Originally Posted by
Blackelk
Guiding is usually not a full time job for most guides. $500 a week is peanuts for a man that knows his business and working 14 to 16 hours a day for months on end. Really simple answer here if you think outfitters are over paid don't use them.
My advice as well. I don't see the point of trying to lowball an outfitter, if he's too pricey I just move on.
If you do your homework and look around, you can probably find a no-frills outfitter that can work within your budget, some are as good as the big-name outfitters, some better, some worse. Usually a young guy just getting into the outfitting business will keep his prices low to draw new business, and is more aggressive because he's trying to make a name for himself. There is always the option of trying a DIY hunt on public land.
Personally, I work a second job and do frugal things like buying cheap beer and packing a lunch each day to save a few bucks to afford a guided hunting or fishing trip or two each year.