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Q:
For lack of anything better on TV I was watching a hunting show about a moose hunt in the Yukon. The guide calls in a big bull who presents an unobstructed, 20 yard, broadside shot to the archer and then says, "I THINK I can find you a bigger bull". This one was big with wide paddles with 10 points on one side and 11 on the other. That was plenty big enough for me and I'd have taken the shot. The host took the guides call and didn't. How about you , would you have ignored the guide's advice and shot the bull in front of you?
Question by Sourdough Dave. Uploaded on July 27, 2012
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Answers (17)
I almost always defer to the experience of my guide, but if I'm happy with the animal and the shot it presents, I have no problem telling the guide "Thanks but this one is fine with me" and take the shot. I have no problem finishing early and spending the rest of my time relaxing in camp with a glass of malt.
Maybe archery hunting requires more conscious effort, but if I were there with a rifle, I think my rifle would have functioned on automatic pilot.
My rifle once shot a deer while I was still making up my mind whether or not to shoot.
no. "Don't guide the guide" I would have discussed with the guide before I started out exactly what size animal I was looking for.
His/her goal is to provide me with an enjoyable experience first and to have a shot opportunity at an animal with which I will be happy second. Having a big bull that close is an enjoyable experience! The guide will always have more experience and more info on the quality of animals in the area, and if he/she thinks I can do better then I would trust him/her and will most likely be thanking them later.
The host finished her hunt with only a day to spare by taking a very old bull with a rifle that had one more point than the younger one that was 20 yards in front of her bow and two of those points were broken. As for me, when the animal is right and the shot is right, take it. When I'm happy I tip well regardless of how many days we hunted together.
Haven't hunted with a guide and doubt I ever will. I make my own calls.
if a guide told me we could do better id probably listen
What does a guided moose hunt run these days in terms of price? I'm sorry, but if I get an archery shot even remotely close at a decent moose an arrow is going to fly, and if it's the last day of the hunt, even a small bull will suffice. I've eaten a lot of tag soup in my day, but I'm not going to eat that much tag soup!
20 yard unobstructed broadside shots are rare while archery hunting. Take everyone you get.
Most of the shots I've passed have been because I already had one on the ground, plenty meat in the 'fridge or just didn't want to wrestle one.
Since we have a buck:doe ratio problem, I shoot mostly does.. Not much "trophy" incentive. Just pick out the biggest one!
Long discussions with your prospective guide as to trophy quality, shooting techniques,even delivery of instruction comments prior to the heat of battle may be important to hunt outcome and, indeed prevent frayed nerves and sooth
hunt relationships. These chats help a guide to know the hunters experience and even ability to hear.
Over the decades I have overridden guides thoughts and suggestions with no hurt feelings. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
There are times and places you are required to have a guide, so learn to deal with it just as you learn other hunting skills. Kindest Regards
.
After arriving in a Central African Republic camp late one afternoon we went out to familiarize myself with a borrowed 375 because an arrogant lady working for Air France at LAX decided she would not let me check my rifles despite my having all proper documents. While practice shooting I gave my usual speech about my shooting habits to the PH. Later, walking back to camp I, by chance, spotted a Giant Forest Hog running broadside, which I bowled over. Afterward, my professional hunter started laughing, he said, "you just gave me a lecture not to do so, and minutes later I was hissing in your ear shoot, shoot, shoot!" So much for planning ahead. By the way, I did not hear him say a word. Tutaonana
Abird in the hand is beter than 2 in the bush!
I agree with all those that said a good solid pre-conference with the guide would have been in order. That said, if the moose was not spooked a brief discussion might be possible. There is also the bottom line of business, "The Customer is Always Right" to consider. And, finally, big moose in the hand is worth 50 maybes in the bush. Sort of like the first time I went deer hunting by myself. I had a rare any deer tag on the North Kaibab in Arizona. Early in the day I missed a shot at a nice 3X3 buck that was running in a herd. The next opportunity for a shot was on a huge pasty-faced doe that was all alone. I was hunting to fill a freezer not a wall and while doing both would have been nice my old Savage 99 did her job at about 60 yards. The old girl field dressed at 205. FWIW.
Aren't these TV shows all about the trophy and getting viewer interest? I'd second guess the guide on a TV show because the more animals they can get on TV, the better future business might be for them.
On the only guided hunt that I have gone on, before we ever left camp my guide told me "If you would be happy with it on the last day, be happy with it on the first day." So, if you are happy with what presents its self, take the shot. You're the one paying, so do as you like, not what the guide says.
It's my quarter, so I believe I'll make the final call. If the guide THINK'S he can provide a bigger and better and ends up not being able to do so ( assuming he has convinced me so ), Then perhap's I'll have re-THINK the tip. Moral of the story; hash the decisions out in camp prior to making, or not, that shot. Personally, my health is day to day. At times, I don't make quick recovery. I would make it a point the guide understands.
It totally depends. Is this my first moose? Have I bagged a couple this size before? Has my guide been making the right decisions thus far? It would be tough for me to turn it down simply because moose is so darn tasty!
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After arriving in a Central African Republic camp late one afternoon we went out to familiarize myself with a borrowed 375 because an arrogant lady working for Air France at LAX decided she would not let me check my rifles despite my having all proper documents. While practice shooting I gave my usual speech about my shooting habits to the PH. Later, walking back to camp I, by chance, spotted a Giant Forest Hog running broadside, which I bowled over. Afterward, my professional hunter started laughing, he said, "you just gave me a lecture not to do so, and minutes later I was hissing in your ear shoot, shoot, shoot!" So much for planning ahead. By the way, I did not hear him say a word. Tutaonana
I almost always defer to the experience of my guide, but if I'm happy with the animal and the shot it presents, I have no problem telling the guide "Thanks but this one is fine with me" and take the shot. I have no problem finishing early and spending the rest of my time relaxing in camp with a glass of malt.
Maybe archery hunting requires more conscious effort, but if I were there with a rifle, I think my rifle would have functioned on automatic pilot.
My rifle once shot a deer while I was still making up my mind whether or not to shoot.
20 yard unobstructed broadside shots are rare while archery hunting. Take everyone you get.
no. "Don't guide the guide" I would have discussed with the guide before I started out exactly what size animal I was looking for.
His/her goal is to provide me with an enjoyable experience first and to have a shot opportunity at an animal with which I will be happy second. Having a big bull that close is an enjoyable experience! The guide will always have more experience and more info on the quality of animals in the area, and if he/she thinks I can do better then I would trust him/her and will most likely be thanking them later.
if a guide told me we could do better id probably listen
What does a guided moose hunt run these days in terms of price? I'm sorry, but if I get an archery shot even remotely close at a decent moose an arrow is going to fly, and if it's the last day of the hunt, even a small bull will suffice. I've eaten a lot of tag soup in my day, but I'm not going to eat that much tag soup!
Long discussions with your prospective guide as to trophy quality, shooting techniques,even delivery of instruction comments prior to the heat of battle may be important to hunt outcome and, indeed prevent frayed nerves and sooth
hunt relationships. These chats help a guide to know the hunters experience and even ability to hear.
Over the decades I have overridden guides thoughts and suggestions with no hurt feelings. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
There are times and places you are required to have a guide, so learn to deal with it just as you learn other hunting skills. Kindest Regards
.
Abird in the hand is beter than 2 in the bush!
The host finished her hunt with only a day to spare by taking a very old bull with a rifle that had one more point than the younger one that was 20 yards in front of her bow and two of those points were broken. As for me, when the animal is right and the shot is right, take it. When I'm happy I tip well regardless of how many days we hunted together.
Haven't hunted with a guide and doubt I ever will. I make my own calls.
Most of the shots I've passed have been because I already had one on the ground, plenty meat in the 'fridge or just didn't want to wrestle one.
Since we have a buck:doe ratio problem, I shoot mostly does.. Not much "trophy" incentive. Just pick out the biggest one!
I agree with all those that said a good solid pre-conference with the guide would have been in order. That said, if the moose was not spooked a brief discussion might be possible. There is also the bottom line of business, "The Customer is Always Right" to consider. And, finally, big moose in the hand is worth 50 maybes in the bush. Sort of like the first time I went deer hunting by myself. I had a rare any deer tag on the North Kaibab in Arizona. Early in the day I missed a shot at a nice 3X3 buck that was running in a herd. The next opportunity for a shot was on a huge pasty-faced doe that was all alone. I was hunting to fill a freezer not a wall and while doing both would have been nice my old Savage 99 did her job at about 60 yards. The old girl field dressed at 205. FWIW.
Aren't these TV shows all about the trophy and getting viewer interest? I'd second guess the guide on a TV show because the more animals they can get on TV, the better future business might be for them.
On the only guided hunt that I have gone on, before we ever left camp my guide told me "If you would be happy with it on the last day, be happy with it on the first day." So, if you are happy with what presents its self, take the shot. You're the one paying, so do as you like, not what the guide says.
It's my quarter, so I believe I'll make the final call. If the guide THINK'S he can provide a bigger and better and ends up not being able to do so ( assuming he has convinced me so ), Then perhap's I'll have re-THINK the tip. Moral of the story; hash the decisions out in camp prior to making, or not, that shot. Personally, my health is day to day. At times, I don't make quick recovery. I would make it a point the guide understands.
It totally depends. Is this my first moose? Have I bagged a couple this size before? Has my guide been making the right decisions thus far? It would be tough for me to turn it down simply because moose is so darn tasty!
Post an Answer