New outfitter

[Mr.Bro]

Warning! Partnerships, especially multiple, dont usually work in any business.Ask your banker i think he will tell you that also.

With the ecenomy the way it is,i would wait a year or two.I believe you will see many outfitters filing bankrupcy and going out of business this year.

Good luck

[huntin' is my obsession]

Make sure you have plan and a back up plan and a back up back up plan. I hope to start a business like you are interested in someday but the timing has to be right and the opportunity has to be there. I would call as many as outfitters as you can and seek advice. Some will help and others wont but it will certainly be worth the time. If you start to see this investment as a real possiblility then let me know and I would love to talk and possibly work with you. Good Luck!

[wkyoutdoorsman]

Originally Posted by Sonfishing

Originally Posted by wkyoutdoorsman
Well after doing some research I found a farm that is just shy of 2000 acres that comes with a lodge that can sleep 8 and also comes with almost everything else you could think of to get started in an outfitting business and it can be had for $3,290,500. Quite a bit more acreage than you were stating ShelbyCoKiller. I believe the site indicated the property was located in Butler County, which over the last few years has turned out some great whitetails.

At 5% interest (which is lower than you would probably get) the interest payment alone would start at $164,525.00/yr, with not a penny on the principal. At $4000.00 per hunt, that means you only have to guide 41 people to pay the interest.
Bigdeerdan is right. I have been involved with a family huntclub/lease management since the early 1980s. It can be fun but the work part of it generally makes it pretty tough. People who pay will often tell you that the hunt makes the trip, but most will not be happy without seeing and taking game.
Its the dream of all hunters to make a great living doing what we love.
For some its the nightmare!! Best of luck to you!!
Sonfishing

Just for the record, when I was doing the research on, I wasn't doing it on my own behalf. While I hope to someday own my small piece of the pie, forking over the amount of $ on the amount of acreage to remotely even consider starting my own outfitting business is long stretch at this point in my life. I was doing the searching for the sake of the conversation. Either way, for someone that knows how to manage a business, devise a strong plan, bring in the clientele, and provide a good opportunity with customer service in mind, even with the way the economy is right now, it can be done.

[NonTyp]

Originally Posted by cdalle6

Hey guys,
Myself and a couple of my buddies have been talking about starting our own outfitter. I know the land is out there to buy and do it, but I was just wondering what you all think the chances of being successful and pros and cons are of it, or just feel free to chip your two cents in about ways you'd like to see one run. Thanks.

Speaking from experience one thing is for sure about outfitting, you will hunt less than ever before and you will not be hunting the best times to be in the woods. Unless you hunt while clients do, and that is another can of worms!

[Westkybonecollector]

Good luck. If you could get in with a local farmer that has 2-3k acres that would be my choice. There would be no cost for food and you could have all your acreage is the same area. Beware of the market right now. 2500-3000 dollars is not as easy to come by as it has been in the past. Also, I would be in western ky. It is a very hot area right now.

[hcpwaterfowl]

wut are you looking to guide for??? ducks deer turkey??? what? personaly i am a waterfowl hunter and wood love to see a goose outfitter some were close to my home town