Another outfitter question.

[Wildstreak]

What’s the norm regarding final payment to the outfitter? Should final payment be made ahead of time before arriving to camp or is it customary to bring cash and square up when the hunt starts?

 

[Afhunter1]

Not that I’ve used many but 30-60days prior is what I’d call norm

 

[Tilzbow]

I’ve used a few and final payment has always been due a month or two in advance.

 

[MattB]

I typically pay cash or cashier's check when I get to camp, but some require full payment in advance of the hunt. Depends on the outfitter and their situation.

EDIT: I should qualify my statement as it seems like, the more the outfitter has to pay for supplies well in advance of a hunt, the more they look for upfront payment. Situations like camps where everything needs to be flown in (e.g. food, plane fuel) versus an outfitter that just goes to the store a day in advance of your hunt.

 

[TheHammer]

All the horror stories on outfitter’s, I’d promise cash delivery upon the hunt starting.

 

[Rich M]

If youve done your homework, should be no problems.

As a client you also need to have realistic expectations. Stuff does happen.

Pay whenever you agreed to pay, when you agreed to pay it.

A dude showing up with a fistfull of cash and deciding to only pay partial cause of the linens and scratchy TP would have a grueling and very possibly gameless hunt. Fishing captains do this too, dont start chit with em over trivial things.

 

[journeyman713]

It's likely not for you to decide how they get paid, usually their terms are clearly set in the agreement upfront.
Take it or leave it, the call is yours.
In my experience, they get 1/2 down, when making the reservation, and the remaining 1/2 upon arrival.

 

[Salmonchaser]

We always had 50% up when you made your reservation. Contract allowed for percentage return of the deposit depending on time frame if you cancelled your spot. Anything less than 3 months you lost your deposit. 6 months you lost half. Deposits were held in an escrow account to insure they were available to return. Paid in full, we asked for 60 days but in reality we took a lot of 30 day payments. Amazing how many first time folks would squirrel around with the final payment, not get off the plane and want a refund.
If you had a heart attack two weeks before your trip, mom died, you died on route to Alaska, diagnosed with cancer three days before you left, you got it all back.
Read the proposed contract if the outfitter is sloppy with a contract he sure as hell going to be sloppy with something else.

 

[Laramie]

I have outfitted a pile of hunts and paid for outfitter services a few times. My best advice is to pay deposit when requested and then ask the outfitter if they prefer a check mailed ahead of time or cash upon arrival. I honestly preferred a blend of the two. It was nice to have some guys pay cash upon arrival so I could pay guides in cash instead of giving them a check. Don't show up to the hunt offering a personal check as payment for the 2nd half unless that has been agreed upon prior to the hunt.

I do know one outfitter that waits until the end of the hunt to settle up. He is over run with elk so has never had any issues with guys refusing to pay at the end of the hunt. He feels client tips are more consistent and better by doing that.

 

[Hoyt Ag]

50% deposit by July 1 to secure a spot. Final Payment 30 days prior or CASH upon arrival is how we roll.

 

[WCB]

Individual outfitters can differ...anyone I have paid for was a certain % down at booking usually 50% and the rest due before hunting started...whether that be 6mo in advanve or day I arrived at camp. In todays world I would make final payment as close to the hunt as possible or the outfitters deadline

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

For our wilderness hunt last fall we paid 25% up front a year ahead with 3 subsequent equal sized e-payments. Last was in July year of the hunt. Then we brought cash for tips.