Guiding Tales: From Rookie Hunter To Professional Guide

Hunts On Outfitting Podcast

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Tony Steeves takes us behind the curtain of professional hunting guiding, revealing the deeply personal side of helping others experience the thrill of the hunt. Growing up in rural New Brunswick where hunting wasn't just a sport but a way of life, Tony shares how his childhood days of following his father on trap lines evolved into a passion for guiding that complements his day job as a truck driver.
What makes Tony's perspective particularly valuable is his insight into the emotional component of guiding. He eloquently describes the satisfaction of watching clients experience their first bear sighting or successful harvest, comparing it to the joy of watching a friend succeed. "To watch him go from questioning what he did to the instant extreme smile on his face - that's what the guiding's all about," he explains, highlighting how the true reward often comes from witnessing others' experiences rather than personal achievement.
Working with Long Lake Adventures on 800,000 acres of private timberland, Tony guides primarily for black bear and moose hunts. He offers fascinating details about bear behavior, calling them "ghosts of the woods" for their ability to appear silently despite their size. His stories range from clients forgetting ammunition to his experience guiding for the television show Canada in the Rough, where his emotional reaction to a successful moose hunt reveals the depth of his connection to the craft.
Perhaps most illuminating is Tony's discussion of his recent experience as a client himself during a Newfoundland moose hunt. This role reversal taught him new field dressing techniques and gave him fresh appreciation for the client experience - knowledge he'll bring back to his own guiding. Throughout our conversation, Tony advocates passionately for stronger guide licensing standards and the importance of hunting organizations that preserve outdoor traditions for future generations.
For anyone considering a guided hunt or curious about the human side of professional guiding, this conversation offers rare insight into what separates merely competent guides from those who create truly transformative wilderness experiences.

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Chapters

1. Guiding Tales: From Rookie Hunter To Professional Guide (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to Tony Steeves (00:00:11)

3. From Hunter to Guide (00:03:35)

4. Working with Long Lake Adventures (00:08:37)

5. Guide Responsibilities and Challenges (00:16:18)

6. The Importance of Hunting Organizations (00:23:17)

7. Guiding for Bear and Moose Hunts (00:32:24)

8. The Canada in the Rough Experience (00:41:15)

9. Being on the Other Side: Getting Guided (00:51:10)

10. Learning New Skills in Newfoundland (00:56:35)

11. Final Thoughts and Spring Season (01:02:42)