Choosing the right Ohio whitetail outfitters isn’t easy as it seems. There are a lot of things you need to consider before making the decision.

The general idea is to check the reviews, ask the right questions, and find the people who look and sound trustworthy. Like with any business or service, you can easily make mistakes when deciding on Ohio whitetail outfitters.

This can ruin your deer hunting experience, and if you’re new to hunting, it can dissuade you from ever doing it again! Of course, providing a good hunting experience is something that a guide cannot always control. A lot of things can go awry.

Things like wildlife behavior and weather conditions are out of our hands. Still, that doesn’t mean that a hunt should be a hit-and-miss affair (no pun intended). Instead, a good guide should do everything in his power to secure a good experience for his guests.

These trips can be quite an investment, both in terms of money and time. Because of that, you need to properly prepare when choosing the right whitetail outfitters in Ohio.

Here are some tips and tricks that will help you do just that!

1. Websites are tricky

Most people rely on the company’s websites for information gathering. This is far from ideal. As you can presume, every guide will try to showcase their tour in the best light possible. Some of them will even turn to unscrupulous methods showing pictures of hunters who weren’t even a part of their tour, or they might use fake reviews. You should always contact them for additional information. That way, you can gain a better insight into their knowledge and expertise. You can also check third-party websites for reference, such as Safari Club International. This should give you a better picture of the Ohio whitetail outfitter.

2. Knowledge of the local area

Needless to say, your guide needs to have a great knowledge of the local hunting area. Trusting a grizzles hunting veteran is oftentimes much better than choosing an energetic youngster. In fact, this is one of the basic prerequisites for having a productive hunt. Besides the layout, the guide needs to know about the area surface and who owns it. Keep in mind that a guide needs to have the proper paperwork so you can hunt on a government or private property. Always be careful of outfitters who start by searching for clients, and only when they find them do they start looking for the proper hunting ground. Lastly, your Ohio whitetail outfitter should be aware of the local deer density so you can avoid losing time for nothing.

3. Price comparison

Like with websites, prices can be tricky. Our first inclination is that the higher price should mean a better experience. This doesn’t have to be the case. Keep in mind that a lot of Ohio whitetail outfitters promote their services, and thus, they have marketing expenses. Sometimes, an outfitter will get a great, free promotion even though their service is no better than the competition. In order to discover more about an outfitter, you should check various reviews, and in particular, articles posted on other sites. Then, if you made a shortlist of all the acceptable options, you should start classifying them by price. Some people are also willing to go with a lower price, even if it means they’ll have a worse experience. It all comes down to you and what you expect from a hunt. However, if this is your first time or if you’re an occasional hunter, perhaps it’s better to pay a bit more, ensuring that you have a good time. You should also consider post-payments and meat splits. If you’re a long way away, perhaps you would like to have trophies shipped to your home address. This might cost a little bit more, which would change the whole price range. You need to consider that as well when making a plan.

4. Finding the right experience for yourself

If you’re already giving so much of your free time and money, you want to make it worthwhile. This also means that you need to find the right hunt based on your conditioning and desires. Make sure to ask the outfitter about the range, whether there are long hikes, climbs, and other natural obstacles. Sometimes, the game might be a long way away. This also goes for the rifles. Certain people have limited experience shooting one; the others have barely held a rifle in their hands. Don’t do anything that goes beyond your capability because this is the best way to ruin your hunt. There is no need to overdo it just so you can show a strong front!

5. Learn more about your guide

Things may change as you’re planning the trip. For example, you might want to have a particular guide, but you’re given another, less experienced one. This is another thing that needs to be discussed beforehand, and if you have any preferences, you need to make them known in advance. Sometimes, even if the outfitter is great as a whole, that doesn’t mean that every guide will be flawless. If you get a different guide, make sure to ask for references and their knowledge of the area. Getting references ahead of time is crucial as it would allow you to make the phone calls and ask previous clients whether they had a good time. A lot of Ohio whitetail outfitters belong to a specific organization. Asking this question can tell you more about the quality of the provider. Of course, there are also those who don’t want to be a part of any organization and prefer their independence.

6. Learn more about the camp

Besides the property itself, you should also learn more about the camp. Having a nice camp is really important, especially if you want to stay for a longer time. It is one of the things that an Ohio whitetail outfitter can control, and it shows a lot about the seriousness of their business. Oftentimes, you will be in the same group as other hunters. It is a common thing, and you shouldn’t be too worried about it. But, if you want to go alone, you should schedule it in advance. Even better, get it in writing.

7. Ethics are important

Although you’re going for a hunt, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay attention to ethics. Make sure to ask your whitetail outfitter in Ohio about everything that you’re interested in. For example, ask if the hunt is free-range. How are you going to behave with animals? Will you use feeders or bait? Needless to say, avoid outfitters who have low moral values or are willing to unnecessary harm the animals.

8. Avoid outfitters who give guarantees

As already mentioned, there are a lot of different factors to account for. There are no guarantees that you’ll have a good time, even if we try to control everything. So, if an outfitter gives you guarantees that you’ll have a nice hunt, make sure to avoid them at all costs. This is the oldest possible sales strategy, and it can be really annoying. It is especially problematic if an outfitter increases your expectations, and then they cannot fulfill them. You will feel deflated after the whole experience, which is probably the worst feeling possible.

9. Be careful of the pressure

Oftentimes, we get pressured into buying services or products that we don’t want. The same goes for hunts. The majority of Ohio whitetail outfitters have certain promotions. Unfortunately, most of these promotions are marketing tricks that are meant to lure potential clients. Don’t fall for these tricks; in most cases, these offers can be modified according to your wishes. Deer hunts are susceptible to changes and negotiations. Don’t be a pushover, and tell the outfitter what you expect from the hunt. You might also want to mention your budget. That way, there will be no misunderstanding.

10. Do your part

The success of the hunt often depends on the clients. You would be surprised how many people are unwilling to cooperate. Given that you’re in the wild, you will have to adapt, even if it goes against what you want. The best thing you can do is have a positive attitude. This is especially important if you’re a part of a larger group, as you can easily spread this negative behavior on others ruining their hunt as well.