Why is it important to hire an elk guide?
An interview with avid hunter and outdoor industry entrepreneur, David Frisbie
David Frisbie is no newcomer to hunting or the outdoor industry, yet he understands that many people did not grow up in a hunting family; oftentimes, people develop the desire to hunt at a later age in life and have the financial means to hire a guide. Frisbie reveals the importance and benefits of hiring an elk guide.
“I like to hire a guide the first time I ever hunt a new species. When you go, soak up as much information as you can from the guides—be a sponge! Be sure to ask as many questions as you can and offer to help as often as possible,” Frisbie said.
Frisbie revealed that it’s important for hunters to do their research before they go, so they’re somewhat prepared for the hunt and terrain that’s ahead of them. “Going to a new area to hunt without a guide or true knowledge of the area is not a smart way to get started, in my opinion,” Frisbie said.
Hiring a guide ensures that the hunter has a professional with him or her at all times, for the most part. Those professional guides understand the area and patterns of the animals.
“So much more goes into guiding than just you showing up and killing an animal. A good guide has spent weeks scouting and preparing for your arrival,” Frisbie said.
Likely, people do not have the time or the funds to travel back and forth to fulfill the prep work for an elk hunt. The actual hunt is only a small portion of the time required in being successful.
Frisbie reveals that the outfitter or guide can also be a source of knowledge than just the actual guiding portion.
“Most outfitters will educate you when putting in for tags. They can explain which units are high draw odds, trophy units, or on preference points.”
Also, another perk to choosing a guide is that he or she already has the gear that will aid in a successful hunt.
“I’ve spent thousands on gear only to use it once or twice a year; this is an unneeded cost since, most likely, the guide provides all the gear and extra items. Those extra items can be an unforeseen money pit.”
Frisbie agrees that hiring a guide is a smart choice, but hiring the right guide is crucial; oftentimes, people have bad experiences with a guide service, so he encourages people to do their research before just randomly selecting one.
“I prefer to rely on folks I know in the area. Be sure to find someone that is knowledgeable of the state you are wanting to hunt. Don’t choose someone that killed an elk one time and thinks he has it figured out. Reputation is everything in this industry,” Frisbie said.
There are many services like Dream Sporting Trips that provide you with knowledge on guides and outfitters. Utilizing sources such as these will provide a hunter with the knowledge he or she needs in selecting the right guide.
Frisbie explains that calling references and asking detailed questions about the guide service is key as well. He reveals that it is important to hire someone that is trustworthy.
“Remember that an elk hunt is more than just the kill at the end; it’s about the entire experience. Never go on a guided hunt with a size of the animal in mind or unreal expectations for your guide. Hunting is exactly that. Tag soup isn’t so bad when you spend the week chasing an animal as elusive as an elk,” Frisbie said.
Frisbie is a very accomplished hunter; he boasts over 25 big game species under his belt, but he is quick to admit that his elk hunt ranks high on the chart.
He shot his elk the 2016 season in Colorado. The experienced hunter reveals that he missed a much bigger elk the day prior at 65 yards with his Mathews bow, but the next day, he was able to capitalize on a rather impressive harvest—a 322 inch bull.
“It gives you a huge sense of accomplishment when you go into an unfamiliar area and hunt for an animal in his own backyard. That hunt was an absolute roller coaster, so many highs and lows with my best friend on the side of a mountain for almost a week. We got to witness the rut and what some hunters can only dream about. Bulls bugling in our faces, sparing, and scrapping with each other. On top of that, the Rocky Mountains just wake something up inside of you,” Frisbie said.
Frisbie reveals that being in such an incredible climate and terrain brings out a spiritual feeling that cannot be rivaled—he embraces that spiritual feeling that, he believes, our ancestors felt centuries ago.
“Hunters have been telling stories since the beginning of time by drawing on the walls of caves and congregating around a campfire sharing their kill with their comrades. Some of the best storytellers have always been hunters because you could hear the passion and excitement behind their voice,” Frisbie said.
In today’s society, social media plays a huge factor in our day-to- day lives. This certainly is true of the hunting industry, as well.
“I remember a day when hunters didn’t have social media to share stories, and they left everything in the stories they told to others. I truly feel that social media has taken the verbal storytelling away from the hunting community, in a sense.”
Even though Frisbie reveals that social media takes away from hunting, he also understands the importance of utilizing the platforms to tell his story. Frisbie is a proud partner of Tight Lines and Big Tines, a content marketing company that started in 2012. The company has an impressive following on social media, nearly 400,000 page likes on Facebook alone.
Tight Lines and Big Tines has partnered with big names in the hunting industry—Drake Waterfowl, First Lite, Havalon, Mathews Inc., Maven Optics, Sitka, Trijicon, and Yeti.
The company specializes in photography, social media management, catalog design, and original storytelling.
Beyond being a partner at Tight Lines and Big Tines, Frisbie currently serves Drake Waterfowl Systems as a regional sales manager for Texas and Oklahoma.
