What we expect from our clients: First and foremost we expect hunters to show up to camp with a positive attitude and energy. We really look forward to seeing excitement in the client's eyes and hearing it in their voice. A positive attitude will do wonders for the entire hunt and the guide just seems to work a little harder when he enjoys the company of the client. Net we need for the client to know that under most circumstances we know what is best. We are not saying that input isn't welcome, but we are saying that we know the laws, the game, the land, and we are looking for the same outcome...a successful hunt on all accounts. We will also require some patience......a lot of big game hunting requires patience......if a guide starts to get pressured, he may make decisions based on "not wanting to listen to he whining" rather then what is ultimately best for the hunt. I personally know of guides that have dug their heels in and pretty much did what they could to screw the hunt up.....but did it carefully enough to only raise suspicion, but not give themselves completely up. The guides work for the outfit, if a client has a concern or issue they should consider going to the outfitter and refrain from attacking the guide. On top of that, we also expect clients to be honest with their capabilities. As outfitters and guides, we do recognize that the client that comes in shooting his mouth off about all his abilities, well that is the guy that will typically drop the ball when it is handed to him. Clients are asked to be clear with their capabilities to ensure guides and outfitters can put together a hunt that will be a complete success.
What clients should expect form the outfit: The client should expect the type of hunt they were sold and purchased. In most cases the client has communicated with the outfitter and at that time the type of hunt would have been discussed and agreed upon. If it was a 10 Mountain Goat hunt; the client would expect that there would be some remote rough country with a certain amount of hiking involved and if instead found himself on an ATV touring swamp bottoms......rightfully so, hell is going to break loose at some level. Clients should communicate with the outfitter or head guide and should receive the hunt they were sold. Clients should expect knowledgeable guides, even if a guide is new to the area.....they should know enough about the area and the game to be considered a guide. Clients should expect quality camps and equipment.....if a client goes to bed at night and can see stars through the tent's roof.....better hope it don't rain! A client should expect to be fed accordingly......hunting out of the main lodge will involve different meals then spike camps, but the food should be acceptable....and safe to eat. Clients should expect that the they will be treated with honesty and integrity.....I personally have witnessed where it was simply understood that, for what ever the reasons may be, the client was not going to be successful. Clients should expect that guides and outfitters will work hard to help ensure the success of the hunt.
Never Expect: The client should never expect for the guide or outfitter to do anything illegal. Hunting is our livelihood and if we are caught in an illegal act, we can have it taken away. The client should never expect to be able to wound an animal, leave it, and carry on hunting. We will do what we can to ensure the shot and if the shot is not proper and the animal leaves wounded, we'll do all we can to retrieve the animal. If the animal is badly wounded, it more then likely will not make the winter.....it is a dead animal and the clients tag will be cut. Never expect that the weather is going to 100% cooperate with your hunt, come prepared for anything.
Final note: Every outfit is run a little differently, do not expect that all are created equal, do your research before you show up to hunt. I can not speak or all the other outfitters and hunting camps out there, but I can speak for ours. We look forward to every season, for us it is a "get-to" not a "have-to". We look forward to each hunter we share the camp with and at the end of every season we call clients, friends! We book our hunts in such a manner that we assume we are going to be highly successful, we are not one of these outfits that book 20 hunters to kill 4 moose.......this was an actual account. We are as friendly as they come, and enjoy laughing and having a ton of fun. We are professional, but not so big that clients simply become numbers.....with checks. When choosing an outfit, do your homework......if all attempts fail.....give us a call or drop us a line.....we'll try to help out, cause that is just what we are about!
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