The easiest way for outfitters to earn more without adding more work
Running an outfitting business takes a lot of work. You market hunts, manage land, keep clients safe, and deal with unpredictable weather … to say the least. What most outfitters don’t realize is that there is an easy way to add extra income to the business without adding more work. Affiliate marketing gives you a way to earn commissions when hunters buy stuff you already recommend.
Every outfitter gets questions from clients. What boots should I bring? What caliber should I use? What camo pattern works for this terrain? Instead of answering these questions over and over with long text messages, you can create a small gear list that includes links to products you trust. When a hunter clicks those links and makes a purchase, you receive a commission from the brand.
You never handle the sale. The brand takes care of shipping, customer service, returns, and everything else. Your only job is to guide hunters toward the gear that makes their hunt smoother and more successful. The best part is that these links can live in your confirmation emails, on your website, or inside a simple PDF. Once they are in place, they work 24/7.
Affiliate programs typically pay between 5-15 %. High quality optics, clothing, and technical gear usually generate the highest payouts because of the higher price points. If a hunter buys a $1,000 scope through your link, that single purchase can earn more than a standard booking fee upgrade. Multiply that across a season and it becomes meaningful money.
Below is a curated list of outdoor affiliate programs that are a strong fit for outfitters. Each one is linked directly to their online application and available commission details are in parentheses.
Best Affiliate Programs for Outfitters
General Items
Backcountry (4-12%)
Amazon.com (up to 10%)
Sportsman’s Warehouse (up to 8%)
Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops (up to 5%)
Brownells (3-5%)
REI Co-op (not listed)
Tractor Supply (not listed)
Camo & Clothing
Badlands Gear (15%)
Sitka (8%)
First Lite (7%)
Xtratuf (6%)
Lacrosse Footwear (6%)
ScentLok (3%)
Optics, Electronics & Apps
OnX Hunt (up to 20%)
Moultrie (10%)
Leupold (10%)
Bushnell (not listed)
Garmin (not listed)
Gear & Ammo
Yeti (up to 15%)
Montana Knife Company (12%)
CRKT (7%)
Rhino USA (7%)
Primos Hunting (6%)
Federal Ammunition (1.5%)
Remington (1.5%)
How to Use Affiliate Links in Your Outfitting Business
Most outfitters start with one simple step: add a gear checklist to the confirmation email that goes out after a hunter books a trip. Include your affiliate links for boots, clothing, optics, ammo, and any other items. Hunters love it because it removes uncertainty. You benefit because you earn a commission on gear they were going to buy anyway.
You can also create a short “Recommended Gear” page on your website. If you do not have a website, a PDF works fine. Some outfitters use social media posts to highlight their favorite equipment. Others simply text links to clients who ask what to bring. Any of these methods can create a steady trickle of additional income.
Affiliate revenue will not replace your core business, but it can absolutely support it. Over a full season, even modest participation can turn into real money. Once your links are in place, they keep working while you are guiding hunts, checking trail cameras, or spending time with your family.
