Hunting Handbook

Tipping A Hunting Guide?

I am going on a guided hunt for Prong Horn in New Mexico. It is a 21/2 day hunt or until succesful. and I need to know what is the proper tip for the guide depending on success or non-sucsess. Leaving in 36 hours need fast answeres. Thanks

Public Comments

1. It varies greatly. Some base it on the total cost of the hunt, like 5% or 10%, some just do a flat $50 or $100 and some places ask you not to tip. Take care of the drivers and cooks too. Read the article below, it's just as useless as my answer.... Where in the Land of Enchantment are you stalking these prongs? New Mexico is to me one of the most beautiful places on earth, maybe because I'm from the bayou! I've hunted them up in Lincoln and Chavez counties. If you are going there, get ready for 400 yard shots!
2. I do 10% if unsuccesful. I have paid as much as 20% for a knowledgeable guide that actually educated me and bagged something great!
3. I hunt fairly often in the U.S. and Canada/British Columbia. If I'm here in the states on a guided hunt like you are describing I tip about $50 per person (Cooks and Spotters,Support Staff too) regardless... and if the hunt is successful more on top of that, to the few personally involved in the hunt itself. The rule of thumb is you tip in direct proportion to the amount of service the guide/outfitter provides you. If the hunt takes several days more to complete successfully, tip accordingly for their efforts. You also don't want to look like a cheapscape, and might want to come back and use the Outfitter/Guide service again in the future.If you tip well......You will be remembered and you will always get the better level of service in the future. In Canada or British Columbia it's a different story as the Guides and Outfitters there truly earn their money. Between carrying baits and/or all of your gear and camping equipment over vast distances, along with game animal recovery and processing..it all adds up to a lot more work, and effort on their part. I usually tip them $100 each and additional if the trip is successful....
4. depends on how you feel about the work the guide put in 10-20% is normal