The show season is fast approaching. Many of us will look at the auctioned hunts as a way of saving some $$ while supporting the organization of our choice. I would like some feed back for on the value of those auctioned hunts.

How was your auction hunt experience? Would you do it again? Would you do it differently?

Thanks!

At the advice of my taxidermist I joined SCI and began to attend my local chapter's annual banquet. My taxidermist knew that I all ways wanted to hunt Africa but felt that I would never get to do it because of cost. I bought a Africa hunt back in 2003 for only $350 which was for 5 days hunting for 2 and included impala, belsbok, klipspringer and duiker. I enjoyed the hunt and all the people so much I have been back to hunt with them 3 times now. Turned out to be one of the best choices I ever made.

I have bought several hunts this way,all have been great....

But I do some research on the outfitters before the auction.At Reno I look at the listings and visit the booth of hunts I might bid on,try to get a feel for the outfitter....

Some hints...

North America hunts sell for about 85% value or better;Africa around 30%-50%(although often less).

High dollar hunts in Tanzania and Botswana are not great value.They never include $4ooo air charters,trophy fees etc....

All outfits "puff the price",this allows them any tax advantage at home and with SCI.The booth allocation system is tied to $$$$.This hurts you as the local hunt tax (VAT)is based on the value ,not on your bid.So be careful that you know local tax,that is in the country you hunt, is on top of the bid price....

Almost all operators hope you will pickup extra trophies to generate additional income to offset the donation.There can be a little pressure to do so.I look at this as a buisness,and always offer to sweetin' the pot for them first,puts everyone at ease.

This always helps with dates,as an auction item;your not promised "prime" dates.So you may have to be flexable on schedual.

I was able to glue 2 hunt together in 07 in Africa.Made for 17 days of hunting,2 countries (SA and Namibia),20 trophies,42 animals overall;for the cost of one package SA trip....

Did Europe this year for less than 1/2 price...

I have most of the auction prices at Reno for the last 2 years(just the day auctions) PM me if you are interested in specific hunts...

Dan

Again, due diligence is recommended. - We met 2 guys a couple of years ago at Pietersburg Airport.........and I mentioned this on another thread recently.

These guys had bought a 2x1 PG hunt with camp exclusivity with a 'well known company' and when they got there, they found they were sharing the camp and hunting areas with 18 other hunters.

They gave up and went home after 2 days.

I've been on 3 auction hunts and don't regret any of them. Prior to participating in them, I never knew Africa could be so cheap. I have several recommendations:

1. Find out what hunts are going to be auctioned and do some online research before you buy.

2. Ask hunters on forums such as this about experiences hunting with a particular operator.

3. Pick a hunt where everything is spelled out. It does you little good to get a hunt at an attractive daily rate and find out that trophy fees are exorbitant.

4. Don't agree to any service unless you know how much it will cost. For instance, some hunt operators want you to use a particular taxidermist whose taxidermy fees and shipping fees are a bit vague. Don't give anyone a blank check to use your money.

You can learn a lot by talking to safari operators and looking at their web site. For instance, at the last SCI convention, I talked to one operator who said my trophy fees would be discounted if I decided to go with him. It turned out that his trophy fees were about twice what others were charging and when his 50% discount kicked in were right there with anyone elses. He must have thought I was an idiot; I'll never hunt with him.

The web site of another operator says you can't use all copper bullets. I guarantee that if I'm paying for a hunt, I'll use any kind of bullet I like.

look through the catalogue and see what is of interest and then before the auction go to the outfitters booth and meet them , tell them you want to bid on their auction item and get a feel for what you are buying ...that way nothing is left to chance ... you will get some great deals and dome not so great deals , but knowing what you are really buying is the key .

While I have never bought an auction hunt, I do have a suggestion. I would certaninly be doing my research now. I'd pick the hunt(s) I'm interested in and not wait until the show to make contact. I'd contact them now and ask for references, including those who may have been unsuccesful. I'd then call the references and ask them for additonal names if known. I would also research the outfitter and known PH's who work for him here on AR and on the Hunting Report. Finally, I'd meet with the outfitter at the show to get a "feel" for him and his operation.

If the premise is that one cannot likely ever go to Africa unless it is on a tremendously discounted (auction) basis, then it is pretty hard to imagine a "bad" first hunt experience - even taking into account Shakari's example, just the trip over, seeing the game, breathing in the smoke from the fire, the kick of recoil.....

Once you go and have some experience and expectations, then it is my humble opinion that there is a wide variation in the quality of experiences and the abilities of outfitters, PHs, and the raw material- the land and game.