This is the first year I have paid for a guide. In the past My dad paid and therefore also tipped the guides. He always said you tip them at least 30% and if they are great company and get you on some amazing animals you add to that. I am wondering if that is a good amount. The guide is the family of my friend and I don't want to disrespect them in any way. All comments and opinions are much appreciated.

as a former charter boat capt. i can give you some insight on how tips are received from the guide/capt end. i always hoped my clients would never base a tip on whether they planned on coming back someday, base the tip on the job i have done for you TODAY. because i knew the very instant a customer handed me a tip whether they were planning to come back regardless of what they said on the dock at the end of the trip. i also would hope a client would never base the success of a fishing trip on whether they caught the fish of a lifetime, guess what they are called the "fish of a lifetime" for a reason, youve got to keep on trying to get said "fish of a lifetime".
when i go somewhere for a guided fishing/hunting trip im looking for the following things; honesty- did the guide/outfitter accurately represent what he was offering and did he give you what he proposed. "be here right now" -is the outfitter/guide giving you his undivid
ed attention, remember you are PAYING him to do a job.
what i do not expect- i do not expect the guide to "control" the weather. i do not expect the guide to be able to see into the future and be able to avoid family emergencies etc. i do not expect the guide to overcome my poorshooting decisions or just flat out my lack of enthusiasm or effort.
i guess what i trying to say is reward honesty and hard work and opportunity, the amount you decide to reward is entirely up to you, just remember as hard as most guides work to protect their reputations and business, you should also do your best to protect your relationship with your guide/outfitter.

30% seems like a very generous tip to me. I generally tip around 15%.....sometimes less a lot of times more.

Start at 10% of the total hunt cost and go up or down from there depending on overall experience.

I like tips but I never expect them. I find the hunts that I work the hardest are the one I don't get tipped on. Moving decoys, moving blinds because the wind changes. A lot of times those are the lowest bird total days. The days that it's a piece of cake are the days it seems like I get tipped. Higher bird total days. I do this job because I love it. Tips are always welcomed but never expected.

I asked this question several years ago on here when I was preparing to go on my first guided hunt. It was one of the Cabelas signature hunts they offer. In their brochure they suggested the industry standard was 10% but to tip what you felt was appropriate. That seemed to mirror most of the advice I received from the forum as well. Of the two guided hunts I have been on I ended up tipping over the 10% because both of my guides went above and beyond what I felt my realistic expectations were for them prior to going on the hunt. I am sure there will be hunts where 10% will be appropriate & possibly hunts were it’s too much. All depends on the effort from the guide and meeting the expectations given.

Spot on. I've been on both ends as a hunter and guide. When guiding I never expect or request a tip, but it's always appreciated.

I will tip a guide, but not an outfitter.

We tip the guides 10-15% on average. Also, make sure to tip the cooks if meals are included

Why did you let your DAD pay for everything????????

I was not in a financially sound place in life. This year I am doing well.

10-20%

I was joking

As a rule I tip %20. If the outfitter is the guide my tip shrinks because, well, I wouldn’t tip the restaurant owner. Hunted in February with 2 outfits in Texas and tipped each about 15% (outfitter was guide) but these were low dollar hunts. Was just in England on stag hunt and tipped %20 of outing fees to the guide who was not the owner. Also sending him a thank you box with a hat, knife, and candy for being a great person outside the hunt as well. If I was a richer man I would tip him 30% no problem. Have never felt obligated to tip a guide or ever been asked. If a outfitter told me a 20% tip was neccisary/customary I’ve always booked elsewhere. Don’t sell me a hunt at a price then bring up the need for a tip