With the economies of the world in the toilet and millions being laid off their jobs, and millions more worried about having a job, luxury things like a guided hunting trip with an outfitter are taking big hits.

I've talked with my buddy who's an outfitter as y'all know, and for this coming fall season we only have about 1/10th of the hunters we normally would have, signed up for hunts, and they were at a discount price. By this time every other year, we're completely booked, or only have 1-2 openings for THE YEAR. Hunters are telling him they are just scared to spend the money, when they may need it to pay bills and feed their families.

Other outfitters I know, that I've talked with, are experiencing the same thing. Some have slashed their prices in half, realizing the severity of the economic situation, just trying to get hunters signed up and booked.

These are quality hunts too, for anything from Mule Der and Elk, to Mountain Lion and Bear. Even international hunts have been slashed in half, price wise.

I guess the moral is that IF you are secure in your job and have been waiting to go on a quality hunt, for whatever reason, now might be the time to go on that hunt. Again, as long as you have the money and your job is secure.

I hear what you are saying and hearing.........

I think folks are seriously scared at the economy and more, at least in regards to the U.S. I believe.

However, this would be the year to book a hunt, as prices probably won't be better for a while and the quality of hunt will probably be as good as ever to. Less folks vying for the guides time and less pressure on the game to.

Some great points.........now, if I could only get cheaper Airline tickets....I'd be all in


Take care and some great observations on the current "state of the country" is sort of effecting everything.....including hunting.


Weasel

The down turn economy are great avenue for lowered or economical guided hunts are concerned. This is great for hunters but bad for state game and fish, guides and landowners. I understand the economical reason why there are those guided hunts but have always had problems with those only there for the antlers. Then leave the meat behind even thou there are laws against it.

I believe most Guides in the U.S. would loose their License if they allowed the meat to left behind on any eatable animal. So I can not believe this is happening very often in any state. If you are hungry enough you could eat anything such as Grizzly. But I would have to be very starved in order for that to happen. That is about the only animal I know of that it’s not required to bring out the meat when hunting. Now trapping that’s another story. At least I hope what I’m saying is true about hunting and they are not leaving meat behind like you are saying.

dapa,

I think RedneckRon is talking about folks hunting without a guide. You are right in that a guide can lose his license for doing that with game animals and I don't know any that would do that on general principles anyway. I know that we are VERY strict regarding the meat, its care, etc. Some states now have the "Game Meat Donation" programs where IF a hunter is only trophy hunting and does not want the meat, the meat can be donated locally so it doesn't go to waste.

A hunter who just leaves the carcas and walks away with nothing but the antlers is a PIG in my book and if caught they should have the book thrown at them. I am a BIG believer in respect for the game animal you are hunting and part of that is PROPER processing of the meat too.