what makes a good outfitter

[iggy1]

Service?
Quality of quarters?
Number of animals shot or fish caught?
People?
Equipment?
Weather?
What do you think is the most important quality of an outfitter to be considered "good"

[admin]

I've never had the opportunity to use an outfitter, but if I was too, I would definately think the things you have listed would be at the top of the list. The only thing I might add would be along with the service might be interaction with the guests.

[kg5388]

a good outfitter must have a substantial investment in all the right equipment be it a boat or tent or horses and must be able to produce fish or big game or whatever

the most important thing a guide must have is Patience and that means providing a memorable trip for an inexperienced hunter to an experienced hunter who can almost be a guide himself to the know it all or who thinks he knows it or the uppity one who thinks every thing is substandard
the guide who can provide a memorable trip without letting others on the trip or weather ruin it is the best guide

[admin]

Well said kg

[kg5388]

had a quide on a fish trip who was a bass tournament fisherman who was a relative of a friend of mines wife who stopped in town on his way to a bassmaster event and i got to tag along on a quick trip with my friend and his 8 year old son

he explained all his gear and even let the lad drive his high dollar boat and took great care to show him how and where to look for fish and how to cast with a baitcast reel and even gave him that rod and reel which is his most prized possession What A TRIP OF A LIFETIME i will never forget it as long as i live

[bowtech]

#1: they tell you what they exspect out of you in order to be successful.

For example:If you are not told that you have to be able to shoot through brush at 40yrds. then you are not ready when the shot comes and the guide is motioning you to shoot.
Example#2:What kind of equipment cases and how much and type of equipment you can/should bring
Example#3:How hard is the hunt physiclly and are you conditioned for it?.

#2: what they supply and what (more important ) they do not

#3: Is the outfitter bow /gun only?,does he employ an advid archer? can that guide email you for a chat to find out just how exsperienced he is?.

#4:How is meat and cape cared for and transported? how is the trophy packed out?.

#5:What lodge services are offered in terms of comforts/meals/hookers ;D

#6:What are the x-tra costs?, what is the average tip in the region?.
(more important than you may think for example, in africa you can take a beat down ( for real)for tiping the tracker .... any comp. goes to the PH)

#7: What is the success rate as far as sightings?
(dont ask for kill success because that is just not fair to the guide since he doesnt do the shooting :
*On bear hunting dont even bother to ask about sightings becauseif you have a lasy/smoker in the stand the hunter isent even going to see an animal
(Instead , ask about how the baits are being hit and ask to inspect before taking any stand.)

#8:Most important....prepair to be disappointed and come to grips with it before you leave!

This is alot of money and may be a once in a lifetime hunt and even though that seems like reason enough for the good lord to stop what he is doing and bring an animal to you....it doesnt work that way.

[ScottC]

Thanks for all the info. I have not used an outfitter, but it is good to know what to look for if I ever do.