About The Hunting Grounds
We are passionate about helping you experience the hunt of a lifetime.
Inside The Grounds
The Ozarks have always demanded grit. From the early hunters who lived off this ground to the modern sportsmen who test themselves against it today, this country has a way of shaping both the animals and the people who walk it. That rugged heritage is the backbone of The Hunting Grounds. Across 2,500 acres of ridges, hardwood draws, and spring-fed valleys, we’ve built a system of land and herd management that produces some of the finest red stag, whitetail, and elk you’ll find anywhere. New Zealand bloodlines thrive here in the Ozarks, whitetails are given the time to grow old, and elk carry the weight and presence of true big country.
But this place isn’t just about the animals—it’s about the hunters who chase them. We welcome sportsmen and women of every age, ability, and experience level. Whether it’s a seasoned hunter chasing a record-class stag, a newcomer taking their first deer, or someone who needs a little extra help in the field, we build the hunt around you. Our team is praised time and again for being more than guides. They’re hunters who live this life year-round, sharing not only the pursuit but the knowledge behind how we manage our herd so you can take lessons home to your own ground.
When the day is done, the experience continues at Stoney Point Lodge. Five spacious, comfortable rooms offer a home base for family hunts, groups of friends, or corporate retreats, and our three-bedroom guest house adds another level of privacy. Meals are cooked from scratch, stories flow as freely as the drinks, and the atmosphere is relaxed—because the memories made around the table are every bit as important as those made in the field.
Hunters who have been here say it best: “The best hunt of my life. From the lodge to the field, every detail was spot-on. The staff made me feel like family.” That’s what we strive for. Because at its core, The Hunting Grounds isn’t just a place to take a trophy. It’s a place to test yourself, to learn, and to carry on the tradition of hunting in a way that feels true to the land and the people who came before us.
Meet Our Team
Marc Hightower
Owner & Visionary
Marc is the owner and leader of The Hunting Grounds. He’s spent his life in the outdoors and built this business to give hunters the kind of experience he believes in—real hunts on real ground with no shortcuts. With a strong business background and a hunter’s mindset, Marc guides the operation so every guest leaves with a hunt worth remembering. His vision keeps The Hunting Grounds moving forward.
Dana Reece
Property Manager | Head Guide
Dana has spent decades guiding hunts through the toughest country in Colorado, and he brings that same grit to The Hunting Grounds. A skilled long-range shooter, he manages everything from herd genetics and health to the daily work that keeps the operation running. Known for making every hunt both successful and memorable, Dana treats every guest like family from the moment they arrive.
Sharry Lovan
Head Chef & Lodge Host
If you’ve read the reviews, you already know Sharry’s name. Her cooking is a highlight of every stay, with home-cooked meals that keep hunters coming back for seconds and thirds. Beyond the kitchen, she keeps the lodge welcoming and brings her gift for music to the campfire. Sharry’s warmth and kindness make guests feel right at home, creating lasting memories that go far beyond the hunt itself.
Nolan Swinghamer
Marketing & Media
Nolan leads marketing for The Hunting Grounds, making sure the story of this place reaches hunters who value an experience. With a strong background in the outdoor industry and a lifelong passion for hunting, he connects with guests before they ever set foot on the property. His focus is simple, showing what makes The Hunting Grounds different and helping hunters find their next adventure here.
Experience the Best Red Stag Hunting in America
A Red Stag hunt at The Hunting Grounds isn’t just another trip—it’s a chance to pursue one of the most impressive big game animals in the world on American soil. Located in the rugged Ozark Mountains of Missouri, our 2,500-acre preserve offers hunters the perfect mix of thick timber, rolling ridges, and open draws where big stags thrive.
What sets us apart is genetics. The Hunting Grounds has built the strongest Red Stag bloodlines in the United States, producing bulls with massive frames, heavy tines, and unmatched scoring potential. In fact, many outfitters across the country rely on us to supplement their herds, but here you get direct access to the source.
Every hunt is fully guided, three days long, and all-inclusive—covering lodging, home-cooked meals, licenses, and game care. Hunters can choose rifle, bow, muzzleloader, or crossbow, and with our fair-chase style of hunting, success still comes down to woodsmanship, patience, and shot execution.
Whether you’re chasing a 300-class stag or a national-record contender over 650″, our goal is the same: to deliver the Red Stag hunt of a lifetime, with no shortcuts and no compromises.
Whitetails are part of the hunting tradition at The Hunting Grounds. Years of herd management and habitat work have built a deer population that produces both big, clean typicals and heavy non-typicals with character. Hunters can expect to see mature bucks across different age classes, with plenty of opportunities at the kind of deer worth hanging on the wall.
Every hunt is fully guided and set up as a three-day, all-inclusive experience—lodging, home-cooked meals, licenses, and game care are all included. Rifle, bow, muzzleloader, or crossbow—it’s your hunt, your way, with fair-chase ethics at the core of every pursuit.
For hunters who want a whitetail that makes them proud, The Hunting Grounds delivers. Whitetail hunting isn’t just part of what we do—it’s part of who we are.
Trophy Whitetail Hunts
Trophy Elk Hunts
Elk hunts at The Hunting Grounds give hunters the chance to chase mature bulls in the rugged Ozark terrain. With strong genetics and years of herd management, our elk carry heavy frames, long beams, and the kind of presence that makes them a bucket-list animal for many hunters.
Each hunt is a three-day, all-inclusive package that covers guides, lodging, home-cooked meals, licenses, and field dressing with prep for your processor. Rifle, bow, muzzleloader, or crossbow—it’s your choice, and every hunt is run with the same fair-chase standards that define our operation.
From solid 300-class bulls to giants that push 400″ and beyond, these hunts are a serious opportunity to put a bull on the wall without having to head west. For hunters ready to add elk to their list, The Hunting Grounds makes it possible.
More Than a Hunt
Life at The Hunting Grounds doesn’t end when you step out of the stand. Our property is built to be enjoyed sunup to sundown, with activities for hunters, families, and corporate groups alike.
The private lake is stocked with crappie, bass, and catfish, and doubles as the setting for water sports like canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. For those who want to test their skills on dry land, we offer a 1,200+ yard shooting range—perfect for long-range practice or friendly competition. Golfers can step onto our mats and take aim at floating targets in the lake, blending the outdoors with a little lighthearted fun. And for moments that call for something lasting, we even have a church on-site, ideal for hosting weddings or special gatherings in a setting that’s both rustic and unforgettable.
Whether you’re here to hunt, relax, celebrate, or build camaraderie with your team, The Hunting Grounds offers more than just a trophy. It’s a place where everyone—hunters, families, and friends—can make memories together.
Happy Hunter
Testimonial
I have been hunting for 21 years and this is the absolute best experience I have ever had. There are more deer here than any place I have ever seen. The accommodations are top notch. The Chef - food is amazing! Last night I slept like a baby. This morning I got up late at 6:30am got in the deer blind at about 6:50 and must have seen 15 or so big ones this morning alone. I got a good size 8 point buck it Scored around 150" and this is what I would call a "small" buck for the shooters out here. Look at the pic, this is no small deer. But out here, they have real good genetics and some of the deer are easily over 200"
The lodge is really impressive and sits over the lake. There is a good size lake house with a lake that is about 40 acres. This ranch is about 2500 acres with lots and lots of trails with lots of deer. This is top notch, fair chase hunting. NO BS shooting in pen. I actually missed my first buck yesterday and was really beating myself up. My guide, Dana said it would be ok and actually said it was a good thing I missed cause the buck was smaller than most. I couldn't believe he was telling me a big 8 point was small but he was right. I got a 146 class 8 point today and I am super stoked.
If you want an awesome hunting experience and a trip of a lifetime, I strongly recommend you check out The Hunting Grounds in Willow Springs Missouri. I cant wait to come back. I'm really impressed with this ranch and team who runs it.
Alex Fender
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