Guide gratuities

[S-3 Ranch]

I've never guided a back country hunt but I've been guiding whitetail and exotics on and off for the past 8 years and, in my experience, there is no standard percentage or expectation in the industry over here. I've had really wealthy celebrity type clients leave a $100 tip for a $10,000 animal and I've had average blue collar guys leave a $400 tip for a $1500 management deer. I try to work equally hard for every client. From scouting their target animal to driving them around, sitting with them, putting on a stalk if necessary, to videoing the shot / taking pictures and cleaning their animal. Our days usually start at 4 or 5 am and end around 10-10:30 pm...sometimes later.
It seems like they are less likely to tip well if their hunt is being paid for by someone else. I think the assumption is the company or individual paying for the hunt is also responsible for tipping the guides but that is not always the case.

I can tell you any amount of cash is greatly appreciated. If we have a successful hunt and the hunter bags a nice trophy, I personally feel a $200-$300 is a fair tip for the amount of work I put in for each hunter. $400 per hunter would be very good. If you look around the internet a lot of websites suggest 10% of the value of the hunt. On average, it's usually more like 5%.

The non-tippers and guys who think summer sausage / jerky are acceptable forms of tipping are the worst. Please don't give us deer meat. We generally have more meat in the freezer than we can eat.

Yep I sure could have used the $$ instead But it’s easy to laugh at now
“” 30 years in the hunting and fishing business and I still remember the worst tip I got
It was Earl Campbell 5 days of both filming for a tv show and busting butt for him guiding, and he “ tipped “ everyone with a cooler of bacon and sausage products and a autographed photo””

[Big Lee]

I enjoy being in charge of my own gratuity. I like to compensate those who work hard and not those who just go through the motions. Doesn't matter where I am at or doing.

[JB_Archery]

Sika is dead on... if you pay for a hunt and the guide puts you on the animal you showed up to shoot and worked their tail off to do so then the guide deserves a tip. Like everyone else said be prepared to tip based on the service you get... if an outfitter includes the guides tip in the price he may now have priced his hunt out of the market plus his guides might not feel intrigued to work as hard

[Hogmauler]

All good stuff y’all. The poor mans hobby has become the rich mans sport.

[curtintex]

All good stuff y’all. The poor mans hobby has become the rich mans sport.

Not true. It’s a CHOICE to go on a guided hunt. I know lots of blue collar, lower to middle income, budget sensitive guys that still hunt. Heck, Public land permits are still only $48.


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[drbonner]

Maybe in your eye's, but not 95% of people. Have you ever been on a cruise or been out to eat at a nice restaurant with a $150 bill for just two? Did you not leave a tip? If not, female hygiene product comes to mind.

Once again, I tip where tips are typical such as restaurants. I ate Mexican food after work today. On an $18 ticket I left $8 tip.

Like I told the other guy in the other thread. You can pound sand with the last comment. That’s your opinion. I’ve been on a cruise too, tip was included. Was not given a choice in the matter. I would’ve tipped the waiter well otherwise.

[curtintex]

Once again, I tip where tips are typical such as restaurants. I ate Mexican food after work today. On an $18 ticket I left $8 tip.

I think one thing that you're missing in this, is that tips ARE typical on guided hunts. Just like tips are typical in a restaurant, they're also standard operating procedure on guided hunts. I realize that you don't agree with the practice, but that doesn't make it any less typical.

[Capt Glenn]

It seems like they are less likely to tip well if their hunt is being paid for by someone else. I think the assumption is the company or individual paying for the hunt is also responsible for tipping the guides but that is not always the case.

This is 100% true for fishing trips too. When we run corporate groups if the company doesn't include a tip we probably won't get one. The guys fishing are on a trip where all food, drinks and fishing are being paid for by someone else and by golly they think free means free, you are not gonna get a tip on those trips. Interesting that you see the same thing hunting.

We had a big group one time where the company man gave each angler fifty bucks cash specifically to tip their guides. 3 men per boat x 50 each. Well, we had some of them pocket it. So they are on a free trip and the company who is paying for all their food, drink and fishing also gives them cash to tip and they pocketed it. Pretty crazy. But that's how some folks are.

[trophy8]

I’m a 10%ish Hunter. But have tipped way over for certain hunts.

My favorite guide so far has been for axis. He knows who he is. He talks to you on day one like you’re a friend. He works his butt off but is still personable. That says a lot to me. He cares. He gets less sleep than anyone in camp. Has to chase critters and wrangle hunters like a herd of cats. All the while keeping a smile on his face. $2500 hunt I feel is worth a $4-500 tip if I can swing it.

Biggest tip I can ever give a guide I feel like is good repeat clients and good reviews.

Flip side. I had a terrible outfitter in Colorado for elk. Awful. But the 2 guides were nice and friendly. Down to earth folks. I still tipped them pretty well. They got a family to feed too.

I try to tip the guys who do the dirty work as well. My nilgai Hunt on the El Sauz. I tipped the skinning shack guy. $1-200 if I recall. Man his eyes lit up. I think folks forget about those guys. And I’m not rich by any means. But if a fella is busting his butt to make a living I try my best to compensate them.

[curtintex]

I’ve been on a cruise too, tip was included. Was not given a choice in the matter. I would’ve tipped the waiter well otherwise.

But would you have tipped your cabin steward? The dining room Maitre d'? Before tips were included in the price of the cruise, it was typical to and expected to tip each of these persons. I'm thinking that the reason that tips are now included in the price of the cruise is because too many people simply didn't do so.

[Capt Glenn]

Every ranch I guide for pays either $200 or $225 per day,

This is why you tip your guide. I would't get out of bed for $200. And I am 100% serious. The only reason to even get up and go take people hunting for that level of pay is because you'll pick up some decent tips to make it worth your while. Just because the hunt costs you $10k doesn't mean the guide isn't busting his tail for $200 a day.

[Capt Glenn]

I think one thing that you're missing in this, is that tips ARE typical on guided hunts. Just like tips are typical in a restaurant, they're also standard operating procedure on guided hunts. I realize that you don't agree with the practice, but that doesn't make it any less typical.

Exactly right. They have this same discussion on fishing forums every year. There are always a few who don't want to tip their guide and want to rationalize why they shouldn't tip a guide. If you don't want to tip, don't tip. It's not life or death. It's a personal decision. Do what makes you happy.

[JONES45LC]

Guide gratuities

As a guide and outfitter I never expect to be tipped , I charge my daily guide fee and agreed upon price for hunt .
I will do what ever I need to to make sure my hunters are successful and have a great experience!
At the end of the hunt and they want to tip that’s great and really appreciate it but it’s never expected , with that being said if I had employees and a cook ect it would be nice if they tipped just a small amount that they felt appropriate.
I have repeat hunters that never tip I give them the same service I give my clients that do tip well .


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[sotx]

I stated above how I tip on hunts, with that said, I wish we did not have too. I would prefer it to be all in the price of the hunt. Same goes for restaurants with me. I tip but I do not like it.

[Hogmauler]

What Jones said. In my working career I wouldn’t average $200.00 a day unless I worked over. You wouldn’t get outta bed for $200.00? Well I guess I can see that depending on what you have to do to make 200.00. I’m sure there are clients that stand by and don’t lift a finger to help with the animal. Some physically can’t. I would never think of letting Sika drag an animal out, load it on the vehicle, field dress it, cape it, and quarter it up without lifting a finger. With a special needs child it takes me double the time to do things because I have to think for him as well. It was a chore to get money together in the first place and being charged for a non paying guest ( which I understand they are eating food and taking up a bed etc) then getting hit for gratuities 2-400 bucks. And yes it’s a choice on both sides of the coin.