Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Tipping guides . . why do we do it . . ?

Then why do they accept tips? Why not just be proud?

Because they are not stupid

Thats certainly a big part, but profit margin has to be another part right?

Do you hunt simply because it is the cheapest way to obtain meat ?

I certainly don't guide for cheap, and I probably make $40+ an hour when it's all said and done. (I'm a saltwater capt) I work for somebody, so I have zero expenses. I pity the fool that works for minimum wage and depends on tips. Either he sucks as a guide, or he's being completely taken advantage of. In the saltwater fishing industry, those who have skills, are in very high demand and make a pretty good living.

not hardly; but what does that have to do with your profit margin?

This seems like what it should be. I always wondered what the tipping thing was all about. I have guided, never been guided and always received a tip. I never counted on the tip, but I sure did appreciate it.

I was guiding 2 clients on the Madison River some years ago and they paid for my cabin to stay in overnight so I wouldn't have to go back to Bozeman every night. We went out to dinner in the most expensive restaurant in town, a bowl of soup then was over $5.00. They both ordered soup before dinner as I was ordering the cheapest meal on the menu.

They insisted I get the soup, I relented and was hoping for a good tip to cover the cost of the soup. When the meal was over the tally would have choked Ted Turner, but to my relief, they paid for all of it. I got a good tip at the end of the trip, which was much appreciated, but I still never counted on tips...

Judging from your post, you're well-suited to reply to this quote by author David Quammen that appeared in his short story, Synecdoch and the Trout, that was included in the book Seasons of the Angler:



Still searching for an answer to why we feel compelled to tip guides . . a possible clue in Quammen's quip?

If you are making over $40/hr simply for your ability as a fishing guide I applaud you. But it sounds to me like you are also a licensed boat captain, which is akin to a commercial pilot, who typically make a lot more than that per hour.

If a business is relying on gratuities in order to assure a profit margin, then that business could very well be in jeopardy.

However, some businesses do rely on gratuities as a subsidy within the profit margin and that's none more evident than the outdoor hunting service industry.

The majority of North American outfitters and guides need to subsidize their profit margins, because the seasonal occupation of hunting service provider isn't enough to assure economic certainty in a personal sense, after business expenses.

It is more a traditional thing I would guess, as my father always told me to do an honest day's work for an honest day's wage.

I never would think to tip anybody as I have lived by that philosophy and if you are relying on the tip, you might want to reconsider your voacation...

Phil,

Your observation that "Tipping has turned into a slippery slope because now in Mongolia and other parts of Asia it is typical for the guide to DEMAND his 'tip' before the hunt begins" is spot-on.

I went to Argentina as a guest of a good friend last April to shoot birds. The lodge where we stayed now doesn't pay the local "bird boys" (guides, most of whom are grown men with families) anything at all. Instead they're expected to work totally for client tips.

Never guided any hunt trips but I did guide folks down all of the rivers in WV, PA, NC and Ohio. I could usually tell who would tip or not at the first set of rapids. Often times I just asked folks to donate the funds to a local children's fund or even their own kids who were along for the trip. If I really needed the money to eat I would take what was being offered.

One season I needed a new kayak badly. A Doctor bought it for me because his family had such a great time. I learned about paying it forward that day. As I said earlier, I tip everyone. It makes the world go round and brings smiles.

Happpeeeeee Berfdayyyy Calvin!!

I don't have a lot of experience in the matter when it comes to guides and can likely count on one hand the times I've used one for hunting or fishing (to be clear, I have no compunction that's jut the times I've used one)

If the guide is also the owner I haven't tipped figuring he's getting the whole fee. If it'd been a guide (vs outfitter) I have tipped in all but one case.

Why do we tip? I think guides generally like their jobs and understand low pay was part of the deal but I also like to reward the folks for sharing their world with me in a collegial fashion. The best guides are those that revile in showing me their world, hopefully catching a few fish or killing some game. I tip for the experience and not for the size/quantity of the target. it is actually my pleasure to thank them and while a handshake and telling them I had a great time is nice, I also know they have bills and cash is nice in addition to the heartfelt thanks.

The one guide I did not tip, even though a deer was killed, was an ass. He treated me and my partners like we had never hunted before (despite all of us having a lot of experience) and he was generally an unpleasant guy to have along. I didn't trust him and will not go back.