My father and I are concidering starting a guide service for whitetail deer hunts in eastern Kansas. We have a lot of prime hunting ground and we are just wondering what everybody is looking for in a deer hunt. (Besides the next world record whitetail.) What kind of acomidations? Spot and stalk? Treestands? Fully guided, semiguided? Whats a fair price? Should it be all inclusive, or pay for the hunt and then a trophy fee if you take a deer, like the system in africa. Only pay for what you shoot.
What do you think?
Thanks
Jim

My dad and I hunted in unit 12 last year.it was semi guied,and the outfitter did not do a good job. if you are going to offer non guided, I suggest setting up blinds and tree stands.My hunt cost 1800, plus licsence, and tags.Also motel and food.Personnly I look for deer hunts in US for less than $3000. We are going on a fully guided hunt in Missouri for $2600 to give you an idea. This is my fathers secound hunt out of state. I'm glad last years hunt did not sour him on future hunts.
good luck on your venture

I will tell you this: if you charge "by the inch" or whatever--bigger the deer, more the $$, that'll be the quickest way to attract assholes like flies. Not sure why this is...

Offer an honest hunt, at an honest price. Offer tents and campfire, or a 5-star lodge. Just be sure to charge accordingly. Personally, I care alot more about the country, the game, and who I'm hunting with than the accomadations...my $.02.

I like semi-guided hunts where an outfitter will give me a map of the area along with locations that he has of blinds and/or stands, along with anecdotal information that he has. (Where deer are seen and routes that they travel from bed to feed, etc) Plus having a large enough area for myself and maybe a partner where we won't get pressure from other hunters and a good chance of seeing quality deer. I don't hunt guaranty leases, I just want an honest chance to see good quality bucks and not have to shoot the first/only legal buck that I see.

As far as accomodations go, tents or cabins are fine with me and if there is a shower with even lukewarm water, it's a bonus. Lodges, etc, are less appealing to me.

[ 10-14-2003, 05:43: Message edited by: Fjold ]

almost forgot. I did not enjoy hunting with cattle in the same area as I was hunting. I had to walk thru them every moning to get to my spot.

Thanks for the input guys, very helpful.

I think the kind of hunting you offer will depend on how much land you control, what sort of terrain and cover and how many hunters you wish to accomodate at a time. For instance, you don't want still hunters crossing paths while they hunt. A stand hunter probably won't want to see someone crossing in front of him either. Also how many guides are you using?

i would like options to take a stand, or spot and stalk, still hunt etc. more flexibility, and not some ridged guide telling me for $2,600+++ you do it only my way. let there be options!!!!!

accomodations can vary, but its nice to be on the same property or very close to it.