Bad clients
General Topic
15 five star reviews, 1 four star review, and now a 1 star review! LOL, let's here some stories about bad clients. Weather you are an outfitter, if you were on a outfitter hunt and there was a horrible client in camp, a horrible guy or gal in your own camp, or whatever.
Worst part of the 1 star review is the outfitters response. His response is a deflection and doesn't address the main issues (alleged fraud/ bait and switch) brought up by the client. Makes me question the outfitters integrity.
Only had one guy bad enough to almost get sent home. A young lady made a bad shot on a pronghorn and felt pretty bad about it. He went on a rant about how awful a death from a gut shot would be and how she should rethink how prepared she needs to be before taking a shot. After a private discussion with my partner he apologized to the girl and was allowed to stay. You can guess what happened when his shot opportunity came around.
Always an occasional jerk but thats just human nature. One guy was a big talker and his whole group filled out before him. He was sure he was getting put in bad spots. We would find him roaming around screwing up areas around other water holes and just being an idiot. He had the choice of any blind on his last day since everyone else was done.
When he discussed it with his group they told him to sit the one I suggested to him like they had. He shot a really nice buck and was crying and hugging me when we recovered him.
I never worried much about guys who weren't friendly to me but when it effected other clients it had to be addressed. 90% were great and many became long-time friends.
I've been on 2 hunts where the other hunters were just plain obnoxious, rude and incompetent. Fortunately, in both cases I was 1 on 1 with my guide and was able to pretty much ignore them. They took bad shots, lost animals, complained when the animal that they stalked and shot was too small, complained when a marginally shot animal was not recovered after they "f..ed" up the blood trail, hunted with illegal equipment, complained when the guide did not take a follow up shot (not legal to do so), were not there when the animal was found alive to take the shot, generally b...ched and complained about everything. The list goes on. Then I saw their reviews. Oh boy. After one of the hunts and after seeing the reviews, I wrote a letter to the owner about what really happened. I usually go with one of my friends. I told him I was never going without him again. Those hunters were miserable folks and wanted to visit their misery on everyone else.
Aspen ghost makes a good point. The hunter may have been a PITA, but if he is telling the truth, be was swindled and the outfitter did not address some major gaps between what was purchased and what was delivered. I’ve been in many hunting camps, in the western USA, Alaska, Canada and Africa. On a couple occasions there was a hunter that was a jerk and one time a guide that was drunk for days on end.
Aspen ghost makes a good point. The hunter may have been a PITA, but if he is telling the truth, be was swindled and the outfitter did not address some major gaps between what was purchased and what was delivered. I’ve been in many hunting camps, in the western USA, Alaska, Canada and Africa. On a couple occasions there was a hunter that was a jerk and one time a guide that was drunk for days on end.
At least the reviewing hunter is a known bowsiter, giving him a little more credibility than the usual authors, who often seem to land here by using google to find somewhere to carp. But there is a lot more detail on the Buffs Hitting Salt thread. Didn't read anything that would keep me from using that outfitter in the future.
My only experience with a "special client" was on a Coues hunt in MX several years back. Longbow shooter in his 70's who was a self-professed expert on all topics. While the rest of us were just trying to have some fun & kill some stuff, he spent much of his time complaining about compound shooters (who he held in great disdain), the food, the accommodations, blind locations and/or positioning, lack of game, color of the soil, and etc. Interesting because this was a return trip for him. We noticed during this gentleman’s shooting practice time (@ 10 yards) he spent more time searching the brush behind the block target for his lost arrows than shooting. The rest of us were determined not to let it spoil the party for us, and I think we pretty much succeeded. Interestingly, later I heard that he returned for a third trip with the same outfit.
It’s amazing how many people come to Bowsite to leave a bad review when if they just would of come to Bowsite to research a hunt or outfitter they would of been just fine. How do people book these hunts and not vet who they are going with? There are a lot of good outfitters on here and many more hunters here that can steer you in the right direction before you place your deposit so you don’t get burned on your hunt.
A few years back I was talking to a local bear guide here in Northern MI I knew. I seen a review on a local website from a hunter complaining about this guide and not seeing bears and being put on a dead bait. I asked the guide what happened. Turns out this hunter was leaving his piss bottle there and smoking in the blind. The guide had to pick up the cig butts after the hunter left. The hunter didn't mention that in his complaining.
There are three sides to every story. That’s said “hogwash” and name calling isn’t much of a refutation when the other guy came with many claimed facts. I know who sounds believable to me. Is is possible covid left this outfitter in a bad spot and he wouldn’t admit it.
It sucks if things get switched and I can understand being upset with not hunting the property promised. I have delt with smoking fiends too and that sucks. But complaining about someone putting a wounded animal down is pretty petty. Make better shots and be thankful for the help.
I’ve been on the receiving end of an unfortunate circumstance … hunting with a well known SA outfitter who was just getting a property up and running in Namibia. I hunted for 5 days - saw two warthogs and a mamba. Not impressed. Then the story came out that the borders had closed due to animal disease and they couldn’t bring in critters from SA as planned. So we hunted a nearly empty property for most of the week. They made arrangements for us to hunt with another outfitter for our last couple or 3 days. No time to be picky and killed 3 animals over there and my wife killed two. Really left a bad taste for Africa - I thought Dries would make amends for it but he never did. Lesson learned.
Not sure if some guys saw, but there is an entire thread that is essentially the outfitter's response to the client complaint. If you are only looking at the outfitter review, you are missing the bigger picture.
Seems to me that dealing with a booking agent and not directly with the outfitter was the biggest contributor in this situation - which is ironic considering Ken is a Bowsite sponsor.
I have spent a lot of time in bear camp so let see, all the guides for lack of success Guys coming out of baits early to go to the strip club. Hunter brought stripper to camp with him. Hunter wasn't seeing bears, when we went to check on him his wife, (quite Hot) was in the car topless and he had just returned to his bait. Drunk on stand, Smoking on stand. High on stand Shot and wounded to many to count, shot with head in bait and shot throw container, shot through the bush, shot at the wrong end. Bear was to small ,bear they shot was way bigger. Classic: Ursus shrunkus Hunter threatened young guide with lawsuit, that got them kicked out of camp. LOL I'll do some thinking, lmbo
I went on a guided hunt in 2011, early in the season in WY for antelope. I thought the place was great, but I am from the woods. Most of the clients were pretty hoty toty, boys, and thought the accomodations were too rustic.... Anyway they all shot goats, but me...................... The outfitter, came up to me and asked me, " are you having a good time? I said , I am having a ball, and he said, he felt bad, because I never complained, and never got a shot..... I said, well, thats hunting
When we were packing up, he said , your a "great client", allowed me to come back and mule deer hunt, and got a nice one, and that was on him.... then I just hung out and worked around camp,,,,,,,,
This hunt I just got in originally as a fill in,,,,,,,,,,,,, the guy was busting his ass for these guys, and of course the loudest whiner, got the best spots,,,,,, lots of jerks, as hunters
I didn't know strippers were a possible hunt add on. This changes everything!
Strippers in camp???
IMO.....on most normal free range hunts, if the guide puts you in a position for a shot opportunity....he/she was successful in that portion of the job. The hunter owns any go/no-go decisions after that.
Never had strippers in camp but Montreal strippers and Q/L Caribou were a good combo back when it was a thing…..
I’ve helped a buddy Guide rifle hunters in the off-season- he is very picky about his clientele so no major problems.
I started a Guide business running dogs for hogs with my best friend decades ago. What’s not to like, getting paid to Hunt.
Ugh no. It turned out to be the exact opposite. We got a few bad clients, guys they were out of shape and could not keep up with the dogs And it was almost wrecked my love of hunting. Frustrating to say the least.
On hunts you can pick your hunting partner or just go it alone. When guiding you can’t always do that.
Steve, I don’t remember Montreal strippers on our hunt? (not that I’m interested in strippers, of course).
Steve and Pat…….if you get to Anchorage try the Alaskan Bush Company.
We hit a few clubs in Montreal, in ‘06 & ‘08. When the girls found out we were caribou hunting, they asked us if we knew a guy named Pat.
Didn’t make sense at the time. More than one of them commented on him asking them if they could break a $5…..
Stekewood,on our last QL caribou hunt, the owners of the two biggest strip clubs in Old Montreal were in the camp. They liked to, ahem... party a lot. A LOT.
Anyway, on the flight back they gave everybody in our little group VIP passes for that night at the clubs. I did not partake, but some of the other guys did and said it was nothing like the strip clubs in the U.S......
You guys a breaking rule # 1. What happens at camp stays at camp.
They're only strippers when they're at the club. We call them something else when you take them home.
"They're only strippers when they're at the club. We call them something else when you take them home."
Ya....Penny Cillin.
Can a guy still get a lap dance at a Canadian strip club, with covid and all? Asking for a friend. Said friend also wants to know about fishing with strippers combo packages.
The hunter Screwball is talking about was a judge from Louisiana... Brought a hooker back to his cabin. My day kicked him out of camp cause she hung around after.LOL. The same judge shot a small bear and didn't want to tag it. It was still alive when I found it. Was in bad shape.He said, just let it go and I can get a bigger Bear, but I knew better. He tagged it but was mad that I made him. I have 48 years of mostly great clients and a few bad client stories. After all those years even the few bad add up.
One of my African PH’s told me a story about the time he had 3 older Russian Oligarchs fly to RSA in their private jet. Two of them showed up with their Wives, the other was solo. He told me these two wives were stunning, young, Russian girls. The two married guys retired early and the single guy stayed up drinking.
After the second day, one of the married guys stayed out drinking and the solo guy from the night before took his wife back to the cabin. At first they thought these older rich Russian guys were swapping. On the third night the guy who had “slept” with his wife for two nights had the night off.
The PH finally figured out what was going on. They brought escorts along and they rotated these girls each night. When the PH asked them why not just bring 3 girls the Russian guy told him at there age 2/3 nights was enough and they needed one night to recoup.
Crazy!
Pat, no strippers on our hunt. I learned my lesson on my first trip up there in 1999. I had put together that trip for 11 buddies and me and they thought it would be funny to show their appreciation by telling the DJ that it was my bachelor party. Before I knew it I was tied to a chair on the stage......
Those places were great but it sure made for a rough start to the hunt! Some mighty green looking fellas on the float plane the next morning.
Strippers are not common in Alaska tent camps....!
I'm retired now, but have memories of two clients who stood out and who I would never rebook. One held me at gunpoint while he explained that he needed more wood for his stove. The other asked for his deposit back because his wife had cancer and he needed the money.... then he sent the deposit to another outfitter!
Interestingly, both clients were from New Jersey (as am I originally!)
Pete
There was also the guy that brought his hooker with him, (yes she was a rental, we had a tent camper so trust me on this,) and he camped next to my brother and I. He shot a bear in the jaw, and wanted Chris to put him on another bait, Chris wouldn't do it, so he was going to fight Chris outside the lodge. That is when I, my brother, and one other hunter walked out on the deck just in case. The hunter left early the next morning. Bit Chris is correct the number of great hunters and people far outweigh the bad. The bad tend to stick with your memory though.
I have told Spikebuck he needs to write a book after 48 years the stories are hard to imagine and believe.
That was the Lawyer from Penn. Joe. He went out in the morng and hunted. Came back to camp about noon and wanted me to go look for his Bear he just shot. Me and a couple others went to track the bear. When we got to the bait he told us he aimed at for the circle on the bottom of the bucket and shot. There were teeth and bones under the bucket. Some blood. He just shot the bear but the blood was so dry that it was peeling off the leaves...... So he lied to us. He actually shot the bear the night before. Wanted to look himself the next morning. The blood was good, but he could not find the bear himself. While out in the bush I confronted him with my observation, he admitted to my observation. ... After the blood ran out we gave up. 3 hours no bear. I left him at last blood and walked out leaving him at the spot. When he got back to camp we had a chat. He left.
Back in 74', we had 2 Bear hunters from Kentucky. I actually asked my dad why they talk funny. He said that's how they talk down South. Anyways...They brought their wives. They both got Bears early in week. All 4 of them went fishing. While they were out the phone rang in the house. It was a women who too talked funny. She asked for 1 of the Kentuck boys. I said they are out fishing with their wives. That's when she said " I am his wife". Breing young and dumb I told her all about what she wanted to know. I was only about 12. Kentuck hunters stayed an extra week and we're divorced before they went home.
I hunted with a guide service in South Dakota and there was a guy in camp that was dragging around a stripper from one of the local bars. He is well known in the bowhunting community. No, I won’t give him up. This was 6-7 years ago.
I was on a guided moose hunt in Canada along with 2 South Dakota longbow guys that were also in camp. They were insufferable. They kept ragging on me for shooting a “bow with wheels”.
I had shot a moose the day before so these guys lobbied to get my guide instead of the guide they had- he capitulated.
We all went out me with the video camera in hand and the guy proceeds to call a giant bowl to within 15 steps of the one longbow shooter. I filmed the whole thing from 5y behind the shooter. After about 30 seconds of the bowl not seeing a cow he just turns slowly and left without the long bow guy taking a shot.
The guide looked at me and asked “what happened?” I told him to ask the Hunter as I did not want to get in the middle. The Hunter told him that he did not have a shot opportunity that was a video told a completely different story. On video you can clearly see the hunter shaking so badly that he cannot draw his bow.
The look that Guide gave him in that moment is burned into my memory and still makes me laugh.
Then later the second guy refused to take a broadside shot at another giant bull posing for him. Brett the guide was beyond frustrated…” You will shoot deer at 20 but you won’t you add a moose the size of a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood at 30?”
as they were arguing in the boat on the way back to camp I spotted another bull. We shut down the motor and that hunter rifled it with Bretts rifle…then of course poses with his LB in the pics for the guys back home. Those guys give all trad guys a bad name. .
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Dale06, it may be the same bowhunting “celebrity” that I watched in a remote bar far from where most guys we’re staying for the ATA show. He was making out with a girl half his age and I know it wasn’t his wife because everyone knows her from TV too. He was pathetic.
Dale06
I could take 5 guesses and I’d be wrong on your guy but still right on all the other 4
I was gonna make a joke about Oklahoma hog hunting outfits needing to supply strippers but then I realized that'd be no joke...
