I have been hunting in Colorado for the past 13 years on self-guided hunts. I have all the equipment for the hunt, including tents, cots, use of ATVs, stoves, and down to the silverware. For the past 3 years I have invited a co-worker and he has brought along atleast 2 of his friends each year to come with. I have also invited an older gentleman I met at a RMEF banquet, totaling my party to 5. For the last 3 years these hunters have brought only their clothes and guns. This last hunt I supplied 3 of them with cots, sleeping bags, and other necessities. One of them drove their crew-cab pick up, and all they carried was their clothes and guns. I drove my vehicle with a trailer carrying all the equipment from tent, heating stove, cooking stove, shelter, lanterns, cots, and chairs. For the expenses of the trip this year, for food and fuel, was $1,200 from MN to CO. The gentleman from the RMEF banquet thought it would be fair to split the cost between my four hunting companions, since i invited them and supplied all the equipment. The other 3 thought the cost should be split 5 ways, including myself. How would you share expenses on a trip like this?

Ok you inveted them,they could show a little gratitude and help swallow the bill.
I would split it 5 ways,if it is all your stuff you are contributing,tent,cots,stove ect....I would only split it 4 ways(not counting my self),if they don' t like it they can spend the money to buy the gear and time and go on their own,whats the worst that could happen,you are already eating the bill.
Then next year find 4 new guys tell them it will be $300 a pice before you go and you will supplie the gear have fun.

One question here about the arrangements. When you invited the guy who invited the other 2 guys, did you say that you would supply the equipment, or did they have nothing and you said you can help them out, or was it something different.

If it was me (being invited and supplied with equipment) I would want it split without you being counted. But I am a graciuos guest and would want to be invited back.

Good question. I invited two fellers out this year. One couldn' t make it at the last moment. I had to swaller his food bill, the rented horse, and several equipment purchases to make him comfy. I say git the $ straight BEFORE they show up. If they cain' t make it, everbody else ain' t stuck footin' the bill. An' if they do show up, you aint' gonna be dissapointed when they pay pennys-on-the-dollar for what it cost to take them huntin' . Money ain' t the rut of all evil, jus' bad money management.

The new elk hunters that were invited this year and in the past, did not have any equipment they could contribute or any that was needed. I supplied them with all with the necessary equipment I had extra from when I took my kids out West. The total trip cost each hunter 250.00 + tags for 7 days. The other hunters did not have the wear and tear on their vehicle, trailer, and equipment.
I' m thinking about charging $50.00 per hunter for the use of the equipment. plus gas and food. and the owners of the vehicles will get $50.00 for wear and tear, oil change & wash. then split the cost 5 ways on are next hunting trip.


thanks for your input
RON

Split it evenly five ways. Good luck.

Sounds like the same pile of garbage im going through,, no one wanting to cough up the $$$$. Personally I say split it 4 ways,, you supply everything,, you do not pay the piper. And next time,, that crew cab is pulling the trailer!

LOSE THE CO-WORKER AND HIS FRIEND' S, THEY DON' T DESERVE HAVING SUCH A GENEROUS HUNTING BUDDY,HANG ON TO THE OLDER GENTLEMAN, HE SOUND' S LIKE A CLASS ACT, I GUESS THAT' S WHY I USUALLY HUNT ALONE

I just can' t figure out people who would try to cheap out in anyway, espcially when asked or implied. I mean, I' d be damned embarassed if I was in their position and didn' t stand up and try to pay *more* than my share. But that' s just the way I am.

So, I always try to do right by the host unless he really wants to treat (and that does happen; sometimes I want to treat someone as well). I also am frequently in positions of being hosted by someone for, say, hunting, but then I tend to host them for fishing, so things work out over the years.

But when I' m hosted for hunting, I always *at least* try to not only pay my share, but also bring the host a gift (sometimes humorous, sometimes a new or unusual hunting or camping gadget he might not have thought of, maybe a nice bottle of bourbon, never extremely expensive), get a tank or two or fuel paid for somehow (sometimes you have to be sneaky ), and buy him a damn good meal at the end.

I really appreciate the guys who understand, without being told, what I' m providing in terms of work, equipment and " operational" expenses. By the way, invite me sometime - I' d be extremely happy to pay and do as much work as I could [>:]! -zeke.

i would split the loads on the trucks, split the food 5 ways and have the passangers in each truck pay for the gas if they take turns its not that expensive and owner of the trucks pay for the 1st tank of gas if its only 3/4 full when you start o well its still your truck that is getting all the wear and tear on it no theirs .

when we go there are 3 of us in our truck one guy pays the gas on the way out I pay it on the way back and since its dads truck he doesnt pay at all we split the grocerys 3 ways and since the tent is half mine half dads we come out even on that and the 3rd guy gets a free tent no big deal we all have our own cots and personal gear this seems to work out very well for us if those guys dont like what you decide to do leave their a$$ in MN and take some people from here you already have it in wrighting that they will pay