yep. diy means do it yourself

Steve,

For the record, I have never been on a guided hunt for any wildlife species within the United States This includes exotics. I see three catagories here: 1) DIY hunts which include hunting with friends (no exchange of money whatsoever), 2) Semiguided hunts, whereas a hunter pays a nominal fee to anoutfitter for the right to hunt and receives a finger point in the right direction (the hunt quickly becomes a DIY hunt after the intial contact). This style of hunt occursa lot in Canada particularly with bear, and3) Fully Guided hunt, whereasa hunter pays a given sum (in most cases it'sa large amount of money)and receives a service on a daily basis by a given individual within a given period of time.That service is more than a finger in the right direction.

All of my huntshave beenDIY with the following exceptions:

1987 Alberta Moose hunt. Although I was 100% successful, the outcome had more to do with my skill, heart and determination than with the use of a guide. This was my first ever guided hunt. My guide honestly got in my way.He legally had to accompany me.

2003 Argentina hunt. Again, I raninto a legal issue. On this hunt, I killed seven animals in two days. It was the first hunt in my life where I was 100% successful and felt horrible afterwards (I actually left and had eight more days to hunt). I wanted to hunt animals, the guide/outfitter wanted toforce them past me. He use men on horseback to beat the bush. When I realised what the outfitterwas doing, I simply walked away. The outfitter and I had words; I left. Keep in mind though, this is the way they hunt there...They were doing it their way, I wanted to do it mine. I didn't do my homework...

Four trips to Africa. I have spent a total of 48 days in Africa. Igot to hunt4 of the 48 dayson my own. I wouldn't trade this experience and hunting with these PROFESSIONALS for all the tea in China! I come away from this experience a better hunter. A guide is/was legally required.

Chamois/Tahr in New Zealand. I was not required to hunt with a guide inNZ, but I felt it to be a purdent thing at the time. I was 100% successful whenmany felt I wouldn't be. My guide was awesome! He and I had a wonderful blend of skill and personalities. I would do it again, and yet I also feel, now, I could do it on my own. I would even go as far as saying I would enjoy taking friends. I would love to help someone kill these incredible mountain dwellers (I love helping on Sheep and Mt. Goats hunts here).

I have had five semiguided bear hunts in Ontario. Again, these quickly became DIY after the intial contact.100% successful.

I have learned to never go hunting, especially when you're diving head first into the unknown, with expectations. If you do, your setting yourself up for a big let down. The nice thing about DIY hunts...you can only blame yourself!

How many of us find a difference in a guided hunt versus a guided fishing trip? Not trying to be accusatory, just curious. I have taken several fishing trips, no hunting ones yet.

I'd like to go elk hunting out west some day. I'll go with a guide the first time maybe DIY after that. I mean I wouldn't know where to begin.
Think back on when you first started bowhunting. Did a buddy help you out?(Thanks Duke) Unless you did it all fron A-Z then you were guided,maybe not by an outfitter, but a guide nontheless!

Dr Andy,

You are more than welcome to hunt with me. Hell, I'll show you where to go. 40% of Colorado is public ground (that's right, you own it and they are your elk!) and 100 % of that is prime elk habitat! Bring it! It won't cost you a penny!

Wow! That's awesome.

you can go to Saskatchewan and shoot one of these,for a price

That would be me to a tea If I was to hunt something I've never hunted before! I love diving In head first to something I've never done. Challenging, I don't mind failure being I'll learn from It.

Good post Will!!

Really thy.. you had to go there.

You Pa boys.. I gotta tell you. If its not one thing its another.

PS.. I don't live where the BIG bucks roam. Never have. And when you come hunt high presured Illinois public and WI public in the northeast section of the state near Chicago and Milwaukee then we'll talk. I have to wait in line to hunt public around home.. do you?

I know.. I know.. in Illinois there are booners behind every tree. Maybe in JoDavies on managed land.. but not everywhere else. There is PLENTY of crappy land in my home state.

But all I ever hear is Illinois is amazing. Sure.. at any outfitter who has some managed land it is amazing.. but its also the problem.

Sorry to rant thy.. I mean no harm.. just trying to tell the full story. The one they don't mention in the magazines and tv shows.

Mostly Steve, over hafe are for friends. I just love to hunt and help people enjoy the outdoors.