all: thanks in advance for valuable insights. I have hunted some but never gone on guided hunt before. what can i expect from guide in terms of finding the animals. will a guide have an exclusive area or hunt on public lands with presence and pressure from other hunters? will guide pack the essentials for a camp. I don't mind roughing it but want to know what to expect. will guide clean and pack meat or is that expected by client. will guide help with skinning to get proper cape etc. will guide service handle permits and paper work or is that my responsibility. sorry for stupid questions. any help appreciated.

Where are you going? What species? What has the outfitter told you about what he is offering?

thanks for your reply. i'm thinking of booking a sheep hunt in canada or ak. i have checked a few websites and they have some info but i don't really know what to expect in the way of services provided. i was hoping to get a little info here about the normal services provided so when i do talk to them i will know what to ask about etc. thanks,
regards, Paul

Any good sheep guide will be an "active" part of the hunt. They are generally used because of their outdoors skill and knowledge of the game and area.
The guide will "help" with everything but I always plan on "helping" too. Guides love it when you lend a hand with everything unless they tell you otherwise.If you don't know how to do trophy care the guide will help but don't sit back and expect to be waited on hand and foot!
If you can't carry your share then you should think about hiring a packer to help you and the guide. Several outfitters can provide packers but they are not free.
Good guides can really add to the hunting experience while bad one are easily forgotten when it's time to tip.
I've been lucky with outfitters and guides. Generally good outfitters only use quality, qualified guides who work their tails off.
If you had more specific questions I suspect we could answer them better.

Thanks, ZekeShikar, for your reply. As an Alaskan resident I am entitled to hunt sheep in AK without a guide. I don't need to be waited on and am more than willing to my share of the work. I was thinking of hiring a guide because I have never been sheep hunting before. I wanted to go with someone who knows what they are doing and have a fair chance of getting on a legal ram. I checked the prices($18-$20K in AK and Canada) and they are too high for me at the moment. I may consider this again next year. In any case, thanks again for your reply. Regards, Paul W

Been with one guide that was totally worthless and should not be a guide. Been with several others that were amazing. They could walk me into the ground and all had eyes like eagles. When I hunted with Bart Lancaster in BC he made the trip and knew what I was after and what I was capable of. Guided hunts are expensive but the only way to go to Canada and hunt. I would hate to make the call on a dall or stone sheep. I know an exceptional one but when it comes to being on the borderline legal I would not dare make the call but I am not a sheep expert either.