ORIGINAL: tsoc
I have hunted with outfitters twice many years ago and unfortunately both experiences were not favorable.It is possible I will hunt with an outfitter again in the future but pretty unlikely.I prefer to do it myself on out of state hunts.
I believe it is especially difficult to find relatively reasonably priced guided hunts that are actually good ones.I do think you can find good hunts on the high end of the price spectrum,but I can do it myself for 25% of those kind of expenses.
The one thing that a lot of hunters forget,myself included in the past is that there is good and bad in all walks of life including us hunters,we feel especially violated when a member of the hunting "community" deceives us.
These outfitters need to make a living regardless of winter kill or other conditions that influence the hunting in their area.
In general I would say that I don't like the proliferation of outfitters but I don't know what can be done to reverse the trend.
I have to agree with TSOC. I have done an outfitter once and was not satisfied. I guess I didn't pay enough money. I prefer DIY anyway. I may lease property for an out of state hunt but I would rather scout and hang my own stands.