Guide School

[TKC]

TTHA Convention is coming up in August in Fort Worth. There will be a ton of folks representing ranches that you may be able to speak with about interning etc so that you can get your foot in the door. Just a thought?

[Chance Love]

I like guiding kids and first time hunters.

Seeing their face as they walk up to their first deer is worth all the time spent.

Exactly!

I try to stick with people who can actually appreciate the HUNT and just seeing deer, and like to have FUN doing it. I've had enough experience with the other types, and I choose fun! Kids and first timers are the best no doubt.

[Hawkins]

It would be an hour to hour and a half drive but there is an opening in Graford Texas for a wildlife and fish technician 1 that requires no experience.

[Sparkles]

It would be an hour to hour and a half drive but there is an opening in Graford Texas for a wildlife and fish technician 1 that requires no experience.

At the hatchery?

[Hawkins]

At the hatchery?

I just saw it online. Looks like it though.


Fish and Wildlife Technician I-II




NOTE: 15% Travel required.

Under the direction of the Hatchery Biologist, this position is responsible for performing fish and wildlife conservation work. Assists in propagation, rearing and distribution of fish species. Performs skilled field and maintenance work necessary for the operation of a State fish hatchery. Monitors, collects and records data. Performs additional duties as assigned. Complies with all Agency, Division and Branch rules, regulations and procedures.

POSTING NUMBER: 13-00797

[jbonney1986]

I would def do that job, just a little far. I think i have actually applied for a similar position with no results

[cntryislandboy]

Concerning the va benefits, I was just talking to my boss the other day, and basically from the time you start your GI Bill, it's 10 years you have to use it before it's gone.

I don't know anything about guiding or ranching. But with that being said have you considered something like Texas Parks and Wildlife, or National Park Service. They have some positions that don't require a degree and some that do. If not mistaken I think with the NPS you could count your active duty time or something similar. You also always have fish and wildlife biologies or game warden. I think Oregon State University has a wildlife/forestry type online program. Could always start at the bottom for a local outfitter and go to school while working your way up.

Also one thing I find particularly nice about the NPS is you can move from park to park sometimes with expenses paid.

[thebomb6_99]

http://www.bearpawoutfittersmt.com/BearPawGuideSchool.htm

[FCTrapper]

I would def do that job, just a little far. I think i have actually applied for a similar position with no results

Where do you think the guide and ranch jobs will be???

[jbonney1986]

Where do you think the guide and ranch jobs will be???

Like I said I dunno, I havent ever worked on one but i do know there are plenty of ranches around me, within an hour. Not worth my time and money to drive any further, thats why im exploring my options and getting experienced opinions, thanks

[jbonney1986]

I think what i have decided to do is go back to school and use my GI Bill, and continue to look for a part time job on a ranch somewhere, hoping that works out .....so i can gain some experience and like a few people on here have said, "work my way up". so i hope to get a lead or an answer back from some of the ranches i have contacted

[jbonney1986]

bump

[Curtis32]

I would love to work for a ranch for free and then work my connections, finding a ranch to work on is the problem. Like i said I was in the Military right after high school and havent been home or around to make any contacts to work on any ranches

Here is the deal though. In Texas if you are going to guide you need to aim to be more than just that. Aim to be a ranch manager even. And to get that you are going to need to be familiar with trapping and darting animals. In my opinion, you may be better off to start with a trapper and that will get you in the door to many different ranches better than just going up and asking for a job or emailing tons of places. All the ranches today like to have guides that are well experienced in scoring animals and if you can handle trapping as well that is even better. The trapping will teach you a lot. Also go take some measuring courses. Get certified for SCI, TBGA, and TGR scoring systems as a start. If you want to guide outside of Texas, go take one of guide courses in Colorado or elsewhere. In Texas you dont need a license to guide hunters. But training in scoring, trapping, and learning more about the industry here in Texas will help you out.

[jbonney1986]

Here is the deal though. In Texas if you are going to guide you need to aim to be more than just that. Aim to be a ranch manager even. And to get that you are going to need to be familiar with trapping and darting animals. In my opinion, you may be better off to start with a trapper and that will get you in the door to many different ranches better than just going up and asking for a job or emailing tons of places. All the ranches today like to have guides that are well experienced in scoring animals and if you can handle trapping as well that is even better. The trapping will teach you a lot. Also go take some measuring courses. Get certified for SCI, TBGA, and TGR scoring systems as a start. If you want to guide outside of Texas, go take one of guide courses in Colorado or elsewhere. In Texas you dont need a license to guide hunters. But training in scoring, trapping, and learning more about the industry here in Texas will help you out.

I agree 100% and i would be more than willing to do that, where would be a good place to start as far as trapping goes, any idea? Thanks for the input i appreciate it

[Curtis32]

Well, there is the EWA-TGR awards banquet this weekend in San Marcos at the Embassy Suites. It starts this Friday at noon and goes all day Saturday. There will be ranches from all over down at this event for their Big Buck Contest awards and the awards for the ranches/guides/outfitters for various exotics. We have a booth to set up down there and I will be heading down there tomorrow to start getting set up around 3pm. Shoot me a pm and will get you my number and if your in the area come on by.