RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

I'd say yes. But I also wouldn't use an outfiitter for a hunt that I didn't need some help kind of help with, wether it be meals,lodging,land access, safety, etc.

I'm not really following on what you mean as far as being "set up on an aminal". There is a lot more to it then just that. And trust me there is some work involved on the hunters behalf. Most guides can run circles around the hunters and are usually only working at the hunters pace which is a lot slower then what the guide iscapable of. Have you ever been on an outfitted hunt?

We are going on a Moose hunt in Newfoundland in the near future. Unfortunately, there are no Moose in my area of the country, and traveling 36 hours to scout is out of the question. I don't know the land, where I could park, where I could get groceries, gas, water, etc, etc. So what is the logical decision to be made? Go with an outfitter or don't go at all.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

Bob,

What i mean by being set-up on an animal is exactly what Shaftem described....

I understand using and outfitter to hunt something that isn't found in my home hunting area. I was thinking more along the lines of using one to hunt a whitetail but im afraid when it becomes an issue of only whether or not i can shoot straight...it might not be as an enjoyable. I guess what i am afraid of is getting into a pen type situation where it is pretty much guarunteed a kill if you can shoot straight. But like a lot of these guys said, its pretty much dependent on where you go- So i am thinking something semi-guided like just help with meals, lodging, and maybe a general area to find a good buck and leaving the rest to me- is something i should look into further.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

Could always hold out for the 160 class instead of the 140. ;)

We are headed to Wisconsin in 2007 to hunt some of the big boys with a longbow in hand. They run 50% success. All I have to do is hunt, everything else is furnished. I consider this more of a vacation hunt though.

BTW if you need more challenge, you could always go traditional. ;)

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

I think if you did not have access to the areas/animals that you want to hunt then using an outfitter would not make a difference. For me, hunting white tail suits me better on my own because of my access. Many folks that use outfitters are cities/suburbs where you cannot put in the time needed to prepare for a successful hunt.Many do it for access to a specific animal species.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

I personally prefer to do my own thing if possible, but I certainly understand it isn't possible in every case. I think a semi-guided hunt is ideal, where you get help with lodging, meals, game processing, etc. but the hunt is pretty much on your own.

I'm doing IL for the first time this year on private farms and it's DIY. One scouting trip planned in Sept and then Nov hunt. I'll think I'll use the scouting trip to set up for 1st days hunt, then adjust as needed because patterns are going to change.

I plan to do a Montana hunt soon (maybe in 2007). To far away to pre-scout for me, so I may need at least a outfitter to help. Still, I personally would want to do alot of the setups and hunting myself.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

I guess I don't understand where you're coming from PATM, I mean you seem to be ok with an outfitted hunt for something not found in Pennsylvania but not ok with it if the game is there locally.

If you have big bucks available to hunt and you're looking for an outfitted hunt because you just aren't able to locate them or know how to hunt them on your own then I could see how you wouldn't feel as rewarded. On the other hand if there just isn't a decent buck population in your area and the only way you're going to get a chance to hunt them is by hunting on an outfitters property then I don't see why you would feel less accomplishment in hunting with an outfitter.

The main benefits of an outfitter are access to land and scouting information. Let's face it if you're hunting on somebody elses property or somewhere far from home you are not going to be able to do any real scouting on your own. By hiring an outfitter guide you are basically opaying them to do what you would have done yourself if you had the opportunity.

A good friend of mine rifle hunts elk in Colorado every year, has for the last20 years, the first seven of which he lived out there. He hunts public land and has made the same kind of comments your friend has about guided hunts. He's shot a handful of cows and one small bull in those 20 years. Now in all honesty if he does manage to shoot a nice bull I know he will have supreme satisfaction in it but would that be more from the frustration and accumulation of all the time and money and effort he has spent?

I mean if you spend 7 to 10 days a year in the vast expanses of public land in Colorado is getting a big bull more due to luck or skill? You haven't done any advance scouting, you don't know what areas the animals are using and where they're traveling, you don't know what the hunting pressure has been outside of that one season a year you are there. Basically you're walking around looking for animals. And how is this better than hunting with an outfitter who has an idea of the animals patterns and can help you find them quicker? You still have to make the stalk and the shot.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

My own personal feeling is that I wouldn't go on an outfitted whitetail hunt because living in Iowa I know there are big whitetails here and while I have yet to take a trophy deer I know I have the opportunity to every fall when I head into the woods.

I would like to go on some hunts for other species and for me that means using an outfitter is a must. I'd like to hunt Caribou, Black Bear, Moose, etc but we just don't have those in Iowa.[:@]When I do get the opportunity I'm sure that there will be some who try to claim I am less than deserving of any trophy I get because I hired an outfitter and didn't "do it all on my own". To that I'll simply say "when you've done it on your own I'll be glad to hear about your adventure but untill then let me tell you about mine..."

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

Its still going to be a hunting experience. Not neccesarily a killing one.

If you go with an outfitter do your homework, ask for references both succesfull and unsuccessfull. Ask the outfitter lots of questions about his or her operation and his guides.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

I use an outfitter to hunt in Kansas, due to the lack of familiarity with the land and access to it. It's nice when you find an outfitter that practice fair chase and puts in hours understanding the land he or she has available. I get every bit of accomplishment from hunting with them as I do on my own. When you don't have time and access it's an awesome way to expand your hunting experience and honestly meet some really nice people who appreciate deer hunting as much as we do. Worth the money. Closer to home, I prefer the satisfaction of doing it all on my own.

Kelly

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

This is an interesting question.I believe that the level of satisfaction is directly related to the effort put in to achieving the outcome.I don't believe that there is any thing wrong with going on an outfitted trip or hunt.Especially if you either don't have a species of animal that you want to hunt in your home area or if you are not fortunate enough to have significant amounts of time to devote toscouting.
I know you have to be very careful in the selection of an outfitter if you choose to go on an outfitted trip.These guys have to pay their mortgages whether their game populations are strong or not,whether they have lost all of their guides or not.If you care to have any suggestions on that process I would be glad to help.I have had two experiences with outfitters many years ago neither of them good.(My own fault!I didn't know what I didn't know)I now hunt every year unguided out of state for whitetails,with a rifle,the principles are the same whether gun or bow.I much prefer to go out and get them on my own,but for the person who is going to take one trip in to an area they have never been or hunt an animal that requires pack horses or four wheelers to get out a good guide is the answer.
A really important thing to remember though as Hardcore had said and I agree with is how you define success.Did you see incredible country?Did you see animals in their natural setting that you have never seen before?Did you have an opportunity to relax and enjoy yourself? SO much of the enjoyment of your trip has to do with realistic expectations and appreciating every aspect of it!