To ensure you have the greatest trip ever you have decided to use an outfitter/guide service. Below is a list to ask the outfitter questions when booking your trip, so that you have a crystal clear knowledge of WHAT IS and WHAT IS NOT Included in or with your hunting or fishing trip! List is only partial idea but is a good guideline and will help you choose an outfitter. 

Transportation:

Do you furnish transportation from/back to the airport, or must I?
What type of transportation is provided?
How far is the nearest airport? What airlines service that airport?
Will I be able to rent a vehicle?
Where will I be staying?  Lodge, hotel, tent, etc…

How many guests to a room or tent? Can my family share a room?

What is supplied?  Food, sleeping bag, linens, running water, electricity, cooking utensils etc…

What meals, if any, are provided?  What is the quality of the food?

What do I expect, Sandwiches and chips or steak and veggies?

Is alcohol allowed or provided?

How much travel is involved from lodge to hunting/fishing area?

 

Fly In Trips:
What is the weight allowance per person?

What is the weight penalty fees?

What is the fly out weight per person?

Does the game/fish/head count in this personal weight?

What or is there a fee for flying out meat/fish/heads?

Are any day flyout trips to another lake included?

What is cost of additional day fly in trip if not included?

How do we contact you for help? What is classified as an emergency?
What is the number of rooms and beds and number of guests per room or cabin.
Does cabin or lodge come complete with eating utensils? For how many guests?
Do I still bring my own coffee pot and a can opener just in case?
Lighting does the cabin or lodge have interior lighting? Propane or generator powered?

Do I also bring a lantern, extra mantles and a flashlight?
Is there a Refrigerator / Freezer / Ice House?
What equipment is supplied at the Camp?

What provisions are supplied at Cabin?

What food/equipment do I have to bring?

 

Ask about the operation:

How experienced are the guides?

How many anglers/hunters per guide?

Will my group be split up?

Will I be added to another group?

What is the entire cost of the trip:

Including all license fees, access fees, trophy fees, any other fees?

What deposit is required?

What is the cancellation policy?

Will I get full refund or credit only to book another hunt?

What methods of payment do you accept?

Is there an ATM machine available locally?

Do you provide any references or referrals from other clients?

Do you have any testimonials from previous hunters?

May I contact them?

 

Ask questions specific to the trip:

How has the hunting/fishing been lately?

What game/fish have you been seeing/catching?

Have the game/fish been active/biting?

When is the peak of the rut/spawn/migration for your area?

What type of weapons/fishing rods can be used?

How large of an area/lake or lakes will I be hunting/fishing?

Do you supply decoys? What type? In what quantity?

Are fly out day trips available? Fly to or portage?

Is this a free-range hunt or a hunting preserve,(high fence hunt)?

Will we be set up in stands or is it a spot-and-stalk hunt?

Do you supply layout blinds or do we bring our own?

Will we be hunting fields, over water?

If we are using stands, are they provided or should I bring my own?

What kind of stands are provided?

What type of safety harness is there?

Life jackets what type and size are provided or bring my own?

What are your success statistics for the type of hunt/fish I am interested in booking?

Who cares for the game/fish?  Who will be responsible for butchering/cleaning?

Who does the caping if I get a trophy animal?

Is there a place to store the game meat/fish/head?

Is there a local taxidermist I can call?

Do I need to make arrangements to bring the game home?

What are the limits and are there package plans?

Who obtains the license?  Can it be purchased locally? How much are they?

Can ammunition/lures be purchased locally? Is there an area to site in my weapon?

What physical condition must I be in?

Is this a fully guided hunt/fish trip?

What kind of weather must I prepare for?  What kind of camo is best for your area?

Do you have a ‘gear check list’ to help me pack and plan for my trip?

 

Verify the information given to you:

Ask to speak to references who have hunted or fished recently.

Contact the province/state Outfitters Association, verify the outfitter is in good standing?

Check to make sure they are licensed to outfit in the province/state?

Check with the local Conservation/DNR officer if they have heard of the outfitter?

"Google" the outfitter and see if the Internet has pertinent information?

Log onto their website and read about their operation?