Willing to start my guiding career with free labor this summer

[Pack mule]

I used my G.I. Bill different than most, I used it on a hunting guide school called royal tine. As an easterner the school was my first taste of the western hunting lifestyle and I loved it! After graduating from royal tine guide school in Philipsburg Montana last summer I decided that I wanted to harvest my first elk before starting my guiding career. I went to Durango Colorado in archery season and accomplished that. That wasnt enough so I went to palisades reservoir Idaho and put another in the freezer.

Now I am looking for a place to get started my lifelong dream of a career in the hunting industry. I would like to find a successful hunting outfitter that has been doing it for more than 10 years That can teach me how to be a successful hunting guide.

I am willing to work all summer for knowledge, food and a safe place to park my RV full of everything I own.

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

sounds awesome, good luck and keep us posted!

 

[hoshour]

Good luck in pursuing your dream. Learn as much as you can, work your rear off for your employer and his clients without complaining and you should be well on your way.

I'm not sure how it works in outfitting, but when I started my career way back when, I started by looking for a position with the top company in the field and got it. Try to start with the best there is and work your way down until persistence meets opportunity. Keep in touch with your contacts. If you're good and have a good attitude, word get around.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Here is an opportunity with a pretty good outfit.

http://www.wyoga.org/wyoga-classified-ads.php

 

[Hilltop]

It is very challenging to make an entire career out of being a hunting guide out west. You best chance would be to find employment with a ranch that also guides. Hunting seasons out west generally aren't long enough to generate enough income to last throughout the remainder of the year. I tried one year and guided Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico all in the same season. I made about $17,000, including tips, and worked my guts out. I also put a ton of miles on my truck. On top of that I soon realized that a the job wasn't as enjoyable as I had envisioned. Some of the people I guided were amazing while others were not a lot of fun to be around. I would encourage you to find employment that parallels your dream and allows you to guide in the fall yet provides for you the rest of the year.

 

[7mag]

I have been dreaming up an antelope guiding business lately for my days off. Im sure it will be a couple years out but the thought of it has me really excited. I cant imagine how thrilled you are. Congratulations and good luck!

 

[Manualman]

It is very challenging to make an entire career out of being a hunting guide out west. You best chance would be to find employment with a ranch that also guides. Hunting seasons out west generally aren't long enough to generate enough income to last throughout the remainder of the year. I tried one year and guided Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico all in the same season. I made about $17,000, including tips, and worked my guts out. I also put a ton of miles on my truck. On top of that I soon realized that a the job wasn't as enjoyable as I had envisioned. Some of the people I guided were amazing while others were not a lot of fun to be around. I would encourage you to find employment that parallels your dream and allows you to guide in the fall yet provides for you the rest of the year.

You hit it right on the head. I guided in Maine for a couple seasons during bear season. Some clients were great and some just made you want to never hunt again. Lots of miles on the truck and fed hound dogs all year for a 6 week season.

 

[WapitiBob]

I guided for Frank Simms and George Taulman of USO about 25 years ago and can say it was very enjoyable to help a guy tag his first bull elk. There were times when a client asked me wth I was doing, having read the "proper strategy" in Field and Stream but when they were standing over their Elk they were pleased.
If you can make it work, it can be fun and fulfilling. Good luck in your endeavors.

 

[Retterath]

Good luck on your career and set your standards high and never let anyone stray you away from your dreams. Good luck, keep us posted through out the hunting season.

 

[JimP]

If guiding was a 52 week job then I might say go for it, but it isn't.

All the outfitters and guides that I know have another full time job to pay the bills, they outfit and guide because they love the outdoors along with hunting and fishing.

To the OP good luck on your endeavor and I do hope that you make it.

 

[hoshour]

Here is an opportunity with a pretty good outfit.

http://www.wyoga.org/wyoga-classified-ads.php

I hear a lot of good things about Non-Typical Outfitters.

 

[mntnguide]

I hear a lot of good things about Non-Typical Outfitters.

He has that ad on there 24/7 every year. ...he kills big deer, but someone who needs guides EVERY year. .there is a reason. I know multiple guys who have worked there and 1 season was more than enough. If an outfit can't keep returning guides, there is something to be wary of no matter what their reputation is for hunting. .. to the OP..Call Cody back at Royal tine...he will have job leads for you to pursue. I use to instruct there and cody is a great friend. .that's why you went to the school, use the resource if you want to. .unless you decided horses aren't your thing.

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[Gr8bawana]

There is a guide my family went on a trail ride with years ago in northern Nevada. He has a small ranch he is based out of. He is a guide all year long because he does trail rides and fishing trips during the summer.
During hunting season he giudes for all the big game species. He also guides for bird hunting. He also has a cabin in the mountains he rents out that give hunters access to the BLM land behind the locked gate.
Seems like an operation like this is about as good as it can be for year-round guiding.
Good luck to you in your sreach for a career in guiding.

 

[minn elk chaser]

First off I want to thank you for your service to our country. Many years ago I went through a guide school with the intentions of learning things for my own good. Had a great experience and if you never work as a guide it was probably worth it. Good luck....

 

[hoshour]

He has that ad on there 24/7 every year. ...he kills big deer, but someone who needs guides EVERY year. .there is a reason. I know multiple guys who have worked there and 1 season was more than enough. If an outfit can't keep returning guides, there is something to be wary of no matter what their reputation is for hunting. .. to the OP..

Interesting. I was just referring to the quality of the deer the clients take. Sad to hear there's so much turnover, and yes - I agree that high turnover is definitely a red flag for working someplace.

 

[mntnguide]

Interesting. I was just referring to the quality of the deer the clients take. Sad to hear there's so much turnover, and yes - I agree that high turnover is definitely a red flag for working someplace.

They do take some great deer every year...But for the few giants they take, there are plenty of clients that are going home without one as well...It will be interesting to see how well he does with this new ban on aircraft scouting after aug 1st...If you look at the scouting photos on the website, youll start to notice how many of the deer are looking "up".

 

[gypsumreaper]

Your either gonna have to work a ranch all summer and guide fall or find a place that does summer horseback and fall hunting. I spent a lot of time on dude ranches and guided hunting. Now I'm working my own outfit and trying to make a living it's completely different owning vs working


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[Don K]

Work for yourself
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID49/10811.html

 

[Gr8bawana]

It will be really bad for those clients who have already booked if someone buys the business that thought it would be cool or fun to be an outfitter and guide but don't really know the ins and outs of the business.
I wonder how that would work if you wanted your money back but of course the previous owner is gone with your money?

 

[Tim McCoy]

Caveat emptor is unfortunately very applicable in selecting guides/outfitters, and not just new ones. It would really stink if the operator you selected suddenly sold out, be unnerving to say the least, doubly so if they were new to the business and the area.