What happens to booked hunts and client deposits when a hunting outfitter is sold?

An outfitter sells hunts long before the guests arrive. By the time a buyer takes over, clients may have paid deposits for seasons not yet started. Those bookings are promises the camp has made, and the money for them has already been received. The sale has to say who now owes each client a hunt, and what happens to the cash.

Build the list of bookings

Start with a schedule of every future booking. For each one, record the client, the dates, the species or package, the price agreed, the amount paid and the terms the client accepted. Ask the seller to back the schedule with receipts and the booking records. A buyer should check it against the camp’s calendar, because two groups promised the same week is a problem that only appears later.

Deposits already collected

The seller holds money that belongs to the hunts ahead. There are a few ways to deal with it. The seller may credit the deposits against the purchase price at closing. The funds may go into a trust account until each hunt is delivered. Or the buyer may take the deposits and the duty to deliver. Have your lawyer and accountant choose the approach and write it into the agreement.

Telling clients and keeping them

Clients booked with a person as much as a camp. Agree when and how they will be told, and ideally let the seller introduce the buyer. A joint note tends to work better than a surprise. Ask what happens if a client wants a refund, and who pays. The page on repeat guests at a fishing lodge covers keeping guests coming back.