What does PHASA mean to you - Poll

If an outfitter is not a member of PHASA, will you consider hunting with his establisment?

Yes. Being a member of PHASA doesn't matter to me in the least. In fact, i really don't think a whole lot of the organization.

Absolutely. While an outfitter belonging to the local association can be an indication of a reputable operator, or at least be one of the things you take into consideration when researching an outfitter...........it is not always relevant. There are jurisdictions where membership in the local professional outfitters association is mandatory, such as the province of Alberta. Outfitters there get their licence and insurance through that organization, so you can be sure that they are properly licenced and insured because they can't operate if they are not a member of that organization.

In many places belonging to the local association is NOT mandatory and there can be many reasons why people do not join. They may have internal politics that the individual operator cannot tolerate (We see a bit of that in print don't we?) or the organization may have a fee structure that assesses members fees for game shot/numbers of clients that an operator does not agree with, or in the case of a small family business may not be able to afford.

After some 45 years in the outfitting business I can tell you that I know some outstanding operators who do not belong to their local association and want nothing to do with it for one reason or another. It is fair to ask why an operator does not belong to the local association and is in fact a smart question to ask.................because there are times when the answer will assist you in your decision making. There is a big difference between someone who has been kicked out of an organization and someone who has never belonged. There is also a huge difference between someone deciding not to renew a membership because of internal politics or policies the organization has developed that they do not agree with and someone who does not renew to avoid scrutiny by their peers.

Bottom line is be sure of the facts before you pass judgement. Things are not always as they seem.

I wouldn't book with anyone that wasn't a PHASA member, just because they have a 100 percent record of insuring that their clients get there animals shipped back to the client after the hunt. Otherwise my sediments are the same as Skyline's. And yes there is irony in my statement.

Originally Posted by Skyline

While an outfitter belonging to the local association can be an indication of a reputable operator, or at least be one of the things you take into consideration when researching an outfitter...........it is not always relevant.

'Skyline's' post is a very complete summation of my thoughts on the matter. I do not consider membership in any organization to be a mandatory standard or necessity in deciding who I’ll book a hunt with.

Thanks for the comments guys. 70+ Views and only 8 votes? Dont think it will give us a fair reflection of the general opinion.
Hope to get some more votes.

My view is one of those with no vote. Why? I'm a South African Hunting Outfitter and thought I should note vote on this one.

For the record, I am, by my choice, not a member of PHASA. Reason? The very poor record and stance they have against "Put & Take" shooting, as I refuse to call it "hunting".

Skyline, my thanks for a well written and well thought out response. I agree 100%!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren