You are right Bob, that using a booking agent is a great way to avoid the random crooks, or at least to avoid those outfitters who are trying to make a booking and may misrepresent or unduly prop up the experience they provide. Our company, if I join it, ensures a better experience by first having our agents hunt and or fish with the outfitters to approve of their services. We stake our reputation on their ability to meet the expectations of our clients so we take that very seriously. Second, because we want our clients expectations to be met, not for success neccessarily which cannot be guaranteed in hunting and fishing but expectations of the experience, we evaluate our clients wants and needs and then match them with an outfitter who can meet those desires. We can do so unbiasedly because we represent in most cases many outfitters in each venue, for example we represent 25 elk outfitters.

Many outfitters do not use them as you have said, but I supose all want to increase their bookings so a great many do. In fact I have been suprised that a couple have contacted me wanting to discuss representation just because of this posting on this a a few other forums. The outfitter benefits by our service by increasing bookings and lowering advertising and administrative costs associated with booking their on their own and the clients benefit because this service is at no extra cost to them, the outfitter pay for it through their benefits.