The Outfitter-Client Connection with Clayton Gallagher
Ah, the outfitter-client relationship. Memories made. Once in a lifetime experiences. Outstanding animals harvested, or, as the case might be, opportunities missed. Literally.
They’re great stories, these tales of the outdoors. Of time shared ‘tween a knowledgeable guide and his or her hunter. But there are not-so-good stories, too. Dare we say horror stories? Fortunately, the latter are few and far between, which is precisely why a guy like Clayton Gallagher keeps getting back in the saddle, often (again) literally, season after season.
A resident of McCall, Idaho, Gallagher is a full-time year-round guide working with Table Mountain Outfitters out of Cheyenne, Wyoming. “This will be my fourth season with Table Mountain,” the 40-year-old Gallagher told me. “I’ve been in the outdoor industry for 23 years now. I’ve guided and filmed elk hunts all across the western United States.”
Curious, I asked the young guide how he came to be associated with Slayer Calls. “I met Bill Ayer through (Bill’s) former business partner,” the guide explained. “Eventually, I got to talking with Bill at archery shoots and trade shows, and we had the opportunity to hunt together in 2023. You get to know someone a whole lot better sitting with them on the mountain. I’ve worked with other call companies in the past, but Bill and Slayer are just great people. They’re easy to work with. They’re flexible. And in all honesty,” he continued, “I just like their elk calls a lot. They work and we’ve had great success with them.” As the guide explains, he and Ayer had multiple chances to tag a bull, but, as often happens, the team set their sights on a particular animal and, as Gallagher said, “that was the bull we wanted. And while we worked hard, we didn’t get him. But it was him or we weren’t going to take one at all.”
Now in his fourth year guiding Spring bear hunts for Table Mountain, Gallagher is understandably a busy man; however, he was kind enough to sit with me for a few moments and field a handful of questions concerning this oft-mysterious guide/client relationship.
Slayer – Clayton, what makes a good client?
Gallagher – A client that comes prepared and is ready for anything that’s thrown their way during the course of an elk hunt. They have all the gear they need, and we do offer gear lists for clients. They’re both physically and mentally ready to go. A good client is open-minded to the terrain, the weather, and is practiced with their weapon, whether that be a bow or a rifle. That’s the perfect client right there.
Slayer – Conversely, Clayton, a not-so-good client is…who?
Gallagher – That’s a tough one. You want your client to be prepared, but obviously every year we get those who aren’t, and that’s fine. We can accommodate that through the operation we have. But a client who makes it more difficult would arrive unprepared, be that gear or (weapon). “I’ve only shot my bow a few times” or “I haven’t sighted my gun in” – That sort of thing. They bring the wrong equipment. Another is when a client arrives with a set goal in mind. They might watch YouTube or The Outdoor Channel, and they have in mind a 350+ bull and ‘I’m not leaving here without one.’ There are 350+ bulls here, but with high expectations like that, it puts a ton of stress and pressure on the guide. That’s tough.
Slayer – What should I expect from my guide?
Gallagher – On day one, I like to get my client out and get them familiar with the ground. Build a rapport with my client. Get them settled into their room, and make sure their rifle or bow is where it needs to be. Go through the gear list, and ensure they have everything they need.
What shouldn’t a client expect? Guaranteeing a certain animal, whether that’s size or numbers.
Slayer – Should a guided elk hunt also be an educational experience? Can I learn from you?
Gallagher – Absolutely! All the time, and it’s great. There’s always, and for myself, too, an opportunity to learn. I’m learning things all the time. Maybe it’s teaching them (about) the terrain. Or teaching them animal behavior. Or gear. Trying to explain elk behavior on the ground we hunt (versus) the ground they hunt, patterns, pre-rut, rifle season…it’s all an educational opportunity, and a lot of clients come in and ask a ton of questions. It’s awesome to be a part of that educational process.
Catch up with Clayton on Instagram @gallaherclayton.
