Guided vs Unguided

[jackelope]

me neither, who do you guide for?
thats awesome.

[Jeremiah P]

I've been on a few guided hunts and by no means has any of them been a slam dunk, one in wyoming was the hardest hunt I've ever been on. We hiked 10-12 miles a day in nasty country, it was an archery elk hunt in unit 7 that we were unsuccesful in. I think for the extreme hard to draw tags a guide is a wise investment if it's affordable.

[whacker1]

It sounds like most everyone agrees on the subject 

Distinct difference between - high fence private land & everything else outside High fenced private land.  My biggest qualms with guided hunts has been envy....  I think I am envious, because I can't afford to go on the types of hunts I would like to in BC, the Bob Marshall wilderness, and other remote areas. 

I can say on the limited guided fishing that I have done that I don't prize those fish caught with the guide quite like I do when it is completely do it myself.  Not to knock the guide or the experience, because he is a close friend, just a different experience.   I think this has slightly jaded me on some guided hunts.  I prefer to do it myself or drop camp without guides, because I think I enjoy that more than with guided help.  Not knocking those that guide or that pay for guides, because I think I would like to do both from year to year, but as of right now I am DIY, because of $$$$. 

My close friends paid $$$$$ for a guided hunt in the Bob Marshall wilderness last year.  Guide's wife got terminally sick, and so owner of guide service filled in as guide. They saw very few animals, didn't bring any deer or elk home, and overall poor experience.  So nothing is a slam dunk.  He still chooses to mix up his time between guides and DIY.  He just won't be going with that particular outfitter again.

Coast - who do you guide for & where?

[Kent Hunter]

My favorite way to hunt is a drop camp in the wilderness. It usually takes a year or two to get familiar with the country and learn what areas hold deer or travel routes for the deer. After you do that then there is no need for a guide. Learning an area on my own is a big part of the fun. If you don't have the time or such to learn and scout an area on your own then I think a guide is the way to go. Especially areas that are in the wilderness and a ways (miles) back in. 

[oneezreiter]

This is a subject that I have thought about a lot.  I have hunted for the last few years and have had very littly success.  I have had a lot of fun, but I have not brought anything home exept for some great memories.  Which don't get me wrong, I'm not upset about it, but it is a little frustrating.  How much will a guide teach you?  would I gain the the knowledge to be a better hunter or do I just need more time in the woods?

[huntnphool]

Some great points guys. I see nothing wrong with guided hunts as long as they are not high fence. Lets say you have hunted most of your life and by now a very accomplished hunter. You have been applying for 15+ years and finally draw that out of state OIL sheep tag. Obviously you have never hunted them before and its not like you have years of experience to fall back on when your hunt is 3 months away, there is only so much prep work you can do and driving to another state each weekend to scout is out of the question. Should you feel bad because you hire a guide from the area to help you out, I dont think so, I wouldn't look at someone differently if they did, in fact I would almost expect it.

[Coasthunterjay]

me neither, who do you guide for?
thats awesome.

Yeah i have been guiding for Joe at Sherman creek outfitters for now 3 years, And in the blues for a few years before that. But i was raised up here and have done very well for myself since i was a little kid so i kind of like to just share it with the rest when i get a chance....but i still come off as a young buck to everyone untill you get me in the woods...Thats my territory..... But the guiding is just part time. I am still in the military so that is always first, but whatever time i can get off and help i do...Joes a good outfitter to work for and i enjoy helping him out......

[whacker1]

Coast - Excellent - I have heard good things about Sherman Creek Outfitters

[Pathfinder101]

I would go guided if I could afford it.  Have never hunted guided, but I have fished guided and it was worth every penny.  After I graduated Ranger School I treated myself and a buddy to a guided day on the Madison in MT.  Even though the fishing was horrible (we each only hooked one brown), we learned sooo much we both said that is was like attending fly fishing school. 
I can imagine that hiring a hunting guide for an area you don't know would be much the same.

[TheHunt]

Coast summed it up pretty well.  I have never been on a guided hunt for big game.  I just do not have the money.  I do like reading how everyone has done on their guided hunt. 

[bow-n-head]

I don't have any problem with guided hunts on public land leases where everyone has a chance at a PUBLIC resource. But when an outfitter or landowner shuts down land so some over paid out of stater can shoot a deer in my back yard  . I can look at these animals from the county roads that I take care of but can't shoot one because I can't make 100,000 a year around here, ok I feel my blood preasuse spiking so I'll have to do some more ranting alittle later.

[norsepeak]

I agree, guided hunts aren't for everyone, but so far, all of my clients have said that they had a great time and were glad that they hired us.  I had an archery client last season that paid for a full 6 day hunt.  We hunted hard, and got real close a couple of times, but no luck...so after his hunt, the next client came into camp.  We took her out for three days and she scored on a nice 6x7 bull.  So after she left, I took the remaining three days of her hunt took the first client at no charge.  We ended up hunting 10 days with the first client, but still didn't get him a bull.  At the end of the season he shook my hand and said the he appreciated the extra effort and that he learned a lot and had a great time and it was worth every penny.  I told him that the next time he draws I would give him a full hunt for half price to get him a bull.  The point is he paid for the experience and even though he didn't get a bull, he had a great time.  So, I understand guided hunts aren't for everyone, but neither is DIY backpack hunting.  I'm actually going on my first guided hunt this year and really looking foward to it even though I'm a major DIY kinda guy.

[bow-n-head]

OK I know this is guided vs. unguided and I don't blame anyone who has the money to pay a guide to do so. Let them deal with the headache of where to hunt . But when FWP does their animal count they should discount the animals on private property where the hunting public doesn't have access. I am fed up with their whining about all the deer eating their hay and not allowing hunters on, other than the few willing to shell out 4-6k to shoot a buck :yike:and these few people arenot enough to do any animal control. Then a few of these landowners I know personally want to be issued kill permits in january to shoot deer and leave them lay. I can't believe I am the only one who sees this as wrong! These animals are supposed to belong to the public, but we have no access to them and the landowner gets to basically sell them to the highest bidder! When FWP does their game count in the middle of winter, I would like to see a state tax on every animal on their property. OH say 100 dollars a head . That should cover the extra wardens needed to watch the landowners all winter to make sure they aren't shooting them and leaving them lay. I know it's a little radical, but I am fed up

[captbly]

Whats a guided hunt for deer typically cost?

[huntnphool]

Depends on whitetail or Mule deer, size of the deer, which state if in the US, Mexico or Canada, time of year etc. etc. etc.