I have hunted ALberta on guided hunts in the past
all were good experiences, and NOT all with same outfitter's
as I wanted to try different area's
like anything in life, HOW Much effort you put into something, you HIGHLY increase your odds of getting what you want
NOTHING in life is perfect and 100% ALL the time
but by making calls to past clients, both one's that got game and didn't, local wardens in the area, call local shops (gun stores, bow shops,and the likes)
and ask them what they feel the area holds you think you want to hunt in, as for quality of game
and take ALL info with a grain of salt
NOT all people want NON residents in there area, and some WANT your money, more than they care if you come back!
outfitters that have a LOT of repeat clients, have again GOOD and bad sides, they will cater to the repeat customers MORE MOST times
STRESS< the way you want things to be in your questions, do you want long drives or walks into stands, what types of stands,WHAT you feel is YOUR type of hunting, food, lodging, what all you get and don't for the price they are selling you the hunt for
what's NOT included in that price
failure to ask the right questions can really leave you unhappy when you get there and waste a LOT of money on you too
most outfitters sadly have a used salesmen pitch to them, there selling you SOMETHING they think you want to hear about things
MOST good outfitters are booked in advance, but that doesn't mean there YOUR type of outfitters
your exceptions and there's can be severely off
I had a chance to go on a hunt with super high success rates on 150+ WT's, but the way the outfitter hunted was this, he drove you around all day long off road in his truck till you seen something you wanted to shoot, then parked you got out, and either a few feet away from truck or a short stalk, and shot it
he was very consistent on success rates and size
but to me that isn;'t hunting, to him it was?
so that;s an example of difference in hunting idea's?
works both ways, some I gather want an easy hunt, don't get cold and almost NO dragging a deer, just drive up to it after you shoot
same as in treestands, some use SMALL loc's on and some what heated enclosed blinds
next is gear, not all guides and outfitters are using the best stuff, many are part time guides that ONLY really work when they need them?
like locals that just know the area, as to full time guides that are vested in the business and its clients success
so ask about the guide you will be getting in advance and see HOW Long THEY work for the outfitter
ask for there contact info too before booking and see how they feel about the outfitter and what he calls HUNTING hunting!
and really ask yourself, HOW and WHAT you call a successful hunt
as even the best place you can go home with tags in your pockets, so be prepared to eat tags, and consider what you would call a GOOD Hunt even if you do so!
I was on an ALberta combo hunt WT/MD( a great option to ask about)
and I was in a situation where a wounded WT buck showed up in poor shape, a 100 inch deer, and I put it down and ate a very pricey tag to do so! and to this day never regret doing so
I then just worked harder on a great mule deer, which I passed on a lot of nice one's just none I wanted
some might call that a poor hunt, but I enjoyed it, scenery was great, seen moose, cougars, a ton of coyotes and bunch of deer, but honestly had two pricey tags in my pocket and didn't kill anything I was expecting to! I did bring the WT' rack and cape home(was a 225 lbs deer gutted out, so a great cape)
but again, how much effort you put into asking and learning all you can on area, outfitters, guides. past clients, the more you up your odd's of getting what you want
