I'm doing a hog hunt at the Double D Ranch in Ohio in a few days, and they suggest tipping your guide if you like the service--seems reasonable, I tip my hair stylist (remember when men had barbers?). As I've never hunted with a guide before--nor, have I in fact actually been hunting in almost 25 years-- I'm cluesless as to what is appropriate (assuming, of course, that I like him)? The hunt is $525.00 and includes one night lodging, the hunt, and skinning and quatering the game.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Ronn

I hope you've practiced your shooting at least as much as you're worrying about the tip. That's a tip, BTW.

For that price, I'd think anything from $20 to $100 would be appropriate, depending on what the guide actually does for you. With no further knowledge, I'd lean towards $40 or $50 AND ANY TIP IS BASED on friendly helpful service. Lacking that, keep you wallet and money in your pocket.

quote:

For that price, I'd think anything from $20 to $100 would be appropriate, depending on what the guide actually does for you. With no further knowledge, I'd lean towards $40 or $50 AND ANY TIP IS BASED on friendly helpful service. Lacking that, keep you wallet and money in your pocket.

That is about as accurate an outlook on the subject as is. Range of amount to give is just right, and basing the tip on service given should tatooed on a persons arm.

Exellent post Gato.

I hunt pigs in Florida, generally with same guide each time. The hunt takes a couple of hours. Guide (works for the folks who own the land) skins and quarters the pig. Hunt costs 150.00; tip is 20.

Conifer:
Would you mind posting the name of the place?
Have a friend in JAX that's looking for somewhere
to shoot some pigs.
Thanks,
George

A good guide deserves a good tip!

I hunt the same place at least a half a dozen times a year. I know the crew, know what to expect, and they bust their tails for their clients. After a weekend hunt, I never leave them less than $100.00. Keep in mind this is for two days of hunting, being fed, skinning, etc. You would be surprised at how many hunters still don't grasp the concept of tipping.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
I hunt the same place at least a half a dozen times a year. I know the crew, know what to expect, and they bust their tails for their clients. After a weekend hunt, I never leave them less than $100.00. Keep in mind this is for two days of hunting, being fed, skinning, etc. You would be surprised at how many hunters still don't grasp the concept of tipping.

It's a tough concept to grasp, being different all over the world and even for different hunts in the same place.

In the UK one would tip the keeper about 5-10% of the shoot day costs, ie about 20 quid for a 100 bird day to about 50 for a 3-400 bird day.

Deerstalking in Scotland is about the same idea, around 20 quid a day to the ghillie is about right, generous in fact unless on a very prestigious estate.

A casual outing with a English professional stalker would not normally warrant a tip.

I do think tipping culture has gone slightly overboard in the US, last time I was there I go so confused I tipped the guy serving coffee in McDonalds...

Each outfit is different, but I know that many guides rely on the tips as their (maybe not only) compensation. Now if I have a couple of guys carting me around, tracking, feeding me, etc., I think it is not only fair, but appropriate.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
Each outfit is different, but I know that many guides rely on the tips as their (maybe not only) compensation. Now if I have a couple of guys carting me around, tracking, feeding me, etc., I think it is not only fair, but appropriate.

Oh I see.

I thought they would have been remunerated by the guy who you booked the hunt from.

If they are basically unpaid then something would of course be appropriate.

The older you are, the more $20 looks like real money. Most guides that do their job well ought to be tipped in 2012 money when the hunt occurred, not 1970 dollars

quote:

Originally posted by tiggertate:
The older you are, the more $20 looks like real money. Most guides that do their job well ought to be tipped in 2012 money when the hunt occurred, not 1970 dollars

this can't be directed at me, I was -11 in 1970!

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:

For that price, I'd think anything from $20 to $100 would be appropriate, depending on what the guide actually does for you. With no further knowledge, I'd lean towards $40 or $50 AND ANY TIP IS BASED on friendly helpful service. Lacking that, keep you wallet and money in your pocket.

+1

GWB

$100.00 if you had a good time. jeff~

Thanks for the input guys--I'll let you know how it goes.

Ronn

You might could haved asked for references and when you called them you caould ask too see what they tipped if any.
Okie

Normally, I'll tip a hunting guide 10% of the cost of a hunt, which is in line with what is being suggested here. That base figure will be adjusted up or down (including down to -0-) depending on performance. But average competence, attitude and effort (all given about equal weight) earns 10%. I should note that success, or the lack thereof, shouldn't enter into the equation, provided that the guide's incompetence or lack of effort wasn't the sole and direct cause of the failure.