Has anyone ever booked with Cabelas for buffalo?

I'd like to know how it worked out.

I called for information and they seemed evasive, only offering the Hunting trip catalog, although they did know the areas in ZIM. They're using 6 PH's, but didn't know their names, plus I couldn't get any contract information or idea of the other costs. I would hate to think that I had to order it over the internet before you get a contract.

Thanks Guys & Ann

I will say I have heard the same thing as Ganyana. Cabelas are possibly using Out of Africa who are illegally hunting in Zim. Buyer beware!

I can certainly help you with legitimate outfitters in Zim or anywhere else on the African Continent for buffalo, or for that matter, what ever you want to hunt.

First of all, I don't think Cabelas ever sends anyone to check out hunts before they book them. I have hunted a few places with outfitters who booked through Cabelas and they told me they never actually saw anyone who represented them.



I have met some hunters who have had good experiences and some who have had bad ones. If you have doubts, you should book with an agent you can trust and can talk to. When you ask questions, it should become apparent whether or not the agent knows anything about the hunt he/she wants to sell you. I would start with an agent who has been there. Several who post on this board would be good beginning points. Ray or Ann, for example, have been there. They should give you good advice. I have never used either, but would not hesitate to do so based upon the recommendations of others I trust.



In summary, there are cheap hunts out there. If price is your only consideration, you will probably get what you pay for. Price should be one consideration, but the quality of the experience should be paramount.

I have talked with Cabela's before and they never seem to call back and when you do get hold of them they are not very helpful. I know it's no excuse, but you wonder how many call they get a day from Billy Bob that want's to talk the talk but not walk the walk. The might be a little gun shy on investing to much time with someone unless they can tell it is a serious inquiry.

I've also talked with OOA before and after one phone conversation where they were not to willing to get into specifics and just kept saying "We can accomodate you", "Just send us a deposit", hung up and have never looked back. Any dealing with OOA get's what they deserve.

I can't say about Cabela's in Africa. I didn't hunt with them for plains game because they couldn't tailor the package that I wanted, but I've hunted with them three times in the U. S. and Canada. Great hunts, great outfitters, great guides all three times.

I'm probably going after buffalo in 2006. I'll listen to what Cabela's has to offer. I also have an acquaintance in Zimbabwe, and an outfitter I like in South Africa that hunts Zambia. If I'm not able to hunt with my friend and his family I'll give the other two a shot, and see who wants it the worst.

I try not to listen to too many ghost stories, they tend to scare me.

Anytime you see a cheap buffalo hunt, the first question to ask is what does the price include, such as license, concession fees, trophy fee for one buffalo, air charter in and out of camp, taxes?????????

A buff hunt cost so much to do, and when I see hunts for sale at below what they cost to administer, that is misleading advertisment and should be frowned upon IMO.....

Ray,
I agree 110% with you on this one. Beware cheap buff hunts, a few guys were offering some last year (including Cabellas) in an area where there were no buff. The outfitters still had no problem charging day fees that reflected dg hunts, but in fringe areas or areas where buff just were not present. There are too many good guys out there offering these hunts for people to be falling for the scams, but some folks still do every year.

patrkyhntr:

As a point of information, I shared a camp in Colorado a few years ago with a Cabela's employee who was there for the specific purpose of checking out the operation. Just FYI.

The only thing you will get from Cabela's is a more expensive hunt with their fee tacked on top of a hunt you can research here. Do your homework here and forget the big "C"........

I went on a west Texas pronghorn hunt a couple of years ago and there was a group of "Cabelas's hunters" in our group. The only difference was that they paid $500 more for the same hunt.

Bob

Bob, you are right.



Any booking agent critical of Cabela's is sort self promotion...



I have booked with Cabelas twice. One hunt, that I booked with Greg Severinson (SP?) was wonderful - fantastic. The other (for buffalo), thru Russell Seele, was a disaster. I have since just booked my own.



Who needs a booking agent? Just do some research on the Internet yourself...



But I will say this about the bad Cabelas hunt: I complained, and got back around $1600. Ann and Ray, when is the last time you did this for a client? Give me some names, and you might have my business...

If you do book though- with any agent, but in the light of recent information, particularly Cabelas- for a Hunt in Zimbabwe please do yourself a favour and find out who the local operator is and check with the association first- Having Fish & Wildlife or the EU equivalent arriving to talk to you about recieving stolen property isn't good for the nerves.

In defence of decent booking agents though, Most reputable operators give the agent a discount and sell to the man off the street at the same price as the agent. Some booking agents though try to "top up" on their income by adding and extra 50 bucks a day or whatever. In terms of Zimbabwe though this cuases problems when it commes to the export of trophies if Parks or the bank finds out - see NP form 11 the client fills in on arrival.

The one time I took exception to Cabela's advertising on a bull elk hunt after talking to the outfitter, Cabela's offered to switch me to another hunt. I declined and got a nice 6 x 6.

They also called me back later and had a cancellation on a stone sheep hunt that I could have for half price. I declined because I couldn't hit the dates in question.

I find Cabela's hunting operation to be nothing but professional. I deal with Ed Beattie.

As far as gear, Campmor beats their price all to Hell.

I stand corrected on this one.

Another:

I got a 100% return through Ray for a botched hunt, even though Ray, nor his outfitter had anything to do with the screw-up (and the figure was five figures +.) This was after all the overhead in preperation was spent, I had been driven a thousand miles or so, fed, drunk whiskey, etc. I never asked for the money but was just sat down, brought a whiskey and handed a check.

If you wonder why Ray and I are close... I can tell you that his integrety in making it right sure did help my opinion of him. That and he's the father of my pit bulls new puppies..

Hey Ray.. quit climbing in the pen.

Judge:

Well, maybe I should book a hunt thru Ray. Putting your money where your mouth is is important to me.

I booked a couple good hunts through Cabella's and then had a nightmare,please add my vote to the stay away from Cabella's column.They do not stand behind their service.I would like to meet a booking agent who would. I do my research and try to make the best chioce on reccomendations from other hunters.DD

Ann:



I have had very good luck just buying hunting reports from Don Causey, calling the references, and then booking on my own. When I went to NZ, I found out my guide has a guy he works for, who then sells to many in the US.



I may take up the booking agent thing myself one day - I could write off more of my hunting that way. I travel internationally all the time, seen a lot of good and bad, why not?



As for refunding, good for you.



There is one thing Cabela's does that few do: you can use your Cabela's points to pay for hunts, and since I run most of business expenses thru my Cabela's card (except payroll) I get a ton of points there. I will admit it doesn't tip the scales, but it is a big plus. If all else where equal, I would book thru them.

I think it makes good sense to use an experienced booking agent who processes enough volume of hunts to be able to cover a hunt gone bad, especially for a first hunt. Everyone who runs a business knows about having to cover some expenses that are not your fault and which you shouldn't really have to pay for, but you do it because it's the right thing to do. For a client returning to the same reputable safari company year after year, it may not be necessary to use a booking agent, but of course there can be more risk in direct booking because there is no agent to give you a heads up or make things right if there is a goof up. On the other hand, booking sight unseen with anyone without performing some due diligence is risky too.

Perhaps Cabelas is so big that they are not able to manage their operation effectively and have therefore run some bad hunts (and some illegal hunts in ZIM with Out of Africa). Or maybe they just don't care - I cannot tell.

As a note, SCI still allows Out of Africa to advertise in their publications which I think is wrong. It send the message that SCI is all about money and not about ethics.

500 grains,

I am on the SCI Board and I noticed. I have sent the Zim folks an email asking them to provide a legal package that I can take forward to confront this situation. I haven't got an answer yet, which may just be the normal Africa email gremlins. I will keep asking.

For action I need official people to take official notice, and get away from rumor-level stuff.

jim

I don't know the truth, but Cabela's are named in the local press at the weekend as beeing the booking agents for some of the illegal hunts up in the Gwaai. US fish & Wildlife have been informed of the hunts.