For me it's a time and experience thing. I probably would never go on an outfitted whitetail hunt. I hunt those here.

However, I have been on 3 elk archery hunts and loved every minute. When it comes to a species you don't know how to hunt, except for "book knowledge" and its an occassional trip, not an annual thing. The outfitter provides a lot of things so that you don't have have to worry about: food, lodging, land to hunt, knowledge of the animal, scouting out spots to hunt.

Could I learn this all and do an elk hunt on my own? I probably could now that I've been three times, I've been through the pack it out once its down, I know the calling basics, but I still have to find manpower to get the elk out, a place to stay, access to land and a few years learning and scouting an area. This is all done for me via the outfitter.

I've also REALLY enjoyed the company and friendship of the outfitter and guide.