| Selecting a reputable outfitter in this day and age | | | | produce huge bears. Through some bad luck and |
| can be a shot in the dark. Just one look in the | | | | a few unfortunate blunders -- mainly due to client |
| back of any hunting magazine can provide the | | | | error and inclement weather conditions -- several |
| names and telephone numbers of literally | | | | of his hunters failed to take home a bear. As a |
| hundreds of outfitting operations. Other sources | | | | result, his kill percentage has suffered. |
| such as weekend sport shows, feature magazine | | | | Outfitter B has been in business for 15 years and |
| articles, government directories, professional | | | | boasts a 100% success rate. He routinely shies |
| hunting consultants and television programs that | | | | away from mentioning that his operation has less |
| highlight sport hunting can provide even more. | | | | than desirable accommodations and only a small |
| When faced with so many outfitters to choose | | | | parcel of land to hunt. On the other hand, he |
| from, the question that usually follows is: Where | | | | openly declares that he offers less expensive |
| do I begin? | | | | hunts than the majority of his competition and his |
| That's simple. You must begin at the beginning. | | | | clients take home bears on a regular basis. What |
| Sometimes a person can get lost in all the | | | | he fails to mention is that less than one percent |
| excitement. It's easy to overlook important details | | | | of the bears taken from his property have the |
| during the early stages of planning a hunting | | | | potential to reach trophy size. |
| adventure. In order to select an outfitter that will | | | | Now, if you were looking for a hunt based on the |
| best suit your needs, you must first take a few | | | | aforementioned information that provides the |
| things into consideration. Here are a few questions | | | | best odds of producing a trophy bear, which |
| and suggestions to ponder before deciding to | | | | outfitter would better suit your needs? My advice |
| spend your hard-earned money on an outfitted | | | | would be Outfitter A. |
| hunt. | | | | Failing to do any research, many sportsmen |
| What type of hunting adventure are you | | | | booking a trophy hunt for the first time would |
| interested in? | | | | choose Outfitter B due to his less expensive rate |
| The ease or severity of a hunting trip varies | | | | and an advertised kill percentage of 100%. Kill |
| from location to location. The type of terrain | | | | percentages and success rates can be extremely |
| encountered during a hunt generally depends on | | | | misleading. Do your homework or you'll wind up |
| the animal of interest. For example, waiting | | | | coming home empty-handed or worse yet, |
| patiently in a tree stand for a black bear to show | | | | disappointed with an animal that you had no |
| up at a bait station in Alberta is quite different | | | | intentions of harvesting in the first place. |
| than chasing a bull elk across the mountains of | | | | Are you looking for a trophy or will any animal |
| Colorado or New Mexico. | | | | suffice? |
| One's physical condition can greatly affect the | | | | If harvesting any animal will suffice and you rival |
| outcome of a hunt. Be certain to choose a hunting | | | | the likes of Magnum P.I., finding a quality outfitter |
| trip that is compatible with your personal | | | | shouldn't be all that difficult. On the other hand, |
| capabilities. If you insist on hunting an animal that | | | | you will have to dig a little deeper if you are |
| inhabits physically demanding terrain, start working | | | | interested solely in a trophy. Good outfitters are |
| out at a local gym well before your scheduled | | | | like 200-inch whitetails. They are hard to find. You |
| date of departure. Couple your workout regimen | | | | have to do a fair amount of research in order to |
| with an aerobic activity, such as running or | | | | find a quality outfit that consistently kills trophy |
| climbing a Stairmaster to build up your stamina. | | | | animals. |
| Terrain is just one consideration. Another factor | | | | A good source of information for locating trophy |
| that plays a significant role in the outcome of a | | | | areas is the official record books of the Pope |
| hunt is the weather. Outfitters cannot guarantee | | | | & Young and the Boone and Crockett Clubs. |
| favorable weather conditions during your hunt. | | | | These publications list record book animals taken |
| The weather can be unpredictable and an | | | | in North America by bow and rifle, respectively. |
| unforeseen deterrent to your success if not | | | | Each trophy animal has a separate listing with |
| taken into account. Temperatures in November | | | | revealing details. The location of the kill, how the |
| can easily reach -20 degrees Fahrenheit on a | | | | animal was taken, i.e., a bow or gun and the name |
| whitetail hunt in Saskatchewan. Or, a deluge of | | | | of the hunter are all logged. You can narrow down |
| rain can swamp an Ontario moose hunt. Ask | | | | a "hot spot" by checking the areas that produce |
| about the region's normal weather pattern and | | | | the most top-end animals. Combine an area that |
| what to expect during the course of your stay. | | | | produces a disproportionate number of trophy |
| Be sure you are mentally and physically capable | | | | animals with a reputable outfitter that can lead |
| of enduring any weather condition that may arise. | | | | you to them, and you'll be in business. |
| If you simply cannot tolerate a harsh | | | | Don't forget to consult with a good taxidermist |
| environment, it would be in your best interest to | | | | prior to your trip. He or she can provide some |
| search for an outfitter stationed in an area that | | | | important recommendations for keeping your |
| has a mild to moderate weather climate. | | | | animal intact during the journey home. |
| Note: Consult with your physician before beginning | | | | How much can I reasonably spend on a hunt? |
| any exercise program. | | | | Determining how much to spend on a hunt can be |
| Is the outfitter qualified to locate the game animal | | | | hard to gauge. In this situation, as in many others, |
| of interest? | | | | my motto is: "You usually get what you pay for." |
| Here is where a lot of sportsmen fail to do the | | | | Dollar figures alone should not measure the value |
| necessary homework to ensure a quality outdoor | | | | and appeal of a particular hunting excursion. The |
| adventure. One way to determine if an outfitter is | | | | attitude of always striving to get the "best deal" |
| qualified is to ask questions. You have to ask a lot | | | | can lead to disaster in most circumstances. For |
| of questions. It's better to ask too many | | | | many hunters cost becomes the overriding |
| questions than not enough. | | | | concern, and quality takes a backseat. It goes |
| Will the outfitter use horses? How much riding will | | | | back to the old saying, "If something looks too |
| you be doing? Will you hunt on public or private | | | | good to be true, it probably is." Of course I don't |
| land? Will the outfitter take care of the meat and | | | | necessarily advocate booking hunts with only the |
| hide of your animal? How experienced are the | | | | most expensive outfitters either. Great deals are |
| guides? How long has the outfitter been in | | | | out there, but finding them takes time, effort and |
| business? What is his state or provincial license | | | | a healthy amount of legwork. |
| number? Has the outfitter ever lost his license | | | | Searching for outfitters who are in the early |
| due to a game violation conviction? Is the | | | | stages of establishing their clientele can be very |
| outfitter properly insured? | | | | appealing. Some offer super "first time" deals. |
| These are just a few of the questions that you | | | | And, many of these "newbie" outfitters produce |
| should ask when inquiring with an outfitter. | | | | amazing results. However, this is a risky |
| Seeking a reputable outfitter is similar to playing | | | | proposition. These outfitters have no client base |
| private detective. You have to investigate every | | | | and are willing to do just about anything to book |
| conceivable angle to be sure you are getting your | | | | a hunt, so proceed cautiously. |
| money's worth. | | | | This all sounds pretty confusing doesn't it? It can |
| To further assist your inquiry, ask for a reference | | | | be if you fail to do the necessary research. As a |
| list of successful clients. Also, ask for a list of | | | | personal safeguard, accept the fact that there |
| unsuccessful clients. Call as many of them as you | | | | simply are no guarantees to pursuing wild, |
| can afford. They should be able to answer any | | | | free-ranging animals with an outfitter and act |
| question about the outfitter that may be of | | | | accordingly. No matter how much you spend on a |
| concern because they have actually "been there | | | | hunt or how long an outfitter has been in |
| and done that," so to speak. Another source of | | | | business, you still need to be careful. It's a |
| valuable information are Game and Fish | | | | "buyer-beware" type of market. For every |
| Departments. These state and provincial agencies | | | | reputable outfitter there are at least four |
| provide information on outfitters regarding license | | | | dishonest ones who are willing to con you out of |
| status, grievances, questionable business practices | | | | your money. Before you book any hunt in the |
| and convictions of game violations. | | | | future, make sure you do your homework. |
| What about kill percentages and success rates? | | | | Keep this in mind and remember to: Determine |
| Don't be fooled by all of the statistical mumbo | | | | what type of hunt is best suited to your physical |
| jumbo some outfitters like to throw at you. All of | | | | abilities. Ask a bunch of questions, and then ask |
| this fast-talking rhetoric is a ploy they use to | | | | some more questions. Call as many references as |
| divert your attention away from the more | | | | possible, both successful and unsuccessful. Decide |
| important details. In my opinion, kill percentages | | | | whether you desire a trophy animal or if any |
| and success rates mean absolutely nothing, | | | | animal will suffice. And lastly, seriously consider |
| especially if you are seeking a trophy animal. As | | | | how much you can reasonably spend on a hunting |
| an example, let's examine the work history of | | | | trip without winding up on the street at the end |
| two hypothetical outfitting operations to get a | | | | of it all, and realize there are no absolutes when it |
| better understanding of why I feel this way. | | | | comes to hunting big game animals. By following |
| Outfitter A has been in business for only a couple | | | | these guidelines, you will be better prepared to |
| of years. He owns a first-class operation and has | | | | experience a quality outfitted hunt and quite |
| the optimum amount of quality acreage to | | | | possibly harvest the trophy of a lifetime. |