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Barrie Burchell-staff

An outfitted hunt is the culmination of hunting dreams. Finding a great outfitter can make the difference between those dreams coming true and your worst nightmares! So let’s try to understand what makes an outfitter great.

Jamy Traut-Namibia

There are three primary elements to an outfitted hunt: Outfitter, area, and guide. In priority, it’s simple: Area, area, and then area! Although luck is always a factor, the best hunters in the world can’t achieve consistent success in depleted areas…and a really great, game-rich area can make mediocre hunters appear to be superstars!

Mozambique-Mungari Camp

So, in searching for a great hunt—which is really the ultimate goal—you aren’t really looking for just a great outfitter. You’re looking for a great area first, and then a great outfitter who will assign you a great guide. The outfitter is in many ways the facilitator. Whether a government concession or private land, the outfitter is responsible for the hunting area and all logistical support, including camp, food, transportation, and preparation of trophies for shipping. The outfitter also hires the guides.

Mark Haldane-buffalo

With small operations the outfitter and guide may be the same person. With larger outfits the outfitter may do some of the guiding…or not. Either way the outfitter is the boss. One of the crosses I have to bear is the accusation that I get “special treatment.” With the random vagaries of hunting this is actually very hard to orchestrate, but it’s common for an outfitter to assign himself to me as guide: It’s better for business if he’s the face on TV or in a magazine article. Honestly, this is not always the best deal because, as the outfitter, he will have to spend time solving problems and directing operations. At the conventions you can meet outfitters that you really like…but don’t assume that the person you’re talking to will be guiding you. As above, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but always ask who will be guiding you…and then get references on the guide. Never forget those three critical elements: Outfitter, area, and guide!

Dave Leonard-camp

Back to the outfitter. Ideally, he/she needs to be personable, because the whole idea is for the hunt to be fun. This is not mandatory; it depends on whether your priority is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, or if it’s results that come first. Also, in many situations you may not even lay eyes on the outfitter…which takes us back to the importance of the guide! But here’s what is mandatory in a great outfitter: He or she must be a leader, with strong organizational skills. The outfitter will hire the guides and direct their efforts, so is ultimately responsible for their actions. The outfitter is also responsible for organizing everything. Obviously many tasks and operations can be delegated, but making things run seamlessly is a very big job!

Mike Hawkridge-wolf

Technically, the outfitter doesn’t have to be a good hunter (unless he’s guiding!). Example: I hunted in Ethiopia twice with the late Colonel Negussie Eshete. At that time he was older and his eyes were failing, thus he was no longer a good hunter. But the local people worshipped him and, as a Colonel of paratroops, he was a leader and organizer. As an outfitter he was still great.

Dirk de Bod-lion

Also mandatory: A great outfitter must be a conservationist. Always morally, but today in practical terms the outfitter is responsible for the management of his area. He must know his area and his wildlife well enough to plan for sustainable harvest. A great outfitter doesn’t just want his hunting area to remain good; he wants it to get better. Obviously situations differ widely.  In northern British Columbia, Canada, my friend Ron Fleming has camps—with cabins—that he hunts from only every second or third season, to let the area rest. In coastal Mozambique Mark Haldane started with almost nothing 20 years ago; now he manages a couple million acres with game that has increased dramatically. Of course he watches his quota…but he also invests heavily in anti-poaching efforts.

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So there it is: Leadership, organization, and conservation. An outfitter who pays attention to all three will not only be great; he will stay great…and his hunters can be assured they will have what it takes to make hunting dreams come true: Great outfitting and great guiding in a great area.