quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:

As to the two big shows (Reno and Dallas), I think it important to actually see the folks with whom you will hunt and to ask questions. Remember that communications back and forth to Africa with a guy who is in the bush months at a time are difficult. It's really helped me to get to know my PH's before I get to Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by 500nitro:
There are a lot of good smaller outfitters that do not get to the shows.
They can offer good hunting and good deals and will always work with the clients to suit their requirements and budgets.

quote:

Originally posted by BA:
I think this is a great question. The one thing that booking at a show allows one to do is book directly with the outfitter/hunting company. When there is not a booking agent involved, the outfitter/hunting company avoids paying a commission to the booking agent. From what I have been told, commissions to booking agents can range from 10% to 20%. So, my opinion is that you have some room to negotiate if you are dealing directly with the company running the hunt.

I'm not trying to discount what a booking agent provides as they perform a valuable service to some hunters. Not so much to others.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Through the years, I have seen hunters go hunt in Africa for the first time, then come back and become instant agents!

One went as far as to say all he wanted was to get the 15% discount for his own hunt!

I cannot recall him going on another hunt though!

quote:

Originally posted by BA:
The reality is that having a broker, agent or middleman adds costs. If you can book directly with the outfitter you cut-out the middleman which gives you more flexibility in negotiating price.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:

quote:

Originally posted by BA:
The reality is that having a broker, agent or middleman adds costs. If you can book directly with the outfitter you cut-out the middleman which gives you more flexibility in negotiating price.

I think that perhaps you're being a little simplistic.

Firstly, you're not taking into account the fact that not all outfitters attend the conventions.

Secondly, you've not taken into account the fact that you might get a better deal from those that don't attend.

Thirdly, you're assuming that all outfitters will negotiate prices etc.... and that simply isn't the case.

Forthly, you're assuming that price is the only important criteria.

At the end of the day, there's no such thing as a free lunch and the cheapest hunt will never give you the best one.

However, if price is your only criteria, I doubt you could do better than visit the hunts offered forum where you'll find at least 2 free hunts a year for first timers and/or first timers with that particular company and ordinary plains game with daily rates from something like US$200 or US$250 per day.

quote:

Originally posted by white north:
Thank You to all,who had their thoughts,as my chances of going to a show are very low,due to my location,and cost of travel in my area.

White North
A little off topic but,just had a winter blizzard yesterday,and today,my dad had to get shoveled out of his office to get out,snow was right to the door knob in 2 hours.

quote:

Originally posted by Oryxhunter1983:
RUSS- is completely correct.

The prices at the shows get better towards the end of January in Reno...I know they get better after the show for sure.

As I've been in sales at certain points in my life, when those shows are over, those outfitters have very small chances for booking, the later in the year you book, the better the prices get.

Unless you're hunting something with small quota, I wouldn't book anything at the shows. Some outfitters, and again I'll say some, are good business men and recognize clients that have money and want to book at the right price, and will go ahead and do it.

Now, on the other hand, and I can speak from experience, I've had ph/outfitters quote me prices that were insane, and I told them that wouldn't work for our budget (and I use the word budget, not implying we wanted a cheap hunt, but something reasonable) and have them scoff and say their animals are worth more...blah blah blah.

Same outfitter 2 months later sends me pics of him and his kids holding a dog, claiming "we've had lots of cancellations, and we have lowered our prices and would love to talk about putting a deal together for me and my other 4 hunters."

You know what I sent him,

If you're too stupid to not recognize the value of booking 5 hunters spending a total of 40-45k for plainsgame hunts in Dallas in 09, when the economy is in the shit...and NO one is taking hunts, than you must certainly be too stupid to be my PH. Anyone who sends me a pic pimping sympathy with his kids is scum!

But that's just my opinion.

And buying hunts in the auction can be good, but man there's always so many loopholes, and the outfitters don't like it if you don't upgrade and spend more. So going on a hunt you usually couldn't afford that you picked up at auction, doesn't work out for some. I just get really nervous because you've already spent the money, and so you have zero control at that point.