Texas Hunting Forum

Tipping A Guide

Posted By: Buch

Tipping A Guide - 10/26/16 05:57 PM

Hi all. I am going on my first guided white tail hunt this year and was hoping to get some suggestions here on fair tipping practices for the guide. It is a 3 day 3 night hunt lodging and meals included. Do you just do a % of the total cost if it is successful or at least had opportunities? I know there may be different scenarios that would determine tip, but just looking for general advice.
Posted By: Jon B

Re: Tipping A Guide - 10/26/16 06:30 PM

Success is not the only thing to think about. If the guide did everything possible and worked his butt off. I try to show them I appreciate it. I typically tip 10%.But that is me.
Posted By: TonyinVA

Re: Tipping A Guide - 10/26/16 11:13 PM

I agree with Jon ...you tip on the effort not necessarily the success. The amount should be what you think it is worth and what you can afford.
Posted By: Stompy

Re: Tipping A Guide - 10/26/16 11:58 PM

10% of total hunt cost and $50 each for the cooks if there's more than one cook. Just got back from an outfitted Elk hunt and I discussed this very topic with the guide. That is if you're satisfied with their effort.
Posted By: Buch

Re: Tipping A Guide - 10/27/16 12:49 AM

Great feedback guys. I agree with you all about the effort of the guide over the success. Thanks
Posted By: Stick-n-String

Re: Tipping A Guide - 10/27/16 02:03 AM

What if the guy is the guide and cook and Skinner and ..... Lol
Posted By: JKC

Re: Tipping A Guide - 10/27/16 03:07 AM

Originally Posted By: Stompy
10% of total hunt cost and $50 each for the cooks if there's more than one cook. Just got back from an outfitted Elk hunt and I discussed this very topic with the guide. That is if you're satisfied with their effort.


Yep, I agree.
Posted By: Lonnie Paul Walker Jr.

Re: Tipping A Guide - 10/27/16 03:42 AM

I have all types of hunters from everywhere. I would first say pay what you can afford to. I have had $20 doe hunt tips, to over $10K tips on a hunt. I am not going to sit here and say money doesn't matter, it does. Clients happiness matters above all, and all should be treated with the same respect. I say this because I was blessed to have the $20 tip from a hunter one year to turn around and supply his company with hunts every year now. Kindness and effort leap mountains any day of the week, if you appreciate what your guide does then treat him so. Good luck on your hunt, be safe.
Posted By: trapperjustin

Re: Tipping A Guide - 10/27/16 10:41 AM

I recently went on a 100 doe hunt and took my daughter with me. The hunt was a blast saw tons of game and the guides were great to be around and took time to let my daughter take pics of the ranch and animals they didn't have to do that. They tried to include her in anything they could. I'm not a man of money so I can't go on paid hunts and tip alot but I still tipped 40 bucks on a 100 doe hunt.
Posted By: huntingbig8

Re: Tipping A Guide - 10/31/16 03:39 AM

As a guide, it is always nice to "earn" a tip as you have worked hard for the hunter or exceeded their expectations. A guide friend of mine recently spent 7 days in West Texas on a LF elk hunt, the 5 hunters all whom were there on
"paid for" trips killed 5 bull over 330", not only did the hunters not have to pay for their own trips, they did not tip the 5 guides $1. To me as a guide, this is the kind of person that makes you hate some hunters, then you get a TrapperJustin, good dude comes out and spends his hard earned $ and tips almost 50%
Posted By: AmerMirza

Re: Tipping A Guide - 10/31/16 02:12 PM

I mostly do Meat hunts so they are not expensive as trophy so tips I give are not in 1000's. On a High Fence ranch, one guide busted his [censored] making it fun for us to hunt some Axis and Oryx. He skinned it too. Us buddies gave him about $250 tip for the 9 hours & we spent a total of $1000 on the 4 animals. But we also referred him about 11 hunters who actually came and hunted. Plus, if there is a daily guide fee of $250, I dont like to pay more than $25 even if its exceptional. Hope that is generous (Or at least thats what I think is). I would like to know from some of the guides if this is fair or too generous or too cheap.
Posted By: texasguy1981

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/02/16 02:37 AM

I just went on a $100 doe hunt as well. The guide Hunter was phenomenal I cant say enough good things about him. After returning from the morning hunt he helped skin and quarter the doe. I tipped him $60. I then returned after lunch for an afternoon evening hunt and tipped him another $40. I believe you tip based on the service of the guide not the success of the hunt.
Posted By: Jbell99

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/02/16 03:19 AM

I can say tipping more does help if you plan on going back if the outfitter knows you tip well they will likely put you on the books before someone who is new or doesn't tip or contact them besides when wanting to book a hunt. I've been duck hunting with a outfitter 3 times last year and the first time I booked it was harder to get dates i wanted I've already been on a teal hunt with him this year and have 4 duck hunts already booked
He charges 275 and I normally tip 100-120 and the people in my group usually tip as well. Ocassionaly he will including free breakfast and lunch and cleaning.
Posted By: okiehuntr

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/02/16 03:09 PM

I recently went on a $5000 trophy hunt, rode around in a mulie with the owner and I in the front and the guide in the back seat, we drove around for about 6+ hours with the owner knowing all the places to check out, again no help from the guide, shot a very nice trophy and the guide gutted, skinned and quartered the critter and I tipped $170 in addition to the $250 daily guide fee...AND the guide DID NOT thanks me!!
Will be using a different guide next time!
okiehuntr
Posted By: Curtis

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/02/16 05:03 PM

10% and your good. If you had a great time, please tell them as well.
Posted By: Sq2 hunter

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/03/16 12:50 AM

I went hunting a few years ago with a buddy and I shot a 130 inch deer for $1500 and tipped $200 because the guide put on a great hunt. My buddy shot a 200 inch deer for $10,000 and tipped $200 because the guide also was a good guide and did the same work my guide did. And when his guide received his tip he didn't look overly happy. I really don't understand what the cost of hunt has to do with it?. Why would I tip a guide that just takes me to the stand on a $5000 deer hunt $500. When I'm expected to tip the same amount on a guided $5000 5 day colorado rough country elk hunt?
Posted By: Erny

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/03/16 01:20 AM

This is a complicated subject with a lot of variables. On trophy hunts generally 10%, frequently more sometimes less. On meat type hunts I usually tip at least 50 bucks a day, more if they work hard. Like others have said I think you should tip more for a spot and stalk type hunt vs a drive up and drop you off in the blind type hunt. There is no simple formula.
Posted By: sparrish8

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/03/16 03:58 AM

I did an elk hunt recently around $4000 not including the tag, didnt kill but missed a good bull on the 3rd day. The guide did a good job and i tipped $300 and he text me saying the tip was pathetic and ge felt disrespected. I new it was not the greatest tip but he said it was the worst tip he ever received which i though was a little ridiculous. To me some guides expect to much from hunters as tips and should be looking to the ranch owner or outfitter for better pay.
Posted By: MarkE

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/03/16 04:49 AM

I agree, there is no simple formula but 10% is a good rule of thumb. You tip for the work the guide does and the overall experience of the hunt. However, it's best to discuss this prior to your hunt to get a feel for expectations regarding tips. You might give a $150 tip on a $100 hunt, then give the same tip on a $1,500 hunt.....it just depends on the situation. If the outfitter or landowner is the person guiding you, they may have already have priced the hunt appropriately, thus not really needing much of a tip at all. On the other hand, if they have a guide that is working primarily for tips, you should know this prior to the hunt and be ready to pay/tip for his services base on the performance.
Posted By: John Humbert

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/03/16 05:17 AM

Originally Posted By: huntingbig8
As a guide, it is always nice to "earn" a tip as you have worked hard for the hunter or exceeded their expectations. A guide friend of mine recently spent 7 days in West Texas on a LF elk hunt, the 5 hunters all whom were there on
"paid for" trips killed 5 bull over 330", not only did the hunters not have to pay for their own trips, they did not tip the 5 guides $1. To me as a guide, this is the kind of person that makes you hate some hunters, then you get a TrapperJustin, good dude comes out and spends his hard earned $ and tips almost 50%


You know, that sux - but not uncommon on these paid-for corporate hunts for clients, the company booking also covers the tip. The clients may have been expecting this, and this did not tip. This scenario sounds more like miscommunication than all five guys being Douchbags. If I was your friend, I would mention it to the booking company. Chances are they will come through with tips and apologies - or at the very least fix the communication with clients.
Posted By: okiehuntr

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/03/16 02:01 PM

Don't you think if a hunting organization charges $300 daily guide fee which I would hope at least $150 would go to the guide should be taken into consideration?
Sitting in a blind many hours and then caring for the harvested critter, a tip of an additional $150 would be sufficient? Many hunters like myself have a difficult time saving up for an occasional "trophy hunts", a $4000 hunt plus transportation, taxi fees and processing has become a $6,500 hunt, I cannot image 10% or fewer guides
being able make a living from guiding , that's where I truly believe the owners of the "hunt organization" should pay their guides more $$
Thought I was frugal but maybe I'm cheap when it comes to tipping guides, I just felt $300 to sit in a blind or ride in a mulie all day was cool..hunting and packing out an Elk is a different story.
Just my .02 cents
okiehuntr soap
Posted By: rbw1

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/03/16 03:25 PM

Originally Posted By: sparrish8
I did an elk hunt recently around $4000 not including the tag, didnt kill but missed a good bull on the 3rd day. The guide did a good job and i tipped $300 and he text me saying the tip was pathetic and ge felt disrespected. I new it was not the greatest tip but he said it was the worst tip he ever received which i though was a little ridiculous. To me some guides expect to much from hunters as tips and should be looking to the ranch owner or outfitter for better pay.



As a guide of many years I find it appalling and unprofessional of any guide that would send a text or tell a client the tip received was not up to snuff. As many factors play into what a guide is given twrd gratuities, from budget constants to attitude of client and guide relationship, success of hunt an all things between. I personally have received anything from 20 dollars to a fully paid for big game hunt and custom rifle from a client. You do your job that you were hired to do by the CUSTOMER the rest works itself out. P S. The worst client I ever had in my life that was not satisfied with anything and everything from food to game seen bed lumpy ,to cold, to hot,at the end of the hunt looked at me and stated I'm a butt I know that I am and you worked yours off , thank you for putting up with me! Needless to say the gratuity paid the bills and he can come back any time. Lol
Posted By: Dalep

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/03/16 04:29 PM

If a guide tells me my tip isn't good enough and he feels disrespected, my reply will be something that is indeed disrespectful. Most people cant afford to throw cash around and hunts aren't cheap.

Only guided hunts ive done so far are hog hunts. I typically tip 20% but that's like $100 or $150 depending on the hunt. I'll be going to Scotland in October next year and that's a little different priced hunt. 10% will likely be it purely because I cant truly afford more.
Posted By: Stompy

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/03/16 07:46 PM

As a rule of thumb, if the owner/outfitter is guiding you, you tip nothing. Only tip the help. The owner/outfitter is already getting paid for your hunt. If it's a deal when a so called guide drops me off at a stand and that's it, his tip won't be much. For me a guide has to work for his tip.
Posted By: okiehuntr

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/03/16 09:58 PM

Originally Posted By: Stompy
As a rule of thumb, is the owner/outfitter is guiding you, you tip nothing. Only tip the help. The owner/outfitter is already getting paid for your hunt. If it's a deal when a so called guide drops me off at a stand and that's it, his tip won't be much. For me a guide has to work for his tip.


SO! your saying if the guide is owner or partnered owner, a tip is not or should not be expected, but a tip would be appreciated? If the hunt was a good one and the guide added to the success, I would feel obligated to tip!
okiehuntr
Posted By: Sq2 hunter

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/03/16 11:26 PM

I totally get what stompy is saying. One reason they say you tip is because guides don't make great money and a majority of the money goes to the owner or outfitter. And yes if a owner at a bar is the bartender pouring drinks I would tip. But I usually don't spend $5000 at the bar. Lol
Posted By: Gamblinman

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/04/16 12:50 AM

I'll tip a guide, but not an outfitter.
Posted By: Stompy

Re: Tipping A Guide - 11/04/16 02:30 PM

Originally Posted By: okiehuntr
Originally Posted By: Stompy
As a rule of thumb, is the owner/outfitter is guiding you, you tip nothing. Only tip the help. The owner/outfitter is already getting paid for your hunt. If it's a deal when a so called guide drops me off at a stand and that's it, his tip won't be much. For me a guide has to work for his tip.


SO! your saying if the guide is owner or partnered owner, a tip is not or should not be expected,
okiehuntr


Correct. If they want a tip they should have factored it into the hunt cost. I just tip the help, just got back from an Elk hunt and I tipped the guide, the packers and the cooks.
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