What is the job of a Hunting Guide ??

Dimitri

Dimitri

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Humm. This is a spin off the thread about Jim S. going to T/C rifles. :)

I guess I have a bad idea what I want a guide to do if and when I deside to use one. :(

I figured a guide was only responsible for 3 things:

1) Having accomendations, tags and food for the client.
2) Getting his client in a place where there is animals.
(At this point the client is responsible for the shooting and with the help of the guide track the animal if needed)
3) Getting his client out of the bush without getting lost.

What are your thoughts ?? :confused:

Dimitri
 
well D that about covers it other than the guide is responsible for knowing the laws and following them, dealing with the animal once its down and giving you a trip of a lifetime to remember

in some places YES a guide will back you up on a hunt especialy on dangerous game or in a realy dence area were a wounded animal may be lost if a bad shot is taken but rarely does that happen , in 12 years I have backed up 2 bears and 1 moose, the moose was a no choice situation for reasons out of the hunters control or mine his rifle fell apart (literaly) the first shot hit the moose in the rump and spun it around the second hit it in the lower hind leg breaking the leg, then relizing that the 2 bolts holding his action to his stock had come undone and no tools there to fix it and a moose heading into a swamp he asked me to finish it , no big deal just a bad moment

bears we dont mess with period if its wounded and starts for the brush its getting lead

1 of the 2 bears I had to deal with was a german fellow and his wife , they hit it and it rolled down a hill out of sight, I couldnt pry them from the truck if I tried with a winch , it was a your the guide you go find the bear , so I did , its back was broke and it was hunched up in the willows snapping and snarling so it got lead , the other bear was a obvious gutshot and on the move for the slide alders the hunter was not able to follow up a shot so I dumped it (lucky shot but it worked)
these are just examples of good days that had a cork in them for a moment 99% of the hunters i have had are quite compitent and yes we ask you to shoot your rifle for us and examine it as airlines arent always nice to lugage , lots of outfitters also ask that you dont use handloads but rather factory ammo as handloads can have a higher tendancy to fail .

also be aware that many outfitters in BC now have a wounding fee, especialy on grizz and moose , if you shoot and the guide finds blood but never the animal you will be billed for the shot as if it was a kill in some places

for the most part guides are just there to make it legal for you to hunt that area or for advice and help

thsi is a quick rundown idea there are probably many details I overlooked but nothing to major that would hamper your hunt
 
Bone,

Thanks for that large reply :D

Your explenations make alot of sense to me :) Tell me something though if a client shot a bear and it ran off kinda like that situation with the German fellow would you allow the client to come with you to try and get the bear or no ?? :confused:

Dimitri
 
I htink a guide shoudl be responsible to :

Provide acess to the hutning area (horse, boat, plane, foot etc)

Put you on game.

Shooting, staying warm and dry, not huritng yourself, not whimpering liek a baby when it rains or the game is not cooperating- That is up to you.;)
 
Well, being in the game, here's what I expect from guides:
1. Minimum of 2 years experience in the area and knowledge of the game.
2. Clean cut and suitably attired, with a personable attitude, who can make the best of the worst situation, and can become a "team" member of the camp.
3. He will look after his hunters 100%, making sure they have the right equipment, their guns shoot properly, and knows their physical limits.
4. He will know his equipment, truck, boat, or ATV, is working properly at the start, and be prepared to fix it quickly if any problem arises.
5. He will have scouted and be familiar with the terrain and game habits recently.
6. He'll do his best to put the hunter onto the best animal he expects to see during the hunt, coach the hunter if neccessary (some get excited) during the shot, ensuring the hunter is on the right animal.
7. He'll groom the animal for photos and take all the photos that are expected, in proper poses that lead to good memories for the hunter.
8. He'll dress the animals out, caping as necessary for a mount, and pack the animal out after ensuring that it is properly tagged.
9. At camp, he'll finish butchering and fleshing, salting, etc. for the cape.
10. Any camp shores will we done efficiently.
11. He'll show up at meal times clean and happy.
12. He'll be in a position to explain the vegetation, animal habits and life-cycles, history of the area, whatever to the hunter.
13. He'll be the hunter's best buddy for a week and strive to make the hunter's expectations all come true.
14. There'll be no complaints in front of the hunter and problems will be discussed privately away from any guests.

The best way to really find out what is expected of a good guide is to contact your local apprentice board for a copy of the "red seal" standards for a guide, ........yes, it now is a certified "trade" in most provinces, and the standards or an eye-opener! All of my guides have served an "apprenticeship" of a least a season, and sometimes two, before being turned loose on their own.

~Arctic~
 
Here is what I expect from a guide:

- Knows the area being hunted.
- Provides transportation from the closest airport, accomodations, and meals.
- Provides assistance for any legal issues that make it possible for you to hunt.
- Attentive to the needs of the hunter.


Here what a guide can expect from me:

- A willing and co-opportive spirit.
- Help with camp chores and downed animals.
- My equipment will be operational.
- A tip if the service was good regardless of success on an animal.
 
Well said Icon, thats more of the participation that I would expect from a fellow hunter or a guide.:D
But then I have never used a guide mainly because I have not hunted where one was needed.:) If I was to have a guide I would hope it's in Africa hunting buffalo or plains game.:cool:
 
303carbine said:
Well said Icon, thats more of the participation that I would expect from a fellow hunter or a guide.:D
But then I have never used a guide mainly because I have not hunted where one was needed.:) If I was to have a guide I would hope it's in Africa hunting buffalo or plains game.:cool:
Click to expand...

Well, from what I have read and heard, you don't really lift a finger (except your trigger finger) on those African hunts. They have a bunch of local staff to help. They even bring you your gun when an animal has been sighted. Just sit back, enjoy the scenery, drink and eat! Actually, I'm sure you do a lot of work, just not as much as you are used to, LOL!
 
Some of you are confusing the guide with the outfitter.The outfitter provides the accomodations,equipment,transportation,licensing and food.The guide finds the game,helps the hunter to kill the game,dresses the game,prepares meals,services equipment,performs camp chores etc.However,if the hunter is willing to help out where possible on the hunt,it makes the guides job easier,and the guide will usually put in an extra effort.
 
stubblejumper said:
Some of you are confusing the guide with the outfitter.The outfitter provides the accomodations,equipment,transportation,licensing and food.The guide finds the game,helps the hunter to kill the game,dresses the game,prepares meals,services equipment,performs camp chores etc.However,if the hunter is willing to help out where possible on the hunt,it makes the guides job easier,and the guide will usually put in an extra effort.
Click to expand...

How very true and thanks for pointing it out. It is also worth mentioning that some guides work for themselves and also provide the outfitting service. Lots of options out there!
 
Dimitri said:
Bone,

Thanks for that large reply :D

Your explenations make alot of sense to me :) Tell me something though if a client shot a bear and it ran off kinda like that situation with the German fellow would you allow the client to come with you to try and get the bear or no ?? :confused:

Dimitri
Click to expand...


Yes D you can go with the guide unless they deam it unsafe to do so then usually a couple of guides will go together , alot of folks are new to CGN since I last mentioned the loss of a aquaintence and fellow guide , he and his hunter stroked a grizz, a BIG F'ing grizz for this area in the 1100lb class , this was a fly in only spike camp which just the hunter and his guide were at , the bear took off when shot and the rest of the story is from the hunter when we arrived 2 days later once word got back to us, I am also on the local GSAR team as a bear deturent so to speak , when we arrived at the camp by float plane there were several other guides on the scene and the outfitter, as well as the hunter, his story went as follows, they spoted the bear walking the edge of a swamp they were standing in about 250 yards away , he got down on 1 knee and belted the bear with a 7mm mag rifle , the bear instantly started roaring and snarling, then stopped looked right at them in the swamp then ran off into the timber.
(this area is about 60% dry grassy swamps and creeks also the guide was in his 60s and had been sick all week)

now they waited a hour or so and the guide deaming it unfit for the hunter to follow left him were they had shot at the bear as he went in after it, about 35 minutes later the hunter heard screaming and then silence, he ran back to there camp and waited, the next day he called out for help when the guide had not returned it took us another day to get off the ground due to high fog and weather , in the end it took us about 3 hours to locate the guide, his 338 mag still loaded and safety on .
I can gestimate what happened by the tracks/area and scene itself but its just a guess, there were 3 dug up plots around the imedeit area , the guide saw the bear laying in one , watched it, it didnt move so he assumed it was deads and started to walk away to get the hunter when it took him from behind (like I said a guess from what I saw)

I have also had a black bear play possum on me while guiding, its back was broke in the 1st shot and it dropped moaned for a bit then went silent I figured hes DOA , we walked up and as we took a fairly wide circle to the back of the bear I noticed his eyes following me , dead my arse , he took a 240Gr slug to the head imedietly as I had my hunter and his son with me and wasnt going to chance a charge not knowing his back was broke at that time

I see another fellow has some high expectations from a guide well news flash, maybe if your paying top dollar for a hunt you will get a 5 star motel and strippers after dinner, most guide camps are decent lodges or cabins with several spike camps consisting of wall tents and outhouses if yer lucky and a glacier lake to wash up in , if its a fly in camp dont expect much planes arent cheap and are limited to the gear they can cary for weight purposes , many folks love the rugged camps its the real deal not some hoaky fancy lodge and upity snooty guys working there that are just after your money ;)

the best way imho to become great friends with a guide and others in a camp is pull your weight, YES you payed for the hunt and alot of money but it dosnt mean you cant offer to help with dishes once in a while or offer to cook your favorite recipe 1 night , and once you get your animal dont be a arse about it and make 1 guy do all the work it wont kill a guy to help hold a leg or pack a quarter back to camp a mile after all it is suposed to be an experience like foxer said , trust me you will have a friend for life in that guide :)
 
Bones,

I dont know much about guided hunts hense why I posted this at first :) My dream hunt is a BC hunt for Sheep or goat and a Grizzly bear if I get the chance . Hense why I'm interested in guides. :cool:

I just think from the image I get is that guides are your personal butler for the whole hunting trip and I dont want that when I finally go on a guided hunt. :( It isnt hunting if you dont help move and gut the game and do the normal camp chors you would have done if you went hunting without a guide :D

most guide camps are decent lodges or cabins with several spike camps consisting of wall tents and outhouses if yer lucky and a glacier lake to wash up in , if its a fly in camp dont expect much planes arent cheap and are limited to the gear they can cary for weight purposes , many folks love the rugged camps its the real deal
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good camp! :cool:

Bone, the thing about the guide saying its unsafe for the client to go after the animal and just the guide go doesn't want to work well in my mind to be honest. If the its dangerous for the hunter then wouldnt it be dangerous for the guide ?? :confused: I know experiance plays a part but if a guide had to go after the game after the shot for what ever reason I'd really like to atleast try to help even if it was dangerous as if I was hunting on my own I'd have to go after the bear anyways. :)

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. :(

Dimitri
 
I just think from the image I get is that guides are your personal butler for the whole hunting trip and I dont want that when I finally go on a guided hunt. It isnt hunting if you dont help move and gut the game and do the normal camp chors you would have done if you went hunting without a guide
Click to expand...

I have hunted with several guides that made me feel as though I was hunting with a friend.I do pitch in and do whatever camp chores that I can to help out the guide,and it does allow me to enjoy the hunt even more.
 
well I see your point and comend you on your attitude, BUT lets say the hunter went in after that bear as well, they would both be dead IMHO , I relise that its in your mind to help BUT
a guide probably has alot less adrenaline running as he didnt take the shot and is a little more level headed at that point. Personaly I woudnt want anything else to worry about when going after a bear in the willows, 2 people make twice to three times the noice hampering the hearing ability , another guide coming in is probably better in the sence he knows what to look for exactly and isnt asking alot of questions wasting valuble time, I am in NO way saying you or anyone else is incapible of being there but it would suck donkey to have to call your family and say he wanted to be there and I didnt hear the bear coming from behind !

simple solution is bring a firearm you can handle and that will kill, be sure of your shot and most importantly BE HONEST with the guide dont say it was a good shot when your guts telling you it wasnt ;)

99% of the hunts I have been on have been doa within 100 yards of the shot taking place with some shots that to this day amaze the hell out of me , like a 5 foot 3 geman lady weighing in at maybe 120lbs shooting a blazzer 375H&H 20" barrel and dropping a 6 and half foot black bear at dusk 420 yards out and not even batting an eye at the shot and that bear DROPPED like someone kicked him in the nads with a steel toe boot

had a fellow from sweden do a frontal shot on a nice bear at maybe 140 yards and call his shot , he said through the brisket and up into the spine , that bears head hit the dirt before his body did and the shot calling was 100%

a bad day for a guide most of the time is getting a persnickety snot nosed breast fed till he was 30 years old hunter , them guys need a kick in the arse and a diaper change not a hunting guide, especialy when they take a big hunt like boo/moose/grizz/goat all in the same trip and when offered a beatie of a grizz say NOPE I want a moose first ????????????????? ok well grizz are opportunity hunts you get a good opportunity take , I have had guys pass on 48+ " bulls to wanting a 60" bull in a area that donst have such critters, what can you do but walk away and say sorry fella you live today cause buddy chose the wrong outfitter haha

this also leads to a big thing when hiring a outfitter....CHOSE one that has the game you want dont just take a outfitter that has 95% success rates take 1 that has proof they have the class of animals you are after , you wont come here were I live for 50+ moose but you will if your after meat and a great hunt , this advise can also save you a pile of money, some outfitters base prices on there big animals shot in the past and you could be paying for something that is a rarety in there area ask for references if they refuse than move on theres 100s of guide/outfitters ;)
 
PS you know you have a great guide when hes not afraid to get cought fondeling a DEAD moose ;) :D :D :D :D :D

thanks for the great pic Amphib
collinandmoose.jpg
 
Arctic said:
Well, being in the game, here's what I expect from guides:
1. Minimum of 2 years experience in the area and knowledge of the game.
2. Clean cut and suitably attired, with a personable attitude, who can make the best of the worst situation, and can become a "team" member of the camp.
3. He will look after his hunters 100%, making sure they have the right equipment, their guns shoot properly, and knows their physical limits.
4. He will know his equipment, truck, boat, or ATV, is working properly at the start, and be prepared to fix it quickly if any problem arises.
5. He will have scouted and be familiar with the terrain and game habits recently.
6. He'll do his best to put the hunter onto the best animal he expects to see during the hunt, coach the hunter if neccessary (some get excited) during the shot, ensuring the hunter is on the right animal.
7. He'll groom the animal for photos and take all the photos that are expected, in proper poses that lead to good memories for the hunter.
8. He'll dress the animals out, caping as necessary for a mount, and pack the animal out after ensuring that it is properly tagged.
9. At camp, he'll finish butchering and fleshing, salting, etc. for the cape.
10. Any camp shores will we done efficiently.
11. He'll show up at meal times clean and happy.
12. He'll be in a position to explain the vegetation, animal habits and life-cycles, history of the area, whatever to the hunter.
13. He'll be the hunter's best buddy for a week and strive to make the hunter's expectations all come true.
14. There'll be no complaints in front of the hunter and problems will be discussed privately away from any guests.

The best way to really find out what is expected of a good guide is to contact your local apprentice board for a copy of the "red seal" standards for a guide, ........yes, it now is a certified "trade" in most provinces, and the standards or an eye-opener! All of my guides have served an "apprenticeship" of a least a season, and sometimes two, before being turned loose on their own.

~Arctic~
Click to expand...

forgot parting the waters of any lakes that get in the way.......;)

Actually the list is a pretty good one. Guides should remember that it might be your fifth guiding job of the year, but it's probably the hunter's first and only guided hunt of his life. Suck it up and make the effort.....that's what separates the real guides from the "wanna-be's"
 
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