We truly hate to see any business close, especially a fellow outfitter. Our thoughts are certainly with the Gardner family and their team.
The following is from huntingreport.com.
San Miguel Outdoors Ceases Operations
"Hunters and operators with hunts booked through San Miguel Outdoors should know that this agency has ceased operations. Furthermore, the company appears to be in arrears on payments to numerous operators for hunts it has booked for clients this season.
"Hunters and operators with hunts booked through San Miguel Outdoors should know that this agency has ceased operations. Furthermore, the company appears to be in arrears on payments to numerous operators for hunts it has booked for clients this season.
In an e-mail I received today from San Miguel's president Mike Gardner, he confirms that the company has stopped operating, although he does not address the status of clients' bookings. His e-mail reads, "San Miguel Outdoors, Inc., has not been able to continue its operations due to current economic conditions and has ceased doing business. We apologize for any inconvenience. All communications should be directed to: SMO INC., PO BOX 341478, Austin, Texas 78734." Today, San Miguel Outdoors' former web site address leads to a site for San Miguel Ranch, a whitetail hunting operation in Uvalde, Texas, that is also operated by Gardner.
Representing dozens of hunting operations around the world, San Miguel's closure is expected to affect a substantial number of clients and outfitters. Already, Texas-based attorney Ryan Hammit contacted me, alleging that San Miguel Outdoors owes his Zimbabwean client more than $150,000 paid to the agency by clients for past and future safaris. I'm hearing other operators have gone unpaid as well. I've also heard from a Hunting Report subscriber who says he is out a total of $15,000 in payments sent to San Miguel Outdoors that were never forwarded to his hunt operators... "
Not only did San Miguel Outdoors stiff hunters, they have left vendors unpaid as well. I know that times are tough but I bet Mike Gardner was still paid his salary.
ReplyDeleteI can only hope that Mike and the rest of the wonderful San Miguel staff find their ways safely through these tough times. I am a repeat customer of SMO for almost 15 years and a friend for many more and have spent literally 100's of thousands of dollars with San Miguel myself and with clients and friends. I can attest that Mike is a solid guy and there has too be a good reason for this. Don't assume the worst and he is due his day in court. Before anyone summarily assumes he is to blame; take his word as he states "this is due to turbulent economic times".
ReplyDeleteKeith R. Wieser
I have heard atleast a dozen stories from hunters that have hunted with SMO, same story everytime.....they got ripped off! I also know someone that guided for him once....it was the same thing as well, unfortunately they were running through as many hunters as possible and not caring if they got deer or not. Ofcourse, some people got their deer, but they seemed to be the same people all the time....naturally friends and long time clients. As an outfitter in South Texas for 14 years, I know when someone is overbooking and SMO was way overbooking his clients in order to make more money. Not happy about Mike going under, but guys like him make hunters "snake-bit" and making it harder on outfitters that do care about producing deer. Sorry, but this is the truth.
ReplyDeleteFor what it’s worth I heard a guy from FL bought SMO...I’m not sure why they closed their doors but for whatever the reason I sincerely hope they're going to be ok financially. This year is going to be different for everyone in the hunting industry. We all need to join together and make this difficult year profitable.
ReplyDeleteKoby Howell
I remember when the ran a hunting contest and they stiffed the winners. One being my 9 year old daughter. Then after I complained relentlessly Mike sent her a leftover fleece jacket from the prior years contest. Karma is a bitch sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThe ripoff artist Russell Seele has moved on. The guy is worst excuse for booking agent on the planet.
ReplyDelete