How much and when do you tip a stalker?

[Steff]

Gentlemen,

I will be visting beautiful Scotland shortly. I have booked four days of roe stalking with probably two outings per day, so eight outings in total.
I am uncertain on what the common way is to tip the stalker. Do I do this per outing, per day or at the end of the week?
And how much is appropriate?
Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[75]

4 pages and no real agreement...

 

[Magnificent 7]

I'd say depends on whether its his land or he is a worker if it's his land and he gets the money then nothing if he is a worker then as much as you can afford I was offered a game syndicate position this season ran by the keeper not cheap I may add who then stated a minimum fifty pound tip per day nust be to fuel the range rover

 

[opticron1]

As 75 stated, there will be errr…….differing views on this one and the arguments can go on forever - similar to asking what the best deer rifle and calibre is. However if the stalks are with the same keeper or ghillie it would be fine to tip at the end of the week, 10% and a bottle or two of something good is a rough guide, but if you've had a splendid week with some good craic and good days this could go up, especially if you've felt well looked after and the keeper has gone above and beyond. If the team have been miserable and left you to your own devices, that would be a different discussion!
I know I've been lucky for the most part and I find the best part of the week is the p*ss taking with the keepers and finishing the week having had a good laugh with some fine folk, the stalking is just a bonus!

 

[Stalker62]

I'd say depends on whether its his land or he is a worker if it's his land and he gets the money then nothing if he is a worker then as much as you can afford I was offered a game syndicate position this season ran by the keeper not cheap I may add who then stated a minimum fifty pound tip per day nust be to fuel the range rover

I have always found it objectionable when "told" how much to tip - although I can (and do) appreciate a "ball-park figure" especially when new to the location/stalker/gillie.

When up in Scotland I have always tipped the Stalker at the end of the week. After fourteen years he was by then a friend and I always loaded the tip in proportion to how much drama I had caused him that particular week. There was always drama...

My wife and I took a day on the river in Rosehall whilst we were up there on the deer. We had the day 2:1 with the Gillie. I was not experienced with this and asked him directly how much was appropriate - he would not discuss it. I have a phobia of undertipping so paid an amount. When I reported back to my stalking mates; one declared that I had tipped appropriately for the full week.

With the shoe on the other foot, I am the Keeper on a small shoot locally - it is a hobby and not my living. I made it known to the owner that I would not accept tips.
At the end of season dinner I was presented with a Hardy rod and reel by way of a thank you. Not often I am lost for words.

Point of fact, it is that Hardy rod which featured in a post this week....the one that snapped on the second cast...

 

[Stalker62]

I find the best part of the week is the p*ss taking with the keepers and finishing the week having had a good laugh with some fine folk, the stalking is just a bonus!

Could not agree more.

 

[Steff]

Thanks for your replies and input. And I couldn't agree more that the time spent with the people is the most valuable part of it all.

 

[bogtrotter]

Gentlemen,

I will be visting beautiful Scotland shortly. I have booked four days of roe stalking with probably two outings per day, so eight outings in total.
I am uncertain on what the common way is to tip the stalker. Do I do this per outing, per day or at the end of the week?
And how much is appropriate?
Thanks for your help in advance.

As much as you can and as often as possible

 

[norma 308]

I appreciate a tip at the end of the day on our farm shoot and my boss asks me to tell him who hasn’t tipped as they are all guests ! I have a gun on the shoot and have for 20 yrs obviously I can’t shoot as I run the day and recently have sold my gun on to someone well known and liked by my boss I told him not to tip after each shoot
When I go north and go on paid stalks I tip at the end of the wk

 

[bogtrotter]

Gentlemen,

I will be visting beautiful Scotland shortly. I have booked four days of roe stalking with probably two outings per day, so eight outings in total.
I am uncertain on what the common way is to tip the stalker. Do I do this per outing, per day or at the end of the week?
And how much is appropriate?
Thanks for your help in advance.
I don't like to discuss actual figures everyones cloth is cut different , and I have had tips from very generous to down
right miserable.
I don't think 10% of the total cost of the stalking will offend anyone, but above all don't tip more than you can afford some clients tip every stalk some at the end
End of the week is fine with me and I'm sure it would be with most stalkers.
Remember you are tipping for service received if he tries hard then a tip is appropriate even if it results in a blank by
the same token if he is unpleasant or lazy ( you won't find many professional stalkers like that) but if you are unlucky enough to meet one of the very few don't feel you need to tip he hasn't earned it.
Go and enjoy your stalking trip at the end of the day whatever you tip if given in the right spirit , I'm sure it will be received in the same vein.

 

[Alantoo]

There have been a few long threads on here about the issue...do a search, though I am still none the wiser.

The professionals in the earlier threads seem to fall in to two camps...those that say it is the thought that that counts, the show of appreciation rather than the amount....and those that delight in tales of embarrassing the unfortunates who have tipped too little.

Alan

 

[User00014]

I was once tipped a beretta silver pigeon!

those days are long gone though.

the normal rate seems to be about £25 an outing, some times more some times less.

 

[lochty]

I've experienced both end of the scale.... embarrassingly small and extremely generous. Give what you feel the stalkers effort deserves would be my view...

 

[geoffw]

I think an agent recently suggested 12% of the day when I asked the same question for an employed stalker on an estate Scotland, provided you've been well looked after.

 

[geoffw]

I have always found it objectionable when "told" how much to tip - although I can (and do) appreciate a "ball-park figure" especially when new to the location/stalker/gillie.

When up in Scotland I have always tipped the Stalker at the end of the week. After fourteen years he was by then a friend and I always loaded the tip in proportion to how much drama I had caused him that particular week. There was always drama...

My wife and I took a day on the river in Rosehall whilst we were up there on the deer. We had the day 2:1 with the Gillie. I was not experienced with this and asked him directly how much was appropriate - he would not discuss it. I have a phobia of undertipping so paid an amount. When I reported back to my stalking mates; one declared that I had tipped appropriately for the full week.

With the shoe on the other foot, I am the Keeper on a small shoot locally - it is a hobby and not my living. I made it known to the owner that I would not accept tips.
At the end of season dinner I was presented with a Hardy rod and reel by way of a thank you. Not often I am lost for words.

Point of fact, it is that Hardy rod which featured in a post this week....the one that snapped on the second cast...

Oops. Then again, do you offer your rods the same care routine as your RF mods?

 

[Stalker62]

Oops. Then again, do you offer your rods the same care routine as your RF mods?

Excellent segue.

The rod and reel were used for the first time in January - then locked down with the rest of the world until this week.
Came in its own wrapping and protective tube and I did treat it with the reverence it warranted.

Took it out this week and on the second cast the distal section snapped in two.
It was not the Trout that was gutted...

 

[geoffw]

Excellent segue.

The rod and reel were used for the first time in January - then locked down with the rest of the world until this week.
Came in its own wrapping and protective tube and I did treat it with the reverence it warranted.

Took it out this week and on the second cast the distal section snapped in two.
It was not the Trout that was gutted...

I feel your pain. Under warranty? That seems to be a fairly egregious materials failure especially from a premium marque with a reputation to uphold. Bonne chance.

 

[SAUER20222250]

The best tip for a ghillie is to advise him to never have an affair within the estate, especially the bosses wife or daughters...

 

[sikamalc]

I often get asked by clients what to tip my guides, especially in Scotland where we are guiding and accommodating them for a whole week. In general I dont get involved and tell them to tip what they think is appropriate, tips being a very personal thing between the guide and client. But in Scotland the normal tip I have seen and to be expected is £50 per stag. Roe I do not know, but it will be early mornings and late evenings so I would say the same.

 

[wboulter]

Went to Scotland 10 years ago for a week stalking and was told minimum tip was £40 a day