Is an Outfitted Hunt Perfect For You?

For many hunters, the dream of hanging a tag on a mature bull elk is a lifelong pursuit riddled with challenges and failure. Yet, the possibility of ultimate triumph and a freezer full of lean protein drives thousands upon thousands of prospective hunters into the elk woods every fall. The harsh reality of elk hunting, especially when hunting the vast expanses of public land across the West, is that the odds of success are heavily stacked against you. For some, success is simply soaking in the serenity of the mountains and unplugging from our chaotic society. For others, success hinges on a punched tag. Regardless of where your success lies, a guided elk hunt may be the answer to check all your boxes of a successful hunt and fulfill a lifelong dream.

I fully recognize that a guided hunt is not for everyone, but before you blow off the possibility, take a step back and examine why you wouldn’t go on a guided hunt. Too expensive? Definitely a possibility, but don’t forget to take into consideration the cost of travel, lodging and/or camping equipment, gear, fuel, etc. for a DIY elk hunt. Given the average success rates, many hunters end up spending as much or more over the course of several years of unsuccessful hunts than they would have had they saved their pennies and invested in a guided hunt.

Guided hunts are too easy? Depends on where you go. Hunting with a guide undoubtedly exponentially increases your odds of notching your tag, but they are far from guaranteed. Having spent the last 12 years guiding elk hunters on one of the premier elk-hunting destinations in the West, I can promise you that killing a mature bull is far from easy.

On a guided hunt, you will be put with a guide who will either help make your dream a reality, or make you question your sanity in booking a guided hunt. While much of the outcome does fall upon the head of your guide, some of that responsibility also falls upon you, the hunter. The expectations that a client has for his guide are discussed in depth and often written in ink prior to a hunt. However, rarely are expectations considered from the guide’s point of view. Until now. Without further ado, a letter from your guide:

Dear Hunter,

I am here to do everything within my abilities to provide you with a successful hunt. With that said, you need to recognize that it is still hunting and nothing is ever guaranteed. I am also human and can screw things up just as well as the next guy. Hunting is a chess match, and I will not always make the best move. However, I will use my extensive knowledge of this area and expertise gained over guiding other hunters like yourself to help you achieve your desired outcome for this hunt.

Communication is of the utmost importance to the enjoyment and success of your hunt. I don’t know what you do and don’t like, your style of hunting, or your background, nor do you know mine. If I do something that you do not agree with, do not hesitate to let me know, in a respectful manner. I fully understand that respect is earned, but it goes both ways. As long as we respect each other and openly communicate, we will have a great week of hunting.

Below is a breakdown of important aspects of the hunt to consider that will make our time together on the mountain more enjoyable.

Mindset

Hunting is tough, even on a guided hunt. We will face adversity—be it weather, uncooperative animals, etc. Be prepared to deal with these factors, knowing they are out of my control. A positive mindset goes a long way.

Rather than having a client/guide relationship, we will have a much better week if we can be two friends going hunting. I would like your input on what you want to do, but please, DO NOT guide the guide. You may have extensive hunting experience—in some cases, more than me—but trust that I know this particular hunting area better than you do. The inside knowledge of the animals’ whereabouts and daily routines is precisely why you hired a guide. If you do not agree with what I am doing, let me know and I will talk you through my logic. I am also very open to insights and suggestions. While I know this area better than most, in no way, shape, or form will I pretend to know it all. Hunting is a continual education to which I have been, and will continue to be for life, an astute student.

Gear

One of the benefits of a guided hunt is you often do not need the extensive gear list that you would need if doing a DIY hunt. Besides the basics, you need three essentials. First, an adequate layering system to stay comfortable in a variety of temps and a well-broken-in pair of boots. Second, bring good binoculars. I will have a spotting scope, so you do not need to lug one around, unless you wish to do so.

Third, for the love of all that is good in this world, bring a rifle that is sighted-in and that you are confident and proficient with. If I had a dollar every time a hunter showed up to camp with a new rifle that was not sighted-in, I would have more than enough to buy a bottle of the finest whiskey to drink away my sorrows of past wounded and missed bulls. I’m not even going to dive into the cartridge-and-bullet debate. All I ask is that you are proficient with your rifle in hunting scenarios, and I will keep shot distances inside you and your cartridge’s ability. With that said, if you can confidently shoot a paper plate out to 400 yards and are shooting a cartridge/bullet combination that packs enough punch at that distance, you will drastically increase our odds of success.

Expectations and Limitations

Spending the money to go on a guided hunt certainly entitles you to have certain expectations. Please let me know what those are at the beginning of your hunt, and I will do everything I can to cater to them. However, know that if you come into a hunt with expectations of a trophy rack with “X” number of inches, you are setting both of us up for failure from the get-go.

As I mentioned before, we all hunt for different reasons. If your sole purpose is to hunt for a predetermined Boone and Crockett score, then let’s go hunting and I will do my best to find you a bull that meets that criteria. And if you come with a number, please know what that number looks like. I have had countless clients throw out the 350-inch benchmark, only to have a gorgeous 320-inch bull step out and the hunter have a complete meltdown over the giant bull in front of us. Yes, that bull is a heckuva bull and a trophy in most hunters’ eyes, but he is far from the 350-inch bull you told me you were holding out for.

Please be honest with me about all your limitations, but foremost, your physical limitations. Elk live in some of the roughest country in the Lower 48 and can present a physical challenge of epic proportions. If you are unable to get around really well, let me know and I will keep those limitations in mind when mapping out our day. Please show up to your hunt in the best shape possible, knowing that a lack of physical fitness may handicap your ability to achieve success on this hunt. Also, if you have any health-related conditions, let me know those ahead of time, and what needs to be done to accommodate them.

Safety

As bad as you and I both want you to tag-out on the bull of your dreams, there is not a bull in this world that is worth risking a life. Safety, particularly gun safety, is of the utmost importance to me. If you handle your rifle in an unsafe manner, I can promise you I will let you know. The first offense will be cordial, but any other unsafe acts after that will be met with stern reprimand. I am not trying to be a jerk. I’m simply watching out for my safety and yours. Yes, I want our hunt together to be a success, but at the end of the day, I want both of us to be able to return home to our families.

Every guide will have slightly different gun-safety protocols outside of the normal “treat every gun as if it is loaded.” Initiate a conversation prior to your hunt with your guide about their safety expectations. Here are mine. First, do not put a shell in the chamber until I tell you to. Respectfully, I do not care if you walk around with one in the chamber when you are hunting on your own. When you are with me, chances are I will be walking in front of you, and I do not want to be walking in front of a loaded rifle. We will have plenty of time to chamber a round when the right scenario presents itself. Second, when we are driving to and from our hunt area, point the muzzle at the floorboard. The gun should never be loaded at this point, but should an accident happen, chances are you will live from a bullet through your foot, but I highly doubt the same could be said for a shot to the head. Finally, if you want your hunt with me to end, let me turn around to a loaded muzzle pointed in my direction. I don’t care who you are or how much you paid. Once that happens, there is a very good chance I will lose my cool and our hunt will end.

Help When Possible

As a guide, I fully recognize the monetary sacrifice that was made for you to be here and will do my best to cater to your every need. With that said, after the excitement wears off of hanging your tag on a great bull, there is a lot of work to be done. On one extreme, I have had clients who do not want my help at all and would rather cut the elk up themselves. On the other end of the spectrum, I have had clients sit against a tree and play games on their phone while I try to tackle butchering a bull solo. While I do not expect you to do anything, any and all help is incredibly appreciated. The saying, “many hands make light work,” rings especially true when field-processing a big bull. There is also a sense of self-fulfillment and satisfaction that comes from participating in breaking down your hard-earned trophy. Even holding a leg while I skin or holding game bags open helps me tremendously.

Tipping

Tipping is always an uncomfortable elephant in the room that is constantly skirted around. I have been given everything from a flimsy handshake to more than $10,000. For me, a tip is earned—not expected. However, should I meet your expectations for your hunt, a 10% tip is typical and incredibly appreciated. If you feel that I went above and beyond to meet and exceed your expectations, please do not hesitate to reward me for that effort. While the chances are that I thoroughly enjoyed our time spent together on the mountain, I am here to make money to support my young family. A little extra goes a long way for your guide. For example, five years ago, a client tipped me an incredibly gracious amount of money that nearly brought me to tears. What he didn’t know at the time was that my wife was pregnant and the money he just gave me covered the financial burden of the birth of my son.

It has also become fairly common to “tip” your guide with miscellaneous gear items you may have. I have seen and received everything from knives to binoculars, and even rifles. While those are much appreciated and will be put to good use, please do not offer those items in lieu of a monetary tip. Again, this is still a job, and I am working my tail off to earn money.

Conflict between the guide and hunter does happen, but having guided hundreds of clients over the past decade, I can confidently say that conflict is rare. In fact, guiding has fostered some of my most cherished friendships with clients turned close friends. When done right, a guided hunt will be an incredible hunting experience filled with special memories of lifelong dreams coming to fruition.

Sincerely, Your Guide

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