NJheadhunter71

While I agree with you on that comment you can still have everything in line and have it go bad. This is an example. Say outfitter/owner XXXX takes a group of hunters elk hunting and they go 4 for 4 in the third day of the hunt. Then they go back to camp and eat a hearty diner every night prepared by a great cook and stay in a nice cabin with mountain views. So you call these guys up as a reference and they tell you the hunt to the food was awesome so you book the hunt based on what you heard. Now you arrive in camp a year later and the outfitter pairs you up with another hunter and a guide. First the guide turns out isn't the owner that took the 4 hunters words you went off of and now you have to worry about the "other" hunter. Now you find out the other camp was full so your staying in a roach motel miles from your hunting area and have to get up at 3am to make it in remotely before getting into the hunting area. Then halfway through the hunt you realize your guide is a filler because the outfitter is booked up. Then to top it off your stopping at a convenience store eating some old cheeseburger that has been sitting under a heat lamp all day because by the time you get back its to late to find a place open to eat. Chances are even if that burger hits the spot now it will definitely hit the spot later! LOL

See, went from sounds good to bad in a few sentences. Been there done that!! You can never guarantee your going to get the same as the other hunters that told you it was awesome.


Here is a list I go off of:

Who is the guide? How long has he guided for you? How old is he? Is he a local?

Who are you pairing me up with? How old is he/she? Who decides who gets the first shot?

How far is the hunting area from where we are sleeping?

What are your expectations on the game you are hunting?

Oh, and always, always be the first in camp. Be the last and see what happens and what guide you get.