“If you would have told me years ago that I would enthusiastically agree to a trip where I was to wake up each day at 4-something in the morning, leave the comfort of a bed piled high with warm fluffy covers, throw on layers of camo, head out of a cozy bungalow to climb into a big, dirty pickup truck and sit in the cool, dark woods for hours to watch… wait…and listen… I’d say you were absolutely crazy.
But to see the mist hug the forest floor just before dawn, to hear the birds come alive just as the sun begins to make its appearance on the horizon, and to witness Mother Nature’s magnificent script play out before me, I’d now say I’d be absolutely crazy to miss this. The distractions of modern life dissolve into the background and instead, the healing sights and sounds of nature take their rightful place center stage. My nerves slacken, the muscles in my jaw release and my cells reset to their natural rhythm. Each moment I am intensely present, and time appears to stall and fall back onto itself. The minutes stretch and lengthen and congeal in slow motion, and then eventually roll together to form a succession of hours that compress into what feels like the passing of an instant.
It is here that I settle back into myself, recharge, rejuvenate and enjoy the sweet presence of simply being. It is here that I unexpectedly, surprisingly and proudly now call myself an outdoors-woman.”

 
“Everyone at Sanctuary is so great. Before we left the ranch, they asked us things like, “What do you guys like to drink?”, or “What kinds of things do you want in your bungalow?” to make our next stay at Sanctuary even greater. Their service is not standard; they truly want to accommodate to you. Sanctuary is also a great place for women. I had a great time with the girls—we talked, we hung out, and it was fun. The hunt itself felt quick. The deer came in, and I could only see his back end. There were a handful of beautiful bucks that came in as well, but our guide Trevor knew exactly what to look for and helped me through the situation. After I harvested the buck, I couldn’t even look because I had so much adrenaline. I even started to cry. I just didn’t know what to do with myself at the time, it was so exciting. When I first saw how big the buck was up close I couldn’t believe it.”

Dylan:
“Our first experience at Sanctuary was just jaw dropping. It has definitely been a one of a kind experience. The staff is awesome, there are great deer here, and it’s an overall good time. It’s definitely been a lot of fun, that’s for sure. Being in the lodge, being in the social room and just getting to be with the staff every day is an awesome experience. I was able to take two amazing, beautiful bucks and I got to watch both of them fall. Being able to also watch Shelbe get her biggest buck to date was a great moment.”

Shelbe:
“My experience at Sanctuary was simply amazing. I’ll tell anyone and everyone to come to Sanctuary Ranch, I loved it so much. The hunt itself was incredible. I shot by far my biggest buck that I have shot to this date. I couldn’t even explain to you the feeling I had during and after the hunt. There were so many feelings going on. I was teary eyed from this incredible experience.”

Dennis:
“In a nutshell, it’s been 10 years since my father CD & I have been to Sanctuary Ranch. 10 years ago, it was our 7th time in a row visiting the ranch. What brought us back here is the itch that you get in your heart to experience everything that sanctuary is about. Of course, there is world class whitetail, but everything else before the shot is really what we came back for. The people, the camaraderie, the incredible customer service, and the beautiful landscape are truly top notch. Of course, having my family here and my fiancé Liz shooting her first buck ever with me was awesome. The hunt itself couldn’t have gone any better. Before the hunt, our guides sat us down and had us explain our absolute best-case scenario, dream bucks. Sure enough, shortly after, both of those walked up for us and we were fortunate enough to put great shots on them.”

Liz:
“I was lucky enough to tag along on a hunt with Dennis and CD last year, and to be able to see how a regular, mainstream ranch runs. Coming to the Sanctuary is paradise. It’s such a step above the rest. The over the top passion, attention and true camaraderie that everyone here gives is absolutely incredible. Everybody at the ranch is on the same team for the same reasons and they’re all just so passionate about whitetail hunting that It makes it so much better than anywhere in the world. At the other outfitter we went to, everyone was there just for their own hunt. There wasn’t much camaraderie. At Sanctuary Ranch, everyone is so involved in everyone else’s hunt and there is so much more excitement across the board. It’s really like a family. I can’t imagine that after last year’s not so successful hunt and this year’s extremely successful hunt here that we would ever think about going anywhere else again.”

“I have been a part of the Sanctuary EXPERIENCE for over 15 years. The annual visit NEVER gets old and to reunite with close friends and the ranch family is very important to me. Ryan and his team have done an outstanding job in practicing quality deer management, and the quality of the deer is only surpassed by the staff, fellow hunters, accommodations, food and the beauty of the property. I clearly don’t go there just to hunt, but that bowhunting experience is like no other. Is it October yet??”

“The trip to the Sanctuary each year provides a great opportunity to recharge the soul. From the lodge to the whitetail deer, the meals to the staff, this experience is one of a kind.”

“It is here that I settle back into myself, recharge, rejuvenate and enjoy the sweet presence of simply being. It is here that I unexpectedly, surprisingly and proudly now call myself an outdoors-woman.”

“Although hunting the Sanctuary’s giant northeastern whitetails should be enough to bring us back year after year, there is so much more to a Sanctuary hunt than just the kill. We talk about this trip for months in advance, looking forward to the spectacular changing of colors, the comfortable lodge, the friendships that we have developed over the years.”

“I was hooked for life the minute I walked in the door of the lodge. It’s a trip that I look forward to every year because of the personal relationships that I have built with the staff and the other guests. In my mind, I feel like it’s basically a family reunion. Once you meet the Sanctuary crew and the other guests you don’t just meet them one time, you meet their family members, you meet their kids, you get to know them like they are your brothers and sisters. The hunts are absolutely fantastic due to the incredible management of the deer herd over the years. After 7 years of coming to the Sanctuary, I still get the chills every time I pull down the road leading to the ranch in anticipation.”

“Going to the Sanctuary is like going to your childhood home; the surroundings are familiar, people are familiar, ideals are similar, and everyone shares a common bond as a family. The quality of the deer is what brought me there, but the quality of the people and the hunting experience is what keeps me returning.”

“You can find giant deer anywhere these days, The Sanctuary offers that and so much more! It’s become our annual family vacation for the past 10 + years and it’s our favorite time of the year. The guides, chef, and staff have become our very good friends and provide nothing less than excellent food, service and fun. The lodging offers everything you need from private rooms and bathrooms to cozy dining and tv rooms. The food is comparable to a 5 star Michelin restaurant…best crab legs, venison, homemade pizza and more. Wouldn’t change a thing and we still look forward to our Sanctuary trip every year!”

“I have been hunting at the Sanctuary for over 10 years. Initially, I went by myself but my wife Michele wanted to join me and now we both have come to look forward to our trip every fall. There’s more to the Sanctuary than just the hunt. It’s like going home to visit family and spending a few days in the woods deer hunting. It’s seeing old friends every year and making new ones. After the hunt each night there’s the camaraderie around the campfire over a cocktail. The accommodations, meals and other amenities are first class. Hunting with my guide David every year is like hunting with a good friend. What can you say about the deer hunting, except that it’s truly amazing. You will see deer that most people only dream about but never see in a lifetime. Many of the bucks you see could grace the cover of any hunting magazine. My wife and I plan to continue our annual hunt to the Sanctuary as long as we are able to.”

“It always amazes me how folks you meet in the hunting and fishing industry can become like family. This is the case for Sanctuary. I have developed some life-long friendships with the owners and guides, to the cooks and office manager. I have celebrated with this family the births of their children and been saddened by the loss of a loved one. The staff, beyond all other aspects, is what makes Sanctuary such a special place. Yes, the deer hunting is world class, but when you return year after year, you realize that it goes beyond the hunt to something rooted more deeply in the soul. It is as if you are returning home. Yes, that is what it is. Returning home.”

“Donna and I have returned to Sanctuary Ranch year after year, not just for GREAT Whitetail deer. Sanctuary Staff has become FAMILY and members of our hunting group have become FRIENDS. Great time, Great food, with lasting relationships.”

“For Denise and I, now hunting Sanctuary over 10 years, the experience is nothing short of spectacular. Every year we arrive, with much of our family, with great expectations of matching the year before, and every year we leave with that feeling of success and happiness. It just keeps getting better and better! The Sanctuary family makes us feel part of their family, so every day is a blast and we hate to leave! Each year, when the end of the hunt comes, the word “bittersweet” comes to mind. You have that ache in your stomach of regret, but you also have the butterflies of apprehension for the next year and what’s to come! Thanks to our Michigan family at Sanctuary, from the Welker family in Texas, for all that you provide as a hunt, but most importantly what you provide as a family! Looking forward to many more years with you all!”

“The Sanctuary ‘experience’ is first class. The deer quality, facilities, and hospitality are unlike any place I have been. It truly is an experience and they are sincere about there being more to the hunt than just the kill….”

For hunters who seek a top record book gold buck, the Gold Medal Hunt is considered a whitetail hunting fantasy without equal. When you set foot on our ranch, you will be entering a distinguished trophy environment. At Sanctuary Ranch, more record-class gold bucks can be found than anywhere else on earth.