Interesting post. I would think waterfowl would be easier than other kinds of guiding and it could be done along with another business. The season isn't year round and any duck / goose you see is a shooter. Much different than other types of guiding where people are holding out for a 160" buck, a 50"+ muskie, etc.

It's also marketable to groups, smaller fees spread across a group makes it manageable

If you start a guiding business or even "guide" for family/friends, MANY trail cameras are your friend

You have asked about finding employees for your tree service business.
Would this new business require employees?
Employees are are necessary, expensive, and troublesome.
Customers can be difficult, demanding, and quarrelsome.
I do not enjoy finding myself between problematic employees and problematic customers.
So, I strive to screen people to prevent both.

I have helped, trained, tutored, entertained, employed, given to, sponsored, and led others in professional life, business life, and private life.
Running my small business is not so fun with my new cardiac issue.
In an unrelated field, I just completed a multi-year business project to benefit my wife and me.
At this point I am ready to retire again.
My personal private time to do anything that I enjoy is precious.

if you are going to make money you need to lease. At todays market guiding won't even pay the taxes on it if you buy.

You just can't tell how various hunters are going to be. I've had hunters who are on the very top 1/10 of one percent on the socioeconomic scale,and hunters on the other end, and both have been great to hunt with.

It's probably the wannabe rich and noticed who can be the biggest headache; but then not always.

If you use a booking agent he will have no incentive to screen your clients. If you sell the hunts yourself you have the opportunity to pick and choose; tactfully send potential problems to a different guide.
,,

I would do this by myself 100% from booking clients to cleaning birds it would only be my wife and I.

Just make sure you are thick skinned. Some people truly know and believe it’s all fair chase and
Others say it but expect success. I guided for three years since I own my own business I could get
A way, have fun, meet great people. The owner had an operation in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Ohio.
He never got into pissing matches or drama with clients!

I use to keep an offshore boat before a hurricane took it. Would take some business clients out fishing. Too much pressure to catch fish instead of enjoy fishing. Hated it.

Put a clause in the contract (to the the effect).. this is a hunt/fish adventure.
Some days/weeks/years can vary from year to year.
We cannot dictate weather,moon phase, natural foods ect.
On a good year, you may end up being a "God", some years no matter what you do, you will be the "bug
on the windshield. "
Use your gutt instinct and don't book those you deem a nagged.

I did this (outfitting) for fifteen years and spun it into television and print. At peak I hunted over 300 clients a year. It can be very lucrative. One must keep in mind ----- if they could do what you are capable of---- they wouldnt need you------ I am referring to accuracy, stalking, physical condition etc. etc. When you turn your passion into a business it tends to become business-- another day at the office. It can be exciting, wonderful and fullfilling and you can also find yourself hiding in the outhouse muttering to yourself about the latest client !

I guided for yrs in Canada and North Dakota. In Canada it was for Waterfowl and Waterfowl and Upland in N.D. I liked older hunters as younger hunters were mad if they didn't shoot there limit everyday
I had guys shoot over 100 rds in decoys and only knock down 8 or 9 birds and there mad because they never limited out. I always said I don't know why guys would come to N.D. and hunt Waterfowl when they could go to Canada. It's the best Waterfowl hunting in the world.

If you really love hunting, you probably won't love it while your guiding. If you are guiding the whole hunting season, you won't be doing any personal hunting that you loved.

one of the best known waterfowl guides in these parts operates with a business partner that is a farmer. that cost/benefit thing with farming is always fluctuating but they thought buying dirt worked out when it could be split between farming and guiding. at least on some locations. but i know him and his boy are still also leasing up places left and right on the flyway as i just ran into them this weekend.