For me outfitters, are worth it. They do alot of the "learning curve" for you. In my situation on the east coast, if I want a DIY elk hunt, I have to pour significant money into equipment, travel and time/vacation to scout. All to hunt an animal that I don't know how to hunt for 5-7 days a year. I can't afford it every year (afford means time, family and money).

for me the outfitter is worth it. He has the equipment I don't have. He has the knowledge of the land that I don't have, he has the animal knowledge that I don't have, he has the "what to do after its down" that I don't have.

I have longer term plans to move west and once I do I will not use outfitters because I will have the time to grow those skills.

If you think the outfitter "does it all for you", then you are using the wrong outfitter, or you want him to. they will everything except shoot, if you want. I don't want. I explain to the outfitter that I wanted to learn to call elk, I wanted to learn about elk and that I would ask a million questions of my guide, not to doubt him, but to learn, as that is important to me. I've been 3 times across 10 years and in that area I'd actually be ok hunting. I have called in bulls and cows, he's taught me the basics of calling (I helped him call a bull into range for my wife).

Outfitters are a short cut to more likely success. After that they are what you make them.