Working for an Outfitter

[ruchtir]

It has always been a dream of mine to work as a guide in places like Alaska, Northwest Territories, or British Columbia. I figure my time to do it is coming upon me soon. I will be graduating college soon, and as I see it, have nothing tying me down. I am 21 years old and live in Wisconsin. I think I posses the right traits and mentality to work for an outfitter. I love meeting new people, and love taking people hunting and put just as much effort if not more effort into helping them fill a tag then I do myself. Watching someone on a successful hunt brings me just as much joy and satisfaction.

Obviously I cannot start off as a guide. From what I’ve heard many outfitters will hire you as a packer and you are able to work your way up from there? I suppose I’m looking for a little guidance as to my potential opportunities. I’m also curious if it is even possible for me to work for someone outside the US like let’s day the NWT.

Any information is much appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

[JFKinYK]

You'll need a work visa to work in Canada (legally). This is possible, but it would be much easier for you to work in Alaska.

There's less packer work in the NWT because of helicopters.

 

[mtmuley]

Lots of guide schools out there. mtmuley

 

[IdahoElk]

Rather than go to school I would work for an outfitter first and see if you really like it. Like you said, before you're a guide you'll be a wrangler,do you love horses and know your way around them? do you like solitude and spending days and weeks alone? Wranglers generally spend their day shuttling either people or supplies from point A to B,the hours are very long,it's hard work and the pay isn't that great.
I don't mean to sound negative but the guides by me burn out after a few years unless it is their calling in life.
I wish you luck following your dreams.

 

[marktole]

I went to work for an outfitter in Colorado as a wrangler when I graduated from college last year. I even got to do a little guiding by seasons end. It was an INCREDIBLE experience and I wouldn’t trade the it for anything. Got to meet a lot of new people, made some good friendships with other guys who worked there, and learned a lot about hunting, animals, weather conditions from early archery to late rifle in the mountains, what gear I liked, all kinds of good stuff.

But, as others have said, it was long hours, the pay wasn’t great, it’s hard work, and you’d better have the patience of a saint to deal with a string of tired, hungry horses in a pack string. Without owning the business and being able to be in a manager kind of role where you’re just directing the logistics of setting camps, taking in hunters and supplies, booking your hunts, etc., it’s a hard way to make a living.

But anyways, I say do it. At least for a year. Better to know and have tried then wonder what if when you’re too old to find out.

 

[ruchtir]

I went to work for an outfitter in Colorado as a wrangler when I graduated from college last year. I even got to do a little guiding by seasons end. It was an INCREDIBLE experience and I wouldn’t trade the it for anything. Got to meet a lot of new people, made some good friendships with other guys who worked there, and learned a lot about hunting, animals, weather conditions from early archery to late rifle in the mountains, what gear I liked, all kinds of good stuff.

But, as others have said, it was long hours, the pay wasn’t great, it’s hard work, and you’d better have the patience of a saint to deal with a string of tired, hungry horses in a pack string. Without owning the business and being able to be in a manager kind of role where you’re just directing the logistics of setting camps, taking in hunters and supplies, booking your hunts, etc., it’s a hard way to make a living.

But anyways, I say do it. At least for a year. Better to know and have tried then wonder what if when you’re too old to find out.

How did you go about finding that job? Did you hear about it somewhere or did you contact the outfitter about a job?

 

[cnelk]

This Google search took about 25 seconds - Hunting Ranch Jobs | Job categories | Ranch Work.com | Get a Ranch Job

 

[mtmuley]

Rather than go to school I would work for an outfitter first and see if you really like it. Like you said, before you're a guide you'll be a wrangler,do you love horses and know your way around them? do you like solitude and spending days and weeks alone? Wranglers generally spend their day shuttling either people or supplies from point A to B,the hours are very long,it's hard work and the pay isn't that great.
I don't mean to sound negative but the guides by me burn out after a few years unless it is their calling in life.
I wish you luck following your dreams.

Whatever you do, school or not, get comfortable with horses. Packing them, saddling them, riding and all the general care. A school will help with that. Do it now before you have a family to support. mtmuley

 

[ruchtir]

Whatever you do, school or not, get comfortable with horses. Packing them, saddling them, riding and all the general care. A school will help with that. Do it now before you have a family to support. mtmuley

I would consider myself fairly comfortable with horses. I did rodeo when I was a kid, and my parents still have horses. Its been awhile. But I am comfortable and familiar with horses. My first thought was to go to a school, but saw a thread on an Alaskan forum where they talked about guide school essentially meaning "Packer."

 

[CX5Ranch]

Go for it. That chance doesn't open up very often. A mortgage and 3 kids will shoot that in the foot for you.

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[skaldugwas]

the pay might be bad, but you shouldn't have any expenses while you are doing it unless you are being taken advantage of. The experience would easily make up the balance of what constitutes "good pay".

 

[marktole]

How did you go about finding that job? Did you hear about it somewhere or did you contact the outfitter about a job?

I actually found the guy right here on Rokslide! He posted an ad looking for help and I answered it. Talked to him and one of his guides on the phone a few times and boom, had a job for 6 months.

Before I found him I was looking on state’s guide and outfitter assosciation pages (google Montana/Idaho/wherever Guide and Outfitter Association. I mostly just sent emails to outfits I thought looked good after checking out their web pages, but honestly I didn’t have any luck doing that. I got lucky running across the help wanted here on rokslide.

I know that’s not what you wanted to hear, but I looked for probably 3 1/2 months before I caught a break. I had a few buddy’s I went to college with who did the same thing. One of them had a harder time finding one than I did. The other guy stumbled onto an incredible gig for an outfitter in Wyoming in like 3 days of looking. He’s in his second year and planning to stay long term.

Honestly, if you really want to do it, I’d just keep looking and looking. Something is bound to come up for you eventually.

 

[schmalzy]

Go for it. That chance doesn't open up very often. A mortgage and 3 kids will shoot that in the foot for you.

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The truth.