I was at the Eastern Sports show in Harrisburg, PA looking for a non exportable bull elephant hunt for this year. I spoke to the few Zim outfitters in attendance about such a hunt and those that have replied to me could only offer a PAC hunt at night or said they couldn't offer any non exportable hunts at the present. I'm aware of the issues with non Zim residents shooting a PAC which causes me some concern and I don't want to shoot an Elephant at night with a spotlight.

Well this one PH (Peter DeHass) from an outfit called "Hunt essential/Fish Fantastic" keeps emailing me and calling with an offer to do a non exportable bull elephant hunt. They have a website, (www.huntessential.com) but their organization appears to be a very expensive membership type of club and not a traditional outfitter/ph type website. They are located in Botswana, but the hunt would be in Zimbabwe.

The hard sell and the lack of details for specific hunts has me wondering if this outfit is on the up and up. If most Zim operators can't offer a daylight non exportable bull hunt at present, how can these guys from Botswana pull it off in Zim?

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone here has heard of this outfit/Ph? I don't think I'm going to book with them since I just don't feel comfortable given the recent information on AR re: PAC and the lack of a decision by Nat'l. Parks on a quota for Non exportable bulls in Zim.

Anyone have any experience with this outfit/PH?

I've never heard of these guys, but it seems to me as thought your instincts are trying to tell you something.

If it seems too good to be true...

The Outdoor Channel show “Gold Tip's 4CE” with Jim Burnworth, Ray Bunney and Keith Mark, did one of their shows with "Hunt Essential/Fish Fantastic". Don’t remember much about the show just the name of the company.

I have a fair amount of experience with these folks( none of it very good). as i am a very slow typist- and wish to avoid any legal pitfalls- i will be happy to discuss this with anyone on a personal phone call basis. drop me a PM and i will give you my phone number and we can arrange a convenient time.
Jerry

Jdollar - you have a PM.

I have never hunted with Hunt essential, but I have seen their advertisement in the African outfitter magazine. The one area that they hunt out of in Zimbabwe is called Doddieburn. I had a bad experience with the folks who was in charge of Doddieburn at that time. Just make sure that Hunt esential is not afiliated with Lourens Botha of Shase safaris in Zimbabwe.

My thanks to everyone who provided information, especially JDollar. As I said in my original post, I had concerns about this outfit and have definately decided not to book with them.

A big THANK YOU to Saeed for making this great resource available to us.