Guide fees

[nvbroncrider]

Hey guys got some questions on stuff. Looking at a spring bear hunt and was wondering about gratuities and other expenses such as taxidermies and processing.

Does anyone have any experience and have a general idea?

Just trying to plan ahead.

 

[DrMike]

I would imagine where you hunt, the quality of game in the area and amenities provided would all figure in, Jake. There is a bit of a range on costs across Canada, I know. Gratuities are usually suggested by the outfitter. I have witnessed some exceptionally generous gifts, and some that were penurious. Taxidermy fees in our area run about $175 per foot for a rug; mounts, of course, will be more.

 

[6mm Remington]

Jake I cannot help you on what gratuities might be but I can assist on taxidermy. I'll add links to two exceptional taxidermists in our area here and you can see what fee they are getting.

http://custombirdworks.com/

http://gametrailstaxidermy.com/

Both of these folks are exceptional and have won National and World titles.

 

[super-7]

The thing with a spring bear hunt is the guide doesn't do much guiding . They or the outfitter do alot of prep work with baits and cams, cutting shooting lanes etc. but for the hunt you more or less show up pick a stand and hope a pumpkin head shows up.
I guess they do help with the recovery and skinning.
Where were you thinking of hunting?

 

[salmonchaser]

I get asked about gratuities frequently by folks who visit the lodge. I simplify it as much as possible to 20.00/from each person in their group/day as being very generous. That seems to be a comfortable number for the guests and keeps the guides appreciative. Use that as a starting point, put a couple extra 50.00 dollar bills in your wallet for extra if you can.

 

[Charlie-NY]

I've been on many guided hunts in Canada and the US. The rule of thumb seems to be a 10% gratuity for the guide assuming he is not the outfitter himself. Exceptional service dictates a better tip. Some outfitters suggest 15% or more.
However, I've noticed that the opinion regarding the amount to tip varies WIDELY. I've met hunters who refuse to tip because they "got what they paid for" and see no reason to tip. And I've seen hunters get terrible service (its happened to me) and still leave reasonably good tips because they feel that they're obligated to.
Everyone considers themselves a "guide" IMO. When I hunt whitetails in the SE, my "guide" is merely the guy who drops me at my stand and picks me up a few hours later. There is rarely any work for the "guide" to do other than maybe gut the deer which they don't want me to do near the stands. Giving 10% or more, of the total package cost, for this level of "guiding" seems unwarranted but I do it anyway.
BTW - the food is clearly a big component of any enjoyable hunt and we have had many great meals prepared for us by the cook. I am always eager to leave a nice tip for the cook and encourage others to do the same.

Just my take on the guide/tipping issue.

 

[STW]

Guides should be tipped a minimum of 10% they do not receive much pay and their tips make up a bunch of their income. The tip should not be based on if you harvested an animal or not. Bear guides do a lot of work behind the scenes. Baits have to be checked and replenished daily a dirty and labourous chore. Also if the your guide is the outfitter as well this does not matter as he/she should be working hard to ensure your hunt is safe, successful and enjoyable.
For those that think the guide doesn't do much then don't get one it's like saying all your waiter does is take your order and carry out your meal.
Also if you ever consider going back to the same outfit and don't tip don't be suprised if the outfitter tells you he is completely booked.

 

[Guy Miner]

NVbroncrider, is your hunt over bait, running the bear with dogs, or spot and stalk?

A lot of folks who've only hunted bear over bait assume that's the only way it's done. I've always done "spot and stalk."

Taxidermy costs for a rug, are high... I paid $150/foot for the two bear rugs I've had done. They came out terrific, but at roughly 6' long, each bear was about $900 for the rug...



You'll also get the bleached skull, which is a pretty cool trophy to set on a bookshelf or desk:



To save some cash, a fellow can just have the hide tanned, instead of turned into a rug. My son did this on his last bear. If he wants to turn it into a rug later, the taxidermist will give him a big discount, since he's already had it tanned.

There are other kinds of mounts, but I do like the rugs best. They take up a fair chunk of wall space though, mine are about 6x6, and there's not a lot of room in the house for many bears that way!

Re tips, I've only been on a few guided hunts. Typically I'll go about 10%, or a little more. Often they're working real hard for your success, and are paid very little. I know one fellow who guides for room and tips only. And the right to hunt that area himself when he doesn't have a hunter.

Guy

 

[SJB358]

Guy brings up a great point, just having the hide soft tanned is a really nice way of doing a bear, or elk or deer as well. They look pretty slick in a cabin or draped over a couch like a blanket. Pretty tough if they are done well too.

I am thinking the next elk I knock down will get soft tanned. I'll cut the legs off at the knees and leave the head.. A thick, full elk hide is pretty nice as well.

On the few hunts I have done, I have tipped what I could. Meaning, the hunt was a huge piece to save up for and honestly, showing up in good shape and taking an animal when it is presented to you is a HUGE tip to a guide/outfitter. They use your success to book future hunts as well. Just another angle on it. As much money as you think the hunt was worth is always nice too.

I will echo what the others have said, unless they are BIG TIME, they don't make a ton of money in the business. They do it because they love the country, hunting and fishing with people who don't have the chance. It really does mean alot to an outfitter/guide if you show up, ready to hunt and being in the game 110%. Guides will usually work that much harder if you show them you are there for the hunt and really get out after the animals.

As for the Spring bear, it can be a combo of both spot and stalk and baits, but the baits are a little different. They are usually a snag of down tree's with whatever bait the guide prefers. Shots can be quite a bit longer than the typical treestand sorta baiting in the thick Northern regions. I've done both and really enjoy the West in the spring time. Great time to be afield.

 

[gerry]

Guides should be tipped a minimum of 10% they do not receive much pay and their tips make up a bunch of their income. The tip should not be based on if you harvested an animal or not. Bear guides do a lot of work behind the scenes. Baits have to be checked and replenished daily a dirty and labourous chore. Also if the your guide is the outfitter as well this does not matter as he/she should be working hard to ensure your hunt is safe, successful and enjoyable.
For those that think the guide doesn't do much then don't get one it's like saying all your waiter does is take your order and carry out your meal.
Also if you ever consider going back to the same outfit and don't tip don't be suprised if the outfitter tells you he is completely booked.

I worked as a guide and it is a lot of work, woke up before 6:00 am made breakfast, their lunches hunted all day, dressed and packed out their animals if successful, made supper and then went to bed late after 10:00 pm usually so that makes for a long day, then repeat the next day. The pay was poor so tips were nice but I never expected anything from anyone. A small tip from a guy who was a good guy meant much more than a big tip from the guy who asked me to shoot a goat for him and bring it back to camp while he stayed back. Of course I didn't do that and was thankful when he pulled out early.

 

[PJGunner]

I do 10 percent whether I'm successful or not. Did more than that the last three hunts as the guide really busted his hump for me. When I book, I ask that he be my guide and in the last three hunts we've become good friends. On my hunt this year when I wanted to give him his tip, he didn't want to take it. Finally told him to use it to buy his wife a present. He took it. I would hate to lose him as a guide. He makes the hunt easy for this fat old man. 8)
Paul B.

 

[6mm Remington]

Great suggestions on the tipping. I've never been on a guided hunt but I know I would certainly be more inclined to tip a guide who worked as hard for me as I do for him on the hunt.

The soft tanned ideas without it being a rug are great too! They do look nice just hanging over a banister or can be tacked up by the nose and put on a wall. I have a coyote and a fox that I have done that way. I want to get a skull bleached out on the next bear I take. I ruined by first bear skull by shooting it in the head.

 

[Guy Miner]

Well, putting a bullet in the bear's brain should certainly work, and quickly... :grin:

 

[nvbroncrider]

Yeah it looks like it's a spot and stalk/bait hunt in Idaho I'm looking at. Trying to figure out dates that will work for me and trying to figure out the funding part. Got some other things I'd like to do this year as well.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Hey guys got some questions on stuff. Looking at a spring bear hunt and was wondering about gratuities and other expenses such as taxidermies and processing.

Does anyone have any experience and have a general idea?

Just trying to plan ahead.

It depends, I have always given them a device like a scope, or cash up to 10%, depending on amenities, expertise and attitude!