When you need us, we’re here
We are available during the day, many evenings and weekends, by phone and/or email

You receive an unbiased recommendation based upon YOUR needs and desires
We have no financial stake in our destinations

to a reputable outfitter
Our outfitters undergo a consistent inspection and approval process based upon objective criteria, not on how well the booking agent knows or gets along with the outfitter

You have less stress and worry, so you can enjoy getting ready in other ways for your adventure
We worked together to identify and address your concerns, needs and desires to find and get you to just the right outfitter at just the right destination

You have more time, to practice your cast or your shot
We take on the headaches, worries and details of planning your adventure from chasing down the outfitters by phone or email to gathering documents needed to travel to your destinations

You stay in budget, to have money to spend on other things
We identify hidden and additional potential costs during the planning stage

You enjoy your experience to the fullest
We work together to get you to a destination suited to your physical ability

You have a safe trip
Our inspected and approved outfitters have proven track records for controlling what can be controlled and providing what they say they can and will provide

You are not alone
When you book with us, besides having Doris and I to work with and for you, you benefit from the resources, knowledge and experience of our Outdoor Connection partners. Located across the US, Canada and Europe our network of fellow Outdoor Connection business owners all have the same goal: to provide the ultimate in customer service while sending clients on extraordinary hunting and fishing adventures. Together we bring clients to the outfitters, outfitters that work hard to stay in good standing with Outdoor Connection, outfitters that have to meet Outdoor Connection’s expectations which are based upon feedback from thousands of clients we have been serving since 1989.

You have the attention of the outfitter in the rare circumstance there is a problem
We stand with you. While some outfitters may not be too concerned with the loss of one client, they are more likely to be concerned with the potential loss of many OC clients

You amaze us with your stories and WOW us with your pictures!
We worked together to find you a great outfitter and you had a great adventure!

What is a booking agent?
A hunting/fishing booking agent is a professional, knowledgeable in the unique aspects of booking hunting and fishing trips, getting you and your gear there and getting you and your trophies home. The agent understands the needs of the outfitters, the needs and desires of hunters and anglers, and is able to successfully “marry” them together.

Booking agents are advocates for the clients they serve and the marketing arm for the outfitters they represent. This is one of those unique circumstances where it is win, win, win: a win for the client whose needs are anticipated and taken care of while planning and participating in a great adventure, a win for the outfitter who gains a valued customer, and a win for the booking agent who gets paid by the outfitter to do something they enjoy.
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Why should I use a booking agent?
For a number of reasons

• knowledge of unfamiliar destinations, the reputable outfitters and what it takes to get there and home
• services are free to you; there is no difference in the cost of the trip whether booked with an agent or directly with the outfitter
• understands the various travel requirements: traveling with sporting gear/weapons, getting trophies home, often complicated documents for such travel
• can handle other travel arrangements: air, hotel, car, other excursions
• most prescreen the destinations they represent; this minimizes the likelihood you’ll end up on an adventure that has been misrepresented by the outfitter who does not or cannot produce what they have advertised
• it is a personal relationship, the agent gets to know you, your needs and your desires which helps match you with just the right outfitter for just the right adventure, and keeps track of where you’ve been and looks out for great opportunities in places you’d like to go
• no more looking through 100’s of brochures, calling and emailing dozens of outfitters hoping to find just the right one who will deliver what they promise
• bottom line: booking through an agent allows you to leave the details and worries to the agent while you concentrate on more important things and prepare for your adventure

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What is fair chase?
We actively support wise game management and fair-chase adventures.

As defined by the Boone & Crockett Club and Pope & Young Club:
Fair chase is the ethical, sportsmanlike, and lawful pursuit and taking of any free-ranging wild, native North American big game animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an improper advantage over such animals.For more information, visit http://www.huntfairchase.com

Further clarified by Pope and Young Club:
From its beginnings, the Club has grown to epitomize fair chase and sportsmanship in hunting. This fair chase philosophy reaches to the very foundations of the hunting spirit; it remains a dominant factor in the personal hunting ethic of every responsible individual; it is key to bow hunting's future with deep roots in America's hunting heritage. “Fair Chase” does, however, extend beyond the hunt itself; it is an attitude and a way of life based in a deep-seated respect for wildlife, for the environment, and for other individuals who share the bounty of this vast continent's natural resources.

The term "Fair Chase" shall not include the taking of animals under the following conditions:

• Helpless in a trap, deep snow or water, or on ice
• From any power vehicle or power boat
• By "jacklighting" or shining at night
• By the use of any tranquilizers or poisons
• While inside escape-proof fenced enclosures
• By the use of any power vehicles or power boats for herding or driving animals, including use of aircraft to land alongside or to communicate with or direct a hunter on the ground
• By the use of electronic devices for attracting, locating, or pursuing game or guiding the hunter to such game, or by the use of a bow or arrow to which any electronic device is attached
• Any other condition considered by the Board of Directors as unacceptable

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Why should I consider a guided hunt?
Learn from the guide, as they share their expertise

• knowledge of the area and specific location
• knowledge of habits and movements of animals
• how to evaluate trophy size and helping you decide what is right for you

You know the old adage: Where is the best place to shoot a moose? By the road!
• With a guided hunt, the in-field trophy care and transportation back to camp/lodge is typically coordinated by and often completely taken care of by camp staff
• The bigger the trophy, more rugged the terrain, more remote the location, the potentially more important this becomes




Often get to use their equipment, which is well maintained and often top of the line

They know the ins-and-outs of caring for your antlers/cape in the field and preparing them for transport home. Again, this is often taken care of by camp staff

Often get to enjoy being looked after – either at the lodge or out at camp: being catered to, often feasting on great food while your guide plans the next day’s hunt
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Why should I consider a guided fishing trip?
Learn from the guide, as they share their expertise

• knowledge of the lakes and rivers
• knowledge of the fish and their seasonal and daily patterns
• learn new approaches to finding and landing the fish
• learn and practice new fishing techniques
• thereby increasing your changes of “landing the big one!”

Use top of the line equipment and fresh bait
• top of the line electronics
• well maintained rods and reels




It is an effective way for a group of people to fish, including anglers of all ages

Even professional anglers hire guides to get to know a new lake and to learn new techniques
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If I don’t pay you, how do you get paid?
Much like a travel agency, an outfitter pays a commission as part of their marketing plan. Many outfitters are too busy running their operation to reach out to potential clients. Others aren’t the best at marketing their services. So, armed with knowledge and understanding of their operation, we introduce them to customers who will appreciate and enjoy what the outfitter has to offer.

You can be assured our recommendations to you are not influenced by the commission we receive, as they are pretty much the same from outfitter to outfitter. And, we are paid only after you have booked your trip.
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If I book with the outfitter directly, won’t the trip cost less because the outfitter doesn’t have to pay you?
Commissions are a budgeted marketing expense for outfitters, designed to expose new customers to their service. If the outfitter isn’t paying a commission, they are paying for marketing in other ways. Our outfitters are honest folks, who don’t inflate their prices to be able to offer discounts later; it just doesn’t work that way.
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Why are there no actual prices on the trip pages?
Specific prices aren’t posted as they are subject to change without notice, which happens often and variably by the outfitters. Most raise their prices by about $50 to 10% every year or two. Specific prices are available upon request, just send us an email or give us a call. Rest assured prices are confirmed early in the planning process and again prior to booking.

Click here for additional pricing information.
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Why do some trips cost so much?
In a nut shell, you are paying for:

• guide's expertise
• • hunting
• · pursuit of quarry
• · terrain in general and their property in particular
• · weather’s effect on the game
• · general location of game and living patterns
• · reputation and historical success (many record book trophies)
• • fishing
• · knows where the “honey holes” are
• · general and specific fish patterns for the destinations unique waters
• · historically successful presentation styles and techniques
• · reputation and historical success (many tournament wins)
• equipment, well maintained and often top of the line
• • fishing gear, lures
• • boats and motors
• • horses
• • camping gear
• • trucks, ATVs
• • stands and blinds
• access, to hunting property the outfitter is intimately familiar with
• • private property, leased property, public land
• • landowner hunting permits or outfitter sponsored hunting permits
• • to consistently scouted remote lands
• • with access trails cut
• • camps set up
• • limited # permits with careful trophy management
• • in-field trophy care
• • transportation of the trophy out of the field
• amenities, sometimes the cost includes
• • nicer to upscale accommodations
• • nicer to gourmet meals
• • extra staff to truly pamper you
• • airport pickup/drop off
• • air charters fees
• • trophy fees
• • tags
• • license
• • tax



For hunting, in general the tougher the terrain, the tougher the quarry, the more remote the hunt area, the more likely to have an opportunity for a trophy and the more experienced the guide, the more expensive the trip is likely to be.

Click here for additional pricing information.
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What does it really mean, that an outfitter has been approved by Outdoor Connection?
Hunters and anglers around the globe save and plan for trips that unfortunately sometimes do not meet their expectations. Outdoor Connection is in business to minimize this likelihood. In order to be accepted and represented by Outdoor Connection, the lodge, guide, charter, captain or outfitter must first meet our strict guidelines.

Outfitters must

• come highly recommendation by more than 1 person well known to Outdoor Connection
• reveal during interviews they hold the same values for customer service Outdoor Connection holds
• have demonstrated the ability and desire to control what they can and provide what they advertise
• be realistic about their destination, in terms of accommodations, amenities, trophy quality, etc

Their claims are investigated and corroborated onsite by at least 2 Outdoor Connection owners who know nothing about that particular destination or outfitter. Such inspection trips mimic typical customer experiences and evaluate
• the outfitter’s
• · availability (do they return phone calls/emails)
• · courtesy of and respect for customers
• · knowledge of their area, trophy quality, methods of pursuit and overall experience
• · patience in dealing with customers of various skill levels
• · ability to handle unexpected events
• the
• · appearance of accommodations and operation (is it as promised?)
• · quality of equipment
• · knowledge and professionalism of other guides
• getting there and back
• and the outfitter’s response to problems/concerns revealed during the inspection




But it doesn’t end there. The approval process requires all inspectors to submit a detailed written report accompanied by photographs and their recommendation. The information from the inspectors, along with the original recommendations and interview results, is reviewed by Outdoor Connection’s Advisory Panel before final approval is granted.

It is in this way, Outdoor Connection is able to represent such a wide variety of reputable outfitters.
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Why are deposits (or portion thereof) often not refundable?
In general, a 50% deposit is collected and due within 2 weeks of booking your trip to hold your reservation. The balance is typically due about 60-90 days before your trip. Cancellation/refund policies are those of the outfitter. Typically at least some, if not all of the deposit is nonrefundable; in most cases it is transferable or applicable to a future trip.

Outfitters have a fixed number of openings. Once those are booked, outfitters have to turn customers away. The closer a cancellation occurs to the trip date, the less likely the outfitter will be able to fill the vacancy. Remember, outfitters are just like us. With bills to pay and obligations to meet, they depend upon their livelihood to make ends meet and to continue providing their unique and extraordinary service to you.
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Who do you share my personal information with?
Even though we are part of a nationwide network, each Outdoor Connection office is independently owned and operated. Doris and I, along with the Outdoor Connection headquarters and our OC business partners, value and protect your privacy as highly as we do our own. Your personal information is only shared with the outfitter as you provide on the forms you complete, unique for each and every trip you take, and other business partners only at your direction. We do not share or sell information you provide to us, and that includes your email address.
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What can I do to get the most out of my adventure?
If you have honest communications with us and the outfitter, arrive in camp prepared, are friendly and outgoing, and work to have a good time the majority of guides will work hard to see you have a great adventure. But, if you spend your time complaining, whining or demanding, it may be a challenge for the guide to stay motivated to work as hard for you as he will for the other guy.

“There is one final thing to say: Go out there expecting to learn something, and to enjoy the heat with the cold, the bugs with the dust, the mud in the waterbag and the busted springs on the hunting car as part of the spectacle, and you will have a wonderful time. Go out as an innocent, and you will come back wealthy and wise. Go out as a wise guy, and you’ll hate Africa. I never knew a nice guy who had a bad time on safari. I never knew a sour apple who had a good time. Safari, like the sea, brings things out of a man that he can camouflage in the city.” Robert Ruark, from the book “Robert Ruark’s Africa” (1991).
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