Nice thread Cherokee. I've never hunted with an outfitter so I can't comment with first hand experience. But with over 30 years of hunting under my belt I will say this: if I spend $3000,4000 or 5000 dollars on a hunt I'm still not going to walk into camp expecting to "kill". I look for more in any of my hunting trips,harvesting an animal is just the bouns part of the hunt.God knows I've been on quite a few trips that I didn't kill an animal, but I still enjoyed my self just as much as on hunts that I did take an animal.IMO theres more to be had from hunting other than harvesting an animal.

Shooting skills,a whole other thing,why do guys shoot hard kicking magnums when they can't shoot the gun worth a sh*t is beyond me. Last I remember 270, 308 & 30.06 were very capable of kill an elk cleanly.SHOT PLACEMENT!!!

If I hunted with an outfitter what I would expect is clean comfortable accomadations a guide with a personality,that's gonna do his best to put you onto game & good food.If I got those 3 things I'd say I would have had a good hunt.