i've hunted both on my own and thru agents. I've had bad and good experiences both ways. Over the years i've booked many times the hunts by myself than i did thru agents, but today i find myself using them more and more. Time is a fleeting thing, and I find that using a trusted (TRUSTED) agent saves me much time. Having hunting accross the world for 40 some odd year, i find that the game i seek is now uncommon in uncommon places. Seeking out good people in good locations is a time consuming task. Here ia good agent is most valuable. The keep saying trusted and good. I've had some terrible experiences with bad agents too. Hence the only way i book a hunt, whether through an agent or by myself, is to know some people who have gone down that road before me. For example, if I want to go mule deer hunting, my idea of a deer is one scoring at least 170+ points. Someone else may think of it as a 4 legged woodland creature. It is important that your communications with whoever is on the same level. Organizations such as SCI, FNAWS etc. are invaluable for all concerned, in that they can meet on common ground. If the hunter has no knowledge of details, places etc. then a good agent is invaluable. If he know what he's doing, where to go, what to do etc. then they are of little use