What
Every Hunter Should Know When Choosing a Professional Guide Service
With so much riding on your next hunt, here are some
guidelines to consider that could make the difference between a life-long
memory and a disaster.
You’ve finally drawn that elusive tag, saved up
enough money for that dream hunt, and performed a Google search for outfitters
only to be overwhelmed by the information overload in the results. Sure, there
are impressive photos and flash animations galore showing trophy game taken on
successful hunts. Or maybe you’ve attended a sportsman’s show and tried to
navigate the aisles that are filled with outfitter’s booths, all vying for your
deposit with photo albums, video monitors and promises of success.
The sheer numbers of guides out there will leave
your head spinning. But if you do your
homework, plan well ahead, and utilize these tips, you’re well on your way
towards making sure the guide service you select will be a good fit. “Clients
need to determine what they want from their hunt and develop a strategy to find
a good fit for and outfitter for them,” said Kevin Call who has been guiding
big game hunts in Northern Arizona for over ten years. “Hunters need to do
their research.”
1.
Disregard
everything you read on the host website.
This may cause disdain for
outfitters who work hard on building an effective site that can move you from
the banner to hitting the “book a hunt now” button. Customer testimonials is a
common tactic but consider the reality that nobody is going to post one from
the disgruntled client who slept under the leaky spot in the roof, saw no game,
put up with the annoying guide’s banter, and swore that hell would freeze over
before they would return. I have heard that you should beware as testimonials
are sometimes faked or made by family members or close friends. The alternative
is to read detailed hunting reports or forums.
2. Consider a Subscription to a
Reputable Newsletters/Directories that Post Detailed Trip/Guide Reports
This is an invaluable resource as
the reports are written by real clients who fill out an exhaustive survey form
that details every aspect of their guided trip. Many also include the hunter’s
contact information if you wish to ask specific questions not covered in the
report. If they didn’t want to be bothered they wouldn’t post that information.
Also, most hunters love to talk about their experiences. One that I would
recommend right away would be www.huntingreport.com.
Take a look at their free sample report before subscribing to see if that’s something
you would find useful.
3. Narrow Your Search According to
Your Needs
The guide/hunter relationship is a
two-way street. There are things they want from you and things you want from
them. Being specific as to what you really want goes a long way towards your
satisfaction with the outfit.
What species do you wish to hunt
(obviously). What accommodations do you prefer? Do you want tent or primitive
camping or maybe a comfortable lodge? Do you have any physical limitations? Can
you hike in or would you rather travel by horseback or off-road vehicle? What
is your price range? Do you prefer to hunt public lands or is a private
facility more to your liking? When do you plan to hunt and does that window
offer you the best chance to be successful at filling a tag respective of the
species and unit you plan to hunt?
4. Refer to State Agencies or Industry
Associations that Regulate the Industry
The bare minimum requirement for
guides is that they are adequately licensed, bonded and insured. You can also narrow
your search by checking with the state wildlife department to see if the outfit
you are considering has had any problems with them. They usually keep a record
of guides who have had license revocations or other infractions levied against
them. If you were going to hire a contractor, you would check with the state
contractor’s board or Better Business Bureau to see if there were any claims against
them. Additional information can be found by inquiring with professional
outfitter and guide associations that monitors members according to a stringent
code of ethics. Arizona does not have a formal Guide Association or Board at
the present time so your best bet is with the Arizona Department of Fish and
Game.
5. Reserve Your Hunt Through a
Reputable Booking Agency
Many of us cannot devote the time
and effort required to properly vett outfitters, locate the best deals or to
perform the research necessary to be able to effectively choose a professional
guide. This is where the hunting consultant or booking agent comes in. This is
an expert who lives hunting one-stop-shopping, so to speak. They are apprised
of discounted hunts or cancellation opportunities that can really save you
money if you’re flexible. Also, their costs are generally taken care of by the
guide services so what do you have to lose. While most hunters will tell you
that this is a must for international hunts, there is a growing opinion that
these types of services can prove beneficial for North American trips as well.
6. Interview Potential
Guides/Outfitters
Kevin Call, a guide for High Point Outfitters
out of Flagstaff, spoke to the value derived from a simple interview. “A lot of
resources can be found online to do research but nothing beats calling and
talking directly with the outfitter.”
Prepare a detailed list of
questions and contact the operators you are considering. “They need to
specifically ask about the outfitters experience in the actual area they will
be hunting,” advised Chris Dunn who operated a guide service in Central Arizona
for over 7 years. “A lot of big outfitters get a bunch of clients then try to
find guides to take them out. Sometimes,
often, the actual guide isn’t even familiar with the area.” Be wary of
“guarantees” that you will take that trophy animal if booking with them. A good
guide will definitely be confident but also humble and realistic too. “If an
outfitter starts guaranteeing you will get an animal you are being lied to unless
it is a barnyard hunt; especially if they are guaranteeing a trophy
animal. Even if they know there is a
trophy animal out there they don’t know the client’s ability to shoot or hunt.”
7. Make Sure of Their Cancellation
Policies
Things happen in life. Many hunts
that you may reserve can have large deposits in the thousands of dollars and
should you be unable to make the date you might be out-of-luck with the wrong
outfitter. Knowing their exact policy (and getting it in writing) will give you
some piece of mind. I would also think that an operator that might have a
strict “No Refund, No Exceptions” policy might deserve extra scrutiny. Use a
credit card for any deposit and never book more than six months out so you have
some recourse in case they go out of business.
Like
most things in life there are no guarantees. But if you do utilize these tips
you can better your odds. After interviewing a number of guides for their
input, one thing that kept being repeated was the importance of communication. Greg
Galli, guiding waterfowl hunts for over ten years, summed it up very simply, “Ask
a ton of questions, make sure your outfit knows what you expect and what they
are willing to provide.” There is a balance to be had here between your
specific needs and the ability of the outfit to meet them. “It takes time but
is well worth it to have a hunt of a life time.
Arizona is just too hard to get tags then blow it going with the wrong
outfitter.”
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