Thread: Why do people use a guide?

I'm interested to know as to why some people are happy to use/pay for a guide to help them shoot/secure a stag?
I'm more pacifically referring to hunting in NZ by New Zealanders, whether it be free range private land, public land or behind wire hunting

Some of the reasons you hear are
- to busy with work
- family commitments
- don't have the time
- have the money to
- land access
- to unfit, old age, injuries
- been trying for years by myself with no success shooting a trophy stag

Why else do people decide to go down that path and use a guide?

Because a guide has sussed out the area over a period of time, knows the local deer habits.

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

Because a guide has sussed out the area over a period of time, knows the local deer habits.

But isn't that half the fun and challenge in trying to secure your trophy??

Originally Posted by Huntn

But isn't that half the fun and challenge in trying to secure your trophy??

Different strokes for different folks.

Sika are a good example - the best heads are on the front country and a lot of it is impossible to access. Some people hunt the Kawekas their whole life and never get a decent head (like me - too focussed on meat) and in the end think "bugger it, I will pay the money and have one last flurry". Its only my foolish pride that has stopped me from doing it.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Different strokes for different folks.

Sika are a good example - the best heads are on the front country and a lot of it is impossible to access. Some people hunt the Kawekas their whole life and never get a decent head (like me - too focussed on meat) and in the end think "bugger it, I will pay the money and have one last flurry". Its only my foolish pride that has stopped me from doing it.

Tahr I'm going to have to disagree with you on some of that, us sika hunters are so spoilt for choice with public land hunting access.
And as you say you have spent your whole life hunting the Kawekas focused mainly on meat, I'm sure if you had focused mainly on getting a nice tidy 8 point sika to hang up on your wall instead you probably would have. I say that as you seem to be an experienced hunter Tahr and have been doing it for a few years now!

I'll ask you this though, if you were to think in the end "bugger it" I'm going to go and pay for it and shoot me my trophy sika stag, would you be happy with yourself looking at your trophy each day hanging up in the house or shed and thinking man I'm proud of that and so deserve it??
I sure know that i wouldn't be. And that wouldn't change even if I won power ball tonight!

Originally Posted by Huntn

Tahr I'm going to have to disagree with you on some of that, us sika hunters are so spoilt for choice with public land hunting access.
And as you say you have spent your whole life hunting the Kawekas focused mainly on meat, I'm sure if you had focused mainly on getting a nice tidy 8 point sika to hang up on your wall instead you probably would have. I say that as you seem to be an experienced hunter Tahr and have been doing it for a few years now!

I'll ask you this though, if you were to think in the end "bugger it" I'm going to go and pay for it and shoot me my trophy sika stag, would you be happy with yourself looking at your trophy each day hanging up in the house or shed and thinking man I'm proud of that and so deserve it??
I sure know that i wouldn't be. And that wouldn't change even if I won power ball tonight!

Back to the different stokes buzz I think @Huntn me personally wouldnt be either I love the work took me years to pull the trigger on a redstag.but not everyone is going to like trip after trip of bad luck or shitters you decide not to shoot some people probably just want the job done. The bucket list thing stag do buzz gift from wifey all makes sence and remember trophies in the eye of the beholder guided or not to the beholder i bet its still an epic memory

Originally Posted by Huntn

Tahr I'm going to have to disagree with you on some of that, us sika hunters are so spoilt for choice with public land hunting access.
And as you say you have spent your whole life hunting the Kawekas focused mainly on meat, I'm sure if you had focused mainly on getting a nice tidy 8 point sika to hang up on your wall instead you probably would have. I say that as you seem to be an experienced hunter Tahr and have been doing it for a few years now!

I'll ask you this though, if you were to think in the end "bugger it" I'm going to go and pay for it and shoot me my trophy sika stag, would you be happy with yourself looking at your trophy each day hanging up in the house or shed and thinking man I'm proud of that and so deserve it??
I sure know that i wouldn't be. And that wouldn't change even if I won power ball tonight!

Oh ffs , this thread doesn't need another argument of public vs paid , if someone wants to pay for a hunt or to shoot a trophy good on them who gives a flying fuck there's so many different people out there with different skill sets or lack of and time restrictions or fitness levels , give it a break .
Iv just been looking up a spot I mite Tee up pretty good price , in a mint spot hut even has a shower and sweet fire place , mite be more a summer time thing seen as how for me the point of the exercise is for a family activity .

Originally Posted by Tahr

Different strokes for different folks.

Sika are a good example - the best heads are on the front country and a lot of it is impossible to access. Some people hunt the Kawekas their whole life and never get a decent head (like me - too focussed on meat) and in the end think "bugger it, I will pay the money and have one last flurry". Its only my foolish pride that has stopped me from doing it.

Go and do it. A trip to Ngamatea during the rut has been a highlight for me. It had nothing to do with the trophy either. Amazing seeing free range sika like that. I’d go again.

Originally Posted by Huntn

But isn't that half the fun and challenge in trying to secure your trophy??

True but most have limited time available for "recreational activities" by the time we all meet other responsibilities in life.

If you only have a week (or 2) a year available to go hunting then I would think its great way to maximise the chances of success meat wise or trophywise if that your thing, but if you really only want to go for an "armed' walk then I guess a guide would only be an extra expense.

contimplated it to get a young person the first animal.....bit like a hooker in many ways,the buck/fu%# fever over n done with before something more important cames along.a meat animal hunt with little pressure and open country just has to be less stressfull than bush stalked animal....we did the hard yards with my young fella and got him a bush stalked deer,one of my proudest Dad moments,he shot 3-4 on big farm but the hind from the deep dark bush is the one that stands out....the station animals took the edge off the antisipation.

looking at 5-700 for a meat animal isnt really that bad compared to chopper flight in without guarantee of meat coming out.
but as yet havent payed for something can DIY....in either case...

Bucket list for a non FAL holder nor a hunter or a wife who got sick of waiting

a newbie hunter,who doesnt know anyone who will take them out....will learn more from a paid hunt with a half decent guide than they will by DIY over half a dozen hunts.... and agree 100% with mikee on this.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

a newbie hunter,who doesnt know anyone who will take them out....will learn more from a paid hunt with a half decent guide than they will by DIY over half a dozen hunts....

^^^^Pretty much straight up me. Being a recently relocated Aussie who knows how to shoot feral cats and dogs in wide open paddocks, that's useful for 4/5ths of Feck All for hunting in NZ. Been here two years, and have pretty much ZERO mates due to working 65+ hours a week (and that was when it was quiet) up until the start of this year. Hard to make good friends when you spend 13 hours a day in a field service ute on your own. Met loads of good sorts filled with "Yeah mate, we'll take you hunting" who never quite follow through because life just gets in the way sometimes.

If I had the money, I wouldn't hesitate to get hold of a guide to go winter Tahr hunting. I just don't see it as being worth the risk having a crack with somebody I barely know or trust in places I'm not familiar with.

Originally Posted by Jt89

.................................... "Yeah mate, we'll take you hunting" who never quite follow through because life just gets in the way sometimes.

if I had 1 dollar for all the promised fishing trips I have had working on peoples boats then I would never need my own boat,

There are only a very select few now on whose equipment I will work outside my "day job" now.

I really hate when people I don't know call my employer to get my number so they can call me outside work hours to ask me to do a "Homie" because they want me to have the cash not the company (really they are looking for a cheap job) . WTF i dont do cheap I only do free (my labour I mean) on my own terms for people I respect! I also stand behind my work 100% unlike some!!

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

a newbie hunter,who doesnt know anyone who will take them out....will learn more from a paid hunt with a half decent guide than they will by DIY over half a dozen hunts.... and agree 100% with mikee on this.

This would be part of the reason I have used them in the past. And it has a few other things in its favour for me. I work shift work so my days off almost never line up with anyone else I know and hence I have to use leave to do anything that is not a solo hunt. I have hunted public land many times and have never successfully bagged anything except goats. I have hunted private land where I have occasional access, but there are no deer on that particular area.

The guided hunts for me provide ;
Local knowledge on where to go and how to get there safely
I have leant more from the guide than any of the books / videos that everyone tells me will help. Including field butchery, and assessment of animals.
Time- I simply cannot afford to spend trip after trip in the hills with nothing to show, I have so much other stuff that I need to balance this with.
Enjoyment- The Guide I know is a really nice guy and I have had no problem taking others with me when I have told them about my experience.
And as he operates on private land as has exclusive access we know that there are no other hunters there to bump into or disturb where we want to hunt.

I am not made of money and do not have cash to throw around, but I have found the guided hunts to provide real value for money, very helpful / educational and enjoyment.