So I'm going to New Zealand next year on a Red Stag hunt. I've never been hunting with an outfitter/guide before and I'm wondering what's considered the normal tipping practice? There's an animal fee as well as a daily guide fee. So do I base my tip off the total hunt price, the guide fee, the animal fee....or nothing at all since I'm already paying a daily guide fee? My guide is also the owner/outfitter if that makes any difference. Thanks in advance....

I was in New Zealand a year ago for stag, tahr, 2 fallow.
I had a great guide and great trip. A lot of people will say tip 10-15% of total hunt cost.
That can add up quickly. I trusted and liked my guide. I had an open conversation with him about the subject
so that neither of us be uncomfortable at the end.
If I remember right I tipped about 10% of the trophy fee total ($2000 tip.)
He was very happy and there was no weirdness. Trying to go back with him next year for Chamois.

Thanks for the the reply....i was hoping that I didn't need to shell out another $1500 tip

i shot a $500 ram and paid him $650 total. to me its based off how well you like the guy but also the time of the hunt. if you go out first morning and shoot 2 animals and you leave i may tip less than if it took me 3-4 hunts to get my 2 animals. the hunt cost the same but the guide had to do way less and took way less time.

Based it off of the effort the guide puts in, animals taken and most of all how satisfied are you with your experience. 10% will be a standard starting point almost everywhere. You pay higher or lower based on what you think the guy deserves

here's a good article about the subject

http://www.africahunting.com/threads/tipping-guide.183/

From the reams of comments on Africa tipping, I think the consensus is 10% of the daily rate. That's what I've always done, usually rounding up if the PH/guide works hard. I realize it's not Africa, but I think it's still a good guideline.

Have a great time in New Zealand.

In my opinion tipping is something which comes out of your pocket spontaneously,
For the services rendered...hence can not be pre-determined.

I tip what I'm comfortable spending, and what I feel the guide earned. Most I've ever given is $800. I don't go by the ten percent rule, or what they say over at Africa Hunting. I've found that what is written isn't really what happens most of the time. I think it's more of a suggestion to try to get hunters to tip more. Of all the guides I've met and talked to, the amount given is all over the place.

I have been on one seriously high $$ hunt. I tipped my guide $1000. I am going on another next year. Maybe I am a tightwad, but my plan is to tip $1000 again if the guide is a good one (that would be about 5%). I may do $1500 if he is really above and beyond.

On the sheep hunt I went on I learned that the guides got a "bonus" if the hunter harvests an animal in that particular outfit. I also learned that tipping is all over the board from many who don't tip at all to a few who will throw down some big $$. My guide became my friend and told me that my tip was very generous and above the norm.

I generally follow the 10% rule but IMO when a hunt costs above 10K a "cap" is in order. And IMO it depends on the "guiding" received. A backcountry wilderness guide literally has your life in his hands the entire time. Plus works like crazy. That is far different than most guides.

It is a personal thing. YMMV.

Thanks again for all the replies. I think I might just bring it up with the guide. I can see tipping way more if it was a back country hunt where he is packing everything in, guiding, cooking and what not. But for a guy who owns the land, the lodge and is his own guide I can't see tipping that much.

I agree they are all over the board. I have made over $60K in a season of hunting on tips alone. There is more an more sorry guides and outfitters every year seems like. A good guide that is respectful and puts your hunting success and happiness first needs to be rewarded for the effort!