Planning a plains game hunt with my brother. Curious as to what your opinions are regarding whether a 2X1 or 1X1 hunt is better. We realize some of the advantages and benifits of both but want to know if there is anyting that we are failing to consider.

Depends on close you and your brother are, and if you wznt to see each other in action. If so, then 2 on 1 is okay. Otherwise it it doesn't typically save much money and generally sucks.

Troglodyte: They both have benefits, but I recommend a 1X1. You guys can go togehter, just use different PHs and you can share stories at the end of the day over sundowners. On my last safari, I went with my best friend and for the first part of the hunt which was for buffalo, we "sort" of used a 2X1. It can be a problem if towards the end of the hunt either one of you hasn't yet taken a particular animal. Lok at it this way, it theoretically decreases your odds.
Can you guys book the hunt to the same location and just contract for two PHs? the increase cost is minimal. jorge

If it is because you both get on well and want to hunt together then there should be no issue. I'd recommend flipping a coin the first day to see who goes first in the morning, switch in the afternoon. Afternoon person hunts first in the morning the second day, etc.

If you are doing a 2X1 just to save money I don't think it is a good idea, explanation:

You will both be in one car with one PH. IF something is shot a good portion of time will be taken up to transport that animal to the skinning shed thus pinching "someone's hunting time. This can result in animosity to say the least. It may even keep you in camp because the tracker is also the skinner and now he has work to do (sometimes this happens).

You may not get to hunt all the animals on your wish list. As long as you both keep that in mind and perhaps book a good length of time/days to hunt you should be fine.

I would never, ever hunt 2X1 with anyone. The cost savings isn't worth it, and the amount of personal hunting time that must be sacrificed actually increases the cost beyond that which is saved by the lower rate. There's also the chance of someone going home sore over who got the opportunity to shoot what, etc. Friendships get ruined by 2X1 hunts on a regular basis............

I don't believe in stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime. If you want to share a safari with friends, that's great, just make sure that whoever else is hunting has his own personal PH. That way, you can enjoy each other's company on the plane going over, at breakfast each morning, and around the campfire at night. But during the day, you each get to build your own set of memories in an unencumbered manner.

Transportation costs going from here to Africa are the same no matter what, so make the most of your time whaile you're there, shoot as many trophies as you can, and otherwise knock yourself out to have the best safari possible. Treat every hunt as if it will be your last............

AD

Alan is right. 1x1 is the best way to go. More friendships have broken up over 2x1 hunting than you can imagine.

Penny wise and pound foolish if you go 2x1.

My suggestion is 2x2. That way you have the option of hunting together or not, depending on circumstances at the time of the hunt. It may be a little more expensive, but it can save a lot of problems in the long run.

Jim

If you consider your brother's success as important to you as yours, and if you want to see his expressions and reactions, then go ahead and book 2X1. I took my two sons on an African hunt and actually hunted 3X1. It was unforgettable, but I was more concerned with their enjoyment than mine. I also hunted with a friend 2X1 and it worked out. Both of these were for plainsgame. I get my greatest enjoyment out of being there. Clearly I want to be successful but as long as I take a few representitive trophies I'm pretty happy. Consequently I enjoy the company and comradery of a 2X1 hunt.
If you are highly focused and want to find the best trophies and want to absolutly fill your licenses than you are better off 1X1.
Also what you are hunting may factor in. I'm considering another trip in a couple of years. I'll be going with a friend who will be making his first trip. If it is a relaxed safari for plainsgame We'll probably go 2X1. If we go for Buffalo - 1X1. When it comes to Buffalo, I'll get serious.

TerryR

I can think of several I'd 2x2 hunt with, but I can only think of one person I'd 2x1 hunt with, and he turned five yesterday.

I'm with ya cable68. My partner turns 9 on Saturday.

Trog, 2X2 gives you both much flexiblity. There are lots of places to scrimp on safari costs before you resort to 2X1.

I did a 4X3 hunt one time and it was terrific. We were all friends and it gave us opportunities to hunt together, just not every day. Chasing someone else's wounded zebra for two days while your buffalo hunting time ticks away would not be fun.

My brother and I do have very similar hunting styles an dispositions. The only reason we consider hunting together is to have a shared experiences as opposed to seperate experiences. It has nothing to do with cost.
We would both like to take nice animals but that is not the driving factor for going on this hunt.
How does a 2x2 hunt work?

2X1 isn't saving you much. In that respect, it's a bit of a ripoff imo. It is also very close to taking a shower with your rainsiut on.

Imagine you are stalking some spooky buff and you have a group of guys trying to be stealthy. Highly unlikely. On the other hand one of you stays behind and the stalk goes on for the better part of the day. Happens all the time.

Time passes pretty slowly in that case.

Go 1X1, but maybe take a day or two to run around and shoot baboions and take pictures, and meet up for lunches and stuff. You can get the 1X1 experience, but with a little side by side action as well.

At least you have the option to mix it up that way.

quote:

Originally posted by Troglodyte:
How does a 2x2 hunt work?

I am no expert, but to me it is two hunters, two PHs, one camp. Hunt separately during the day, get together and BS around the fire at night.

You've probably gone over all the differing scenerios, so just go 1x1 unless you absolutely positively have to be there. You'll share more than you can now believe even though you hunt separately.

Go 1x1 - I took my sons and daughter to Zim. Had a PH for each of us and had a ball. Worth the extra money.

In the US (eventhough I doubt I will ever hunt with a guide again), I would only consider a 1x1 or a 1x2 with the extra guy handling the horses.

Africa will spoil you as you are really 1x4 (Ph, tracker, skinner, spotter with you as well).

I don't even want another hunter in camp, and would definitely not be interested in a 2x1.

I did my first 2X1 hunt last year and it was great hunt. EXCEPT I only truely hunted as the trigger man 4 days out of a 10 day hunt.

No hard feelings as this was my buddies first African hunt and it was really cool watching him shoot all his stuff and the excitment and enthusiasm that only a first timer has.

But it was a kind of an expensive 4 day hunt for me.

We both agreed that we'll never do that again next time we pay the $100 or so dollars a day and go 2X2 NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!

2x1 is a false sense of economy....

Depends on the attitude of both hunters. I 2X1 with my son last year and we both had a hell of a time. Neither of us were especially interested in a trophy. We just wanted to shoot something. We actually let the PH decide who would shoot the animal.
He did shoot a poor Kudu in the ass, it went in Rowland Ward. Mine missed by 1". I'll kick his butt on the next trip!
If your a Type A, agressive person, you might want to go 1x1.

So what about you guys who hunt w/wives, girlfriends, etc. I would think it would depend on her level of hunting experience and what you really wanted the overall trip to be.

quote:

Originally posted by gotogirl3:
So what about you guys who hunt w/wives, girlfriends, etc. I would think it would depend on her level of hunting experience and what you really wanted the overall trip to be.

I hunted with my wife once 2x1, which we both enjoyed a lot as it was her first time. And I'm very glad I was there when she shot her first animals and could share in her enthusiasm. However, the next hunting trip we took which also included my mother, we decided to go 3x3. And we all agreed that it was the best way to do it for us. We each got to hunt 100%, yet could be together in the evening, and during lunch now and then. We'd do the same again.

Last year i enjoyed a 2x1 hunt with a friend as when one of us wasn't doing the shooting we would be using the video filming the hunt for the other.
This worked great as you could enjoy it almost as much as shooting, but it wouldn't be good if you were
the competitive type.

Egos can destroy any shared experience. I went on my last trip with my son 2x1, but we also had the safari co. owner mix it up depending on the planning. One day I went for bushbuck near Limpopo, while my son took his SGKudu, warthog & impala. We met up that afternoon and had great stories to share. The next day we were back together for most of the day...mix it up and enjoy both worlds...

Trog:

...let's not forget an important facet of 2x1. The PH has to work twice as hard to satisfy the requirements of two clients.
JLS

If each of your goals is to definitely get a very specific list of trophies, then 1x1 is better. If you are going for the experience, comradeery (spelling?), and will be happy making sure you each get a least a couple of your high priority trophies, then 2x1. You can joke throught the day. ask each others opinions, help each other out, get picturs of each other together through the trip, etc. I did 2x1 this year and would do it again. In fact hopefully will

FWIW, I have never hunted and would not want to hunt 2x1, except maybe with a close family member.

With family, I would be more interested in their hunting experience and success than my own, and I could and would willingly subordinate my interests.

Apart from that, though, it seems to me that even with the best of intentions and relationships, there would be just too much potential for competition--for time, trophies, etc.--and consequent bad feelings.

I've hunted both ways now, and they both have their benefits. On my fist safari, plains game in Namibia, my dad and I hunted with the same PH (Vaughan Fulton). It was a wonderful time. Yes Vaughan had to work a bit harder to see that we each got the animals we were interested in. Yes we each spent time humping up the mountains and through the brush while the other guy was "on the trigger." But that was fine, we all knew what we were getting into. Because my dad was instrumental in me choosing the outdoor lifestyle, and we've spent so much time afield together, we never really considered going 2X2. For a couple days while we were at a private holding we did, and I actually missed spending those days with him. I missed seeing our first African animal (his impala) hit the ground. I missed the anticipation of his first stalk in Africa and the joy of cleanly taking his first animal. I would gladly go 2x1 with him again, but we have a strong relationship that only grows stronger as we add hunting memories to the fray.

If your relationship with your brother is similar, and you're willing to make the sacrifices others' here have mentioned, then go 2X1. However, if there's even a little potential for tension, spend the few extra bucks and go 2X2. I'd probably do that with anybody else buy my dad (and my wife).

Troglogyte
If you are primarily looking for a shared experience, 2X1 is the way to go. You will be together and experience each others successes and failures. Rather than talking about what I did today, you can talk about what we did today. Keep in mind, one thing that we cannot do at the same time is hunt. You will be on deck for at least half the hunting time, maybe more. So long as you can enjoy watching your Brother hunt as much as hunting yourself, you will enjoy 2X1. It really is the only way to share the hunt. Some of my greatest memories are being there with my Sons when they took their first trophies and with my Brother when he took his last.

Been There
TerryR

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Again, it depends on how well you and your brother get along and if you can do as Ann suggested, realizing that both of you might shoot trophies that the other one wanted.

I've been on 3 successful 2x1 hunts, all with close relatives that I hunted with many times previously. I doubt I would be interested in a hunt like that with anybody else.

2X1 was a fantastic experience on my first hunt, as I was hunting with a tremendous friend and exceptional guy. And we both agreed we wouldn't do it that way again. Book 2x2, hunt together if you feel like one day or so, but spend most of our time with our own PH.

Still a fantastic experience, but we'll do it different next time.

As several have already pointed out, there are advantages and disadvantages of each. Here are my thoughts:

2x1 advantages

• Slightly lower out-of-pocket cost
  
• You can observe others shooting animals (if you want to video tape)
  
• Allows you to be with someone you want to spend time with in the field (son or daughter, wife, ...)
  

2x1 disadvantages

• More people in your hunting party (making more movement, noise, etc.)
  
• You WILL waste more time (bringing into question cost-savings) while tracking game wounded by your hunting partner and/or taking animals back to prep, pursuing game not on your list.
  
• "Competition" with your hunting partner for quarry (who gets first crack at a given animal, et.)
  

1x1 advantages

• You have the complete undivided attention and focus of your PH
  
• 1 fewer person in the party making noise
  
• You have more control over animals you elect to stalk and shoot
  
• "100% uptime" hunting - if you choose
  

1x1 disadvantages

• Slightly higher out-of-pocket cost
  

With that said, I would hunt 1x1 with the exception of having a significant other along (son, daughter, wife).

99% of hunts ought to be 1x1. If you go 2x1 and one of you injures an animal then you are waiting for that animal to be recovered. You could end up wasting a day or so chasing an animal you didn't shoot. Or worse you could end up sitting at the truck if the PH doesn't want to many people in the field. Go for the extra $$$ for 1x1.

1x1 is the way to go.

But, if you know your hunting partner well enough, and neither of you is going to be upset if the other gets a better trophy or wounds an animal that requires a full days chase. Then 2x1 is great fun.

I enjoy hunting with friends, but, our hunts are more of a commedy show than trophy hunting. We all have a great time.

Luckily, none of us takes much of what goes on a hunt seriously, otherwise I suspect all of us would have ended up as hyaena bait.

Starting with Walter of course!

...in my early hunts I always put my trophy infront of anything else and 1x1 was only option but later on I found myself appreciate the company of a genuine friend as an upgrade of hunting experience...there you can see the difference between a friend and "friend"...I find the only difference in squeeze of a trigger and the trophy that is put on the wall...if you ask any PH - you would see that any trophy taken under their guidance is just as they would shoot it themselves...but I do agree that you cant go on 2x1 with someone who does not see things that way...

Off the top of my head my gut reaction answer would always be go 1x1. I do think a couple of hunting buddies that can appreciate their friend's success as much as their own could have a heck of a safari together particularly if they are only hunting plains game. A dangerous game hunt where each person wants buff, cats, elephant etc. is a recipe for disaster because of all the before mentioned reasons.

Mark

Some have hunting partners that go back to childhood. Any ego related stuff is long gone. They relish the thought of watching any of those buddies experience that which they themselves have, in Africa .. a dream they all shared, way back when. I too, have partners that are twice the hunter I am, despite the fact they've never laid eyes on Africa. I can not put into words how wonderful it might be to accompany them, or they me, in such a place. Were I to win the lottery, near the top of my list of things to do would be taking them there.

I have successfully hunted 1x1, 2x1, 3x2, 3x3. I would only recommend hunting 2x1 in the case where your enjoyment of watching your partner hunt out weighs your own desires to shoot. An example would be the leopard/plains game hunt in Namibia I took my son on this year. Having made previous trips to Africa, there was only a couple of animals I wanted to take. The primary focus was for my son's success. We planned a 15 day hunt so we were not pressed for time. We had a great time. I got just as much enjoyment out of seeing my son stalk and shoot as I did hunting myself.

I booked my first safari 2x1 to save $$. My partner was a long time close friend that had not yet been to Africa either. We planned a 15 day hunt in Zim. He would hunt buff and plains game while I hunted leopard and plains game. Although we were very successful (we took 1 buff, 1 leopard, 2 kudu, 2 zebra, 1 wildebeest, 1 waterbuck, 2 bushbuck, 2 duiker, 8 impala, 1 bushpig), there were problems. There were animals we each wanted but did not have time to take. This was also true on my 1x1 hunts, but when hunting 2x1, your natural inclination is to blame your partner for the time spent pursuing his animals. When you both want the same species and trophy specimens are not plentiful, someone can go home without. Again, you start to blame each other. And yes, ego and competition come into play.

2x1 can work, but in most cases will cause problems for even the best of friendships. Getting your desired game is important. You will only see a limited number of true trophy quality animals on any hunt. Hunting 2x1, you will be forced to share those.

After looking at this again I can come up with a scenario that can really work for a 2x1 safari. We can offer a 15 day leopard safari that produces 90% success and also allows a great many plains game animals an multiples of some. The kicker is that another hunter can go along at the observer rate and shoot all the plains game. The leopards are hunted at night(you get to sleep) so time spent on plains game does not in anyway interfer with the leopard hunting.

For 2 hunters one looking mostly for leopard and the other wanting only plains game this could be one heck of a deal.

Mark