BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

gandergrinder · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: WNY

Hey guys. I thought I'd post up a quick introduction, and ask a question or two.

I live in western New York and am a pretty hardcore waterfowler. I start September 1st and don't quit until March 10th. I hunt mostly in my area, and in Southern Ontario, with a couple of trips do Arkansas mixed in every year. The only big game hunting I do any more is archery whitetail. I've always wanted to hunt western big game, and now I have the oppurtunity to do so. Next year I plan on applying for tags and points, and hopefully will be able to draw a good tag in a couple/few years? :D

Anyway, I've never hunted with a guide or outfitter, and was wondering......When I start looking for one, what questions do you think I should ask? References, success rates....I really don't know?

Keep in mind that this is for an archery elk hunt.

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to chatting with everyone around here! :D

moderator · Joined: 27 Jan 2002 Posts: 6679

Welcome to BGH gandergrinder! I guess your name says it all! :D

We published an article on selecting an outfitter quite some time ago, back in 2001. However many of the points still apply today to finding an outfitter.

You can read the article at the following link:
http://www.biggamehunt.net/sec.....10112.html

7 Mag · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 115 Location: Plymouth, Indiana

Not sure where you're planning to hunt but Central Montana is a good choice. Colorado has more elk but a lot higher elevation. I've hunted with several outfitters but mostly muledeer, antelope & whitetails. Send me a PM with a little more detail & i'll help you as much as i can.

mccoiges@hotmail.com

rezhunter · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:58 am Post subject:

Ask them if they serve beer for breakfast

gandergrinder · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: WNY

Thanks for the replies....even you Rez :D

7 Mag....I haven't really decided on a location yet. Colorado or Wyoming would be my first choices.

What would be some good indicators that a particular outfitter would be someone to steer clear of........or possibly consider?

What would you look for...or look out for? :D

huntquest · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 82 Location: Colorado

gandergrinder wrote: Thanks for the replies....even you Rez :D

7 Mag....I haven't really decided on a location yet. Colorado or Wyoming would be my first choices.

What would be some good indicators that a particular outfitter would be someone to steer clear of........or possibly consider?

What would you look for...or look out for? :D

I am a Colorado outfitter, my license number is #2140

You are welcome to ask me anything that you like. (970)529-6691

www.kmoutfitting.com

Thanks,
Kevin

7 Mag · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 115 Location: Plymouth, Indiana

If Wy. is one of your choices i encourage you to apply for a preference point this summer so you have one for next year. The Wy. drawing is in Jan. so it's not that far off. As Kevin mentioned, you can ask any question you like but the one most outfitters don't like to answer and for a good reason is success rates. Fair chase hunting & the clients ability to shoot play a major role. I would ask for references both successful & unsucessful as well as deposit information, trophy fees, how many guys in camp, hunter to guide ratio. I pretty much go 1x1 for most of my hunts but 2x1 works ok & it's cheaper. If you hear more than 2x1 than i would look elsewhere & get everything in writing. If you want to take some of the risk out, use a booking agent. I use Chris Lemke from outdoor connections. www.lemkesoutdoorconnection.com His service won't cost you anything extra & they only use reputable outfitters who they've personally hunted with. Get in the best shape possible, elk hunting is tuff & the mountains are unforgiving. Elk hunting is nothing like chasing a whitetail, you'll need to extend your shooting range to 40-50 yards if you can & be able to shoot from your knees. A buddy of mine shot a 6x7 at 67 yards in Montana a couple of years ago, be prepared you'll spend a lot of money on this trip & you want to be able to make that ethical shot when it's presented.

gandergrinder · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: WNY

Thanks for the helpful info 7Mag! I will be applying for a preference point this summer for sure. Getting in shape seems like a very common recommendation, and one I don't plan on taking lightly.

I'll check out Outdoor Connection....

Thanks again :D

cowgal · Joined: 10 Mar 2002 Posts: 994 Location: Colorado

Gandergrinder, after you have found some outfitters you think sound promising, type their names (business and personal) into a search engine like Google. That may turn up some good and bad info for you. Also there are sites that allow people to rate guides and outfitters. Though not everything you find online is 100% reliable, it might give you an idea on how previous clients feel. If you read about a lot of problems, I would probably steer clear.

Find our how long an outfitter has had their license and who exactly will be guiding you. If a hired hand is guiding you, find our their name(s) and how long they've guided. Another important question is how far off the road they will take you to hunt. You don't want to ride around in a truck for your whole hunt. You'll also want to know how much acreage you will be hunting, public or private, and how many people total will be hunting during that same time frame. Obviously if its on public land it would be impossible for the guide to know that, but your hunt should cost considerably less if its on public land. For private land hunts, they should have exact numbers for you.

I don't believe there's any advantage to using a booking agent. In fact if you contact outfitters directly, you can sometimes work out a deal with them, especially if you're bringing a group of people to hunt.

Get everything in writing.

rezhunter · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:22 am Post subject:

Yep, cause some times they don't serve beer for breakfast :cry:

cowgal · Joined: 10 Mar 2002 Posts: 994 Location: Colorado

I know you're joking rezhunter, but I would have serious concerns if an outfitter DID serve beer for breakfast. You should not be drinking any alcohol before or during your hunt.

rezhunter · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 2:10 pm Post subject:

I know what your saying, last time I had a few too many buds I shot a moo cow :laugh: Now I just stick to the light beers

7 Mag · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 115 Location: Plymouth, Indiana

There are advantages to using a booking agent, some of the best outfitters i know only book thru agents. I've been going on guided hunts for several years & have typically done my own research, but the last few years i've used a booking agent. I think for the first timer the booking agent is the way to go, the agent will do all of the leg work & put you in touch with the outfitter if you wish.