Planning a hunting or fishing trip? Picking the right outfitter/guide can seem like an impossible task. The right choice will result in amazing memories that will last a lifetime, the wrong choice can be a nightmare! Here are some quick tips that will help you choose your next trip wisely.
Always Start with Research
Search the species and location you are looking for and make a note of which business names show up. Try several different ways, for example search: “Alaskan moose hunting” “Moose hunting in Alaska” and “Moose hunting outfitters in Alaska”
Once you have a shortlist of names that keep popping up now you can research each outfitter/guide specifically by name and make a note of what comes up. Do they seem to have credibility from multiple different sources? Visit their websites as well as any websites that mention them. Anyone can have a flashy website built, but that isn’t aways proof of a great operator. Look for websites that provide good, clear information, beware of outfitter/guides that have very little information on how their trip works, locations, what’s provided, what’s required etc. Search on Youtube, Tripadvisor and LinkedIn as well as Google. Also always search the owners and guides names. Have they been charged with poaching? Fraud? Do they seem to be operating under many different business names? Probably keep looking if that’s the case.
Reviews are your best friend. Google, and the social media platforms often provide honest feedback from past clients. Look for trends: Are most customers happy with the service? Be wary of any negative remarks about safety, organization, or communication. Reviews that specifically mention bad weather or only mention a lack of success and nothing else can usually be ignored as this is almost never within the outfitters control.
Find out how long they have been in business for and if they are the original owners. Booking a trip with a highly recommended guide service that has just been purchased by a new owner is a huge risk.
Determine what their specialty is?, typically you will be able to see the difference after researching a few different outfitters. For example you might notice that one outfitter is all about their luxury, high end lodging and very proud of the meals that are served each day. While another seems to be a more simple operation that focuses on success in the field and not so much the food and lodging aspect. Get clear on what is important to you and then look for an operator that aligns with what you want.
Make Contact
Contact your top 3 choices and just have a quick chat with them. Do they sound knowledgeable? Friendly? Do they sound like someone you want to spend time with? Ask them what sets them apart from others, why should you book with them.
Send a follow up email with very specific questions and ask about availability and any special requests, this is your chance to make sure you know what you are getting into. Also confirm they are licensed and insured.
If you are seriously considering the outfitter at this point then send another email and ask for full transparency on pricing. Make sure you are clear on what’s included, not included, exact costs, when payments are due and what you will be expected to provide as well as all cancellation policies. Some hidden costs to remember are: special gear needed, licenses, trophy fees, tips, government taxes, credit card fees, lodging/transportation before and after the trip, snacks and alcoholic beverages, packing and shipping meat/trophies and taxidermy costs.
Final questions, anything you can think of needs to be asked now. Good outfitter/guides will easily answer these questions and help you every step of the way.
Pull The Trigger
Once you make a choice, book the trip immediately, open spots can book up quickly and you don’t want to do all this work and find out they are already fully booked for the upcoming season.
Hold up your end of the deal. If there are specific policies in place as far as when deposits are due, how to pay, waivers that need to be signed etc. Take care of it. Do not frustrate the business owner by delaying or causing headaches along the way. Now all that’s left to do is start counting down the days!
