A Problem with Guides

[Mike D Texas]

You can’t lump all guides into the same pile.

People are people and it doesn’t matter if they are a slob guide, a slob landowner or a slob public land hunter. Slobs are slobs.

To say guided hunts shouldn’t be allowed on public land that the guide and his hunter pay taxes for (directly or indirectly) is just dumb.


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[Ryan Avery]

Some people are dicks, some are not. I've had way more trouble with the general hunting public than I've had with outfitters.

 

[Calcoyote]

I have never used a guide. Just don't have that kind of money to throw around. I have had a few interactions with them and they have been VERY positive. However, I have heard some horror stories of guides that seem to feel a sense of ownership of public land. All I can say is all licensed guides have a state agency that regulates them and has the authority to suspend and even revoke their license. If I ran across a guide acting in an abusive manner I would PROMPTLY report him. Any threats of bodily harm, or forcing me off of a trail with his livestock would also be reported to the county sheriff.

EDIT TO ADD: I have also heard of several POSITIVE stories where guides have come across hunters in the back country packing out their elk and have offered to pack it to the trailhead free of charge. I have also heard of guides who have happened across hunters that were with sick or injured and packed them out free of charge. While there are some bad guides there are also some really good ones as well.

 

[velvet muley]

Some people are dicks, some are not. I've had way more trouble with the general hunting public than I've had with outfitters.

Agreed with your statement.

That being said, given that the general public out numbers guides at an astronomical number it would be expected that a guy would have more run ins with the public vs guide.

If that number is even close though that should tell us something.

 

[Ryan Avery]

Agreed with your statement.

That being said, given that the general public out numbers guides at an astronomical number it would be expected that a guy would have more run ins with the public vs guide.

If that number is even close though that should tell us something.

Depends on where you're hunting. I run into outfitters a lot more in the wilderness. They have been great. Now, assholes with Llamas not so much. HAHA.

 

[elkguide]

Welcome to the forum @Gaddyman.

 

[Tobe_B]

Depends on where you're hunting. I run into outfitters a lot more in the wilderness. They have been great. Now, assholes with Llamas not so much. HAHA.

Llamas are the real menace. We got in a pretty good wreck that almost turned violent after a dude tied his llamas up in the trail blocking all traffic in a really shitty spot. He refused to move them. Ever turn 14 loaded horses around in the mountains? That takes a lot of space and a lot of time.

 

[Tobe_B]

Are you actually guiding them on their hunts or just my providing the supporting pack stock? I know it’s technically considered guiding to do both in most areas but that’s also probably another distinction I’m not sure the OP made and from what I read is mostly writing about full-guide/outfit where they are providing the meals, lodging (wall tent), horses and then going out 1on1 or 1on2 guide to hunter to call, spot and get the hunter a shot opportunity.

I think just providing the stock and support mitigates some of the territorial and envious feelings guides get towards DIYers as the expectation for a harvest is likely not the same and if a hunter fails to harvest it’s on them, not the guide that just took $5k+ from them.

I’ve worked for outfitters that do both. I don’t do any guiding, never have and never will, I’m not a people person. The outfitter I’ve most currently worked with does drop camps and drop services. He has three “permanent” camps they stay all season and camps set up anywhere in his area for 14 days max. I’d say it’s 75% drop service and about 25% of supplied drop camps.