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We get many questions by email. The one we receive most frequently is how to locate a good outfitter in a specific state or country. We ourselves are located in northwest Colorado, so its impossible for us to be familiar with all guides & outfitters in all areas. However, we have compiled some tips that might help you in locating an outfitter in your area.
For many folks a guided big game hunt is an important event that they may only do a few times during the course of their life. So its critical to find the guide that will provide you an adventure and success. Fortunately the large majority of guides are good reputable business people. Many outfitters supplement their ranching & farming income with their guiding business, which comprises a critical portion of their annual revenue. Therefore most outfitters have a vested interest in assuring that your hunt is enjoyable and successful. These tips should help you avoid the few 'bad apples' that may be in the outfitter community.
- Find a clearing house for locating guides and outfitters. BigGameHunt.net offers you the ability to find many guides in specific areas of the US, Canada, Africa, Mexico and other countries that offer big game hunting. Make a list with contact information of the guides you are interested in. http://www.biggamehunt.net/directory/guides_outfitters.html
- Find
out if the state or country requires licensing for
guiding & outfitting. If yes, make sure the outfitter
you're interested in, has that license. The last thing
you'd want is to be stuck with an illegal guide. State
departments of wildlife can be a useful tool in finding
out local licensing requirements. http://www.biggamehunt.net/directory/regional.html
- If licensing is required, find out if the guide is
in good standing. Meaning has he/she ever been on
probation, been suspended or worse, completely lost
their license at any time. If you really want to use
this guide, you may need to do some digging to find
out the details.
- Find out how long they've been in business. Do a little
more investigating if the business is only a year
or two old. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong
with them, but it might indicate that they don't have
the experience of a seasoned older guide service.
If they've been in business for many years, find out
if it has been sold recently. The new folks could
be very good experienced guides, however we've heard
horror stories of 'green horns' buying sound established
guiding businesses and not having a clue as to what
to do.
- Ask for references and follow up by calling or writing
to them. This however shouldn't be the only way to
determine if a guide is reputable, since only happy
clients would be used for references.
- Get the costs and expectations of the hunt in writing.
If you are expecting a cabin with 3 meals per day,
horses, and a personal guide, get in in writing. Many
trips are ruined when expected amenities are not provided.
For some the ultimate hunting trip is camping out
in a wall tent and no showers for a week! But knowing
this in advance, will help you plan better for your
trip. You will also need to know what type of service
they provide when you've bagged your animal.
- Will
they pack it out for you?
- Take
it to the meat locker or taxidermist for you?
- Are
these services included in the price you're paying
or extra?
- To really get the scoop on a guide call some folks
that live in that community. The local chamber of
commerce is always a good place to start as well as
any sporting goods stores. Chat with them and see
what their reaction is when you mention some names
you're contemplating using.
- Talk
to the guide/outfitter yourself. Most guides are friendly
outgoing folks; however if from the phone conversations
you feel a lack of rapport, you may not be a good
fit. Be wary of guides that are unwilling to communicate
extensively before a hunt either by email or by phone.
- If you are going to hunt in a foreign country it is
imperative that you find out the laws/regulations
long before you book your hunt. Most countries have
very strict laws about entering with guns and ammo.
If the laws are cumbersome some guides (in Mexico
for instance) will provide the guns needed to hunt.
If you are flying, call the airlines and find out
how to ship your firearms. Then find out what the
procedure will be to enter the country with those
firearms. There will also be required procedures to
re-enter your own country with those same firearms.
- Find out what the guide's cancellation policy is in
writing. If you are faced with a last minute emergency,
how much of your deposit will you lose?
If you have any tips you'd like to share, send them along to BGH! We will publish the best ones. They can be tips that an oufitter has for hunters to prepare better or it can be tips that you as a hunter have learned from experience. Send to: info@biggamehunt.net
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