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Comments on communication with guides
Posted by Michael Strahan on Mar 04 2006
Good stuff so far. Here are some ideas to think about:
1. Ask for references from the last two or three years. But be aware that the references are usually filtered. References are still good though, because there are some things (like bad gear, poor hunting areas and inexperienced guides) that are hard to hide). Ask for a few references from folks who were not successful.
2. Is the air charter included? Some do, some don't. This could cost you big bucks if you're not expecting it.
3. Who will actually be guiding you? Usually it's not the guy you met at an outdoor show. How experienced is the person who will actually guide you.
4. What is their wound-loss policy? Some will consider a wounded animal as a filled tag, others will let you keep hunting.
5. When will your guide shoot? Lots of trouble arises from this one. The guide shoots as soon as you do, so the critter doesn't get away. You need to work this out with your guide.
6. Safety. Will you hunt with loaded chambers or not? Common practice is to load the rifle but leave the chamber empty; a very good practice.
7. Let them know your capabilities and limitations. This goes for food preferences, your experience level, your competency with the rifle / loads you'll be shooting on the hunt, and any physical limitations you may have, such as diabetes, overweight, heart condition, recent surgeries, etc. I've seen 400 lb. men get out of a Super Cub, look around, and ask if they had to do any climbing. (this was a donated hunt that was purchased at an auction). Communicating this stuff in advance will help your guide pace the hunt to your style.
8. Expectations. Are you a trophy hunter that will keep coming back until you get a ten-foot bear or 70-inch moose, or are you just looking for a legal animal? Nail this down early in the game.
9. Listen to your guide! Most of them know what they're doing. Remember that unless you're really experienced in Alaska, you might wonder about some of his hunting tactics. It's really different here. For example, we do LOTS of glassing before we move in for a kill. If your experience is mostly limited to elk in the western states, where you have to be very mobile and proactive, you might be really frustrated sitting on a spotting hill for days on end. Your guide isn't being lazy, this is a very effective tactic.
Keep 'em coming! Lots of great stuff here!
-Mike
Previous: Guide Questions and Issues Michael Strahan Mar 03 2006
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