When , if ever, are these ridiculous costs to "hunt" going to drop?

Yea, Yea, I know protein costs allot of money

Paying $3000++++ for two days, crappy lodging, crappy food...

Lots of rip-offs out there, shop wisely for your next hunt, ask for references, contact them.

I've been on a bunch, I'm talking deer and exotics, not dove. Thats a whole other thread.

There are only two I can give a hardy thumbs up too. These guys did what they said they would do above and beyond.

1. Mulie Mike
2. Chris Childs, owner of The Shonto Ranch

Went cheap this year, got our game, it only took a day, I gave the guide $300 cash tip, he bitched about it. Dont get me started, I wont mention them here, cuz everyone has their own expectations.

To me it sounds as if you are the one that doesn't do their homework.

you are right on the hunt i booked this year. i didnt have the money for a big hunt, thought i was getting a deal, NOT. should have followed my own advise and gotten some references.

Good thread to ask, what is usual and customary to tip a guide? Is it 10% or 20% or ?? I've never had anyone complain as I consider myself a decent tipper, but just curious what everyone feels. Sorry I hope this does not hijack this thread......

10% is a good starting point for tips for guides.

Sucks you got taken, as someone mentioned above and yourself mentioned is doing the "Homework" is key. For around 3K (depending on species, Axis, Fallow, Blackbuck, some whitetail) I would have a high expectation for the lodging and meals. That maybe just my from own experience on certain ranches Ive been too or how we conduct hunts on ours.

i'll be in touch Black

I don't get that. A guide knows or should know that this is a service, with a huge emphasis on customer service. Whether fully guided or semi-guided, I would like to think that if he or she has any interpersonal skills, they will ask if you needed anything while the run in town and you relax at the cabin/lodge, hunt in the blind, or ect...

Personally, $300 on a two day trip, I would be happy with. Especially on a semi-guided trip.

IDK who you opted to hunt with, but that seems pretty sorry on your guide, or lack there of.

What a way to get bitten. It happened to me this year as well, what's the old saying.. If it's too good to be true, it isn't!! HAHA.. I drove 6 hours to Pearsall for a doe hunt to discover upon arrival everything he had told me was a bunch of BS! I took it as a learning experience and will ask a lot more questions when hunting with a new outfitter.

$300??? wth.... $100 seems more than acceptable for a measly weekend... surely he wasn't working for tips only.. if so hes an idiot and needs to find another job...

Even if he was I don't see expecting more for a weekend hunt tip.

Gentlemen, after 38 years of guiding, outfitting, booking, and hunting for and with clients and friends all over the world I feel qualified to throw out a couple of points here, first and foremost on any hunting trip with an outfitter, ranch, or overseas hunting endeavor is simply to ask for recent references.
This will in most cases eliminate the possibility of a lot of hardache and issues, hunting is expensive these days an everyone wants to be a "guide" or "outfitter", most with little or no experience in dealing with hunters or people.
Go with your budget, and ask questions, there's always a level of the unknown on any hunt, but it's hunting and not baby sitting, most hard working guides, ranches, and outfitters only want one thing and that is to see happy clients.
Tips are always good and helpful for your hard working and committed guide.
Use your conscious and enjoy your hunt.
DC

I've hunted several game ranches over the years, one high fence and the rest low fence. I always tipped what I felt was fair for the service that was provided. Went to the high fence place 3 times before I shot a buck....not because I didn't see any game, but I was looking for a certain type of buck. The guide/ranch manager didn't do much more than take me to the blind I went to. $100 tip per 2 day hunt. Went to another place that was 1500 acres high fence and 1500 low fence. Guide spent as much time as I was willing to spend driving to spots and walking in to see what we could find. I hunted there 3 times without shooting anything and gave him $2-300 every trip. He knew I was willing to walk/spot and stalk for what I was looking for and tried his best to get me on that buck. It was a stud Axis with an extra main beam.....maybe 18-20, on the extra beam. When I booked the hunt, I told him that I have several axis under my belt and was looking for something special or really big. He did his best to get me on that buck, but it wasn't in the cards. If the guide is actually a guide, not just a ride to a blind, than I tip well.....otherwise you're just my waitress at a restaurant.

If it’s the place I’m thinking that place is a chithole. Dirty, rude staff, and pretty much canned. It gets poor reviews all the time. $300 is a lot of tip for what you got.

Maybe the “agent” will chime in

c`mon tell us who it was !! so we don't experience the same .