I woudl say that it all depends on your guide and his service. I have seen guides that plain out right sucked, didn't care and basically shouldn't work at McD's. Then there are the guides that work their tail off and truly care whether you get your "trophy". My best friend guides in Texas and has worked in Canada. I have watched him bust his tail and get squat, and go out with the next client and luck out(early kill)and get $800. So it really all depends on what you feel his service is worth. On something like an elk hunt, I don't feel that $500+ would be out of the ordinary. I have another friend who worked his butt off to get a moose for a guy, skinned and quartered and lugged it out, while the client did squat but pull the trigger. His tip = nothing. Don't be one of those guys that doesn't appreciate the guide.