Your mind has obsessed for weeks, maybe months, about how to ensure that your next deer hunt is successful. Doing your best to increase your chances of success, you are seriously considering hiring an experienced deer hunting guide. That is how you ended up here; hoping to learn more about how you and maybe an experienced deer hunter can refine your hunting strategy. You already sense that an experienced guided hunter can transform a long, exhausting, dangerous trek into the wilderness into a shorter, successful, pleasurable adventure, but you are now thinking through how to make sure you secure the services of a reputable, skilled guide.
You already know that choosing the proper guide is an investment that should be taken seriously. Deer guides cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to hire because they are skilled professionals who know how to dramatically increase your chances of success in tracking and killing your prey while keeping you safe and free of legal trouble.
Well-established guides can also offer pleasant food and lodging, allowing you to relax after your adventure. How do you increase your chances of choosing the right guide for your needs? You can take many steps to ensure your money is well-spent when you choose a guide. Besides asking friends and fellow hunters for references, you should check references and ask good questions when interviewing a prospective guide. For example, how does the guide guarantee you will find deer? Does the guide or the company have a system which limits the number of hunters in a certain area to reduce the number of people shooting at the same game?
How many hunters do they take out each month? (Less is better. Less hunters reduce competition for the same deer, increase the likelihood game will be mature and decrease the chances you will be shot by friendly fire). Are there food plots in the area to attract game?. Can the hunting guide help you hunt your prey using your preferred method, whether it’s carefully tracking the prey through the wild, or cutting-to-the chase and bringing you within close range of the deer from the start? Once you have finished for the day, what accommodations will be available, including food. Will you be left scrambling for survival food or greeted by a feast when you return from your adventure? If the guide offers photos of past successes, look at the photos and try and determine whether the prey looks native to the area, or whether it looks like it was imported for marketing purposes.
Once you choose your guide, following-up on the details that will make your trip as smooth and comfortable as possible. Pack your clothes carefully with an eye to the weather. Will it likely be freezing cold? Or warm? You don’t want to spend your time and energy thinking about how cold it is or fidgeting with heavy clothing if it is warm instead of tracking or pinpointing deer. Have a back-up plan in case it snows and you cannot get to your destination immediately. Make arrangements in advance to rent an SUV, if you need one, so that you start your adventure right away. With careful research, planning and follow-up you can ensure your trip will be spent on as few distractions as possible. Between your experienced deer guide and your skills, you are guaranteed to be much further on the path to a happy, successful hunt.
