A man from Olmstead, Minnesota, found a 21-day hunt on the Web and wired $6,000, which he never saw again. The site was reportedly for Beattie Lake Outfitters in Canada. The man reported that he talked to people connected to the site before sending the money.
Let this be a lesson: The Web can be a dangerous place. Doing your homework is important. If you find a hunt on the Web, check for online reviews. Verify the outfitter’s contact information with the state or province Fish & Game Department. Make sure the contact information on file matches with the contact info on the Web. Remember that if you ask for references, the references could be part of the scam. The more geographically dispersed the references, the more confidence you have that the outfitter is legitimate. Optimally, you will be able to contact references who live in your area.