What is a typical tip for a guided hunting trip that includes skinning/cleaning, lodging, and meals?
There are 3 hunting days, but 4 nights of meals.
Hunting is spot and stalk, so not just sitting in a blind.

Also, do you tip the individuals providing the services, or just tip the outfitter at the end of the trip and let them divide it up?

As above it depends. We use an outfitter and they pool so it all goes to the main guy to be divided equally. They will let a guy go if he takes money and doesn't dump it into the pool.

you can always ask the outfitter . a good one will tell you his preference on how to tip and maybe a ball park range of money. Some will help you decide and then have you give it to each person individually(cook,guide,etc)
Tipping is always the hardest to figure , and the most personal. 10 percent of a trip is a decent starting point.

Frisco said:

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As above it depends. We use an outfitter and they pool so it all goes to the main guy to be divided equally. They will let a guy go if he takes money and doesn't dump it into the pool.

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I worked for an outfitter that pooled money, hated that policy. Not that others don't deserve a tip, but to equally share it, especially when one isnt pulling their weight, sucks.

When I guided full time or even now part time, I tell hunters to personally hand money to the person with a handshake. But we live in modern times and so sometimes they ask for your Venmo/PayPal, which works too.

As far as how much, most tip me 10% or more. If I am getting you on a bull elk, dress it, pack it off the mountain(which can be several trips on foot), it is usually more than 10% but not much more.

Most outfitter will tell you to tip directly to whomever you want to receive it. Not a bad thing to ask them before hunt.

We have booked a lot of hunts for people and tell them that 10% is the recommended tip for guide. However, special hunts/trophies can definitely encourage more generosity. It can also depend on cost of hunt in my opinio. Take Hoyt Ag for example- some elk hunts are 15k and some are 5k. If he skinned an elk and packed it out, if my trip cost was 15k, itd be 10%. If he just hired a packer, that was part of my cost anyway, so i wouldnt feel the need to give extra. But if it was a $5k hunt, and he did all the work, im def tipping at least 1k.
As far as cooks, at the whitetail trophy ranch in S. Tx, we tell people when they ask that 50 to 100 bux is plenty. The cooks get a set day rate from us and arent reliant on tips. On Western hunts, a lot of time the guide is the cook or you are the cook.
In Alaska, in addition to 10%, i tipped the pilots because i was in awe of their ability. I also left the guides with extra gear like Lacrosse waders, wool socks, knife, rain jacket and boots. Hard to get gear in.

Would y'all say the same,10%, would apply for a 1 day fishing trip?

aggiesherpa said:

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Would y'all say the same,10%, would apply for a 1 day fishing trip?

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When I'm fishing with a guide in MT I usually tip $100-$120 for the day.