Guide Tipping

deer8hunter

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I know there was a former discussion string on this topic sometime back but I can't find it. I've drawn what amounts to a once in a life time rifle deer tag so I've hired a guide as I am a NR who doesn't know the area nor is able to scout beforehand. It's a 1 x 1 guide arrangement wherein I'm responsible for my own food and lodging. I'm curious as to what would be an appropriate tip assuming a capable guide who gives it his best shot, its' a fun hunt and it doesn't matter whether I'm successful or not

Thanks!
 
Tips for fully guided, outfitted hunts are usually about 10% of the cost of the hunt. So a $5,000, five day hunt is going to be $500 or about $100 per day. Your hunt is a little different since you are just paying the guide. To me it would depend on how much you are paying him, if he is getting $300 per day then I wouldn't give much of a tip, he has negotiated his total compensation in the original price. If you are paying him $100 per day then he needs a good tip. So maybe $50 to $100 per day depending on a lot of things.
 
I agree with WV....I feel that if you think his services were worth more than what he is charging you, then tip him well. If his services suck and you feel that it wasn't worth what he charged, don't tip him at all. Honestly, how many times will you be seeing him after the hunt is over and you've gotten in your truck to drive away? Don't feel obligated to tip if he doesn't provide a good service.

Too many tags= unhappy wife
 
I think I remember the post your talking about. I believe most responses were 10-15% of the price of hunt and if you feel the guide did an extraordinary job give him more.

I rate all my guided hunts off of this to come up with a tip (not in this order either).
- This is the number one thing that I will always look at. DID THEY MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WERE A HUNTING PARTNER/FRIEND OR MORE LIKE A CLIENT. (its more enjoyable to hunt with a friend than a stranger.)
- experience of the overall hunt (did I have fun, did I learn some history, amount of game I seen, was camp enjoyable, were the people friendly and was it a good atmosphere)
- How well did the guide know the unit.
- How prepared was the guide.
- was he helpful with info.
- how well did he help me prep my trophy if I killed something.

I don't ever base it off of the animal I kill (although there is some instances that it will add a bonus). This is hunting and we never know what the antler growth will look like from year to year and nobody can ever guarantee a kill. If you are on public land then you have to compete with other hunters and you may lose, but is that the guides fault? There are way to many factors and if they are doing their job, they will do their best to put you in front of the best animal that they know about. After that it is up to the hunter/us to put a bullet in the animal. if I miss its not his fault.

I have been on a few guided hunts in Colorado, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming, some included food and lodging and some did not. I have no problem taking my own meals and my own tent. I don't base my tip off of if I had to bring my own food or lodging because you may be getting a better deal by bringing your own food. either way the guide still makes the same amount unless he's the outfitter as well but usually the outfitter gives him extra to cover food for 2 instead of just 1 and usually pockets the leftover.

That's the way I look at it and sorry for my rant but sometimes I feel like the guides get the short end of the stick when they are the ones putting in the time and effort and people base there tip off The Outfitters price.
If I can tell the guides have done their homework and put in the time they will automatically get 10% of the hunt price. Then the tip gets bigger if they meet the things listed above even if I don't kill. If I can tell that they are just winging it and my experience is crappy then we have a problem and they probably wouldn't get a tip. (never had to do this)

Good luck on your upcoming hunt, if you don't mind shareing where are you hunting and who did you hire?
 
I always tip at least 10% even if it sucks and the guide is horrible. If it is good I am going to tip more. If I hire a guide I go in with the expectation that I need to do everything to make the hunt successful on my side--that includes tipping and paying my bill. I figure I'm not going to perpetuate a bad situation by not tipping. I want to leave feeling like I held up my end of the bargain. Most of the guides I've worked with have been great.
 
Thanks everyone for the great responses.

Looks like the norm, unless a really bad experience is a minimum of 10% and goes up to about 15% if guide does an extraordinary job by making it a fun hunt w/friend regardless whether or not you harvest a desired buck.

THANKS!
 

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