Need for Outfitters pros and cons section

[Old Gobbler]

I've seen countless times total quacks pump up their online prowess with guiding , we are talking living out a van with zero property...anytime you hear the words "airboat" and Florida ...don't walk away ..RUN

If there is $$ involved, watch out !

[Delmar ODonnell]

When this has been brought up in the past I made basically this reply, if that is done it would open the website up to Libel, Slander, and Defamation suits against the site. I would love to see it myself but not at the detriment of this site. Saw a computer review website get in deep water when one of the reviewers defamed a maker of a video card and the site came very close to getting shut down. I do not want that to happen here.

If a person posts their opinion on a thread that they have created on their own MAYBE that would be alright, but to give a place to defame a business on the page would cause all kinds or problems. One of the big things is people get angry and they post opinion instead of sticking directly to the facts, that is where the problems really come in. Even with facts they had better be provable.

Respectfully, I disagree about the site being subject to liability from comments made here as it is a platform, not a publisher, although I can't cite to relevant case law off the top of my head. And as previously mentioned, truth, or even reasonable belief a statement is true, is a perfect defense to those torts.

[deathfoot]

I have used guides for hunting and fly fishing... 

I have had far, far more luck with fly fishing guides.  Their job is to put me on areas that hold fish, and tell me the flies and  techniques to use...  They can't fish for me, but they sure want me to catch fish.

I have had one good experience with a waterfowl guide in the states; he put us on birds, and let us do the calling and call the shots.  Had a good outfitter in Canada that scouted birds, helped us set up in the morning, and dropped us off (my idea of a perfect guide).  When I talk to most guides, they will not let clients do the calling or call the shots (which I understand, but does not interest me).  A surprising number of guides shoot with the clients...  Some trying to give clients credit for birds they shot (i.e. birds the guide, not the clients shot).

Doing some traveling in the past, I have called about guides for turkey, and it seems turkey guides feel the same way...  I requested that the guide does not take a call, and was told to pound sand (politely).  I have almost zero interest in shooting a turkey (actually shooting them is the easiest part), but I sure like to hunt them...

This past weekend, I had to travel for a seminar, and had a day to myself (Arizona) and looked for a turkey outfitter in the area.  A bit out of my price range at $2K for a day of hunting.   (I have to think I misunderstood, or they did, cause I do not see many turkey hunters paying $2K for a day of hunting).

I know there are good outfitters...  And there are bad ones...  Given the opportunity for purely hunting, I would do my research and find an outfitter that matched my needs.  Unfortunately, a lot of the time, I am traveling for a seminar or class, or with family, and want to hunt the area I am traveling to for a day.

One thing I have learned about hiring a guide or outfitter is to get everything on an email...  Price, time in the field, letting me call, etc...  That way when the outfitter tells me "I never said that," I pull out the email with him saying that....  On paper.  Great way to watch someone's face turn red.

I'll only use outfitters that allow self guided hunts. I don't want a guide or need one. That way if I don't kill one it's on me. I've been lucky. I'm 100%. But I've only used them in Kansas and Texas. This year I'm using one in Illinois and Missouri. But I've found some great deals. It's basically pay to trespass. Just show me the land and give me a little info on the birds and leave me alone. Lol.