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What to
expect: This
month Great Things Chicago has the opportunity to interview a great person and a great organization, Bill Farley of Farley's
International Adventure provides exceptional service and years of experience to his craft. During this month's interview
we take a look at some key considerations when planing an outdoor adventure, hunt or other excursion into the wild and who
better to guide us along the way than a Professional Hunter and Guide. We take a look at Bill's Philosophy, his recommendations
of planing a hunt and discuss how the economy (if it has) had any effect on his business.
Interview with Bill Farley of Farley's International Adventure.
GTC: Bill, First let me say thank
you for agreeing to be featured in this months edition of Great Things Chicago (On-line Magazine). I know our readers
will gain a useful resource getting to know you and develop a better understanding of what services your company provides.
GTC:
Question. What is the "Primary" function (or) service Farley's International Adventures provides? FIA Answer: Primary
Function is to assist hunters of all ages and both sexes in hunting Fair Chase. To assist all hunters from the local
hunter who may have saved his or her money for a period of years to the International Hunter with a wide variety of experience,
in hunting animals in destinations they may be unfamiliar with. To arrange for that hunter to hunt in what we consider the
best areas, and with the best Outfitters for that species. Through years of experience, and research both personally
and through our clients we have been able to assist our customers in having outstanding success in the field. Whether
it is the Whitetail woodlots of the Midwest, the plains of Africa, the jungles of southern Mexico to the High Arctic Expeditions
of the far North, my clients have come to trust that I know what I am doing, because I have been there personally. All
of my Outdoor Adventures are at no extra expense to the client, we assist our Outfitters in filling their hunts, and our clients
in getting the best service available for the area being hunted. Part of our success lies in the ability of the
client to prepare himself physically and mentally for the challenges encountered in the Outdoors, this makes for a better
opportunity for the client if he knows that the reason these animals live where they do is because they live often as far
away from human contact as possible.
GTC Question. How has the economic
situation over the last 12 to 24 months affected services you provide? Are clients looking for more for less money,
or different services all together? FIA Answer: The economic situation has affected us all, we must all continue to monitor our income and our recreational dollar. That being said there are still people with the money to spend, people who hunting is important enough in their lives that they look at their recreational dollar as just as important as the rest of their income and whom feel that time spent with family members is critical, and often more critical in these type of economic times, some view it as the only relief they have from the worries of todays world. GTC Question: What direction (vision) do you see FIA, (Farley's International Adventures) going? FIA Answer:
Part of our vision for the future is that we have just expanded into doing Archery, Muzzle-loader and
Rifle hunts in North Missouri with access to around 10,000 acres. I have been a leader with the National Wild Turkey
Federation with donated hunts to various fund-raisers across the country, as well as World Slam hunts for all 6 species
to the NWTF National Convention. Farley's has been instrumental in more hunters obtaining their World Slam of Wild Turkeys
than anyone else in the Business. I was recognized by the NWTF as a Life Member because of my donations.
I envision additional assistance for youth, disabled, and military vets as part of what we will do. A large part of
why hunters hunt is to assist in the growth of animals and the conservation of those species in their Natural habitat.
Continuous education to young hunters and people led astray as the what hunting is about, and what the sportsman does for
this sport are also a necessary part of the future. Too many kids are having the opportunity to be redirected by other
attractions before becoming involved in this sport. Too many people are being mislead about what hunting is all about
by people who only follow their emotions in regards to whether hunting is unethical or not, and whom actually do not know
all of the facts themselves. While most of the money used to support these Non-Hunting groups is derived from people
who do not know all the facts are are mislead about what hunting is about and by people who use emotions as their only
argument. The management of certain species should be left up to the Biologists and Game and Fish Departments in these
areas.
GTC Question: Where is FIA located
(Farley's International Adventures)? What are some of the locations you have operated from for clients? FIA Answer: We are located in Wentzville, Mo about 40 miles West of
the St. Louis arch. We have assisted clients with adventures from woodlots in Missouri for Whitetails and Turkey, the
jungles of southern Mexico, the High Desert of Mexico, the plains of Africa, the High Arctic Tundra Region of the Northwest
Territories of Canada, rolling hills and prairies of eastern Montana, high mountainous terrain of New Zealand, to the
waterfowl prairies of Canada. We have assisted clients in adventures they had the desire to experience from every state
in this country, hunters from Mexico, to International Hunters from about every country.
GTC Question: Do you recommend any organizations who share your love for the outdoors philosophy? FIA Answer: Organizations
that I recommend are the National Wild Turkey Federation, who incidentally put on one of the best conventions you will ever
attend, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Grand Slam Club, North American Hunting
Club, Safari Club International, Ducks Unlimited, Boone and Crockett Club, all great organizations whose goals are to
benefit their respective species and the Conservation of our National Hunting Heritage.
GTC Question: (2 Part Question) Over the past few years, have you seen an increase or decrease of clients coming from the more populated areas, like Chicago? What do you think the main reason the (increase / decrease) is? FIA Answer: I have not really noticed a decrease or increase in any certain areas, my clients are very diverse and after being in Business for 29 years allot of my clients come from people that know me.
GTC Question: What is your overall Philosophy about the outdoors and hunting in general? FIA Answer: My overall philosophy about the outdoors and hunting in general, is to assist the animals
of this world and I am biased towards the game animals of the world, though I know they all play an important part in the
chain, but to assist them in maintaining and increasing their populations. I am for Fair Chase hunting with the animals having
every opportunity to out wit the hunter as the hunter has. I believe that hunting teaches people many things, and will
reward kids who are fortunate to get involved in this sport. I think that the kids who are led astray by the distractions
of today's world were just not given the chance to experience the outdoors, because their family was broken up by divorce,
or a parent just not being there. I believe that hunting teaches you things that become vitally critical in other aspect
of life, patience, perseverance, decision making, ethics, integrity, respect for the animals, safety with firearms, how to
work with people and get along, the ability to Improvise, Overcome situations that you will deal with on any hunting adventure,
and the ability to adapt to whatever the hunt brings whether it is adverse weather or any number of obstacles that can be
encountered in the Wild Outdoors. I also heard a saying one time that I feel has time and again proven itself "
Never trust a man that doesn't hunt" even if it is just squirrels, rabbits, whatever, their are certain things
that this sport teaches people, and those that have never been fortunate enough to know this have missed out in their lives.
I have seen this philosophy proven out in Presidential Candidates to CEO's of major Corporations, there is an intangible learned
from this sport that carries into other aspects of life.
GTC Question: What is (One) of your most memorable experiences in the outdoors (either with a client or on your own), which you feel expresses your overall Philosophy? FIA Answer: Not sure I have one single experience, about every trip that I arrange or experience with a client reinforces my belief that this sport proves out certain qualities in people and those that have missed out on this sport have missed out on one of the greatest privileges we have been given.
GTC Question: (2 Part Question)
For those who have "not" had the opportunity to experience the outdoors, either through location, time, handicap
or other limiting factors, what would you suggest they do to get the ball rolling if they are interested? Should they
do some research and then plan something, or should they contact you to develop an outdoor experience which best suites them
and their situation? FIA Answer: If someone lacks the experience and knowledge to arrange an Outdoor Adventure my best suggestion would be to contact me and I can assist them based upon what their goals are in an Outdoor Adventure, whether it is a certain specific species, certain location or just the desire to experience the outdoors with a family member, I can save them time and possibly a few of their hard earned dollars. Rather than arrange the adventure them selves and run the risk of not knowing exactly where to go, I can put the odds in their favor by using my experience and contacts in this Industry. GTC Question: For those who are interested in working with you to schedule an outdoor adventure, what do you recommend they do? Is there a list of things they should have prepared to help you in planning something for them like, what they are interested in (location, game, time of year they want to go etc)? FIA Answer: For
someone interested, the first thing is they should decide how important is this trip or adventure. Am I willing to spend
the money to have the best chance to have success on this trip. Am I willing to fulfill my end of the contract which
is to get in shape, both physically and mentally for the challenges that will be encountered on this trip. It has been
my experience that something will go awry on any trip, might not be anything big, hopefully nothing catastrophic, but things
will go wrong, missed flights, lost luggage, missed shots, health, bad weather. You have to be prepared to deal with
this obstacles, improvise when they happen and persevere. I have seen many clients who were gung ho the first day, and
when the animal they were seeking didn't magically appear, the lower lip came out and their whole attitude changed.
I cannot tell you the number of trips I have been on where perseverance was the only thing that allowed me to be successful,
I could have given up, but was able to continue to hunt, and took the animal I was after on the last day of a hunt. That being
said I have also come home empty handed, without the animal I was seeking. Yes, me the guy who arranges the trips, who
should have all the advantages, right?, wrong, it is still hunting, and once you have gained some experience and often your
goals go up for certain animals, it can sometimes become more difficult to be successful. One of the things that has
helped me is the mental aspect of this sport, I have a saying when on a trip, and many of my clients and friends have heard
it," I can go home and not hunt", meaning there is no time to sit in a tent and sleep or just not go, because every
minute you are in the field increases your chance for success. The other things a hunter should consider is the species,
the location, the difficulty in obtaining that species based upon the physical requirements and whether they can be prepared
mentally for the difficulties that will be encountered. Once those things are considered the money will also have to
be a part of the thought process. The more glamorous the animal, the farther it lives from civilization, the more costly it
will be monetarily, mentally and physically. My experience can benefit you in arranging that trip, whether it is a once-in-a-lifetime
to the hardcore hunter, who continues to hunt on multiple trips each year. List of accomplishments and credentials for consideration:
Taken Grand Slam of North American Wild
Sheep, including 2 Dalls, 1 Stone, 1 Desert Bighorn and 1 Bighorn Ram. Won a Boone and Crockett medal for Central Barren Ground Caribou taken in
the Northwest Territories of Canada for one of the 3 largest taken in that Awards Period. Won a Boone & Crockett medal for Grizzly taken in Alaska
for one of the 3 largest taken in that Award Period. World Slam of Wild Turkey's, all 6 species in North America, including gobblers taken in
22 states and Mexico. North
American Slam of all 5 Species of Caribou as recognized by Boone & Crockett North American Slam of Deer, includes all 6 species of Deer
in North America, as recognized by Boone & Crockett. North American Slam of Bears, recognized by Boone & Crockett. Winner of the World Taxidermy Competition
in 1985 on Whitetail Deer. Winner
of the National Wild Turkey Taxidermy Competition, Masters Division, Grand National Champion, Open Mouth Division, and Best
of Show, at the NWTF National Convention. Over 50 Wild Turkey's harvested with archery equipment. Life Member of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Featured in Weatherby Rifles Catalog Featured in North American Hunting Club Winner of the Prestigious President's Award
for the trophy hunt considered the most challenging by the North American Hunting Club in 2003, for my Grizzly taken
in Alaska. Former
World Record Eastern Turkey recognized by the National Wild Turkey Federation, now #2 still the Missouri State Record. Over 15 animals recognized by Boone &
Crockett Record Book. Articles
featured in Grand Slam Club Magazine, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, North American Hunting Club, and Guides and
Outfitters publication of British Columbia, as well as the Boone & Crockett Publication.
Farley's International Adventures Bill Farley 1952 Woodland Ct. Wentzville,
MO 63385
Office- 636-639-5915 cell- 636-578-6801 Fax- 636-639-5915 E:mail: bfarleys@gmail.com www.farleysadventures.com
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