Hunt Guides

[Carphunter]

A buddy of mine and his family own a little over a thousand acres, and they farm three times that much. For the past couple of years he has been selling guided turkey hunts on this property. Well, he called me last night and asked me for some help. He only has two guides and is in desperate need of another. He asked me if I would be interested, and I said yes. My question is, I have never been on any hunts with a guide, much less guided anyone. Has anyone ever been on any guided hunts? Does anyone have any advice for me?<br /><br />I am not worried about my knowledge of turkey hunting, I have been hunting turkeys over 20 years now, but sometimes my approach to turkey hunting might be a little different than many people. If I hear a turkey, I go after it, and I don't know if someone wants to be walking around for ten miles to kill a turkey. I just want to make sure someone I guide has an enjoyable experience.<br /><br />Any advice would be welcome.

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: Hunt Guides

Make sure all clients are properly licenesed as per your state regulations.<br /><br />Meet with them before the hunt and review basic hunting safety rules.<br /><br />Screen out any drunks.<br /><br />Know the habits and patterns of the flock you are hunting.<br /><br />Get them to their positions early and tell them what direction they can expect you to come from to pick them up.<br /><br />Be pleasent and friendly. <br /><br />Give major discounts to people that offer you free hunting advice on a boating forum.<br /><br />Make sure they follow hunting regulations.<br /><br />Keep some cheap plastic ponchoes in your truck in case it rains, someone always forgets rain gear.<br /><br />Check their cammo once they are setup and offer suggestions if needed. <br />(Ya know what, maybe that Stainless Steel Smith and Wesson shotgun could use some tape on it.)

 

[Carphunter]

Re: Hunt Guides

Give major discounts to people that offer you free hunting advice on a boating forum.

lol at parrot_head. <br /><br />I guess i'm not to worried about how to actually hunt the turkeys, I believe I got that covered, i'm more interested in hearing about people that have been on guided hunts, and had an enjoyable trip. What made the trip enjoyable, and what things did the guide do that would make you want to go back?<br /><br />All good advice parrot_head, .........thanks.

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: Hunt Guides

Is it just a guide service, or an outfitter service providing lodging, meals and other amenities?<br /><br />If you/your buddies are just providing a guide service it all comes down to success. If you put a client onto the birds, he'll be happy. If he doesn't get a shot, doesn't see any birds and only hears distant gobbling-he probably won't be a returning client (especially if you drag him all over the place). Guiding for birds is a lot of homework, finding out where they are travelling from roost to strutting areas to feeding areas and back to roost. Putting them to bed at night is crucial.<br /><br />Never been on a guided hunt, but plan on doing a caribou hunt in the next couple years, so I will get my feet wet in it.<br /><br />Good Luck

 

[Bigfun]

Re: Hunt Guides

When your friend starts having you guide for deer bowhunters I whould be happy to come down and critique your guiding service, free of charge of course, I'll even pay for my own tranportation there and back.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Hunt Guides

Watch a couple of them there turkey hunting shows and they will show you how to properly prop a rich would be hunter w/camoflage up aganist a tree so that he could shoot a fattened up turkey and then take his 2-3000 bucks.<br />Most of them fellas would probably not like your style of hunting because that's "HUNTING"<br />You ever watch some of them hunting shows about deer??<br />They're getting so bad now that they are even showing the suposed hunter sitting in a building and then shooting the deer under the feeder and they show the guy is out of breath. Give me a break.<br />If them same type of people hunted Maine they would quit hunting.

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: Hunt Guides

That's why they have guides/outfitters. It's for people that aren't familiar with the woods or the area they will be hunting. To them, success is harvesting an animal. To me success is just being out there, seeing things that most people do not see. <br /><br />What, no I'm "sooooooo sweeeeeet (hug the throne)" comments yet today my friend?

 

[Bigfun]

Re: Hunt Guides

I love the lazy hunters (except the baiting part) If you don't mind a long hike you can usually find some excellent hunting, most hunters won't walk more than 1/4 mile from their vehicle. And thats probibly going to be the biggest problem with guiding.

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: Hunt Guides

Carp, do you shoot expandables or fixed broadheads? I've been an aluminum arrow/fixed broadhead guy my whole life, but my brother just convinced me to use expandables for this year. He still hasn't got me to switch to carbon yet, tough to teach this old dog I guess <br /><br />Bigfun, I count on those lazy hunters to push the critters to me. Just get in earlier and deeper into the woods and they will do all the work for ya.

 

[Carphunter]

Re: Hunt Guides

lol at guageguy. <br /><br />I've seen the pictures of you,.........I don't think sweet is a good way to describe what I saw. <br /><br />He provides it all, meals, lodging and the guide service.<br /><br />Getting on turkeys won't be much of a problem either, this place is loaded with 'em.<br /><br />He had 10 clients last year, 9 got a turkey, and the other one missed three times. <br /><br />So, basically, they should have had a 100% success rate if the other fella could only shoot straight.<br /><br />Guageguy, I am a fixed blade Muzzy man myself. I shoot the 4-blade 90 grain model. I just switched to Carbon arrows recently, and I love 'em.<br /><br />Bigfun, it sounds like a plan brother. See ya in October.

 

[nailbender2155]

Re: Hunt Guides

I guess turkeys are like most foraging animals. they go where the foood and shelter is. once you know that,, then you got to know when they'll be there. I know they're practically impossible to sneak up on, best to ambush (bushwack)them. FRom what I've seen on T.V., these hunting parties aren't interested in "roughing"it, I would opt for Blinds.

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: Hunt Guides

If turkeys could smell, you would never get one. The best eyes in the woods. I was in a tree stand about 20 feet up last fall and 3 nice toms came up onto the ridge I was on. I sat so still waiting for them to pass so I could draw my bow. When they got within 15 yards or so, one of them busted me because I blinked my eyes.<br /><br />Whatchoo talkin bout Carpy, I clean up nice That photo was after dragging a 200 pound deer a long ways, I was ready for my death bed

 

[Carphunter]

Re: Hunt Guides

lol at guageguy again. <br /><br />I tell people all the time that dragging out a nice buck is probably the hardest "work" I have ever done. Of course the adreneline is usually pumping overtime, and that makes it a little easier. <br /><br />Ok guys, again, I have over 20 years turkey hunting experience in various states. I appreciate the hunting advice, but thats not what i'm looking for. I wouldn't be opting to guide people on a turkey hunt if I was inexperienced.<br /><br />Just trying to get some info on guided hunts that people have been on, and what made the trip enjoyable.

 

[Bigfun]

Re: Hunt Guides

Right on Gaugeguy, I think those birds see movement from above them a lot better than they do at ground level. Probably has to do with birds of prey. Highly reccommend carbon, much more durable than al. I shoot muzzy also, bought 8 new 4 blade 90's for 5 bucks at g. sale last fall and 6 carbons for another 5$

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Hunt Guides

think the kinda folks who take "guided" hunts are<br />a bit diff. carp... (like fish in a barrel?)<br />nice cozy blind and a guaranteed tom?<br />hooters girls would be nice <br />tell me, exactly how posh is the sit.?<br />some doctor prob...<br />never been "guided", so do tell.

 

[Carphunter]

Re: Hunt Guides

You are correct Mellow, most of the fellas are from Indianapolis, and loaded.<br /><br />Nothing guaranteed, but they only pay if they tag a Tom.<br /><br />They're gonna have to work if i'm the guide. I'm gonna tell them that I can't guarantee you a turkey, but I can guarantee that I will try my hardest to get them one.<br /><br />There are two cabins that are used for clients, and they are really nice.<br /><br />I would only receive $ if the client decided to tip me. <br />I have known this family for years. I have two brothers, and there are three brothers in this family. The age difference between the brothers is almost exactly the same as me and my brothers. We all went to school together, and hunted together. About five years ago, Chris, the youngest of the brothers, (who was my age), and my best friend, died in his sleep at 29 years old.<br />He had an unknown to him heart ailment that showed up during his autopsey(sp). I really miss him. So, what i'm saying is, I don't care about any money. I have offered to do this because I am a friend of the family, and thats it. I don't want, or expect anything in return. They are some of the nicest people I have ever met, and they know that all they have to do is ask, and I would help them with anything. I just want to make sure I do a good job for him, because he does make some money on this.<br />(....and, BTW, he does not invite people back that do not tip the guides)

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Hunt Guides

ouch carpy <br />sorry man.... that's harsh!<br />MY advice?<br />don't assume these people will think like you.<br />you and I would just have fun mudding around and<br />tracking turkey sign and prints regardless...<br />a Tom, although probable, is not necc. to make it<br />a great day... don't think the rich wanna b's will<br />have same perspective.<br />just an observation, do with what u will.<br />besides, u can ALWAYS have fun out there right?<br />M.Y.

 

[Carphunter]

Re: Hunt Guides

Good advice Mellow. I have had numerous hunting trips that many people would say were unsuccessful, yet, I had a blast.<br /><br />I just love being in the woods regardless of the reason for being there.<br /><br />I really think it would be fun to guide someone to their first Turkey. Hopefully, i'll get to experience that,................ If not, I think Kroger is running a sale on them Butterballs.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Hunt Guides

maybe a good scary campfire story with some secret<br />assistance in the woods?.... <br />MY bad,<br />M.Y.

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: Hunt Guides

With all the gear I have Carpy, the price per pound of Butterballs is a whole lot cheaper than the wild Tom. Good thing I enjoy it and don't have to rely on it