Zero Outfitter Fees??

[thomas89]

Saw some little clip about these guys, anyone familiar?

From what I gather you pay this annual $800-$1,000 fee (2 or 5 state option) for them to put you into the draw in. Then when/if you draw, they guide you for free. Says they put you in for the random draw, but also that you'll build points for the future, that I'm interpreting as preference points/bonus points, etc.

Anyone here have max/close to max points for anything might be worth a look to see if you can game the system a bit. Of course it's a a nearly $60K value you're getting for the low, low price of $800.

Wonder if this will take off at all. Seems like a strange idea.

 

[baz77]

I’m sure the unit they are putting you in for have great draws odds…..

 

[Carnage2011]

Saw some little clip about these guys, anyone familiar?

From what I gather you pay this annual $800-$1,000 fee (2 or 5 state option) for them to put you into the draw in. Then when/if you draw, they guide you for free. Says they put you in for the random draw, but also that you'll build points for the future, that I'm interpreting as preference points/bonus points, etc.

Anyone here have max/close to max points for anything might be worth a look to see if you can game the system a bit. Of course it's a a nearly $60K value you're getting for the low, low price of $800.

Wonder if this will take off at all. Seems like a strange idea.

There are a bunch of things like this out there. The first one I seen was in MT in 2013 and since then I’ve seen a bunch more. Zero guide fees is probably the biggest one. Big Chino has a similar service I believe. I do know a guy that drew a late kaibab rifle tag with one of these companies with 1 point. He was feeling pretty cool about it. I don’t have any interest in this type of thing, but it seems like there is a market.

 

[BuckRut]

Isn't there a ranch in an LE unit here in MT doing something like this as well? Something along the lines of that you pay $50 that's due before the draw and if you draw you get access.

 

[WapitiBob]

The only one I would personally use is Steve Chappell; zero hunt fees dot com

 

[nB87102]

Saw some little clip about these guys, anyone familiar?

From what I gather you pay this annual $800-$1,000 fee (2 or 5 state option) for them to put you into the draw in. Then when/if you draw, they guide you for free. Says they put you in for the random draw, but also that you'll build points for the future, that I'm interpreting as preference points/bonus points, etc.

Anyone here have max/close to max points for anything might be worth a look to see if you can game the system a bit. Of course it's a a nearly $60K value you're getting for the low, low price of $800.

Wonder if this will take off at all. Seems like a strange idea.

This is a scam. They're banking on you to be unsuccessful in the draws. Sure, they will put you in for as many hunts as you want, but you have to pay for it. Then they put you in for the hardest areas in the states to get a tag. You're basically wasting your $1,000 dollars. Also, he advertises this NM/AR Bull Elk hunt for $5,995 but it is a draw hunt as well and you have to put down $1,000 which is non-refundable. Stay away from this people trust me!

 

[Rimrocks]

My experience is limited to Steve Chappell. I contacted him when I had 23 or 24 Elk points in Az. He wouldn’t sign me up because he said he wouldn’t make any money. So they are selective with who they sign up, and it only makes business sense to do that. I echo the cautions above, there are reputable outfits offering this service and some not so much. Steve has a stellar reputation!

 

[hank4elk]

Local outfitter was charging folks $200 to apply in the outfitter draw, 2 years ago. 52 jumped in.
2 drew tags. Both paid him top $ to be guided.
I heard it was $500 to apply this year.

What a racket.

 

[seeth07]

Due to the outfitter draw in NM there are a few that do this. You pay them per year to apply and if you draw, you're hunting with them for free. They obviously make enough on the applications and people that don't draw that allow them to do this.

 

[Pucky Freak]

The guys who draw are the ones who come on here and want info on the unit they’ve never heard of, then disappear forever. And half the time they’re being guided or put on some ranch anyways.

 

[Neighwp]

I'm in on the one Steve Chappell operates. I already had 7-8 points and the fees were significantly less than they are now. I'll hunt other states until I draw..... I nearly pay as much to Wyoming every year for 1 in 60 Bison odds.

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

I’ve always had zero outfitter fees. It’s great.

 

[LuketheDog]

You probably only draw once every 5+ years, so after your yearly $1000 membership fee they've raked in at least $5000 off you, clearly there are "zero" outfitter fees

 

[Bwillig]

Saw some little clip about these guys, anyone familiar?

From what I gather you pay this annual $800-$1,000 fee (2 or 5 state option) for them to put you into the draw in. Then when/if you draw, they guide you for free. Says they put you in for the random draw, but also that you'll build points for the future, that I'm interpreting as preference points/bonus points, etc.

Anyone here have max/close to max points for anything might be worth a look to see if you can game the system a bit. Of course it's a a nearly $60K value you're getting for the low, low price of $800.

Wonder if this will take off at all. Seems like a strange idea.

I bought into the hype last June, sent in for the 5 state program $995. Learned more about the program as I discussed things with them. It was a mistake on my part, shame on me for not realizing that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I currently have 26 sheep points and was told that the program will only pay out if you draw area 5, which has the only random tag in the state of Wyoming. I have spoke with them numerous times and was told that the units that I have a really good chance of drawing are inferior to unit 5 and would not be covered under the zero outfitter fees program. I also have max points for deer in Wyoming and will only be covered if I apply for the limited quota unit 128 tag, which is how I have wound up with 20 points in the first place. Tag still draws at less than 5%. WGFD cut the tags on that hunt, making it even harder to draw. It isn't a scam, but the program is definetely making money thru application fees and membership fees. The chance of drawing these tags are really low, even if you put in for every possible tag that they suggest. I would stay clear of this one.

 

[Jdan9]

Don’t go into it Naive. If you understand the draw and exactly what they are offering it could work for you. My son, a friend and I have all drawn tags and received hunts as advertised. All were positive experiences.

 

[Bwillig]

I'd love to discuss it with you a bit more, gonna shoot you a PM

 

[Jdan9]

My experience has been with Travis at Zero Guide Fees. Similar program.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

I bought into the hype last June, sent in for the 5 state program $995. Learned more about the program as I discussed things with them. It was a mistake on my part, shame on me for not realizing that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I currently have 26 sheep points and was told that the program will only pay out if you draw area 5, which has the only random tag in the state of Wyoming. I have spoke with them numerous times and was told that the units that I have a really good chance of drawing are inferior to unit 5 and would not be covered under the zero outfitter fees program. I also have max points for deer in Wyoming and will only be covered if I apply for the limited quota unit 128 tag, which is how I have wound up with 20 points in the first place. Tag still draws at less than 5%. WGFD cut the tags on that hunt, making it even harder to draw. It isn't a scam, but the program is definetely making money thru application fees and membership fees. The chance of drawing these tags are really low, even if you put in for every possible tag that they suggest. I would stay clear of this one.

That is a SCAM....why say it's not...lol