Now Booking 2026-2027 Hunts!
Guided Thermal Coyote Hunts
"Cold hunts measure more than your gear, they measure your will"
Come and test your will with us. North Dakota winters are no joke, they are not for the meek, they will test you physically, and more than anything else, they will test you mentally. The cold seeps in like a poison, are you tough enough to endure it?
"Predators know the cold - they use it. To successfully harvest them, you must first conquer it"
North Dakota Coyotes are beautiful, if that can be said for one of the most adaptive predators in the country. They are large, with extremely thick coats which make them desirable if one would want a mount completed. This thick coat is what keeps them alive through some of the most brutal snowstorms one can ever experience outside visiting the poles.
"Frost tests gear; silence tests grit. Only one of them can't be borrowed"
Join one of our experienced guides on a fully guided nighttime thermal hunt. Our guides run top of the line thermal equipment and weapons that would push you into 5 figures for a similar setup. We'll do the scouting, we'll do the calling, we'll provide the equipment, and you, you just have to make the shot and try and stay warm.
Pricing & Details
5 Nights Lodging/3 Nights Hunting
$2250/Hunter - Up to 4 Hunters Total
Your lodging will be provided at The Coyote Inn, 5 Nights in Total
You will have a guaranteed 3 Nights of Thermal Hunting. Why only 3 nights when you're here for 5? Those North Dakota winters in the intro, we're not kidding. There may be nights where it's impossible to hunt due to the weather If we've hunted for 3 nights, and you have nights remaining in your stay, there will be the option to purchase additional nights at a very discounted rate.
When booking, Paul will speak with each person that's booking to gauge their experience in cold weather, and provide recommendations of what gear to bring, or if you'll possibly need to purchase additional cold weather gear.
Meet The Guides
Meet Paul – Lead Guide & Outfitter
Paul is the lead guide and outfitter for Hidden Ponds Outfitting. Alongside his wife, Kari, he founded Hidden Ponds LLC in 2024 with a simple vision: to share the beauty, adventure, and hospitality of North Dakota with others. Whether guests are enjoying a relaxing stay at The Coyote Inn or pursuing world-class hunting opportunities across the prairie, Paul is passionate about helping them create lasting memories.
Paul's love for the outdoors began at an early age. At just five years old, he was tagging along on early morning goose hunts with his father. As the youngest in the family, he often accompanied his dad on hunting trips because there was no one else at home to watch him. From chasing mule deer in the North Dakota Badlands to hunting whitetails close to home and traveling to Montana in pursuit of antelope, Paul learned the value of hard work and perseverance long before he was old enough to carry a firearm of his own.
At age 12, his father handed him a .22 rifle and offered a bounty of $25 for every fox and $50 for every coyote he harvested to help protect the family's chickens. The arrangement proved more successful than expected, and by fall his father found himself buying Paul a shotgun to settle the growing debt. With a shotgun in hand, Paul spent countless evenings walking field edges in search of mourning doves and exploring shelterbelts for pheasants.
By high school, waterfowl hunting had become his greatest passion. He created a personal bucket list of drake species he hoped to harvest and mount, a pursuit that has taken him far beyond North Dakota. Over the years, his adventures have carried him from the Mississippi River flyway to the Gulf Coast of Texas and even to the California-Mexico border, all in pursuit of unique waterfowl experiences and memories.
In 2024, as Hidden Ponds was taking shape, Paul welcomed his first dedicated hunting dog, Ruger, into the family. The two have become nearly inseparable during hunting season, with Ruger showing a particular talent and enthusiasm for pheasant hunting.
Paul's introduction to thermal predator hunting came through his friendship with fellow guide Frank. What began as a new experience quickly developed into another passion, and today Paul enjoys sharing the excitement of thermal hunting with both new and experienced hunters.
Whether you're interested in experiencing thermal coyote hunting for the first time, pursuing a late-winter trophy coyote, enjoying a classic North Dakota pheasant hunt, or simply experiencing the outdoors alongside knowledgeable local guides, Paul is committed to providing a safe, professional, and memorable hunt that showcases the very best of North Dakota.
"The outdoors has given me some of the best experiences of my life. My goal is to help others create those same memories and leave North Dakota with stories they'll be telling for years to come." – Paul Sova, Lead Guide & Outfitter, Hidden Ponds Outfitting
Meet Frank - Knowledge and Passion Meet
Our second guide at Hidden Ponds Outfitting is Frank Holdburg.
Born in the Philippines to a military family, Frank spent his early years moving with his father's military career. After his father retired from the service, what was intended to be a fishing trip to Alaska became something much more—a new home. It was there, surrounded by the rugged Alaskan wilderness, that Frank developed a lifelong passion for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors.
An accomplished amateur wrestler, Frank's talent on the mat eventually brought him to North Dakota, where he competed collegiately for the University of Jamestown. It was in Jamestown that he met his wife, put down roots, and built the life he enjoys today.
Frank serves as a Pro Staff member for RIX Optics, but his path to that role was anything but conventional. His passion for hunting, long-range shooting, and equipment evaluation led him on a relentless pursuit of the best gear available. Through extensive field use, he discovered RIX Optics and incorporated their thermal products into his hunting setups. By sharing coyote hunting videos, honest product reviews, and practical hunting insights on social media, Frank earned the attention of RIX Optics and eventually joined their Pro Staff team.
A true sportsman in every sense of the word, Frank's pursuits extend far beyond predator hunting. Before winter coyote season starts, you'll find him chasing upland birds behind his Drahthaars, Eli and Lucy, hunting whitetails, or returning to Alaska in pursuit of black bear and other big game, all with his kids in tow.
Many guides possess deep knowledge within a single discipline. Frank stands apart because of the breadth of his experience across hunting, shooting, optics, predator management, and outdoor pursuits. Just as importantly, he is a patient guide who genuinely enjoys helping others learn and improve. Whether he's introducing someone to predator hunting for the first time or sharing advanced techniques with seasoned hunters, Frank's approachable nature allows him to connect with just about anyone. Whether you're discussing thermal technology, long-range shooting, predator behavior, upland hunting, or big-game tactics, you'll be hard-pressed to find someone with a broader base of practical knowledge.
We're proud to have Frank as part of the Hidden Ponds Outfitting team.