Do I tip an outfitter if I don't use a guide?
- Thread starter jlovie
- Start date
I want that lifestyle but I expect a tip for it! Sure makes sense, lol
I would never tip the owner of a business and I only tip for very good or better received service. The tip I don't give goes into my "tip jar" and then goes to the kids/family once it has accumulated.
I would never tip the owner of a business and I only tip for very good or better received service. The tip I don't give goes into my "tip jar" and then goes to the kids/family once it has accumulated.
You sound like a great guy. Probably a lot of fun to hunt with.
Totally agree with Hoytcannon, and I was the outfitter for 35 years. I paid for 1st Class guides instead of some guy on the street corner that would struggle to be a basic flunky. You can get a burger at Mac's or a sit-down in a good restaurant, but there's overhead costs to pay for. If a guide goes "above and beyond" what you're paying for and makes your trip a genuine adventure and memory, why not reward him? Or, you can go cheap and get what you're paying for!!
My guides were there because they loved the outdoors as a lifestyle, and didn't tolerate laziness from others.
End result was happy clients and many repeaters!!
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
What about how much? A percentage of the hunt, $100 a day, do you tip in one envelope for everyone or give it out separate to each guide and cook/help? If it is a remote hunt do you bring a couple hand in cash extra in your pack, or send it when you get back to civilization?
I know everyone in a service industry appreciates a tip. I find it often awkward giving them out myself.
I know everyone in a service industry appreciates a tip. I find it often awkward giving them out myself.
For sure, if the service is garbage then not tipping makes sense. However, I feel you need to consider all the factors. For instance, its not really fair to screw a server on their tip if the kitchen staff are the ones ####ing up. Or screw the delivery driver because its Friday night, the store is busy, and your delivery is late - chances of it being the driver's fault that your order is late is pretty low, its usually the kitchen staff ####ing up the order that makes it late - if a pizza takes 3 minutes to make and 7 minutes in the oven, that pizza is already 10 minutes behind if the guy cutting it notices the person who built it fk'ed up.
I saw that once as well - expecting to get 20% on a 5-6k trip ...i agree Medvedqc - tipping is an option, not obligation
but your outfit was well known for quality services which is not always the case, i made myself proud to work for very good high end outfit and the laziness was not tolerated in our camps as well.
If you've had a good hunt and a good guide then damn right. You tip.
When I say "good hunt" that doesn't even mean that you shot your animal. It means someone put a lot of effort into getting you the chance.
The only time I've never tipped was on a fly in fishing trip and I left them with the tip "Next time bring fuel and coffee to last more than one day if you plan on being there a week."
Also "Lake trout are likely deep in August so don't expect hits on surface lures."
Pretty good tips I thought.
When I say "good hunt" that doesn't even mean that you shot your animal. It means someone put a lot of effort into getting you the chance.
The only time I've never tipped was on a fly in fishing trip and I left them with the tip "Next time bring fuel and coffee to last more than one day if you plan on being there a week."
Also "Lake trout are likely deep in August so don't expect hits on surface lures."
Pretty good tips I thought.
Depends.
I've left cash plus bows and rifles with the really good ones.
Binoculars knives and gear that isn't available in some countries or areas.
Leave your ammo behind in Africa. Every little bit helps.
Back to the original question. Tipping the outfitter I'd say no.
He's got your business and charged for a service.
Guide you tip.
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I no longer guide. Long days, starting at 430am and ending when ever things were done. Was told I wasn’t an employee but a contractor so I had to use my own equipment, pay my own fuel, repairs and business insurance. I would put 2000 kilometres on my truck and not sure about the ATV in 10 days. They paid me $170 Canadian per day. I believe I averaged about $100 USA per client for tips for a 5 day hunt. I had a lot of fun, didn’t mind the long days but I was putting money in the outfitters pocket and not mine. The minimum wage in Ontario for hunting guides who are employees is $140 per day.
You were underpaid, by a good bit... but how long ago were you guiding? Also, generally, expenses are included. I agree that it is tough work... days start at 4:30 and end well after dark... you wolf down your supper after 10 pm and then toss and turn trying to sleep while it digests... and then start all over, week after week. There are no down days between clients, and when you are lucky enough to get weather bad enough that the client wants to stay indoors, you don your Helly Hansen gear and head out scouting, wind, rain, snow... it doesn't matter, there is no time off... and at the end of the season you are bone tired and you've aged 3 or 4 years... and you can't wait for next season.
Lots of outfitters treat their most important (assets) employees like scum, use and abuse them, little pay on rigorous regimen for their profit. Sack in the tips and tell the guides "you will do better next season" and so on ...
It's just for their own monetary interest. That is my experience while working for them.
In addition they ####ed up the Grizzly hunt for BC resident hunters as well. Them dumb fricks providing the vids to the government while slaughtering that bear laughing, tipped the scale all together in favour for the Libs. And lately they want to lecture us on duck gun specs and the likes.
Self imposed expert posers. Laughable all the way!
It's just for their own monetary interest. That is my experience while working for them.
In addition they ####ed up the Grizzly hunt for BC resident hunters as well. Them dumb fricks providing the vids to the government while slaughtering that bear laughing, tipped the scale all together in favour for the Libs. And lately they want to lecture us on duck gun specs and the likes.
Self imposed expert posers. Laughable all the way!
Yup, money is what it’s about for certain outfitters. Not sure what will remain after the COVID is over. Politics interferes with wildlife management and it shouldn’t! Prime example in Ontario was the spring bear hunt back in 90’s. The list goes on.
