Grouse Hunting Guide Fees

[protrapper]

I have quite a few folks every year ask me to take people grouse hunting, and they will pay me. I do some guiding for fishing, moose, and bear hunting. Nothing to serious. Just for extra money and fun.

But I was wondering what I should charge per half and full day hunts. I supply dog and hunting areas. I will not hunt just run dog.

[Bird Dog]

I am not a guide by any means but heres my 2 cents.if I were to do it I would have to base my price on what I valued my time at, and the quality of the hunting experience that I could provide.It probably would not be as labor intensive as guiding for bear with all the baiting etc.Maybe you could work out a formula from some of your previous guiding trips.Your expenses most likely would be less for guiding a grouse hunt.But you still will have to buy fuel etc.And if you have private land to hunt and a decent population of Grouse I would also take that into account,as a big plus.If you do get into guiding for grouse.I would be interested in a guided Grouse hunt,If it would work into my schedule and the price was right.

Good Luck
Bird Dog

[Dano2]

i would too, could I bring my lab too, just for the heck of it? I've been working with her on pheasants, would it do her any good?

[This message has been edited by Brian Sander (edited 09-07-2003).]

[setterguy]

I have done a few giuded grouse hunts over the last couple years, not for a fee but just to get out a few more times. People have said the same thing "You should open a guide service" I have been kicking the idea around for a while now. A couple things to consider, 1. Are you using your vehicle? 2. Do you provide lodging?
3. How much is your dog worth if it does happen to get injured or God forbid killed in the woods? These are things that you have to
take into consideration. I have talked to a couple guys that do guide and they start there prices at around 125 for a half day and 225 for a full. Now if you are planning on doing full day hunts I would make sure to either have a fresh dog available or make **** sure that the one dog can hunt hard all
day. Because I paid a guide in North Dakota one time and his dog was lickin boots by about 10am and boy were we ticked. Good luck
with it, any time you can make a few bucks doing something you love its a bonus! By the way what kind of dogs do you run?

[protrapper]

Thanks for the replys. I think I will use my truck. I beleive I should take no more than 2 hunters with me. But I would rather take 1.
I run labs setterguy, but a buddy runs a English setter. No lodging, just meet them at there hotel or cabin.

As far as this year I may try a couple people out and see how it goes. Oh yea, gotta make sure they sign a release that I am not liable for any mishaps on the hunt.

[jlm]

I believe you need to be a registered guide in the state of MN take take money for guiding services. Unless you do it under the table. However, if you want to get serious about it, its best to go by the book. I think those prices quoted are pretty steep...if lodging was included I could see that. The biggest part is your dogs and your time. You better get insurance for sure, you never know these days! I personally do not know why people would pay for a guided grouse hunt when there is tons of public land with very good hunting in Northern MN. To each there own I guess. Good luck and I hope all turns out well for you!

[Dano2]

Ya, I was thinking that was a little steep too, Dont know much about it, but looking at G/O fees in ND, some charge about that (and some ofcourse more) and thats for lodging and a meal or two a day included.

I think I would go more along the lines as a fishing guide, something in the $65-$70 a half day range

And again protrapper, when you get er figured out, if you decide to do it, let me know, I may be interested in some good grouse hunting.

[This message has been edited by Dano2 (edited 09-08-2003).]

[Wayne Ek]

Dano2, his prices are right. I don't think your going to find any fishing guides doing
60 to 70 dollar half-day trips. As a member of the Alexandria Guide Assoc. we charge 225 for full days and 150 for half days. When you start adding up equipment cost, fuel,insurance and ect. you can see that your hourly rate is guite low.
But, **** it can be fun...

------------------
Wayne
Agape Fishing Guides
www.agapefishingguides.com

[Dano2]

Sure I can, I've been out with two already.

Thats with a two person minn. ofscourse

[This message has been edited by Dano2 (edited 09-08-2003).]

[setterguy]

Those prices may sound steep, but if you are hunting private land and have a couple of guys it really isn't that bad. It all depends on what kind of product you can put out there. There are a lot of dogs that can point grouse, but very, very few that can FIND grouse. There is a big difference. Some people only get to get out 2-3 times a year and are willing to pay a few bucks to have a good chance at bird contact. I think it all depends on your dog and how well he/she can find, hold and retrive birds for multiple people. Getting to hunt behind an exceptional dog is a real treat, and if the day comes when I can't hunt behind my own, I would sure be willing to pay.

[jlm]

I would agree with that, if you can split the cost with several guys that might be worth it. I thought the quoted price was per person. Private land is great but there are 100's of thousands of acres of land in MN that are open to the public. The grouse habitat is fantastic and shooting limits is not really a big deal especially when the numbers of grouse are up. This is without a dog. You do have to work hard though, there is a lot of walking involved. I guess if you have extra money and would like to hire a guide, I say go for it. If you don't have that much money to throw around, I think the same opportunity is out there for everyone to do just as well (because of so much public land). Now if you are talking pheasants in MN, that is a whole different matter. Most are on private land which makes all the diffference in the world! I would recommend a guide for that for sure! Just my two cents! Oh, one last thing, working behind a good dog is, to say the least, awesome!