Archive for the ‘Guides & Outfitters’ Category

Outfitter and Hunter Expectations

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Outfitter and Hunter Expectations

Author: Richard Bailey, Outfitter/Owner

Turtle River Whitetails

Meadow Lake Saskatchewan

As a professional outfitter for whitetail deer in Saskatchewan I saw the need to write a short article about what to expect from an outfitter and what an outfitter expects from his clients.

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Numerous articles have been written about this subject already but I think some important points have been forgotten. One of the most critical things an outfitter can do to make sure his clients have not only a good hunt but an enjoyable experience is to inform his clients about what type of conditions they will be hunting in so they will come prepared. Here in Saskatchewan our temperatures can vary from as warm as mid 60’s to as cold as minus 35 degrees F in November. After a long ride into a stand the last thing a hunter wants to do is start out an all day hunt chilled. The best cold weather clothing is windproof/waterproof material. Insulation is also important but not as critical as stopping the winds from sapping your body heat. The right combination of insulation and windproof/waterproof material will ensure you will stay comfortable. The next thing to think about is a hat made of the same materials. Most of your heat is lost through the top of your head. If we know one of our clients has a problem staying warm we recommend purchasing The Body Heater Suit and we will also provide a propane heater for them to use.

I consider a hunt to be a partnership between the hunter and the outfitter.  When an outfitter has done his job correctly it is up to the hunter to carry out his part of the partnership. A hunter needs to be able to shoot properly. Good outfitters will have put in many hours of hard work and the last thing they want to happen is a lost animal because of poor shot placement. There is nothing more disappointing to both parties than a poorly placed shot.  The hunter needs to have enough confidence in his weapon of choice to know he will be making the shot placement adequate or do not attempt the shot.  I do not expect my clients to have the skill level of a sniper but I do want them to be able to shoot good enough to make sure they can do their part. There is not a good excuse for a poorly placed shot in my opinion.

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Hunters are paying for the service of the outfitter and therefore have the right to ask as many questions as they want to. No question is unimportant enough to overlook or not ask. Never be embarrassed about any question you may need an answer to. If questions are asked using respect an outfitter should be able to answer them so the client will be satisfied. Outfitters that use hype or tell the client what they think the client wants to hear should be avoided. We here at Turtle River Whitetails take great pride in being hardworking, friendly and most importantly, honest with our hunters. Always ask for the information of unsuccessful hunters as well as the successful ones. Most hunters that have been successful will give the outfitter raving reviews because they were successful. As a potential client you deserve to know what the unsuccessful hunters have to say as well. If the hunter finds an outfitter he can trust the hunter should stay with that outfitter.

Some outfitters will offer discounted hunts just to fill up. I personally would never go with an outfitter that does not treat all hunters as equals in every way. Showing any type of favoritism is unethical. How would you like to be the hunter that paid full price only to find out the hunter sitting next to you paid less? A fair way of picking stands gives everyone equal opportunity. Just because a hunter happens to represent a TV show should not have any bearing on which stand he hunts at.

Good communication between the outfitter and his clients will be beneficial to both parties. That way no one will get unexpected surprises. I tell my hunters “I want you to get a buck more than you to” and I really mean that. My success depends on my hunter’s success and I take that very seriously.

A satisfied hunter is the best advertising an outfitter can get.

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As you have read the hunt is really a two-way street between the outfitter and his client. If both parties have done their respective parts a successful and enjoyable hunt should take place. The pictures that accompany this article with attest to the fact both parties were satisfied.

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Posted in Guides & Outfitters, Hunting Boots & Hunting Apparel, Hunting Canada, Hunting Gear & Equipment, Where to Begin | No Comments »

Guided Hunts: What kind of camp is right for you?

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

There can be extreme differences in hunting camp accomodations. Know what you are getting into before you book. Don’t overlook transportation during the hunt either,  hunting from a 4×4 truck is not the same as backpacking into and out of the wilderness.  Here is an overview to help you with your research. When taking a hunting trip, like everything else in life, you get what you pay for.

Hunting Lodges-For hunters who prefer comfort above all else, there are many beautiful lodges that also have great hunting, five star meals and superb accomodations.  Hunting lodges are often located on large private ranches. If the ranch is managed for quality animals hunters can have the best of both worlds, excellent accomodations and lots of trophy game to hunt. Transportation around the ranch is generally by 4×4 trucks. In addition to the big game hunting lodges often have other activities such as fishing and upland game available if you happen to tag out early.three-forks-lodge-colorado

Base Camp- Outfitters commonly set up and equip multiple wall tents ahead of time in predetermined areas. Assuming the outfitter’s equipment is in good working order this can be a comfortable camp for most hunters willing to “rough it” a bit. Food is kept in coolers, cook stoves are propane,  tents are heated with wood burners, a hole is dug nearby for the “toilet”. Many wilderness hunts for Elk and Mule Deer on public land are set up this way. Often times these base camps are many miles from the trail head to get away from the crowds. Access is typically a horseback ride into and out of camp. wall-tent-base-camp

Spike Camp- This is a small tent and freeze dried food, not much else. Outfitters use spike camps to stay on top of migrating game like Caribou, for remote wilderness area hunts or when dropping off hunters by plane. Spike camps are common for DIY backpack hunters on national forest or wilderness areas too. You need to be prepared for the weather conditions and in great physical condition to enjoy this hunt. That said, spike camps can be very successful.

Motels- Many outfitters call these “town hunts” meaning you stay in town in a local motel or bed and breakfast and drive to your hunting location. This is common for western hunts for game like Antelope, Muleys and Whitetails. Your meals are at restaurants or a sack lunch.

Boat hunts-These hunts take place from lakes, rivers and oceans and can be very effective at getting hunters on game. In North America outfitters use large 40-60 foot boats to hunt coastlines for Alaskan Brown Bear, Grizzly Bear, Black Bear, Sitka Blacktail Deer, Mountain Goat and Moose. These boats have all the comforts of home, plus fresh seafood like crabs and fish are caught and served.  Boat hunts can be a good alternative for those who don’t like riding horses or backpacking.boat-hunting

Getting around…

Backpacking-This is the most rugged hunt and should only be considered by those who are in excellent physical condition. Backpacks are heavy, weighing 50-70lbs. and terrain is steep, rugged and remote. Most likely a spike camp awaits you, possibly already set up or you may pack it with you.backpacking-out-muley

Horseback Hunting-Horses can be a super asset for getting into remote country, but hunters may spend a lot of time in the saddle.  It’s common for hunters to leave camp hours before first light and ride to the hunting area in the dark. Be sure to ask the outfitter how much riding to expect before you book with him. To many hunters, including the author horseback riding in God’s country is part of a great hunting adventure. However, if this doesn’t sound like an adventure to you, don’t book this type of hunt. If you book, try to do some riding before you go. Get familiar with horses and basic horsemanship skills. Riding can be dangerous, especially in the mountains.horseback-into-huntingcamp

Vehicles- Outfitters who hunt private ground will often use 4×4 trucks and ATV’s to access hunting areas. Clearly this is physically much easier on hunters. On the other hand, the overall experience is not the same, there is simply less adventure, which can be good or bad depending on the person.

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Posted in DIY Hunting, Guides & Outfitters, Hunting Alaska, Hunting Canada, Western Hunting, Where to Begin | 1 Comment »

Hunting More Than One State

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

With the right planning and preparation you can hunt your home state and several others in one year. This is true no matter what your game, deer, elk, turkey, upland or whatever. Hey, I recognize that everyone has time and budget restrictions.  However, if you plan your hunting trips 12-24 months out you will surprise yourself at the opportunities that will arise.  The purpose of this article is not to select specific destinations but to outline an overall planning strategy for serious hunters who want to successfully hunt outside their home state.

Here are five key steps to get you started planning your NEXT HUNT.

1) Time and Money: Define your available budget dollars and specific dates you can get away.

2) What & When: Research hunting opportunities that will fit into your budget and time. Let’s call this WHAT you want to hunt and WHEN you can go.

3) Where: Once you figure out what and when the final and arguably most important step is WHERE to go. This choice is critical because it directly effects the overall experience and success rate. The choices for a non-resident hunter are nearly endless when you stop and think about it. However, not all destinations are created equal. The fact is you must do your homework to make the best choice.

4) Get in Shape: Get yourself in good physical condition. Thousands of books are written on this subject, let me simply say if you are in good shape you will enjoy your hunts and be more successful than someone who is not.

5) Have a Positive Attitude: A very experienced and successful international bowhunter once passed along some of his advice to me that is often overlooked. He said that the number one reason for his extreme success was his positive attitude. He said stay focused and hunt hard for the entire trip, right down to the final minutes of the hunt.

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I have had a personal goal of taking 3 P&Y bucks in one year and finally achieved that in 2009, by harvesting 4. This wasn’t an accident or pure luck, it was the result of executing on the planning strategy outlined above.  If I can achieve my hunting goals so can you.

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Posted in DIY Hunting, Guides & Outfitters, Non-Resident Hunting Licenses & Tags, Where to Begin | No Comments »