Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

First off, i want to say i am not trying to start an arguement but just really curious. What i was wondering do you feel the same sense of accomplishment when taking an animal that you were set up on -as opposed to one you scouted all year and worked for on your own? Again, i am not trying to start a pissing match, i have been debating taking a guided trip and sometimes think while i could shoot a big deer it might not be as satisfying as getting one on my own. Thoughts?

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

Why do you want to start arguments? [8D]

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

Have you ever hunted on a friend’s property? That all ready had stands hung up? The only difference is all in your head. Ton’s of people hunt with outfitters and it great nothing wrong with it at all.

That is still you out in the woods hunting knowing when to make a call or blind rattle or telling the outfitter that the day movement was all on the next ridge. You make what you want to make out of every hunt. Just because someone doesn’t have family or friends in a state like Illinois or Wisconsin doesn’t take anything away from hunting with an outfitter and harvesting a big buck.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

In Canada a guide is required for bear hunting soI have always had to have a guide. My wife and I went on our own self-guided archery wilderness elk hunt in CO last sept and although we couldn't get shots off on any bulls we saw one 4X4,2 6X6's ,and one 7X7 and we were offered cow shots but did not want them. I myself for a whitetail hunt would do it on my own. Farmers and landowners generally like bowhunters and there is also have a lot of public land that gets little or no pressure during archery season. Most locals hunt private ground during archery and this leaves a lot of public open for non-residents. Gun season is a whole different matter though. It all gets hunted hard. If time is a factor and food and lodging go with a hunt than an outfitter may not be too bad of a deal though.
HCH

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RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

hardcore didn't exactly state it, but I agree with what I think he was saying... it depends on a lot of factors. For some on here whitetail hunting is not available right out the back door but maybe mule deer are or whatever. The point is, going with an outfitter can do many things for you starting with guarenteeing you a tag in some instances. Without that hunt over. In other instances, they can control land that holds some real trophy animals that you would otherwise be very hard pressed to even lay eyes on. In other instances, they are mandatory. If you want to hunt Canada (I think for anything but I could be wrong there) you need one. If I can do it myself then that is how I prefer it, but I certainly feel no less accomplishment when I am hunting with an outfitter and get something with my bow.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

I guess let me change the scenario alittle. I can understand going and using an outfitter to hunt something that you wouldn't have the oppurtunity in your own area like bear or elk. I was just worried that if i use a guide to hunt whitetail and shoot one, that i am not going to get the same sense of accomplishment i would if i did it on my own. I'm not knocking people for using outfitters because it still takes a special skill to put a lethal shot on an animal, I just feel like i would be missing out on all the other stuff.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

The quick answer is, if I'm able to shoot the same quality buck on my own or in a stand hung by an outfitter, I have more of a sense of accomplishment doing it on my own.

When I was growing up in Florida, however, hunting those pygmy deer, I dreamed of being able to hunt bigger bucks. So hunting with a guide, in Alabama, on a greenfield, is just something entirely different. You could hunt 50 years in Florida and never see deer like the ones they have on that property. So, it's like a present you give yourself for hunting so dang hard every year.

Also, we hunt what I would consider a 'semi-guided' hunt every year in Texas; we've got a lease with pre-set stands that have been part of the countryside for 40 years. We know what kind of deer come to each stand, and where we want to sit, but ultimately, we're sitting predetermined locations. That definitely gives me the same thrill, because the hunting is still really hard, just in a different way from the scouting and stand placement you do on your own.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

A whitetail outfitter can't do a whole lot for you other than help with stand selection and tell you where he thinks you should hunt. No baiting allowed here so it is still up to your ability to get into a stand without spooking the deer and getting a shot off. Your skill still got it. I just like doing my own thing and can't see the need for a whitetail guide unless it is required like Canada. We interviewed elk guides and you were paying for a horse ride and help with game and his knowledge of the area. $4000 apeice seemed like a lot. I have talked with guys that have hired guides and have never seen an elk so I thought that our hunt was a total success. We seen lots of elk. We were told that only 10% of bowhunters in CO get their elk and seeing that we had close shots at cows and all the bull sightings we were very successful. I myself would ditch the guide, do the hunt on my own, meet farmers in cafes in the AM and get to know some locals and you may fall into some great places and land to hunt for years if you want to come back. Another great way to hunt is bring a flatbottom boat and use the river or lakes to get into places that are public huntingbut nobody hunts. You can use the boat for storage and hauling your gear in to get to your location. Bring a wall tent and make a cool camp and have a great do it yourself hunt. Pm me if you need info on public places that a boat would work great in.
HCH[/align]

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

It's very simple, if you don't think you would get the same enjoyment and memories from an outfitted hunt, then don't go on one.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

You have to look at it as two different experiences altogether, because that's what it is.

Consider it a hunting vacation, a get away, not just another week hunting.

I would agree that the "sense of accomplishment" would obviously be different, but then again, you shouldn't be going on an outfitted trip to get that sense. You should be going for the love of hunting and the desire to do it in an exciting and different place.

If you're hunting for a sense of accomplishment, then stay home. Odds are you'll come home empty handed and feel miserable, rather than having enjoyed the experience.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

I've hunted with outfitters but not guides, I wouldn't have a problem with a guide nor do I think I would get any less satisfaction with one. I think that is a question only you can answer, all the opinions on the board won't change how you feel about it. If you have the money take the trip and find out for yourself, IMO that will be the only way you will know.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

Trembox, I am not nessicarily just hunting for that feeling its something (at least for me) that you just can't help but feel when you do everything right. You put the stand in the perfect place, choose the perfect evening, wind direction etc. It's like working very hard and finally getting a bonus. The whole thing that got me wondering about it was a friend of mine referring to going on guided hunts as shopping rather than hunting. Sure I might be a little dissappointed if i come home empty handed or have a close call with a good buck, but it just inspires me to do it better next time and learn :)

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

Yup, if you don't, then don't...otherwise enjoy yourself and all others can simply hold their tongue. An outfitted hunt is no guaurantee one way or another. I hunted with an outfitter for my Wyo. bull elk....I was very excited, very fullfilled and it was one of a million hunts. I do however want to go back and do it myself. The first hunt was certainly a learning experience.

I also used an outfitter in Quebec for my bear. Again, I felt the same experience that I did on my elk hunt as well as any animal I took on my own.

I was also was an oufitter myself and still guide turkey hunts. Believe me, don't knock outfitters, it's hard work. When friends come hunt with me, I've already did the scouting and in some incidents have hung stands, now if you came and hunted with me and took a monster buck, would you feel the same excitement, I'd bet you would.

Like said, why is hunting with a friend different than with an outfitter, very similiar and yet, very exciting.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

I only ever hunted with one and that was a flop. They said they'd have stands up and all that. When I got there they didn't have enough for everyone. Fortunately I had brought my climber along. I told them to throw me out in this chunk of woods and I'd find a tree. For the rest of the time there I just went my own way and did my own thing. I saw more deer and bucks than all the rest of people in camp and passed on 3.

I would think it would depend on how much they did. When you're just the shooter it's not quite the same. Climbing in a tree someone has picked, doing what he says, staying until he says leave and all that would have to take some of the thrill out of it I'd say, no matter who you are. But like some have said, sometimes the law dictates what you may or may not do and you have to roll with it. I get just as excited when I've picked a spot, put someone there and they kill something. Just like your work all paid off and you didn't have to waste an arrow.[8D] I bet it's pretty fullfilling to the guide to have a customer score and not simply from a PR stand point.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

Ive only turkey hunted with an outfitter, but I know I would hunt with him deer season as well. He places you where he thinks you have the best opportunity to harvest an animal. An outfitter cant predict their every movement. I see nothing wrong with hunting with an outfitter. I enjoy my time spent hunting with my outfitter. Give Don a call at Grandriver outfitters he will set ya right up.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

This was askednot too long ago. Yes, in places like Canadanon-residents must have a guide or host to hunt anything. I'll be hunting in Alberta (Bow Zone) this Novand will be hunting on private ranches that I couldn't access without a guide. He drops me off well before first light and picks me up after dark. What I make of the day is up to me, there are no promises. If you want to have a chance at a ounce in a life time buck you must hunt where they live and sometimes you need a guide to get there. If I'm lucky enough to get one I will be most proud of it.;)

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

I agree with most, I don't mind an outfitter that can offer an area that would be off-limits otherwise, but I don't want a guide taking me by the hand.
I'm headed to northern Quebec this year for caribou, it would be illegal without the outfitter, but he's not controlling the hunt, just providing 2 tags and a roof over my head.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

i have to say its not as satisfying as killing one you scouted out but it is different i mean who doesnt want to kill a huge 14 point

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

It's just going to depend on who you go with.I hunted whitetails in North Dakota last year with an outfitter and took a nice 140 inch deer withmy bow. There were 4 of us that went and everyone took good bucks by the end of the second day. On that hunt, all the stands were hung and it washonestly just an easy piece of property to hunt. There really was just an unbelievable amount of deer living in that little river bottom. I think anyone, regardless of skill, could have taken a good buck with that outfitter. Was it fun? Yes. Did I feel like I had accomplished something? Not really. Now.... I've been going to Illinois every year for the last 4 years and have hunted both with and without outfitters. I spent three weeks up there last year {two of them with an outfitter} and have yet to have been offered a shot by anything that could be considered a trophy by Illinois standards. I did pass on three different bucks in the 120-130 class. The guides I'm hunting with up there do have stands hung but they also encourage you to bring your own stands or will allow you to move theirs if you would like. They pretty much just give you an area to hunt and let you do things however you want to. You take your own vehicle into your hunting area. If you want to hunt for an hour, hunt for an hour. If you want to hunt all day, that's fine too. Theproperty hasbeen scouted before you get there and they do try to put you in what they think is the best area, but the rest is up to you. Over 90% of the big deer they have taken {and there's been alot of them} have never been seen by the guides before. It's not a gimme by any means. It's gonna take hard work and some luck to close the deal up there. I'll be going back with the same guys this year, and trust me, if I take a mature deer, I'll be every bit as excited as if I had killed the deer at home.

RE: Question for guys who hunted with outfitters
 

Makes no sense to me why a hunter needs an outfitter to bowhunt whitetail deer. I've seen and have hunted next door to outfitting operations and it is a joke. These guys travel hundreds of miles and get their hands held all the way to their pre-hung treestand with shooting lanes all cleared out and an album of photos taken from trail cams the year before to let them know just what kind of bucks are in the area and what they might expect to shoot. I see no sense of accomplishment in this type of hunting other than pulling the bow back and shooting the deer which is only a small fraction of the whole equation required to be successful in bowhunting deer. Most of these guys fling 50 yards or better shots at bucks leaving most wounded to be eaten by the yotes and they have no care for the actual health of the herd they hunt. They plunk down their cash and want a buck to put on the wall to brag to the buddies about back home...it's a sad state of affairs.

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!