1st off, Dack, Good article, thanks for posting it.

As to what to tip a hunting guide, I cannot speak on behalf of hunts other than Whitetail, Turkey, or Predator. I have been a hunting guide for 11 years. This has always been a controversial subject, and comes up each year. When our hunters come to camp, they sit through an orientation and sign a liability waiver, before they are allowed to go out to hunt. In this orientation, it is explained to them what will make their hunt the most successful, how to field judge a deer, some rules and regulations, what to expect from their guide, and Gratuities, are part of what it entails. We state that Gratuities are not mandatory, but are a way for the hunter to show his appreciation on a job well done. Quite often Hunters will ask what the average tip amount should be. The average tip at this date and time is $150-$250, according to the job performed by the guide. It is the guides job to transport the hunter to the property, walk or transport the hunter to his treestand or blind location and carry their pack, (waiting until the hunter and his gear are in the stand, if the hunter so desires), tracking game potentially harvested, dragging and field dressing said game, caping the animal, quartering the animal if the hunter elects to take the meat with him. In the evening, guides are assigned a property to watch with binocs, scouting for possible "Shooter Buck" movement. A good guide, and things that I do to further their enjoyment and hunting experience. I will carry things in my truck, that people may run out of or forget. Such as, extra flashlights, a bow release, shooting stick, cover scent spray, hand warmers, quality bow hangers, a cooler with soda and water, some sort of snacks: jerky, deer sticks, nuts, or chips. I will also on processing the hunters meat, ask if they would like it de-boned. It really takes very little extra effort to do this, than quartering an animal. Communicating with your hunters is key to knowing what they are seeing in the field and knowing what may need to be done to enhance their possibilities of a harvest. I have been out after dark to hang a stand in a new location for a hunter for their morning hunt, or to chip ice from their stand and cover it with plastic, if conditions are icey (this is part of the job).

The tips I receive, pay for the extra things I carry to help my hunters. I have gotten tips ranging from $0 up to $1000. For myself to receive a $0 tip(and it has happened very few times) does not mean that I didn't do my job, but says more about the type of hunter I was guiding. I will not go into this.

I had one hunter years ago that harvested a 173" buck and tipped me $20. He had saved from lawn mowing for a year to come on the hunt. That was all he had to tip. I don't get disappointed or complain if I get a small tip. I've made a new friend and quite often am requested to be their guide on a future hunt.

Another time, 2 young men came on a hunt. They were lodging at a nearby motel. They drove to the lodge to meet me each morning. They had truck trouble and borrowed my tools to work on their truck, besides having to rent a puller. I bought them dinner at the lodge while they were working on it, and in the end received a $20 tip. It was all they had. They felt bad and we laughed about it, as it was comical that I ended up paying them to be their guide. But, I had 2 new friends.

The quality of a guides performance should not be done based on an expected tip. He has a basic job that is expected of him. But rather, a guides tip(above the average) should be given, based on the quality of his performance, attitude, and the extra measures he may go to further the experience of your hunt.