Are outfitters just not getting it?

Outfitter

My friend just purchased an outfitter business last year, profit margin is not very large. Lots of work is required and your days start at 5am and end at 7 or 8pm if your lucky.

I know you need an Outfitter if you an American but is one required for hunting in any of the different provinces or territories? I'm not sure that's why I'm asking.
 
notenough said:
I know you need an Outfitter if you an American but is one required for hunting in any of the different provinces or territories? I'm not sure that's why I'm asking.
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Whether you need a guide/outfitter is entirely dependent on provincial/territorial laws. In Newfoundland, you need a guide to hunt big game (moose, caribou, bear).
 
Not sure about the others provinces but some provinces like Alberta allow hunter hosts to take out non-Alberta resident Canadians so no guide is needed.
 
You need to understand that the outfitters costs are fixed, and basically only ever increase over time. Just because less people might be using an outfitter from your perspective doesn't mean all of his costs are discounted enough for him to discount his fee structure.

Being an outfitter is not a get rich easy method - its a lot of work and risk. You misunderstand everything in your comments.
 
cjs said:
Being an outfitter is not a get rich easy method - its a lot of work and risk. You misunderstand everything in your comments.
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Welding fabricating in 30 below or cow #### up to your nuts is actually quite a delight. Rather than giving guys a break perhaps I should hold strong to every regular rate I have during these times. Hey the fact that I give a wee break which gets buddy spending which puts a few bucks in my pocket (even though I got to work harder to get them) and then I can go out and spend....Hold on, wouldnt that be called stimulating the economy? We sure cant have that now can we....I understand more than you think chum and I know that in a non fly hunt theres play room in that 4 grand, just like theres room for me to lower my normal road rate etc
 
laughingfool:

What's the point of your original post ???? You want a free moose hunt?

No one is obligated to give you a deal. If your phone conversations with the outfitters are similar to your posts, they're probably quoting you double of normal rate?! :D
 
I have to say that I am totally amazed at the negative comments in this thread.

The guy asked a question and some of you whom I am assuming are working for guides or are guides start to attack him personally.

Amazingly childish...
 
I don't work for any guiding operation...but frankly I'm a little surprised at the thread originator's take on Newfoundland hunt costs. Most guys I talk to on other hunting forums rave about the quality of the hunts they can get in Newfoudland and see them as just about the best value for the money you can get, especially if you book for multi-species.

If you are a non-resident, the only way you're ever going to legally hunt big game is through an outfitter. We have a draw/lottery system for resident hunters and non-residents are not eligible.

I don't know what outfitters you've used in the past, but I don't know too many Newfoundland Outfitters who will plank you down in a truck and drive around with you for a week road hunting.

Most of it is tramping the bogs and barrens and climbing tolt after tolt to glass around for animals and to call. ATVs and trucks may be used to get you in the general area, but after that it is shank's mare...unless you physically aren't up to the task. A day on the bogs/barrens and your legs, feet and lower back are going to hate you!:)

Getting back to pricing...outfitters are businessmen and like any business they have set overhead that has to be covered no matter the number of customers they serve. They set their prices with the cost of their overhead and usually a small profit margin built in.

If you are going to quibble over a few hundred dollars on a hunting trip that is costing thousands, you probably can't afford the hunt anyway! However, since my brother is a welder and I know how much he pulls down, you should be able to pay for a top of the line hunt without even thinking about it!:)
 
I'm in the construction business and most of the people I see droping there prices now are the people who were ripping people off for the last couple of years. If the outfitters could make money by cutting their fee and bring in more people, they probably would.


4 grand is alot of money. If thats what they charge then thats what you pay If you don't like it don't do it or save up until you can and if you can't do that shut up and move on. I'm sure everyone would like to go on a guided hunt for cheap I know I would
 
bearkilr said:
laughingfool:

What's the point of your original post ???? You want a free moose hunt?

No one is obligated to give you a deal.
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Firstly I dont recall mentioning free. Secondly, your absolutely right about not being obligated to do jack for me or anybody. But when they wont price adjust to accomodate todays economic environment yet 8itch about their booking level as compared to other years,it begs the question. Are they A)greedy with a gov safety net,or B) dense as pig muck?
As for the gentleman? that mentioned that the prices dropped were already to high I would differ sir. The reason I had the people come to me in the first place was because they knew its the only place they would get told to pluck off. I lowered my price a bit for many reasons
a) They would cobble it together which would cost more to do later
b) " " " " " " " then make it a nightmare for me
c) So I got to work an extra few hours a week for the same coin. its better than no coin

When I used to work for a company they sent me north for assignment. This was in the early 90's (another smaller recession for those of you who were born by then:p) They paid for a hotel room. I got calling around to places who rented cabins on the water. My brain wave was simple, bring the wife. She walks the beaches while I'm at work,GREAT! Not going to happen though, everybody was about 20-25% more than the amount I got for hotel and frankly I just didnt have it to cough up. Fellow at work suggested a place,I called, same scenario. The woman said hold on you can come for that price. I said ya but I'm short and cant come up with the difference. She said hey man what your companies paying isnt my usual but its more than the zero I got booked for that cabin now. I still know Mary to this day although she's since taken on another business interest.If she touches it it turns to gold. As has been said earlier I to can afford to go on a guided hunt. Now thats The story of me and the story of another business owner I know. Now tell me how the newfs way of handling economic down turns is working for them? Never mind, I know how. Their holding their heads high. Good thing cause the water's about nostrel deep
 
Your point about making less than they normally charge vs. making nothing is a general truth, but neither you nor I are in a position to know what their break even point is or what exactly they have as a backup or safety net. Like I said earlier, it's up to them to decide what price makes it worth their while. Maybe if they don't get that much they'd rather not run so many hunts and use the time to go earn by welding or painting instead.
 
I have a buddy that has a company that sells auto and heavy truck parts they are constantly dropping their pricing even though costs overall are going up, their margins are far slimmer but you have to do what you have to do to survive in an economic down turn.

We used to go to Terrace all of the time for the fall salmon and winter steel head runs we always stayed at the same hotel because the hotel owner only charged us $50.00 per night and his going rate was if I remember correctly $80.00 per night this would be from 2 - 4 of us each time.

He gave us the room cheaper because he new that we would be back when he was slow and needed the money.

And yes I have also lived thru a couple of economic down turns so understand what has to be done.
 
If one said hey we'll do what we can we would probably go. As it stands with their attitude on holding firm we'll let them go a year with next to no USA biz, then we'll offer them half. One earlier poster as much as called me a kunt, well might has well start playing the part I'm called huh
 
Camp Cook said:
I have a buddy that has a company that sells auto and heavy truck parts they are constantly dropping their pricing even though costs overall are going up, their margins are far slimmer but you have to do what you have to do to survive in an economic down turn.

We used to go to Terrace all of the time for the fall salmon and winter steel head runs we always stayed at the same hotel because the hotel owner only charged us $50.00 per night and his going rate was if I remember correctly $80.00 per night this would be from 2 - 4 of us each time.

He gave us the room cheaper because he new that we would be back when he was slow and needed the money.

And yes I have also lived thru a couple of economic down turns so understand what has to be done.
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And he wasnt loosing at 50. He was using some grey matter
 
I don't knock anyone for trying to save a few bucks where possible, but complaining on the Interweb about outfitters not dropping their prices because its a recession, seems more than a little short sighted, particularly when (1) they have many other issues that have nothing to do with a recession, and (2) their target market are typically the folks with plenty of 'disposable income'.
 
Hey LF here is a way you can get a paid hunt... :)

I've met up with a few guide/outfitters lately that are desperate for quality guides for example I was talking to one that wanted me to guide mountain goats for him in northern BC.

He offered to fly us into a remote cabin pay me $250 cash per day and each hunt would be 5-6 days long he would also supply a skinner/cook and after I got the client a goat I could also go after a goat and I would have all hunting season to pick the one I wanted.

D*mn now that I think of it why did I say no...

Ok I know why I have a wife and a 2 year old son and a life... :D
 
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