ORIGINAL: Pa Trophy Man
I guess let me change the scenario alittle. I can understand going and using an outfitter to hunt something that you wouldn't have the oppurtunity in your own area like bear or elk. I was just worried that if i use a guide to hunt whitetail and shoot one, that i am not going to get the same sense of accomplishment i would if i did it on my own. I'm not knocking people for using outfitters because it still takes a special skill to put a lethal shot on an animal, I just feel like i would be missing out on all the other stuff.
A whitetail outfitter can't do a whole lot for you other than help with stand selection and tell you where he thinks you should hunt. No baiting allowed here so it is still up to your ability to get into a stand without spooking the deer and getting a shot off. Your skill still got it. I just like doing my own thing and can't see the need for a whitetail guide unless it is required like Canada. We interviewed elk guides and you were paying for a horse ride and help with game and his knowledge of the area. $4000 apeice seemed like a lot. I have talked with guys that have hired guides and have never seen an elk so I thought that our hunt was a total success. We seen lots of elk. We were told that only 10% of bowhunters in CO get their elk and seeing that we had close shots at cows and all the bull sightings we were very successful. I myself would ditch the guide, do the hunt on my own, meet farmers in cafes in the AM and get to know some locals and you may fall into some great places and land to hunt for years if you want to come back. Another great way to hunt is bring a flatbottom boat and use the river or lakes to get into places that are public huntingbut nobody hunts. You can use the boat for storage and hauling your gear in to get to your location. Bring a wall tent and make a cool camp and have a great do it yourself hunt. Pm me if you need info on public places that a boat would work great in.
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