After watching fellow outfitters for almost 20years my first question after the intial introductions would be this question. Are youthe outfitter or a regular guide going to be up on the mountain with us? Regular guide being someone that has atleast hunted with the outfitter over three years. Why do I say this? I see guys booking all the camps they can book. They overrun their area's and the clients are not getting a fair deal. If they book more than 4 guided people in a camp they are into the numbers game and not in it for the hunt and the clients success. When an outfitter has to hire extra help usually the guide is very limited in experience or the area hunted. Our oufit has two guides so we max out at four clients. If a party of 5 to 6 books then we hire another outfitter or his guide that is not booked that season to help us. Summer help and college kids won't fill the bill when it comes to guiding clients.

Second thing and very important. Make sure your outfitter has complete knowledge of you and limitations. Along with that you must find out where you are supposed to base camp wether it be a early season camp up in the mountains or a camped out at a lodge or cabin in late seasons. Weather can really mess up plans on hunting really high elevations so be ready for plan number 2. Make sure you recieve a contract between you and the outfitter. Ask for sure on hidden costs. There's nothing like spending your extra cash on BS that wasn't discussed.

CALL THE FOREST SERVICE IN THE AREA YOU PLAN TO HUNT AND ASK ABOUT THE OUTFITTER YOU PLAN TO HUNT WITH. I CAN'T STRESS THIS POINT ENOUGH.

Good luck and always be optimistic
I know I booked a bear hunt in Canada in May so as an outfitter I'm skeptical about the other outfitter myself until I get there.