Standard Gratuity for 1 day hunt.

Kylerjay05

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 7, 2020
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Hey all who are more versed in this than me.... what should I budget for gratuity for a 1 day Axis deer hunt in Hawaii? The hunts are only offered for a single day. Thanks all
 
Whoa I'm in the wrong business...$500-800 a day is a heck of a living, even when you're not charging $2500-4000 for a single hunter that's hunting an over populated invasive species. Thank you for the reply.
 
10-20% is standard. Is the outfitter also your guide? Or is your guide an employee only being paid a small percentage of the cost of the hunt? Or your guide is only being paid in tips? Are you hunting private that is leased by the outfitter? What other aspects of the hunt are potential expenses for the outfitter? Did they go above and beyond for you?

Just because a hunt costs $X,XXX doesn’t mean that’s going straight in anybody’s pocket.
 
One day hunt 10%. I can't see a guide or outfitter doing anything exceptional on a one day hunt that would want me to tip more than customary. But who knows could happen. Been on many Texas hunts that were not expensive, $400 for 2 WT Does and $250 a day for meal lodging and guide service (skinning dropping them in the cooler ETC.) 3 days $750 for service $400 does $1150 total. At 10% that's only $115 going your guide. You can go from there. I usually try to go $100 a day for the guide depending on service, but never below a $100 a day. It's never made sense to tip an outfitter, Wrangler , cook, guide, and the list goes on. I would prefer if they would just say the total hunt is $xxxxxxxx.
 
10-20% is standard. Is the outfitter also your guide? Or is your guide an employee only being paid a small percentage of the cost of the hunt? Or your guide is only being paid in tips? Are you hunting private that is leased by the outfitter? What other aspects of the hunt are potential expenses for the outfitter? Did they go above and beyond for you?

Just because a hunt costs $X,XXX doesn’t mean that’s going straight in anybody’s pocket.
I should've offered more details. The entire operation is owned and operated by 2 family members. I believe they lease some of the ground and own some of it. All the land on the island is privately owned. One of them is the guide and one of them does the book work. There are no hired guides, no cooks, and anything beyond taking you out to get on the deer an field dressing is additional (i.e. caping, prepping for taxidermist etc.)
 
I would budget 10-20%, with the thought of offering a larger tip depending on the size of the animal you kill, game care and all of the other little things that are done without asking and make the experience better.

If you want to come back, tip well.

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Conversely, if I am a good client, and book another hunt, do I get a discount? I want to be rewarded for a good job too.

Fair is fair right?

If your a good client and tip well you will be allowed to book again.
If you arent then they just wont be able to make a date work for you.
 
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I would bring 10 to 20 percent with you. If everything goes well and the guide worked his tail off and goes out of his way, tip to what you feel comfortable with. If it doesn't go well, tip at the 10 percent or lower. You probably won't be going back and a "short tip" will emphasize that you were not happy.
 
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