RE: Becoming aGuide
Turkey Harvester,
I personally hope that you will take some time and research each and every opportunity to learn about the outfitter that you might be working for. First and foremost it is my hope that most guides go off to Western Guide School. There are many great schools out there and you should research them all. Even if you are not planning on guiding in the west, the money you spend will be well worth the education and will expand your earning potential no matter where you guide.
That being said you should research your area that you are going to guide. You should read everything you can find about the animals that you are going to guide. The more educated about the animals you are hunting the more you will be successful. Go out and pick up everything ever written by Jack O'Conner and read everything you can by him and every other great writer you can in the hunting world. Read everything you can get your hands on by Theodore Roosevelt and learn everything you can about conservation and get memberships to the organizations that support the animals you are going to be guiding hunters. Read about the plants and food sources for the animals in the area that you are hunting and know when they are eating those plants, etc...
And go out there and have fun and treat people the way that you want to be treated and be yourself and you will have immense success. Guiding is hard work and it covers everything from guiding, friendship, therapy, taxidermy, butchering and business skills. It is also one of the most rewarding jobs in the world.
GOOD LUCK