Guiding

[chippewawarrior]

I guide just about every time I hit the outdoors... It's called, "Dad". I couldn't imagine it any other way?

 

[brushape]

I guided fly fisherman in super remote areas of western alaska and kodiak island for 4 years, it was great and felt like I was living the dream but I got spoiled and i havent had the desire to fly fish or steelhead fish really ever since I gave it up, It also was hell trying to find jobs during the off season. Nobody wants to hire someone that plans on being gone 6 months a year. Also giving up my entire deer season each year was enough reason alone to quit

 

[tipsntails7]

Hey BAG tell me how you really feel. You have been doing the Summer gig for a while so I know you have had your share of less than perfect clients. When you have a hunter come in and proceed to get falling down drunk, or hit on your wife,or call your guides racial epithets, or abuse your stock it is tough to feel they deserve your best efforts. I've seen that happen in camps and I know I would not handle it well. Especially during hunting season. In the summer there isn't the pressure to "produce" like there is hunting.

In my post above I was honest about MY limitations...I also called it selfish...

2rocky your right and a big reason why I left it in the first place is bad clients. I never felt the pressure of producing but then again I never guided big game. I was fortunate to have access to GREAT waterfowl land and always new If I did my part we would have at least a decent day. With big game I'm sure it is much different. Also never had to worry about drinkers. Do what you want but stay in line and make it to the truck by the time we were leaving. If you didn't you got left. With the racial stuff I only experienced that once, and not towards me. The guide called the owner I the outfitter, he got out of bed drove down to the lodge packed he guys stuff up and when they got back cut him a check and sent him on his way. Working for an outfit that will stand behind you no matte what takes care of a lot of client headaches.

 

[JimCraig]

Last season was my first year guiding. Worked for an outfitter up in the Frank Church. One year of guiding in no way qualifies me to make recommendations, so I'll just give some observations and experiences. I'm married and my wife was due with our first child right in the middle of the season. That made it really hard to be away. Made me feel pretty selfish, and my current feeling is that I'll probably only guide more in the future if it is for a couple weeks at a time. That's just me. The pay isn't that good, and my outfitter paid more than most, 1k per week guiding. I kind of got burned by my outfitter. He pulled me off a hunt last minute because he was worried my wife would have the baby and I'd have to leave mid hunt. Ten days before she was due. So he had me run the pack mule string for other hunts going on. He told me the pay would be the same as guiding. After that week he paid me 300 bucks and explained it was because I packed with another guide so it didn't really count. Burned. So my observation is that some outfitters can really just look out for themselves, no matter how nice and personable they are. Next, the clients. This is what really gave me a bad taste. They're stuck in a tough spot. The outfitter talks them up and they have really high expectations, but NO work ethic. They want an elk with no effort. My clients would complain after a mile. I'm sure there are hunters that aren't like this, but that's what I got. I had two clients quit the second to last day of the hunt. I had to hike them out. Again, this is just my experience. It's hard going from dealing and associating with hunters like here on Rokslide and then trying to please hunters that don't want anything to do with effort. Gotta love the DIY hunter. So for me I just didn't like associating with the type of hunter that wasn't really willing to put in the work. Takes a lot of the fun out of it. Long post, sorry.

 

[Blackcow]

Think long and hard about it, then think about it some more. Myself, or anyone else that guides, could talk you into it and then turn around and talk you right back out of it. I guarantee it won't be what you think it is.Maybe better, maybe worse, probably both. You'll be guiding, not hunting, and there is a difference. Good luck.

 

[SDHNTR]

I worked on offshore sportfishing boats for many years in high school, college, and a couple years after. I absolutely love offshore fishing. But after doing it for so many years, I got burnt out bad and it took all enjoyment out of fishing. I didn't even touch a fishing rod for a couple years. Everything has a point of diminishing returns.

My take is to get a good enough job that you can tolerate, pays well, and that allows you ample time and money to hunt on your own. Then you get to hunt on your terms, and as 2Rocky said, you don't have to wipe the nose of some underserving Nancy boy. And you will make enough and have benefits to provide for you and your family's future. What are you gonna do when you are 70? You may not physically be able to work anymore, and you almost certainly will not have earned enough to have properly saved for retirement. Forget about it if you want to have a family. Health insurance? Huh? Obama to the rescue, right? 401k? Disability coverage? Life insurance?

Not trying to be a buzzkill, just a realist. Guiding is for young single guys who haven't figured it out yet, or those free spirits who don't think about tomorrow.

 

[gulicemo]

I worked on offshore sportfishing boats for many years. I absolutely love offshore fishing. But after doing it for so many years, I got burnt out bad and it took all enjoyment out of fishing. I didn't even touch a fishing rod for a couple years. Everything has a point of diminishing returns.

My take is to get a good enough job that you can tolerate, pays well, and that allows you ample time and money to hunt on your own. Then you get to hunt on your terms, and as 2Rocky said, you don't have to wipe the nose of some underserving Nancy boy. And you will make enough and have benefits to provide for you and your family's future. What are you gonna do when you are 70? You may not physically be able to work anymore, and you almost certainly will not have earned enough to have properly saved for retirement. Forget about it if you want to have a family. Health insurance? Huh? Obama to the rescue, right? 401k? Disability coverage? Life insurance?

Not trying to be a buzzkill, just a realist. Guiding is for young single guys who haven't figured it out yet, or those free spirits who don't think about tomorrow.

My sentiments exactly. I was lucky enough to Guide part time through college and can to this realization after only a few years.

 

[Hornetoad326]

I started Guiding 3 years ago in Alaska and havnt looked back it is a job people dream of. its some of the toughest work around long hours babysitting grown men but i wouldnt trad it for anything. Sure im away from my loved ones at how but its quality not quantity

 

[orionsbrother]

There was a guy that came along with a buddy on an archery whitetail hunt. I would be out in the morning before he was moving around and I'd come back after dark. I'd only see him for a couple of hours a night at most. But that was more than enough time for him to elaborate on how "awesome" he was. Repeatedly.

My hat is off to you guys that guide. If he was on an elk hunt with me, I'd hit him with a rock. Repeatedly.

 

[Beendare]

Guiding has its plusses........and its minuses. The story of my last day as a guide- the readers digest version- grin

We used to do a bunch of hog hunting behind dogs in the late 70' early 80's. Then we thought, what is not to like about being paid to hunt so we got guides licenses and did a bunch of depredation on the state parks for hogs. It became obvious that though there was nothing I would rather do than hunt, it was different when I couldn't pick my hunting partners- in some cases much different. My last day guiding started out like the rest- tell the overweight guy he couldn't bring his pistol- in this case a Colt .45 auto (in a loose holster)

"Thats my granddaddies gun and if I don't take it you don't get your $300", he said. So as to save a long argument we warned him we werent responsible when he lost it in the thick Ca manzanita and under no circumstances was he to pull it out until we told him the dogs were clear.

fast fwd 3 hours and 5 miles later my buddy is dragging this guy to our 5 frantic dogs that have cornered a big 300# hog for the umpteenth time since this guy couldn't get his butt to the hog. I was trying to hold back a couple of big catch dogs so they wouldn't get sushi chefed by the big tusker. The fat azz finally got to the hog and boy did his eyes go wide. The dogs had a hog bayed in a hole in the creekbottom. The hunter just stood there dazed. I was pulling out my camera to take a couple pics ( the old instamatic) and the hunter pulls out his Colt with all of the dogs all over that hog in a tangled mess. My buddy screamed at him twice not to shoot and give him the gun. I swear, I can hardly remember my neighbors names but I can picture that moment like it was yesterday- in slo mo even. The guy turned with the pistol hammer back and pointed it right at my buddy Marks head 12" away.

Mark ducks and grabs the gun at the same time with his finger wedged between the hammer and the frame...and then just sits down hard with dogs and hog fighting like crazy no more than 10' away. He was ghost white. I handed the hunter my big pig sticker, jumped in and grabbed the back leg and with a lot of coaxing finally got the hunter to dispatch the hog- whew, glad that was over. Mark was just sitting there and I had to carefully pry the gun from his hand while relieving the hammer snapped on his finger.

Mark exploded. Mark, about a buck fifty soaking wet went at that hunter ex football player and I thought he was going to beat that guy silly.

I just remember telling myself on the ride home- NO MORE GUIDING...and I've enjoyed the heck out of hunting ever since

 

[Buster]

Guiding is not for everyone. I did it for 3 seasons. Found out I truly love showing people a great hunting experience. Unfortunately my first ever (and only) rifle guided hunt was with a shady outfitter and half ars drunk for a client. Got away from that outfitter, hooked up with an upstanding genuine outfitter, and guided a couple years for bowhunters.

I was always worried about getting another bad client, but every bowhunter I guided was upstanding and a pleasure to share a week with (about a dozen different hunts). Putting them on big mulies was a great feeling.

At the same time I was dating/engaged to my wife. It was a very tough time for us, and out relationship almost ended. Guiding is a great job, and I don't regret a minute of the hard work and long days, but it is not the ideal job for a family man.

 

[SDHNTR]

Cool story Beendare, and scary. One of my friends is a hog guide. He has similar horror stories, and several holes in his truck from AD's. I'm with you, no thanks.

 

[Coyote Commander]

If you like to hunt yourself, dont become a guide or a game warden.

 

[JimCraig]

View attachment 15856
Guiding has its plusses........and its minuses. The story of my last day as a guide- the readers digest version- grin

We used to do a bunch of hog hunting behind dogs in the late 70' early 80's. Then we thought, what is not to like about being paid to hunt so we got guides licenses and did a bunch of depredation on the state parks for hogs. It became obvious that though there was nothing I would rather do than hunt, it was different when I couldn't pick my hunting partners- in some cases much different. My last day guiding started out like the rest- tell the overweight guy he couldn't bring his pistol- in this case a Colt .45 auto (in a loose holster)

"Thats my granddaddies gun and if I don't take it you don't get your $300", he said. So as to save a long argument we warned him we werent responsible when he lost it in the thick Ca manzanita and under no circumstances was he to pull it out until we told him the dogs were clear.

fast fwd 3 hours and 5 miles later my buddy is dragging this guy to our 5 frantic dogs that have cornered a big 300# hog for the umpteenth time since this guy couldn't get his butt to the hog. I was trying to hold back a couple of big catch dogs so they wouldn't get sushi chefed by the big tusker. The fat azz finally got to the hog and boy did his eyes go wide. The dogs had a hog bayed in a hole in the creekbottom. The hunter just stood there dazed. I was pulling out my camera to take a couple pics ( the old instamatic) and the hunter pulls out his Colt with all of the dogs all over that hog in a tangled mess. My buddy screamed at him twice not to shoot and give him the gun. I swear, I can hardly remember my neighbors names but I can picture that moment like it was yesterday- in slo mo even. The guy turned with the pistol hammer back and pointed it right at my buddy Marks head 12" away.

Mark ducks and grabs the gun at the same time with his finger wedged between the hammer and the frame...and then just sits down hard with dogs and hog fighting like crazy no more than 10' away. He was ghost white. I handed the hunter my big pig sticker, jumped in and grabbed the back leg and with a lot of coaxing finally got the hunter to dispatch the hog- whew, glad that was over. Mark was just sitting there and I had to carefully pry the gun from his hand while relieving the hammer snapped on his finger.

Mark exploded. Mark, about a buck fifty soaking wet went at that hunter ex football player and I thought he was going to beat that guy silly.

I just remember telling myself on the ride home- NO MORE GUIDING...and I've enjoyed the heck out of hunting ever since

Ha! That sounds familiar! Had a client hunting black bear last fall with his 4" barrel Springfield XD 45. He insisted on it because "he'd killed whitetail back in Kentucky." Well guess what, big old beautiful bear came walking in and wouldn't you know it we tracked that bear all night and the whole next day. Started out tracking a lot of blood but it gradually petered out and the bear was unrecovered.

 

[bbrown]

Before I started guiding 5-6 years ago I sat down with good buddy who also happens to be an outfitter. For the life of me I could not figure out why anyone who likes to hunt would want be a wet nurse for a bunch of grown men (and women) instead of chasing animals for themselves. I figured being a "job" it would ruin something that I love. Long story short he basically explained that he is hunting for himself - he is just not the one pulling the trigger. At the time that did not make a whole lot of sense and honestly I thought he was just trying to justify it to himself but after guiding a few years it makes complete sense. Hell most of the time I am more excited and pumped up after a successful hunt than the client. Don't get me wrong - its damn hard work with long hours and clients can and will be a pain with the whining, carrying all their crap so they can try and keep up but the vast majority of our clients are hard working guys that save up all year for this "vacation".

Don't kid yourself, most outfitters are not getting rich off hunting - there are too many costs aside from the actual hunt like permits, insurance, vehicles, gear maintenance and upgrades, ranch fees, livestock and feed that occur year round. They are hopefully covering their costs and enough to provide for their families. As a guide you are up at least an hour before the clients to feed and saddle, out in the field before sun up and most of the day, back after dark to feed and care for the horses. After dinner and "entertaining" for a bit the clients usually retire to their tents but you are up for another hour or 2 unwinding and getting ready for the next day. To look at the hourly wages a quality guide makes would make you laugh but over the period of the hunt they do make decent money with tips.

What I am getting at is guiding is a good gig for a few but not for the majority.

 

[Jtelarkin08]

Kinda off topic.. But i have a question.. If you have a guide license/ are a licensed guide in one of the lower 48 can you hunt in Alaska without a guide?? Does the license transfer?? I have no clue so just curious

 

[2rocky]

Guide licenses are State specific and each state has their own requirements to qualify. Previous guide licenses may serve as a reference for experience in the application, but do not transfer per se.

 

[Beendare]

Cool story Beendare, and scary. One of my friends is a hog guide. He has similar horror stories, and several holes in his truck from AD's. I'm with you, no thanks.

Yeah, no worries...I tune in to forums like this to read posts like yours.

Guiding can have its benefits...I know guides that have a pretty well set client base of big money guys that treat them right. Took them many years to get to that point though....

 

[tstowater]

This is a little off franklin's question, but I will give you a perspective from several of the guides that I have had the privilege to hunt with due to the nature of the species and locations that I hunt. Guides are like hunters, some good, some bad, some real good, some real bad. Maybe my experiences are partial related to the fact that I give 110%, that I am hunting for the right reasons, that I respect my guide as a person and not a servant, that I give the guide what are my reasonable expectations of the hunt are and, ultimately, that the hunt will be fun. I find that these guides can more concerned about my success (dead animals) than I am on most of these hunts. I find that these guides are my friends whom I would hunt again in a heartbeat when we are done. Maybe I've gotten lucky, but I don't think that is the case.

I have spoken to many of these guides about the "why" question and most will tell you it is because they enjoy being on the hunt, not that they have to be the person pulling the trigger. For example unless you are a resident of BC or the Yukon, Stone sheep hunting is beyond most mortals financial ability unless they are really dedicated to saving the money and making the sacrifices to go. The scenery and animals cannot be done justice with pictures and video. Being there is really the only way to truely appreciate the sheer beauty of the hunt. Obviously, some of the sheep guides are at the pinnacle of the guiding circles and their abilities are amazing, but other quides are just as much appreciated in my book. Many of these guides know that the kill should only be a small part of the hunting experience and that makes are difference to them on why they do it. The hours can be ugly, the money limited and the time away from family is hard to imagine. The good ones are true professionals and a pleasure to hunt with. Most only wish that they could choose their hunters. Sorry about the rambling.

If you want to be the one pulling the trigger, don't become a guide as you will be disappointed.

 

[bbrown]

Very well stated ^^^