First trip to Africa was to Namibia I used an agent whom told me not to tip over $100 total for a 10 day mixed bag where the PH was the company owner. Thinking that was odd I took what I thought best by reading threads like this.At trips end while settling up with the PH/owner I handed him what I thought was appropriate after reading all over the net what to give. The owner skinned off three Cnotes and handed the rest back to me saying, " if I give all that to the staff they will go to town and I will not see them for a month but thank you for the offer"

I feel I am generous with guides, packers, and PHs, but tipping cooks really irks me.

A friend of mine just got back from Kyrgistan and he was told he had to tip $2000 USD just to get in the country and out again.

His booking agent failed to mention this until about 2 weeks before the hunt.

He had a good hunt, but as an Australian was furious about the tips.

quote:

Originally posted by Milo:
The one thing I will add is; don't tip your guide with gear like binoculars or a knife. Your guide already has a knife and one he likes better than yours. He can't make his truck payment with knife. He can't take his girl to dinner with a knife.

Tip cash if you're going to tip.

I’ve had a guide in SA who was quite happy with Swarovski 10x42 SLC after a hunt. The cash equivalent wouldn’t have bought him the same. Everyone has a different situation.

I agree that cash is always the best tip. It is always appreciated and carries easy. On the other hand if your PH or guide has shown a particular interest in a piece of your kit then maybe that could be the best tip but generally cash is king.

As for tipping the cook on a NA hunt I think that is most appropriate. Being a cook myself I know what it takes to provide a descent meal as opposed to just getting some food on the table. if you think the cuisine was nice let the cook know with a few $$.

Mark

In Argentina, there is typically a separate tip for your bird boy and then a “house tip” that goes to the maids, cook, van driver, bartender.

Of course, it’s not imposed, but appreciated. Certain clients will break the “house tip” up themselves and tip each accordingly. For example, most clients leave Argentina quite a bit heavier than when they arrived and that might be good or bad for the cook depending on how you look at it! I suppose the same for the bartender...

Reading this is so damn disheartening given I'm relatively new to guided hunts. Thankfully on my ID elk hunt last year my guide was a tireless worker and fun to hang out with....and put me on 2 nice bulls, one of which I whiffed on and the other is over my fireplace. Our group gave a generous tip based on their hard work and great attitude and they were very appreciative.

The other side of this equation is asshole clients. Many of us are business owners and know there's no shortage of those.

There are a few outfitters here I'd hunt with in a heartbeat and I think we all know who they are.

The best tip/tipper I've ever heard of is a local retired rich
building contractor. He fished the Kenai much of one summer. Got to be good friends with the young guy guiding. Glen asked
how much he was being paid: "$8 hr." "Not near enough is it?"
"not really, but, I get to fish all day too"
He made the kid an offer: "let's go look for a proper boat, I'll buy the boat for you and I'll pay you $25 an hour and you be "only MY guide" til I leave. Might be back in future years with friends or daughter.
You be our guide then, that's the only catch. When he left, the boat was the guide's, so he put him in business for himself and the extra wages gave him a big start as it lasted all of three summers.

Glen's goal was to catch a 60" king and they finally did. The saddest part was Glen had a major stroke a few years later that put him in a N/H.

To me: "That's a PROPER tip"
Not many of us could swing that. Some on here I'm sure could
though.

George

The asshole client part is hard.

My first guided hunt I was 25, and used a military reenlistment bonus to go to Africa. My guide was about 50, and his kids were in high school.

We couldn't have been further from meeting in the middle. I shot a lot of game, but it was a lot of drama.

That and at the time I spoke passable Espanol and helped another guide in camp communicate with his Spanish clients.

In the end this was bad as well, as it ended up being us the clients against them.


I think you have to be honest with yourself when you book a hunt.

If you want a super mega trophy, or you are some how incapable of walking, or you need a fancy hotel, or you need something else special you need to communicate that.

Communication is the key!

In the end, outfitting is basically part of the hospitality business. Which also means is a “yes, no problem” business. That does change when it comes to safety or improper activities.

There can also be problems when many hunters and guides/outfitters are very much alpha males.