Day Lease Gratuity

[Bear Charge]

Does 20% of total hunt cost seem gracious, acceptable or insulting? I haven't done this enough to have a good perception. I do 20% at restaurants but I can't say with any certainty that this applies to day hunts. I want to be gracious not acceptable! In today's economic situation, however, I want to be sure to budget for gratuity and would rather not hunt than stiff a guide/outfitter. I'm assuming excellent service.

[Samson]

I have never tipped for unguided day lease hunts. If there is a guide involved then yes, you should tip whatever you feel he/she deserves. 20-30% would be a very gracious tip IMO.

[Mud Shark]

I think 20% should be on the low end of well guided trip. I haven't been on many guided hunts or fishing trips, but you can **** sure tell the difference in a guide that's working hard to give you a good experience and one that's not.

[Curtis32]

If its a day lease no more than 10% usually.
If its a place with a trophy kill 20%.
Just depends on how the entire hunt trip was.

[DrenalinJunkie]

I personally don't care if you have a guide with you or not, min. Of 10% is where I start off.

[rladner]

I generally go with 15%, but that can change if I make a bad shot and see the guide working his tail off to help me track and recover the animal. If the guide only has to drop me off at the stand and pick me up, 15% is good. But, if he works his tail off to get me on animals and help me recover from a mistake, it will increase from there.

[JustinJ]

I don't understand why/who you would tip if the hunt was unguided. You tip for service, and there was no service involved. Am I wrong?

Obviously, if someone helped you track or cleaned your game or something along those lines I would understand tipping.

[DRT]

I generally tip 10 to 20%. Many places will put it in the website that 10% is normal. I will say that I have tipped less on a bad hunt and more on a good hunt. Generally though I frequent places that take care of the hunter even if they don't sit with you. They care for my game and make my stay enjoyable.

[RogueSamurai]

Back when I guided, I don't anymore, but when I did I tried to make sure that guys who "day leased" were treated just like anyone else. If they needed help cleaning or skinning a deer I'd help out. Some insisted on doing it themselves/teaching their kids about it etc, others needed help.

I was tipped differently by each hunter and there was no rhyme or reason I could think of. Some blue collar working men tipped way better than others, you just never could tell. I think it's a case by case basis really.

[charrell71]

I generally start at 10%, if they work their tails off to help me get my animal, the tip goes up.

[Speedgoat]

Tip? Really!?

[Phdan]

I have never tipped a day lease "guide". They are getting paid already to drive me to and from the stand.

I feel like one owes me money back. Another story.

One on one guides are a different story.

[Strong Slinger]

I personally don't care if you have a guide with you or not, min. Of 10% is where I start off.

I agree with you Forrest 100%

[TEXAS-PSE]

x2

I generally start at 10%, if they work their tails off to help me get my animal, the tip goes up.

x2

[J-Bob]

Just my opinion but in general for a good experience I think
10% - acceptable
20% - gracious