Top Racks is dedicated to helping you enjoy the hunt and having a relaxing time in the great outdoors! Whether you like to be a part of the crowd or 'alone' with nature, we'll design a hunt that is sure to be a memorable experience for you or your group for bow, gun, or muzzleload. Our accommodations are designed for 6 or less; however, if you have a larger group we can arrange sleeping quarters with cots or take you to a local hotel. We have 22 stands for our hunters to utilize.
If you're a first-time hunter, Bob can give you great tips on how to track game, keep alert, watch nature's signs, and be ready for a shot! For those of you who have the know-how and are just looking for a different hunting experience, we're sure you can find it at Top Racks. Time is taken with each person to customize a hunting package to meet their expectations. We want children to have a fun hunting experience, so we have special rates for kids under 17--they will receive 10% off the hunt.
The child must be accompanied by an adult or use our fully guided services (at an additional fee). The adult relative (hunter) who accompanies the child will receive a discount of 10% off a booked hunt as well. For the non-hunter who comes along with the hunting buddy (e.g., spouse, camera operator, etc.), we will provide accommodations and meals for a cost of $70 per day (based on 5 days).
If you have physical challenges, we'll bend over backwards to accommodate you if possible on a one-to-one basis.The cost of our hunts may vary due to the customization of the hunt package, guide services, video, number of days hunting, etc. We offer hunts on private land for deer and we're working on a pheasant preserve for put and take. Call for pricing. Ask us about our Economic Hunt for bow hunting only--bring your camper. We'll provide electric, water, sewer, private land hunting, and much more. This has a 2 hunter minimum. Be sure to book early because spots are going quickly.
Accommodations include a comfortable bed, hot shower, toilet, heat/AC, electric, refrigerator (with your favorite beverage), microwave, TV/VCR, and fresh coffee at all times. Our target range is to ensure that your weapon is sited in and ready for that one shot of a lifetime. We stress to our hunters to take advantage of the target range. For those who harvested their deer early, we have a stocked pond for fishing for catch and release--unless you want fresh fish for dinner! If you like to catfish, we can provide some great spots on the Mississinewa River which is within 2 miles of our cabin. (Be sure to check out our FAQ's to find out what other activities we have to offer.)
For any booked hunt, you may change the booking date (if available) no later than 30 days prior to your originally scheduled hunt date. All hunts require a $500 non-refundable deposit. For your first visit hunt with Top Racks, we guarantee you an opportunity for a shot on our private land: bow 30 yards or less; gun or muzzleloader 100 yards or less. You'll get a 100% guarantee with our package or you'll come back and hunt at Top Racks at no additional charge (just the cost of your hunting license). Please read the details of our guarantee under the Frequently Asked Questions section on our web.
Visa or MasterCard are accepted via our web site--see payment buttons below. Contact us at rscase@topracks.com or call us at (765) 206-0717 (cell) to get specific pricing information.
Each deer hunt includes (per person):
Airport transportation (Indianapolis or Ft. Wayne, IN)
comfortable down-home lodging
country-style buffet breakfast and supper
brown bag lunch for the stand
semi-guided hunt
transportation to and from the stand
photowith harvest
standard deer processing
Top Racks hat
stocked pond for catch and release fishing or for supper
For additional charges, we can provide fully guided hunts, and coordinate videotaped hunts so you can add your Top Racks hunt to your video collection.
A resident or non-resident hunting license is required and is included in the hunt price. Any additional seasonal license is at the hunter's expense. For firearm hunting, the hunter education safety course is required for people born after December 31, 1987; however, bow hunter education safety is not required. For additional information you can check out the Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife website at www.wildlife.IN.gov. For a great selection of archery gear and equipment, check out our archery supplier at www.walnutcreekarchery.com.
Cost of hunts
The cost of hunts may vary due to the customization of the hunt package, guide services, or videotaping requirements. For 2008 season, the following base cost is for a 5-day hunt on private land: 1 hunter, 1 deer (any size--no trophy fee) = $1975. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required. We guarantee* (read guarantee details below) your FIRST hunt with Top Racks or you’re welcome to come back within the same season if space is available. Otherwise, you can return to hunt at Top Racks the following year for no additional cost (other than your hunting license) and during available season dates (this applies to first time hunters at Top Racks only).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
*What does our guarantee consist of?At Top Racks we are so confident in our deer management program that we guarantee for your first visit that you will have an opportunity to harvest a deer. If you don't see a deer during your hunt with us, you can come back the next year to try again for free (plus the cost of your hunting license). Our guarantee is that we do our best to provide an opportunity for the hunter to harvest a deer. For bow hunters, you will have a shot of 30 yards or less for buck or doe. For firearm hunters, you will have a shot of 100 yards or less. (For shotgun the guarantee of opportunity is for a buck only and for muzzleloader the guarantee of opportunity is for buck or doe). A missed or wounded deer is considered a completed hunt. For example, your hunting stay is 5 days and on the third day you take a shot at a deer and miss. You can continue the rest of your 5 day hunt at no extra cost; however, if you don't harvest a deer we believe that we've done our part in providing you with an opportunity to harvest a deer (this is our guarantee of opportunity). In order to fill your tag, it's your job to place a clean shot. Deer management is a high priority for Top Racks so we ask that you carefully consider wise shot placement because missing or wounding a deer forfeits your opportunity to come back to stay free the following year. This guarantee ONLY applies to your first hunting visit to Top Racks.
What is there to do after I get my deer? Here are some things to do for free: We have a stocked pond for fishing (catch and release). There is good catfishing within 2 miles of the cabin. We have a swamp within walking distance set up with a duck/goose blind for you to test your skills. Hunting seasons still apply. There are blinds set up for coyote hunting. We breed whitetail deer and you’ll have a great chance to learn by observation--so be sure to bring your camera. There’s also good arrowhead hunting. Clay pigeon shooting and target shooting are available at a local gun club. Can the cabin be rented during the summer? Absolutely! It has a sleeping loft with 4 single beds, a living area (with a hide-a-bed), a kitchenette and a bathroom. Enjoy a summer walk in the woods or sit on the porch overlooking the pond and rolling terrain. The cabin is for adults only (no pets or children please) and comes with a continental breakfast served in the cabin. The cost for 1 couple is $129 per night and the cost for 2 couples is $199 per night. Check-in/check-out is noon. Reservations and 1 night’s deposit are required in advance. A great place to stay for James Dean weekend!
Is there a handbook or regulation guide? All hunters who book with Top Racks will receive an Indiana Regulation handbook. For more information about specific rules before your arrival, you can check the website at www.wildlife.IN.gov.
What does Top Racks expect from us? We expect you to abide by the safety rules and regulations established by Top Racks and to follow all the regulations established by the State of Indiana. You will sign an accident waiver and obtain a copy of the specific rules when you arrive. No smoking is permitted in the cabin, around the hunting area or in the hunting stand. Absolutely no alcohol is permitted on the stand or in the hunting area at any time. All hunting clothes will be stored in airtight containers provided by Top Racks to eliminate as much scent as possible. The balance of the hunt package must be paid in full by the time of arrival (or before).
What will the meals be like? A sample of the breakfast buffet includes scrambled eggs, egg gravy, sausage, bacon, biscuits, juice and coffee. For lunch on the stand, you’ll get a cold meat sandwich, an assortment of snacks, plus a beverage. The supper buffet can include venison, pork, beef, chicken, or fish, corn, stuffing, green beans, cole slaw, fresh tossed salad, baked beans, potatoes, salads, rolls, homemade jelly, homemade desserts and coffee. Our early bow hunters can enjoy our produce fresh from our garden such as sweet corn, tomatoes, and broccoli. We don’t want you to leave hungry! If you have special dietary needs or requests, we’ll do our best to accommodate you, just be sure to let us know.
How much hunting experience do you have? Bob has more than 30 years of personal whitetail hunting experience with 17 years of guiding experience in this county alone.
Do you hunt over bait? It is illegal in the state of Indiana to hunt over bait.
How much hunting experience do I have to have? Each hunter must be familiar with his/her weapon. However, our guides can assist you with developing good deer hunting skills and techniques so that you can enjoy the best hunting experience.
Acording to the Division of Wildlife, the Indiana whitetail harvest record was 123,086 deer in 1996; the gun-hunting record was 99,886 in 1996; and the bow-hunting record was 25,233 in 1995. Indiana’s deer population is around 450,000. The average harvest is 101,380. Indiana set a one buck rule which has been set for 4 years. We are seeing the buck numbers increase tremendously with better quality bucks being seen. We are starting to see very nice 3 1/2-5 year old mature bucks. The one buck rule that Indiana implemented is the best thing that has happened to hunting quality bucks in Indiana.
