Have you ever or would you use a guide or outfitter in North America?

[Tim H]

Guided hunts

I haven't but will go on a guided hunt. Not for anything I can hunt on my own, but for critters that I can't! For example, Caribou in Quebec, and Brown Bears in Alaska. Those are the 2 species that I will certainly someday pay to hunt.

Everything else is achievable yourself. There's the option of using a hunter host, or even going to a state or Province that allows you to hunt on your own as a non-resident!

Personally I would love to BE a guide, and if I wasn't absolutely happy where I am now, that's what I'd be doing. However, the one thing that ticks me off about Outfitters, is the tipping/gratuity. In my opinion I think it is BULLS***T. Don't get me wrong, I think that the guides should definitely be well payed! And if they do a great job, they could possibly get a bonus. But from their boss, not from the client. In my opinion the price of the hunt should be set before you arrive. Even if it is hunting, it's still a business transaction. I hate that tipping has become a standard practice in any service industry, and is expected. An agent will even tell you what a typical tip percentage for your guide is when you book a hunt. Not only that, but apparently you should tip the camp cook if you have one, as well. No, sorry, they're doing their job. I don't get tipped at work, and I don't like to tip someone just for doing their job.
So there's my rant!

Cheers.

Tim H

 

[Gatehouse]

If you don't want to tip, don't tip. To keep everyone in camp well informed, make sure you tell the guides and the cook up front, as soon as you get into camp that you don't believe in tipping, so they won't be getting any gratuity from you.

 

[sheephunter]

Everything else is achievable yourself. There's the option of using a hunter host, or even going to a state or Province that allows you to hunt on your own as a non-resident!

LOL...not quite. That list of Canadian species that requires the use of an outfitter is pretty long for non-residents.

 

[archie_james_c]

However, the one thing that ticks me off about Outfitters, is the tipping/gratuity. In my opinion I think it is BULLS***T.
Tim H

Then by that logic dont expect happy smiles, laughter, camaraderie or a genuine good time. Just expect a very bland, uninterested man to point to a moose and go "theres one". Don't expect any of them to go out of their way to shake your hand, grab your pack for you, shoot the breeze, or any other form of "extra help or entertainment" after all their jobs only to find you something to kill not to make sure you have a once in a lifetime experience.

It's tipping FFS.

 

[Tim H]

Ok, in my last post I went off on more of a rant than I wanted too, and didn't convey my point clearly.

I DO believe in tipping, but as it's intended, for exceptional service. Last fall I was looking at booking a hunt in Montana, and was actually told by an agent that tipping is expected, as it's how the guides make a lot of their income (similar to waitressing I guess. ) The same man also who informed me that it's good practise to tip the camp cook, and anyone else who helps you, etc... That bothers me. I still believe that a tip for exceptional service is in order, but the guides should not be dependant on it. While looking around, I noticed that in some outfitter's pricing, they even mentioned "plus gratuities." By the way, I did not end up booking a hunt, but only because scheduling didn't work out.

Archie James C, If I book a HUNT, then I don't expect them to "find me something to kill," I expect to be brought along on a HUNT. In my experience, hunting involves all the "extras" you just mentioned; shooting the breeze, comraderie, A GOOD TIME. I don't expect to always find an animal, because that's hunting. You don't always kill an animal, especially if you're after a trophy. Even with the best guide in the world, luck plays a big part. If I was just out to kill a wall hanger, I'd look at game farms. Or go sit in a box blind overlooking a corn feeder in Texas for a week. I don't consider that hunting, and I wouldn't be proud to have an animal that was shot at a game farm mounted. However, even sans tip, for the price I'm already paying, I would expect good service. I mean, I get courteous service at McDonalds, and we're talking about a lot more than the price of a big mac meal. I am not expecting anything more than I would give. As I stated, I would LOVE to work as a guide, and if I was, I would go out of my way to provide the best experience I could, even if the hunter informed me on day one that I would recieve no tip, even if I put him onto a world record.

Sheephunter, I am quite aware of what can be hunted in Canada as a resident, a non-resident (Canadian) and as a non-resident (Foreign). I'm not trying to be catty, I'm just saying that I've done my homework. I know that I can go to Saskatchewan by myself & hunt white-tails. I know that I can get a buddy from Alberta to register as a "hunter host," and I can hunt with him. I also know that not all species of game are open to non-resident (Canadians) in Alberta, even with a hunter host. And I know that even though Quebec's website says you can hunt Caribou as a non-resident, in reality you'll need to get a guide, because the herds are all in Native territory, and they won't let you hunt on your own. Even Ontario requires guides for some species for non-residents.

Cheers.

Tim H

 

[archie_james_c]

After re-reading everything, I kind of jumped the gun and went off. Sorry about that as its not my place to do so.

I agree with your response to my post, thank you for clearing everything up. Once again, sorry.

 

[308BAR]

I haven't use one yet but I would most likely use a guide service if I were to chase pronghorn in Alberta, the wait for a LEH is just to long for rifle 5 yrs or something like that easier to buy a tag.

Also if I was to go on a African hunt for Horned animals I would definitely use a guiding service. Only way to survive and find game.

 

[sheephunter]

Sheephunter, I am quite aware of what can be hunted in Canada as a resident, a non-resident (Canadian) and as a non-resident (Foreign). I'm not trying to be catty, I'm just saying that I've done my homework. I know that I can go to Saskatchewan by myself & hunt white-tails. I know that I can get a buddy from Alberta to register as a "hunter host," and I can hunt with him. I also know that not all species of game are open to non-resident (Canadians) in Alberta, even with a hunter host. And I know that even though Quebec's website says you can hunt Caribou as a non-resident, in reality you'll need to get a guide, because the herds are all in Native territory, and they won't let you hunt on your own. Even Ontario requires guides for some species for non-residents.

So why did you say there were only a couple species that required guiding then? I was just pointing out that there are indeed many species that require the use of an outfitter.

 

[old hound]

If you don't want to tip, don't tip. To keep everyone in camp well informed, make sure you tell the guides and the cook up front, as soon as you get into camp that you don't believe in tipping, so they won't be getting any gratuity from you.

Don't think I'd tell the cook