Africa has ruined me for hunting in North America. Did this happen to you?

I was told this would happen. I think I was born on the wrong continent.

Next trip to Africa won't happen until Jan 2013. Huge Cape buffalo will be the focus.

It is fair to say that you are not the only one. Those that can afford to go every year or multiple times every year are blessed. I live vicariously through them. As for myself, I spend my time about going back. Still wouldn't miss a chance to hunt anything in NA.

Yes, I have noticed that growing problem. I have a tract of land here that I own, with year-round feeders, food plots, etc. I'm also a member of 2 different clubs on either side of my property...Deer, Turkey, and Black Bear galore! I used to live for the Fall seasons, but now I find more enjoyment getting my friends' younger kids into stands and on Deer and Turkey. I have a couple blinds where I feed, and a couple of 85 year-old guys come every year, shoot their deer, then call me to come and pick them up, gut their deer, and get them loaded up. I get more pleasure seeing those that wouldn't normally get to hunt enjoy the game. To me, now, hunting is with big bore rifles, stalking big nasty critters in far-away places!!!

What Biebs said!!

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

While I'm an Africa newbie, I love any kind of hunting, be it here in MT, in AK or somewhere else.

The thing I loved about the African hunting trip I did this year is I was able to hunt in June when everything here was closed and didn't have to miss any hunting time on the homefront.

Doing the same in 2012 on a buffalo hunt to Zim.

So to me, the hunting in Africa just allows me to expand the hunting seasons, woohoo!

The wife is not quite as enthusiastic however, she thinks from Sept-Jan and then April and May for spring bear is enough hunting. Not me though!

Actually, as wonderful as African hunting can be, it reinforced my love of hunting close to home.

Yea a bit.

AIS,

Afica has not ruined me for NA but if I'm considering how I'm going to spend my hunting $$$ Africa gets the nod everytime. What I've also noticed is that just shooting animals does not interest me any longer. Some meat for the freezer is always welcome but I'm just as happy if someone shoots it and give it to me as I would be if I collected it myself.

Mark

I too have noticed that I spend a lot less time sitting in a cold treestand waiting on whitetails... however, I still have the passion to hunt turkeys 30-40 days each spring !

Andy

Oh yea, it is so nice to hunt in the warm sun. Hunting in the Valley when it was 112 was better then 15 in the winter here, well fall as winter starts after whitetail season

It totally has. I'm sick a tired of waiting around in a treestand freezing my ass off waiting for a whitetail to walk by.

While I certainly like hunting out West the idea of spending 3,4,5,6 thousand or more to chase down some Mulies or Antelope does not sound nearly as appealing as saving a little more and heading to Africa.

I hunted whitetails in Western Penn this year and it just ain't the same as the adventure of Africa.

I wish good old regular NA hunting was enough for me as it seems to be for so many but it just isn't enough.

Yes, this has happened to me. I keep building up preference points for elk and deer and never want to use them!

It has not ruined me from hunting here,, but,,, I mainly now hunt with friends or family just for the fun of being together,, being in "deer camp" the stories, food, drinks,, more lies, etc. What I don't do is book an elk hunt on private land due to the fact for the same money I could be hunting in Africa,,, not for a buffalo for sure but easily for plains game. Just more value for the dollar the way I see it. July when it is sweltering here in Texas I will be in Namibia chasing more horned treasures... Then in the fall in Texas back to the woods here doing wild pig control and deer hunting.

I'm afraid I suffer from the same affliction.

Not necessarily ruined for NA game; however, I no longer have much interest in whitetails and tree stands. In NA I go farther afield now for bear, antelope, moose, etc. And, in addition to 2 planned African trips, I am longing to go back to Europe again.

I was one of those who never wanted to go to africa. Said there was plenty of other stuff to hunt here. Hunted deer moose elk bears went to russia,hunted polar bears then one day at sci in an auction while having a vodka raised my hand and got stuck. Now i cant think of anywhere else to go.

The idea that a trophy whitetail hunt here in Texas costs as much as a elephant hunt plus, is lost on me. North America is the most expensive place to hunt, why??? I'm with you, when do we leave.

Boy, not me! Granted, I've only made a couple trips to Africa, and have one booked for next year, but I love hunting in North America at least as much as I ever have. I hunt a few miles from home several dozen days a year for deer, turkey, waterfowl and small game (as well as mushrooms, asparagus and berries) and hunt out west for elk, mulies and/or antelope nearly every year. I hunt for the freezer, to spend time in the woods with family, and to just be outside. Africa is just another dimension of my hunting.
I guess it's sort of like food: I like my comfort foods, stuff I make nearly every week, but I like to try new things as well. (I love Thai food, but after living in Thailand for six months and eating nothing but Thai food, I ate pizza every day for a week when I got back home.)
If I had more money to spend on hunting trips than I have now, I would certainly spend more on trips to Africa, but I would also be going to Australia, Alaska, Europe and Asia as well. And I would definitely do the North American hunting I do now. I like it all!

I have come to the conclusion that while one is fit and able it would be wise to do those NA, Asian etc hunts that you want to do before you simply can't do them anymore. African hunts are comparatively far easier and much more comfortable.

It is more than just Africa, it is elephant hunting. I haven't hunted deer or elk in Idaho since I started hunting elephants 10 years ago. It is so bad that I can't get up to even hunt buffalo anymore. I still do hunt upland birds and waterfowl though.

465H&H

It sure did for me! A long time ago, I went fishing in northern Quebec and got into big walleyes and pike. Somehow, after that time in the wilderness and a lot of big fish, bass and trout lost their luster. By my third day in Africa, I knew whitetails and turkeys were in headed down the same road. I still hunt them, but I sleep well before the season, don't hunt in lousy weather and just don't get as excited. Don't know that I will get back to Africa, but I take the big guns to the range and waste an inordinant amount of time planning the next trip. Going to Africa is like kissing your first girl. Neither one will get it out of your system.
Bfly

Hunting Africa did it to me also. The price of elk and deer hunts here in the West is completly out of sight. Try drawing a resident tag for anything in New Mexico...lots of luck! Going to Africa is the real deal.

Maybe if I had to pay for guided hunts and expensive lease fees to hunt here in NA I might look at it differently, but I don't have much trouble drawing tags and getting access to (free or nearly free) land to hunt on. I feel sorry for those who do!

Yes, I am confirmed and committed to hunting Africa for the following reasons -

1. The PH's are professionals. They know what they are doing and how to do it. I have yet to come across a guide in the US or Canada that can match a PH.

2. Costs - I spent the same money hunting in Zim as for a guided elk hunt in Colorado. I take my sons and we get to hunt like mad men for 10 days and see animals every day all day. In guided hunts in the US/Canada, that is not the case.

3. Weather is great in Africa and is dry.

4. I like to track. No tracking in the US as a rule because there is no one here that really knows how to track.

5. My wife will go to Africa but not a stained tent in Wyoming with average food and no hot water.

With that said, I still hunt in the US but not with the passion of Africa. If I can do an easy hunt, I do it. If I can do short hunt ( less than 4 days) I do it. If I can do a fun hunt with great people, I do it.

Anyway, Africa spoiled me.

Hunting elephant has ruined me for everything else. I just can't afford to do it as much I would like.

I'm with 458WM on this one, Africa has made me appreciate what I have here even more. After a half dozen hunts in Africa I finally had a lousy one and that put everything back into prospective for me.

Africa is cool and I love hunting buff and elephant BUT the cost, the travel time, the hassle and the reality of what you are really getting for your money has somewhat cooled my jets on Africa and made me much more appreciative of what I have for almost free within several hours of my house.

Zimbabwe 2008 was a wake up call for me on African hunting and what happens when it goes bad. A mistake that I am still paying for.

I got more satisfaction out of taking my 14 year old daughter deer and antelope hunting this year than I've had in the field myself in quite some time now.

Not to detract anything from the wonderful hunting opportunities available in parts of Africa but after working for a couple of years in Zambia as a learner PH and pilot for game surveys and anti-poaching my son returned home saying that so much of guiding and hunting in Africa involves hours and hours of driving each day and that he missed "real hunting" on foot like we do it here in Alaska.
I am sure that had he grown up thinking that sitting in tree stands was hunting then he probably would have felt differently.

Yes, I'd agree that it probably has for me. Africa always gets the nod when I have to decide where to spend my money.

And moving to Colorado has changed my perspective on hunting the lower 48. Now that I have deer and elk literally in my yard, and see them elsewhere everyday, I no longer have the desire to shoot one. Not even the big ones.

I'm still in for Alaska and Canada though.

I've only been to Africa once, and it was the culmination of a life-long dream, in fact exceeding most of my expectations. But, "ruined"? Not a chance! I was scouting my property for deer two days after I returned, got the nicest buck that I've ever taken on my own land that fall, and called coyotes all that winter as usual. To me, no guided hunt, no matter how exceptional, will ever be able to replace a successful, self-guided hunt...and when I do go on some exotic hunt, I want it to be somewhere totally new.

I swore that I would do only one African hunt, and while I can't say that I will hold to that, I do know that there are lots of other places with equal appeal. For my next trip, I'm pretty sure that a wood bison is calling my name.

John

p.s. If I really believed that Africa (or anyplace) would ruin me for hunting at home...I guarantee that I'd never go back!

I think there's enough evidence presented here to describe a very real, post African hunt syndrome. It affects some more than others, but it seems quite common. I'm afraid to hunt elephant - the post hunt depression may be difficult to live with. Seeing game constantly and hunting critters than can hunt you back, changes you perspective considerably - what a rush! AIU

quote:

To me, no guided hunt, no matter how exceptional, will ever be able to replace a successful, self-guided hunt.

JWM

I 100% agree with you on that point! I get far more satisfaction out of a DIY hunt than any guided hunt.

for 15 years i hunted all over Alaska( unguided) western US and Canada( guided). after my first safari 12 years ago, i haven't hunted anywhere in the lower 48, Alaska or Canada, except on my own property. more variety and overall lower costs keep me headed east. a halfway decent guided elk hunt is at least $5-6000. for less money and a unique cultural experience, you can go to Africa and shoot 4-5 plains game and see 10-15 DIFFERENT species of animal. no contest!

It hasn't completely ruined me, but it has spoiled me a bit. I rarely hunt the general season here in Utah any more - too many hunters and not enough game. I usually only hunt North America big game if I draw a limited entry tag, or in another state with better hunting than here. All my North America hunts are self-guided - I've never done a guided hunt in North America - too expensive for what you get, in my opinion. If I can go hunting with my 2 brothers, I'll go anywhere because I know we'll have a great time.

Hunting is hunting, and I enjoy all types, but Africa is my favorite place to hunt - the bush, the variety of game, the sky, the climate, the sundowners, the great food, the exotic location, the good friends I've made there - it's really hard to beat. I've never spent what could be considered a large amount of money on hunts in Africa, plainsgame only so far, so I feel I get more for my dollar there than anywhere else. jdollar is right, for what a guided elk hunt costs, you can go to Africa and shoot at least 4-5 plainsgame and have a really great time while doing it. There have been North America sheep tags auctioned for more than $200,000. Imagine the hunts you could do with that much money in Africa!

So far I've never had a bad trip over there, whether hunting or not, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my luck continues.

The bureaucrats have damned near ruined U.S. hunting.

I am a lawyer, but I am beginning to feel that I need to retain one to hunt, or even figure out how to apply to hunt, in most U.S. states.

Too damned complicated.

I believe in the rule of law, by the way.

But there is surely a better way than the one now prevalent.

I still enjoy bird hunting in the US. Doves, pheasants and turkey hunting, but big game hunting costs money and I try to divert those funds these day to Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:

quote:

To me, no guided hunt, no matter how exceptional, will ever be able to replace a successful, self-guided hunt.

JWM

I 100% agree with you on that point! I get far more satisfaction out of a DIY hunt than any guided hunt.

In general I agree with you on the DIY hunts. My issue is partly limited time to go, limited access to land, and a desire to go with someone that knows a lot about what they are doing. I would love to do a DIY elk hunt, however, I do not own horses (do not want to), do not know the areas where success is possible and do not have all of the associated equipment needed.

Most people think of a DIY hunt as sitting in a box blind over a baited feeder or field that they have managed themselves. In my opinion, this is not hunting at all. So, to my way of thinking a DIY hunt requires a lot more effort, resources and time than most think.

You could rephrase the question...."Has diminished hunting access and the necessity to pay to hunt made Africa a more likely choice when I spend my hunting dollars?"

I loved Africa but I'm no expert having only been to SA once, it was nice to hunt again on home ground. I dearly appreciate my Canadian wilderness hunting opportunities but sadly it's also becoming a thing of the past.

quote:

Originally posted by Ackley Improved User:
Africa has ruined me for hunting in North America. Did this happen to you?

I was told this would happen. I think I was born on the wrong continent. .

Yep....me too..

"...did this happen to you?"

Sort of. At daybreak the first morning of the first deer season after my first safari I could almost hear the francolin calling from the bushes as the first rays of sunlight shone on the mountainside I was hunting. The realization that they weren't and weren't going to was disapointing. The usual progression of singles and small groups of game which I could see everyday - even had to be careful to avoid on the road - further disapointed me. Sitting in one spot for hours on end bored me to death. The prospect of all the work I would have to do after making a kill was daunting...

Did Africa spoil me? You bet! After ten years and several safari's I killed my first local deer several days ago. Oh I had previous chances but just didn't pull the trigger, mostly for the reasons stated above. Breaking the ice so to speak last Saturday however was enlightening. It wasn't a particularly hard earned deer and sure wasn't a "trophy" but it renewed some spark that's lain dorment since that first trip to Africa in 2001. Perhaps its nostalgic feelings due to the recent loss of several "hunters" who were close friends. Maybe facing my own mortality for the same reason. I do know that just jumping in to all that "after the kill work" turned out to be a lot easier and even enjoyable than I remembered. The late season begins in a few days and for the first time in years I'm looking forward to taking ANOTHER deer.

Africa is fun. I can't wait until I see her again but for me and many for whom Africa or even lesser trips are not something that can be undertaken easily, it is still something special. Allowing it to decrease one's appreciation of what can be had more easily and enjoyed with many friends and family who cannot accompany you on safari, I now realize is a shame. Memories of Africa will define and be the highlights of my life but the smallere victories truly are the sweetest!

After 5 safaris I have to say it hasn't ruined it for me. I still get excited when I see a big Whitetail, and Alaska is just as exciting as Africa for us. Although You really shouldn't compare because they are two completely different hunting experiences.