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Hunter - Guide communication
Posted by Kirk on Mar 03 2006
Great topic Michael. I've been on a few guided elk hunts and just drew a bull tag for Wyoming this fall with an outfitter I've never hunted with before.
First, I think the hunter needs to tell the outfitter his physical condition before the hunt. This will help him match up with a guide that likes to hunt that style, or find out if it's for him. Most hunter's I've met up with in camp think they're one hell of a shot. They need to be up front with the outfitter on their real experience at shooting distances. The hunter needs to be clear on his expectations, if he wants a B&C trophy or nothing he needs to tell this. If he is more realistic and wants a good opportunity at a representative animal it's a good idea to ask the guide what a realistic expectation might be. It's my belief the traveling hunter will be a lot happier if they have realistic expectations on trophy size and leave the tape measure at home. Also, the hunter needs to tell the outfitter if he has any health conditions. On guided elk hunts you share camp with about 8 hunters. On every hunt I've been on there are a couple hunters who really shouldn't be out there due to their age/health.
Be realistic with your guide on your shooting capability. If you have experience, ability and confidence to shoot 300-400 yards fine. If you tell your guide that your limit is 200 yards they'll be fine with that too. Let him know ahead of time.
I don't talk a lot with my guide in the field, I don't talk a lot whenever I'm hunting. Maybe on the trail we'd visit a bit, but most talking is in camp. The best guide I've ever hunted with would use hand signals when we were stalking.
One thing that needs to be worked out ahead of time is when the client should shoot. Hunters need to be very clear with their guide on what they want, if they don't want to shoot anything smaller than a certain size their guide needs to know this. Since guides are usually much more familiar with the animal being hunted they can size one up at a glance and tell the hunter to shoot. The hunter may wait until they can size the animal up themselves, or may not be in a position to see the rack and by then it may be too late. Another guide told me "I don't want you telling me about an animal you saw and didn't shoot" meaning, if you see an animal you want and I don't see it, don't wait for my permission to shoot it. (This may be different if there is a minimum size required).
One other thing the guide gives us a talk on is bear safety and what to do in a grizz encounter.
Hunters - be up front and honest with your guide and then listen to him.
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