hunting guide schools? I need a new career.

TripleDeuce660

TripleDeuce660

Active member
I been in construction 8 years. I been laid off most of the last 2 years with no future in sight. I went through so much work to become a journeyman, work up to foreman, and now become a licensed contractor and buisness owner. No one will pay anymore. What jobs I can find they pay me 25% less then I was making 4 years ago even though I have much more skill. No matter how much I advertise my new company the phone just does not ring. I hate plumbing anyways. When the alarm goes off and I have to go slang poo and pipes I just want to roll over and die. I have to find a new career and college is out of the question and anyways don't even know what i'd go to school for.

So i've decided to follow my true dreams. I've always wanted to be a guide. I want to guide fishing, upland bird, predator, and pack trips. Hopefully end up with my own fishing and hunting guide service. I know someone who can probably get me into working the summers at a fly in lodge in alaska.

I have researched alot of guide schools and the best one I can find is Hidden Creek Outfitters in cody WY. its a 90 day course. costing 4,500. Its twice as long as any other program I could find for the same money. It also involves hands on guiding big game hunts in the second half which is only offered at a few of the schools.

http://hiddencreekoutfitters.com/curriculum.htm

I'm looking for input from anyone who is a professional guide of any kind. I realize i'll probably make very little money but atleast I can fish, hunt, travel, and pack into the backcountry. Maybe I can do plumbing in the off season.

Has anyone attended this school or any other guide school? Did you find a job? Looking for any suggestions on how to persue this career and what mistakes to avoid.
 
I didn't realize you needed to attend some school to do that. Sounds like a rip off to me. Anyway, I hope it works out for you. Good luck!
 
Umm I live in los angeles how would I learn to handle horses and a pack train etc?


I mean I already know how to fish and hunt with great success. I could easily guide someone.

But the fact is CA and most other states you have to have a guide license and bond. Not all but many companies will want horsemanship skills. I'm a 4x4 kinda guy myself. It would open up working at horseback ride stables too even if its not fishing and hunting.

Since I have no experience guiding who would hire me when there is old billy bob who was born on a horse with a rifle in his hand? It will just make getting a job alot easier. I also hope I can pick up some big game skills. I only hunt upland and predators at this point cuz I can't afford another hunting addiction.
 
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Sorry, I can't help you on your quest.

But, if your in your early 30's[or less] & in good physical shape. I would consider trying out for a position in a paid Fire Department. They PAY to train you. Plenty of time off to boot. Retire when your 55.
 
The Royal Tine guide school here in MT is a great school, my uncle used to outfit in the Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho, and most of his guides went thru there, including his head guide who was a friend of mine.

I have no idea about other schools, best bet is to call big oufits and ask them, and find a school that assists guides in finding jobs. Good luck, its a competitive field and there's lots of competition, but if its what you want go for it. Be ready to work hard and absorb every detail.

Good luck brother
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I did consider fire dept but its hard to get in. I'm really not a strong guy don't think I would make the cut. Scared to get burned. Considered wildland fire fighter too.

I've also considered going back to school to be a teacher they only work 180 days a year, plenty of time for hunting and fishing. I'm just not a college guy and they are laying teachers off these days.

Gunsmith, but it doesn't pay very well.

public works like caltrans but I hate construction.

sanitation or water department too much school to get paid no more then I do now.

maintinance for national park service or BLM. already applied. Really want to get out of the trades.

I keep coming back to guide. Don't make much but do what I love.
 
Originally Posted By: bigsky_songdogsThe Royal Tine guide school here in MT is a great school, my uncle used to outfit in the Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho, and most of his guides went thru there, including his head guide who was a friend of mine.

I have no idea about other schools, best bet is to call big oufits and ask them, and find a school that assists guides in finding jobs. Good luck, its a competitive field and there's lots of competition, but if its what you want go for it. Be ready to work hard and absorb every detail.

Good luck brother
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I checked out that school. Sounded ok but not as good as hidden creek.I will look at it again. Good to know guides are being hired from schools though. THANKS!
 
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I understand exactly where u are comimg from. I graduated from an ORVIS endorsed guide school in MT. I too got sick of electrical work/ construction, and went too follow my dream. I had a blast and learned that no matter how good of a sportsman you are, guiding is about pleasing and catering to peple. It is a fun career and I have guided fishing, upland, waterfowl, tturkey and big game.
Although it is very rewarding emotionally, not so financially. You think the phone is dead now...guides are having it hard in most areas. Even when it is good there are ALOT of people like you...a wannabe actor in hollywood so to speak. I guided for myself for several years till the economy dropped out. It really helped me with my outdoor writing passion.
Although I enjoyed it, it was alot of work...all you do is cater from one moment to the next you are exhausting yourself to assure quality. Most seasons I did not hunt for myself. When I stopped in 2007 I went back to electrical work to support my family. I moved from the north east to the mid west and got a GREAT job and now have the time and money to hunt for me.
I don't regret any of it and learned alot about people and myself. All in all though guiding is about them not you...sometimes it not enjoyable to listen to things like..." this hunt was horrible..I got ate up by black flies, and I missed my bird...whaaa whaa whaa....." believe me it will happen.
what ever you choose, good luck.
Rocky Mtn Guide school in MT is good. The owner had the same dreams as you, he trapped all his youth and saved his money to follow his dream. After years of HARD work , persistance and determination he made it.
good luck.
- IOWAFIREBALL
 
Here in Minnesota you only need an a licsens if you hunt big game. A few years ago I opened up a waterfowl guide service and we had a good first year. But conflicts with the other owner made me sell out. We didn't attend any schools and did just fine. From what I have heard its not that hard to get a licens more common sence and big money. The one thing that I see is that guide services took one of the biggest hits. Due to the fact that guided hunts are an extra not a nessesity. I feel your pain I'm 24 with a year old daughter. I'm a landscaper. Now I can't find a job wourth taking and I mean one that will cover the cost of daycare. So for now I'm a stay at home dad and going crazy. I need to find work soon.
 
I have a degree in Gunsmithing, a Minor in Welding, Hold a OR Guides License, bond, ins, the whole works.
I work full time to manage a ranch, because I enjoy it.
If your looking for an "easy way", don't become a guide, you are up earlier, to bed later, work harder, and hunt less, and get paid less than anyone. You have to guide because you enjoy it, no other reason.Thats why I spend as much time as I can guiding, I really enjoy the people, and the excitment they have when they see something they have waited, and saved, and worked hard for. A kid killing his first "whatever" his smile is better than any "tip".
May sound corny but it is the way it is, ask anyone that has guided for years, and has made it.
If guiding is what you wanna do,just "take the chance" You'll know in one season whether or not you like it.
 
If you like the part time schedule look into becoming a Merchant Marine working on ships or tug and barge units. Lots of great companies out on the West Coast to started with. Majority now work a day for day schedule so 180 days a year with good pay and benefits. Its a bit of time away from home, but in your time off it is totally yours. Once you move up the ranks the pay ain't too shabby.
 
thanks you guys got great input.

The royal tine school looks good too now that I reviewed the entire website more carefully. One thing is they have an april class so i can get to it and possibly get a job for the summer. They also have a camp with actual bunk bed and a wood stove in the tent. I mean i'm not a wuss but that sounds good. They have a pack of lion hounds and give lion hunting instruction that is really cool since i'm all about hounds and predators. Seems alot of their students get jobs.

The HCO school though you will go on multiple pack trips 30 miles back into the wilderness that has got to be sweet. You will actualy assist guiding in the second half. Sounds like on the second half i'm basicaly paying them to work as a guide's apprentice. I will get a good idea if I like it by the end. If they like you they will hire you themselves but don't help place you. I have to say I think I would kick some serious butt and got the work ethic, additude, and personabilty any company would love.

I realize the guide buisness has got to also be suffering in this economy. Luckily I have an in for a job in alaska.
 
Originally Posted By: seacowboyIf you like the part time schedule look into becoming a Merchant Marine working on ships or tug and barge units. Lots of great companies out on the West Coast to started with. Majority now work a day for day schedule so 180 days a year with good pay and benefits. Its a bit of time away from home, but in your time off it is totally yours. Once you move up the ranks the pay ain't too shabby.

what is a merchant marine?
 
I met a girl who had become a guide, through a school like the one your talking about.

She really enjoyed it, but cautioned anyone who wanted to become a guide to make sure that they enjoy guiding, and not because they enjoy hunting/fishing.

Guiding, is more like watching people hunt or fish, and often badely. While your out of doors, and generally doing the same things, your schedual doesn't leave a whole lot of room to hunt and fish your self.
 
yeah I was thinking about that I would never get to run my pack of beagles on rabbits if i'm guiding some yuppie on his stupid deer hunt all thru the fall LOL. I don't even believe in guided hunts. All a man needs is a map of public land, a regulation book, and a 4x4. If you can't kill something without a guide you need more practice. I see these guys on tv they don't even carry their own gun till its time for the kill shot. If you gotta hunt private and leased land then you are in the wrong state. Nevada for example is 80 percent public land. The elk crossing the road in places shuts the interstate down for hours. You could just get out of your suv and whack it over the head with a 2x4 lol
 
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Merchant Marine is someone who works in the commercial trade industry on ships or tug boats moving cargo around the world or locally port to port. Cargo can be containers, petroleum products, dry bulk, cars, anything. It is a large overlooked industry that many do not think about but helps in the distribution and movement of a huge volume of goods worldwide.

If you want more info on where to start send me a pm, I'd be glad to help.
 
Oh so its sort of like long shoreman and maybe goverened by the same union? I live right by port of long beach/los angeles. Its a huge wait to get into anything at the port.

I can't get into a job that involves the ocean because I can't afford to live anyplace near it. I live with my dad. I'm moving to reno nevada when I get enough money saved for a house.

Great idea though, the guys at the port make a fortune.
 
I heard thru the grapevine that BNSF railroad may be hiring again this year. It's a pretty good job for this part of the country. There's a lot of different departments to get into, from engineers and conductors to track maintenance department to the mechanics in the shops, and a lot of others. I'm in track maintenance and typically my 3 1/2 years of seniority allow me to work 10 months a year, with Jan and Feb off on furlough. The pay is pretty good and the health insurance is unbelievable, although that is subject to change every time we get a new union contract. (Not a big fan of unions, but it is required to work here.)

Like you I was a contractor for many years, and people quit spending money several years ago and only the biggest and most established make it. I had all the skills at the trade, but not at the sales and marketing, and that is what got me in the end. I don't have enough politician in me I guess.

Sounds like you are single and young enough, go for it, give it a try. It takes a lot of courage to try something new. What do you really have to lose?
 
i'm married. The wife at home is a big concern. Of course she is going back to school for 4 years and she'll have to go where she gets accepted.

Does this railroad company operate in california or nevada?
 
If you like to hunt/fish, forget about the railroad. You'll never have the time off to do it, literally.

You work your shift, then your recomended to go home and sleep because more en likely you get called back in. On top of that, you'll be there till the day you die before you get any hunting seasons off or vacation during hunting season, seniority rules and all them old guys get them days off. On top of that, you'll be stuck on graveyard for lord knows how many years with a tuesday wednesday off, that is of course if you dont get called in...

Sure its good money, but what the hel good is it if you dont even have the time to enjoy or spend any of it???

Not worth it to me. I went to a seminar for UPRR employment few years back and as soon as the instructor asked who likes to hunt and fish and about 75% of the people raised there hand, the instructor then went on to say "well you wont be doing much of that anymore if you get hired on the railroad" I slowly got up and walked out, I was the only one to do so, I didn't care one bit. Hunting and shooting is the last thing I'm giving up.

I've got a decent job that I work 4-10s with sat-mon off which leaves plenty of time for hunting/shooting year round, and guess what, my days off, are my days off, no gettin called in BS, or not even being able to make plans to go anywhere or do anything because you always gotta be around in case ya get that call.

If you want a life, especially a family life, then you can forget the railroad...
 


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