Well, I just got back last nite from guiding for an outfitter, so obviously I am a little biased. I used to think like Wheatly quit frankly, but I have changed my mind. We have several healthy hunters, but also hunters with medical conditions and age issues, who could never make this kind of hunt w/o an outfitter and guide to help them along. Some with medical conditions just shouldn't be on the mountain alone. Here in Montana all guides are certified CPR/wilderness first aid etc. We sit down at the hunt and have clients tell us where and how to give shots if they have a siezure etc. For other folks it isn't about the animal but the fellowship. We have a group of old army buddies coming into camp for rifle season, they see each other once a year, every year at camp. They are there for the food, drink, and fellowship of elk camp. Other folks have never seen an elk outside of a video on TV, they would stand almost no chance of getting into animals. Others just want a classic back country horse camp hunt. As a guide I work very hard for my clients, as does the outfitter, it is an honest show with no guarantee expressed or implied. Having said all this, about 1/3 of our hunters are nothing but problems. They blame everything on everybody and simply are not willing to do the work to get in front of a nice bull. I have learned a lot about hunters being a guide.