Originally Posted by
Wheatley
I never have seen the point of hunting with an outfitter. I love hunting because it is challenging, and rewarding when things do come together. It's not about shooting something all the time. I like to put my work into it and play the odds. Anyone can pay someone who has scouted and watched the animals for the better part of a year and get there and take an animal in a few days. Whats the point though. That is truly not what I think hunting is. Even if the tags are expensive for out of state and you only have a few days put your best effort into that hunt and no matter what the outcome is you will have a good time. Those are just my thoughts and I know others have differing opinions and I respect them. At least if you are hunting DIY you know what you can expect and get out of it what you put into it.
One other thing that I thought of after reading big country's post. For the amount that some people pay for these guided hunts they could hunt two to three years for the same amount and get to know the area and better their odds each year.
Wheatly, I see where you are coming from to an extent, but you have a lot to learn about outfitted hunts. Probably the biggest is many of them are unguided and just provide food and a camp (these are what I have used on all but 1 of my outfitted trips). Also, you are talking from the perspective of someone who lives in WY. Little different if you want to hunt antelope, elk, or mule deer than if I do just do to geographic location. You can take a weekend and go scout, while I would have to take a whole vacation just to scout and then another one to hunt. Who can do that these days? Lastly, try hunting in Canada w/o an outfitter. Illegal. So, be careful when using blanket statements.