My daughter doesn't hunt, but loves to fish and has caught lots and lots of fish. We couldn't have asked for much more than that. I mentor a Junior Deer Hunt every year and find this experience very rewarding. WU Foundation does a GREAT JOB with their Junior Hunts and Summer Camp!!!Staff is very helpful and I have no complaints!!!
And I know that the owners do not hunt ranches before they open to the membership.

Hope this is helpful and hope to see you in the Great Outdoors!!!

My 9 year old son and I go upland hunting and have a great time. I take him big game hunting with me and always feel safe doing so knowing that there is a limited number of people on a property at any given time and that the members are responsible hunters and not the usual yahoo's found on public land.

It was a 200 lb. sow. Now, let me tell you, ...........it took me a
long time to become okay with shooting a sow. I can't explain it,
but I feel the same way about shooting a doe. It is the connection,
female to female, mother to mother, that makes it so difficult to
remove that part of my thinking.

After everything calmed down, my hunting partner told me he was going to go take a look because he thought he heard the "Thmp!" sound that means impact and penetration. I was like "whatever"....... I didn't hear anything except my .270 going off in my ear. Softer than usual, but it was ever present!

Wilderness Unlimited changed their mind about me. WU has proved me wrong by sending a straight shooter, Mike Drozen, out to debunk some of the myths and let the WU option sell itself. WU is as forwards as a family outdoor club can get in California. They do not helo herd and serious about enforcing CA Fish and Game and private land rules. The law is there to protect the opportunities as well as the ecology, and WU respects that, contrary to what some reviews would have you believe. Albeit he is an old timer and better at hunting geese than voicemail, Mike clearly explained the WU option to me. Yes, the cost is still high, but it seems most of the reviews up here are contradictory after talking with him, as he explained the conservation angle better and the sad state of Fish and Game resulting in private companies like WU to manage the land and the demands upon it economically, and the challenges faced when knuckleheads don't follow the rules. If you are not the kind of person who feels at home in the field, cannot be trusted with a firearm, let alone a rod and reel, and you have to wash your hands 20 times a day because you feel dirty inside, the outdoor life and clubs that support it are not for you. Here's your sign. On the other hand, if you want to get in on the conservation, WU is the best option I have found so far. The system seems fair, and the prices are only high to me because I am a poor renter in Berkeley right now. If you want to get in on all the picnics, camping, and fishing with one guest you can get in about a month of responsible safe time, booked two days in advance on private land for about $2000/year+tags, ammo, gas, and food. Apparently there's a long waiting list, but if you can afford it, it's a deal. I'm going to try to convince my dad and get my uncle to ship my rifle and shotgun up so we can have some wild trout, bass, venison, pheasant, and quail this year in a new freezer instead of blowing twice that on grocery trips. I'll add the 5th star if my dad says ok and it works out.

I write this only because it came up in another search that I did for something ells, and I notices some comments on here from people that are not even members, they made a judgment on the club............ so as a member of the club I can talk about it because I'm not talking from second hand information, I'm talking from my own personal experience. I am a avid outdoorsmen, that has not bout meat from a store in over 13 years. I know many people that LOVE the club and I have talk to some that don't like the club, I have friends that I have flat told them that the club is not for them..... In my experience the deciding factor if you like or hate the club are the RULES. To me I love the rules as they are all geared to better manage the game and not over harvest any animals and to protect the good old fashion quality time one can spend in the good old outdoors. For example, I was talking to guy that wants to kill as many Pigs a year as he wants, (how much pig can one family eat?) and its not that you cant take more then one or two pigs a year you can just not all at one time. its not about killing its about harvesting good quality meat for your family to eat? If you over harvest them the hunting will be no better then public land, some people just don't get that and for that person the club is not a good fit. Next biggest factor is this, This is a family club so if your looking for a place where you and your buddies can go and party..... well this club is not for you. its one thing to have a beer back at camp its another thing if your going to set in camp all day and night partying, for that person they will hate the club as they will kick you out. they need not apply. as the club was designed not only for a good place for me to hunt and fish but a safe place for me to take my wife and kids. Some are looking for the good old boys club were people don't bring their family they escape their family and call it a hunting trip.... sorry but you will not like WU if that's what your looking to do. one thing that I LOVE about the club is that there is not one person in the club that does not go through a interview, to make sure they are good fit for the club, this is not a right a check and your a member type of club. if you are married you both need to be in the interview. the reason is this. if you get excepted as a member your spouse is made a member as well, they will have to sign a liability release and they have to sign that they under stand and except the rules of use. if you both do not want an interview, well don't wast the clubs time as the membership is limited and they do not always have opening. if you are looking for information on the club, search it on the web. you will see some love it and some hate it. you need to make that choice for your self. Hope this helps some of you that are looking for a club with great family values Mr. Dickerson All The Outdoors

I've been a member for almost 10 years now, and have shot 10 deer., 5 pigs, 1 bear, and unknown numbers of pheasants and fowl. Like every other organization, W.U. isn't perfect, but name me a comparable club that's better. Here's the deal; your hunting in California! If you want a deer, you better be ready to work for it. It takes me at least 7 days of humping up and down mountains before I get my shot. The moon has to be right, the weather has to cool off, and most importantly you have to know the ranch! That takes a few trips per ranch. As far as ranch quality, not one is better than the other. There is a ranch that suits everyones preference. I've hunted big game from Caliente to Yreka. I shot deer on northern and southern ranches. These are working ranches, and business is business . I'd rather have cattle browsed landscape than empty beer bottles and trash. Name one public place where you can hunt 5000 acres and run into no more than 5 other hunters! There are rules,,but they make sense. This isn't your own private club! We all share the properties, and the rules ensure fairness, safety, and quality. As far as the patrolmen, most of them can be very helpful if you give them a chance and listen to their stories of where they harvested animals in the past. Most will flat out tell you where the hot spots are. There's no good old boys club! Put multiple ranches on your lottery and you'll get drawn. Pheasant being the only exception. If you've hunted ducks for at least three seasons, you should know how important weather is. I watched million dollar membership clubs in the butte sink stare at the same empty skies I was watching last season. You do have to share a blind sometimes, but that can be fixed by spending thousands of dollars to lease your own property. I did, 7k for forty acres. Same empty skies as the rest of the valley. When the wind blows, W.U. Properties are as good as anywhere! Finally, most people think your going to walk into the ranch, pick which buck you want, shoot it, and be home for dinner. Again, your hunting in California! You have to put your time in, get out and walk, and earn your game. It's a great deal if your smart enough to figure out how to use it.

My kids & I have had some excellent experiences and have created a lot of memories hunting and camping on WU properties. Isn't that what it's really all about?

Great hunting club! Wish I had more time to use it. The fishing is great too. No trash, no crowds, no loud jerks in camp all night. I'll never camp in a public campground again. My dues are reasonable, actually pretty cheap considering everyone in my family is a member on a full membership for less than I was paying for one spot in a duck blind in Richvale that only I could go to, no guests, only 3 days a week, and I only shot 22 ducks all season because the birds were all on the other side of the valley. In WU, I get to follow the birds around the whole state, and most hunt 7 days a week! Great office staff too, especially Brian, Josh and Cathy. Brian worked with me on my delinquent dues a few years ago when I lost my job and broke my leg, helped me get back on track and not lose my membership. Cathy and Josh are so helpful on reservations. I wish I could give them more than 5 stars!

My son and I have been members sense 2008. We have enjoyed the best hunting we have ever had. The people we meet are super nice and we have a great time ever year. It's the best thing we have ever done to get the most out of our hunting experience.

I joined Wilderness Unlimited this past fall for upland game hunting and was very pleased with my experiences. Manny was very accomodating in making sure I received the hunting exposure he promised me when I signed up.

I enjoy the club, I was a member for 10 years and took a break as we were pursuing other sports. I just rejoined now that I have more time. For the cost of one out of state trip my family can access big game, fishing, water foul and upland birds. With public land getting so pressured in California it is a great option to see property that you would otherwise never have the opportunity to spend time on. I have taken big game and birds on the properties, it is all fair chase and you will have to get out of the truck and put in the effort, but they have quality properties.

Great club for the entire family! Lots of good properties throughout california, (especially in northern cal). Being new to hunting I found some special programs for beginner (like the Turkey Expo and member picnics) as well as events for kids like summer camp and junior hunts. The staff have made it a point to tell me that I can call the office at any time and ask about the properties and get some advise.

I checked in the morning hunters and proceeded to blind #1. Once at the blind, I noticed these GREAT BLIND COVERS, covering all the blinds. I thanked the new members for bringing them out, and they informed me that they were already in place.
Later I was told that the covers had been supplied by WU.

The hunt had a profound effect on me and I have since developed
a newfound respect for life. Taking the life of an animal is not
something I have ever had to experience, and I did not expect the
impactful imprint that it left on my universe. It left me feeling
grateful for having had the experience altogether.

I took up hunting about a couple of years ago because I wanted to try something different. I am mostly a fisherman. I had a great time with Wilderness Unlimited so far. There is a screening process that you have to go through just before you are allowed to sign up with the club. They don't want a yahoo who is not respectful of the rules and private property. WU leases many acres of land from landowners so they want someone who is responsible. They do control the number of reservations per properties so there are no crowds and a chance to shoot some game. There are also a lot of rules when you are on property like where you can drive and the take limits. It is less of a hassle than dealing with crowds. The guy who screened me at my home did not promise that a deer would be tied to a tree but I would have a good hunting experience and WU do help you out with hunting tips. The price for membership is reasonable and they do have a payment plans to help out. Since I am mostly a fisherman, they do have properties that have ponds or lakes/rivers that cater to anglers. I would recommend this club.

Breathe in…….. exha…..Bang! I sent the shot and, as always, my
eyes closed during the firing. I opened them, and looked for a sign
that I had hit it. Nothing. What? But I felt so good about that shot!

I was shaking and amazed at the adrenaline going through me.
I didn’t think I’d catch the fever, but I sure as heck did. It was
almost mind altering, for I had to remind myself to cycle another
round for the just in case.

"Conservation Through Proper Utilization" is the tag line and W.U. and its dedicated staff provide opportunities to experience the great outdoors at its best! W.U.'s dedicated founders continue to strive to provide quality properties for families to experience exceptional outings. Membership is on an application basis and a screening process is required for membership approval into W.U. There are numerous properties, educational opportunities, youth camps, mentor programs and more. The price is right and the staff is friendly and service orientated. W.U. is the West's largest outdoor recreation club. What more could you want?

I got out of the Jeep, sprayed down with a scent muting liquid and
hoofed it over to a bluff that gave me my best option for spotting
pigs. We were there for only moments when my hunting partner
spotted them. Shortly after that, I saw the herd coming straight
up where they were thought to go, and definitely on the move.
Daybreak was barely upon me, and it was already on? You’re
kidding, right? This is all happening so fast! “Dig in Kendra.
You’re up.” I told myself.

I have hunted Blind #1 at Keeley numerous times over the past 4
years, but this trip was different. I arrived at the parking lot and
spent 20 minutes gathering cover material from the edge of the
parking lot. When I arrived at the blind, I was greeted with a
pleasant surprise; the blind had been upgraded with blind covers.
Although the discovery of the blind covers made my efforts
collecting cover material wasted time, I saved some time by not
having to set the cover up and had my decoys out and my gear
settled quickly. The blind covers proved their worth within a short
period of time. During my past hunts in this blind, the number of
shot opportunities were diminished at times as the ducks would
avoid the blind and land in the pond behind the blind just out of
range. On past trips, I would spend 4 or 5 hours in the blind and
come home with 2 or 3 ducks. With the blind covers in place, the
number of shot opportunities were numerous as ducks were
continuing their flight directly over the blind as well as dropping
into the decoys. With the help of the blind covers, within an hour I
had a limit of ducks, including my first banded Mallard, and one
goose. This was the fastest limit I have ever shot, I didn't even
have time to drink my coffee. A big thank you to Wilderness
Unlimited for upgrading this blind and improving the waterfowl
hunting experience.