Choosing a Hunting Guide/Outfitter

                Hunting is expensive. It’s also time consuming. For folks that don’t have access to public land, or don’t have a certain species of animal to hunt around them, they may need to hire the help of a guide or outfitter. This is also the case, when you choose to chase animals in Canada as a non-resident. The laws in Canada require non-residents to hire a guide service while hunting up North.

                So, how do you hire the RIGHT outfitter? I’ve had lots of positive experiences with outfitters, sprinkled with some bad. So, here’s some quick advice if you’re looking to book with an outfitter.

1. Talk to as many outfitters in that area as possible. Some folks you will hit it off with immediately, others may put a bad taste in your mouth after a prolonged conversation. For example, when I decided to hunt elk in Montana, I was at an outdoor show and had access to about 15 different outfitters. I spoke at length with each one of them about their previous seasons, successes and failures. I asked them questions that would give me an insight to their ethics/morals when it came to hunting, and how hard they’d work to get an animal. Remember, at the end of the day, it’s your hard earned money you’re paying them. Find an outfitter that will bust their ass for you. Some outfitters I’ve chosen have been men of few words, while others could talk a dog off a meat wagon. In either case, you should feel “comfortable” talking to them, not pressured or nervous in any way.

2. Reference check! This is HUGE, and something I learned the hard way. Most outfitters will promise you the world, after all, that’s how they make their money. Very few will fulfill all those promises or even come close. I hunted moose in Newfoundland last year with an outfitter that promised me 100% shot opportunity on a moose, 150% chance at 2 bears, and TONS of salmon fishing in the river by the lodge. Out of all of that, I got nothing but broken promises. Never saw a moose or a bear, and never even got a line wet to attempt fishing. After talking to several outfitters, as previously explained, this outfitter won me over with empty promises, especially the promise to work hard to guarantee me a moose. I believed him, and didn’t do any reference checking, just took him for his word. Shame on me. I’ve got nothing to show for that hunt except an empty bank account, but I’ve learned my lesson. The outfitter, if they’re worth their salt, will have a list of references of past clients you can call and talk to about their experiences.

3. Pictures. Outfitters should have PLENTY of pictures/video of previous years’ success. This will also give you an insight to the number and quality of the animals that are coming out of that outfit. Don’t be fooled by just trail cam pictures, look at the pictures of animals that were ACTUALLY taken. Also look at pictures of the lodging/accommodations, and even the food if possible. I’ve slept on beds as comfortable as a sheet of ply wood and eaten 5 star meals, as well as slept like a baby on beds that felt like a cloud while eating sandwiches with 1 piece of meat and cheese in them. You may not go on a hunt for the accommodations, but if it’s part of the “package”, make sure you’re getting what you pay for.

4. Check their social media (if they have it), and their phone references to their online references. Search blogs/forums for any info with their name attached. There’s LOTS of free info on popular hunting forums…because yes…not everyone has a FB/IG account. How they handle themselves online, and the way they respond to potential criticism is an indicator of how they are as a person as well as an outfitter. I’ve seen guides torn apart online, and never respond to insults in a hostile manner, instead just apologize for a bad experience. I’d rather hunt with the guy that keeps his cool, than the guy that’s gonna hurl insults and make excuses.

At the end of the day, when you book a hunt with an outfitter, you’re paying for the entire experience. The hunt starts before you arrive with appropriate preparation and scouting on their part. It doesn’t stop once you kill your animal either. Proper trophy care and meat prep as well as access to butchering/taxidermy are things to consider too. Most decent outfitters will be set up with local butchers and taxidermists and should have all of that info on hand for you. If they don’t, that may be a sign that they aren’t as successful as they claim. The outfitter you choose should be able to answer ANY question you have. Ask the hard questions and see how they respond. It will give you an idea of their character and how they may respond to adversity in the field. As I said, it’s YOUR hard earned money. Spend it wisely, and with someone who wants to see you be successful. There’s lots of frauds out there looking to just take your money. I know, I’ve run into a quite a few in the past few years myself.

Edit to add: There’s NOTHING wrong with hiring an outfitter. A lot of holier than thou’s will beat their chest and turn their noses up at guys or gals that “don’t put the time in” and hire an outfitter. I work a full time job. I work 60 hour weeks. I’ve got a set number of vacation days. I live in the Northeast. I don’t have the time/ability to fly to Montana each fall to scout elk before I go hunt them. Think about the cost/time that would take. While a DIY hunt and over the counter tags are awesome to accomplish on your own, the reality is, it’s not possible for everyone. I can hunt bear and deer in my back yard. I can’t hunt mountain lion, elk, sheep, and boar here. I don’t have the ability to trek into the mountains for weeks at a time to find and follow a herd of animals. That’s where the expense of the outfitter comes from. Don’t let anyone “shame” you for doing a “guided” hunt.