Outfitting on Public lands

[Gerald Martin]

Until someone can figure out a way to manage human greed there’s always going to be conflict around limited resources.

Removal of public land outfitters isn’t going to change human nature.

 

[antlerradar]

The issue is that hiring an outfitter shouldnt cut you to the front of the line in terms of tag allocation and speed the process up.

In theory - it takes pressure of public land - but that same theory would be wholly applicable if those folks who can justify paying for access did so directly with the landowner without an industry protected by government. Its simply a raw deal for NR DIY hunters and landowners.

I don't think are are talking about the same thing. I was referring to places like the Bob Marshall and Thourfare. Simply not practical and way cheaper for most hunters to hire an outfitter than invest in the gear and livestock needed to hunt those places effectively.

 

[44hunter45]

I might have agreed with the haters until my 2024 Idaho Moose tag. The first scouting trip I realized that my tag was too far in and a moose is too big. Maybe when I was 40, or even 50. But 62 year old me with a worn out spine, nope. I would lose the meat trying to get it out. I contracted with an outfitter. It hurt a little to lower my DIY only flag. It cost a fair bit of coin. Coin I did not have when I was 40, or even 50.

The problems I had on that hunt came with me, not the outfitter. He was not charging me for the land, he was not charging me for the game animal. He was charging me for goods and services to get me where I knew I wanted to be every day. He was charging me to have an experienced guide with me at all times. He was charging me to provide absolutely bomb-proof saddle stock, use of tack, potential field processing of a kill, meat care and hauling, and trophy prep. He fed me like a king, nursed me when I got sick, provided a heated tent and buttload of bucked, cured, and split firewood. On top of all that, he busted his butt to get me on a moose.

He is paying fees to both USFS and to IDFG, he is paying for employees, he is purchasing and caring for livestock, he is paying for both human and livestock food. Livestock costs include acquisition, vet bills, farriers, tack, certified hay and grains, etc. His franchise requires him to maintain the trails in their permit area. After about the second day I started to tally up all the things on the expense side of his ledger. I did not need a green visor to see I was getting a great value for the experience I was having.

In Idaho you are not going to have a sack full of choices for outfitters if you draw a premium tag. Outfitters pay for exclusive territories. Honestly, I lucked out in terms of having a quality outfitter. It is on us to know the outfitting situation for the tags we are applying to get. Consider the draw odds for a given special hunt might be so good because the outfitter for the zone may be substandard.