Guide tipping

[Dirtlaw]

What is an appropriate gratuity for the guide on a guided hunt?

[Dirtlaw]

I've reconsidered the post's title. Instead of "Guide tipping" it should be "What is the appropriate gratuity for a guide"

[Dirtlaw]

Found this on the Internet:


https://www.rmef.org/elk-network/pro...ing-elk-guide/


Any additional comments from those of you who are guides or who have used guides?

[deckhandmike]

What kind of hunt? Generally 10-15%, more for something high dollar, super strenuous or dangerous like sheep or grizzly. Also 15-20% if there are multiple guides, cook at base camp etc. They all split the money.

10% is fine if the guide is the business owner. But the guys that aren’t the owners really count on tip money so take care of them.

[Dirtlaw]

Originally Posted by deckhandmike

What kind of hunt? Generally 10-15%, more for something high dollar, super strenuous or dangerous like sheep or grizzly.

Boar hunting. I value people who do a good job. I have to disagree with Brad on this topic. Good service needs to be encouraged not discouraged.

[WOODY2]

Originally Posted by Dirtlaw

I've reconsidered the post's title. Instead of "Guide tipping" it should be "What is the appropriate gratuity for a guide"

Well if the title stays unchanged we all know who won't be posting a response.

[deckhandmike]

Originally Posted by Dirtlaw

Boar hunting. I value people who do a good job. I have to disagree with Brad on this topic. Good service needs to be encouraged not discouraged.

I did a 1000$ 2 day boar hunt years ago and tipped two hundred. But this was because I made my guide work for it and milked him for knowledge. I tipped higher due to several reasons.

1. He wasn’t the owner of the business
2. I passed on a iffy shot that I could of probably made but it extended my hunt into day 2.
3. He had a sweet side by side that we mobbed around with reckless abandon
4. I planned on using him again
5. He did a great job cleaning the pig

Now, if he drove me up to a pig just standing there first thing in the morning on day one it would of been a hundred bucks. But I was clear ahead of time that I wanted to hunt hard, see the whole property, take a look at a few animals if possible, shoot the size and sex (within reason) I was after and ask a million questions. It’s obviously more work for the guide and wear and tear on his rig.

In reality pig guiding is pretty damn easy but to do it the way I wanted I appreciated his efforts. Be sure to ask him to point out all the sign he sees. Ask for tips on glassing, shot placement, preferred calibers, butchering lesson, his favorite pieces of gear etc.

Also remember that while the price seems high for what it is that these guides are generally paying big bucks to the land owners to secure exclusive hunting rights to these properties. So what your paying them is definitely not pure profit.

[FJ40 CRUZR]

I checked around for my up coming Deer Hunt, I was told by several 10% is pretty standard… of course one could always do more.

[lewdogg21]

I tipped roughly $250 on a $2,850 bison hunt. I left the ranch with the animal quartered in the back of my truck by 11am. There was two hunters and two non-hunters for the one guide as the other ran late and didn't show up until we has two buffalo down. I gave the money directly to my guide and when the other looked at me when i was leaving I didn't give him anything. I figured it was up to the two of them to figure it out. Besides skinning and dropping quarters in my truck bed the 2nd guide didn't do anything for me.

[Dirtlaw]

Originally Posted by WOODY2

Well if the title stays unchanged we all know who won't be posting a response.

I tend to make fun of myself. It's kind of my safety net. Pride leads to a fall.

[Russian Bot]

I just wish I could find a guide for D11 to help me out with my first Deer hunt lol.

[Dirtlaw]

I'm looking for a guide for a California boar hunt. I'd be going with another hunter, though I'm the one paying for the hunt.

[Jeepergeo]

Originally Posted by Dirtlaw

I'm looking for a guide for a California boar hunt. I'd be going with another hunter, though I'm the one paying for the hunt.

There are a lot of factors to consider.

Is the guide the owner of the service and are you hunting their land? If yes to both, they are keeping the entire fee, so tips are optional. The owner sets rates and should not expect a tip, but no doubt would appreciate one.

If the guide is the service owner but the hunt is on a hunt lease, then consider a tip since the guide will be sharing fees with the lessor. Perhaps 10%.

If the guide is working for the service, then the guide is making little and the tip is sort of expected and customary. Perhaps 15-20%.

Tips are a great way to say thank you for a great hunt. IMHO, the tip should be based on the quality of the hunt, not the success of the hunt...the two are different things entirely.

Cash is king. A gift of a nice knife or set of binoculars might seem like a good way to tip, but your guide likely already has that gear and would likely appreciate the universal green cash.

I had a great guided deer hunt but came up with no deer for the freezer. I tipped the owner guide 20% because he worked his tail off for me even though it was on his land.

I had a great boar hunt with the same guide for me and my son, and my son got valuable life hunting lessons from a real pro and a nice hog. The owner guide on a hunt lease was tipped 20%.

I have hunted about six times with this guide and by taking good care of him he has taken great care of me and my guests.

On another boar hunt, with another outfitter, the guide was not what I would call a people person and he pushed too hard for shots that were too marginal at 300+ yards in low light. He was the owner on leased land. I added 5% to the fee as a courtesy and left a $100 bill in the cabin that his wife took care of. The hunt quality was marginal and the guide tempermental. His vehicle was littered with lead based ammo and a few were in the caliber I was using. When I saw those, they got tossed as they could be an issue with F&W. A guide should have known better.

[Dirtlaw]

Originally Posted by Jeepergeo

There are a lot of factors to consider.

Is the guide the owner of the service and are you hunting their land? If yes to both, they are keeping the entire fee, so tips are optional. The owner sets rates and should not expect a tip, but no doubt would appreciate one.

If the guide is the service owner but the hunt is on a hunt lease, then consider a tip since the guide will be sharing fees with the lessor. Perhaps 10%.

If the guide is working for the service, then the guide is making little and the tip is sort of expected and customary. Perhaps 15-20%.

Tips are a great way to say thank you for a great hunt. IMHO, the tip should be based on the quality of the hunt, not the success of the hunt...the two are different things entirely.

Cash is king. A gift of a nice knife or set of binoculars might seem like a good way to tip, but your guide likely already has that gear and would likely appreciate the universal green cash.

I had a great guided deer hunt but came up with no deer for the freezer. I tipped the owner guide 20% because he worked his tail off for me even though it was on his land.

I had a great boar hunt with the same guide for me and my son, and my son got valuable life hunting lessons from a real pro and a nice hog. The owner guide on a hunt lease was tipped 20%.

I have hunted about six times with this guide and by taking good care of him he has taken great care of me and my guests.

On another boar hunt, with another outfitter, the guide was not what I would call a people person and he pushed too hard for shots that were too marginal at 300+ yards in low light. He was the owner on leased land. I added 5% to the fee as a courtesy and left a $100 bill in the cabin that his wife took care of. The hunt quality was marginal and the guide tempermental. His vehicle was littered with lead based ammo and a few were in the caliber I was using. When I saw those, they got tossed as they could be an issue with F&W. A guide should have known better.

Jeepergeo,


Any boar hunt guides you would recommend? If so, please PM with contact information. Your help is much appreciated.

[Jeepergeo]

PM sent.

[golden240]

Originally Posted by Dirtlaw

I've reconsidered the post's title. Instead of "Guide tipping" it should be "What is the appropriate gratuity for a guide"

10% seems fair to me as a general rule and it goes up from there based on other factors.

[ChuckD]

Like any tip it should be calculated using 2 main factors are you going to be a repeat customer (and if so will tipping on the generous side mean top notch service in the future), and based on performance. I know this may not be popular but if I get skunked, you're getting skunked too - after all I could easily spend a day hunting unsuccessfully for free - I am paying you to make sure that doesn't happen (exceptions to this would be if I miss shots I should be able to make or pass on shots/animals that were in our agreed range but I opted to hope for a better opportunity). I feel like 10% on a satisfactory hunt is sufficient, and then I would go up with the increase in performance. As in an above example; if you are using your guide as a teacher to learn how to not use his service in the future - that is a value added for you and he should be compensated for that.

[Dirtlaw]

Originally Posted by ChuckD

Like any tip it should be calculated using 2 main factors are you going to be a repeat customer (and if so will tipping on the generous side mean top notch service in the future), and based on performance. I know this may not be popular but if I get skunked, you're getting skunked too - after all I could easily spend a day hunting unsuccessfully for free - I am paying you to make sure that doesn't happen (exceptions to this would be if I miss shots I should be able to make or pass on shots/animals that were in our agreed range but I opted to hope for a better opportunity). I feel like 10% on a satisfactory hunt is sufficient, and then I would go up with the increase in performance. As in an above example; if you are using your guide as a teacher to learn how to not use his service in the future - that is a value added for you and he should be compensated for that.

I agree. I tend to tip excessively, but I expect exemplary service when I return. On the other hand a fool me only once attitude is also part of the deal.

[freonr22]

Umm, silly question, do you tip the crew that changes your hvac? The plumber? The electrician? How is this different?

[Dirtlaw]

Originally Posted by freonr22

Umm, silly question, do you tip the crew that changes your hvac? The plumber? The electrician? How is this different?

I have tipped individuals such as the ones you have mentioned if they do exemplary work. Today most workers look for the quickest easiest fix even if it is not the best. I intend to continue rewarding good behavior where I find it.

[deckhandmike]

Originally Posted by freonr22

Umm, silly question, do you tip the crew that changes your hvac? The plumber? The electrician? How is this different?

Because guides make crap money like waiters and rely on tips. Plumbers and electricians make good money. And hiring a guide is completely optional. Your welcome to wander around public lands for free. Actually that costs more than hiring a guide and tipping. Hunting public land in CA is a giant waste of gas money and time.

[duckman1]

Originally Posted by Dirtlaw

I've reconsidered the post's title. Instead of "Guide tipping" it should be "What is the appropriate gratuity for a guide"

I spit coffee on the monitor...

[FishnHunt]

I tipped my guide 600 after 5 days guide. He was very thankful.
He spent 6-8 hours a day with me and we used his truck and side by side. That’s 15-20 bucks an hour.
But then I didn’t have any cash left for the outfitter. Not sure if that was right or wrong.
Hind sight i wish I had more cash or at least do 500 and 100 for the outfitter

[deckhandmike]

Originally Posted by FishnHunt

I tipped my guide 600 after 5 days guide. He was very thankful.
He spent 6-8 hours a with me and we used his truck and side by side. That’s 15-20 bucks an hour.
But I then didn’t have any have any cash left for the outfitter. Not sure if that was right or wrong
Hind sight i wish I had more cash or at least do 500 and 100 for the outfitter

Tips are usually shared. If not they suck anyway.

[Benne231]

Or D9.

[Dirtlaw]

If you say hunting is a simple endeavor I think you are wrong. There is an incredible amount to learn. To be honest I am humbled by it all.

[Dirtlaw]

So I have been floundering a bit on rifle and optic to use. I had a mountain rifle all set up, but I grew concerned that sighting in might be a problem because of the pencil barrel. I then moved to a Ruger Scout, but there were issues with mounting an optic. I ended up buying a new rifle / optic combo with can be a throw-away if necessary. I prefer to treat the better stuff I buy as carefully as possible.

[yoteassasin]

Originally Posted by Dirtlaw

So I have been floundering a bit on rifle and optic to use. I had a mountain rifle all set up, but I grew concerned that sighting in might be a problem because of the pencil barrel. I then moved to a Ruger Scout, but there were issues with mounting an optic. I ended up buying a new rifle / optic combo with can be a throw-away if necessary. I prefer to treat the better stuff I buy as carefully as possible.

You think too much … it’s very common amongst newer hunters . Paralysis by analysis is your worst enemy . The ONLY thing that will make it better
Is time in the field. Get binos and get outside , Start shooting off hand and learn to work the wind . Practice walking as quiet as possible and watch your shadow to se what you really look like to an animal. Go to your local open space and spot and stalk with a camera . After all that doing it with a rifle is a breeze . I know you are an older fella use you patience and your persistence

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by Dirtlaw

So I have been floundering a bit on rifle and optic to use. I had a mountain rifle all set up, but I grew concerned that sighting in might be a problem because of the pencil barrel. I then moved to a Ruger Scout, but there were issues with mounting an optic. I ended up buying a new rifle / optic combo with can be a throw-away if necessary. I prefer to treat the better stuff I buy as carefully as possible.

With a good rest you can sight in in 1 shot if you know your rifle repeats.

It's cool this time of year. With a bit of patience, hot barrels aren't a problem.

[Dirtlaw]

Originally Posted by yoteassasin

You think too much … it’s very common amongst newer hunters . Paralysis by analysis is your worst enemy . The ONLY thing that will make it better
Is time in the field. Get binos and get outside , Start shooting off hand and learn to work the wind . Practice walking as quiet as possible and watch your shadow to se what you really look like to an animal. Go to your local open space and spot and stalk with a camera . After all that doing it with a rifle is a breeze . I know you are an older fella use you patience and your persistence

Yoteassasin, I think you've nailed what I'm feeling. Thanks. A view from the outside can really be helpful.