Tipping

[Newbie Sheep Hunter]

I was listening to the Exo podcast today and they were discussing industry standards for tipping on guided hunts. They all generally agreed 10% was the standard (the guest is a guide/outfitter) but for more expensive hunts it can be less than that. The guest mentioned he is doing a guided Alaska brown bear hunt this year and that he won’t be tipping 10% for that hunt.

Sheep hunts are obviously “higher end” hunts, so I’m curious what people feel is an appropriate tip for sheep hunts - let’s assume the guide works hard, the hunt is a great experience, etc. - and what have people who have been on these hunts tipped.

I have my first sheep hunt booked in the Yukon and want to make sure I tip appropriately on the hunt.

Thanks!

 

[ReddingArcher]

I tipped right at 10% for my guide, I gave the wrangler who was going to be guiding some caribou hunters this year, my tricer tripod and sent him $1000 also. It’s how these guys make their living. I guess I can see how a more expensive hunt someone could tip less than 10% but I personally felt it was worth it.

 

[FAAFO]

I’d be interested to hear more responses. As a guide the last thing I want is gear, rifle or custom knives.

Since a lot of the clients become long time friends when they ask me down the road how the gun or knife is working out I’m completely honest that it was sold the min I got back to town. The next hunt they always bring cash!

 

[CHL]

Yeah, cash is king IMO for the guides, wranglers, etc. A lot of ‘em I’ve become good buddies with say typically, they’d rather not have the gear, binos, knives, etc., and instead prefer cash for sure. With that being said, my most expensive hunts have been Brown Bear and 4 sheep hunts, and I’ve always done a flat 10%.

 

[FAAFO]

Yeah, cash is king IMO for the guides, wranglers, etc. A lot of ‘em I’ve become good buddies with say typically, they’d rather not have the gear, binos, knives, etc., and instead prefer cash for sure. With that being said, my most expensive hunts have been Brown Bear and 4 sheep hunts, and I’ve always done a flat 10%.

Is that a flat 10% to be split between the guide and packer?

 

[CHL]

Yep. Never have had a packer though. Just 1 guide for every trip. However, on my Desert Sheep hunt, there was a guide, and then a few more guys that helped out. I spoke with the outfitter as a “one-off”, and we went down the list of the guys, and he actually said 10% might have been high. Based on my experience in the hunt, and his experience with all of his team, I split it all up based on who did what. But it was still a total of 10% overall.

 

[FAAFO]

I’ve never went into a hunt with a set % for a guide tip. Didn’t know people did that but it makes sense.

This thread has made me feel good about the size of tips I’ve received. Can honestly say I’ve never received 10%, always more. Try to go the extra effort though. The hunt they booked isn’t my dream, but it’s theirs so I want to make sure they have a good time.

*edit* just listened to the podcast. Disagree with a lot of what that guy says regarding tipping. I don’t know who he is but I feel like just because he can barely afford the brown bear hunt doesn’t mean he should short change his guide IF it turns out to be an amazing hunt. Just my biased opinion.

 

[huntingislife]

I recently tipped 15% on a hunt I did. I would have not done over 10 percent but he deserved the extra. I wasn't sure about tipping on it but he definitely earned it. If i was paying 50k for a grizzly or sheep hunt I don't think I would be tipping 10 percent. but then again if I had that money I don't think the extra few 1000 would make a difference?

 

[Del Gue]

Last time I hunted with an outfitter I had a different guide each day. That is how the outfitter likes to do things. I kind of liked it. I hunted with 5 different guides. They were all good guys, and they all worked hard to get me on some elk. I ended up killing my bull on the 5th day after passing up lots of smaller bulls. It was a great hunt and a good time at camp.
I was uncertain on how to tip in that situation. I ended up giving the outfitter about an 18% tip for him to divvy up with the guides and cooks.
In a normal situation I would have given my guide 10% and gave the cook a couple of hundred bucks.

 

[adamkolesar]

A great topic best discussed long before you're at the end of the hunt saying your farewells.
I agree with most that tipping needs to be an integral part of the hunt budget. The guide doesn't set the price and their daily pay from the outfitter is likely just base pay.
On a goat hunt a few years back, I had a guide and a packer to budget for. The guide got a bit over 10% and the packer just over 5%.
Cash is king, but ask the outfitter if his people do Zelle or Venmo. Sometimes that's preferred.