Tipping a guide...Not to be confused with cow tipping!

[Brian662]

You but there is a distinction. You are playing a what if I’m dealing with a reality. An outfitter is a business. A business that profits off of taking the states game. You as my neighbor would just be a guy who makes bad decisions and there’s nothing that can be done as long as everything is legal. A business is a different ball of wax. Their entire existence revolves around hunters taking of game in exchange for money. The state has leverage in that situation and they should use it when it affects the ecosystem.

I disagree pretty much across the board including my what if because I have a neighbor with kids, kid's boyfriends, uncles, cousins, etc who come in to harvest deer. It sucks but there is nothing I can do about it. For all I know these extra bodies pay him for access, none of my business.

If a private landowner is your neighbor and they either are an outfitter or lease to an outfitter, they aren't selling the state's game. They are selling the opportunity to harvest game in a legal manner.

If I were you I'd either sell that property or high fence that border.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

I disagree pretty much across the board including my what if because I have a neighbor with kids, kid's boyfriends, uncles, cousins, etc who come in to harvest deer. It sucks but there is nothing I can do about it. For all I know these extra bodies pay him for access, none of my business.

If a private landowner is your neighbor and they either are an outfitter or lease to an outfitter, they aren't selling the state's game. They are selling the opportunity to harvest game in a legal manner.

If I were you I'd either sell that property or high fence that border.

So my model isn’t a hypothetical. It is a model that is used all across the landscape. It’s tag allocation essentially. They do it everywhere in the west with outfitters and even private land owners based on carrying capacity of individual ranches but it can be extrapolated to “neighborhoods” on a broader scale since we don’t have large ranches here. And therein lies the other issue, we have a ton of small users pulling from a finite pie. The state has a responsibility and an obligation to manage our game. They should have the ability to regulate individual businesses that operate in a manner that impacts neighbors. They do in spades with other industries.
I think there can be oversight that would allow/force outfitters to have a more harmonious relationship with the neighborhood. As it stands I’ve yet to meet a neighbor who applauded the presence of one in the east and many who loathe them on public ground in the west. Very few have a reputation that is anything but bad from west to east and north to south, from fishing to ducks to deer to elk. And it’s because of the almighty dollar. Their model runs counter to most individuals value for their outdoor experience.
By granting a business license the state has the ability to impart controls that they may not on the individual landowner. They do this all the time with every industry. So to say an outfitter is above this for some reason just because they are in private land doesn’t hold much weight.
If he wants to dissolve his business and lease out the access I guess that’s within his rights but the second he formed a business he losses the ability to operate as an individual.

 

[Thomasc19]

On the subject of tipping....I have always been a generous tipper. From restaurants to guided hunts I tip above what is expected. Only in the very rare circumstance where behavior is bad , rude whatever do I not tip. That hardly ever happens. I generally believe the tip financially means a lot to the recipient and doesn't change my lifestyle at all. I like being generous ." Life's been good to me so far..."

Exactly my thoughts. Guides and outfitters aren't rolling in dough, even if they're doin what some would call a dream job. They're dealing with assholes just as much as the rest of us and being outdoors doesn't make up for it that much-in fact they're often stuck with them for days at a time. Many times they forego their own hunting to guide someone else, which I believe takes away from any kind of money they could be making. They deserve it!

 

[T-Max]

I worked on a ranch in NM with exceptional elk. The guides typically expected a 10% tip if successful. Keep in mind they were regularly helping someone get their trophy of a lifetime. I think you pay the outfitter for the opportunity and he pays the guide. Then you reward the guide for your success. In all honesty the camp cook got the best tips. Feed em good and each hunter hooked you up. A good meal can help make a tough day of hunting a little better.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Telemark]

A good meal can help make a tough day of hunting a little better.

That's for sure. Some good hot food after a rough day really lifts my mood.

 

[Maddog66]

True full disclosure.

Last fall in Utah my elk guide was the son of the outfitter. Nice guy, good hunter, good cook, recently divorced. I tipped him 20% on a $6k hunt and I gave his 3 buddies, who helped pack out my bull from a vertical canyon $200 each.

My one and only guided hunt.

 

[Bill]

Before I had my own boat we used to charter a Tuna/Marlin/Mahi offshore trip every year. Capt didn't own the boat but he got paid better than the mate so the mate got 20 - 25% (but he busted his a$$), capt got 10%. The boat owner got what he charged, fuel was a separate bill. One year the captain said he'd like to bring a second mate on our trip. No problem. Second mate was an older guy who's only contribution was telling the regular mate what to do. Didn't take long for me to figure out he owned the boat. To be sure I asked during the day how long he's owned it and got the whole story. End of the day Capt got 10% good mate got 25%, owner got paid agreed rate and an extra verbal thanks for sharing his boat...

Tips depend on service provided and where in the food change the recipient is in my book. But I agree we way over tip in this county.

 

[T-Max]

True full disclosure.

Last fall in Utah my elk guide was the son of the outfitter. Nice guy, good hunter, good cook, recently divorced. I tipped him 20% on a $6k hunt and I gave his 3 buddies, who helped pack out my bull from a vertical canyon $200 each.

My one and only guided hunt.

I was a biology intern at that ranch. When fall rolled around I became the “mule” and packed out over 50 bulls. Most guys would give me 100-200 for my help. If they didn’t, the guide might throw me a 50. One fella from I think Mississippi shot a 7x8 that pushed 400. It died on top of a cliff. I rigged up a snatch block and belayed that sucker down. He started passing out 100’s and I think I got 5 or 6 before he was done. He and I were both happy as a clam!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[buckdeer1]

What I have seen and done if good hunt is 10% for guide and around 200.00 for cook,then may have wrangler also.Back years ago when I guided in CO it sure wasn't a dream job.It was nothing but work.What are you hunting. My daughter booked an Alberta moose hunt for Oct 2025 and I am going as a non hunter wolf shooter,I hope