Imagine saving money for months or years for the hunting trip of your dreams. You head out on the big day and meet up with your hunting guide, having great expectations for this adventure. Once you actually begin the trip, you quickly realize your guide knows less than you do about this sport and what it entails. You begin to wonder if your money has been wasted, and the trip only goes downhill from there. By the time it is over, you decide you never want to hunt again.

All of this could have been avoided by carefully comparing hunting outfitters. How can you avoid these problems in the future and find a guide who meets your needs? Here are some simple steps to follow when choosing an outfitter for your next hunting adventure.

Start by asking around for recommendations. You may ask friends and family who have taken this type of trip, or you may find you need to go online and ask for recommendations. Don’t take the word of someone, however. Once you have a list of potential outfitters, you’ll need to do some research.

Read online reviews of any company or individual on your list, and visit their website, if they have one available. Often, an outfitter’s site will contain a majority of the information you want and need, such as the number of years they have been in business, the experience of the various guides, and more. Some now publish their licensing and insurance information on the site, allowing you to do background research before taking the next step.

Set up a time to interview any outfitter remaining on your list. Prepare a list of questions to ask the outfitter, as this allows you to ask the same questions of all, making it easier to compare the guides and narrow the list even more. During the interview, make sure you get complete details about the hunting package, who will be guiding your trip, and what the cancellation policy is.

Follow these basic tips and you are sure to have a wonderful time on your adventure. The outfitter plays a large role in the success or failure of the trip, therefore you don’t want to rush this process. It’s better to delay the trip to find the right outfitter than to head out and have a miserable time. If you don’t have fun, you’re wasting your money.