Don't stiff your guide

[Hamilton Reef]

A tip for anglers and hunters: Don't stiff your guide

CHICAGO - Sometimes there is a sign on the fishing boat: "Tipping allowed." Sometimes there is a hint in the hunting brochure: "Gratuity not included."
An outfitter might not tell a client that he'd better tip his guide or be drowned or shot. But anglers or hunters who hire guides to assist them in catching fish, or in being led to the happy hunting grounds, are supposed to take care of their helpers.

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=2&display=rednews/2004/02/01/build/sports/74-tips.inc

[Rasdale]

This post got me to thinking - We are going to Illinois to bow hunting this fall. The outfitter we are going with offers a guided and self-guided hunt. We chose the self-guided, mainly because of the cost $2400 vs. $1400. He does however place one stand for each hunter to start hunting in, also gives us an orientation of the area we are allowed to hunt, on the Sunday we arrive. Then we take it from there doing our own scouting and hanging our own stands. With both type of hunts you get lodging and food. Question, would you tip? If yes, then who?

[Eastern Yooper]

It is customary to tip the camp cook $40-50.

A guide generally should receive a tip equal to 10% of the total cost, assuming he put forth the necessary effort.

I wouldn't tip an outfitter on an unguided hunt.

And I wouldn't tip any outfitter/guide that tacks on any so-called "trophy fee"... but frankly, I wouldn't even bother to book a hunt with someone that charges a trophy fee.