To go guided or not

[pete]

I've been lurking on rokslide for a while, trying to absorb as much info as possible. Due to some fortunate turns in life and work, it looks like I can plan my first trip out west. The question I want to get some feedback on is this: Should I go guided, semi-guided/dropcamp, or DIY? This will most likely be for mule deer in Idaho. I'm leaning guided or semi-guided/dropcamp to increase my odds, and hopefully gain knowledge that would probably take me a few years to gain (my thought process goes).
I respect the opinions presented on rokslide, so I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks guys and gals.

 

[LJ Buck]

Study maps and get up high and you should find deer. I like the DIY thing but thats just me. After you get up their the first time you will realize filling the tag holds less importance then you thought for that first year. It does become a lot more important after that. IMO.

 

[Trr15]

Study maps and get up high and you should find deer. I like the DIY thing but thats just me. After you get up their the first time you will realize filling the tag holds less importance then you thought for that first year. It does become a lot more important after that. IMO.

Agreed...if you're dead set on filling your tag you should continue to consider going guided. The learning curve is steep the first couple of years.

 

[pete]

Thanks for the replies. I can understand the value of going DIY a couple years and "paying for the experience."

 

[pete]

Also, any outfitter recommendations would be great. I have not found much in the way of independent reviews.

 

[tstowater]

Guides don't very often guarantee success. Short of being in a hay field where all the deer feed and your ability to make a shot, you still have to put in the time to get in shape and be capable of shooting whatever weapon you are using. BTW, are you planning on using a bow or a gun? If you are using a bow, semi-guided or DIY may make more sense. I have had some of my best hunting experiences where no animals were taken. Short of getting meat, dead animals can be over rated and sometimes only serve to boost our ego. Yeah, we all like to be successful, it's just how you define success.

If this is truely going to be that "hunt of a lifetime" then get a guide otherwise consider it a great adventure and learning experience and just decide how far you want to push yourself---you may be surprised. There can be a lot more satisfaction of knowing that you did it and not just the "trigger man". I have done quite a number of guided hunts due to location and type of animal, but I really like the DIY due to the planning, effort required, etc. and the ultimate satisfaction of knowing that you did it. If you do go on a guided hunt, make sure that you are on the same page as the outfitter as far as expectations of both parties. Not being on the same page can be a major downer. Also, the guide shouldn't be your personal servant, but really a friend that is showing you a good time and experiencing the outdoors together. Frankly, I have been on several hunts where the guide is more concerned about shooting something than I was. Good luck and have fun with whatever your choice is.

 

[Travis Bertrand]

If you can afford it. I would find a good guide for the reasons you stated. The knowledge alone is worth the fee I think. I'm not saying you are not a good hunter nor you will be unsuccessful if you didn't go guided. I'm saying your chances will be higher at having a successful hunt if you do. There is a pride factor in a diy hunt but men especially have a hard time swallowing their pride sometimes.

I wouldn't want to go try and tackle a whitetail hunt back east without a guide because I don't know a friggin thing about them! On top of that, I am hoping to draw an elk tag this year in Nevada and if I draw in a certain unit, the first phone call I make will be to a certain guide to book a hunt. The reason is I'm not an elk hunter, I don't know jack about them and this guide is great! He knows the animal well and I will learn a lot about elk(plus he has horses)

That's just me.

 

[pete]

Guides don't very often guarantee success. Short of being in a hay field where all the deer feed and your ability to make a shot, you still have to put in the time to get in shape and be capable of shooting whatever weapon you are using. BTW, are you planning on using a bow or a gun? If you are using a bow, semi-guided or DIY may make more sense. I have had some of my best hunting experiences where no animals were taken. Short of getting meat, dead animals can be over rated and sometimes only serve to boost our ego. Yeah, we all like to be successful, it's just how you define success.

This would be a rifle hunt. My thinking is that w/ a guide, I would have greater opportunity, not necessarily success. If I went DIY, I would be going w/ zero expectations. Guided, slightly higher expectations.

If this is truely going to be that "hunt of a lifetime" then get a guide otherwise consider it a great adventure and learning experience and just decide how far you want to push yourself---you may be surprised. There can be a lot more satisfaction of knowing that you did it and not just the "trigger man". I have done quite a number of guided hunts due to location and type of animal, but I really like the DIY due to the planning, effort required, etc. and the ultimate satisfaction of knowing that you did it. If you do go on a guided hunt, make sure that you are on the same page as the outfitter as far as expectations of both parties. Not being on the same page can be a major downer. Also, the guide shouldn't be your personal servant, but really a friend that is showing you a good time and experiencing the outdoors together. Frankly, I have been on several hunts where the guide is more concerned about shooting something than I was. Good luck and have fun with whatever your choice is.

This would probably be more like a hunt or two of a decade. I think I like the idea of being able to see the how and the why w/ a guide, but I very much understand and see the appeal in DIY. Thanks for sharing your perspective.

 

[bivouaclarry]

IMO, you have to determine how much you are willing to pay for access to someones experience when weighing DIY versus guided when you are newbie. A good guide can jump start your knowledge and putting a price on that is hard to quantify. In order to make paying for someone else's experience valuable, you'll have to find the right guide. When you hire a guide, you will end up hunting the area how they feel it is the best way to hunt. That could be driving/atv'ing to a spot. Riding horses to and from base camp. It could be hiking your tail off doing 10 mile days.

In the end, if you just want to kill something, none of that may matter if you reach your end goal. If you are looking to learn, you'll need to be very particular about who you hire. Consider your due diligence in finding a guide the time you would spend scouting/researching if you were DIY. Call past clients that were successful and, more importantly, unsuccessful. Ask about how they guide hunts. What is supplied. What the attitude of the guides is like when members of the group are struggling to keep up. How the guide changed tactics when things did not go as planned. Will you be 1 on 1 with the guide or will they pair you with someone you do not know. I've read of hunts ruined because an in shape client was paired with one who was out of shape and they had to cater to the slacker. All very, very important.

No matter which route you go, come in the best shape of your life. You'll enjoy the experience 10X more if you are not gasping for air 30 minutes out of camp. More importantly, you'll quickly earn the respect of your guide for being in shape. They will typically be more willing to take you places and teach you things because they can tell you put the time in to be prepared.

Finally, hiring a guide does not guarantee success. You are buying experience, knowledge and logistical support for your hunt. If you can learn a ton from the expert you hire, then you will get more for your money.

 

[Nick Muche]

Depending on your expectations in terms of trophy quality I would be very concerned if you were to go on a guided mule deer hunt, with a rifle, and came home with nothing.

 

[JJHACK]

As a Professional hunter in Africa I am the " guide" because of my career. However now living in eastern Wa. and having fishing as a passion. I often hire a guide on the columbia to get some education with my fishing. I just look at it as the tuition it is to teach me.

It's expensive to hire an outfitter to take you, but if you consider not just the hunt success improvement, but the long term education it's not a bad bad deal. You can use your education for ever. I've taken plenty of guys who don't want an education, they just want to be pointed in the direction of game an told when to shoot. However I have also had plenty of guys that want to learn everything they can about the hunting and leave with a tremendous experience.

Hire a guide but remember to use him as an educator for your future, not just to "guide" you

 

[Ross]

Depending on your big mt experience and confidence in getting it done and having fun it may be best to hire a guide for your first out west hunt. That being said the price of a guide could fund several further hunts/ tags in the future.

 

[MuleyFever]

Hire a guide but remember to use him as an educator for your future, not just to "guide" you

If this is your first western hunt and you are going solo I agree with this statement if you can afford it. If you don't plan on doing this every year the guide will help a lot. Another consideration is the gear needed to go solo in the backcountry. Do you want to buy the gear and only use it twice a decade as you said? I went guided on my first mule deer hunt and learned a lot.

 

[Shrek]

Success will be so much sweeter after a couple of DIY arse kickings.

 

[Beendare]

IMO, you have to determine how much you are willing to pay for access to someones experience when weighing DIY versus guided when you are newbie. A good guide can jump start your knowledge and putting a price on that is hard to quantify. In order to make paying for someone else's experience valuable, you'll have to find the right guide. When you hire a guide, you will end up hunting the area how they feel it is the best way to hunt. That could be driving/atv'ing to a spot. Riding horses to and from base camp. It could be hiking your tail off doing 10 mile days.

In the end, if you just want to kill something, none of that may matter if you reach your end goal. If you are looking to learn, you'll need to be very particular about who you hire. Consider your due diligence in finding a guide the time you would spend scouting/researching if you were DIY. Call past clients that were successful and, more importantly, unsuccessful. Ask about how they guide hunts. .....

.......If you can learn a ton from the expert you hire, then you will get more for your money.

Good advice^^^^

 

[pete]

I think I have a better idea of what to look for and ask about. I plan on working hard for success, guided or not, and making sure that fitness won't be a limiting factor. Just have to decide whether I want to start with the school "DIY arse kickings" (I got a kick out of this) or some guide education! Appreciate the input guys.

 

[Ross]

The good thing about a deer is you can take care of it yourself easily from the backcountry if in good shape, by yourself even the fit will be taxed getting out an elk by themselves. This takes a further step of planning out of the equation if you do decide to go diy.