Guide Tip

[MT dreaming]

I have my first western big game (elk) hunt scheduled this fall. What is a reasonable/customery tip for the guide, wrangler and cook. I have hired daily fishing guides and tipped a percentage of the cost of the trip but I've never been on a trip like this. Just wondering and planning. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

[Hilltop]

MT if you search you will find related threads on this topic. In general you will find many different opinions. I have guiding experience as well as hunter experience. In my opinion, there isn't a rule that has to be followed. The most common answer is that 10% is customary but I disagree. Some guides deserve way more than this while others shouldn't even be guiding. I think it depends on the hunters satisfaction as well as budget. Tip what you feel is deserved and what you can afford. As a general rule, us guides were happy with $100 a day. Cooks were usually tipped but the range was all over the place. Maybe an average $20 a day... We never had "wranglers". As a guide we took care of everything.

 

[Sawfish]

$100 per day is fair for a knowledgeable guide.

 

[sneakypete]

I'm going on a multi species hunt next year in BC, I get the 100 bucks a day for the guide,but I understand we'll have a wrangler & cook? What would be the norm for each of those ? I haven't asked the outfitter that question yet. Thanks in advance.

 

[AT Hiker]

Tip what you think they deserve, put yourself in their shoes. IMO 10% for a guide who picks you up at a lodge is a little different from a guide who spends the night with you in a backcountry canvas tent (assuming they both preform).

Most guides I assume work for tips, so they know what they are getting in to. With that said, it is up to US to make sure they earn what they are worth.

 

[sneakypete]

Well said, thanks!

 

[ROGER SANCHEZ]

10% for the guide. 2-3% for the cook (cook will be getting paid by the outfitter)


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[sneakypete]

Thanks again

 

[Whitetailslayer]

I agree with 10%, one thing that has to be taken into consideration is that with good guides they are already working for you months prior to your hunt. Getting permission,checking game cameras,wearing out rubber on boots and tires scouting.In most cases the outfitters wont reimburse them or even pay for their time . The outfitter I used to work for would just tell me that all this work was part of the job and it all comes back to you in November through tips. For the most part he was correct and it usually worked out.