Just because you want to hunt a particular animal for your first guided hunt, doesn't mean that it is the best experience for you to have. When booking a guided hunt, first discuss the season, terrain, camp, travel and physical demands of the hunt, and then match the species to your experience level. Have a short planning session prior to booking to reveal hidden costs, and to clarify the guide's role. Set conditions that you can live with and then choose the species to hunt. Match the species to the experience you want
Remember that species selection sets the tone, but also ask about the type of experience you are looking for (physical challenge, introduction, scenery, meat, learning new style of hunting). The same species can be hunted in different locations and with different degrees of difficulty. Other species can provide similar experiences.
Remember that the size of the area to be hunted is an important factor. Typically, bigger areas mean more time spent glassing or still-hunting and traveling between locations. Consider the distance to camp and what kind of terrain must be traveled. Long climbs over rough terrain, cold weather and extended periods of time where very little hunting takes place are all considerations that must be weighed against the hunting experience itself.
Ask the outfitter what a typical day of the guided hunt is like for his clients and try to get as much detail as possible without asking for guarantees. Find out what a normal day of the guided hunt is like for his clients from breakfast to dark. Also, ask what the outfitter's policy is in the event the preferred species is not harvested. Put season and terrain on the same page
The hunting season influences a number of factors such as wildlife behavior, access, vegetation growth, shorter days, deteriorating road conditions and the increased number of hunters in the area. Also the present wildlife regulations covering such issues as legal methods of hunting, licensing requirements, tags, hunting seasons, etc. must be checked with the relevant wildlife-agency before traveling to your destination for hunting.
Likewise, instead of a simple label like "moderate" or "backcountry," the outfitter should provide a clear and honest description of the terrain. This can include things like steep slopes, loose rock, thick cover, marsh, snow, and long road travel in vehicles. Additionally, the outfitter should clearly outline how far clients will be required to carry their personal gear as well as any harvested game, and how said game will be retrieved from the field.
You don't have to be an athlete but your physical limitations (previous injuries, prescribed medications, inability to keep up due to limited fitness) must be disclosed prior to booking a physically demanding trip. It is best to clarify with your guide what reasonable concessions can be made to ensure that your experience is safe and enjoyable. It's best to consult with a qualified medical professional to determine if you are physically able to go on a guided hunting trip. Compare camp comfort with field logistics
"Camp" can refer to a lot of different things. A "camp" could be a fixed cabin, a wall tent or even a mobile camp. Some hunting camps are lodge-based while others are a combination of the different types of structures. Camp comfort must be considered. Are the beds going to be comfortable? Is there going to be heat? Will there be flush toilets? Running water for washing up? Will there be good meals provided? Will there be a place to recharge your electronics? Will there be sufficient drinking water provided? What will you need to bring?
The camp can offer wonderful comfort but there are many things that will determine your comfort outside of the camp. There are long travels to and from the hunt, many strange licenses that must be purchased in advance, transporting of bags, meat, caping and taxidermy, special shipping, and who will pay for these things. All of these things should be clearly laid out in a written list of included and excluded items by the outfitter before you book the hunt.
Request that the outfitter give you a list of what they will provide for you and what you have to bring. Write this list out and read through all of the included services and make sure that all of the "excluded" items are clearly spelled out for you as well (i.e. that you will be expected to pay for guide days, lodging before and after the hunt, etc.). This will help prevent any misunderstandings along the way. Build a budget with room for surprises
A great hunting budget includes cost of travel, licenses to hunt, tags, necessary clothing, ammunition, personal items to bring, previous and return hotel stay before and after the hunt, food eaten outside of the camp, possible hunting party members' and guides' insurance, possible costs of field care and transport of meat and trophies and possible gratuities to hunting guides and other camp staff.
Be sure to compare the cost of a hunt to the services provided. A lower cost for a hunt may mean a shorter period of time with your guide and less services provided at camp. A higher cost for a hunt does not necessarily mean a better experience for you. Read the services to be provided and plan accordingly.
Ask the outfitter for the payment terms and conditions, especially as they pertain to cancellation. Read the agreement carefully before sending any money. Most people interpret a clear written agreement as being indicative of good communication and the provision of clear terms and conditions prior to their depositing of funds. Test guide communication before booking
Communicating effectively with a hunting guide and outfitter before you book your hunting trip is useful evidence that they want to send you on a successful hunting trip. Expecting an immediate reply to all of your questions is not reasonable but reasonable expectations of realistic language and sufficient detail to make an informed decision are certainly reasonable.
You should ask the same basic questions that you would ask for any guide service: What is a typical day like? What kind of equipment will be supplied? Are there any special shooting practices that the client should be familiar with before the trip? How does the guide handle safety issues? What are the backup plans in case of bad weather or other problems that may keep the client from hunting? What kind of experience level is assumed on the part of the client? Will the guide be with the client the entire time, or will there be others with the group? How are decisions made in the field?
Be sure to get the guide to explain the expectations for harvest on your hunt and the legal shot selection. Find out what kind of support and guidance the guide will offer for recovery of the animal and care of the meat. Also, find out what kind of preparation and Physical Ability Expectations (PACE) rating the outfitter's camp has. Above all, listen to your guide and follow all safety rules and outbound regulations. Set expectations you can live with
The best first hunt is one that matches your abilities and expectations, whether that be a close to home hunt or a more exotic locale. What are your non-negotiables? What are you willing to give up for something else? Write down all of your expectations and then cross off those that you are willing to give up one by one until you can no longer give up anything else.
Before you book the trip, make sure all the key parts of the trip (species to be hunted, time of year, terrain, physical demands, camp and travel arrangements, full cost, all prior correspondence) all make sense for you as a total package. If not, it's far easier to change before you go than it to try and fix problems after you're in camp.
