The Key To A Successful Guided Hunting Trip - Select A Good Outfitter
If you are an avid gamesman, you will enjoy participating in a guided hunt. Known as an outfitter, a hired hunting guide who is knowledgeable about the region and the types of game to hunt. Outfitters know all the hunting laws, rules and regulations for hunting any specific type of game, plus are up to date on all hunting restrictions.
Hiring a good outfitter is very important to the success of your hunt. The right guide can provide you with a memorable hunting experience, but a bad outfitter can present you with more problems than they are worth. Here are some good pointers to use when searching for the best outfitter to lead you on your guided hunt.
- Set a Plan
The first thing to consider is to never schedule your guided hunt on an impulse. Use patience. It is recommended that you plan your hunt for at least a year in advance. This will allow you to do some solid research.
You can help ensure a successful quest by exploring a variety of lodging options, thinking about what game you want to hunt, and taking the time to investigate the guide you want to hire to lead you on your hunting adventure. So, set a date and stick to it, all the while being patient.
- An Extensive List of Outfitters
The next step you should take is to make a list of all the outfitters in the region you want to hunt. By setting an extensive list of potential guides, you will allow yourself flexibility. Outfitters will oftentimes schedule guided hunts on their calendar months in advance, so the more names you have on your list, the better chance you will have of scheduling a high quality guide.
- Contact the Wildlife Agency
This may be the single most important step before actually going through the process of questioning your potential outfitter, then handing them their fee. Once you have settled on the state, or region you are going to hunt, make an inquiry to the wildlife agency that governs the area. State and federal agencies will have a list of licensed outfitters, including a record of any violations they may have been charged with.
Last thing you want is to have your hunt ruined because your guide either doesn't know the rules, or haphazardly violates them. If you violate a hunting law, whether you knew about it or not, you are going to be liable for a potential fine just as much as your outfitter will be. Check with the wildlife agency to get a good feel for all local hunting guide's reputations. It will save you a lot of headaches in the end.
One final piece of information that you can obtain from a wildlife management agency is a schedule of gun and hunting shows in the area. Most good hunting guides will have a booth at these shows, or have a representative on site to sign up potential clients. Remember, they will want you to sign up on the spot. Be patient, ask questions, and take the information home with you.
- Questions, Questions and More Questions
Once you have set a tentative date for your hunt, made up a nice list of potential outfitters - then checked that list against wildlife management records - you are ready to write a list of questions for your hunting guide. One piece of good advice is to keep a notebook for your trip. In it you can not only have a page of outfitter names, marking off some as you go when you uncover unappealing information, plus a section for questions to ask.
Be extensive with your question list. If you are not an accomplished hunter, then any guide you speak with should show you patience and consideration by answering any question, no matter how silly it might seem. When an outfitter seems reluctant to answer your questions, or begins to show impatience with you, that's a red flag to cross that individual off your list.
So, if you're planning a hunting excursion that you want to be as enjoyable as possible, plus be successful, consider booking a guided hunt. Selecting the best outfitter for your hunt can be the difference-maker between a good hunt and a bad one. Follow the suggestions covered here and you'll stand an excellent chance of hiring out a successful hunt. Contact a business, such as AK Expeditions, for more information.
