Affordable Hunting Trips

Professionally guided hunts are just like the name says: hunts that are guided by either professional or full-time hunting guides. Typically speaking professional guides either guide full-time, or are an active member of a guiding organization. Some may be self employed, while others will work for an outfitting company. In most cases where you may be hunting with a professional guide, he or she will be associated with a hunting camp, hunting company, or hunting outfitter that specializes in a specific area or a specific animal. Some may specialize in moose, while others may do pheasant, quail, etc.

The responsibilities of the hunting guide will depend greatly on the type of hunt and terms of the hunt. In overnight or traveling hunts, the guide will generally be responsible for setting up and taking care of the camp, taking care of the horses, cooking, etc. Those responsibilities are over and beyond the standard focus of leading the hunter to game. The guide is also responsible for knowing and following all federal, state, and local laws pertaining to the animal or animals being hunted.

Many professional guides are members of guiding associations at the country, state or local level. Many of the more popular hunting states will have state level guide organizations that provide a working set of rules for guides.

Professionally guided hunts have some unique advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

• A guide has the advantages of knowing the area being hunted. For animals that utilize a wind range, this is extremely helpful.
• A working knowledge of the animal being pursued - Most guides offer possess first hand knowledge and personal experience in dealing with the animal. This experience generally translates into insights about mating seasons, habits, and behaviors.
• Guides can provide additional safety for the hunter for situations such as an injury, rapidly changing weather, sickness, etc. An experienced guide can provide support for a number of situations.

Disadvantages:

• In terms of hunting trips, professionally guided trips tend to be the most expensive of the types of hunts.

• "Hidden" fees - Professional guides and outfitters are known for applying charges for things like cooking, game cleaning, game transportation, etc. once the hunt starts. Let me qualify that not all guides do this, but it is known to be done in the industry. This can generally be avoided by clearly discussing and pricing EVERY detail of the hunt before it starts. Let's face it - this is a business and guides need to make money just like everyone else.

Professionally guided hunts can be the experience of a lifetime, but it can also come at a hefty cost. Realize that you can have great hunts on a lower budget as well. I wouldn't rule out a guided hunt, just make sure that it's a good value for the money.