I've been on 2 guided hunts so far, one elk and another moose. I love the outdoors and the new experiences that come with new terrain and tactics. I went into both of them open minded, patient, understanding, and trusting the guide 100%. With the elk hunt, it turned into a "lodge hunt" vs tent. The crew just came out of the back country after 3 weeks and instead of them having to do "camp and horse chores" got to sleep in a bed, sleep later, and not have to deal with ANY horse dealings. We rode in 4WD's with heater on and they were on FB or social media the whole time. Even pushing me to wanting to stalk a smaller bull for an evening hunt, which ment waiting for him to come down on ranch land and me shooting him from behind a haybale. I told them no numerous times and even choose to go shoot a mule deer we had seen earlier to get away from that smaller bull elk stalk idea. I wound up shooting a 5x5 a few days later after insisting on a stalk hunt not a truck hunt.
The Moose hunt I was with the same friend. Normally I get 1st choice since I do all the research, booking, ect. His luggage was lost with his ammo, clothes, etc so I let him take the lead wearing my clothes and using my ammo. The guide was great. Done everything to make a hunt possible, ie ideas, played the wind, quietness, even explaining signs and such when there was no need. VERY enjoyable. After my friend shot his moose, it was my turn. IMMEADIATLY there was a shift in demeanor, tactics, hunting style. He started "forgetting" calls, cover scent, chainsaw, Hunting upwind, no constant wind checks, ripping off gaiters, no whisper talks, taking boots off while sitting, taking midday naps. Yea, my confidence and attitude did change on the 2nd day of my turn. On the 3rd day, we started riding 20mph for miles down a logging rd to try to catch one in the open. That's not how I wanted to hunt. I insisted we stop. I was getting frostbit from the wind riding. We were riding so fast for so long we could have past 30 moose just inside the trees and missed. Never once stopped to call or anything. I suggested we go back to were we saw fresh sign on the rode, hike back and call. We did and got set up in a beautiful little meadow/bog area and started calling. It wasn't long until he was dozing off in the best advantage point we were at. I went to my pack and ate, drank, and got ready for an all day sit. I woke him up and asked him to change spots were I could hunt and he could sleep. I called my moose in 30 min later while he was snoring behind me. I saw it running to me in a clear cut above us but he hung up in some trees in between us but kept grunting. I had goosebumps, rifle ready and was enjoying the hunt and view. The guide popped up beside me after a little bit and said "here comes a moose get ready and be quiet". I said" my rifles ready and he is right there, you be still and quiet." Sure enough he popped out and the guide kept telling me to shoot, while he was quartering towards me. I'm not taking a "quartering towards me shot" as a just appeared shot. I waited until he gave me a broad side shot and drilled him.
Not meaning to get away from this initial thread post but, I'm a hunter and as easy going as it gets while hunting the "unknown" but I do know right from wrong in hunting and I have yet to be able to experience my "dream hunt" with a guide. I'm still trying as I'm booked with another outfitter in Sept for my 1st archery elk hunt. I hope my guide and I can become "friends" and I get my dream hunt. It's not about the size, as I shot a smaller bull moose than I was after but the fact I called it in and that whole situation and place made it special.
Moral of all this imo.....go into a guided hunt with complete trust and confidence in your guide. But if things are not lining up with your hunting experience, knowledge, dreams, after a few days, don't be afraid to make a change to make your hunt enjoyable. Again, the experience is the hunt, for me anyhow..