Seriously you can't make this stuff up. I realize this is a lot of sitting and talking but it's a bizarre story from beginning to end. Gonna take a while to recover from this one.

Bummer Bernie too bad that happened to you.
Some try, don’t quite get the priority part right, and things fall apart from there.
A long time ago I had booked an elk hunt near Libby Montana. Did 5 days of everything except elk hunt for the most part. I learned early.

Doesn’t help to say it’s only money, but that is true. Honestly a few more straight gut videos/stories like this should get out as a helpful learning tool for hunters and frankly a lesson if you will to people trying to be outfitters. 100% success rates are seldom realistic but everything else within control should be seamless and exactly as advertised. The hidden surprises should be extremely rare.

Osky

Wow, that was rough.
Almost all my hunts are DIY, that way, I only have ME to blame if things go sideways!
Plus, I'm CHEAP, lol.

Bernie I have a friend that is a registered Maine guide . He mostly guides his clients for summer time fishing trips .And once in a while does some guiding for grouse and woodcock . He has been doing it for 30 plus years Before he retired. He was a school teacher . He has a summer home there in Maine and lives there 3 or 4 months of the year . He has told me some down right crazy encounters that have occurred with both clients and other guides Most people mean well but just are not able to produce what they say they will .I have had several situations myself with guides that are great people but are terrible at doing what they tell you they will do We all have high expectations when we plan a hunt and think what can go wrong But in the end it is a business transaction and both parties need to do their part to have it turn out right . Best of luck with how to move on for what you term a disaster

I wonder if the bear hunters that booked after seeing your first video with this guy experienced this kind of problems. Good news Bernie there will be more promotional hunts for u in the future.

Dang that’s too bad about the bear season ending a few days in on your 14 day hunt. Sounds like the weather was biggest problem.

Self promoting sure can take the fun out of hunting!

WOW,,that was quite a sucky adventure Bernie,,sorry to hear that.Sounds like your muscling through it and handled it a lot more Graciously than I think I could have.Best of luck in the future.

You handled it well, Bernie. That's a lot of disappointment after so much anticipation.

Bad deal on the hunt.Lots of things that can go wrong ,but the accommodation issues,not knowing the season dates, etc,are all unnacceptable.

The bow issues, come along,inadequate truck tires,boat mooring,baiting problems etc is just poor planning.

This is how I would resolve it. George refunds all costs and expenses incurred for the entire trip. Or, you write the article and make a full video. He is getting off cheap. That is a break even for you only dollar wise. You have economic loss from articles and videos. Plus you have lost opportunities for hunting elsewhere.

As a guide yourself, what if you were asked to resolve this conflict between guide and hunter. What would you do?

Too many people in the guiding and outdoor business rely on the customer’s eagerness and expectation which causes them to hear what they want to hear and imagine the best case scenario.

I have had 2 guided hunts go belly up before I ever left home. I was sure happy I learned before it got even more expensive and wasted more time. Of course no refunds from either guide.

You forgot the 6 Ps
Proper
Planning
Prevents
Pee
Poor
Performance

Wow! I don’t even know what to say or where to even start, that’s like living a nightmare in real time. Seems if it could go wrong, it did.

I’ve only had one guided trip and it was in Mexico for the Gould’s turkey. Thankfully mine was exactly as advertised. The only complaint or issue we had was the Owners AC went out in his truck about an hour after pickup from the airport which meant another 4hrs with no air and the ride back with no air, lol. A very minor inconvenience compared to your trip. And mine wasn’t as expensive as yours.

I’m guessing your guy probably didn’t get some repeat business after your first trip and wanted you back out just for promotion.

Not knowing the seasons or deceiving you,if he did know, is definitely not good for business. I take a lot of out of State turkey trips and constantly checking weather, dates, lodging, licenses, etc even up to the day or two before I leave. But in your case, I’d probably end up trusting my guide to know everything and to have all those details worked out. Weather is beyond anyones control, even when planning my own trips.

I can tell you that you are a better man than I am. Not sure what recourse you’d have other than trying to take him to small claims court or contacting the BBB, but I’d make a post or video like you eloquently did to let everyone know about your “adventure.” Except mine wouldn’t be as eloquent or nice. Just watching your video made me ticked off and now I know I’ll probably never do anything else guided.

That’s a heck of some change you spent for 3 days and nothing to show for it. The bow issue could happen to anyone and almost happened to me once, lol. Luckily mine was a very dead and soft limb that broke when I let the bow down and fell out when I redrew.

Just got to add sorry that happened to you and like I said, if this is all you’re doing then you are a way better man than I am. I’m sure you worked as hard for your money as I have and if I spend that much I’m definitely wanting something in return.

‘Honesty isn’t the best policy. It’s the only policy!’

I love that phrase and will be using it as I raise my own children.

Bernie, you were able to describe your experience in a much more professional manner than me had I been in that same situation. That many of those types of details don’t get left out by accident. The guide seems shady and needs his laundry aired so others don’t get took.

I think you made the best that you possibly could have from a very bad situation.

Bernie, I watched the video beginning to end. It’s a shame your hunt of a lifetime turned into what it did. Unfortunate.

God Bless you Bernie for following your Dads advice.My father told me in the end the only thing you have in this world is your name.Guard it well and you have..time will mend

It sounds like George likes to play fast and loose with the facts and the truth.

George was plain and simply not honest with you. You handled the situation well, I think.

Man, that has to suck.

WOW that sucks

That one stings a bit.

Ol' George wont get any mileage from that.