Zero Outfitter Fees Reviews

[Blackcats06]

for all draws except turkey, you go 1-1/2 years per license
Elk/Antelope you go two years per license

Elk/Deer/Elk
Deer/Elk/Deer

Per regulation, you need a license valid on the last day of the app period. Jan 1 you can go in and buy the license, and set the start date to be the last day of the Elk app period. When the Elk app period opens, just go in and apply. In 2025, the license will still be valid on the last day of that years app period, which will be one day sooner than 2024. In 2025 you would then buy a new license with a start date set to the Deer app period last day.

Not this year. With 2024 being a leap year it doesn’t work.

 

[wapitibob]

Not this year. With 2024 being a leap year it doesn’t work.

works just fine
A 2023 license for the Elk draw was valid for 2024. A 2024 license bought at the application close, Feb 6, will be valid at the app close in 2025, Feb 4, which is the app date after the Commission moved both the Elk and Deer app dates forward a week at the August meeting.

 

[Maverick1]

Not this year. With 2024 being a leap year it doesn’t work.

You are playing checkers, son. @wapitibob is playing grand master level chess.

 

[alaska_bou]

This is basically the hunting version of an insurance pool for tags with low drawing odds. The idea is to get large numbers of people paying an annual fee of $599 to $749 for tags (and guided hunts) few will actually draw and utilize. No thanks!

 

[4cMuley]

Website reads a bit like a Ponzi scheme

 

[GatorMike]

Forgot to include their website for reference. https://zerooutfitterfees.com/ (Diamond Outfitters)

I have been a member for a few years.....my only issue is when you ask them how many members are there and of those...how many draw a tag...you do not get any answers (even on the conference calls that question is avoided). The other thing that is concerning is that it has been stated many times over the years that "applying without an outfitter number does not give you better odds to draw" which is 100% not true...now they rolled out an ELITE (substantially more expensive than basic membership) and they bragged that those Elite members will have "higher draw odds" because they submit their tag applications with an outfitter code. I like the owner, seems like a good guy....but I also like information and if there are thousands of members and only a tiny number draw a tag....what are you paying for as a free hunt is great...and I am certain they have some great outfitters in the program...but if you apply and pay dues for 5-10 years...its cheaper to just book an outfitter hunt yourself....pretty sure this will be my last year with them as I applied is every state they offered...then I applied with an outfitter using their code...and I drew with the outfitter in year 1 while I wasted thousands on applying in all the other states without one. Again...not bad mouthing ZOF...just providing my experience

 

[GatorMike]

I met the guy at various trade shows. Seems like a good guy. But I'm not joining his club, or any club. If I draw, I'll pay full price for a guide. If I never draw, I'm well ahead of the game.

I dealt with 3 NM guides. 2 good, 1 bad. There are 10 zillion guides in NM to deal with. the ZOF isn't my thing.

which NM guides did you have a good experience with?

 

[Short Track]

which NM guides did you have a good experience with?

Signal Peak is a good guy.

 

[GatorMike]

Signal Peak is a good guy.

ABSOLUTELY...Ryan is awesome...hunted with him and going out again this year with him

 

[LFC911]

ABSOLUTELY...Ryan is awesome...hunted with him and going out again this year with him

This will be my first year with him and looking forward to it. Glad to hear the good reviews.

 

[Kevin W]

I’m talking about the $749 annual subscription fee. In AZ I have a lot of points for non res elk and I’ve never drawn in 18 years of applying plus the loyalty point and the nonresident hunter safety point.Total elk points going into the AZ draw this year is at 20….18 years x $749 per year would have been = $13,482 plus the $160 AZ license fee it has cost me each year to apply = $2880..If a guy drew in the first couple years it’s a good deal.

Just watched / listened to Fred Eichler and Dan (something) do a "podcast" on the Future of Western Big Game Hunting. It turned out to be a Zero Outfitter Fees paid infomercial. I'm surprised / disappointed Fred would go along with this. I signed up because he was a part of it and thought it would be something with substance. Oh the annual subscription fee for Zero Outfitter Fees is now $1,149.00

 

[Short Track]

Just watched / listened to Fred Eichler and Dan (something) do a "podcast" on the Future of Western Big Game Hunting. It turned out to be a Zero Outfitter Fees paid infomercial. I'm surprised / disappointed Fred would go along with this. I signed up because he was a part of it and thought it would be something with substance. Oh the annual subscription fee for Zero Outfitter Fees is now $1,149.00

$1,197. I'm thinking about their business model. I have a bunch of WY points. Deer & Elk, lope. I have an outfitter picked out for 2027. Contract signed, deposit given. etc. Rather than doing what I did, I can join ZOF. Sign up for a WY hunt with ZOF. I know I'm going to draw WY because of my point status. They choose the outfitter, pay for my hunt, etc. Cost me $1200 rather than $7K for the WY outfitter. But I don't know what outfitter they use in WY. If it meets my needs, etc. I could have saved money if my method works.

 

[Wheels]

$1,197. I'm thinking about their business model. I have a bunch of WY points. Deer & Elk, lope. I have an outfitter picked out for 2027. Contract signed, deposit given. etc. Rather than doing what I did, I can join ZOF. Sign up for a WY hunt with ZOF. I know I'm going to draw WY because of my point status. They choose the outfitter, pay for my hunt, etc. Cost me $1200 rather than $7K for the WY outfitter. But I don't know what outfitter they use in WY. If it meets my needs, etc. I could have saved money if my method works.

Looks like if you’re a new member of ZOF you get 5 days outfitted which may or may not be enough time to kill. I wonder how hard the outfitters work for the one time members?