This has been an interesting topic!To tip or not to tip,how much to tip?There are a lot of variables that go into that equation.I have been on two guided trips both for whitetail deer.Both experiences were not at all pleasant.The owner/outfitter was not forhtright in both instances.In the first instance the owner took us in to area's that were outside his guiding territory(in another outfitters territory)all the "guides" were hunting at the same time they were guiding,killing better bucks than the hunters,and to add insult to injury were trying to hide their escapades.One young guide spilled his guts,when one of us pressured him a bit.I killed the second biggest buck taken and I was still furious because of the lack of ethics that this outfitter had.On that trip the only person that received a tip was the cook.I didn't care less if I was ever invited back again,the trip could have been for free and I wouldn't have gone.
The other trip I used a booking agent,thinking that surely this would be the way to screen the wheat from the chaff.This trip was in an area where I suspected the deer herd was hit hard with winter kill the winter before.I asked the outfitter point blank before booking was his area hit hard with winter kill.He assured me it wasn't.So I booked (I should have spoken to Fish And Game in that state)I was to trusting,I still find it hard to accept that hunters screw other hunters.Well I hunted one on one (one hunter,one guide with me the entire time)The guide was the owner I booked with.We walked 8 to 10 miles a day initially he tried to wear me out,that wasn't going to happen,I was always right on his heel's.We saw 3 deer in 6 days of walking those distances every day.I got to know this fellow fairly well over that time and he worked his butt off for me.There is no excuse for the guy lying to me about the winter kill.I gave him a $100 tip just out of respect of how hard he worked.He extended an offer to me to come back the following year and all that I would have to pay for was my air fare.He also told me about how he would drug a difficult mule or horse and sell it to another outfitter.My sense of honesty and ethics is a bit different than these outfitters I hunted with.
Having said all this I know that there are excellant outfitters out there and I am sure some day I will hunt with one again.If a person works hard for you and gives you their best effort they should be tipped even if you weren't successful! They can't control the game populations,the weather,your shooting ability,your physical condition etc..I am concerned about some of the posts on this topic as it relates to how much to tip.Many of the suggestions were putting things way out of reach for the common man,I know money drives the world,but what about decency, being a good person,sincerely appreciating what someone else does for you?I fear the day when a tip that is gracious for the tippers financial circumstances and a firm handshake with a sincere thank you is not enough!