Davie, you ask how much it would cost to shoot the buck in your photos, now I could go on about assessing the head
and so on, but just bare with me in an imaginary scenario,
Just imagine you have booked a morning stalk with me which will end with you shooting the buck in the photo.
OK you have arrived and we have made our introductions, so we go to the target, thats when you inform me that you have had some problems with you rifle, so I suggest using mine and thats agreeable, now I know that its illegal to charge you for the use of the estate rifle, so can't charge you directly but will manage to add a bit in with the other charges, you will probably never notice.
OK first shot at the target is perfect, but it might be a fluke, better take another one in fact take two, always think three shots on the target, gives you a good idea of how the client shoots, now by law I am allowed to charge for bullets, but always think its difficult asking the client, for bullet money as when they ask why so much you have to explain as a home loader its not just the components, but I need to charge you for my time, after all you don't expect me to work for nothing.
OK off we go expect outing to last around three hours, there are plenty animals about and we pass up some bucks that are not suitable for shooting, see a couple of good bucks but pretend I have not seen them, and hope that you don't, after all I would not want you to shoot a buck to soon, I want you to get the full value of your three hour outing.
Also my outing fee is based on an hourly rate and if you shot one in the first half hour or so my conscience might bother me and I might feel obliged to give you a refund, and as a self employed guide I can't really afford to do that.
Now from the time you have arrived I have been observing you, from the type of car you have to the clothes you ware, I have also been subtly questioning you on your employment and life style, the reason will become apparent later.
OK getting to wards the end of the stalk and I am ready for my breakfast which you have kindly offered to buy me
at near bye café.
Spot good suitable buck and make approach, of the sticks at broadside shot not quite 80 yards, GOOD SHOT RELOAD. blxxdy Hell Davie you have missed shoot again, ah thats better he's down ! bxxxer its a wee bit high you have nicked the spine, sorry and all that but I will need to charge you for the carcase, aye the gamedealer is paying a very good price at the moment.
Yes I will prepare the trophy for you no, no extra charge its in with the price, well there is really have you seen how much they charge for electric these days and peroxide, but if you just add in with the overall price it does not seem so bad
OK now this is where I could go on about head weight in grms. CIC points etc. but we won't go into all that as you are a friend, and although we only met three hours ago, I do feel your are a friend.
No will just give you a special deal based on what you can afford to pay, now you will see why I was asking all those questions , so now have an idea what I can charge based on your circumstances thats plus fee for damaged carcase, outing fee we ran over the three hours a bit so will just round it up to a nice round figure, its easier counted that way add a wee bit on for the use of the rifle, oh don't forget the bullets.
Now I have a figure, it does not seem so very much! I do so want your morning to be memorable, I know double it
thats better.
Now every time you look at that trophy on the wall it will bring a tear to your eye, and I know you will never forget your morning stalk with me.
Now you know how we pro guides arrive at a price for trophy's.
Davie only taking the pxss, and not aimed at anyone in particular but just because we make a living from deer
we are targeted, just going by recent threads stalking charges, trophy fees, charging for carcase damage, use of estate rifles.
Its just a job like any other and we get by, however if I had any intentions of becoming well of, I am definitely in the wrong occupation