Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Tips for hunting guides?

I have an outfitted back country elk hunt coming up. I did an internet search on this topic and found a few articles that suggest tipping 10-15% of the cost of the hunt. At the upper end of the range that could put the tip at close to $1,000. Does that sound right?

As a former fishing guide, I would have to say,"It depends"
I would base the tip on the level of service received during the hunt. If you are impressed at the level of effort the guide puts into helping you have an enjoyable hunt, show it. If you get stuck with a real slacker who doesn't seem to care, they should expect nothing. I would also have to say the tip could be effected by your ability to pay. A guide should not be expecting a pile of money from someone who has had to save for years to afford the hunt. When guiding clients who have more money than they know what to do with, it would be reasonable to, at least be hoping, for a healthy tip.
From a guides perspective, some things depend on the client. Some clients are at best, high maintenance adult day care. Some just need to be pointed in the right direction, then get out of their way. If I spent a day in a boat with some guys who wouldn't listen, were trying to run the show, and used every breath to tell you how amazing they are, well you get the idea.
So, 10%-15% ? It depends.

That percentage should be good. Tip the guide on the service he provides you. The success is secondary.

15% is a good rule of thumb. On a wilderness hunt you want to tip the guide, the cook and the wrangler is there is one. Whoever takes care of you should get something. Every trip I've been on I made sure they felt appreciated. If you decide to come back they'll remember you for how you treated them.

Thank you all for this information. I’m pretty sure that guide’s salaries aren’t very good considering how hard they work.

I’d bring 20% cash and tip appropriately depending on the guides effort. Anywhere from 10-20% is a good tip. Some hunters are a pain to deal with and should tip the guide even more for having to put up with them for a week. I experienced this when sharing a camp with another guy hunting NV mule deer. Guy was a complete jerk and I felt bad for his guide.

Seems about right. More isn’t uncommon and is more than welcomed, obviously. Had a guy one time toss me the knife that you get when signing up for The Huntin Fool after carrying 2/3 of his personal chit for 50+ miles and handful of vertical feet. Reckon that story and name has been shared a few times.

I’m a nobody in that world, but the point is guides/outfitters talk, so if you have plans for more in the future, a healthy tip is a good way to insure good stories.

I agree! If a guide has been doing his job well trying to make my trip successful and fun, he gets a tip even if my luck or fate is a strike out.

The guy spent a few days of his life trying, so that's worth more than nothing.

10-20% is the "right" price range in our group - if you work hard for us, we will take care of you on the back end.

Success is not a factor UNLESS the guide or outfitter is obviously out of their league - or unsafe, or dishonest - about the whole affair.

If you are a jackss hunter as a shot, a person, or in preparation / execution of the hunt - yes, you're going to get a hard reputation - and it will get around.