I apologize if this is in the wrong forum. I'm curious, I've never had a guided hunt, but will likely be going on one next week. I've been invited to go hunt a game ranch and there's a chance they'll want us to use their guides.

What is a traditional tip for a guide? Does it depend on the amount of work?

Mostly depends on your satisfaction level. I've done quail hunts in the past where the tips ranged from $0 up to 100% of the trip cost. I didn't take offense to the non-tippers, they were already paying a hefty fee to hunt and didn't exactly have money to burn, although they did get into a lot of birds.

A good general rule of thumb (I think) is 15% - 25% of the trip cost. If I were hunting for free or on someone else's dime, I'd probably try to find out about what it would normally cost me and go with the higher end of the tip scale.

Usually 10-15% of hunt cost.You will need to judge exactly how much to tip on what you receive work wise from the guide. Does he clean,cape and quarter the animal. Does he teach you anything while out in the field etc...

Show your level of satisfaction when you tip. I can tell you that I'm not getting anywhere near wealthy guiding, I do it because I love to hunt, and I enjoy (most of the time) sharing what I do with other guys with like interests. A good guide will bust his butt to insure your success, and you will be able to tell he is. A good guide will explain his thinking behind every move he makes, to make sure it is a team effort, and not just him pointing to a target. A good guide should contribute greatly to your experience being a positive one regardless of what you do or don't shoot. I don't get paid anything for skinning, quartering, or caping...and to my knowledge most guides don't, so if you appreciate the effort, make sure they know.

I agree with the guys that have already commented, but added little information.

Well, you might get many answers or differing opinions. Allot of guides get paid very little from the outfitter or ranch owner and depend on tips. I can't speak for the operation that you will be visiting. I can speak from my experience. I got paid very little by the ranch. I filled feeders, scouted, constructed blinds along with the other stuff that goes along with working on a large ranch. I worked hard and appreciated every tip I was given, some more than others. Some guides work very hard under a bunch of pressure, often pressure from the ranch owner/manager to produce big mature deer and pressure from the hunter to produce a trophy. As everybody knows it is hunting not killing, sometimes deer don't show up.

Sorry for the long explanation, but wanted to give a little background. The suggested tip for our hunts was 10% of the hunt cost. Like anything else, you are tipping for service, so you might want to adjust accordingly. You should be able to tell if your guide is working hard for you, doing things other guys have mentioned. I did the little things also like have cold beer or get the hunter another plate of food, etc.

I've used guides before for bird as well as big game. For deer/elk/mountain lion hunts, I usually add $250 for the tip. If they have a cleaner and skinner, I'll tip him at least $100, but did give $500 when I got 2 bison with one bullet. For birds, I usually tip $100-$150 depending on the experience as well as number of birds seen/shot at.

Hope that helps.

Average hunt with a guide - $2500 for a 2 day Exotic or Deer Hunt with food and accommodations. Probably 3 people involved - Main Guide, Guide and cook.

Probably 20% total paid to three however you like...More for a trophy or outstanding experience.

If you gave me 15-20 percent of the cost you paid, I would be a very happy man Thats the norm. Best tip I have EVER recieved was 250 dollars, on a combo hunt, and it was from a Forum member. Like anything else if your not happy, don't tip. If the guided busted his chops, and you did or didn't get what you were looking for, I would tip. Trying can go along ways and should be rewarded for the effort. The outfitter/landowner makes a majority of the money, the guides/cooks make hardly nothing.

I think some tip for true guided hunt is in order. I also think if its bad, still tip some, but make sure the landowner/outfitter knows it was bad. The giude has to eat and pay bills, but they don't have to come back.

Does the average guide make $125 to $250 a day???

I pay my guides $200 a day but he also helps cook. Don't forget the cook because the work hard as well to make your hunt a memorable experience!

I truly can only wish

I don't...I can't cook Lazy, but I do have some nice dogs...you hiring?