I have been on quite a number of guided hunts, and have always checked references. Phone bills are cheap compared to the cost of a hunt. Message boards are one thing, but nothing beats actually talking to a bunch of guys that have hunted with the outfitter. Of course, you have to ask questions about things that concern you.

Back in 1994, I was considering booking a moose hunt in Alberta. The first person I called from the outfitter' s reference list, the guy immediately told me, " If you want my advice, don' t go!" I almost hung up right then, thinking I would try a different outfitter, but decided to ask why he didn' t like the hunt. He told me the food was not to his liking, the bed was not comfortable, and he had an argument with the guide. OK, what was it about the food? They ate fresh caught fish one night and he hates fish. Did you get a moose? Yeah, I shot one the second day, but it wasn' t a big one. Did you get a bear? Yeah, I got two of them. I thanked the guy, then called five other persons on the ref list. All of them gave good reports. Some of you might wonder what the whole story was with the first one. I am still wondering.