Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

Well,I won't ever do that again. Are all outfitters there just for the money? My outfitter no more worried about me than he did about the other 13 guys in camp( yes I said 13)and he had probly twice that many the weeks before us. This was my first and last elk hunt. If this is what elk hunting is,I'm throygh with it. My outfitter set me in a park to ambush some elk for the evening while I was there 11 of the 13 guys in camp rode past me talking and laughing right up till dark. The guide that I paided so dearly for not only was a chain smoker but was getting over a cold and had a chronic cough that he couldn't stop. And when we did hear an bull bugle he won't go to it because he had other hunters in that area. Out of a ten hour day we hunted four hours and rode for 6 he said he just wanted us to see some of the country.
There was no archery targets at camp to check bows, we found out that one of the guides had never even shot and elk before and didn't even like hunting. I was told you can't worry about scent control or even camo wasn't important. That was all stuff for the video market. My hunting partner was hit up for and extra $150 because they said they had trouble with their record keeping. So like the dumb nice guy he is he paid it just so we wouldn't spoil the rest of the hunt. Guy's I could go on and on but I won't. We pulled our guide aside and exspressed our concerns and the only thing he could and did say was"it will be better tomorrow" well tomorrow never came my hunting buddy who I rode there with got mad and we left after the frist day hunting. So my dream hunt that I booked last year is over. I know what you are thinking he should have checked these folks out--I did! with the references they gave me, with DOW, and talking to them for year before we hunted them. So if this is what outfitters are I don't need them and if are any good honest outfitters out there I'm sorry these guy's are making you look bad.Well me being a famliy man and working just to keep the ends together I don't guess I be able to afford some thing lkie this again.But if any body else wants to use Bryce Outfitters I wouln't do it. Trust me gang you've only heard 1/2 the story.

Edited by - scottsman on 09/18/2002 18:15:18

RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

scottsman,
I can comiserate with you. My last hunt in Colorado, Private land, Large Resident herd....... Well I saw 0 elk. a nice Mule deer, a cow moose at 15 yards(No moose tag) ... and on and on! Checked referances, called past clients, checked DNR same thing.
My first hunt in Montana was wonerful! I had a 5x5 10 yards behind me but couldn't get turned around for the shot and had a 6x6 with 2 cows at about 100 but he wouldn't leave them. If I could have gotten 15 yards closer....

Don't give up and don't dispare. Keep looking around and asking questions and recommendations of outfitteres here and on the other boards. Save your money and plan the next one.

Me, I love Elk but living in Ohio it is going to be a while till I get to go again. In the mean time I discovered Africa! The cost is close to what a nice 7 day guided Elk hunt costs and LOTS more opportunities! I have had shots at Nyala(a beutiful spiral horned Antelope) and Wildebeast. Almost got steped on by a Red Duiker(very small antelope) and had Zebra, Impala, Monkeys, and a number of other antelope all around me.

Good Luck and keep looking and asking questions



Greg

"Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

Sorry but it's like lots of businesses and worse than some. My first experience was a guy who guided me in NM. Got there and he had a pup tent and very little food. Had never hunted the unit but had scouted it. Was not a licensed outfitter either. Buddy and I paid a lot of money and luckily we brought our tent, heater, shower and enough food for an army. He did get us on animals and was a good hunter so between us all it turned out fine. Second trip was a bear hunt in Idaho. Camp turned out to be an ancient 5th wheel, real dirty and lots of bear and mountain lion for dinner. Didn't shower for 7 days! Again did get bear, did take lots of food we bought and thankfully a ton of beer 'cause that tough little bastard could drink. I would NOT book an outfitter trip again unless I had a personal acquaintance who had actually done the hunt. The best BSers in the world are con men who want your money and these people show up in the hunting world like all others. Better luck next time.

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RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

too much public land out west to hire an outfitter. It would be cheaper to add two days to your trip to scout than to hire an outfitter. Thats just my $.02, but I have hunted a lot of land that I have never been on before...I just don't see a need for an outfitter. I know in AK you are required to hunt with a guide until you have lived there for one year, do any other states have that law?

Sorry to hear about your wasted hunt, I hope you get another chance at elk hunting again.

RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

YOU KNOW I REALLY FEEL BAD FOR YOU. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF PLANNING MY ULTIMATE HUNT AND HAVE MANY OF THE SAME CONCERNS.

I JUST WISH THERE WAS SOMETHING WE AS HUNTERS COULD DO TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM. THOSE OS YOU WHO HAVE USED GREAT OUTIFFITERS SHOULD LET US KNOW ABOUT THE GOOD ONES.

ONCE AGAIN SORRY FOR YOUR EXPERIENCE BUT JUST DONT GIVE UP.

HUNT ON HUNT HARD EAT WELL

RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

Moderators.
Can another section be added to these forums called hunting reports?
I know the issues involved however there is just this type of section on another forum and as long as the reports arn't flames(which they are not) it serves as a valuable resource to researching guides and outfitters as there can be any numer of folks disappointed or estatic about any or everything related to the hunt.

If you wish I can post the link to the other forum but I won't unless directed by a moderator. Not trying to direct traffic away from this board!
Thanks


Greg

"Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

whackmaster who is the outfitter I am considering going in a year or two

RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

Wow! sorry to hear about the bad trip. Just want to clarify Anthony Hunter statement. In Alaska a non-resident requires a guide for Brown bear, Sheep, and Goat only. All the other game it is not. I think if I was going to book a hunt I might look at the swap a hunt in the home page of this board. Just a thought. Again sorry to hear Scottsman. Maybe some day you can share the other half of the story.

RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

The reason I only told you half of the story is because it's just to much for this space. And also just to keep from sounding like a cry baby. But I think there ought to be a place to get a non-bais opion on these outfitters,I think it would help the whole industry. You know like a outfitters rating service,what do you think? And as far as not using and outfitter, it's the first time I've ever hunted elk. Trust me I would attempt to play football with out at least watching one game. Everybody's got to learn some where. Thank's guy's for the advice.

RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

I couldn't agree with you more. I was thinking of going on an elk hunt in a year or two. And I would probably go with an outfitter. I would like to see a section that allows folks who have gone on a guided hunt to tell if their outfitters are worth anything.



beej

RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

The net is a powerful thing. If you have a bad experience, dont hesitate to tell the world. By the same token, when you find a guide that really works for you, you got to let everyone know. Sooner or later we can weed out a large portion of the unfit buisinesses and send them packing. That will leave us with a better crop to chose from. In my buisiness I hear people complain about other shop owners. And when I ask them the name of these places they dont want to say. I ask them very sternly, "WHY NOT? No good can come out of keeping quiet." Sorry to ramble but I have a fetish toward bad buisiness. lamar.

RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

scottsman, sorry to hear of your bad trip.. what part of CO did you come to hunt? i am not an outfitter, but just a hunter like you and i would be willing to share my little hunting spot and knowledge. send me an email if interested.. [email protected]

RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

Another good reason to use a good booking agent like Bowhunting Safari Consultants, Atchesons, etc.

Never trust a bow under 40 (inches).

RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

sorry to hear about the bad experience. I am like you a family man and work hard for my money and hate to have someone more or less just steal from you. I am sure there are some good outfitters out there, but I would try to find an outfitter that someone else has used before and had success.

I think if we put another forum on here about outfitters, it would just be another way for some of the crooks to come up with false info and advertise their business.



http://www.cartogra.com/rs/35D6BABE-...77A760E/screen

RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

Wow 13 guys! That is a lot of hunters to be in one area. Thats to bad about your hunt. And No not all outfitters are like this, however I think a lot are, I have been on about 8 guided hunts now 3 with various outfits in WY and CO and then I met a younger man in NM that I have used for my last 5 guided hunts I will never use anyone else unless I just want to hunt somewhere besides NM. I have killed a several P&Y trophys, elk, mule deer, and a huge antelope, due to his expert guiding and more important is scouting knowledge. They are a very small business which helps them a lot, no more than 4 hunters at once. Very good archery hunters, thats important! I am not going to mention a name over the internet without his permesion but if someone would like there contact info. please email me at [email protected] I promice this outfitt won't let anyone down the only problem is they usally are booked years in advance.

RE: Are all outfitters this bad?(My dream hunt, Ha!)
 

sorry to hear of the bad luck
i have been on many guided events and never had any bad luck besides weather (my fault for booking when I did)
I have not always got a trophy or even the game i was after but i have never run into anything like you describe

anthonyhunter in wyoming if your on wilderness (nonresidents) have to have a guide

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