How have outfitters treated you? Please read and respond.

[870FaceLift]

Long rant/story here, so please stay with me – I'd really appreciate your feedback...

I know that some of you have been guides, so I'd really love to know your thoughts here. 

Myself and two buddies paid for a "semi-guided" Merriams hunt in 2015.  By "semi-guided," I mean that we were allowed to hunt 1500 acres leased by a farmer and camp on his land.  The price was fair, his land had plenty of turkeys and we saw him twice (upon arrival and when leaving to return home).  We were very satisfied with the arrangement, which was our first experience with an "outfitter."  That's what he promoted himself as anyway.  Again though, everything turned out fine.

A couple months go by and we decide that we wanted to really pony-up and book a fully outfitted mule deer hunt for the fall of 2016 (to include food and lodging).  After a fair amount of research, we decided to spend quite a bit of money on booking with a reputable outfitter.  I won't mention the place, but you would likely know it.  We gave our deposits (refundable through this July), set hunting dates, and applied for tags.  Somehow, our party drew tags (we actually didn't think it would happen, as we only had three preference points each).  Anyhow, we contacted the outfitter to let him know that we drew.  He wasn't easy to contact, as we left him multiple messages that weren't answered.  When we finally connected, he told us to "just bring cash for your balance when you come in the fall." The entire conversation was extremely nonchalant and rushed.   It felt as if we were trying to pry information out of him while he was focused on something else.  All of our conversations with him have been this way.
This is where I want your opinion.  I can appreciate someone's easiness to work with, but I'd also like to have details and parameters built in when spending this kind of money.  Am I being over-bearing, or does this sound unprofessional on his part?  Is this attitude common practice?  I'm almost afraid to call him out on it because I don't want to sabotage our hunt or create the stigma of being needy customers.  In a way, I feel as if we aren't the customer.  If this place wasn't so reputable, I'd walk away but I know this place is legit.

[SteelerFan]

"People" skills... a person either has them, or not. Sounds like your outfitter might be closer to the latter.

If this is such a reputable place / hunt - the outfitter may be relying on that to fill hunts rather than his charm. Knowing he has a list of folks that are anxiously waiting to take your place. Then again, it may be a case of you being super excited (which you should) and him conducting everyday business as usual. You're talking about a hunt of a lifetime, and he's thinking of it as week #2 of 6... or whatever the case.

Outfitters - in my experience - are usually busy folks, and therefore a little hard to get a hold of at times. The "bring cash" is a standard... (I doubt he takes PayPal  ).

As you get closer, communicate some more. I'd ask him specifics, explain you want to know as much as possible before you get there, etc. Did you contact any references? If not, ask him for some (good outfitters will gladly give you a couple of contacts) even though you've already booked. You might find out some of the nitty-gritty details from past hunters.

[Marc]

I have had both good and bad experiences with outfitters/guides for hunting and fishing...

First thing I do now, is email the outfitter with my expectations for the trip (i.e. time in the field, will other people be hunting in the group, expectations of success, food and lodging situations, etc.)...  Make a copy of the email and take it with you...  If he does not fulfill his end of the bargain as promised, pull out that email and show him where he did in fact say "such and such."

I would contact the outfitter and politely let him know of your concerns.  I would let him kindly know that this is a big expenditure of time and money for you, and as you are very excited about the trip (as you hope he is excited about taking you).  And this being a rather large commitment on your part, you would like to be prepared in both expectations and suggested equipment and supplies.

If he does not get back to you, I would pull my deposit.  Most times I have had a bad feeling or been nervous about an outfitter, I wish I had acted on my initial feelings.

[Uncle Nicky]

I don't know, personally, I see a lot of red flags here. If the outfitter doesn't want to really talk with you much and really only only wants to talk about payment, sounds like he's either taking a lot of customers and you are just another number, or else his heart isn't in this anymore...two very bad signs, IMO. I 've been on 2 paid hunts over the years that I wish I would have cancelled, and both times I just didn't sense a lot of enthusiasm in the outfitter's voice about hunting, just interest in getting a deposit there (as well as the "my guides work for tips" speech when I showed up). I won't make that mistake again.

I've learned the hard way that anyone with a huge list of references, big reputation, and has been in business forever is probably just in it for the money at this point (which is fine, as long as he can provide you with a good hunt). I prefer to go with someone who is in the process of making a name for himself, which has seemed to work out much better for me, with both fishing and hunting trips I have planned over the years. A little time on the phone should be able to gauge an outfitter's mindset, I tend to hire someone who seems very confident in himself, and has a lot of enthusiasm.

Like Marc said, trust your gut instinct, if you aren't getting much attention now, it won't get much better once he has already cashed your check.

[fallhnt]

I would get references now and if you can't talk to them pull your deposit. All the outfitters I have dealt with were great on the phone, and even better during the hunt. Your outfitter  is not your guide I assume, Are you talking to different people?

[870FaceLift]

Great feedback - I really appreciate it, guys.

I should go back and clarify a few things.  We paid our deposits last year to get on his list, so he's not asking for any money.  Quite the opposite, actually.  Rather than pay our balance before a set date, he just told us to bring the balance with us when we arrive.  He has a long list because it is a difficult draw and people usually stay on his list until they draw knowing that his area produces monsters.  Prior to putting our deposit down, I talked to a reference that had just hunted with him and said it was an unbelievable experience.  Another reference that my buddy contacted said that he didn't harvest an animal but had opportunities and had an amazing trip.  He said that he'd be back because of what he had experienced. 

My gut feeling to this point has been spot-on with SteelerFan's post.  In fact, that sounds verbatim to what our group has communicated with each other.  I just wondered if others had experienced this.  Fortunately for him, I don't think his personality has to rope in clientele.

[BowBendr]

Been in the guiding business for 20 years, and here's my opinion, for what its worth....
My outfitter is a great man, one of my best friends. In person he is a hoot. On the phone he is dry as dirt, thats just the way it is. Most phone business is handled by his wife, she is much better suited for it.
Sounds like you've done a good bit of leg work, do a bit more as others have suggested and call a few more references before your deadline. If you feel uncomfortable, pull out. Another option is to try calling him again, maybe you caught him at a real bad time, maybe he's dry as dust on the phone but much better face to face.
If he's already that reputable there is a good reason why, I probably know them personally. Shoot me a pm and I can give you an honest, professional opinion, void of feelings.


Gods of Thunder
2015 Old Gobbler contest Champions

[dirt road ninja]

Some good are good some are bad. I've been with both and now only hunt with outfitters that I personally know someone who has used them. I always ask for the numbers of folks that didn't kill, to me they paint a much more realistic picture of what can be expected.

[wvlimbhanger]

Great conversation for sure.

I'm in a similar situation regarding a hunt next spring.  I did a pile of research here and got great PMs from fellow members and decided I had found the right place.  Spoke with the outfitter/guide several times.  Our last conversation was just after his season closed.  He starts telling me he's downsizing the # of hunters he's taking next year because he's tired of guiding and he complained about not getting enough tips.  Left a bad taste in my mouth.  As a result I've been on the look again and I've found another place that I believe is gonna be even closer to what I was wanting to find.  In the end, regardless of the outfitters reputation, trust your gut.

[honker22]

I think you'll be ok but I understand your nervousness.  If past clients have been happy, I'd say you are good to go.

I've only been with 1 outfitter big game hunt, and that was 3 consecutive years for deer.  He wasn't the easiest to get ahold of, but he did have a TV hunting show and he farms cattle.  We corresponded mostly via text, but he knew that if I called, that it wasn't just to shoot the bull.  He was pretty good about returning phone calls, albeit may be the next day or 2. 

[WisTurk]

I personally haven't been on a guided hunt before, but know people who have...they've reported both good and bad experiences.  I would say go with your gut.  If something seems off to you, then make a decision on that.  Remember this is YOUR hard earned money and time at stake here.  Last thing you want to say is "I wish I would have listened to myself when I had the chance".  But if your gut says it's good to go, then listen to that as well.

[Brian Fahs]

Most important part of a hunt to me is being able to hunt how I want. Quality ground is a big plus. If an outfitter does not spell out their methods of hunting it is a question you must ask before you  book.

As stated previously having hunted there before or knowing someone who has is huge. Be forewarned that people change over time and things are not always as they were. Communication!