Guided hunt question

[mill929]

Going on my first guided hunt next week (axis)...what is the going rate for tipping your guide? I am sure everyone has different opinions but I have no clue what to tip

[AggieArcher]

I always heard around 10% of your trophy fee.

My girlfriend's dad has a cool system when he goes a guided trips out west. He makes a deal with the guide beforehand, for example you get a $300 tip if you get me a shot at a 170" Muley, a $500 tip for a 180", etc. A little extra motivation for that guide to make sure you don't shoot the first decent buck you see! I haven't tried it yet though

[Dan T]

Here is a post I started awhile back on it

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=516740

[JTeLarkin08]

I always heard around 10% of your trophy fee.

My girlfriend's dad has a cool system when he goes a guided trips out west. He makes a deal with the guide beforehand, for example you get a $300 tip if you get me a shot at a 170" Muley, a $500 tip for a 180", etc. A little extra motivation for that guide to make sure you don't shoot the first decent buck you see! I haven't tried it yet though

I always thought it was 10% of total hunt cost. But I think they can get more or less depending on how well they treat you, not necessarily if your successful or not

[Randy]

Side Note:

When you tip your guide hand them the money and don't rely on someone else to get it to them. Don't add it to your check to the outfitter and don't leave the tip with the outfitter.

[AggieArcher]

I always thought it was 10% of total hunt cost. But I think they can get more or less depending on how well they treat you, not necessarily if your successful or not

JT I think you're right actually on the total hunt cost, thats a good baseline and depending on how the trip goes you can decide if you want to do more or less. If I feel like the guide worked hard for me and made my trip enjoyable he gets more for sure, I don't know if I'd ever do less though.

[rtp]

Im sure you will get plenty of answers on this thread but you might want to do a search as well on the topic. It has been covered many times here over the years. Lots of good opinions. Good luck on your hunt.

[stickman]

I always figured in at LEAST 10% of total trip cost.

[mill929]

Kind of what I was thinking. Will plan on 10% but will have more in case they go above and beyond expectations.

[txdukklr]

i'd think 10% to the guide . . . . to me there is a difference between a guide an outfitter/guide

[Mike Murphey]

Start at 10% of the total hunt cost, then adjust up or down depending on how you fell the guide did for you.....if he put out the extra effort for you (doesn't depend if you got an animal) but if they went the extra mile then go to 15%, less if they sat in the truck and told you to go over the hill and hunt......

[CaptainDave]

10% is somewhat standard, but it really depends on the actual level of service. That's the problem with the question; as level of service can differ greatly.

I mean, one time I went on a "guided" hunt and the said guide dropped me off at the blind and picked me up whenever the hunt was over.

[docmay]

Jim shocked and sci have published info on this. Fairly standard is 10% in total hunt cost up to $10000 then 5% for over $10000. I would adjust up or down based on service and effort. Don't forget to take some extra money to tip cooks, housekeepers, skinners, etc. doesn't take a lot for those folks but means a lot.

[the preacherman]

I guided whitetail in Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas for 8 years. I gave it up 2 years ago. Out of that 8 years I got stiffed on tip by every hunt except one. On that hunt I and another guide in Missouri guided a family of 5 guys. It was two brothers and their boys. They had multiple opportunities and chose not to shoot anything because they kept waiting for a bigger trophy. When they were pulling out of camp to head back to Buffalo, New York they gave me a $600 tip. I about fell over. They gave the other guide $600.

Tipping is not required but I can tell you it is appreciated. And docmay is right. Tip the cook, housekeepers, and skinners, etc., if they aren't the ones doing the guiding as well. On my bear hunts to Canada the guides did the skinning and they were tipped. The cook got a big tip from everybody. Man could that lady cook!!!!