Be a Professional Hunting and Fishing Guide

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With business cards in hand, head for the places where sportspersons are likely to congregate: marinas, sporting goods stores, motels, and even taverns. Talk to the managers and owners of these establishments, get to know them if you can, and tell them you're open for business if any of their customers mumble something about needing a hunting or fishing guide. Hand out your cards as it they were candy.

Resorts can be especially good hunting grounds for potential clients. Owners of such places quite often receive advance inquiries from sporting patrons who are considering a visit to your area ...and whose choice of a hunting "headquarters" may depend upon the availability of guides. So a good relationship with a resort owner or manager can be mutually beneficial ...and can net you a wealth of customers.

Guides who are already established in your locale can also be of aid to you in those first, lean seasons. During the busiest times of year, many of these veterans suddenly discover that they've overbooked themselves. Let them know that, while you're not trying to steal their clients, you'd be happy to absorb the overflow, thus preventing the bad PR caused by broken reservations.

Run advertisements listing your services in local and regional publications ...which are often subscribed to by out-of towners who frequent your neck of the woods. Finally, chat with the folks at your local chamber of commerce office to find out what they can provide in the way of ideas for promoting your enterprise. While you're there, drop off a stack of business cards to be handed out.

PAPERWORK, PAPERWORK

Unfortunately, there's more to the guiding profession than just running around in the wilds. You've got to keep records, just as any other businessperson does. It's best to maintain ledger books with a listing of all your business-related expenses ...and to keep a second set of figures showing your income. If you're making an honest effort to get your operation into the black, the Internal Revenue Service will give you three years to get on your feet and make a profit. After that, it'll declare your business unproductive and will allow no more deductions for it.

Keep a list of your clients' names, addresses, and phone numbers—and send each of them a card at Christmas, suggesting early, booking for the coming season. It's a great way to get repeat business.

THE REWARDS

Along with enjoying lots of time in the out-of-doors and earning the satisfaction of a job well done, you can (if you hustle) make a few bucks during your first year as a guide ...though, unless you're truly exceptional, you won't get rich. But if you stay at it, you'll eventually pass the tenderfoot stage and build a reputation and a regular clientele. Then you can expect to earn a decent living. Some top guides, as a matter of fact, regularly net more than $25,000 a year. That's not bad money for doing what others are paying to do!

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