Author Archives: scott56379@yahoo.com

Steve Beckwith: Helping People Prepare for Tough Maine Guide License Examinations

Sit back as Steve Beckwith with MaineGuideCourse.com shares his personal experience of becoming a guide in Maine and how that turned into a passion to help others prepare for the exam.

Maine Guide School

 

When did you start your guide school in Maine, and why did you start it?

Guide School was started January of 2010.  Maine has a tough license examination to become a Maine Registered Guide and after becoming one myself I decided to make teaching others to become a guide part of my own guide business

Can you tell us a little more about your guide school?

The class accepts no more then 6 students per session to insure proper instruction is given equally to each student enrolled.

How do people find out about your school in Maine? Maine Guide School Elete Few

More information and how to contact us is located on our website at http://maineguidecourse.com

What is the typical program length to become a guide?

Our guide class is 3 days long it runs 8 AM to 5 PM with a 1/2 hour lunch break.

What can students expect to learn at a guide school? 

Students will learn hands on Maine laws, wildlife identification, map & compass, GPS use, lost person and catastrophic injury scenario skills and take home a large packet of information for continued study for the State of Maine examination process. After taking this course students will have available complete information necessary to pass the State exam.

Can anyone become a guide?

Anyone over the age of 18, that can pass the State guides exam for one or all of the 5 classifications of Maine Registered Guides.

What can someone expect to pay for a guide training program?  

We currently charge $395.00 for or 3 Day Guide Course and we offer a 1 Day Map & Compass Course for those needing only Orienteering course $125. (Which this Map & Compass course is included in the guide course class pricing)

How do people typically pay for their education?

Our courses can be paid online using a credit card or payments can be mailed in to the address provided on our website.

What type of jobs can someone expect to get after graduation?

Completion of our course does not include a Guides License, these are issued by the State of Maine and proper outdoor skills and knowledge of operating a guiding business must be proven during the State exam process. But becoming a Maine guide offers self employment opportunities, as well as jobs at sporting camps throughout Maine.

What type of earning potential do guides have?

Honestly if your into guiding for the money, you better pull up your boot straps in Maine! Supplemental income to full time opportunities with low wages.

What type of job search assistance do guide schools provide? 

We encourage self-employment and offer advice during our class period.

Maine Guide School TurkeyCould you share a success story of one of your graduates? 

All of our students that become Maine Guides are part of Maine’s elite guiding heritage and wear their patch equally to those before them.

With so many guide school choices how does someone know which one to select?

In Maine there are several guide courses, selecting one that meets your financial needs and skill levels should be considered. We are located in Southern Maine which is easy access on RT 95 from other States, with local hotels available for your 3 day course.

Any final advice You would offer to someone who is looking at going to guide school?

Be prepared to study a minimum of 40 hours after completion of our 3 day course before taking your guide exam with the State. We go over all this in class!

Responses provided by: Steve Beckwith

Owner http://maineguidecourse.com

Tim Doud: From a 18 Year Old Mechanic From Iowa Who Never Saw a Mule to Guide School Owner and Outfitter

Tim DowdWhat can you expect from a guide school?  Join us as Tim Doud shares his entrepreneurial mindset and a glance at his journey to becoming a successful outfitter and guide school operator.

For over 35 years, Tim has been guiding hunters for elk in Wyoming, Colorado and Idaho and has built a very successful guide school.  His school was featured in the Outdoor Channel TV Show, “Outfitter Boot Camp” . Tim is one of the top elk guides in the world. In fact, his guide school is so successful that the demand for his graduates exceeds the number of students he takes.

Bliss Creek Logo

When did you start your guide school in Wyoming, and why did you start it?

I bought my outfitting business from the previous owner in 1991 and I started my hunting guide school in 1992.   The reason I started the guide school was because when I went to guide school in 1980 it was not a good experience so I knew firsthand what to do to and what not to do in order to make it a good school.  The trainers at the school I attended were just graduates of the guide school and not the actual outfitter.  It was disappointing to not be learning directly from the outfitter because they were the true expert, not the recent graduates. I was only working for the outfitter and was never taught any lessons.

Another factor in me starting a guide school in Wyoming was that I had a good reputation as an elk guide so outfitters were constantly contacting me because they had a shortage of guides and wanted me to help find them qualified guides.  They knew that I could be successful in teaching guides because when I got started in guiding I was a 19 year old kid who never saw a horse or mule but I went to guide school, did well and have become a successful guide.

Outfitters often told me that they hired guides that graduated from  guide schools but they were disappointed in the skills of those guides because they didn’t know some of the basics like how to saddle a horse, how to shoe, etc.  The outfitters were frustrated with the guides but I told them that it was not the guide’s fault that they didn’t know the basics, I told them that it was the fault of the guide school for not teaching them what they needed to know in order to be a successful hunting guide.

Can you tell us a little more about your guide school?

My guide school is the only archery guide school in the world and I only train archery elk guides.  This is because every outfitter that contacts me to hire a guide wants an archery elk guide.  They know that if a student is trained to guide an archery elk client, he will have no problem guiding a rifle deer or bear client. Additionally, I only specialize in elk guiding because it allows me to focus on training my students the one specific animal which allows my students to advance quickly.  This is why 90% of my students are guiding their first year instead of wrangling or packing of a year or two then guiding later.

4 weeks is not enough time to teachTim Dowd With Elk someone everything they need to know about guiding an elk hunter. If I cover 6 guiding different animals the student does not learn enough information about any animal in order to be able to guide. This is why a lot of guide schools will tell their students that they will be wrangling or packing their first couple of years until the learn what they need to know in order to guide.

How do people find out about your guide school? 

Word of mouth and the internet.  I also have outfitters that send people to my school.  The agreement is that when the student graduates that outfitter gets to hire that particular guide.  Occasionally, outfitters pay for to send someone to go through the program to get them as their guide once they graduate.

What is the typical program length to become a guide?

4 weeks is what the average is in the instustry.  I do my best to provide them all of the training the students need but they cannot learn everything in 4 weeks and eventually they need to start learning by doing.  We work to teach them the basics such as setting up camps, packing, bugling, Game & Fish and Forest Service Regulations and then let the student take 1-2 months after they graduate to get more field experience with an outfitter before hunting seasons start and they are guiding hunters.

The outfitters know the guides are trained and just need some experience.  An outfitter knows that a student is like a green horse. The horse knows what to do, but needs experience to get good. It is like most other jobs where people cannot learn forever, eventually you need to get out there and start working and learn from experience.

A misconception is that guiding is something that you can learn out of a book.  Because of all of the regulations and hunting technique changes, a book would need to be undated every year in order to keeping up with all the changes.  It does take a lot of work to keep up to date on everything that is going on in the guiding industry and hunting in general.

What can students expect to learn at a guide school? 

Our students will learn the basics to get hired from an outfitter.  This includes how to saddle and ride a horse or mule, how to pack and shoe, bugling for elk, how to handle clients, hunting regulations, and how to setup a camp.

Tim Dowd With GroupOne opinion I have that varies from others is that teaching lessons like first aid , shooting a gun or fishing at a guide school are not a good use of the students time because students can learn those lessons from trainings near home.  Since each minute at guide is so valuable and the total amount of time we have together is limited and I want to use that time we have together for education that my students cannot get at home.

Can anyone become a guide?

In my opinion a guide only needs two things which are common sense and good work ethic, the rest can be taught.  If someone wants to become a guide they can but they have to be willing to learn.  The school can teach and provide the coaching but the student must have the desire to learn what they are being taught.  I have taught males, females, people with a handicap, various age ranges and and have seen success from all types as long as they are willing to do what it takes to learn the guiding skills.

What can someone expect to pay for a guide training program?   

For a good school it is typically between $4,000-$6,500.  This is usually determined by group or individual courses.  For example, I offer both group and individual guide settings and the individual settings are more because there is only one student during that class.

How do people typically pay for their education?

I have seen situations where parents pay for the program.  We also see where the students save up for the school.  There are even some situations where the student will put the program on a credit card and pay it off once they are employed by an outfitter.  We also offer a payment plan for students to pay for their school.

What I did to pay for my guide school was save up each week to get enough to pay for the deposit and then continued to work to pay off the balance.

What type of jobs can someone expect to get after graduation?Tim Dowd With Horses

It really depends on the type of school that you attend.  Some graduates will be able to start as a guide and in other cases people may start as a wrangler, packer, camp jack (assistant to wrangler) or cook.

What type of earning potential do guides have?

The first year working guides can earn around $1,000-$1,500 per month and they typically get room and board included.   Additionally, the guides earn tips which can add another $1,500-$2,000 per month.  As guides get more experience the earning potential goes up.  Outfitters would rather keep a good guide around than get another one so they do their best to take care of them.

What type of job search assistance do guide schools provide? 

This really ranges from one guide school to the next.  Most guide schools give a list of outfitters to the graduates and the graduates will need to do all of the outreach.

In my case I always have more outfitter demand than the amount of graduates I can produce.  When students graduate from my school I hand pick the job for the graduate based on their skills and what they do well and match the student with the outfitter.

It is a good scenario because the outfitter knows a student is calling and the student knows the outfitter is going to hire him.  During the guide school I talk to my students about what states they want to work in and what type of species they want to hunt so I can match them up with a good long term fit.  The outfitters trust me to send them quality guides so they will hire those that I refer to them.

Could you share a success story of one of your graduates? 

Scott Denny is one of my graduates and he now operates a very large outfitting business called Table Mountain Outfitters in Cheyanne.  He is doing around 200-300 clients per year.  Scott was a typical student meaning that he loved to hunt but didn’t know how to guide and had no horse or mule experience.   However, he came to my guide school, worked hard and learned what he needed to be successful.   Scott now has a TV show called “Life at the Table” on the Sportsman’s Channel.

With so many guide school choices how does someone know which one to select?

  1. Tim Dowd Group EatingFirst, decide what type of guide you want to be and make sure the guide school has the program you will be interested in long term.   As an example, if you want to be a back country guide that means you will be away from people except for your clients, others may want to be a guide who  hunt from trucks such as deer guides in Texas.  Either way just be sure the school has the program you are looking for.
  2. Make sure it is the time of year that will work for you, make sure it fits your personal schedule but there are also in different types of settings based on the time of year.  During certain times we are around the ranch more and other times we are out riding 8 hours a day.  Make sure the time of year aligns with your desired learning experience.
  3. Make sure the outfitter is the one teaching the guide school.  At some guide schools previous students are teaching.  However, it is best to learn directly from the outfitter.  This is because you are booking your guide school off the reputation of the outfitter, not someone who graduated 1-2 months ago.  To me this puts up a red flag that the outfitter is just in it to make money and not teach the student. I also feel that it is a red flag if the guide school asks you to use a study at home study course before attending.   This is a concern because the students may learn something wrong or outdated and to me this indicates that the school is not comprehensive enough and the students will not learn everything they need to know at the school. A school that requires a home study course is telling the student that the school cannot teach them everything they need to know. The student must learn some of the lessons themselves.

Is guiding a full time profession?

This really depends on the type of guiding that you do.  For example, the guides that work for me work from April 1st to the end of November.  However, waterfowl hunters have more fall/winter seasons.  Again, this is more based on the type of game you are going to help your clients pursue.Tim Dowd Group Scouting

Any final advice would you offer to someone who is looking at going to guide school?

The big thing to remember is that guiding it is not  about getting paid to hunt and fish.  In reality, only about 10% of your time is out guiding with the client.  The rest of the time is spent prepping for the customer and other responsibilities.  Guiding is a great life for a single person who loves the outdoors but it is tough to support a family right out of school without your significant other also having a job.  However, after a few years the earning potential is better.

Just like in any job you will need to work your way up into more advanced positions and earning potential.  Although there are not requirements to go to guide school, most all outfitters will not hire you if you have not gone through a guide school.  It is much easier for them to hire someone who already has the necessary skills rather than taking the time and expense to train someone new.

Conclusion: We would like to thank Tim for the time he spent sharing his experiences as an outfitter and hunting guide school operator.  As you begin to research your desire to attend a guide school please take Tim’s guidance into consideration to ensure that you find a guide school that fits what you are looking for.

Responses provided by: Tim Dowd

Owner Bliss Creek Professional Wilderness Archery Guide & Packer School

Bliss Creek Professional Wilderness Wrangler School

Bliss Creek Professional Wilderness Camp Cook School

www.archeryguideschool.com

 

Montana Outfitter Who Guided Steven Segal

Written by: Brad Hanzel/Owner S&W Outiftters

This interview features, Brad Hanzel S&W Outfitterswho is the owner of S&W Outfitters which is a hunting and fishing guide service in Montana. Today Brad provides valuable insight on how he has been successful in guiding since he was 18 and the opportunity he had to take Steven Segal on trips.

When did you start guiding in Montana, and why did you start guiding?

In 1985 I was asked by a local outfitter to help him out for one week. I grew up in Lewistown Montana and have hunted and fished my whole life. When I was asked to help out in a fully guide hunting camp I was really excited about doing it. I was 18 years old, and excited for the opportunity. I now own that same company.

Can you tell us a little more about your business?

S&W Outfitters, Inc. was established in 1981 by Sammy Smith and Jack Wyle. Since its establishment the company has bought out three other outfits and changed partners a couple of times. Still operating from the original East Fork camp, the company has grown to offer the Wolf Creek and Corral hunting camps as well as the fly fishing operation.

The fishing operation was developed by Brad in 2010 after working for nearly 17 years as a guide for other outfitters. Wolf Creek started in the early 80’s and Corral was taken over in 2003. We offer the sportsman fair chase rifle and archery hunting for elk, whitetail, mule deer, antelope, bear, wolf, turkey, mountain goat. For the angler many rivers, streams and lakes fly fishing for trout and hunting walleye. We are a guide service for hunting and fishing in Montana. www.huntnfishmontana.com

What is most rewarding about being a hunting or fishing guide?S&W 2

Doing what I truly love to do, I have a passion for hunting and fishing.

With any business there are challenges, what is the biggest challenge in this industry?

Booking clients to pay the bills each year is always huge challenge. The cost of doing business is expensive and difficult, the regulations make it tough and competition is all around you. I’m very up front about our product and you have a small audience looking. I am fortunate to have been around for a long time and have a solid group of clients that return and refer others my way. It’s so important to always keep a great reputation.

Has anything surprised you about being a guide?

Not really, I sometimes need to pinch myself. I’ve been on a pretty positive path over the last 30 years.

What do you think are the 3 most important skills to being a successful guide and why?

Social skills a must, ambition to make things happen and knowledge of safety first. Safety is no accident.

What is the most unique/unusual or fun guided trip you provided?

I was Steven Segal’s personal hunting guide for a few years. The whole tour was a trip.

What advice would you offer to someone who wants to start guiding?

Do it for the love of it. You will be rewarded by the satisfaction of doing what you love. Not many people are cut out to be the guide and not the shooter. Be prepared for a long road to success. Meaning it’s what you really do for a living.

What is the proudest moment in your business?

When the clients tell you you’re the dream maker. And you pull off what others say you can’t.

What is the top tool or resource you use for your guide service?

The guides hands down. In my operation they have all become very close friends and team mates. I would have it no other way, there is no I in team here. I do my best to treat them the best and they all return the respect. They are all professional and have made guiding what they do for a living. They truly are amazing people.

Brad Hanzel/Owner S&W Outfitters, www.sandwoutfitters.com

3 Important Skills of a Guide- Lessons from a New Jersey Hunting Guide

Written by: Frank LaRosa/Owner, Falling Leaf Outfitters

Falling Leaf Outfitters Logo

In this interview, Frank LaRosa shares the importance of focusing on your guest to make your guide service successful.

In addition, Frank provides expert guidance on the hunting guide profession and what he sees as the 3 most important skills when you become a guide.

  1. When did you start guiding in New Jersey, and why did you start guiding?  I own the club that we guide on.  I became the owner in 2013. I take an active role with every guided hunt that comes to our club.
  1. What is most rewarding about being a guide?  Having guests come and have an enjoyable hunting experience, enjoy the outdoors, and hopefully take a deer.  We also take pride in helping to educate newer hunters that visit.
  1. With any business there are challenges, what is the biggest challenge in this industry?  Having guests take a deer.  We try our very best but we can’t really control a wild animal.  We also can’t control hunter activity in stands, and when they miss deer.
  1. Has anything surprised you about being a guide?  How frustrating it can be when we try so hard to put guests on deer, bait the stand, and still can’t get them a deer.
  1. What do you think are the 3 most important skills to being a successful guide and why?  1.  Always be courteous to the guests and respect the fact that they are paying us to be at the club.  Guests want to know their guide is really working hard for them. 2. Be a Falling Leaf Outfitter Hunter Picsmart educated hunter and understand the factors that play into a successful deer hunt.  It’s important to have our guests know their guide knows what they’re doing.  3.  A good guide is personable.  Guests will feel out of place and uncomfortable when they arrive.  A good guide makes them feel welcome and feel like our club is their club.
  1. If you were going on a guided trip, how would you decide who to book with?  I would look/ask for referrals. I would ask referrals how their total experience was.  Not just about getting something, but did they do everything possible to make their experience enjoyable. Hunting is not just about killing an animal but about enjoy the sport of hunting.  Did they deliver on that experience.
  1. What advice would you offer to someone who wants to start guiding?  Get to know the properties they are guiding on.  Make sure they understand the day is about the GUEST and not them.  Pay attention to the client to make sure they are enjoying the day.  Work for a club that has the same service values as you.  Make sure the guide service they’re working for is all about providing the client the best possible hunting experience.

Author: Frank LaRosa

Falling Leaf Outfitters

http://www.fallingleafoutfitters.com/

Advice from a South Dakota Hunting Guide

In this interview we get great insight from Willie Dvorak, Owner of Jim River Guide service. As you look to become a hunting or fishing guide it is important to learn from others in the industry. We hope this interview is helpful as you make your journey into guiding.

Jim River-South Dakota

 

Written by: Willie Dvorak/Owner, Jim River Guide Service

1. When did you start guiding in South Dakota, and why did you start guiding? 16 years ago. To avoid getting a real job

2. Can you tell us a little more about your business? I guide in South Dakota and Alaska focusing on individuals or small groupsJim River Game

3. What is most rewarding about being a hunting or fishing guide? People telling me they had the time of their life and/or not having a real job.

 
4. With any business there are challenges, what is the biggest challenge in this industry? Clients watching too much TV and not knowing the reality

 
5. Has anything surprised you about being a guide? How many hunters are not good people.

 
6. What do you think are the 3 most important skills to being a successful guide and why? Patience, tact and a sense of humor.

 
7. What is the most unique/unusual or fun guided trip you provided? I’m writing a book about hunting trips that don’t relate to hunting. They are all about the hijinks that has taken place on trips. Too many too pick a favorite.

 
8. What advice would you offer to someone who wants to start guiding? Start slow and see if you really want to work with hunters.

 
9. What is the proudest moment in your business? When somebody tells me they had the time of their life.

 
10. What is the top tool or resource you use for your guide service? I’ve got a college education and a lot of sales experience before I started guiding.

Willie Dvorak
Owner/Jim River Guide Service
605-228-8162 or 605-887-3561
www.jimriverguideservice.com
www.guidedalaskahunting.com
www.alaskafishingwithwillie.com

How to Increase Bookings by Levering Hunting Guide Agents

Have you wondered how to increase bookings by levering hunting guide agents?  Cory Glauner is the Owner and Marketing Director of Outdoors International and his company offers a wide variety of services in the hunting industry including agents that connect hunters with hunting guides.

Cory also has a very successful forum and today he shares his thoughts on his hunting community. Outdoors International

  1. When did you start your forum/group, and why did you create it?

​I started Outdoors International (www.gothunts.com) in 2008. I created it as a place for hunting outfitters to be able to network and market each others’ trips, and for hunters to feel confident that they are booking with the best outfitters in the world.​

  1. What do you feel makes your community special?

​Our community is made up of passionate hunters who hunt the world with premier outfitters.​

  1. If you could magically give all of your community members one thing in this world, what would it be, and why?

​I would give them​ ​the peace of mind that we truly have their best interest in mind. Sending them on a bad hunt ​is the worst possible thing that could ever happen and we strive to never do that.

  1. If you could ask your group members one thing and get an answer from all of them, what would that question be?

​How can we improve our services?​

  1. Feel free to give a shout-out to some of your power-users or most active members. Does anyone come to mind, and what do you like most about them?

We value each one of our customers. From the guy who buys a few pieces of hunting gear, all the way up to the one who spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on hunts yearly. ​​Their business, and in most cases, their friendship is appreciated.​

  1. What are some of the hot topics that seem to always be discussed within the group?

​Discounted and canceled hunts; high-fence hunting; hunting gear​

  1. For someone new to this community, how do they get the most out of it?

Build a relationship with one of our agents (we have many, so find the one you click with best), and tell them about your hunting goals, budget, and schedule. They will help you find the hunts you are looking for at the budget you need. The better you know them, the more they can help you. And remember, our service is free to the hunter.​

  1. Has anything surprised you about owning a forum about hunting?

​Yes. The negativity and in-fighting among hunters. Seems so silly and destructive to our sport as a whole.

As you look at becoming a hunting guide it is important to know your audience and begin getting engaged with communities.  Spend some time reviewing forums such as those at Outdoors International to see how hunters and guides interact and begin interacting yourself to start building relationships.

Additionally, you can use his site to see how utilizing hunting guide and fishing guide agents can be one great way to increase your business.

We would like to thank Cory for his time discussing his community with our viewers who are looking to start a hunting or fishing guide service or looking to grow their guide business to the next level.

By: Cory Glauner 

Owner/Marketing Director

Outdoors International

www.outdoors-international.com

Why Did I Become A Guide?

By Brian Koshenina
Muskies and More Guide Service

Muskies and More

 

Why did I become a guide? There are many reasons why I became a guide.

 

First off, fishing is my “Passion”. I simply “love to fish”! I love everything about fishing, from catching a personal best to being out on a lake before light. It’s the feeling of hooking up with a “monster” just to have it break off at the boat. It is this passion that helped my decision to become a guide.

I love to teach. I have a knack for finding fish and catching the desired species I’m looking for. I also love sharing this ability with others. There is no better feeling than giving some instruction and watching someone catch a fish. That feeling is what keeps me going.

I love meeting new people. Every trip I take I get to meet someone new. I have met some very interesting people along the way and have heard many stories. Most of which of course might be true and some, well? People tend to let their guard down when there in the boat. I find it sometimes to be like a counseling session.

If you share the same feelings as I do, become a guide. If you’re looking for fame, notoriety or money, then guiding is not for you.

http://muskiesandmore.com/
http://www.odumagazine.com/odu-contributors/brian-koshenina/

Fly Fishing Guide School: Should you go?

Men_fly_fishingMany people wonder what fly fishing guide schools are like and wonder if they should attend one.  Since fly fishing has grown in popularity so has the popularity fly fishing guide schools.  If you are looking for a guiding career in a specialization that is projected to see steady increases in participation over the next several years then fly fish guiding could be an excellent choice.

The good news is that you will have plenty of choices on were to attend guide school.  There are hundreds of fly fishing guide schools located throughout the United States so be sure you take your time to research several guide schools before making your decision.   Location, price, reputation and skills taught should all factor into your decision process.

What will you learn?

  • Fly tying
  • Fly making
  • Fly casting
  • Guiding skills

If you are looking at becoming a fly fishing guide you need to be an expert in fly fishing yourself.  Your customers will expect that you know all of the basics as well as advanced techniques with fly fishing.  If The customers are repeat customers being able to continue to show them new skills each time they attend will be a great reason for customers to come back.  Even experienced fly fishers can learn some new skills at these schools to add to the quality of the trips they will offer.Fly Fishing Reel

Another benefit of attending guide school is the networking opportunities it presents.  Typically you will be learning in a group environment so those connections that you make could turn out to be excellent business partnerships down the road.

Just think, if you become friends with another fly fishing guide and they operate on the other side of the state from you the two of you may end up referring customers to each other who are looking for trips in your area.  Being able to know and trust who you are sending customers to is a huge benefit and it also helps build confidence in those customers as they will trust you more.

One more benefit of attending fly fishing guide school is the credential that you will earn as that will be a valuable marketing tool for your business.   Customers searching the web or those who call you will often be looking to verify that the guide has experience and will be a quality guide.  If you have attended fly fishing guide school you can ad that accomplishment to your website, business cards and marketing materials as you promote your business.

 

Top 10 Tips to Selecting a Hunting or Fishing Guide School

Deciding to attend hunting guide school or fishing guide school is an important decision as you enter the guiding profession. Even if your state does not require you to attend a guide school you may want to consider going to one so that you can learn the skills necessary for a long and successful career as a guide.

There are outfitters who only consider hiring those with formal education for guide jobs, especially if it is a requirement of that state. Even if you are going to start your own guide service, having formal guide training is an excellent way to market your guide service and set yourself apart from the competition.

  1. Determine what is important to you– Before making a decision to addend a guide school you need to first ensure that you have spent time evaluating what you want out of a guide school. Ask yourself these questions:
    —-What type of game do I want to pursue when I am a guide?
    —-Do I want something that is close to home?
    —-How much can I afford to spend on guide school?
    —-What other skills do I want to learn?
  2. Make a list– After you have determined what is important to you then make a list of at least 3-6 guide schools that you are interested in. 3 is the minimum so that you can get a good comparison of market. Make yourself a list and match up the questions you asked yourself to what each school offers.
  3. Contact graduates– Graduates are the single best source for information on the guide school. They have gone through the program and are hopefully working as a hunting or fishing guide now. Ask the guide schools if they could provide you 3 graduate names and contact information. If not search online and you should be able to find a few graduates to contact.
    ♦Did they like their experience?
    ♦Do they feel that they were prepared by the guide school to become a guide?
    ♦Were they able to find a hunting guide job/fishing guide job after graduating?
    ♦Most importantly, ask them if they had the opportunity to do it all over again would they select the same guide school?
  4. Contact employers– Many hunting and fishing guide schools boast about the placement rates of their graduates and some even guarantee that you will get a hunting or fishing guide job upon graduation. Be Leary if you have a guide school guaranteeing guide jobs upon graduation because each person’s situation is different. A great way to validate the credibility of the school is to contact 3 employers that have hired their graduates. These employers will be able to tell you about the school and if the graduates they produce have the skills necessary to be a successful hunting or fishing guide.
  5. Contact guides-Contacting other guides not affiliated with the school are another good way to find out about a schools reputation. Do an online search for outfitters that do what you are interested in and contact them. Let them know that you are considering going to guide school and that you want to ask them about their choice for guide schools. You will find that most people will be happy to help you out and will have excellent perspective to share.
  6. PriceGuide school price is a consideration but we are not suggesting that it is the sole determining factor on what hunting guide school or fishing guide school you attend.
    For a guide school to provide a quality education there are costs. If the school is extremely inexpensive investigate if you will get the education you need
    This as a long term investment make sure you will learn the necessary skills
    Will you to be able to afford the school? What type of payment options are there?
  7. Program Length– If the program is only a few days long you will want to consider if that is enough time to learn everything you need to know. However, the length will likely impact cost and you will need to ensure that you can be away from home/family/work for that amount of time.
  8. Location– Depending on the type of game you want to pursue you should consider where toUS_map_-_states get your education. For example, if you want to guide waterfowl and you go to guide school in Alaska you have to ask yourself if those skills will be effective in the lower 48 states. Many of the skills will be transferrable but be aware that there are some customer and game differences by area.
  9. Know the deadlines– Most guide schools have application deadlines because they can only accept a certain amount of students per class. Be sure that you pay attention to these deadlines because if you miss the deadline it can delay how quickly you can get into your guiding career.
  10. Instructor credentials– Instructors are one of the single most important pieces of your education. Ask the guide school about the instructors and what type of industry experience they have. Be leary if the instructors have little or no professional guiding experience.

Final thoughts: Determining what hunting guide school or fishing guide school to attend is an important decision to make when entering the guiding profession. To get a job as a guide, outfitters will want to know that you have the skills and necessary education to be an effective guide. In order to make the best choice do your research on several schools to ensure it is a good investment.

By following these 10 steps and it should become clear to you what guide school is best for your situation.

How to Write a Resume for Hunting or Fishing Guide Jobs

If you are seeking a job as a hunting guide or a job as a fishing guide you may be wondering how to write resumes for this type of career.  These jobs have uniqueness to them compared to other industries but there are some commonalities as well.

When applying for guide jobs think about what the hiring managers will be looking for in their guides.  They will be looking for guide job skills like customer service, sales, survival and first aid.

So when applying for fishing guide jobs or hunting guide jobs what are some of the commonalities with other jobs to include on your resume?  Well here are some of the skills that are transferable into guiding:

  • Interpersonal communication skills
  • Sales/marketing
  • Customer service
  • Attention to detail
  • Education

What is different about fishing and hunting guide job resumes?  Here are some of the skills that are different from many other professions:

  • Highlight your outdoor experience
  • Hunting guide school/fishing guide school credentials
  • CPR certification/First aid certification

Highlight your outdoor experience.  You may be wondering what else you can do to stand out from the crowd when applying for these jobs and highlighting your outdoor experience is certainly one of them.  Getting customer testimonials to include as supplements explaining your outdoor experience is one way to put a good impression on hiring managers for hunting guide jobs or fishing guide jobs.  If you have never had a formal guide job you can ask some friends or family members to write letters of recommendation if you have taken them hunting or fishing.  Have them outline exactly what you did to show them the outdoors and what you did to help them have a good time and have a successful trip.

Hunting guide school/fishing guide school credentials.  As we have illustrated in other posts the requirements for guide school, certifications, training etc… varies greatly by state.  However, if you did attend any type of hunting guide school, fishing guide school or guide training ensure you list where it is from and the dates you attended.

CPR/First aid certification.  As a guide you will be responsible for the health and safety of your clients.  Whatever formal training you have had with health and safety is important to list.  Employers will want to know that you could handle clients in the case of a medical emergency.

With any resume you want to ensure that the document has been proof read.  Read through the resume several times yourself for grammar, spelling and readability.  One trick that we use is to read the resume backwards.  This means that you should read your resume from the right to left from the bottom.  This will force you to look at each word individually for its accuracy.  Also connect at least one or two friends or family members to have them review for the same items.  The more eyes on your document the better chances you will have of catching any errors.

Letters of recommendation for any guide experience you have is great but chances are if you are just getting into the industry this might not be possible.  If it is not it would still be a good idea to get letters of recommendation from past employers or even high school or college instructors.  Since customer service and interpersonal skills are highly important for this profession you can coach those who are writing your letters of recommendation to focus on those qualities of yours

We encourage you to use these recommendations as you apply for your next guide job.  Remember that putting time into your resume is very important and including powerful letters of recommendation can be one additional way to help you stand out from the crowd.