tipping

[ezzy6.5]

Hi all,
I have been talking to a freind of mine who will be joining me on a stalking trip next week, when we were discussing the cost he asked me what i usually tip the stalker. I have been stalking with the same bloke for the last 5 years and i have never tipped him, to be honest it never uccured to me. What do you guys think? do you usually tip.
I have no problem in coughing up the cash, but i allways feel awkward tipping if i buy a days shooting.
If you tip what do you consider an appropriate amount.
Any pro stalkers please let me know what is expected.
Ezzy.

 

[Beowulf]

I don't tip but if I like the stalker and want to express my how much I have enjoyed his company and experience, I give him a good bottle of Malt whiskey. This is especailly true when I've stalked with other members of this site! Saying that I have left the bottle in the kitchen before now and only remembered it when I got to the stalking ground. so I owe some whiskey to a couple of folks!

 

[stone]

hi ezzy
i normaly give a bottle of whisky or port on the first ever outing but for some reason never after that so to all i hav been stalking with make that bottle last
stone

 

[Gyr]

Wish I had read this sooner.

I usually do tip and always feel really awkward about it, how much is deemed acceptable? Am I a cheapskate or do I tip too much.

I think the whisky idea is much better.

Will do that next time.

Gyr

 

[stone]

i took to lads of this site stalking today on my ground looking for fallow and roe, both hav given me a bottle of port a peice though they were told not to but still a very nice thought which i am now appreciating
so thank you lads
just thought i would post this to show the other side of how a tip is percieved, does not hav to be money or alcohol ,in many cases a small but usefull gift will do the same job or even a handshake and very gratefull comments
kind regards
stone

 

[buckup]

I think tipping should be in direct proportion to how hard the guy has worked, regardless of the outcome. No need to make a fuss, a folded £10 or £20 note in the palm of a warm handshake is never an embarassment. Sometimes I have not given a tip, but I must have felt very hard done by on those occasions.
I tip the same whether I'm in the U.K. or abroad, this has caused some controversy amongst other guests,but what kind of thanks is it if it has cost me nothing? i.e. a few bob tip might be enough in Poland, but I feel embarassed to give it. There is no right or wrong, but both tipper and recipient must feel comfortable. My only problem arises when the stalker/guide, becomes a mate, as so often happens. Then perhaps the bottle of the favourite tipple is more apropriate.
Mark.

 

[JH83]

Interesting thread this one. Personally I always tip at least £10, if not £20 for a 3 or 4 outings, as well as a bottle of good wine.

The basis for this is that the stalker absolutley gives 100% every time, to the point where he will position me on a ride and move deer towards me, often walking miles and miles in the process. The amount of times I have seen him sweating and tired, covered in ticks (as the area is bad for them), I just feel it is appropriate.

9 out of 10 trips are sucessfull but I still tip the same irrelevent of the outcome, more based on percieved effort. Equally if I went somewhere and they bunged me in a high seat and forgot me I would not leave a tip.

JH.

 

[Robin Hood]

I would give £20 per buck if I was paying for a day and got on well with the stalker. At the Hinds I always give £20 for the day.

RH.

 

[sikamalc]

Tipping is something I have agreat deal of experiance of, as some of you know I run a small business taking clients stalking all over the UK.

Tipping can be a bone of contention. I have had some of my staff complain about one person getting more than others, I have had stalkers on many estates ask for £50 a stag before its even shot. This is on top of what I have paid the estate and has caused many problems, and will continue to do so. Even more so on estates with abscent owners who leave the stalker in charge, and then pull all kinds of stunts.

Now I am not knocking estate stalkers. Many are very good friends over a long number of years. But in one certain corner of the Highlands this became the norm for quite a time.

Tipping is a very personal thing. IF you have been treated well, had a good day and shot a nice Stag, I would expect a client to give a stalker £25 to £40. On Roe or smaller beasts a £20 tip would be in order.

Now I have no issue with folk giving a bottle of wine etc, or just a good handshake and a smile. Especially folk who havnt got wads to throw about.

My motto is if you have been treated well, and professionally then a tip no matter how small should be greatfully recieved by a fully employed stalker. On the other hand if you are helping someone out, and nice bottle is also very welcome, and you will also no doubt be invited back.

On the other hand, if you have been ripped off (which I hope you are not) then bad words spread quickly and a tip I would give you is DONT GO BACK. You may say thats obvious but some folk do

 

[ChrisB]

A stalking trip is a major expense for me as I probably earn about the same as the stalker so a cash tip is difficult. I don't go out looking for a trophy and mainly get does but do feel that a good day out deserves a thank-you. I always leave some alchohol - home-made sloe gin or half a dozen bottles of a locally produced specialist cider or perry and also take a home-made cake to have with coffee during the day and leave any that's left. I also offer to help out with the larder work and anything else that needs doing during the parts of the day we're not actually stalking (anything from taking skins for disposal to vehicle repair) as I'm not one to feel comfortable watching someone else work. I worry whether this is enough - what do you think?

 

[sikamalc]

I think what you are doing is very commendable ChrisB. As I have already said most folk do not have loads of cash to throw around on tips, but being polite and offering to help along with some local brew and cake is as good a thank you as £100 tip.

Most people can see when someone is genuine, and I am sure your tips and favours are well recieved by the stalker, if not they certainly should be. Well done, in my book you have nothing to worry about, and I am sure you will be getting invites back

 

[ChrisB]

Thanks for your reply sikamalc. I've had a couple of outings on the same estate and they've been excellent - I always worry about tipping enough to express my thanks when someone's done a good job, doesn't matter if it's a day out shooting or a decent restaurant.

 

[Nick Gordon]

A few years ago I was friendly with a keeper/stalker on a Pertshire estate where I used to do some picking up with my lab.

When he was clearing his tied house when he retired, he showed me a collection of knives, gadgets of various types and sticks amongst other things which he had received as tips.

As he pointed out, even though a lot of the stuff was unused, it was the gesture he appreciated,

Some of his best memories, he said, came from simple things like photos taken on the day, cards at Christmas etc.

Maybe he was the exception but he said he was not interested in a money tip :!:

 

[JH83]

I think it is more about a token of your appreciation, wether that be money or a bottle, or a favour, or any means you have at your disposal.

I am by no means a wealthy guy, and I know that the stalker that I go with likes to see me have a good day. I shot my first deer on his estate, and my first stag and I know that he is proud of that. I also listen and lean a huge amount from him. My fist ever outing after deer I stalked and shot a red hind and roe doe under his guidance, so I hand wrote a letter of thanks, which I think goes down well.

I still feel inclined towards a tip of some kind, but I think ChrisB is doing more than enough, and it is probably more meaningful than a wealthy guy leaving a wad.

JH

 

[Trapper]

IF you have paid for the day's stalk then everything is fair and equal, YOU HAVE PAID, for that stalk. However going on previous posts , it is up to you to see what is fit.Should you determine a (extra fee ) ,. I certainly would consider it courteous to extend hospitality to the stalker, that is a private matter, I am neither rich or famous and just a smile is enough , or a wink ! they are people like us and know the score.Personally it takes a great deal of my income to pursue the sport I love.
Trapper

 

[beechessam]

I have always tipped.

It is a personal thing and I will tip more if I feel the stalker has worked hard for me.

I have had guides who were only there to show me around, and the tip reflected that.

Currently I am fortunate enough to be in a position to do so.

I stalk in Argyll on the Stags each year and these lads work very hard for us and the tip is split between them

Many stalkers may be seasonal and their pay often does not reflect the excellent job they do.

The discreet handshake at the end of the week is part of it for me.

 

[Robin]

The few times I've paid for stalking, I've always left a tip inside a card, to express my thanks for all the hard work the ghyllie has put in, which fortunately has been every time.
I also make a point of saying to the owner or estate manager what a great day I've had, even if a beast has not been shot.

 

[243varmint]

Never been on a paid day stalking but do i asume it works along the lines of a days pheasant shooting regarding the tip. I allways tip when i have been pheasant shooting, most of the time i have been invited, so to me 20 or 30 quid for a days pheasant shooting is bloody cheap. Oh and not to forget the bottle of port.
trying to sort out dates with friends at the mo because we try not to shoot the same days so we don't clash with each other
Jonathon

 

[Muddy]

tips

i would always give £20 whether successful or not but i have never accepted tips taking other people out stalking and ive took hundreds in my time . But i do accept tips for days pheasant shooting with me ( this will not apply to people on this sight who already have invites ) and syndicate members we have in the shoot they only whinge and whine . When we ran the shoot on the estate were we live my other half was classed as gamekeeper and still is and she regularly picked up £200 + for a day shooting but all the guns were millionaires and one a billionaire its up to if you feel you have had a good day show your appreciation many of these people are on low wages so may you be but you will be welcome back and they will try a little bit harder next time you visit . I once foolishly said on the last night i would take the stalker and wife out for a meal £120 latter i though you and your big mouth i now go when i like as does duncanon 30,000 acres in scotland and that was years ago so it now seems cheap but not at the time MUDDY

 

[Duncs]

Great ending to your tale Muddy. What goes around......