The Challenge

When Garrett Gearner launched Black Oak Outfitters in East Texas, he was juggling college baseball, a passion for the outdoors, and the challenge of making his outfitter business sustainable.

His early approach? Hustling on Facebook groups, posting last-minute openings, and slashing prices just to compete with other duck hunting and hog hunting outfitters in his area.

“I was honestly gouging myself… I wasn’t even making money, just covering expenses. That was the only way I could get people out here.” – Garrett, Black Oak Outfitters

Despite top-quality gear, leased land, and professional-grade hunts, Garrett was stuck in a cycle of chasing clients and barely breaking even.

The Turning Point

Garrett’s perspective shifted when he booked a trip for himself and realized how simple it was to buy online. The lightbulb moment came quickly:

“That guy didn’t have to go searching for me — I went looking for him. I wanted people to find and book me the same way.”

That’s when he decided to partner with Mallard Bay.

His goals were clear:

• Make booking easier for clients
• Stop relying solely on Facebook
• Spend more time guiding and less time chasing leads

The Solution

From day one, Garrett felt supported.

“There hasn’t been a single person that hasn’t been eager to help me. Anytime I need something done on the website, Nick or Caleb have it fixed fast.”

The Mallard Bay team helped Garrett:

• Launch Paid Ads targeting ideal hunting and fishing clients in his area
• Build a Professional Website that instantly made his business look more legit to prospects
• Streamline Scheduling with a calendar clients could check before reaching out

The Results

The transformation was immediate. In just two months, Garrett generated 243 leads from paid ads alone.

His trip volume skyrocketed:

“From July 13 to July 25, I worked 10 trips back-to-back. The amount of trips I’m running now has gone through the roof.”

The impact went beyond the numbers.

• Stress down: Garrett finally felt his investments in boats, thermals, feeders, and leases were paying off.
• Cash flow up: The ads paid for themselves “20x over.”
• Business growth: He invested $55,000 into building a lodge for multi-day hunts.

What Clients See

Garrett’s professional website and new booking flow changed the first impression clients had of Black Oak Outfitters.

“People see my site and say, ‘Holy crap, you’re legit.’”

Repeat clients are coming back, and Garrett now gets inquiries from hunters who’ve never met him — the exact shift he was looking for.

What’s Next for Black Oak Outfitters

Garrett’s next chapter includes:

• Expanding to 20,000 acres of hunting property
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• Adding more feeders and cameras for higher-capacity hunts
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• Leveraging content marketing and media to grow his social presence
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• Continuing to refine lead follow-up for even more conversions

Advice to Other Outfitters

“I understand the skepticism at first… but Mallard Bay’s ads work. I’m reaching people left and right because of them. I’d recommend Mallard Bay to anyone looking to increase bookings and get better software.”

This isn’t just a story about more leads. It’s about taking a side hustle built on grit and turning it into a business with the systems, branding, and momentum to last.

Ready to see results like this? Book your FREE STRATEGY CALL today.