| What should you expect from your professional | | | | Since most of your outfitted trips will be in |
| hunting outfitter? This is a great question and | | | | another state or even another country, it is |
| would probably get different answers depending | | | | imperative that your outfitter is organized and all |
| on whether you asked the hunter or the outfitter. | | | | tags, licenses, firearm permits, and other |
| Here is my list of things you should and should not | | | | necessary paperwork is completed and ready for |
| expect. | | | | your hunt. |
| You Should Expect: | | | | You Should Not Expect: |
| 1. Communication: | | | | 1. To Disrespect Your Outfitter: |
| From the time you begin talking about your | | | | Just because you are paying for his services does |
| hunting trip to the time you leave camp with your | | | | not mean you should expect your outfitter to |
| trophy, there should be a constant stream of | | | | carry your luggage, keep your tent stove burning, |
| communication between you and your outfitter. | | | | bring you coffee, or pack your gun. He is there to |
| 2. Honesty: | | | | give you the best opportunity to harvest an |
| You should expect your outfitter to be honest | | | | animal, not be your personal valet. Chip in, help |
| regarding the hunt and what you can reasonably | | | | out, be part of the team and you will find your |
| expect. If you are going to be staying in a motel | | | | outfitter and guides will reciprocate with greater |
| rather than a spike camp, that should be clear | | | | effort on your behalf. |
| before you decide to book a hunt with him. Also, | | | | 2. A Guaranteed Hunt: |
| size and quantity of game you should be able to | | | | Your hunting outfitter and his guides will do their |
| harvest. If he outfits in an area where 40" moose | | | | best to put you in position to harvest an animal, |
| are the norm, he should be forthright about that | | | | but "hunting is hunting". Hunt with the attitude that |
| and not show pictures of the 60" moose he | | | | the joy is in the process and not the result. Not all |
| harvested ten years ago. | | | | outfitted hunts will result in a trophy animal and |
| 3. Effort: | | | | you have to be prepared for that possibility. |
| You should expect your outfitter and his guides to | | | | Remember that your outfitter and guides feel the |
| give you their best effort while you are in their | | | | pressure to get you an animal almost as much as |
| camp. Many of my best hunting experiences have | | | | you feel the joy of harvesting that animal. |
| resulted not from harvesting the biggest animal, | | | | There business relies mostly on word of mouth, |
| but from the company of my guide while he did | | | | and a bad experience for you means little or no |
| everything he could to get me in position to take | | | | referral business, so most quality outfitters will |
| my animal. | | | | work as hard as possible to ensure an enjoyable, |
| Sometimes that animal is a Boone & Crockett | | | | successful and rewarding hunt. |
| trophy and other times it is a representative | | | | This is just my list of things to expect and not |
| animal. but if the guide did everything that he | | | | expect from your outfitter. Please feel free to |
| could to get you that animal, you should be | | | | add your thoughts and comments. |
| satisfied. | | | | In the meantime, remember that time in the field |
| 4. Organization: | | | | is a gift, savor it. |