License/Permit Needed to Guide

[ScubaLatt]

I guided in college. Sucked. Didn't enjoy hunting as much. Was a job and not a sport. Lots of pressure to produce. Keep that in mind.

[Big Hutch]

The pressure is one reason I am thinking about guiding. No one I hunt with can call ducks or geese. If I don't go then they don't get to shoot so in effect I am guiding them. Some days I felt obligated to go with them because I knew if I didn't go they would be wasting their time.

I don't know if the pressure to perform would be different or at a different level with friends rather than clients. Whether it is guys paying for a daily hunt or partners paying their portion of an expensive yearly lease they both still expect to shoot birds.

But if it feels like a job then I'm with you. The good thing is that I only want to guide a few times a year.

Thanks.
Robbie aka Big Hutch

[cgoods17]

Sounds like you need new hunting partners.

[bgizzle]

Originally Posted by cgoods17

Sounds like you need new hunting partners.

^^^^^ this^^^^^^


"Go ahead, share your opinion! I won't cry"

[Big Hutch]

Maybe so but they are good guys and always pay their money on time. I don't know which one is more important ... ... They just can't operate a call.

Robbie aka Big Hutch

[bjhooper82]

Originally Posted by Big Hutch

Maybe so but they are good guys and always pay their money on time. I don't know which one is more important ... ... They just can't operate a call.

Robbie aka Big Hutch

Then teach them how.

[cgoods17]

Hunting is not ALL about calling..

[Big Hutch]

I am trying to teach them how. They are guys in their 50s that I introduced to the sport. I've got one that is now able to do a few clucks on a speck call and knows how to blow a whistle.

Sorry if I suggested that hunting is all about calling. Hunting is definitely more than calling. Being where the birds want to be would be first on my list; camo/no movement second; then calling/decoys. Since we hunt blinds leased from someone else we seldom have the luxury of being on the "x". Since that is the case calling becomes more important. They do ok during teal season and on teal during regular season. But when it comes to specks especially and big ducks that's where good calling really helps and bad calling really hurts. Some days I fit in both categories ...

Please know that I am in no way going to abandon my partners. All of my partners have demanding work schedules and there are periods of the season where I know they won't be hunting. That's when I am going to schedule a few hunts in my second blind to help with costs.


Thanks
Robbie aka Big Hutch

[Sightwindow]

Originally Posted by Paulox86

Find another way to offset the cost. Charging to guide puts you in business. Being in business costs money plus puts all responsibility on you if someone was to get hurt. Most General Liability insurance policies are at least $1000 a year for hunting/guiding and that only gets you $1,000,000. And a million does not go far when some pone gets shot.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Heartily second this.

[Goooh]

Originally Posted by cgoods17

Hunting is not ALL about calling..

Haven't you seen the videos man? I've seen refuge feeds make ducks drop their landing gear in the Fezzos parking lot.

[grizzon30s]

One of the reasons I kill more ducks now than I used too is because of the people I hunt with. Of course I've gained skills and knowledge of the years also. I still enjoy taking inexperienced hunters out, but I know to temper my expectations on those hunts. If you want to shoot limits or close to limits consistently, you need good hunters....or just a bang up lease....and those are tough to find.

[Gerenemo]

Robbie,

In my opinion you have what it takes to be an excellent guide. Knowledge of the sport & birds, integrity and honesty. I will be more than pleased to be one of your clients. Looking forward to the upcoming season!!!

[scooper]

Robbie, I have to second what Gerenemo says. If you've got the itch, scratch it. I've been very fortunate to have had good friends and contacts which have allowed me to experience both sides, as the guide as well as the sport and both can be equally enjoyable or frustrating. But I do know, as it sounds like you do, that putting guys on a good hunt and seeing the smiles on their faces when they've truly enjoyed the outing is pretty gratifying. Many folks don't have the opportunity to participate in those types of hunts - they just don't have the access or the contacts. Picking your customers and dates of your outings will help reduce some of the pressure folks talk about. Give it a try, if you don't, you'll always wish you had.

[Big Hutch]

Thanks Gerenemo and Scooper for the encouragement. I have decided to schedule a few hunts this year. I plan on being selective on my bookings and my focus will be quality hunts versus quantity. I want anyone who hunts with me to have a safe hunt where memories are made.

Robbie aka Big Hutch

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by Big Hutch

Thanks Gerenemo and Scooper for the encouragement. I have decided to schedule a few hunts this year. I plan on being selective on my bookings and my focus will be quality hunts versus quantity. I want anyone who hunts with me to have a safe hunt where memories are made.

Robbie aka Big Hutch

You gonna split the proceeds with your blindmates?

[Big Hutch]

I will be the only person in the blinds I will guide from. Anything else wouldn't be fair to my partners.

Robbie aka Big Hutch