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Jesse's Hunting > Hunting Articles > Hunting Articles Archives > Planning Your Out of State Hunt - Part 4
Planning Your Out of State Hunt - Part 4
Dave Blake - JHO ProStaff
- LA, CA
July 29, 2006
Whenever I go on a hunt I always put together a checklist of what I need to have with me. I've been caught without important items too many times to skip the checklist anymore. There are all kinds of checklists for each different hunt which also include sub-lists that could go on forever.
A list of questions to ask a potential outfitter is as valuable as the list of things to take on the trip. Questions such as, “What is included in the price of the hunt?”, or “Are there any trophy fees?”, or “How many miles of hiking will there be per day, and how steep is the terrain?” just scratch the surface when it comes to knowing what to prepare for.
I posed some questions to a couple of guides from reputable outfitters to see if they could give some perspective from a guide's standpoint. Johnnie Laird of Muskeg Excursions in Alaska and Tom Henderson from Bitterroot Outfitters in Montana each shared some insights and considerations.
So let’s hear it in their own words…
Q - What should a prospective client expect to get on a fully guided hunt?
Tom Henderson - Lodging, good meals, an experienced guide that gives 100%
Jonnie Laird - Hunters expect different things on a Guided hunt. There are many different types of hunting offered and many Guides do things differently. Some Guides offer all inclusive packages including even license and tags. Travel (from home to the nearest jet port) however is never included. Some of the travel (once arrived in area) is sometimes included. As hard expenses (license, fuel, permits, wages for help, etc) go up more Guides are requiring hunters to pay (not included in hunt rate) for field travel especially with the rising charter airplane costs due to high fuel costs. Hunters should check all things out carefully and expect a signed contract that clearly states what is and is not offered.
Q - What preparations should a hunter make for a guided hunting trip on one of your properties?
Tom Henderson - He/she should practice shooting and feel comfortable shooting 300 yards. They should also do some kind of cardiovascular workout.
Jonnie Laird - I send along a general gear list. Also I communicate with the hunter quite a lot. Understanding what the right gear (if any special is needed) is; is very important. Mental as well as physical prep is very important. Reading and understanding the rules and regulations book (for the area and species you will be hunting) is very important also. A current reg book should be provided in your hunter packet, sent to you by your Guide. Having the right tools for the hunt (gun and ammo) is also very important.
Q - What are some key items that should be in your client's backpacks?
Tom Henderson - 2 small flashlights, 2 Bic lighters, fire starter, 1 knife, and a camera
Jonnie Laird - Most hunters bring along too much. But it might be better to have it and not use it (within reason) than to need it and not have it. Cross check with your guide’s gear list and with him personally.
I provide ‘baby wipes’ but if your guide doesn’t, they can be important. The proper clothing for the season and the area, including a couple days worth of change of under wear, undershirt. Socks can be vacuum sealed or packed tight in zip locks to keep them dry and save space. The proper type of sleeping bag is important (not the large envelope kind that is 2 feet across when you roll it up). Good optics are important, the ones you are used to using. A good headlamp is a must (extra batteries). The newer type water filters are handy too.
Q - How much should a client tip at the end of a hunt?
Tom Henderson - $200-$600 depending on how much you appreciated your guide’s hard work
Jonnie Laird -That is totally up to each individual hunter. The old 10% to 15% rule usually applies. I have been tipped from over $1000 to $20 and also gear like GPS; Sat phone; knifes; even a gun. $100 is a lot for some hunters while it is just pocket change for others. Sometimes I don’t receive a tip and it is not a slam or a slight. Even though it is really appreciated for me it really doesn’t matter.
Q - What expectation should a hunter have about seeing game and getting a shot on a guided hunt?
Tom Henderson - All areas are different, I cant speak for all. Basically if a hunter preps himself and gives his all, he’s got a good chance. The further you get from the road, the higher your odds are.
Jonnie Laird - Hunting is hunting. Weather can play a big role in the success of any given hunt. Sometimes seeing lots of game is not necessarily where it’s at. After all, all you really need is one animal. The first animal you see might be the biggest of the hunt. You must think about that in advance. I have had hunters turn down shots on day one or day two and not take an animal as nice as what they turned down. Bow hunting is different. It usually takes many stalks to connect (I do spot and stalk style hunts). Lots of animals equals lots of stalks.
Q - Do you prefer rifle hunters, or bow hunters?
Tom Henderson - Both are equally important.
Jonnie Laird - I get a few bow hunters usually every season. Bow hunters sometimes take more time to connect but are usually less selective about size or hide quality than a gun hunter. Whichever weapon is used it is the hunter’s responsibility to be as good as he/she can be with that weapon. Also come to the hunt prepared with the best possible equipment that they have in their arsenal.
Q - What physical shape should one of your clients be in?
Tom Henderson - Hunting in the Rocky Mountains – they are called that for a reason. They need to be prepared to hike steep mountains. I think its rather humorous when a hunter complains of such big mountains.
Jonnie Laird - As best of physical shape that they can. Of course it is different for a Bear hunt than a Goat hunt for obvious reasons. Everyone involved with the hunt will enjoy things best if everyone is in the best physical shape they can be. Training for a hunt is a must. You do not want to be worn out, tired and ornery after 4 or 5 days of hard hunting with 2 to 5 hunt days left.
Q - How much hiking is done on a typical guided hunting trip?
Tom Henderson - 10 miles, but we do what the client can do
Q - Do you prefer one on one, or groups when you guide a hunt?
Tom Henderson - 1on1 or 2on1 are preferred. Any more and your odds drop
Q - What is the ideal group size for a group hunt?
Tom Henderson - 4 hunters on a 2on1 hunt
Q - What attitude should a hunter have when hunting with you?
Tom Henderson - A positive attitude. Negative attitudes only succeed in causing friction.
Q - What are some of your least favorite situations to be in with a client?
Tom Henderson - One whining about walking, seeing few elk, complaining about being tired…wanting a refund if he didn’t make a kill (which doesn’t happen often)
Q - Should a client participate in dragging and dressing the animal after the kill, or do you do it all for them?
Tom Henderson - We will do it for them, a good hunter will do it himself, but many times they are tired and don’t want to do it. We get all kinds.
Q - What is the most dangerous situation you could think of being in with a client?
Tom Henderson - A hunter who is not paying attention, forgets to unload or put his safety on. One who doesn’t watch where he is pointing his gun – has happened a few times, had some close calls. We are very strict with no bullets in the chamber while hiking/driving
Q - What are the key questions you think a hunter should ask before booking a hunt with you?
Tom Henderson – They should ask about terrain. I also think they should call references to get a hunters point of view, successful ones and non successful ones.
The success of any hunt is completely in the control of the hunter. In the end, it all comes down to the amount of research put in ahead of time and the amount of sweat put in during the hunt. If the choice is a guided hunt, ask these questions plus any others you can think of and you might just find yourself in one of those “hero” shots you've always dreamed of.
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