I've used an outfitter on two occasions.......both times I was Pheasant hunting.

In '09....a group of us from this site is going to WY to hunt Pronhorns. We'll be using an outfitter on that trip.

To "me".....it is what it is. I have the opportunity to hunt whitetails right here at home....and they're in good numbers. I have no "personal" need to seek an outfitter to hunt whitetails. Granted....the SIZE of the deer I'm able to hunt, here, is smaller than I could hunt with MOST outfitters.

My personal feeling is......"I" would get less satisfaction from taking a larger racked deer from an outfitter.......than I would from taking one in which i did the scouting.....I set the stand.....I chose the stand for that particular hunt.....etc...etc...etc...

That's just "me", though. That's what makes hunting so great. It's very personal. If using an outfitter is your bag......rock on, brother.