advice for newbie guide

hansol

hansol

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Hey all,

I might have a job as a hunting guide coming up, and I'm just wondering if any of you experienced guys who have hunted with guides, or who ARE guides, would share some of your advice and experience? I'm super excited about this gig, and want to make sure I am as best prepared as possible.

I know this is a pretty broad topic, but if I could narrow it down I suppose I would like to know about gear a guide should have (besides the obvious), and specifically how to conduct yourself around clients, especially when things aren't going your way. Also any other random tidbits of knowledge are always welcome.

Thanks very much guys -Cameron
 
I am not a paid guide and I will never pay a guide but I do take people out hunting.



Do you know how to hunt the animals you will be guiding for?

Do you know the land you will be hunting on intimately?

Do you have a passion for hunting, wth a "don't give up no matter how bad things look" attitude?

People skills help smooth things over but won't cover up the fact you don't know what you are doing, that is #1 in my mind..
 
hansol said:
Hey all,

I might have a job as a hunting guide coming up, and I'm just wondering if any of you experienced guys who have hunted with guides, or who ARE guides, would share some of your advice and experience? I'm super excited about this gig, and want to make sure I am as best prepared as possible.

I know this is a pretty broad topic, but if I could narrow it down I suppose I would like to know about gear a guide should have (besides the obvious), and specifically how to conduct yourself around clients, especially when things aren't going your way. Also any other random tidbits of knowledge are always welcome.

Thanks very much guys -Cameron
Click to expand...

I've been on both sides of the fence and will happily pay a guide again. The best advice I can offer you is to treat your hunter like a hunter regardless of his experience. Treat him like a bonehead greenhorn (which he may be) and you'll have some terrible conflicts. Praise him on his strengths and secretly aid him with his weaknesses and you'll operate like a well-oiled machine. Most guys don't want to be lead around by the nose, they want to feel they are an equal partner on the hunt. Make them feel that way and your tips will be big....belittle them when they screw up or don't know something and it will be a long cold winter. You need to become their friend, their confidant and their hunting partner but still command the respect that they trust your decisions. Guiding is 25% hunting knowledge and 75% phycology. Have a good sense of humour, take interest in their lives and really work at bringing out their strengths without exposing their weaknesses and you'll do just fine!

That and never quit and work your butt off. Nothing pisses me off more than a lazy guide!
 
I guide duck hunters on my spread. How many? Six each season. Two from Pennsylvania, two from New York and two from New Jersey. I've known these guys from my summer fishing bait business, for over ten years. These are good guys who are just looking for a weekend of duck hunting and don't care about getting limits.I do a duck dinner on saturday night for each group.They stay in my house and a good time is had by all.I've guided fishermen as well and a lot of the guides job is dictated by his clients. How serious are they.If they really want birds then you may have to work a little harder with less conversation and jokes. Don't critisize anybodies shooting ability. Most people are easy to please and it's a really good time. Enjoy. BTW these six duck hunters from stateside pay me very handsomely and that's ok to!! Obviously i'm a small operation and a real full time guide can give you a lot more tips.
 
If you're going to be guiding big game cutting tools and good optics will be your most valuable pieces of equipment. You need good binos and/or spotting scope. Knives for gutting,skinning,caping and a good quality sharpening system. Other than that I would recommend you invest in quality footwear, it's tough guiding when your feet are sore or blistered. Good Luck.
 
I would think a very clear mental map of the limits of the outfitter's licence area would be the first priority. Followed by a good idea where the game ought to be found. Only then would I start thinking about gear and field dressing and tactics and psychology. There is no sense getting customers into the field, if you are going to waste their time in bad spots.
 
What type of hunting will you be guiding for? If it mountain or bush hunting, then I suggest you make sure you are in shape. It would look bad if you can't keep up with the client, hahaha.

If I get a guide, it is because I either don't know how to hunt the area or don't know how to hunt the game. Make sure you can do both.
 
I would suggest that you treat you're clients as you would expect to be treated and then some if the roles were reversed.Personally,I work/try harder for guests than I do for my own hunting which I suppose I take for granted?If you look back on a week and can honestly say you did the very best you could to put clients on game then you did you're job very well,and if the sport doesn't recognise that then he's probly an A-hole anyway.When you're sport goes home with an un-filled tag and books with you again for next year you know you're doing things right?
 
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