Traxman: While I agree that "the customer is always right", I also know that sometime the customer may not be sure about 'how' he wants something done. Also, you need to make the guide understand just how 'firm' you stand on a given issue. For example, a friend of mine went on a guided hunt, and he did NOT want dogs. No hogs found the first day... He was asked if he wanted to give the dogs a try. He refused. Another half a day later (with only a few hours left from his hunt) he asked the guide to use the dogs to 'find and flush' the hogs.
Also, somewhat related, are looking at things from a business standpoint. Some operations are very pricey, and they will bend backwards.... Some are just outright FUNNY! This one guide I spoke with about 3 years ago, wanted $350 for a 'guaranteed hunt'. Only after hammering him with questions, it was revealed that the $350 is a trespass fee, so if you don't see a hog, ALL YOU PAY IS $350!!!! If you do, however, connect with one, there is a 'kill' or 'success' fee of an additional $350. That is, unless the pig weighs over 200 lbs, or has tusks that are longer than 2 inches from the gum line, in which case, an additional 'trophy fee' of $200 will apply. That is $900 for a 200lbs+ pig. And I thought that $350 was the 'no-pig-no-pay' price. In a pricey operation like this, there is a MUCH higher expectation of service (at least from me).
I had a conversation with Tom Willoughby a couple of years back (he is also a reputable and highly regarded guide), at which time, I asked about the cost of taking a second pig. Afterall, it would only make sense to get a big discount if you are there, and decide to take a second pig from a heard. His reply was very honest, and made a lot of sense..... Basically, a second pig will cost you the same as the first one! And, for a good reason. He too does not charge trophy fees, and is a guaranteed hunt. He indicated that if discounts are given for a second pig, then once you shoot your first pig, you WILL want a trophy for the second one.... Which would mean a LOT more work, for less pay, thus no discount for a second pig.
On the other end of the specturm, you have some low-cost (lower, but not all that low) operations, which are downright a joke, such as REAL SMALL fenced lots with 'farmer John', floppy eared pet pigs running around, or in one case, a guy with 40 acres (yep, 40 acres) charging $290 to hunt in his backyard! FYI: 640 acres is equal to 1mile X 1mile. 40 acres is a large backyard. Of course, unless you ask a LOT of questions, these details are not revealed.
In Frank's case, he is one of the lower cost operations, which up until now, gave nothing short of a FIRST CLASS service. All the feedback and personal experiences with him have always indicated him to cater to YOUR style of hunting, and provide a courteous, and friendly service at a reasonable cost. So in a sense, you got what the $$$ guides offered for $$. In his case, he also does not charge any 'trophy fees', which is somewhat of a double edged sword. That releaves you of having to pay extra for a NICE hog, which would be considered a trophy by others, but at the same time, it releaves him of any obligation to find you such a hog. Technically, he guarantees you a reasonable opportunity to take a hog, and if one is presented, you are obligated to pay full payment. Of course, the sooner you connect with one, the sooner he gets to go home (who wouldn't want you to 'finish work', and go home as soon as possible???).
That could (not saying that it does) explain his position of wanting to use dogs, if he suspects that you may not 'mind' using the dogs all that much. That is, maybe you don't mind hunting with dogs all that much.... Not trying to justify what he did, but CLEAR communication is the key, in my opinion.
In my case, after seeing that dogs are being used when I had requested otherwise, I would make it VERY CLEAR (but kindly, and in a friendly tone) that I am NOT interested in hunting with dogs.
Regardless of which guide you choose for future hunts, MAKE SURE that you as a LOT of questions, and that both you and the guide have a COMPLETE and THOROUGH understanding of each others expectations. This way, you can minimize the possibility of having a disaster.
Also, somewhat related, are looking at things from a business standpoint. Some operations are very pricey, and they will bend backwards.... Some are just outright FUNNY! This one guide I spoke with about 3 years ago, wanted $350 for a 'guaranteed hunt'. Only after hammering him with questions, it was revealed that the $350 is a trespass fee, so if you don't see a hog, ALL YOU PAY IS $350!!!! If you do, however, connect with one, there is a 'kill' or 'success' fee of an additional $350. That is, unless the pig weighs over 200 lbs, or has tusks that are longer than 2 inches from the gum line, in which case, an additional 'trophy fee' of $200 will apply. That is $900 for a 200lbs+ pig. And I thought that $350 was the 'no-pig-no-pay' price. In a pricey operation like this, there is a MUCH higher expectation of service (at least from me).
I had a conversation with Tom Willoughby a couple of years back (he is also a reputable and highly regarded guide), at which time, I asked about the cost of taking a second pig. Afterall, it would only make sense to get a big discount if you are there, and decide to take a second pig from a heard. His reply was very honest, and made a lot of sense..... Basically, a second pig will cost you the same as the first one! And, for a good reason. He too does not charge trophy fees, and is a guaranteed hunt. He indicated that if discounts are given for a second pig, then once you shoot your first pig, you WILL want a trophy for the second one.... Which would mean a LOT more work, for less pay, thus no discount for a second pig.
On the other end of the specturm, you have some low-cost (lower, but not all that low) operations, which are downright a joke, such as REAL SMALL fenced lots with 'farmer John', floppy eared pet pigs running around, or in one case, a guy with 40 acres (yep, 40 acres) charging $290 to hunt in his backyard! FYI: 640 acres is equal to 1mile X 1mile. 40 acres is a large backyard. Of course, unless you ask a LOT of questions, these details are not revealed.
In Frank's case, he is one of the lower cost operations, which up until now, gave nothing short of a FIRST CLASS service. All the feedback and personal experiences with him have always indicated him to cater to YOUR style of hunting, and provide a courteous, and friendly service at a reasonable cost. So in a sense, you got what the $$$ guides offered for $$. In his case, he also does not charge any 'trophy fees', which is somewhat of a double edged sword. That releaves you of having to pay extra for a NICE hog, which would be considered a trophy by others, but at the same time, it releaves him of any obligation to find you such a hog. Technically, he guarantees you a reasonable opportunity to take a hog, and if one is presented, you are obligated to pay full payment. Of course, the sooner you connect with one, the sooner he gets to go home (who wouldn't want you to 'finish work', and go home as soon as possible???).
That could (not saying that it does) explain his position of wanting to use dogs, if he suspects that you may not 'mind' using the dogs all that much. That is, maybe you don't mind hunting with dogs all that much.... Not trying to justify what he did, but CLEAR communication is the key, in my opinion.
In my case, after seeing that dogs are being used when I had requested otherwise, I would make it VERY CLEAR (but kindly, and in a friendly tone) that I am NOT interested in hunting with dogs.
Regardless of which guide you choose for future hunts, MAKE SURE that you as a LOT of questions, and that both you and the guide have a COMPLETE and THOROUGH understanding of each others expectations. This way, you can minimize the possibility of having a disaster.
