Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: bigbeamhunter on January 11, 2010, 04:42:11 PM

Title: guide school
Post by: bigbeamhunter on January 11, 2010, 04:42:11 PM: anyone know of a good guide school
Title: Re: guide school
Post by: Houndhunter on January 11, 2010, 04:48:29 PM: bearpaw is an outfitter on here and he runs a guide school, he has alota of different courses but id ask him about it. what ive found is its gonna be a chunk of change for any guide school you choose, but everyone ive looked at offers a job once you complete the course. i would like to do it just for the connections you get but now begining to doubt i will, just to hard to make a profit outa it unless you have some good connections
Title: Re: guide school
Post by: tomy salami on January 11, 2010, 05:03:30 PM: Before you go git a degree in guiding, consult a bankruptcy attorney.

Unless, you gots clientele stacked up deep with deposits in hand (and if you do, forgo the school) or got a full time job to pay the bills when its slow (lots are hurting, right now) or are independently wealthy or retired, it's a rough biz.

They come, they go, fresh batch, rinse, repeat.

Seems like it takes almost 10 years of a guy really sticking it out, almost starving, before he has the repeat clients to make a base for the biz.

Never met a guide who graduated from a school, and made a living doing it.

Good luck if you go for it.
Title: Re: guide school
Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 11, 2010, 05:08:28 PM: Like stated above, awfully seasonal work. On the other hand, if you are young, no family to support, and love people, horses and the woods, might not be a bad way to spend a couple of years. Maybe take the fall off from college, work as a guide, then go back to school in the winter...? :dunno:
Title: Re: guide school
Post by: high country on January 11, 2010, 05:12:46 PM: I would suggest talking to a guide that does the type of hunting you like. big difference between the bob marshall and manastash.
Title: Re: guide school
Post by: tomy salami on January 11, 2010, 05:16:50 PM: ................and if you get good at it, you may end up hating people, and dealing with their attitudes, lack of motor skills, and the LONG hours.

Think long and hard about whoring out what you love to do. Some can dig it, others can't.

If it is just to spend more time in the woods/on the water, consider lowering your required income, and spending 6 months a year doing it. Could end up $$ ahead.

Don't mean to piss in your Wheaties.
Title: Re: guide school
Post by: bigbeamhunter on January 11, 2010, 05:18:38 PM: thanks guys its not for me. my son graduates this year it looks good that he will have scholarship playin baseball but he thinks he might just want to try it i wish i would have at that age .
Title: Re: guide school
Post by: bigbeamhunter on January 11, 2010, 05:23:45 PM: man you guys need some sun and warm weather did you know elk season is only 9 months away just joking ..i know all the stuff you say is true but when your 18 and have know bills it sounds kinda fun..i know how clients can be they come outa shape cant make it up the first hill or they already know it all..
Title: Re: guide school
Post by: tomy salami on January 11, 2010, 05:27:21 PM: Baseball scholarships trump trying to cut a living like that. Everyday.

Not trying to stop nobody. Doubt I will. If a gent really has a *censored* for it, try it. Somebody has to be good at it, why not go for it.

Just letting the pitfalls be known.
Title: Re: guide school
Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 11, 2010, 05:32:48 PM: If I were 18 and no one to support, I would consider doing it...BUT...I would NOT give up a baseball scholarship to do it either...
Title: Re: guide school
Post by: vanhornhunter on January 11, 2010, 07:26:55 PM: If I where you I would go to Royal tine. They are a top notch school. Check them out.
Royaltine.com I went there so my opion may be bias but it was a blast and I learned alot about what it really takes to be a guide.
Title: Re: guide school
Post by: Snowman on January 11, 2010, 07:34:53 PM: Let your boy know if he does become a guide foreget hunting for yourself, won't have time. Also look at C.O.A.G.S. ( Colorad Outdoor Adventure & Guide School). Is spendy but do guarantee job placement afterwards with a guide already in bus.. The owner is a real cool guy. Was looking into myself, but got a family an bills.
Title: Re: guide school
Post by: let.it.fly on January 12, 2010, 07:48:55 AM: i have been thinking about this aswell. i was gona start looking for a guide that does an apprentiship program. i would be willing to do it for free just to get in the woods and learn more. i had a blast this year. i filled my tags then i got to take my friends out and help with theres. both people i helped this year that didnt realy know anything about the area got there deer. galpster got his when i wasnt there but in an area i was happy to show him. to bad it just got rezoned and now is unhuntable :cryriver:
Title: Re: guide school
Post by: jackelope on January 12, 2010, 07:55:02 AM: "catdogs" on here too....

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,37663.0.html
Title: Re: guide school
Post by: fishcrazy on January 18, 2010, 10:38:48 AM: Quote from: tomy salami on January 11, 2010, 05:16:50 PM
Think long and hard about whoring out what you love to do. Some can dig it, others can't.

If it is just to spend more time in the woods/on the water, consider lowering your required income, and spending 6 months a year doing it. Could end up $$ ahead.

Wise words!!!! I have rolled this idea around in my head for a few years. and these ver words are what I have been telling myself.

Kris