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Being a Better Guide

Being a Better Guide. MOGA Convention 2016 Pat Tabor, Jr. Materials provided by courtesy of Swan Mountain Wilderness Guide School. Agenda. Definition of a Good Guide A Good Guide Always… Tools & Equipment Communications Ethics Psychology of Being a Hunting Guide Be a Planner

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Being a Better Guide

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  1. Being a Better Guide MOGA Convention 2016 Pat Tabor, Jr. Materials provided by courtesy of Swan Mountain Wilderness Guide School

  2. Agenda • Definition of a Good Guide • A Good Guide Always… • Tools & Equipment • Communications • Ethics • Psychology of Being a Hunting Guide • Be a Planner • It’s The Little Things • Conclusion  What do you need to do?

  3. Definition of a good guide • Under promises, over delivers • Part counselor, coach, bartender, friend • Listens more than talks • Remains optimistic to the end • Explains what the plan is, keeps client informed • Adjusts physical pace according to client abilities without embarrassing client • Does not blame anyone else for anything • Communicates with fellow guides and outfitter, no secrets, no excuses

  4. A Good Guide Always… • Explains the plan, hunting strategy and decision making process • Demonstrates small gestures of comfort and safety • Recognizes and responds to emotions • Demonstrates expertise, create visible signs

  5. Tools & Equipment • Tools & Equipment help you perform, keep you safe, aid in your ability to establish credibility • Boots • Packs • Knives and other tools • Calls • Charts and articles to share with client • Other safety and comfort items

  6. Communications • Before the hunt • Each day before and after as well as in the field • After the hunt, setting up plan for tomorrow • With other staff and outfitters as well as other clients

  7. Ethics • It is all you have • Break one rule and you’ll start breaking them all • Betting your livelihood • Good service does not require looking the other way

  8. Psychology of Being a Hunting Guide • Dealing with different personalities/styles, four personality types: • Driver • Analytic • Relator/Social • Recluse

  9. Psychology of Being a Hunting Guide - Behaviors of Hunters in the Field • The ever challenging 2-on-1 format • How to hunt a sitter • How to a hunt a walker, gung ho hunter • High expectation hunter • Father/Son • Overweight hunter • The perfect blend of an enjoyable experience, best chance to harvest, and pushing their individual limits • Fatigue sets in, but he won’t admit it

  10. Psychology of Being a Hunting Guide - Dealing with Tough Situations • Getting confidence up after missed shot • A frustrated hunter • A high expectation hunter • A talkative hunter • The hunter that seems to “give up” • The guy that talks a big • A client with substantially more experience then you • Ethical situations • Wounded animals • Poor gun safety

  11. Psychology of Being a Hunting Guide - Coping with Failure • Don’t take failure personal, it’s part of the job • Competition with fellow guides is unhealthy for outfit • How to behave around clients that didn’t harvest • Keeping optimism and motivation high every day of every hunt

  12. Psychology of Being a Hunting Guide - Reading Client Signs • Heavy sighs or scoffs • Stone cold silence • Loss of sign of humor, or change in talking pattern • Throwing out barbs or under-the-breath comments • Questioning procedures, arrangements, discussing “promises” made by outfitter • Comparing to other hunts/outfitters • Talking a lot about previous hunt experiences that were “good” hunts

  13. Psychology of Being a Hunting Guide -Other Issues that Affect a Guide’s Morale • The way the camp/outfit is run • Style of outfitter and bosses • Quality of food, stock, and equipment • Pressures at home with girl/boy friends and family • Overall level of confidence in yourself

  14. Be a Planner • Lay everything out, check your equipment • Study maps, visit places on your time • Coordinate with other guides/outfitter • No what your client parameters are

  15. It’s The Little Things: • Disposable camera • Electrical tape • Surprise snack • Ballistics chart • Creature comforts • Souvenirs • Business card • Extra clothing • First aid kit plus • Extra reading materials • Charts or diagrams • Favorite articles • Shot placement • Dress the part

  16. Conclusion  What do you need to do? • Never stop learning, read up on the species you will be hunting and understand their nature • Scout on your own time, you will be a better guide for it • Watch and learn, shadow experience guides and outfitters, their knowledge is invaluable • Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, experiment • Be open to new ideas • But … take command, you are the guide, not the client, make a decision based on good preparation then stick with it

  17. Questions

  18. Thanks!

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