...But first, from Master Guide Terry Overly...
Generally, our hunters are well prepared for their hunts with us. We send them extensive information, including what to bring, weather, flights i
nto and out of Fairbanks and Anchorage, hotels, charter services in and out of our camp as well as info about where to get license and tag information. Having all necessary equipment and being properly prepared for your hunt, whether it be to Alaska or Africa or anywhere in between is of the utmost importance - your comfort, safety, peace of mind and the success of your hunt depend on it.
A good outfitter will be sure that you will understand what to expect on your hunt with them. The type of camp you will be in, the weather you can expect for the time of year you will be hunting as well as the type of terrain you will be hunting in should be made clear to you. If the outfitter does not send this information to you, request it, the outfitter , I am sure, will be happy to send it.
This is your hunt, your vacation and in some cases, a once in a lifetime experience. Choose a good outfitter, ask questions, take his advise and do not look for "bargain hunts".
I remember years ago, sometime in the early 70's we had a group of hunters from Arizona land here in Chisana. Stepping off the aircraft with their gear, and as their charter flew off, not to return for 10 days, I felt compelled to ask the question that any experienced outfitter would ask as I realized that I was carrying ALL of their duffle by hand with very little effort. With somewhat of an apprehensive feeling, I asked, "Is this all of your gear?". As I watched my new hunters side stepping mud holes and tripping over rocks and roots in their shiny street shoes, slacks and floral shirts, the answer came back, "why, yes". 
We had a slight problem. These men assumed outfitter meant "outfitter" in the very fullest sense of the word. They had with them only what they were wearing, one H&R .410 gauge shotgun and very little else. No boots, jackets, hats or even rifles. We did get them "outfitted" and they had a very successful hunt. This was a learning experience for them as well as myself.
We have very few hunters arrive at camp with too little gear or "ill prepared" by not having proper clothing or equipment. The opposite, however, is quite true, as we have many clients arrive bring and send ahead way too much of everything and quite a bit of stuff that they will never need or use.
We recommend that you keep your gear to 60 pounds or less. This can be done but is more difficult than you might believe for most clients to do, the reason being that they are trying to prepare for those unknown conditions that they might encounter.
The best way to be sure that your clients are properly outfitted and that the gear meets your weight limit is to communicate with them often and furnish good information as to what to expect.
Every outfitter has different expectations of his clients as do clients have different expectations of their outfitters and guides. These expectations must be talked over and worked out prior to the hunt, this is just good business as well as the professional and courteous thing to do.
Sizing up your client and putting him with the right guide to best suit his personality and disposition is very important. In my opinion, it is a professional mistake to underestimate the negative impact this oversight could have on the overall success of any hunt.
I would say 90% of the time, during the course of a 30 minute to an hour conversation, you should have a very good idea of his expectations, concerns, needs and who best to place him with as a guide and where.
Having said and believing this to be true, Murphy's Law is always present and says, "..no matter how you try, you will occasionally blunder".
As an Outfitter and Professional Master Guide myself, I want to know if there are any health concerns or special needs, dietary supplements, foods or physical concerns such as heart problems, diabetes and so on. Age and general physical condition are also noted.
Speaking of myself, I have been in the hunting business for 49 years now. We enjoy the outdoors, hunting, campfires and the companionship of our guides and clients as well. Life is too short and the roses smell good. I believe you should take the time to smell them.
When I am corresponding or speaking with potential clients, I always make sure to mention and discuss the fact that the better physical condition a hunter is in, the more enjoyable his hunt will be.
The fickle finger of fate will **** you if given the chance, and with that in mind, know that just being in good physical shape will not guarantee you a large trophy, but it will make going after one much easier than if you are in poor shape. There is definitely no substitute for skill and luck.
Shooting ability is much like physical ability, the more you work at it the better you get. I always suggest to my clients to bring the rifle they are most comfortable with and of course a rifle of big game quality. 25-06 thru 338 with the 300 mag - Winchester or Weatherby being my personal favorite all around cartridge for North America. If you had only one rifle, the 300 mag Win or WBY shooting 180 RR bullets will take down with ease and confidence anything in North America, Alaska included. We always sight-in rifles on our shooting range before leaving to head out to the field. 225-250 yards is what we aim for dead on, and has proven best for most high power rifles.
My operation is somewhat unique because we use horses on all of our hunts. We are located in a fly-in area and some of the best big game country in Alaska. I do not want nor will I operate a high torque fast lane hunt. We all enjoy the country, hunting, the stalk and the overall experience. We are dedicated to the success and satisfaction of our clients. They should not have to worry about organizational
procedures, let us run the hunt- we have been doing it for a long time and we are good at it- besides that is what we are getting paid for. 
I have a saying I use often, here at Pioneer Outfitters, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do, and damn-it- this is Rome".
"Trophy Class" is a controversial phrase. I believe that a trophy is like beauty, it's in the eye of the beholder. Of course you must stay in the legal guide lines, but after that comes a personal perception. We will always try to find the biggest, oldest critter we can as guides, but the client has the final deciding vote on when to pull the trigger.
Some hunters do not seem to understand that hunting wild big game in the North Country of Alaska, BC and the Yukon is very different from hunting in a lot of other areas around the world and in the United States. The great North Country is rugged, vast and abundant with wild life. There is nowhere else on Earth like it. Some of the best big game hunting in the world is in Alaska.
Outfitters and Guides are not miracle workers. Some clients seem to be under the belief that just because you are a Professional Outfitter or Professional Guide you must have some magical control over the weather and lesser beasts. Clients as these, seem to have a very difficult time understanding why hunting is so hard at times and occasionally unsuccessful. A client like this believes if they don't harvest their game you as the guide and the outfitter were obviously doing something wrong. These are definitely unreal expectations. Hunting is hunting. Pursuing game is hunting. Killing game is successful hunting. Or just plain luck.
The Outfitter wants you to get your game, the guide wants you to get your game; it's their job, it's our job, it is what we do, there is no logical reason we would not want any client to get their game. The game doesn't want to see you or to be killed. The weather just happens, whether you are there or not, it just does what it does.
I believe the key to a good hunting trip is realistic expectations, of yourself, your outfitter, your guide, the area , game and your overall hunt. Have fun, enjoy yourself on your hunt and remember everyone is working for you and rooting for you, except for the game and weather, and they don't really care!
One of the biggest mistakes a hunter looking for a guided hunt can make is to look for a "bargain hunt". Sure, you can get lucky, and you might get your trophy at 1/2 price, it's kind of like the lottery or playing the tables in Vegas. A good outfitter cannot afford to cut prices too much, if at all. When prices are cut, services are also cut. Which means your options are also compromised. Like moving camp, shorter hunts, 2 hunters to 1 guide. Good grub and good guides may also be some of your losses. A quality and reputable guide/outfitter, due to the professional structure of his guiding operation has so much invested, in equipment, supplies and personal that are on hand and maintained for your comfort and success as a client, that he cannot cut-rate hunts. A bare bones price will get you a bare bones outfitter and a bare bones hunt.
GOOD LUCK.