Affordable Hunting Trips

These hunts are generally guided by guides who are either just getting into the business or only work part-time.  In many cases, amateur guides don't belong to any guiding organizations or outfitters.  Most, if not all, amateur guides are self-employed and work independently.  Most of these guides lease land or obtain exclusive rights for hunting for their customers.  In some cases amateur guides may only guide part-time (for example, during a specific hunting season) and have another type of employment during the remaining portion of the year. For any part-time guides that may be reading this, please realize that I only use the label "amateur" and it's an excellent opposite for the word "professional".

Like other forms of hunts, amateur guided hunts have some unique advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

• Amateur guided hunts tend to be less expensive than a professionally guided hunts.  Although how much less will vary, it can be substantially less in some cases.
• While an amateur guide may not have the years of professional experience compared to a professional guide, they generally possess quite a bit of first hand knowledge and personal experience in dealing with the animal.
• You generally don't deal with the "hidden fees" mentioned earlier compared to professional guides. Most amateur guides need the work and revenue so they won't nickel and dime customers with fees.  As amateur guides may be trying to get established and build a reputation, they are banking on work of mouth referrals and repeat business. "Hidden Fees" and unhappy customers won't get repeat business.

Disadvantages:

• Depending on the level of experience, amateur guides may not be completely prepared for various situations as compared to a professional guide.  Although this really varies, it can come into play.
• Effectiveness - Depending on the experience level of the guide, they may or may not be able to locate game as effectively as a more seasoned professional guide.

I've used amateur guides (or least what I would view as amateur) in the past and been very successful and happy with both their performance and the hunt outcome.  If you are thinking about using an amateur guide, it's probably important for you to find some way to assess the guide to the point where you become comfortable.  One of the easiest ways to do that with amateur guides is through the use of references or past customers.  Any amateur guide that can't or won't provide either should probably be avoided. The only way I would reconsider would be if this was the guide's first hunt and he or she was absolutely upfront about that fact.

On a personal level, I've found that some of the best hunts I've ever taken were done with amateur or part-time guides who were just getting into the business so don't be mislead by the word amateur or part-time.