(COC)
"WOLF"
1996
"Professional hunt, fish & ecotour consultants specializing in personalized services..."
"WOLF"
1996
"Professional hunt, fish & ecotour consultants specializing in personalized services..."
LOOKING FOR AN EXPERIENCED, QUALITY OUTFITTER/GUIDE OR ACCOMMODATION FACILITY TO MEET YOUR NEEDS?
NEED HELP, ADVICE OR INFORMATION ?
COC, with its extensive professional background in fish and wildlife management, outdoor recreation development, outfitter and guide licensing and law development and enforcement, may be able to help you find a quality adventure tailored to your specific needs, schedule and budget.
WHAT CAN COC DO FOR YOU ?
At NO
COST to you, COC
through
its broad network of industry associates:
"COC shall provide
you an accurate representation in information disclosures as presented
to COC by outfitters/guides and their reference clients."
ABOUT COC...
The principal of COC,
Larry
F. Sukava MCIP, PPS, is a full-time hunt,
fish and ecotour consultant and outdoor writer who represents
a lifetime of hunting, angling and wandering throughout the Americas.
He has lived and worked in Saskatchewan , Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario
(Dryden) and has a graduate degree in urban and regional planning from
the University of Manitoba (Canada).
For nearly three decades,Larry has worked in:
public land administration
Indian Treaty negotiations
partnership agreements
land use & outdoor recreation planning
resource & environmental management
marketing & economic (e.g.. outfitting,
ecotourism) development
law enforcement
government policy & legislation.
During this time, he has had the pleasure and privilege of meeting and sharing ideas with resource managers, conservationists, politicians, regulators, hunters, anglers and outfitters from across Canada, the United States of America, Africa, some of the old Soviet Republics, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Mexico and the Peoples Republic of China. Closer to home, ranchers, farmers, Metis and First Nations people can be added to this list.
Aside from professional accreditation and standing with the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP) and the Association of Professional Planners of Saskatchewan (PPS), Larry is a member of several eco-conservation organizations including:
COC was created at the invitation of outfitters and some of their clients to help fill a gap in connecting outfitters with clients and clients with outfitters. COC recognizes that there is considerable variation in client interests and expectations as well as outfitter/guide standards and capabilities and, therefore, does not, with the exception of Namibia and Australia, represent a specific outfitter or group of outfitters in order that you, the client, can be exposed to the broadest possible range of services, facilities and opportunities.
COC also provides business development and marketing assistance to the outfitting/guiding industry and is occasionally called upon to assess outfitting/lodge purchase ventures and assist in outfitting/lodge sales. Larry has been instrumental in SCI chapter organization in Saskatchewan in order to bring a global perspective to resource conservation and the hunting sports.
INTERESTED IN COC's SERVICES
?
If you are interested in exploring
COC's
services, contact us at the following address:
THE CANADIAN OUTDOOR CONNECTION
ATTENTION: Larry F. Sukava
3194 Salterio Crescent East
REGINA SASKATCHEWAN
S4V 1C9 CANADA
PHONE/FAX: (306) 789-7128 MOBILE: (306) 591-1568
OR
P.O.BOX 44
DRYDEN ONTARIO
P8N 2Y76
EMAIL: lsukava@cableregina.com
HUNTING EQUIPMENT (Canada) CHECKLIST
LINK
http://www.cableregina.com/business/coconnection/huntlist.html
COC is also a source for:
1) deer feed suppliments
2) top quality NEW IMAGE clothing,
office and gift products for your cost-effective business advertising and
presentation needs.
COC will be relocating its office to the Province
of Ontario in mid 1999 to better serve its clients.
Without going into the absolute horror stories, the hunter/angler client complaints which have most frequently been passed on to me in my past regulatory and enforcement capacities by the hunter/client include: paid too much for services received; lack of outfitter/guide knowledge of hunting and fishing methods and/or fish and game resources; poor quality accommodation and/or equipment; prior misinformation on fish and game conditions; no prior information on personal equipment needs; didn't meet my outfitter.
The following are a few basic questions
and suggestions
which may help lead you to an outfitter
capable of meeting your needs.
\
1) How long has the outfitter been in the commercial hunting and/or fishing
game?
While not a sure shot method of determining an
outfitter's capabilities, I like to think that
experience is a good teacher. Remember that outfitting
is a business enterprise which entails much more than just a day out hunting
or fishing with the good ol' boys. Aside from its hunting and fishing aspects,
outfitting should be an ethical, quality service having regard for the
comfort, well-being and enjoyment of the client.
2) What type of outfitting has the outfitter carried out in the past?
Again, experience ! No use connecting with
a bird outfitter who hasn't done big game
if you want to hunt bear or white-tailed deer.
3) Where has the outfitter operated during his outfitting career?
An outfitter who has knowledge of local geography, attractions, and resources and is accepted by local residents would be my choice over someone who is a newcomer. Many times I've run into situations where lack of acceptance of an outfitter by local residents has resulted in a dismal experience for the paying client.
4)
What are the fish and game conditions in the area in which you propose
to hunt
and/or fish?
Don’t make your decision solely on the basis of the outfitter’s information - check with the local state or provincial wildlife manager or fish and game enforcement officer, acquaintances familiar with the area or an informed, independent hunt/fish consultant.
The chances of dropping the next world record white-tailed deer are somewhat remote even for the most accomplished hunter - there are, however, excellent opportunities for "bigger-than-average" deer in, for example, northwestern Ontario where I was fortunate enough to get the largest set of antlers (192 B&C gross) in my collection.
In short, don't set your sights on a particular
area to the exclusion of others.
In my continuing pursuit of the "trophy-of-a-lifetime",
I try to keep my expectations at a level which somewhat resembles realism.
Remember that a "too good to be true" report on resource conditions usually is.
BIG GAME GAME BIRD ANGLING
POOR less than 40% success Bag limit* every 3 days Limit* every 2 days
MODERATE 40% to 70% success Bag limit* every 2 days Limit* every 1.5 days
HIGH 70% to 100% success Bag limit* each day Limit* each day
* Limit refers to regulated daily harvest
A WORD OF CAUTION ON ANY "RATING"
SYSTEM - SUCCESS DEPENDS UPON A RANGE OF VARIABLES INCLUDING , FOR EXAMPLE,
RESOURCE CONDITION, WEATHER , TIME OF DAY OR YEAR, PLACEMENT
OF STANDS, AND THE COMBINED SKILL AND COMPETANCY OF THE HUNTER AND
HIS OUTFITTER/GUIDE.
IF YOU ARE A TROPHY HUNTER,
YOU MAY ALSO WISH TO ASK THE OUTFITTER/GUIDE ABOUT THE AVERAGE B&C
(or other measuring system) AND LARGEST ANIMAL HARVESTED IN THE PREVIOUS
OPERATING YEAR.
YOU HAVE TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH THE OUTFITTER/GUIDE'S
CLAIMS - IF NOT, KEEP LOOKING AROUND!
If an employee, how long has he worked for the outfitter and what is his knowledge and experience in the: a) area to be hunted; b) game to be hunted?
A few years ago, a New York friend called me with
the news that a certain area of Saskatchewan was producing (according to
his employed guide) white-tailed deer having an average age of 17 years!
The hunter didn't believe this of course but
felt that I would be interested in this news and the fact that the same
guide lost his directions on a very chilly, blizzarding November day within
5 miles from base camp.
A couple of well placed questions will usually tell you a great deal about how well versed the outfitter and/or guide is regarding hunting and fishing regulations. I dislike having others pass on their quasi legal interpretation of the law because of the importance of my hunting and fishing privileges. A hunt/fish consultant or state or provincial fish and game department should be able to provide you with a summary of applicable regulations on request.
6) What is the guide to client ratio?
I have found that, while not always a key to hunter satisfaction, the majority of hunters prefer a big game hunt client X guide ratio of 3X1 or less and a game bird hunt guide:client ratio of 6X1 or less.
7) What type of hunting methods are going to be employed?
There is a tendency amongst a portion of the outfitting industry to avoid changing hunting methods for one reason or another, possibly based on lack of imagination and commitment to the hunter/client. Veteran hunters have, however, accepted the fact that if one method doesn't prove productive then, without delay, another method should be employed. Yet, I've heard tales of hunter/clients being stuck up a cold tree stand for 5 or 6 days on end without sighting more than a handful of undesirable game animals.
8)Is the outfitter licensed?
I have often been contacted by hunters who have, to their and legitimate outfitters' chagrin, signed up with an unlicensed outfitter and found themselves in either legal difficulty or stranded at an airport or hunt camp.
I recall an occasion where a 6-hunter group from Tennessee arrived at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan only to find that they, as non-residents, couldn't hunt in the Biggar area which is known for its current world record white-tailed deer (a.k.a "the Hanson Buck"). Fortunately, after they were directed to me through several officials, I was able to get these these folks slotted into individual hunts with other outfitters - certainly not the "dream" hunt they were looking for!
You may also want to check on professional accreditation - for example, graduation from an outfitter/guide training program or membership in good standing with a recognized outfitting organization.
Not all outfitting organizations undertake corrective actions on substandard outfitting services - since it is hard to tell which ones do, I never ask an organization about any aspect of a service excepting membership in the organization.
8) What safety precautions has the outfitter undertaken - particularly for remote fly or ride-in locations?
ACCIDENTS HAPPEN TO THE BEST OF US! Several times during my career, I have run into situations where basic safety precautions regarding use of equipment or hunting or fishing practices or a plan in event of serious injury or illness, would have prevented pain and, in a couple of cases, deaths.
SOME ADD-ON CONSIDERATIONS
If you haven't availed yourself of the services of the outfitter before, have him (or her) provide a map of the area to be hunted and a contractual agreement which outlines exactly what travel arrangements, if any, services, accommodation, equipment etc. you are getting for your money.
I have over the years recommended to professional outfitters that they take this approach both for their and their clients' protection. Unfortunately, the good ol' days of handshake agreements seem to be disappearing - there are, however, holdouts to this trend which I, as a soon to become old-timer, very much admire.
Do not pay the total cost of
a hunt upfront!
Make sure that the you know
what will happen to your hunting deposit and license fees
(if paid in advance) in event
you are unable to hunt for personal health or family crisis reasons.
You wouldn't believe how many times I've heard from hunters who have made payments and arranged for hunts only to find that the outfitter has either gone out of business or is unavailable when the hunting season rolls around.
Most responsible outfitters will return deposits minus a previously stated holdback percentage (e.g. 20%) for cancellations.
A number of provinces and states will return licence fees where a hunt is canceled because of a personal health or family crisis experienced by the licence holder. This is not always the case - you should clarify local regulations through your intended outfitter or hunt consultant.
Avoid doing business with anyone who is hesitant in providing addresses or phone numbers of both successful and unsuccessful clients who have used his (or her) outfitting services over a period of, say, two or three years.
An outfitter who is confident in providing the hunting, fishing or ecotour experience you seek will have no problem in providing this information to you or a consultant acting on your behalf.
While I find and contact references for my clients, I prefer that they talk directly to these references and then the outfitter (chosen from the options I have provided) on any of the above matters to ensure their maximum comfort with the outfitter they wish to employ.
Remember that there is no substitute
for a complete and objective assessment of an outfitting service by an
informed, independent consultant or past client.
Larry
F. Sukava,
MCIP, PPS
Copyright (c) 1998 THE CANADIAN OUTDOOR CONNECTION