and provided an honest and very accurate description of what we could expect about the trophy quality in the area. Then during the hunt he worked hard to find the best available bucks in the unit. I am very pleased with the buck I took and would highly recommend Shadow Valley to any hunter: experienced or novice. Thank you.

Mike Walsh

Winter 2020 - Tucson, Az.

After 45 years of applying for a Desert Bighorn Sheep tag I successfully drew in Unit 37B. After checking with Gavin Weller of Weller’s Taxidermy, he strongly recommended Ben Brochure of Shadow Valley Outfitters. Ben was booked up on another Sheep Hunt & set me up with Guides Andy Knolton & Jake Lindsey. Jake & Andy had done extensive pre hunt scouting & had located a ram they were quite excited about. We located the ram the day before the hunt & by noon on opening day I had successfully shot my ram. I can’t say enough about the expertise, professionalism & hard work that Andy & Jake put into my successful hunt. I would strongly recommend Shadow Valley Outfitters to anyone who is determined to get a high quality game animal in Arizona. I’m trying to get drawn for a Mule Deer tag in the Arizona Strip. I definitely will choose to go with Shadow Valley Outfitters.

Ben Sweeney

Late Bull Elk Hunt 2020 - Unit 23

I was lucky enough to draw a unit 23 late bull elk tag and chose to hunt with Shadow Valley Outfitters. I hunted with Ben and Joe Brochu and had an absolutely unforgettable experience. Ben and Joe worked extremely hard to put together an awesome camp and put us on many good bulls. The hunt ended with us successfully taking a great bull. Hunting with Ben and Joe felt like hunting with friends that I have known for years and I hope I get to hunt with them again in the future. It was an awesome hunt and I highly recommend hunting with Shadow Valley Outfitters.

Mark Hudson

Late Bull, 2019 - Phoenix, AZ

I have been hunting with Pat McCarty since 2013 and I have never been disappointed in a hunt, why because it has always been fun. My latest hunt with Shadow Valley Outfitters was a tough hunt because it got cold and we got quite a bit of snow Thanksgiving night, the day before the hunt. Make no mistake, the Shadow Valley crew are a blast to hunt with, but these guys are hard core serious hunters and guides. I have never seen an outfitter that works harder as guides or cares more about their hunters than this crew. I got sick as a dog a few days into the hunt and everyone was offering me stuff to keep me warm and medicine to get me well again. The morning I shot the largest bull I have ever seen in my scope in northern Arizona, I almost didn't go because I was really sick but I am an old Army guy and I did not want to let this crew down because they were working so hard for all of us hunters. Elk hunting for big Elk is hard work and the bigger ones are often in tough areas. Shadow Valley is not scared to go there! As we approached the cliffs that morning, I was just getting set up when the guys started saying... "Big Bull, down below" and they weren't kidding. As I got the bull in my sights, my heart started pounding in my chest with excitement. The photo tells the rest of the story. Very Respectfully, Mark Hudson

Rick Braskamp

Rifle Strip Hunt 13b

I can't thank Shadow Valley Outfitters enough. Pat McCarty, Bob Dykeman, and Ben Brochu run a top notch outfit. Not only do they have the best guides and spotters they pick the best guys you can find who treat you like family. Special thanks to Trevor Davenport and Hunter Larson who put me on a buck of a lifetime. I can't say enough good things about these guys. Thanks again.

Rick Braskamp

Ashley Strutman

Late Bull Elk Hunt

After 8 years of applying for an out of state tag, I knew Shadow Valley Outfitters was the right choice to guide me to a successful bull elk hunt. Leaving from Missouri on Thanksgiving Day into a snow storm in Arizona, I was getting nervous as my chance at a great bull elk were getting slim.

Bob and Will, the best guides, had been tracking a bull elk. But the snow was thick and visibility poor. Day one of my hunt, we headed out only seeing 20 ft ahead of us. After waiting for a break in the snow, they quickly spotted the monster elk and I dropped him. It was unreal and I was in shock. I was excited as I had waited 8 years for this moment. The snow and wind picked back up. We waited as more guides and fellow hunters came to help pack the elk back to camp. I am forever grateful and appreciative of Shadow Valley Outfitters. I wouldn’t have been able to have such as successful hunt without Bob and Will and all the guides.

Thank you so much! 

Robbie Mathews

Archery Strip Hunt

Archery Strip Hunt 2019

Shadow Valley guided me on my coveted Strip tag that I waited many years to draw and it lived up to all of my expectations!  Trevor, Hunter, Bob and all of the guys pre-scouted for months and were with me on the hunt. They put me in a great position to harvest a fantastic buck. These guys are very knowledgable and passionate about what they do, not to mention are a great group of guys to have in camp. I would recommend them to everyone looking to hire help with a Strip Hunt. 

Sam Larson

I have always considered myself a pretty proficient DIY hunter, but this year I drew a primo tag for coues whitetail in southern Arizona and knew I would only have limited time to hunt.  I was able to obtain a great opportunity through the RMEF banquet to hunt with Ben Brochu from Shadow Valley Outfitters. This was my first ever guided hunt and didn’t know exactly what to expect… Boy was I fortunate to have Ben along with me!

We located a great buck in the area earlier in the hunt but weren’t able to connect on him. After that, Ben made it his mission to find that deer for me again. While looking over several nice bucks for the next few days and my hunt winding down, Ben kept reassuring me, “We’ll find him!” On the last morning, Ben found him! He was able to put me in excellent position to finally harvest the “one” I wanted! I can’t thank Ben and Shadow Valley Outfitters enough for the hard work they put in for me on this hunt. It was truly a world class experience and an unmatched display of true love for the animals and sport. Thank you again, Ben, for making this hunt one to remember!

Sam Larson

Marla and Ron Bassler

Late Rifle Bull

My husband and I both drew late hunt bull elk tags for adjacent units near Williams, Arizona.  Friends encouraged us to hire a guide to assist us with this once in a lifetime opportunity and recommended Shadow Valley Outfitters.On the second morning of our hunt with 16 inches of fresh snow and blue skies my husband Ron fulfilled a lifelong dream and took a 6X6 bull elk with a single shot.  The following morning it was my turn.  From the edge of a small canyon I shot a 6X7 bull 30 minutes after sunrise.Ben, our guide, was awesome.  His efforts and personal attention to every detail throughout our hunt was instrumental to our success and made each day a memorable experience.

Choosing the right Outfitter for your hunt can make all the difference in the enjoyment you take away from your time in the woods.  Great hunts start with Great people.  Shadow Valley Outfitters delivers on that promise.  We believe in family, faith and friends and no doubt this is what Shadow Valley Outfitters is all about.

Marla and Ron Bassler

Nick Suft

Arizona Strip

Its hard to explain the good fortune given to Joe McGill and I with this hunt. I have been on many hunts with some outstanding individuals over 20 years. However this one will never be topped. Besides the luck of drawing a Nonresident Strip tag we were blessed with meeting the guys from Shadow Valley Outfitters. They are some of the most down to earth hunters I have ever been around and they all played an equal roll in our success. Shadow Valley Outfitters do their homework and exceed all expectations. Not a single ego in the group! Just pure passion to see another person succeed. Not to sound cliche but it's not about what you kill when you are hunting. Its a genuine respect for the outdoors and nature with like minded individuals.

Nick

Jeff Anderson

Desert Bighorn

I have hunted with Pat McCarty several times over the years so it was an easy choice when I needed for a guide for my Daughters  Bighorn Tag. We located what we knew was the biggest ram in the unit opening day about noon and by sunset we were laughing and taking pictures. I have hired Pat four different times to help with my kids tags including Elk, Bison, Bighorn and also Antelope. Each hunt has been successful and a blast. My family and I can't wait to do it again.

Jeff

Mike Moss

Early Rifle Bull Hunt.

I had waited over 15 year to draw an Early Rifle Bull tag in my home state of Arizona. For me hiring a guide was not a question but who to hire was. I decided to hunt with Shadow Valley Outfitters after talking with several other outfits. The humble approach and consistent results from Pat and Bob were the difference maker for me.  

I booked a guide only hunt and met up with the guys opening morning. Bob and Jeffery had a plan and made sure they put me in the best possible location for a shot at sunrise. As the sun came up I was greeted with Bugles from the Bull Bob said was our target bull. Once I had enough light to see though my scope the Big Bull gave me a great shot due to the location the guys put me in. The Bull was by far the biggest Elk I have ever killed and was worth the wait after 15 years. 

Thank you Shadow Valley Outfitters.

Greg Hearth

Late Bull Elk Hunt

In 2017 I booked a hunt with Pat McCarty and Shadow Valley Outfitters. From the time I booked my hunt I knew these guys were the real deal. Pat and I talked thought the summer and fall leading up to the hunt. I was also encouraged to bring a friend on the hunt. 

I have hunted many states and animals on my own and also have been guided several times and I can say that Pats knowledge of the unit and his never stop attitude kept me pushing my self thought the hunt. I had several opportunities and some very big bulls and ultimately killed my bull the last day. I didn't make a great shot requiring Pat to track the bull in some of the thickest and nastiest country in the area. Pat was a blood hound and found my bull quickly. 

If you have the chance to hunt with Shadow Valley Outfitters do yourself the favor of hiring these guys. You can thank me later.

Greg

Meg Leiber

Late Coues Deer

I would like to sincerely thank Ben Brochu and Shadow Valley Outfitters for a successful hunt that I will never forget. I was fortunate enough to go on a guided hunt with Ben. He was very knowledgeable, professional, and i felt he was very passionate about helping me reach my goals. As a woman hunter he was very respectful and while he respected my limits, he never doubted my grit. I trusted Ben and on the evening of the first day I harvested a great buck and my largest to date.

Thank you Ben and Shadow Valley Outfitters.

Pat Riley

Unit 33 Coues Deer Hunt

Is first contacted Ben Brochu after successfully drawing a unit 33 Coues Deer tag. After a brief discussion about the unit, quality of deer, and his passion for Coues deer I knew Ben was the guy I wanted to hunt with. While discussing our options for strategy, we decided on a pack in hunter multiple days on the mountain.

Ben provided an exceptional spike camp in a rugged and remote location affording us the opportunity to glass for deer from sunrise to sunset. His experience and knowledge of the unit made my hunt a tremendous success. I have recommended Ben to many of my friends and look forward to our next adventure in the wilderness. If you are looking for a world class Guide and a once in a lifetime Deer i highly recommend Ben Brochu and Shadow Valley Outfitters.

Hunter Strickland

Late Bull Elk Hunt

I had the opportunity to hunt with Pat McCarty and Bob Dykeman of Shadow Valley Outfitters on the late rifle bull hunt in unit 8. Pat and Bob and all of the guys working with them are extremely hard working a dedicated to providing a great time and a successful hunt. My hunt was filled with bad weather including 8 inches of snow and blistering cold winds. I was impressed by the never quit attitude and positivity Pat and Bob provided. I had an opportunity at a true giant bull early in the hunt and ended up killing a nice 6x6 on the last day I could hunt. The camp was very comfortable and the food that was cooked by Dee Dee was great. My brother joined me on the hunt and we often talk about the great time we had and the memories made with Shadow Valley Outfitters.

Thanks Again and I can't wait to do it again!

Hunter Strickland 

Pitcher, San Francisco Giants