Was leaving the hunt worth it?

[MallardSX2]

How much did this hunt cost you?

 

[EddieNel]

You might want to share his information so others dont make the same mistake. I also can understand if you dont want to go there. There has got to be better guides in that area more accommodating to the paying guest/hunter. Word of mouth goes a long way and so does repeat business.

 

[WCB]

No way I would have left if the elk were going bonkers...I would have asked for a steep discount and went and killed an elk. Hell even burn part of a day and ride back down with the guide after a morning hunt go to town and grab food and come back up. 2-3 hr ride in is not very far.

With that said absolute b.s. conduct by the outfitter..

 

[PredatorSlayer]

This is a perfect example of somebody who wasn’t there to hunt elk. Should you have been refunded some money? Probably. Should you have bailed completely over not feeling special? I think its weak personally. Sounds like the guide was doing his job, the owner hung you both out to dry.

There has to be more to this story that you aren’t sharing? Was your wife 9 months pregnant and going into labor? Death in the family? Lose your job and couldnt afford the hunt anymore and really needed a full refund. Outside if that you come across as a complete entitled dipshidiot looking for an excuse to go home. Just being honest - I think you are going to regret this.

 

[Elkbelch]

Never been on a guided hunt, I just couldn’t see paying that much. I’ve seen enough on here and other places bashing clients and their abilities. I would just as soon not hunt with someone that secretly feels that way. There were always guides in the same areas we hunt and I wondered what those people paid for basically the same experience I was having on a DIY. I know we ate as well and probably had less success to a degree. It’s a lot of work to set up camp but I always found it rewarding

Shawn

 

[Mike Islander]

OP, do your job and tell the rest of the story.

 

[9.1]

My biggest struggle with hunting is just finding time to get into the woods. If I was already there, I'd have stayed and hunted.

 

[Billy Goat]

Was your tag only good with the guide?

Kinda sounds like a back country hunt to me.

about my “dream hunt” no expectations just seeing, hearing, and stalking elk and the anticipation of experiencing the backcountry camp.

Sounds to me like you already had those 3, on the first afternoon.
Yeah some food would have been nice for sure, but I don't go on a hunt to eat. 2-3 hrs ride in is nothing, send your guide to town while you rest if need be to get better rations, then make the most of it.

I guess the experience of the backcountry camp is a difference of camping and glamping, I like my comforts, but once you are there I'd be worried about hunting.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

So just to recap...you were in elk and you left because you had to eat Ramen?

 

[knale87]

No way I’d be leaving barring a family emergency. I’m sure this hunt was booked at least a year out. The cost of the trip, driving from South Carolina to Montana, mentally and physically preparing for the trip to leave what sounds like a pretty good opportunity to kill a bull.

Has to be more to the story.

 

[Jethro6x6]

wow- very doubtful would I have left with that kind of elk near,,, especially after "Cross fit for a year" ??? etc,, sounds like you talked yourself into leaving,,, like the others,,, answer the questions,,,,

 

[Djacker]

You tell us if it was worth it, your the one driving back to SC. To me it sounds like your trying to justify leaving and are probably regretting it. Personally I wouldn't have left that quick.

 

[ewade07]

Shit, ramen is what we used to live on back in the day at elk camp. No way I would have just up and left, especially if i had already wasted the time and money to drive all the way out from SC.

 

[CRJR45]

I would've stayed and hunted . I'd be pissed , but not to the point of leaving . You should've killed an Elk and ate steak .

 

[IdahoElk]

I understand you being upset "BUT" If you hunt in the Backcountry you need to learn to go with the flow and make lemonade from lemons.
Things usually go sideways whenever outfitters, wranglers, cooks and hunters mix, it's part of the backcountry experience, should have made the best of hunting in Gods country.

 

[5MilesBack]

Three packs of ramen......what was the guide and outfitter eating? And was he going to bring in new packs each day? Ya, that's messed up. I don't eat egg Mcmuffins even when they're hot and fresh. Now Burger King bacon Croissan'wiches are another story. I would have stayed, but negotiated a new deal.

 

[timberjack86]

I understand the food sucked, but that was a trip of a lifetime and sounds like the outfitter put you in a prime spot! IMO I would regret that decision the rest of my life.

 

[Smallie]

No way I would have left with elk bugling all around me. I've eaten granola bars and trailmix for a week and would have killed for Ramen to eat. I would have negotiated price on food for the week and gone out and killed an elk so I could eat backstrap.

 

[SoloWilderness]

Definitely wouldn't have left bugling elk. Put the owner on notice that he wasn't getting more than a 1/2 fee if he didn't step it up and quickly. Sounds like the cook/guide did his best to accommodate you, in spite of the owner being unprepared. Hopefully you at least tipped him for the time he spent. Also, elk inside of a couple hundred yards, make a move, don't have to wait for them to walk right in to a call.

 

[P Carter]

I’m leaving onmy first guided hunt Monday. I have my tent and enough calories for myself to eke through the week. As I see it, if they get be back and drop me off on elk I’m good to go and if I have to fight about money I’ll do it on the back end.

Shoot, worse case scenario and I may have a great “type 2 fun” story…