Does anybody have any info or tips on becoming a Guide, ETC

[black and tans boy]

Hey guys recently iv'e been pondering the idea of becoming a guide and getting my outfitters license for Montana And Idaho so i can run bear, My dad used to be a guide until he got into an accident, hes put a couple cats in the record book for Montana, several years ago, a couple of my friends are thinking about doing it and also learning taxidermy work,but if anybody has any info or tips i would appreceate it alot thanks for your time.

[Dale T]

Google search will give more info then anybody could ever use.

[Lil Joes BigGame hounds]

Find a reliable outfitter with good clientele and work for him for several years. Then after learning the ropes start working with your own clients. Don't burn any bridges and dont take clients from your outfitter that is just against guide code.

[halfbreed]

can't beat on the job training .. and after working at it you might realize it ain't worth it . it ain't like it was when your dad did it i'm sure . this being cause people ain't like they used to be .

[hounder]

Go to a guide school that provides job placement opportunity i have looked and looked and Royal Tine seems to offer the whole package. http://www.royaltine.com/

[JIM HARRIS]

LITTLE JOE SAYS IT ALL. TRY IT WORKING FOR SOMEONE. YOU MIGHT FIND OUT IT IS NOT YOUR CUP OF TEA. YOU MIGHT FIND OUT YOU COULD BE SITTING ON YOUR CAN DOING NOTHING MOST OF THE YEAR WITH NO INCOME. IN THIS ECONOMY DISCRETIONARY INCOME IS WAY DOWN. FOLKS ARE THINKING ABOUT FILLING THE OIL BARREL, FEEDING THEIR FAMILIES, SOX ON THEIR KIDS FEET, AND PUTTING GAS IN THEIR CAR. THE CONCEPT OF BOOKING A HUNT FOR 1 TO 5 DOLLARS JUST ISN'T ON THE RADAR. IN SHORT BOOKINGS ARE WAY DOWN, OUTFITTERS ARE HAVING A TOUGH TIME.

TAKE LITTLE JOE'S ADVICE AND SEE WHERE THE PIECES ARE.

[bay'emup]

I don't know how outfitting in Montana works, but to get an outfitting license in Idaho will cost you. You have to buy another outfitter out of their unit, and you are required to be an Idaho resident to do it. You can get licensed as a guide in Idaho if an outfitter will employ you, but even then as a non-resident you could only run bears when you were working for your oufitter with his clients. Lots of outfitters in Idaho that guide hound/bear hunts will only let their guides use the dogs that belong to the outfitter. I have been guiding for just about ten years here in Idaho. It's lots of work and some fun occasionally. Being able to deal with a vast array of attitudes, personalities, and work ethics (in your clients) is extremely important. If you are not a very successful hunter on your own, you will not succeed as a guide or outfitter. You have to be able to have a great day hunting every day. Another thing that most people don't think about is that you have to be a very diverse hunter. You need to have unparalled archery and rifle skills, along with being an above average houndsmen. Just some things for you to think about. I don't want to sound discouraging, but think that everyone getting ready to pursue a guiding or outfitting career needs to know the reality of it.

[larry]

getting an outfitters licesne is not easy in MT. Getting a place to hunt is also not easy. Guide schools are for those that can't help themselves. If yo uhave to have smeone teach you how to become a guide, you are probably in the wrong business. Anyone with aq pulse can get a guides license, pay your money and take your first aid coursem thne try to find work. You have to log 100 guide days under an outfitter to even be eliglable to become an outfitter.

[Tracknthetrail]

Work with an outfitter first, as a guide, learn what you can, it will help you in the long run. Being a good or great hunter is one thing that you may have working for, an above average houndsman may be another thing you have working for you beause of your dad being a houndsman. Without a doubt most guys that want to hunt for a living think that if they can hunt and kill most animals in the woods that will make them a good or great outfitter. That is 1/4 of the job (the fun part, the reason we do it year after year). The rest of the job is to be able to run and manage a business, advertise, make contacts, get all the proper licenses, get access to lands that most guys cant, have that edge above your competition. There are a ton of behind the scenes things that go on as an outfitter that most guides have no clue of, they just come to camp ready to guide with no worries in the world......because we as the outfitter have it set up so that they can come in and take great care of our clients.

[black and tans boy]

Hey guys thanks alot for your info,

























































Hey guys thanks for your info

[catkiller]

I used to work for a outfitter in idaho that wasnt a resident and he got bought out by another outfitter that lives in montana. I would either look into a guide school but some of them are a joke and will run 40 kids in a summer. If you do end up going to one look at it as a interview the outfitters that run guide schools are always looking at there students as potential guides. You will also have to be backed by a outfitter to get a guides license in Idaho or Montana. I would definately try to become a guide first before trying to be a outfitter. Learn all that you can about it some outfitters will take there guides to the sport shows where they book most of there clients. After one season you will know if you like it or not. Some guys cant take waking up at 2 or 3 in the morning and going to bed at 10 or 11 and to do that for a month straight in archery takes a toll on anyone. rifle seasons are a little easier since you get a few more hours sleep. But after im done with 3 straight months of elk season in Idaho and Montana im plum wore out just to start cat hunting 5 days a week for 2 months. pm me if you want any more info.