About Tag-A-Long Consultants
Founded in 1988 by Roy Goodwin, Tag-A-Long Consultant's sole function is to help bowhunters identify quality guides and outfitters and then help them book hunts with these operations at the best possible times during the season.
Bowhunting in many respects was quite a bit different back in the early eighties, and most guides did not have a clue how to help their bowhunting clients be successful. Most were not bowhunters themselves, and only began booking bowhunting clients as a way of extending their guiding season by a few weeks, therefore increasing their income. This did not make them bad guys, but it did lead to frustrating and disappointing hunts for tens of thousands of bowhunters.
There was a need for a consulting service that would check out and identify operations that offered honest hunts with reasonable chances of success to bowhunters. There was also a need for someone to help hunting operations better understand how to set up and service bowhunting clients.
Tag-A-Long tries to fill some of those needs. The Tag-A-Long "handle" comes from the process we use to check out some new operations we want to represent. After careful research to determine the desirability of hunting at a particular operation (as well as one can without actually hunting there), arrangements are made to book the camp full for a prime week of the season. The arrangement includes Tag-A-Long promoting the hunt with the intent of filling that week with bowhunting clients that will join Roy Goodwin on the hunt. These hunts are only offered after the operation convinces Roy that the hunt is good enough to commit his personal time to the trip.
The selection process usually involves several operations in a given area (or for the species sought during the hunt), in an attempt to assure the best possible hunt for the group. This arrangement benefits all involved. The clients usually get a discount on the hunt as part of the program, while also getting the benefit of much research to best assure the hunt is planned for the best place at the best time. The operation gets a full camp of serious bowhunters to better launch a bowhunting promotion for future seasons. Tag-A-Long gets several good client references, some photos, and story material to help promote the camp for future seasons, there-by booking additional hunts.
Perhaps the biggest benefit is the overall attitude of all involved. The outfitter is usually making a price concession for the group, hoping to promote future business. Because future business will be predicated on the success of the Tag-A-Long hunt, they will do everything possible to increase the odds of success. The clients will get a super hunt, with every effort made to help them be successful (note: Tag-A-Long hunts have enjoyed a very high success rate on trophy class animals over the years.). With everyone pulling together, these hunts are very enjoyable as well as successful! Because Roy joins the Tag-A-Long hunts, and has a regular job "on the side", these hunting opportunities are limited to only a few select trips per season and usually book quickly. Once an operation has been "checked out" either by a Tag-A-Long hunt package or a personal hunt/visit, and found to meet our standards, it will be added to the list of offerings to other clients in future seasons. We do not offer a lot of hunts, just GOOD hunts!
Potential clients should remember a few key points as follows: It does not cost a dime extra to book though Tag-A-Long Consultants, in fact, many hunts are offered at discounts over normal pricing. (Note: Just as in the travel agency/consultant business, commission fees are paid by the business not the client.) It is in Tag-A-Long's best interest to book you on the best hunt possible, 90% of all future business is from personal referrals! The guides/outfitters will usually put that little bit extra into a client booked through a consultant because they know that a lot of potential future business rides on the satisfaction of every client sent them. Tag-A-Long has the experience to ask the questions and make the arrangements you might not think of on your own.
By booking through Tag-A-Long you become part of a larger buying group that can negotiate for the best hunts, at the best times, and often for the best prices. Every operation we represent has been personally hunted by our staff and found to be honest, hard working, and operating in game rich areas offering a reasonable chance of success to our clients.
Before you book your next hunt, contact Tag-A-Long Consultants and put them to work for you!