Clientele and Clout a.k.a. The 3-R's
Understanding your business and how it relates to your hunting and fishing adventures...
by Steve Novak

Well, here we go...we're back to professionalism once again. The real question is: Can you increase your client base and business through personal hunting trips? The answer is YES. When you are dealing with hunters and trying to get their business, the "I've been there, too" bumper sticker makes a statement.

First off, when clients and prospective clients see your professionally arranged trophies, it plants a seed and they talk! Good advertising. Always have nice pieces to show potential clients because if they don't see it, they won't know or think that you can't do it. Show what you want to sell! Hunting or fishing trips are a business expense and you can write a lot of the costs off of your taxes.

If you want to mount a lot of fish, you need to get in contact with a lot of guides and explore each market i.e. local, South America, Mexico, Canada, and Alaska etc. I prefer not to deal with booking agents, and going directly to the individual operators.

Travel, I go to travel agents that specialize in the travel I desire. Out of the United States, I like Falcon Travel in San Antonio; in the United States and Canada, I usually go with a local agent. Most guides and operators will cut you a little slack if you are bringing a group. I usually try not to go during peak local seasons, i.e., deer season. You can look into bird hunts in Alaska, South America, Mexico, etc. Africa is not out of the question either. I know operators that will cut you a deal and if you bring 2 or 3 folks with you, it's very reasonable, i.e., Zimbabwe bow hunt for plains game, $150.00 per day, which includes all room, food, etc., except trophy fees.

Don't be afraid to ease off of the workload and combine the 3R's---Rest, Relaxation, and Reference collecting. What is wrong with spending a little money on ourselves to increase our clientele clout and receiving a tax advantage as well?