About Sun Up Hunts

Sun Up Hunts is a curated directory of commercial hunting outfitters and guides. Find a guide before Sun Up: it covers all 50 states, starting with whitetail hunting, with waterfowl and turkey next. It exists to answer the questions a hunter has before paying a deposit: who runs this hunt, are they licensed, which species and hunt types do they offer, and how does that compare with other outfits in the same state?

We list commercial outfitters and guides. State pages may also link to public hunting-lease search pages and state access programs, for information only: we never arrange, negotiate or take money for a lease. We are not a booking site: you contact and contract with the outfitter or lister directly.

Listings are reviewed by a person, not accepted automatically. Listings are added only after a license check against state records where available. Where a state has no outfitter license or public license lookup to check against, the listing says so plainly and links the state agency so you can confirm (see How we verify). The configuration covers all 50 states' wildlife agencies so the directory can grow state by state.

What this directory is not

• Not a booking site: no reservations, no deposits.
• Not a lease marketplace: lease sections on state pages are information-only links to public lease search pages and state access programs. We never arrange a lease or take money for one (see the lease listings disclaimer).
• Not a review site: we do not publish or copy ratings, reviews or photos from third parties.
• Not a source of legal advice: regulations change, and each state agency is the authority.

How pages are made

State, species, species-in-state and hunt-type pages are generated from the published listings, and are indexed by search engines only when enough listings exist to make a useful comparison (minimum 2 per state, 3 per species, 2 per species-in-state and 3 per hunt type). Below that, a page is a "coming soon" page that is not indexed. Each page carries comparison tables when listings exist, questions to ask, and dated licensing facts with sources.

How it is funded

Listing is free. Outfitters can choose an upgraded listing, always labelled "Sponsored": free for life for the first 25 Founding outfitters, then a flat monthly or annual fee (see the listing tiers page). There is no per-lead fee, no per-booking fee and no revenue share, and payment never buys a license check or changes a listing's facts. See the free basic listing and upgraded listing (Founding offer) and the paid-placement disclosure.

Verification

See how we verify for the status workflow and the vetting checklist, and claim or add your outfitter listing if you run an outfit.

Independent directory. Not affiliated with any state wildlife agency, licensing board or outfitters' association.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a booking site?

This directory is not a booking site. We do not take reservations, deposits or hunters' money, and we do not arrange hunts or leases; you contact and contract with the outfitter directly.

How is the directory funded?

Listing is free. Outfitters can choose an upgraded listing, always labelled "Sponsored": free for life for the first 25 Founding outfitters, then a flat monthly or annual fee (see the listing tiers page). There is no per-lead fee, no per-booking fee and no revenue share, and payment never buys a license check or changes a listing's facts.

Which data do you avoid?

Where we reference Google Maps we store only the place identifier. We do not copy names, ratings, photos or reviews from Google Places or any other third party. We never collect or publish tax identifiers such as SSNs or FEINs.

Do you use cookies or tracking?

We use cookie-free Ahrefs Web Analytics for aggregate visit statistics.

Are the listings real?

Yes. Listings are added only after a license check against state records where available. Where a state has no outfitter license to look up, the listing is labelled "No public state license lookup" and links the agency instead of claiming a check. Every listing shows its source and the date it was checked. Confirm with the agency before you pay a deposit.