I am really appreciating this thread. I am relatively new to hunting (only been hunting 4 years) so reading all of the comments really shows how cloak and dagger these hunts can be. I recently made the decision to hunt out of the state of Nevada. I found myself asking some people where to hunt and after awhile realized I was being stupid (again). I am in the process of just satellite scouting areas that look good on OnX Hunt Maps and will chose my own areas/spots. That way, I will learn on my own through trial and error, just like EVERY OTHER HUNTER out there who is worth his salt.
However, there are some folks that are super helpful and to a fully retarded degree. I did not draw a tag last year but a good friend of mine drew a late rifle Bull Elk tag. I was honored to help him and his group, but one of the guys was a bit too helpful. He finished up his rifle deer tag and had scouted the area already. While packing out his deer, he GUIDED another hunter (who had his own non-resident sob story) into a bull Elk and then helped him pack out. He got back to his house tired from packing out two animals.
When the hunt started for my good friend, the super helper guy in our group was tired and unprepared for my friend's hunt. He also was giving out info left and right and when it came time for my friend to get his chance (in a lifetime), it turned out there were a few less bulls. I personally blame this super helper guy for the lack of success of the hunt. There were other factors, like shooting his shotgun at grouse throughout the day and bumping heards out of the timber (all thanks to super helper guy) but it was a disappointing hunt in general, especially with all of the Elk I was spotting. If I am helping a friend, he is my number one priority. Don't get me wrong, I like to help (years in Search and Rescue) but never go full retard.