looking for feedback as an outfitter

[Pres 27]

Hello all. I am looking at purchasing a hunting camp, and wanted to poll the audience here at CGN. Please take a look at the link for the survey if you have a few minutes and tell me what makes a hunt stand out for you. Please also feel free to share feed back in this post of what you have found works for you and what doesn't. Give me the good, the bad and the ugly. Any and all feedback is appreciated

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S29Q6KX

 

[Longwalker]

hope that helps!

 

[galamb]

Only thing I would add to my survey.

Don't advertise your prices in US Dollars unless you are not interested in Canadian Customers. I will absolutely NOT book with an outfitter that doesn't list a price in Canadian bucks. I see dozens of places that went out of business after the 2008 downturn and the rise of the Canadian dollar because for years they essentially "shunned" the domestic market and when the American's stopped coming up in the numbers they were used to, they had no other market.

And it's amazing how many Canadian Outfitters have US contact numbers for the "off season".

 

[BigUglyMan]

I hate prices in US dollars too, but it's pretty unreasonable to expect guys to keep changing their website as the dollar takes a trip further and further down the ####ter. The sad reality is that most prospective clients will come from the US so the website must cater to them.

Good luck in your venture!

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Only thing I would add to my survey.

Don't advertise your prices in US Dollars unless you are not interested in Canadian Customers. I will absolutely NOT book with an outfitter that doesn't list a price in Canadian bucks. I see dozens of places that went out of business after the 2008 downturn and the rise of the Canadian dollar because for years they essentially "shunned" the domestic market and when the American's stopped coming up in the numbers they were used to, they had no other market.

And it's amazing how many Canadian Outfitters have US contact numbers for the "off season".

How about a Yukon outfitter that lives in Southern Alberta the rest of the year ?

Grizz

 

[Pres 27]

Thanks for the responses so far guys, much appreciated. This is a life long dream, and if I can make it happen, I want to provide the best experience I possibly can. A few points have been added, regarding rates and US funds. I know the existing owner charges in US funds, because almost all of his clientele come from the US. I can see both sides of this topic. I think I am going to add a poll to this thread to see what everyone thinks is a reasonable rate in CDN dollars. Thanks again and keep the info and ideas coming.

 

[bearkilr]

Chances are the only Canadian clients you'd receive are the ones who want to bring their own food,quad and rent a motel room. All they want is a bait site they have access to. Lots of these outfitters in Ontario, but very few west of there. The interest from other Canadians on full service bear and deer hunts is minimal at best as they're too plentiful an animal. In reality only the far western species are of any interest to other Canadians; sheep,goat,grizzly,etc.

As for prices, my advice would be to scour the internet on booking agencies websites or check other outfitters websites, see if what they offer compares, and then pick a price you'd be comfortable with. I think you'll find most week long full service bear hunts will run $2500-$3500 US plus license if they're road accessible. The fly in ones are more as outfitter expenses are considerably more, but a lot of them also offer very good fishing as a free sideline. And charge in US $. If you advertise both prices, you may get US clients questioning why they can't pay in CDN $.

 

[hogiron]

Chances are the only Canadian clients you'd receive are the ones who want to bring their own food,quad and rent a motel room. All they want is a bait site they have access to. Lots of these outfitters in Ontario, but very few west of there. The interest from other Canadians on full service bear and deer hunts is minimal at best as they're too plentiful an animal. In reality only the far western species are of any interest to other Canadians; sheep,goat,grizzly,etc.

As for prices, my advice would be to scour the internet on booking agencies websites or check other outfitters websites, see if what they offer compares, and then pick a price you'd be comfortable with. I think you'll find most week long full service bear hunts will run $2500-$3500 US plus license if they're road accessible. The fly in ones are more as outfitter expenses are considerably more, but a lot of them also offer very good fishing as a free sideline. And charge in US $. If you advertise both prices, you may get US clients questioning why they can't pay in CDN $.

very true, I know several outfitters and guides that have only US customers, not that they don't want or cater to Canadians, like bearkilr says, too plentiful of those game animals in the west.

 

[freddyfour]

Looking at Ontario rates, you can get a 7 day bear hunt from $1350 to $2500 at a lot of places. Now that does not include meals, just cabin, active baits help with the bear.

 

[Superbrad]

Look at air Ivanhoe..... As a Canadian wanting some opportunities I wouldn't normally get without a party and someone that enjoys taking my boys out fishing with a cottage and campfire at the ready they are great..... And th cottages have full amenities so that I can bring my own food and cook on a stove etc......

Having an "American plan" is great..... Having options is great + in my opinion.....

 

[dreamwaters]

I didn't answer your poll about cost because bear hunting is not of great interest to me, so I don't want to skew your numbers for the wrong reasons. But I did got an fill out your survey without worrying about what game animal you're guiding for. The answers are transferable. Good luck with your business! It's something many of us have dreamed about, some of us have dabbled in, and a very few (not me!) have made a concrete reality.
Best,
Dave

 

[Bland]

Sounds like you are buying an established business? What sort of transition is the previous owner willing to set up for you? Good luck with your venture.

 

[Ardent]

It's going to be tough, a lot tougher than you figure, it's a dream job and that attracts dreamers like you and I. Black bears can be a hard sell, as many Americans have access to them in the states, but a good few here including one commenter knows that business and stays very busy in it.

Just bear in mind, pun intended, running a business on deer and black bear will not be easy, hopefully the outfit comes with bookings for next season, mine didn't. If your purchase and start up costs are low enough it doesn't matter, and if you have a "real" job to carry you through I'd say dive in! You won't be quiting your day job any time soon but the dream is fun. And nerve wracking / stressful.

I was at a show last week in the states (get ready to do those until you're established), and it cost me $6,000 to do- nail biter but took bookings and that feels pretty good. Pricing in US is just practical as most of your customers will be from there, maybe 5% Canadians as we all have black bears and deer, I simply offer Canadians the posted US price in Falling Dollars and actually usually much better still. Friends are good to have.

Have fun!

Angus

 

[Bigbubba]

I didn't answer your poll about cost because bear hunting is not of great interest to me, so I don't want to skew your numbers for the wrong reasons. But I did got an fill out your survey without worrying about what game animal you're guiding for. The answers are transferable. Good luck with your business! It's something many of us have dreamed about, some of us have dabbled in, and a very few (not me!) have made a concrete reality.
Best,
Dave

same for me.

And I like CDN outfits to price in CDN$
Marty

 

[Gatehouse]

You won't want to price in CAN $ unless the CAN $ is higher than the US dollar. Most of your clients are going to be from the USA or maybe Europe, and they won't get past your high $$ hunts priced in CAN $ when your competitor is using US $ and it appears cheaper.

 

[galamb]

You won't want to price in CAN $ unless the CAN $ is higher than the US dollar. Most of your clients are going to be from the USA or maybe Europe, and they won't get past your high $$ hunts priced in CAN $ when your competitor is using US $ and it appears cheaper.

I get all that and it makes perfect sense. But I'm a Canadian. I do many of my hunts "self serve" - I hunt on Crown Land in Ontario for deer, moose and black bear. But if I want to hunt Elk or Mulie's I just plain need the services of an outfitter "out west".

When our buck was at par Big Mule Outfitter in Nowhere Alberta wants/wanted say $3500 USD for a hunt. And ok, fair enough that's the going rate. But now that same listed $3500 USD hunt is $4800 "Canadian".

So yes, advertise in US dollars because it really is "foreign hunters" that are the bread/butter for the business but if you want me as the occasional hunter to maybe fill a hole (and let's face it, the season only is so long so an empty week might be a considerable percentage of the "work year") even a "Canadian Hunters may contact for domestic pricing" or something to that effect would at least make the outfitter stand out from the dozens that I click past when looking for somewhere new.

I really don't mind paying the going rate, but if it was $3500USD/$3500CDN when we were at par but it's $3500USD/$4800CDN "now", but would be $3500/$3500 again next year if the buck went back up, I am not willing to pay a "premium" in off years for "not being a foreigner".

If you can fill all your weeks with US dollar paying clients from the south, it's good for you and it's good for all of us (them dropping money up here), but if you can't wouldn't it be nice to fill a hole or two from the domestic market? Isn't Canadian bucks better than NO bucks?

 

[Gatehouse]

I'm not great at calculus but I can do basic math and figuring out the exchange rate isn't too hard. I wouldn't advertise that Canadians get better rates, that would piss off Americans. Nothing wrong with doing that privately, but the Americans will wonder why you are publicly giving them the shaft

 

[bearkilr]

I'm not great at calculus but I can do basic math and figuring out the exchange rate isn't too hard. I wouldn't advertise that Canadians get better rates, that would piss off Americans. Nothing wrong with doing that privately, but the Americans will wonder why you are publicly giving them the shaft

Yes there is. One price for all, or there'll be trouble in camp. Some outfitters will also give deals to guys that don't book through an agent who takes a percentage. Bad idea.

 

[Gatehouse]

Yes there is. One price for all, or there'll be trouble in camp. Some outfitters will also give deals to guys that don't book through an agent who takes a percentage. Bad idea.

Yeah, I can see that being an issue in situations where you have multiple hunter groups all on the same place every night for 10 days...Not the case in many BC outfits, where you may only bump into other hunters going in/out. But it's something to consider.

 

[bearkilr]

Yeah, I can see that being an issue in situations where you have multiple hunter groups all on the same place every night for 10 days...Not the case in many BC outfits, where you may only bump into other hunters going in/out. But it's something to consider.

A simple way to put it is to treat everyone the same regardless of who they are. There'll always be cheapskates and a$$holes, but it's only a week out of your life.