Outfitter wanting 100% up front?

Had a doe management hunt scheduled for the weekend of the 15th. Sent the deposit in way before season. Now less than two weeks before the hunt he want's the remainder of the hunt fee's so he doesn't have to fuss with money while were hunting.

I have been on a few outfitted hunts and have always paid a deposit with the remainder due on harvest or end of the hunt. Just seems like bad business to me. I don't want to miss it because I have several family members going. So I geuss i'll pay it but don't like it at all. What is ya'lls opion on this?

BTW. He left a nice little note in the email reminding us to be sure and tip the ranch hands.

Best be careful there, I dont care if it's hunting or whatever else paying upfront is usually not a good idea. Just my opinion.

I wouldn't pay til I get there, just my .02

+2

id tell him a deal is a deal and not pay till u were suppose too.

Sounds a little fishy to me. May be nothing to it, but that is odd to me.

I can underdstand him wanting payment when you arrive for the hunt but to ask for it several days before arrival is strange.

Bill

Some of the outfitters we book for require the balance to be paid 30 days prior to the hunt and others upon arrival in camp. Paying prior to the hunt allows clients to pay with a check versus a money order or cash at camp. You would be amazed at how many rubber checks have been received as a final payment at camp which is why very few outfitters will accept them anymore.

Getting the balance paid prior to the hunt pretty much assures the outfitter that the hunter will show up. If he doesn't pay 30 days prior to the hunt, the outfitter may still have time to find a replacement for that spot versus having a no-show at camp and losing 50%.

Another thing that happens is, some hunters for whatever reason, don't want to pay when they show up so they put the outfitter off. The outfitter then has to keep asking them for the money when all he really wants to do is concentrate on the actual hunt. Some outfitters have had guys show up in camp, not pay upon arrival, hunt for a day or two and then sneak out without paying.

Be sure to ask what the payment terms are when you discussing booking -- that way you'll know from the start what the policy is.

That makes sense. I understood that we were to pay at some point during the hunt. My uncle has hunted this hunt with the outfitter before but has always paid the remainder at camp. Were all not sure of the change. Geuss I'll call and ask.

Sounds weird to me. I went to Africa and had $3,200 in kill fees. I asked the guy do I need to pay you now he said no I'll send you the bill in a few weeks just wire me the money.

You would also be surprised at how many people "forget" to tip. Each to their own and all, but it's a lot of work dragging some of those guys around, and cleaning up after them.

If they are expecting a tip then they should do something else. When I was in Africa I tipped $500. Not because I killed 5 animals but because I learned a lot about Africa and not just hunting. My PH was like a close friend after 10 hours a day for 8 days. If you have a good time and they make sure you have a good time tip. If the cooks and cleaners provide good food and make your stay better tip. If they suck don't tip. It's there job. They get paid.

We don't do it that way. Deposit first then remainder when you arrive. Some people just do it different I guess. BTW, I have been burned a couple of times, rest assured it won't happen again.

I would say whatever the agreement was up front is what should be done. The tip should by all means be in place without saying. If someone doesn't tip then, IMO, they would get a nice thank you for their business but if there is going to be any future deals then a gratuity will be included. This will sometime make someone get off the pot or not come back. My2cents

If you or your family didn't have a history with this outfitter then I would say ask more questions.

With the economy the way it is, I can't blame an outfitter for trying to make sure a client pays before they render services.

As bad as it sounds, most expect payment up front. We take the deposit and it's non-refundable within 15 days of arrival. after that, the balance is due on arrival, kill fees before you leave.

Should you tip on a guided day hunt? How much?

I wouldn't pay the rest until he shows up. If that is the deal yall made then i would stick with it, sounds fishy to me.

what are they doing for you on a guided day hunt???? Are they taking you out?? are they cleaning your harvest??? are they cooking for you??? I have done quite a few DIY hunts for deer and javis. Some guys tip, others don't. Should I accpect a tip???Not really, but with that said, common sense tells some it is diy, and they should take up the slack. Our pricyer hunts are all inclusive. 10 to 15 percent is a good tip, if your pleased with how they treated you, imo. I have seen many places where they charge a hunter for gutting/skinning, like 25 dollars, or they have the option of doing it themsleves. Thats one way I guess to drop a hint.

Payment details should have been discussed up front that way there are no surprizes. If he requested a deposit up front then he should have told you when the balance was do.

If he said 50/50 you pay 50/50 he doesnt make the rules AFTER the agreement.. Sorry, I don't care how many times they get burned thats not YOUR problem.. Tell them to go into another line of work. I also wouldnt tip unless you recieve OVER the top service. Your there under a certain pretence that means ALL INCLUDED.. No tip required, if you feel they went well past what was agreed then tip. If they just did what was supposed to be done, I wouldnt tip at all..

So if the hunt is FREE, should you tip????

yes

Michael
I think next year you need to just book all your hunts with me, doe, mulie doe, combo ect. Then you won't be going through any of this crap lol

I dont mean to hijack but yall got me wondering . If I go to a doe hunt where I meet the man , he drives me out a few hundred yards and says " shoot that one " and I do the dressing and dragging - and this all taking about 1 hour - do I owe a tip ?

Sounds like he got burned recently and is trying to ensure it doesn't happen again. In the long run it'll drive business away. I never expect a balance until the hunt concludes. And IMO tipping a guide is no different than tipping a waiter. They earn it by providing good service.

I wouldn't

I've only hunted with one outfitter that I didn't tip and that was 7mag.

+2

that is so wrong, but so funny

Your the one made me fetch my own bird's

Sounds like a plan!!! Y'all put on a hell of a hunt.

I have never received a "monitary" tip that I didn't appreciate. I have received a few verbal I didn't care for, but what are friends for.LOL

t.i.p.s. = to insure proper service

I see it being MY idea, NOT a 2nd or 3rd payment to anyone. BUT I do believe in taking care of the ones who take care of me.

Excuse me if Im reading this wrong but your saying that tips ensure proper service meaning that they shouldnt do a good job unless tiped?

I think our friends are a lot alike.

LOL, I know I would go that extra mile for you...

always tip the guide (if you use one), the cooks, and the outfitter company. Just good business.

send him a partial payment...I'm sure he has bills like the rest of us.

tip them if they are worth it, it is an extra after all.

Only pay the rest after you get there and receive what you paid for.
Deals a deal.
And tip if you feel like the quide deserved one.
Don't feel pressured into giving one though.

It has nothing to do with pressure, if your guide takes you out, gets you on deer, guts, skins, quarters your deer, and otherwise provides you a quality experience, tip him, end of story. Guides don't get a very big daily rate, and tips make up a big portion of their income. That's like saying don't feel pressured to tip the wait-staff when you go out to a nice restaurant. It's part of it, so budget it in.

I wouldnt pay until I arrived. Sounds like he has bills pass due..

Would you tip him if he hunted with you for 3 days hard and you didn't get one?

just like when u eat out, tip according to service provided. if he doesnt do good I wouldnt tip, just like occasionlly u have terrible waiters. how they do/treat you is how you tip

Different than eating out... I'm tipping 15 percent for sit down service even if bad... maybe more if good... if bad, I'll give 15% then stop and tell the manager service sucked....

I don't get tips so it don't matter to me, but if one of our guys goes with you he's deserving... or let me know, but most are working for tips alone (OK plus hunting rights), but we've never had a complaint on guides or anything so it don't matter...

My best tips were not monetary.
A bottle of scotch whiskey
A badazz turkey hunting vest and a box call
A folding backpack chair (holds a 6 pack of beer or indian corn)
A NWTF multitool and knife

But nothing takes the place of an honest "thank you"

Cash is cool too lol