Outfitters - All
Rachelle Hedrick — Fishing Influencer & Outdoor Blogger | Smoke Hole Outfitters, Cabins WV
Rachelle Hedrick is an outdoor Influencer and Blogger, co-owner of Smoke Hole Outfitters in Cabins, West Virginia. Profile covers trout outfitting, fly-fishing lessons, DSG Outerwear work, locations and field practices.
Executive summary — fishing Influencer and outdoor Blogger
Rachelle Hedrick is a regionally prominent outdoor Influencer and Blogger, co-owner of Smoke Hole Outfitters and an active team manager for women’s apparel brand DSG Outerwear. Her public work blends hands-on outfitting (trout production, guided fly-fishing and instructional programming), hospitality at Smoke Hole Resort, and branded content focused on encouraging women and families to participate in outdoor recreation.
Business & core activities
Rachelle and her husband operate Smoke Hole Outfitters within Smoke Hole Resort, offering year-round trout services: a Catch-and-Keep pond, a Catch-and-Release trophy trout stream, guided fly-fishing lessons and cabin lodging on the Potomac River corridor. The outfitter is positioned as a family-oriented destination that converts visitor experiences into educational content and bookings.
Role as Influencer and Blogger
In addition to guiding, Hedrick manages Hunt Team and sponsorship activity for DSG Outerwear—overseeing social media, sponsorships, consumer sales and design elements for a women-focused outdoor apparel company. That dual operational role amplifies her reach: she promotes hands-on fishing instruction and hospitality while serving as a practical voice for women’s participation in hunting and fishing.
How she prefers to operate in the field
Rachelle’s field profile is instructor-led and hospitality oriented rather than expeditionary:
Guided fly-fishing instruction: core activity—progressive lessons from casting fundamentals to trout-specific fly selection and presentation.
Catch-and-release trophy stream management: year-round stream maintenance and client-guided trophy experiences that emphasize fish care and angler technique.
Catch-and-keep pond services: family-friendly angling that supports turnkey visitor experiences and on-site hospitality.
Her published materials and video features prioritize teachable moments, safety, and conversion of beginners into repeat anglers.
Types of hunting and additional outdoor activities
While the Hedricks’ primary public offering is fishing and outfitting, Rachelle documents occasional hunting participation—family hunts and youth black-bear season posts appear on her social channels. Public content places hunting as a complementary lifestyle element rather than the core business focus.
Where she operates & terrain
All primary commercial and content activity is anchored at Smoke Hole Resort in Cabins, West Virginia—riverine and Appalachian terrain ideal for stocked trout experiences and guided streams. The property includes cavern tours, log cabin rentals and a retail component, giving her channels multiple hooks for local SEO and experiential content.
Notable outcomes and audience value
Rachelle’s measurable audience value arises from converting on-site experiences into repeatable media assets: instructional reels, client testimonials and DSG Outerwear activations that help drive bookings and apparel visibility. Her role managing DSG Hunt Team and producing how-to content positions her as a practical authority for women anglers and small-group outfitting.
Weapons, gear and technical profile
Public materials emphasize fishing and hospitality gear over firearms or archery. Typical equipment highlighted includes fly rods and reels, waders, trout rigs, hatch-appropriate flies, pond management systems and guest safety kits. When hunting appears in content, weapon specifics are not a focal point—posts emphasize family participation and seasonality rather than gear breakdowns.
Conclusion & call to action
Rachelle Hedrick is a destination-focused outdoor Influencer and Blogger whose primary public work centers on trout outfitting, fly-fishing instruction and women’s outdoor apparel activation. Editorial and SEO placements should foreground “trout fishing Cabins WV,” “fly fishing lessons,” and “Smoke Hole Outfitters” to capture high-intent local searches. For bookings, instruction and seasonal updates, follow Smoke Hole Outfitters directly.
Rachelle Hedrick's Instagram (27.1k followers): @rachellehedrick
Western Hunter — Mountain & Western Big-Game Hunting Resource
Western Hunter provides mountain big-game hunting guides, hunt reports, gear reviews and field tactics for backcountry elk, mule deer and sheep hunters.
🧭 Introduction
Western Hunter (https://westernhunter.net/) is a specialist editorial portal devoted to mountain and western big-game hunting. It blends hunt reports, tactical guides and hunting gear reviews to help backcountry hunters plan and execute successful seasons.
🗂️ What type of site is Western Hunter?
Western Hunter functions as a niche digital magazine and resource hub — not a forum or marketplace. Its focus is editorial: longform hunt reports, regional scouting intel, outfitters directory and practical how-tos for western hunting.
🔎 Functionality — key sections & tools
Core sections include: Hunt Reports, Gear Reviews, How-To Guides, Outfitters & Guides, Maps & Scouting, Videos and Photo Essays. The site search supports tags by species (elk, mule deer, bighorn), region and gear type; many posts offer downloadable checklists and packing notes for backcountry trips.
🎯 Audience & practical value
The site is aimed at western big-game hunters, DIY backcountry hunters and guides seeking real-world mountain hunting tactics, elk hunting tips and reliable hunt reports. It’s especially useful for those planning high-country hunts, scouting public ground and choosing hunting gear for alpine conditions.
📚 Content analysis: articles, reviews, videos, photos
Content centers on first-hand hunt reports and fieldcraft articles with strong photography. Gear reviews emphasize practical hunting gear reviews — boots, packs, optics and cold-weather layers — rather than lab tests. Video clips and photo essays illustrate glassing, stalks and packing techniques that translate directly to the mountain field.
🔐 User features: registration, subscriptions, purchases, discussions
Reading is open; users can subscribe to newsletters and follow social channels for updates. The site links to outfitters, guide services and retail partners for purchases but does not operate a native e-commerce store. Community interaction is available via article comments and social platforms; deeper forum discussions usually live on partner boards.
✅ Strengths
Western Hunter’s strengths are authenticity and niche focus: well-documented hunt reports, region-specific tactics and an outfitters directory that connects hunters to proven guides. The site’s backcountry checklists and field photography are highly practical for planning and in-field reference.
⚠️ Weaknesses
Weak points include limited technical lab testing in gear reviews and a smaller editorial team compared with large mainstream outlets. The absence of a built-in forum reduces sustained peer exchange; some regional data relies on contributor reports rather than aggregated datasets.
✨ Unique edge vs competitors
Western Hunter stands out for its mountain-first perspective: in-depth elk hunting tips, mule deer strategy and sheep/antelope reporting that reflect real alpine conditions. For hunters focused on western public lands or guided hunts, its regional nuance and practical fieldcraft set it apart from general hunting portals.
🛠️ How to use Western Hunter effectively
Use hunt reports to benchmark difficulty and seasons for target units.
Consult gear reviews and packing lists for alpine hunts.
Bookmark outfitters and guide profiles when planning a guided mountain hunt.
🏁 Conclusion & recommendation
Western Hunter is recommended for backcountry elk, mule deer and big-game hunters who need regionally specific hunt reports, mountain hunting tactics and practical gear advice. If your hunting calendar revolves around western public land or alpine terrain, Western Hunter is a concise, field-tested companion worth bookmarking.
Official link:
https://westernhunter.net/
Hunting Seasons in Zimbabwe’s BUBYE VALLEY: Hunting Periods, Opening and Closing Dates, Licenses, Rules, and Times for Hunting
Hunting Rules and Seasons in Bubye Valley
In Zimbabwe, hunting is generally allowed year-round in many regions, but the Bubye Valley Conservancy has its own nuances. The main hunting season runs from April to October , largely dictated by the region’s climate. During winter (June–August in the Southern Hemisphere), rainfall decreases, making animals more visible near watering holes, which makes tracking easier. In contrast, the summer months (November–March) bring high temperatures and dense vegetation, making hunting more challenging, so many outfitters prefer working during the cooler season.
Climate and terrain play a major role in determining hunting schedules. Bubye Valley is located in a savanna zone with a dry climate, where the rainy season runs from November to March. Compared to neighboring areas like Hwange National Park, Bubye Valley receives less rainfall and experiences higher temperatures, affecting animal behavior and trail accessibility.
Over the past decade, there have been significant changes in how hunting grounds are managed. Licensing controls have been tightened, fines for poaching increased, and new permit categories introduced for foreign hunters.
Hunting Seasons in Bubye Valley
There are two main seasons in Bubye Valley Conservancy: the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season is considered the best time for hunting and lasts from April to October. During this period, grass is short, water sources dwindle, and animals congregate around permanent waterholes, making them easier to locate.
Hunting for large game such as buffalo, rhino, elephant, and lion is permitted year-round, but experts recommend planning these hunts during the dry season. Small game (antelope, baboons, wild dogs) can also be hunted all year, though their activity peaks in the early morning and evening, especially during cooler months.
The best times for hunting are June through August , when nighttime temperatures can drop to +5°C and daytime highs hover around +20–25°C. It is during this time that animal activity is at its highest, particularly near watering holes and salt licks.
Interestingly, the region hosts hunting festivals and events , mainly at the end of May and beginning of June. These gatherings bring together professionals and enthusiasts, offering training opportunities, expert advice from local guides, and special practice tours.
Hunting Restrictions and Prohibited Species
Zimbabwe maintains a strict list of protected species that cannot be hunted. These include:
Black rhinoceros
Lions, if they do not meet age and gender criteria
Certain bird species, including ostriches and cranes
Additionally, there are age and sex restrictions. For example, only male lions older than six years can be hunted to avoid disrupting the population. Similar rules apply to elephants — preference is given to older males not part of herds.
There are also temporary bans on hunting during animal breeding periods, usually falling in late rainy season — March to April. During these months, hunting pregnant females and young animals is prohibited.
There are also completely closed periods — for instance, during the first two weeks of March, when an annual animal census is conducted. During this time, all hunting is suspended, and the area is closed to tourists and hunters alike.
Hunting Permit in Bubye Valley Conservancy, Documents and Organization
To obtain a hunting permit in the region, you must work through a local hunting outfitter or a registered hunting club . Foreigners cannot apply for permits independently — everything must go through an accredited agency.
The licensing process includes the following steps:
Selecting the target species and submitting an application via your outfitter.
Receiving approval from the Wildlife Authority of Zimbabwe (WAZA) .
Paying the license fee (cost varies by species).
Receiving all necessary documents before the hunt begins.
It’s worth noting that license prices are reviewed regularly. For example, in 2024, an elephant license cost $2,500, a lion license $1,800, and a rhino license $4,000.
Organizations like the Bubye Valley Conservancy Association assist with trip planning, guide selection, and logistics.
Penalties for Violating Hunting Regulations, Fines and Consequences
Violating hunting regulations in Zimbabwe carries serious consequences. Penalties for poaching or hunting without a license can reach up to $5,000 per person . Repeat offenders may face deportation and a ban on re-entry into the country for up to 10 years.
If a protected species is killed, the case goes to court, and the punishment may be criminal. For example, killing a black rhino can result in a prison sentence of up to seven years.
Local authorities work closely with international organizations such as CITES to monitor the export of trophies. Therefore, it's crucial to keep all documentation, including licenses, post-mortem reports, photos, and certificates.
Tips for Choosing the Right Time, Location, Tactics and Conditions
When choosing the right time for hunting, aim for the dry season — April through October . Hunting is most effective during early mornings and evenings, when animal activity is highest.
Areas with the highest concentration of game are near water sources such as the Bubye River and artificial waterholes. Salt licks also attract antelope and large predators.
As for equipment , rifles in .375 H&H Magnum caliber or larger are recommended for big game. For small game, compact models such as .270 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield are suitable.
Tactics vary by season. During the dry season, stalking using wind and camouflage works well, while in the rainy season, mobile hunting from a 4x4 vehicle or helicopter is preferred.
