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Herein, we hope you’ll find the answers to
many of your basic questions, about us, what we do and how it
all works. If you still have questions, or you’d just rather,
send us an
email or give us a call (888-OC-TROPHY
(888-628-7674)) that is okay too!
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When you need us, we’re
here
We are available during the day, many evenings and weekends,
by phone and/or email
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You receive an unbiased
recommendation based upon YOUR needs and desires
We have no financial stake in our destinations
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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
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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
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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
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You stay in budget, to
have money to spend on other things
We identify hidden and additional potential costs during the
planning stage
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You enjoy your experience
to the fullest
We work together to get you to a destination suited to your
physical ability
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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
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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.
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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
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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?
- Why should I use a booking agent?
- What is fair chase?
- Why should I consider a guided
hunt?
- Why should I consider a guided
fishing trip?
- If I don't pay you, how do you get
paid?
- If I book with the outfitter
directly, won't the trip be cost less because the
outfitter doesn't have to pay you?
- Why are there no prices on the trip
pages?
- Why do some trips cost so much?
- What does it really mean that an
outfitter has been approved by Outdoor Connection?
- Why are deposits (or portions
thereof) often not refundable?
- Who do you share my personal
information with?
- What can I do to get the most out
of my 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.
[back to Other FAQs]
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Why should I use a booking agent?
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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?
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We actively support wise game management and fair-chase
adventures.
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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.
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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.
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The term "Fair Chase" shall not include the taking of
animals under the following conditions:
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• Helpless in a trap, deep snow or water, or on ice.
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• From any power vehicle or power boat.
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• By "jacklighting" or shining at night.
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• By the use of any tranquilizers or poisons.
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• 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.
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• Any other condition considered by the Board of Directors
as unacceptable.
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For more information, visit
http://www.huntfairchase.com
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Why should I consider a guided
hunt?
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Learn from the guide, as they share their expertise
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• knowledge of the area and specific location
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• knowledge of habits and movements of animals
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• how to evaluate trophy size and helping you decide what is
right for you
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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
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• The bigger the trophy, the more rugged the terrain, the
more remote the location, the potentially more important
this becomes
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Get to use their equipment, which is well maintained and
often top of the line
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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
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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
[back to Other FAQs]
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Why should I consider a guided
fishing trip?
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Learn from the guide, as they share their expertise
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• knowledge of the lakes and rivers
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• knowledge of the fish and their seasonal and daily
patterns
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• learn new approaches to finding and landing the fish
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• learn and practice new fishing techniques
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• thereby increasing your changes of “landing the big one!”
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Use top of the line equipment and fresh bait
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• top of the line electronics
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• well maintained rods and reels
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It is an effective way for a group of people to fish,
including anglers of all ages
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Even professional anglers hire guides to get to know a new
lake and to learn new techniques
[back to Other FAQs]
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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.
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- 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.
[back to Other FAQs]
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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?
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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.
[back to Other FAQs]
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Why are there no actual prices on the
trip pages?
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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?
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In a nut shell, you are paying for:
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 guide's
expertise
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• hunting
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· pursuit of quarry
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· terrain in general and their property in particular
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· weather’s effect on the game
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· general location of game and living patterns
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· reputation and historical success (many record book
trophies)
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• fishing
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· knows where the “honey holes” are
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· general and specific fish patterns for the destinations
unique waters
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· historically successful presentation styles and techniques
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· reputation and historical success (many tournament wins)
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equipment, well maintained and often top of the line
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• fishing gear, lures
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• boats and motors
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• horses
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• camping gear
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• trucks, ATVs
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• stands and blinds
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access, to hunting property the outfitter is intimately
familiar with
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• private property, leased property, public land
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• landowner hunting permits or outfitter sponsored hunting
permits
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• to consistently scouted remote lands
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• with access trails cut
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• camps set up
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• limited # permits with careful trophy management
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• in-field trophy care
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• transportation of the trophy out of the field
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amenities, sometimes the cost includes
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• nicer to upscale accommodations
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• nicer to gourmet meals
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• extra staff to truly pamper you
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• airport pickup/drop off
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• air charters fees
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• trophy fees
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• tags
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• license
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• tax
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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.
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Click here for additional pricing
information.
[back to Other
FAQs]
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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 very strict guidelines.
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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
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- 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
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• the outfitter’s
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· availability (do they return phone calls/emails)
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· courtesy of and respect for customers
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· knowledge of their area, trophy quality, methods of
pursuit and overall experience
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· patience in dealing with customers of various skill levels
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· ability to handle unexpected events
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• the
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· appearance of accommodations and operation (is it as
promised?)
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· quality of equipment
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· knowledge and professionalism of other guides
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• getting there and back
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• and the outfitter’s response to problems/concerns revealed
during the inspection
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- 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.
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- It is in
this way, Outdoor Connection is able to represent such a
wide variety of reputable outfitters.
[back to Other FAQs]
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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.
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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.
[back to Other FAQs]
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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.
[back to Other FAQs]
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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.
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“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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