HOW TO PLAN AND BOOKA GUIDED HUNTING TRIP

DESKTOP TO TRAILHEAD IN A FEW EASY STEPS

N O L E A POF FAITH

I.

Booking a hunt can be a leap of faith, but it doesn’t need to be. When the trip is

successful — that is, you leave feeling fulfilled and satisfied with the experience,

whether you’ve taken a trophy or not — there’s nothing better. For the rest of your

life, you’ll remember that smell of high-mountain conifers or the wet dog perched

on a flooded-timber swamp seat. But when a hunt goes wrong, few things can feel

worse: Thousands of dollars in time and money wasted, amplified by that sinking

disappointment of expectations unmet.

This e-book will help you demystify the planning and booking process for a

professionally guided hunt. Your next hunting adventure should not be a leap of faith, a

plunge into the unknown. With a little research into knowing the right questions to ask,

and embarking with the proper set of expectations, your dream hunt can — and will —

unfold exactly as planned. Of course, there are no guarantees in the outdoors; that’s a

big piece of having the right expectations. Except in some special circumstances that

this guide will discuss, you should be leery of any guide or outfitter that guarantees a kill.

That said, careful planning and thorough research could turn the hunt of your dreams

into an experience for a lifetime.

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–The F&F Team

THE BIGQUESTIONS

II.

There are hundreds of varied and diverse hunting opportunities in North America. To zero in on your perfect trip, consider these basic questions:

1. What do we want to hunt, and how do you want to hunt it? 2. Am I after any animal or a record-book prize? 3. How much is that trophy ultimately worth?

A $40,000 sheep hunt in Alaska is quite different from a $300 pig run in Florida. Chasing a

record-book buck is an entirely different proposition from getting your daughter her first

deer. Still, for every budget and in every corner of the U.S., quality hunting opportunities

abound. This wide range of choices is a testament to the American model of wildlife

management — one of the best ideas this great country has bestowed on the world, right

up there with democracy itself, national parks, baseball, and apple pie.

Back when America was just a twinkle in George Washington’s eye, wild animals were

treated differently. In the Old World, game belonged to the landowner. Just like cattle

or chickens, wildlife was considered property. Landowners with enough ground to hold

wild populations were necessarily rich, so hunting was the exclusive right of royalty and

the wealthy. “Poaching” was a high crime. and those lower-class bandits that bucked the

system — pun intended — often turned into popular heroes (after all, Robin Hood got his

start needling the king’s stags).

In the United States at the start of the 20th century, that all changed. Thanks to guys

such as English big-game hunter Fredrick Selous and American President Theodore

Roosevelt, we came to understand wildlife as a precious resource to be managed with

care. In the decidedly pro-democratic U.S., wildlife was considered part of the common

trust, of the people rather than belonging to the government or a landowner. The states

were charged with managing that resource. This reality is why to this day you have to

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1. What Do We Want to Hunt, and How Do You Want to Hunt It?

buy a hunting license by state and, frankly, why sorting through the legalities of what

you can hunt — where, when and how — can be so confusing. Each state has come up

with its own unique management style, based on animal populations and goals — such

as overall deer numbers versus “trophy” bucks. But all are based around modern wildlife

science.

So thinking about what you want to hunt necessarily entails thinking about where you

can hunt it, and how. For example, there are a couple states where you can get a velvet

deer with a bow. That is, the bow season for whitetail opens early enough that you can

still catch bucks in fuzzy horns. But if you’re not a bowhunter, South Carolina is the only

place you can gun hunt early enough to get a deer in velvet. Therefore, determining

your goals and matching them to a state and season in which you can accomplish them

is the first step.

Another thing to consider when thinking about what you want to hunt: your level of

fitness. Bowhunting elk in the Rockies is a quintessential Western hunt, but even if a

horse team packs your butt above the tree line, just walking around may knock the wind

out of you — literally. It’s not a landscape for couch potatoes.

You also must consider your own personal feelings on what’s called the “fair chase”

standard. Texas is a primetime big-deer state, but baiting is legal and there are numerous

high-fence operations. Those fenced-in areas may look like a cattle pasture under razor

wire or may enclose thousands of square miles. Recordkeeping organizations such

as Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett won’t accept a scored whitetail shot over

bait or contained by a high fence, but your personal preference might be OK with these

options, which is fine (the laws are on the books, and these operations exist, for a reason).

That said, many sportsmen in general don’t believe a deer hunted within a high fence,

no matter how big the area, constitutes a “real trophy,” but if that doesn’t concern you, or

your goals are different (i.e. a daughter’s first buck), this is an option to consider.

As you can see, asking yourself, “What do I want to hunt and how?” can be a complicated

question. Odds are though, if you’re reading this guide, you already have a general

picture in mind. Just make sure when researching locations and outfitters that they

coincide with your personal level of fitness and fair chase belief.6

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Do you plan on chasing any buck or a record-book buck? The difference between the

two can cost thousands of dollars. If you’re planning to hunt waterfowl, the question

doesn’t so much revolve around trophy animals per se, but there are certainly trophy-like

spots that almost guarantee huge flights of birds. So thick are the mallards that migrate

to the flooded timber swamp around Stuttgart, Ark., it’s been dubbed the duck hunting

capital of the world. Habitat Flats, a Missouri lodge that’s almost as famous as Stuttgart,

is equally excellent, with the manicured grounds managed for everything a bird may

want. But you’ll pay for it: More that $2,000 per hunter for a three-day weekend, and it’s

usually booked two or three years in advance.

Of course, you can find huge flights of birds or a monster whitetail in spots less famous.

After all, plenty of Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett deer are killed every year

on public ground. But if your focus is trophy potential, you’ll want to spend more time

researching locations than anything else, and you can ultimately expect to pay more for

your trip, which begs the question asked in the next section.

2. Am I After any Amimal or a Record-book Prize?

Hunter Ethics “Fair chase” is just one component — easily the most controversial component

— of a hunting ethics. What that all means is best described by the Boone and

Crockett Club, which has been towing the line since 1887:

Fair Chase Statement

Fair Chase, as defined by the Boone and Crockett Club, is the ethical,

sportsmanlike, and lawful pursuit and taking of any free-ranging wild, native

North American big game animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an

improper advantage over such animals.

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There’s something deeply uncomfortable about placing a dollar value on a wild critter.

But you should still be pragmatic about your hunt’s budget. The difference between

a $6,000 elk hunt and a $12,000 elk hunt is far and wide. That more expensive hunt —

generally speaking — will likely be much more comfortable. The basecamp will feature

wood stoves, a cook, nightly bonfires, cold beer, and plenty of horses to get you and all

your gear up and down the mountain. Conversely, a barebones elk trip could be simply

you, a guide, and whatever you can carry on your back.

Our Resources Fundamental to all hunting is the concept of conservation of natural resources.

Hunting in today’s world involves the regulated harvest of individual animals in a

manner that conserves, protects, and perpetuates the hunted population. The hunter

engages in a one-to-one relationship with the quarry. and his or her hunting should be

guided by a hierarchy of ethics related to hunting, which includes the following tenets:

1. Obey all applicable laws and regulations.

2. Respect the customs of the locale where the hunting occurs.

3. Exercise a personal code of behavior that reflects favorably on your abilities

and sensibilities as a hunter.

4. Attain and maintain the skills necessary to make the kill as certain and

quick as possible.

5. Behave in a way that will bring no dishonor to either the hunter, the hunted,

or the environment.

6. Recognize that these tenets are intended to enhance the hunter’s

experience of the relationship between predator and prey, which is one of

the most fundamental relationships of humans and their environment.

For more information, visit: www.boone-crockett.org

3. How Much is Your Trophy Worth?

Another uncomfortable truth: The best game units, with the most trophy potential, are

often the most expensive to hunt. It’s simple economics. Unit No. 10 in Arizona or No. 2 in

Colorado are renowned for their bull elk, so everyone wants to hunt them. There are two

ways to attempt to hunt high-demand units in most states:

1. Apply for a tag in the state wildlife lottery, earn preference points over the

course of a lifetime, and hope to hit it big — for example, an F&F friend picked

up a Wyoming sheep tag in 2013 after applying for 20 straight years.

2. Pay an outfitter top dollar to jump the line. This may seem unfair, but many

of the outfitters in these top trophy areas have been grandfathered in. They’ve

literally hunted those mountains for generations.

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Lottery Lingo

Hunter Safety Card

The document proving that you’ve taken the mandatory hunter safety class required to

hunt big game, small game, or birds in all 50 states. Nationally standardized, a card issued

in Massachusetts will be recognized in California. It is required to purchase a hunting

license. If you’re hunting outside your home state, bring it with you.

Tags

On top of the license, you also need to buy specific tags to hunt many big game animals

— deer tags, turkey tags, elk tags, sheep tags, and so on. Each tag is “punched” when a

single animal is harvested. Tags are also issued by style of hunting and sex of the animal.

Connecticut, for example, issues six archery whitetails tags: two buck tags and four

antlerless deer tags. Tags are also sometimes called permits.

Stamps

For hunting migratory birds, beyond a state-issued hunting license you will need to buy

stamps. One is issued by the federal government and available at any post office; the other

is issued by the state you’re hunting in. Some states also issue stamps for upland bird

hunting and trout fishing.

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The same price-versus-potential dynamic applies to other big game, such as deer, and

even bird hunting. South Dakota is the de facto best destination for pheasant hunting

worldwide. There are outfits that, for a paltry $150 a day, give you a bunk and a field to

hunt. Bring your own food, your own dog, and even your own sleeping bag. A friend of

F&F once drove 1,000 miles to one of these operations only to find there was no kitchen

and no shower, never mind a guide to show you the lay of the land. He shot limits

because he’s a good hunter with crackerjack dogs, and he worked those fields long into

the afternoon. The excursion worked out — he probably spent less than $1,000 for his

storybook week of upland hunting (gasoline not included). But that style hunt isn’t for

everyone. On the other end of the spectrum, there are several five-star pheasant lodges

that could rival the best big-city hotels. You’ll pay three or four times what our friend did,

but you’ll have your own guide, a dog handler, three gourmet meals a day, and, you can

bet, a plenty hot shower.

When figuring your budget, think about how long you want to spend afield, as well as the

general level of comfort. Obviously, the more cash you spend, the more time you’ll have

in the woods. A Western hunt, be it elk, mule deer, or antelope, will typically run a week

to 10 days. A sheep hunt is generally going to run 10 days to two weeks and require a

bush pilot fly-in service or pack-in horse team. A trophy whitetail hunt in the Midwest can

range from a weekend to weeks on end, depending on what you want to spend.

Our suggestion: One long hunt is better than two short hunts. If you’re considering two

long weekend trips, instead choose one weeklong outing. The more immersive the

experience, the more you’ll learn, and the better the adventure.

Beyond the sticker price of your hunt, you must also consider tips and shipping costs if

and when you do shoot a corker. Just like waitresses and fishing guides,

Preference Points

If you apply for a big-game tag in a state lottery and aren’t drawn, that state will return

your money and issue a “point.” Points better your odds of being drawn next year. Some

states allow you to buy extra points to increase chances of hitting; others only issue one

point per year to unsuccessful applicants.

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20 percent is customary if the service is good. But if the outfitter simply gets you into a

tree stand or a field to DIY hunt, tipping isn’t mandatory. Really, you’re only going to tip

your guide. This is especially important if you have a one-to-one hunter/guide situation,

as your tip is likely the lion’s share of his or her income. There’s no need to tip the outfitter

or lodge owner, just as you wouldn’t tip a restaurant owner.

Outfitter vs. Guide

Outfitter:

The hunt master who organizes your trip start to finish. Outfitters secure the land to hunt

and help with travel logistics, processing game, accommodations, and everything else.

They’re generally the stressed-out person running the camp.

Guide:

The guide is the person who’s with you in the woods. Maybe he’ll just drive you to a deer

stand. Maybe he’ll be over your shoulder and tell you when to shoot. Different kinds of

hunts, and different outfits, have different styles — some more hands-on than others. In a

small outfit, the outfitter may be the guide and vice versa.

Now what about when you finally do shoot that trophy elk? How are you going to get

500 pounds of meat home? There’s an additional, and sometimes big, expense.

First, ask your potential outfitter if there’s a trophy fee. This is much more common in

places such as Africa and New Zealand, but asking a U.S. operation about it, too, is

worthwhile. Trophy fees can range from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars

and may cover the cost of butchering, caping and packaging the animal for shipment.

Conversely, if you’re hunting a place with point or size restrictions, such as shooter bucks

that must be 140 inches-plus — this is common in Midwest deer hotspots — you may pay

$1,000 or more for taking a little guy. This is one way that land managers keep big-deer

numbers high. For more on how animals are scored and how to judge them in the field,

see: www.boone-crockett.org/bgRecords/records_FieldJudging_WTDeer.asp.

Second, you must consider transport of the meat and your trophy. If you’re duck hunting,

even if you’re saving a few birds for mounts, a medium cooler will cover it. Airlines will

check a sealed cooler, but the weight is usually capped at 50 pounds. (Some airlines

allow 100 pounds for an additional fee.) But a 500-pound elk is a different story. You can

check multiple coolers of 50-100 pounds of meat, plus the cape and antlers boxed, on

your return flight, or look into a commercial shipper such as FedEx or UPS.

The Airline Shuffle

With the potential of traveling with three or four oversized checked bags, you

should research baggage fees before you book a flight. Southwest, for example,

might initially look more expensive than another airline, but your first and second

bags fly free. American Airlines might seem like a great deal, but it charges an

extra $200 for every bag over 70 pounds. Your best bet is to figure out what

you’re checking, how much it will all weigh, factor in one or two extra 100-pound

coolers for meat and horns, and then crunch the numbers. Keep these figures

in mind when calculating trip cost, especially when considering flying versus

driving. Four coolers and your hunting gear will easily fit in a pickup bed, and

spending two days on the road — even with fuel costs what they are — could be

less expensive than flying out an Ontario moose.

However you slice it, you must consider the cost of transporting your trophy. Location,

too, plays a big factor. Even if you’re flying, getting a buck back from Alabama is a whole

lot easier, and less expensive, than a caribou from Alaska.

Third, taxidermy: Most hunters don’t consider this a hunting trip expense, but it’s worth

thinking about. If you’ve scraped together pennies for your big Western combo hunt, and

like Achilles himself return home victorious with wall-worthy elk and mule deer heads,

you’re not going to want the salted capes to dry rot in your basement. Check with your

local taxidermist before departure and ask about pricing. He probably also has great tips

on shipping trophies home.

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LOCATION, TROPHY POTENTIAL AND

AVALIABILITY

III.

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So you know what you want to hunt and have a hard budget in mind. Now you can

dial down and figure out where to hunt. As already mentioned, the American model

of wildlife management is a phenomenal success, but navigating all the complex

regulations that differ from state to state can be mind-numbing. There’s no possible way

to explain every possible big-game scenario, but we can walk you through the basics and

then point you in the right direction to start your hunt-specific research.

To get started, consider this example:

the most hunted, most iconic American big game animal out there, the whitetail deer.

Here’s how to go about planning a trophy whitetail hunt:

Google is your friend, whether you’re a sheep hunter or bass fisherman. For our trophy

whitetail hunt, you’ll want to find the states with the biggest deer. The Boone and

Crockett Club has kept records on North American game animals since 1887. Googling

“best whitetail states” or “trophy whitetails” will ultimately return magazine articles

and blog posts on what states produce the most B&C bucks. (Pope and Young, the

archery-only equivalent of B&C, is another great way to research deer ground, too.)

These numbers are tabulated annually; in the last year few years, for example, Kentucky

has experienced a big deer boom. Wherever Google takes you, some constants about

trophy whitetails will emerge: Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Kentucky

to name a few. The biggest deer, you’ll soon see, come out of the Midwest grain belt, so

immediately you can cross the Northeast, South and West off your big buck bucket list.

After doing your homework, let’s say you’ve arrived at Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, and Missouri

as your potential states to hunt. But you’ll quickly learn is that you just can’t buy a deer

tag in Iowa and Kansas unless you’re a resident (we’ll assume you’re not). Non-residents

must apply to the equivalent of a deer lottery and hope for the best. States divide their

ground into game management units or wildlife management units, and

Step 1: Research the State

Step 2: Lotto Bucks

the higher a unit’s trophy potential, the more hunters apply to hunt it, hence the longer

odds to draw.

Here you have a fork in the road: Do you throw your hat in the lottery, where it will likely

take three to five years to pull a tag in Kansas or Iowa, or do you go to an “over-the-

counter” state such as Illinois or Missouri?

In Iowa, to apply for a deer tag you must pay the full price of a license and tag upfront,

which comes in just north of $500 — the most expensive whitetail tag fees in the country.

If you’re drawn, the paperwork is issued and you’re good to hunt. If you’re not drawn,

the money is returned a few weeks later, minus $50 for one preference point. Generally,

you will need three or four points to hit in the Iowa deer lottery. Not all states have a

preference point system, but many do. Collecting points is mandatory if you want to DIY

hunt many Western big game species, especially mountain goats and sheep.

Back to whitetail: Missouri couldn’t be more different than Iowa. Just walk into the local

Wal-Mart, show them your hunter safety card and drivers license, fork over about $150,

and you’re good to hunt.

So do you hunt, Iowa or Missouri? What’s the difference, after all, between a southern

Iowa buck and northern Missouri buck?

Well, because Missouri is less restrictive in how many hunters can hunt each season,

with more licenses issued compared with Iowa, there’s more hunting pressure and many

more deer killed (about 115,000 in Iowa in 2012 compared with 311,000 in Missouri, even

though Missouri is only about 20 percent bigger in area). Bottom line: You’re more likely

to encounter older deer in the more restrictive states such as Iowa because there are

fewer hunters in the woods and fewer deer killed every season.

But what about Illinois? The Land of Lincoln has a special set of considerations. You’re

sure to read somewhere about Pike County, Illinois. You’ve probably seen monster bucks

shot there on TV. Pike County may be the most famous deer ground in the country. (You’ll

read about others, too, such as Buffalo County in Wisconsin.) Certainly, you can get a

tag and a tree stand in Pike County if you’re willing to spend for it. But again: Fame and

over-the-counter tags result in hunters and hunting pressure. While most hunters will

sit a stand anywhere in Illinois in a heartbeat, if you’re planning one perfect hunt, waiting

for an Iowa tag might be more worthwhile. Moreover, if you plan to travel and hunt the

Midwest every year or every couple years, Illinois should make your short list. That said,

much of this boils down to personal preference and your own research. These are the

kinds of nuances to consider when planning a hunt.

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Step 3: Pick a Unit

Less pressure translates to older bucks. With that in mind, let’s say you decide to hold

out for Iowa. It’s certainly a well-known deer locale, but because of the tight regulations,

it doesn’t face the same amount of pressure as other big deer states. When you fill out

your Iowa deer application, you will also put down what zone, or unit, you want to hunt.

Picking the right unit is part art, part science.

Sticking with our Iowa example, let’s say you’re focused on the southern half of the state,

which is known for great deer. The first thing you should do is pull up Iowa’s unit map,

plus lottery and harvest statistics. Here’s what the numbers looked like in 2013:

Game Sought Number of Hunters Percentage

Total Hunters 13.7 million 100%

Big Game 11.6 million 85%

Deer 10.9 million 79%

Wild Turkey 3.1 million 23%

Elk 0.9 million 6%

Bear 0.5 million 4%

Small Game 4.5 million 33%

Squirrel 1.7 million 12%

Rabbit 1.5 million 11%

Pheasant 1.5 million 11%

Quail 0.8 million 6%

Migratory Birds 2.6 million 19%

Ducks 1.4 million 10%

Doves 1.3 million 9%

Geese 0.8 million 6%

Whitetail hunting Iowa, frankly, is a convenient example. There are 10 total units, three

of which are known to be the hottest. Colorado, by comparison, has 183 units to comb

through. Still, spending time on state wildlife agency websites and drilling into specifics

is worthwhile. Anyone can Google “Iowa deer outfitter” or “Colorado elk hunt” and book

with the first guide service that pops up. But by researching locations and units, you

increase the odds of success and control your own destiny. This puts you “more in the

hunt,” as they say.

But you don’t need to do this alone. Internet forums are a great place to get feedback

on particular units or particular outfitters. If you post something such as, “Where should

I hunt elk in Utah?” you’re sure to get flamed, but if you’ve done some research and ask

something like, “I’m considering hunting Colorado Unit 82 for elk? Has anyone done that

hunt?” you’re liable to glean some good intel. Also, pick up the phone. Call that cousin in

the Midwest or college buddy in Montana. You never know who knows a guy who knows

a guy who can help.

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Game Sought Number of Hunters Percentage

Total Hunters 13.7 million 100%

Big Game 11.6 million 85%

Deer 10.9 million 79%

Wild Turkey 3.1 million 23%

Elk 0.9 million 6%

Bear 0.5 million 4%

Small Game 4.5 million 33%

Squirrel 1.7 million 12%

Rabbit 1.5 million 11%

Pheasant 1.5 million 11%

Quail 0.8 million 6%

Migratory Birds 2.6 million 19%

Ducks 1.4 million 10%

Doves 1.3 million 9%

Geese 0.8 million 6%

Hunters by Game Sought

Source:

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

HOW TO PICK AN

OUTFITTER

IV.

You know what you want to hunt. You know where you want to hunt it. The next step

is finding the right outfitter. Because you’ve done your research on units, you’re way

ahead of the average Joe in shopping for guides across an entire state or region.

If you landed a Zone 6 whitetail tag in Iowa, you have a fixed number of outfitters to look

at. If you decided on GMU No. 2 or 10 for elk in Colorado, and you have the means to

buy a high-dollar outfitter tag, you know exactly where to go shopping. Bottom line: Let

location be your guide.

Finding the right outfitter is the hardest but most important decision you’ll make. Keep

this in mind: You can’t judge a guide based on what you shoot. Even the best, most

experienced guides in the hottest spots with the most knowledgeable crew and most

sophisticated equipment get skunked. Hunting, in general, is a low-odds game —

outfitter or not. Consider that 90 percent of elk hunters are unsuccessful. As the saying

goes, “Ten percent of elk hunters kill 90 percent of the elk.” Measure the guide on what

you learned and the quality of the experience, not the gory results.

When researching outfitters, whether by unit as we recommend, or more generally by state or region, we’ve found that breaking it into three steps is easiest:

1. Research 2. Validate and compare 3. Select and track

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The Internet is your friend. Just like you asked those unit questions on hunting forums,

ask about specific outfitters. If you’re hunting the West and decided on a particular unit

or a small area of units, you may have only one or two outfitters to choose from. If you’re

hunting a place such as Iowa’s Zone 6, you may have a dozen or so outfitters to consider.

Look at their websites. Do they have up-to-date field reports? Photos of successful

hunts? Trail camera pictures? An up-to-date website is a good sign, but many

1. Research?

savvy deer hunters aren’t savvy tech people, so a crummy site isn’t necessarily a deal

breaker. Take a look at social media, too. Many outfitters are putting more energy into

Facebook than with the general Web because it’s a fast way to create a following and

client photos, tagged from a recent hunt and automatically posted to fan pages.

A less digital option: Consider visiting one of major sportsmen’s expos. There are

literally hundreds of them nationally, from deer-specific events to big-time national and

international showcases. Many outfitters pick up a majority of their clientele at sportsmen’s

shows. If you’re on the East Coast, look into the Great American Outdoor Show in

Harrisburg, Pa. The Midwest Deer & Turkey Expo series is a solid option for folks in the

middle of country, with events in half a dozen states throughout the year. In the West,

International Sportsmen’s Exposition hosts shows in California, Colorado, Utah. and Arizona.

Online review sites, such as Fin & Field, are another great option. Unlike Facebook, where,

generally speaking, only satisfied (or upset) clients post, or websites that speak more to

marketing budgets than hunt quality, online review sites usually offer fair and balanced

information. You get the extreme happy client, the unhappy client, and everything in the

middle. It’s why Open Table works for restaurants and Trip Advisor works for hotels.

Last but not least: the personal touch. Old-school, human-to-human recommendations

from friends or acquaintances are worth their weight in gold. So call that college buddy

in Montana. Preference word-of-mouth recommendations from people you trust above

everything else you see and read. Human intel is the best intel here.

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Once your research is complete, pick up the phone and send emails. Talk to the guide

or outfitter. Ask him about his business, and tell him about the trip you have in mind. If

he doesn’t have time to talk, ask yourself why that is. Is he just brushing you off, or is he

exhausted from running trips? If you call during peak season, he’s probably been working

16-hour days, seven days a week. In that case, a tired guide is an encouraging sign,

because busy is good. Either way, make sure you convey the type of experience you’re

2. Validate and Compare

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looking to take from the trip. Make sure the timeline you have in mind fits his schedule

and also matches with what you want to hunt and how you want to hunt it.

If this is a family or group hunt, vet the possible outfitters with everyone involved. The

more people involved in the decision, the better the experience.

Questions to Ask an Outfitter Whether you meet potential guides and outfitters on a show floor or call them after

conducting some Internet homework, there are a couple questions you’ll want to ask:

• Ask for references. You want to talk to clients who’ve had success and those

who went home empty-handed.

• Ask what percentage of clients are repeat customers. The best guides are

booked and rebooked year after year.

• Ask about the guide-to-client ratio. This is especially important if you’re

planning a Western hunt and you’re not familiar with the terrain.

• Ask about seasons. Everyone wants to hunt whitetails during the rut, but

certain outfitters specialize in early-season bruisers or late-season, post-rut

survivors. You can often save some money by working around the peak

season.

• Ask how much land the outfitter hunts. More is better, of course.

• How many are hunters are in camp, while you’re there and over the course

of a season?

• Confirm that the style of hunt adheres to your personal ethics and vision. For

example, if you want to spot-and-stalk mule deer with a bow, make sure

your outfitter specializes in getting close.

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Once you’ve decided on your guide, it’s time to pull the trigger. Fifty percent deposit is

always due at the time of booking.

Whether your hunt is in six weeks or six months, part of the fun is staying on top of the

details. Follow the outfitter on Facebook and Twitter, and check to see if pictures are

regularly posted online. Monitor the weather in your destination. Heavy rainfall or drought,

for example, in the weeks preceding your trip can dramatically affect stand locations for

whitetail. Your guide will be impressed that you’re up-to-date on conditions. Furthermore,

asking how a guide is responding to changing conditions keeps him accountable.

• If you’re a bowhunter, make sure the outfitter is bow friendly. Are they

familiar with archery tactics and optimal stand locations? (A friend of F&F

once had a guide take him to a “chip shot” of a bow stand. He said the

deer would pop out at 40 or 50 yards. That’s about double the shot

distance most bowhunters will take when hunting whitetail from a stand,

never mind a “chip shot.”)

• Ask about a bad weather policy. This is especially important in places such

as Alaska, where bad weather can delay trips for weeks or prevent you

from hunting once you’re there.

3. Select and Track

B E F O R E Y O U G O :

THE SEVEN P’s

V.

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife

Service, during 2011 there were

13,683,000 Americans who hunted,

amounting to 5.7% of the American

population aged 16 and over.

Age Percentage

16 – 17 3%

18 – 24 9%

25 – 34 15%

35 – 44 18%

45 – 54 23%

55 – 64 21%

65+ 11%

Hunters by Age

As the old British military adage goes, “Proper planning and preparation prevents

piss-poor performance”. It’s true in the service, and it’s true in the outdoors. Now

that you’ve found an outfitter, let’s take a look at the real work.

Are You in Shape Enough for this Trip? Fitness is the single most important factor in predicting the success of a hunt. Sure,

any wheat-belly can sit in a ground blind and wait for a deer to walk by, but what about

climbing 30 feet up tree steps? What about walking acre after acre of cut corn for

pheasant, or busting brush for grouse? As the mean age of the American hunter gets

older, more outfitters have made concessions to the out-of-shape and disabled. That

said, getting in better shape for your hunt is still a smart idea. Ask your outfitter about

what kind of physical exertion you can expect, and train for that. Many Western hunters

go on long walks or hikes with a pack loaded with 20 or 30 pounds of rocks. If you live

near a hill, ski slope, or mountain, walk it. Maybe you need to build some muscle at

the gym or on that dusty basement weight set. Determine what kind of activity you’ll

encounter in the woods, then train for it. The harder you train, the easier the hunt.

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Age Percentage

16 – 17 3%

18 – 24 9%

25 – 34 15%

35 – 44 18%

45 – 54 23%

55 – 64 21%

65+ 11%

Practice

When was the last time you shot your bow or sighted in that rifle? Whether it’s a bow

hunt, a rifle hunt, or shotgunning ducks, you should practice, practice, practice. Ask your

outfitter about likely shooting distances, then practice long. Some bowhunters regularly

practice at 70 or 80 yards, though they would never take a shot on a wild animal farther

than 50. With a .30-06, many shooters can ring a gong at 600-plus yards but wouldn’t

shoot an animal past 300 yards. The point is this: Whatever you’re hunting, know your

ability — and your limitations — with the tool at hand.

Beyond yardages, you’ll want to practice as if you are hunting. If you’re layout hunting

for diving ducks, practice shooting clays off your back. If you’re bowhunting elk, better

start shooting off your knees. Talk to you outfitter about expected shooting scenarios,

and then drill them. Nothing is worse than having everything come together, sighting in

a magnificent critter, and then blowing the shot. It’s part of the game, and we’ve all done

it. But that doesn’t make it any less crushing. Practice decreases the odds that you’ll miss

when the moment of truth arrives.

Gear Considerations Every outfitter worth his salt will provide a list of recommended gear for your trip. Unlike

fishing, which you can basically pack like you’re going on vacation, hunting requires many

specific items depending on where you’re headed.

First, make sure you bring enough ammunition or arrows to re-sight your gun or bow

when you arrive at camp. Bad things happen on planes and bumpy car rides. Bring

enough tools to make basic fixes. This usually translates to Allen wrenches, lubes, and a

cleaning kit. If weight isn’t a concern, bring a backup bow and arrows.

You’re staying at a drive-in lodge or camp cabin, you’ll want to bring your own toiletries,

including bar soap and shampoo, plus towels and any extras that might make things

more comfortable (e.g., coffee, dish soap, paper towels, a good kitchen knife, and so on).

If you’re flying in or packing into camp, most outfitters will limit you to 50 pounds of gear,

so you must be more sparing.

Whatever you hunt, quality rain gear, boots, and socks are a must. You’ll also likely need

safety orange and a set of camouflage outerwear. While poly-blend clothing such as

Under Armor and Scent Lock are all the rage, many a hunter has killed giant bucks in

blue jeans and a flannel shirt. Go with what’s comfortable. and if you’re unsure, run your

ideas past the outfitter. Bring more socks than you think you’ll need and an extra pair of

underwear.

Depending where you’re hunting, more specific items will vary, but you’ll generally always want these things handy:

• Your prescription medications

• A headlamp with spare batteries

• A GPS, map, and compass

• A general-purpose hunting knife

• Matches or a lighter and a fire starter with tinder

• A water bottle or bladder

• A few energy bars, trail mix or jerky snacks

• Binoculars and a range finder

• Sunglasses

• Your license and tags

• A camera, be it cell phone or DSLR

• A ThermaCELL if it’s buggy

• A high-quality hat, gloves and neck gaiter for cold weather.

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VI.

G E T T I N G

THERE

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Getting to a primetime hunting spot isn’t always easy. The best hunting always

seems to be the most remote. After you’ve decided on your outfitter, ask how to get

there. Some operations will pick you up at the airport; others may require you to drive to

them. Ask about the roads and driving conditions. You won’t want to climb an iced-over

mountain in a two-wheel drive Kia rental.

If you’re traveling with a bow or firearm, investing in the best TSA-approved travel case

you can find will be worthwhile, especially if you’re flying. A jarred suitcase is no big deal,

but a jarred rifle case could mean an out-of-whack riflescope, which equals time and

money to sight it in again. If you’re flying with firearms, you’ll need to declare as much

when you check in. Your gun case requires a TSA-approved lock. Ammunition cannot

be stored in the same bag or case as the firearm. Your gun case and any bag holding

ammunition must be checked, so you’ll automatically have two checked bags. If you’re

bringing back a cooler of meat, that’s a third checked bag — possibly an oversized bag

tagged with a steeper fee.

Item Carry-on Checked

Small arms ammunition, including ammunition up to .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge: Check with your airline or travel agent to see if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. Small arms ammunitions for personal use must be securely packaged in fiber, wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply

No Yes

BB guns No Yes

Compressed air guns, including rifles and pistols (to include paintball markers): Carried in checked luggage without compressed air cylinder attached.

No Yes

Firearms: Firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in.

No Yes

Flare guns: May be carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read our section on Camping.

No Yes

Flares No No

Gun lighters* No Yes

Gunpowder, including black powder and percussion caps No No

Parts of guns and firearms (e.g., frames, receivers, ammunition clips, magazines)

No Yes

Pellet guns No Yes

Realistic replicas of firearms No Yes

Flying with Firearms

Checking a firearm onto an airplane isn’t a huge deal, but you must know the

rules and follow them to the letter. For starters, you need a hard, locking case,

with a TSA-approved lock. Any and all firearms must be checked; parts and

components — barrels, uppers, magazines, suppressors — are considered

“firearms” under the law. Here’s TSA’s quick-reference chart for what can and

cannot be checked.

For more information, visit:

www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition.

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Item Carry-on Checked

Small arms ammunition, including ammunition up to .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge: Check with your airline or travel agent to see if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. Small arms ammunitions for personal use must be securely packaged in fiber, wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply

No Yes

BB guns No Yes

Compressed air guns, including rifles and pistols (to include paintball markers): Carried in checked luggage without compressed air cylinder attached.

No Yes

Firearms: Firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in.

No Yes

Flare guns: May be carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read our section on Camping.

No Yes

Flares No No

Gun lighters* No Yes

Gunpowder, including black powder and percussion caps No No

Parts of guns and firearms (e.g., frames, receivers, ammunition clips, magazines)

No Yes

Pellet guns No Yes

Realistic replicas of firearms No Yes

Before You Board

NOTE: Check with your airline or travel agent to see if firearms are permitted in

checked baggage on the airline you are flying. Ask about limitations or fees, if any,

that apply.

•Permitted in checked baggage only if it does not contain lighter fluid.

GET IN THE

HUNT

VII.

There are no guarantees in the great outdoors. But with some research and the right

attitude, planning and executing a dream hunting trip is possible. Whether you’re

a veteran, world-traveling big game hunter or looking to shoot your first freezer full of

venison, there’s nothing like the feeling of participating in the life-and-death cycle of

predator and prey — Mother Nature at her most ruthless and awe-inspiring. Participation

is what separates the hunter from the bird watcher, and no other country on the planet

has a richer history of sound, science-based wildlife management to help make that

participation available to the masses.

Many hunters will gauge the quality of a trip on whether they felt “in the hunt.” It’s a highly

personal feeling but an instantly recognizable one. The best outfitters will intuit what

is necessary to make you feel most fulfilled, whether it’s selecting your own treestand,

leading the blood trailing, or simply foregoing the ATV and walking in yourself. But

getting in the hunt doesn’t start when you show up in camp. It starts right now, with

the planning, your research, verification, tracking the outfitter, and even reading this

guide. The more knowledgeable you are, from planning to pack-out, in the woods or on

mountain, the better the experience. So bear down and go for it. You’ll never feel freer

than when exploring and hunting the wild lands of this great country.

–The F&F Team

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