Hi Guys:
This Kevin fella is way off base. If you act like that with a professional guide or outfitter with any scruples you will only make trouble for yourself. I feel like he is treating the guide/outfitter as a pimp not as a quality service provider. I am also offended that this guy has the low level of class as to suggest that others should act the way he does. I am an outfitter and a guide. There is NOT a lot of money in this for the outfitters with the right attitude. We provide a service that we believe we can do better than most folks and care deeply about pleasing our clients. If you have to offer a tip in advance to get a guide to work hard for you, then you are hunting with a guide/outfitter who is in need of a new career.
Sometimes folks can weasel their way into a position of apparent knowledge of things just by self proclaiming their expertise and giving themselves some sort of title that suggests they are someone folks should listen to.
As far as tipping guys, what I always say is if you can afford it and you feel the guide deserves it then tip as much as you feel comfortable with. Whoever your guide is wheater he is outfitter/guide or just guide, he/she is still the guide and if they earned one then give one you feel comfortable with. I have seen tips from a hug and a "sorry I can't afford a tip," to $15 and $500 to a brand new Jeep Grand Cherokee to guns to binoculars and knives. I can tell you from my side of this discussion, I appreciate every tip I get -- even if it's a hug and tears of happiness. If the guide earned a tip then give him/her what you feel comfortable giving. Even if it's $15 with a statement of wish it could be more but that's all you can afford.
Thanks for listening folks.