Be a Professional Hunting and Fishing Guide

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GETTING OUTFITTED TO OUTFIT

Fortunately, most nimrods have their own weapons and gear. But if you want to be a year-round guide who handles anglers during the warmer months when there's no hunting action, you'll need a boat and motor (or at least a canoe and strong paddling arms!). It doesn't have to be a fancy rig, though the more comfortable a boat is, the better for all concerned. For long days on the water, seats with backrests are godsends. Be sure to check state regulations regarding commercial boating, then make certain that your craft con forms to the law and that you have legal and adequate flotation devices aboard at all times.

You should always carry plenty of extra tackle on fishing expeditions, especially if you plan to use local or esoteric angling methods that your customers can't be expected to know about ahead of time. Your ability to provide the just-right lure or piece of gear can save many a fishing day.

When guiding hunters, it's up to you to provide transportation into and out of the woods (and maybe to and from the local airport, if your clients are nonlocals whose motels or resorts don't provide that service). A truck is best for the purpose, and four-wheel drive is a big plus for surefootedness as well as "flavor." But if it's all you can come up with at first, almost any vehicle will do, as long as it's in good repair.

Here's a list of items I've found handy to keep at the ready for both hunting and fishing outings:

First aid kit
Bug spray or ointment
Extra fishing tackle and/or ammunition (ask customers to specify in advance what caliber or gauge they'll be using)
Rain gear (heavy plastic garbage bags make great emergency ponchos)
Small tool kit for repairing fishing reels, guns, and camp equipment
Water (and perhaps a thermos of hot coffee or tea)
Toilet paper (white, since it biodegrades much faster than colored tissue does)
Snacks

KEEP IT LEGAL

Protect both your clients and yourself with proper insurance: liability at the least and, preferably, comprehensive coverage that will replace your boat, truck, animals, and other expensive tools of the trade. (I've found such coverage to be relatively inexpensive, as insurance goes.)

Many states require that outfitters and hunting and fishing guides be licensed. Often you'll also need to carry the appropriate hunting and fishing licenses and stamps with you, even if you won't be holding a rod or carrying a weapon. Furthermore, it's the guide's responsibility to see that clients have all the proper papers. Nothing can cut short a professional outdoorsperson's career more effectively than failing to adhere to the law or allowing customers to break it.

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