Our local SCI chapter is considering auctioning 2 hunts donated (with a reserve) by WOW Safaris. 1 in RSA and 1 in Tanzania. Anyone have any info on them. I didn't find anything after searching Hunt Reports.

Best regards, D. Nelson

Who is the outfitter/s involved ?

Darin,

Our Alaskan chapter has used RSA donations in the past. They are a reputable company. As for Tanzania I would look into the hunting areas carefully and determine the quality. I believe he is subleasing some hunting blocks. Not saying beware or stay away I just would do a bit of research on the proposed hunting block and the animals to be hunted there. Izak seems to be a nice guy from my limited experience with him.

Brett

Jan; Our chapter prez is trying to find out. The Tanzania deal sounds too good to be true from my experience.

Saeed; I did check out the website, but it does not list the local outfitters. I thought someone here might know.

Brett; Thanks for the input. The RSA hunt definitely sound right, but $7000 (reserve) for a buff hunt in Tanzania does not make sense to me...maybe a lot of costs are being left out, like air charters and trophy fee.

We are trying to get in touch and clarify details.

Thanks all, D. Nelson

Hi Darin

Info is limited in your post (as it should be) BUT... in Tz a ten day licence is +/- $2850. The government game fee on one buffalo only is $1900.So you are at $4750 before anyone has paid for the block, put up and supplied a camp, employed a PH, supplied a vehicle and staff etc. etc.

Most decent areas the charters are minimum $3K in and out, often much more.

90% of block fees are $30K per year which means $300 per day assuming you have a block that can sustain 100 hunting days per year. Community development, anti poaching I could go on...and on...

In a nutshell - $7k does not even get you past go in Tanzania.

Not trying to rain on anyone's parade here but caveat emptor...

JT

JTHunt;

I appreciate the info...that was my thought too. I think a lot of extra charges have been left off the table!!!!

Thanks, Darin

quote:

Originally posted by JTHunt:
Hi Darin

Info is limited in your post (as it should be) BUT... in Tz a ten day licence is +/- $2850. The government game fee on one buffalo only is $1900.So you are at $4750 before anyone has paid for the block, put up and supplied a camp, employed a PH, supplied a vehicle and staff etc. etc.

Most decent areas the charters are minimum $3K in and out, often much more.

90% of block fees are $30K per year which means $300 per day assuming you have a block that can sustain 100 hunting days per year. Community development, anti poaching I could go on...and on...

In a nutshell - $7k does not even get you past go in Tanzania.

Not trying to rain on anyone's parade here but caveat emptor...

JT

Interesting...WOW!!!

From their website - SA safari with 6 animals costs $5800. But no Kudu, Gemsbok or Eland! I am sure there are many operators in SA who can offer that list of animals (Impala, bush buck, blue WB, Red HB, bush pig & zebra) for around $4500 or less.

Nakihunter, There will always be somebody that does something cheaper however You get what you pay for in live... just my 2 cents worth, I DONT KNOW THEM AT ALL but that is not a bad deal for 6 animals, hell at the end of the day the company needs to make some profit as well.

I can understand someone having too many of some species, and trying to sell them at a discount from a farm in South Africa.

But, selling a safari in Tanzania very cheap does not work, as there costs that cannot be discounted.

Unless, of course, one has so much charity in his heart that he sells hunts below costs

Speak to Johnny Africa, I think he was based up there while he was in SA.I may be wrong.
Cheers
Ian

quote:

Originally posted by D. Nelson:
Our local SCI chapter is considering auctioning 2 hunts donated (with a reserve) by WOW Safaris. 1 in RSA and 1 in Tanzania. Anyone have any info on them. I didn't find anything after searching Hunt Reports.

Best regards, D. Nelson

Hello D. Nelson,

I was doing a no pay apprenticeship with WOW for just under 6 months last hunting season (2013) on the Madaka Game Ranch property just East of Vryheid in the Northern Kwazulu Natal province.

I am not here to sling mud but I will attempt to make this short and to the point. If anyone requires further information I can go into extensive detail.

It is my belief, that they (Izak and Linky Kirsten) were very dishonest on a regular basis with their clients (from species available to trophy quality and availability to amenities and so on). Also in what they promised me when we discussed my apprenticeship and what they would do for me and provide me during my stay in South Africa. And I believe they were dishonest with their various business partners.

I also unfortunately believe that the majority of our clients who came to that property left unhappy and or dissatisfied during that season, and I do not blame them for feeling that way given the circumstances of their stays there. I unfortunately cannot in good faith recommend anyone hunting or touring with this company in South Africa. I'm sure once and a while they get it right and that there are a few happy clients out there, but this is based off of my opinion while staying there.

I am now currently in Namibia continuing with another apprenticeship this season (Namibia Safari Corporation) and just a few weeks ago we had a client in by the name of Mike Craigo. He let me know that he was the past president of the SCI San Antonio, Texas chapter and that they continuously refused to accept WOW's "donation" hunts.

I hope this helps to steer people in the right direction. As I said it is not my intention to sling mud, but a safari is a very important and expensive experience, and if I can save a few hunters from making the wrong decision then I am humbled to do so.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

-Jonathan

quote:

Originally posted by The Jonny:

quote:

Originally posted by D. Nelson:
Our local SCI chapter is considering auctioning 2 hunts donated (with a reserve) by WOW Safaris. 1 in RSA and 1 in Tanzania. Anyone have any info on them. I didn't find anything after searching Hunt Reports.

Best regards, D. Nelson

Hello D. Nelson,

I was doing a no pay apprenticeship with WOW for just under 6 months last hunting season (2013) on the Madaka Game Ranch property just East of Vryheid in the Northern Kwazulu Natal province.

I am not here to sling mud but I will attempt to make this short and to the point. If anyone requires further information I can go into extensive detail.

They (Izak and Linky Kirsten) were very dishonest on a regular basis with their clients (from species available to trophy quality and availability to amenities and so on). They were dishonest in what they promised me when we discussed my apprenticeship and what they would do for me and provide me during my stay in South Africa. And they were also dishonest with their various business partners.

The majority of our clients who came to that property left unhappy and or dissatisfied during that season, and I do not blame them for feeling that way given the circumstances of their stays there. I unfortunately cannot in good faith recommend anyone hunting or touring with this company. I'm sure once and a while they get it right and that there are a few happy clients out there, but this is based off of my extensive, behind the scenes experience.

I am now currently in Namibia continuing with another apprenticeship this season (Namibia Safari Corporation) and just a few weeks ago we had a client in by the name of Mike Craigo. He let me know that he was the past president of the SCI San Antonio, Texas chapter and that they continuously refused to accept WOW's "donation" hunts.

I hope this helps to steer people in the right direction. As I said it is not my intention to sling mud, but a safari is a very important and expensive experience, and if I can save a few hunters from making the wrong decision then I am humbled to do so.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

-Jonathan

Sorry to hear how things materialized for you that's very unfortunate...I remember visiting your blog at the onset of your tenure...Curious to know if you've kept it up and if so could you post a link to it or send it via PM?

Wishing you all the best in your new adventure in Namibia...Good Luck Jonathan!!!

I've spoken with AR MEMBER "dogcat" who has had a fantastic safari with Jaco...I believe you are in VERY good hands and a true Namibian Professional!!!

I have much admiration in your enthusiasm and commitment to achieve your goals

Roland

Jonathan;

Thank you very much for your honesty and opinion about WOW Safaris.

Our local chapter of SCI was not going to offer the hunts, as we couldn't get in touch with the operator. However, after our SCI rep, who attended our fundraiser, gave a heart felt testimonial (he hunted with them in RSA last year...maybe you remember him, Bill Burton), the hunt was offered at the last moment and was sold.

I will definitely follow up and see what the outcome is.

Again, thanks for you info.

Best regards, Darin

quote:

Sorry to hear how things materialized for you that's very unfortunate...I remember visiting your blog at the onset of your tenure...Curious to know if you've kept it up and if so could you post a link to it or send it via PM?

Wishing you all the best in your new adventure in Namibia...Good Luck Jonathan!!!

I've spoken with AR MEMBER "dogcat" who has had a fantastic safari with Jaco...I believe you are in VERY good hands and a true Namibian Professional!!!

I have much admiration in your enthusiasm and commitment to achieve your goals

Roland

Hey Roland,

I sure appreciate the support and kind words! Thank you very much for that.

When did Dogcat hunt with Jaco?

I hunted with him 3 years ago this August and that's how I met him. In fact, I would have talked to him about apprenticing for him in the first place but he didn't come to the SCI Reno convention that year, and I wanted to talk to someone face to face for such a life changing step I was taking. Fortunately he was at SCI Vegas this last time and well, here I am haha
I am very happy to be here and am relieved that I am treated with respect and valued as a team member.

Not to get all mushy on the forum, but my Mom told me when I got back from my trip to RSA, that "From a pile of s*!t, a flower can grow." Those are words of wisdom if you ask me, and good for a chuckle to boot.

And jeese, thanks for visiting my blog! I sure hope you liked it. I tried so hard to keep posting to it when I could. It was so hard though with the hunting schedule we keep. I have tons of great kill shots and other video but I am a little uneasy about posting it. You get so many crazies that send you horrible comments when you put those up. I think I will put up the clean kill shots in the future sometime though. Anyways, my blog is still:

www.JonnyAfrica.com

Thanks for everything Roland.

Cheers!

Johnny,

I really respect you for giving everything up to chase your dream.
I did that back in the 90's when I went to Russia after the Iron Curtain came down, but I think I had less to lose than you as I had just got out of university.
Good Luck to you!

quote:

Originally posted by D. Nelson:
Jonathan;

Thank you very much for your honesty and opinion about WOW Safaris.

Our local chapter of SCI was not going to offer the hunts, as we couldn't get in touch with the operator. However, after our SCI rep, who attended our fundraiser, gave a heart felt testimonial (he hunted with them in RSA last year...maybe you remember him, Bill Burton), the hunt was offered at the last moment and was sold.

I will definitely follow up and see what the outcome is.

Again, thanks for you info.

Best regards, Darin

Hey Darin,

No problem, I am happy to help.

Yes, I know Bill Burton. He's a really nice guy. Him and his wife were there when I was there. I don't remember everything but I know I was with him when we shot his Nyala. It was a great one-shot-drop. I believe the camp had multiple sets of clients in at that time and I was working with both of them.

I hope for their sake they have gotten their house in order and are providing a better quality safari, but time will tell.

I was told at the last SCI convention in Vegas that Izak was telling people that asked about me how he wanted to take me hunting or something but I have never heard a single word from them since I left. I don't know what that is all about? I believe I would rather just leave all that in the past and enjoy my greener pastures.

Anywho, once again I hope this has been helpful.

Sincerely,

-Jonathan

quote:

Originally posted by pevtsovy:
Johnny,

I really respect you for giving everything up to chase your dream.
I did that back in the 90's when I went to Russia after the Iron Curtain came down, but I think I had less to lose than you as I had just got out of university.
Good Luck to you!

Pevtsovy,

Thank you. I hope I can continue to inspire people and share my experiences with the public. Good for you for taking that step.
Russia must have come with a bit of culture shock I would imagine!

Yaaa, I walked away from a 85K salary to retreat from cubicles, florescent lighting and somehow unbelievably ignorant management. I still think I made the right decision!!!

Your happiness is worth quite a bit more than a number printed on a piece of paper. Our time here is short, don't waste it!

Anyways, before this all gets too far off topic (I apologize!), let me quickly plug the companies blog I have been managing. You can see what we are bagging on a daily basis when hunters are in camp. I am proud to be taking about 99% of the photos you will see on there during my stay here in Namibia. We got a Caracal and a Gemsbok yesterday and a Mountain Zebra with a Steenbok today.

http://www.namibiasafaricorporation.com/news

And anyone feel free to email me with anything I might be able to help with Africa or otherwise related at: TheJonny@JonnyAfrica.com

Thanks!

Thanks for the link Jonny!

I'll stay in touch and email you in a couple days brother!!!

GO FOR IT!!!

Aloha!

Roland