I was going to avoid this thread because there are many ways to view an "outfitted" hunt, but.Everyone expects diff things from a guide. Me, all I want is to be put in an area known to be productive. Alot of the time this means hunting private property, which most guides have access to.
This past Nov I hunted in Alberta. Onthe 5th day ofmy 6 day hunt Igot a buck. I hunted from dark to dark each day. I walked through up to 2 1/2 feetof snow(drifted fields) for about 1/2 a mile to get to my stand area and the same coming out.Not an easy hunt. All my guide really did was drop me off in the morning and pick me up after dark. He didn't sit out with me in the 16-22 degree(F) weather for 10hrs a day. I placed my own climber where I wanted it.
The buck I killed via my "guide" means every bit as much to me as any other deer I've gotten with my bow. The main thing is I'm hunting some premiere properties that I couldn't access without a guide. It's the same story with alot greatareas in the mid west as well.