White Oak Exotic Ram Hunt:  By Brad Blaine
It had been over six years since I had been on a hunting preserve.  The last one was Clarkrange Hunting Lodge in Clarkrange, Tennessee and it was for boar.  My father, and two good hunting buddies, Jeremy and Kevin, all went in pursuit of russian boar in the steep Tennessee mountains and had a wonderful time, for the most part.  I decided early in 2004 that I wanted to go on another hunt and this time looked to the north. 

White Oak Hunting Preserve has been in operation for almost 20 years.  I first became acquainted with the operation during my junior high days.  Back then, all us boys would load up in the car with Dad and go to the West Virginia Hunting, Fishing and Outdoors show in Charleston every January.  It was there that I first heard of White Oak Hunting Preserve and they seemed top notch by their brochures and flyers which I scarfed up off their table just like all other outfitters and preserves that exhibited during the event.  I would sit of an evening and browse through the brochures day after day, hoping I'd one day get the opportunity to hunt some of these places and White Oak was on the top of my list.

Finally after nearly 15 years of waiting the opportunity came.  I made the usual announcement of my plans to friends and family to see who would be interested in going.  Though many voiced a desire, either time or money didn't allow it.  "Well fine," I thought, that isn't going to stop me.  So in August of 2004, I booked a hunt.  I had many questions as the last outing was o.k., but not everything that I expected it to be.  Sherri Potts, the co-owner/secretary/excellant cook, was patient and answered my questions fully and patiently.  After milling over her responses, I sent in my deposit for an exotic ram hunt in October of 2004. 
Exotic rams come in all shapes, sizes and colors.  The "hair" sheep like Corsicans, Texas Dall and others are all beautiful trophies.  But having heard from more than one source that the meat was poor tasting, I opted to go after something a little more pleasing to the palate.  I found the answer with barbarossa rams.  Developed through some exotic cross they provide a wooly and sharp looking trophy with quality eating to boot. 

So, the decision was made - barbarossa ram, at White Oak Hunting Preserve in October.  But, what would I hunt with?  That was somewhat of an adventure within itself!  I had acquired a Winchester Model 70 Classic Featherweight in 270 and had topped it off with a Leupold VX-III 3.5-10X scope.  I had even had it sighted in but hadn't developed accurate handloads for it yet.  Time wasn't on my side but I somehow managed to eek out a decently accurate load, about 1 1/4 inch groups, with help from the Nosler manual's suggested accuracy load of 55 grains of H-4831 and 130 grain Nosler Partitions.  I loaded them up, sighted in and packed it away for the trip.  Just in case I brough "Mr. Goodbye" along - my Winchester Model 70 XTR 30-06 who was responsible for over 100 critter's demise, in the event the 270 took a dump on the trip.  Needless to say, I was well packed!

I left Friday evening at about 3:00 PM.  The trip would take an estimated 2 1/2 hours from Dad's house according to Mapquest - the internet driving direction website.  Well, as usual, the estimated drive time was off and I was about 30 minutes early.  Usually, this wouldn't be a bad thing but "check-in" wasn't until 6:00 PM.  Nonetheless, I was on the gravel road leading to the lodge.  I passed by the eastern edge of the property and noticed the high fence and in it, spotted fallow deer.  What a site!  Never seen them before and though I was in my vehicle they didn't seem alarmed until I stopped then the whole herd ran off.  Guess they were expecting someone to shoot at them!  I continued on and arrived at the lodge, early, and I rang the doorbell and entered as I heard people on the other side of the door.  Sherri came out and welcomed me in.  Without introduction she said, "You must be Brad."  I replied, "Yes I am and you must be Sherri."  I was impressed.  With about a half dozen or so hunter's vehicles parked outside I'm surprised anyone would remember names - but they did and it showed that they cared and paid attention.  Sherri was preparing dinner that evening when I arrived but stopped what she was doing to show me to my room.  "You're in room # 4 she said."  'Room 4' I thought - dang this thing is like a hotel.  As she walked me to my room she showed me around.  "Here's the bathroom, towels are in the basket and just leave your dirty towels in the hamper".  When we reached my room she said, "There's an alarm clock on the table and breakfast is at 7:30 AM.  If you have any dirty clothes, just leave them in a bag and let me know and I can wash them for you.  There's coffee, juice, pop and snacks in the dining room so please just help yourself.  Make yourself comfortable and the rest of the hunter's will be back in a little while."  I about shit.  I couldn't believe the service I was getting! 

The reason I was so surprised was, unfortunately, due to past experience.  The last time I went to a preserve, my hunting buddies and I were promised the world it seemed but it was never realized.  The price of the hunt was right.  Hunting was good.  However, the service just wasn't up to par.  We were told that when we'd arrive they'd meet us to discuss hunting and get the orientation briefing that afternoon.  Well, after 8 1/2 hours of driving, we arrived to an empty lodge, save one hunter who we mistook for a guide.  About 4 hours later the owner's wife shows up and finally tells us the deal.  The owner himself wasn't even in the state!  He went on an Alabama archery hunt and failed to tell us.  This was the guy I dealt with on the phone numerous times even a week before but he never mentioned that he'd be gone during our hunt.  We knowing had to prepare our own meals which wasn't bad but we were told that the kitchen would be equipped for all our needs.  Well, one rusty cast-iron skillet isn't "fully equipped" in my book.  We found a mouse nest in one of the chest-of-drawers and just a lot of little things left me with a sour taste in my mouth.  So, comparatively, on appearances alone, White Oak was worlds ahead of Clarkrange Hunting Preserve.  I had packed my sleeping bag, food, drinks, and all sorts of crap explicitly for these "oh I forgot to tell you's" but there was no need to.  Everything was as they'd say it would be. 

After unpacking I decided to take a stroll around the place.  The den was absolutely beautiful with many exotic animal mounts and a rock wall complete with waterfall.  All the wood in the entire lodge was cut and finished on-site from the surrounding property.  There was a refrigerator full of every conceivable soft drink and plenty of each - my brother would be in paradise as he's a soft drink addict.  On the serving table were snacks.  I'm not talking about a bowl of peanuts and chips but rather homemade apple pie, carrot cake, cinnamon rolls and all sorts of goodies that Sherri herself had made that day.  Fantastic!  I went outside to see what else I could see.