ABOUT THE OWNER

A person dressed in camouflage and winter clothing holding three sandhill crane in a snowy landscape, likely after a hunting trip.

Colton Oliphint grew up hunting all sort of bird species. He even spent time raising and selling prize chickens along with race-bred pigeons. Colton’s love for birds is unmatched. As a young boy, he spent his time researching and learning more - so much so that he told himself “birds are going to make me money one day” - and Open Plains Outdoors was born! Open Plains Outdoors got it’s official name in 2021 but that was not the beginning.

Colton began guiding hunts in 2016 when he was a freshman in college and his knowledge for outfitting has only expanded from there. He attended McMurry University in Abilene, Texas and recieved a Bachelor’s in Business Administration.

Colton has spent countless hours tracking the routine and flight patterns of these magnificent, and intelligent birds, and strives to keep his clients on them to ensure a successful hunt. He wants his clients to experience the thrill and feel the love for birds the same way he does!

About our guides

Person in camouflage jacket and sunglasses in a wheat field, looking up.

Charles “Charlie” McMillon has been waterfowling for two decades and brings East Texas roots and West Texas grit to every hunt he guides. Originally from Jasper, Texas, Charlie graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

During bird season, Charlie is a dedicated guide with Open Plains Outdoors. Known for being personable, easy to talk to, and great with clients, he builds quick rapport in the blind - but when it’s time to work, he runs a tight, professional opperation. Charlie takes pride in reading birds, making strategic adjustments, and ensuring every group has a safe, organized, and memorable hunt.

When waterfowl season winds down, Charlie heads back east to guide crappie fishing trips with Sam Rayburn’s Best Guide Service. His year-round guiding experience gives him a sharp understanding of wildlife patterns, client expectations, and delivering results in the outdoors.

Whether you’re chasing cranes across the plains or filling a cooler with crappie, Charlie brings knowledge, professionalism, and a passion for the hunt every single day.

Matthew “Matt” McCarty is a proud native of Fannett, Texas and currently attending South Plains College where he is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Business. When you meet Matt, it is evident that he has one incredible work ethic. He doesn’t stop until the hunt is over and he isn’t happy until the clients are happy.

Raised with strong country values and a deep passion for the outdoors, Matt has been hunting waterfowl since 2012, developing both skill and respect for nature and birds over the years.

With a deep appreciation for conservation, land stewardship, and the traditions of waterfowl hunting, Matt combines his love for the outdoors with his academic focus in agriculture. His goal is to build a future rooted in the ag industry while continuing to embrace the outdoor lifestyle that shaped him. Matt has been hunting with Open Plains Outdoors since 2023.

A man smiling outdoors in a snowy field, wearing a brown leather jacket, a gray hoodie, a cap, and yellow gloves.

WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL

  • We know the landscape, the birds, and the patterns that make a hunt successful. We have years of hands-on experience reading bird behavior, reading weather and winds, and putting hunters in the right spots at the right time.

  • Your safety and comfort are a top priority. Our guides know responsible firearm handling and range safety. They can help find hunters shooting lanes and assist with shot selection. Guides provide clear instruction in the blind and in the field.

    We take the worry out of logistics so you can focus on the fun!

  • No two hunts are the same, and we treat them that way. We tailor hunts to bird species and movement, weather and field conditions, and your experience level and goals.

    Whether it’s a first dove hunt or a full day of crane and geese pursuits, every hunt feels dialed in.

  • We work closely with landowners and farmers that hold healthy populations of cranes, geese, doves, and pigeons. That means private fields, low pressure, and quality shooting opportunities you won’t find on public ground.

  • While we’re serious about quality and safety, we’re also serious about having a good time. Hunts with us aren’t stiff or intimidating - we want you to enjoy the day, make memories, and feel like part of a group that loves birds as much as you do!

  • We believe in conservation and respect for wildlife and landowners. That means following all state and federal regulations, practicing ethical shot selection, and leaving fields the way they were found.

    Hunters who care about the future of the sport are our kind of people.

Open Plains Outdoors is more than a guide service.

it’s local bird expertise, thoughtful and safe guiding, private land access, and an enjoyable way to experience bird hunting in Texas. We aim to make every hunt safe, successful, and memorable - whether it’s your first or fifteenth.

come hunt with us