| e years, I have learned many things about the | | | | to fly or drive? How is the habitat this year? How |
| word "value". There is a generic description for it | | | | was the spring hatch? How was the winter? What |
| found in any dictionary, but to each and every | | | | is the weather like in this area during the hunting |
| one of us we interpret it a different way. We also | | | | season? |
| tend to alter our views on values as we grow | | | | 2. What amenities do I want? Full lodging, meals, |
| older, holding new things in higher esteem as we | | | | game cleaning, etc? Is my license included? How |
| mature enough to appreciate them more than in | | | | about ammunition? There are many choices out |
| our youth. For example, take your first | | | | there, so identify these needs upfront. |
| autographed baseball card you got as a kid. Boy | | | | 3. Budget. How much am I willing to spend? What |
| was it cool for the first day or so! But, sooner or | | | | do I get in my package, and how much will I still |
| later, it ended up close pinned to the front fork | | | | be responsible for? |
| on your bicycle to make a very cool sound. Now, | | | | Most of today's outfitters know the importance |
| if I had that rookie Rod Carew signed baseball | | | | of having a strong online presence, and simply by |
| card today, you better believe that it would have | | | | searching with a few key phrases will help give |
| never seen a second outside of a plastic sleeve! | | | | you a lot of information to dig through. Review |
| We also can appreciate value when it comes to | | | | the information they have online, and if you are |
| travelling and selecting an outfitter for our hunting | | | | interested, fill out their contact form for additional |
| needs. When I was younger growing up in | | | | information. |
| Minneapolis, my friends and I would become the | | | | Another great way to gather information is to |
| ultimate hunting know-it-all when the season came | | | | attend any local or regional outdoor trade shows. |
| upon us. We would open the state map, the | | | | These usually are scheduled for sometime |
| walk-in atlas, and anything else we could find to | | | | between January and April. A lot of outfitters |
| select our Mecca of choice-you know, the one | | | | exhibit at these shows as a regular part of their |
| that when your finger is on it on the map visions | | | | marketing plan. They know that tens of |
| of numerous flushes and full game bags | | | | thousands of people will be in attendance over the |
| immediately filled your mind. And, even when you | | | | length of the show, and almost all of them are |
| spent hours driving, finding a hotel room, a place | | | | pre-qualified prospects! They will have brochures, |
| to eat, somewhere to cold store your bag (if you | | | | videos, and many, many stories to tell about their |
| had any!) and end up coming home with one bird, | | | | outfit. Gather the brochures, but ask a lot of |
| you still saw it as a value. | | | | questions. |
| Now that I am older, hopefully wiser, I have | | | | Watch the outdoor TV shows on local and |
| learned the value of hunting with a good outfitter. | | | | satellite/cable programming. A lot of the outfitters |
| Sure they are costly, but the expense is well | | | | will be featuring their offerings, and here you will |
| justified. I've heard many "weekend warriors" say, | | | | get more of the visual information that you may |
| "I'm not going to pay hunt-I can figure out where | | | | need. |
| to go by myself." Realistically, the bulk of them | | | | When you have identified potential outfitters, the |
| can't. There is little point to driving hundreds of | | | | next step is to contact them and get the |
| miles for a long-anticipated hunt only to run into | | | | questions answered. Ask for references-these |
| posted signs, fumble around in strange country | | | | people are a valuable resource for information too. |
| for week, spend a lot of money on gas, motels | | | | Don't be impulsive either. Of course these |
| and meals. All that just to shoot two or three | | | | outfitters are going to tell what a great operation |
| birds and then drive back home! A much better | | | | they have, but in their line of work if you provide |
| deal is to book with a quality outfitter and shoot a | | | | a bad experience word gets around. From the |
| limit each day andhave a good time doing it. | | | | hundreds if not near a thousand outfitters I have |
| Bottom line, the difference between a fine hunt | | | | met and talked to over the years at trade |
| and a lousy hunt is the couple of hundred extra | | | | shows, almost every single one of them |
| dollars paid for an outfitters services. | | | | understand their customers needs and have a |
| So where do we start? First and foremost, you | | | | proven track record of meeting those needs |
| must know what you want from a hunt. It really | | | | successfully. |
| is no different than planning the annual family | | | | In summary, do your homework, and don't rush |
| vacation. You must do some research. Research | | | | to a decision. Ask questions, talk to friends and |
| on the internet is now the method of choice for | | | | hunting buddies, and references given to you. |
| millions of people. You need to identify some of | | | | Make sure you feel comfortable with your |
| the following issues before you start your search: | | | | selection, to ensure that you have a memorable |
| 1. Location. Where do I want to go? Am I willing | | | | hunt of a lifetime! |