First post so I s'pose I should say hello to start off.

I'm an Ohio (Buckeye) born fella who calls Maine home and currently living in Ukraine with my bride whilst we plod thru her immigration process. Retired from the Maine ANG (The MAINEiacs) in 2005 on a medical and haven't stopped having fun yet.

We just returned to UA from visiting our (her) daughter and grand-baby in Rustenburg SA. We stayed for a month and I can't wait to go back. Planning on next year mid Dec-mid Feb 2020 and a hunt with my SiL and his dad is in the planning stages already. They've hunted all over South Africa for years and know where the good game is. An uncle has a couple thousand hectares in the Free States where we spotted a very nice bull kudu. I think I gotta bag one of them. I'm already scoping out a proper hunting rifle and glass for the trip. And no, not gonna ask which is the best. See? I've read some other threads.

Anyways, I seem to recall SIL mentioning something about fees for each animal. Can someone enlighten this old fart? Is there a fee per and if so who gets paid, how, etc?

Thanks in advance and I'm enjoying prowling about gathering info.

-I gather that old mil surps are ok for one. I have a T-53 (Chinese, Mosin M44 clone) in 7.62x54R that I'd like to bring and try out with some SP hunting rds of course.

-Also looking to buy a new rifle with nice glass as well. The top candidate atm is the Mossy Patriot Revere in 300 WM a flippin gorgeous rifle with a nice pedigree. SIL runs that cal and reloads his own too so we can share ammo there.

Keep reading. Welcome, BTW. Daily fees/rate get you started. You shoot and trophy fees begin to apply. It goes from there. SiL should be telling you more...

Tnic

Welcome to our group.

BNagel has some good points.

Be careful on taking military ammo and rifles, you really need to check that one out.

Prices will vary from one property to the next. You will need to check South African laws.

I know that the local hunters are charged a different price than foreign hunters for game animals. I am not sure you would be able take that route, not living in the country.

Thanks for the replies gents. Still reading, watching & absorbing.

If I understood SiL right we won't be using an outfitter so what fees? We didn't have a lot of time to talk details and I didn't know (as usual) what Qs needed askin at the time. We'll be doing some chatting about it I'm sure.

All I've found about firearms so far (in SA) is no autos or semis and no handguns. I saw the recent thread about the fella asking about his Mauser(?), but there was some questions as to where in Africa he was going so no definitive answer there. I'm not married to the Mosin idea, just think it would be a little cool using something I did all the mods on is all.

There will be plenty more research going on, I just wanted to tap into the collective wisdom of the board without being too lazy. My search skills leave much to be desired.

I may be wrong, but it’s my understanding that SA requires nonresidents to have a qualified PH and if you want to export, it has to be booked through a licensed outfitter.

I may well be wrong, as all of my hunting in SA (or in Africa altogther) has been through formal outfits. I would definitely want to hear from a regional game officer if I was going to do what you are talking about, or conversely if an outfitter in that province can say it’s fine, I might go for it.

Don’t risk a potential Lacey act violation. Do your homework.

To import a firearm you need a letter of invitation from a licensed PH. In other words you have to hire a PH for the hunt to get your firearm into the country. He will charge you daily rates circa $350-500 per day and trophy fees for each animal, for Kudu expect to pay $1500 or more.

There is no law however preventing you from being a tourist without a firearm. You can even visit your uncle's game farm. What you do while you are there is between you and your uncle.

as a side note.
I wouldn't count on any belted magnum round fitting two different rifles after it's been fired in one of them, unless a complete body length sizing collar is used on the cases.

Lamar is correct. If you plan on shooting reloaded ammo, make sure that whoever does the reloading uses a full-length re-sizing die, and then makes sure that the case length is within specs. If not, the cases need to be trimmed to the proper length, and the case mouths chamfered both inside and out. Belted magnum cases headspace on the belt, and are notorious for growing in length with each firing. Reloading a case too many times can result in head separations. I always cycle every round that I plan to hunt with through the action just to make sure it will work when I need it to. And, the .300 WinMag has a pretty stout recoil, so unless you are familiar with it, or plan to be, something with less recoil might be in order. Good luck.

Even using full length sizing dies does not guarantee the ammo will fit another rifle in belted magnums.

Chambers are so sloppy in some factory rifles.

Rifles we chamber will not close on a GO gage.

But we never found any factory ammo that will not chamber!!??

Excellent points all around and many thanks to all.

Will be having a chat with SiL soon to ascertain some initial details.

Much thinking, planning, deciding and dreaming ahead.

As for recoil, I shoot 3.5" Mags in my Mossy 835 12 ga now and then for funsies and my T 53 (M 44 clone) has a pretty good punch as well. You definitely feel it after 10 rds or so. According to the info I've seen on the Mossy Patriot Revere the recoil isn't too bad, but still looks like a good tap on the shoulder. I could always go with the .308 too. Lord knows it'd be easier on the wallet for store bought ammo.

Personally, before considering appropriate calibers and cartridges I'd rather make sure my hunt was legal.

If you're not a resident, your hunt can only be legal if organized through a licensed Hunting Outfitter in the province you plan on hunting in.

This would be the best start to a good experience and to getting your trophies back home without issues...

Thanks Chris.

Had a brief chat with my SiL last night and he assures me that all necessary paperwork (from his side of the Pond) will be accomplished. So, bringing my firearm(s) in and trophy out will be no problem.

He also said that all shots will be 300 m and in. Still hooked on the Revere and want a .30 cal, so just have to decide which one and I know I'd be very happy with .308.

You'll need US Customs Form 4457 to prove ownership upon returning from SA. Also, there's the temporary rifle permitting process to take your rifle into the country. If there's any way to just use your SiL's rifle, it's way easier.

Unless your SIL is a licensed PH he can't fill out the necessary paperwork. The letter of invitation has to indicate the license number of the hosting PH. As does the application for export clearance of the trophies. I hate to say it but I think he is cavalier and unfortunately it's you, not him, that is in jeopardy.

quote:

Originally posted by BNagel:
If there's any way to just use your SiL's rifle, it's way easier.

And give up an excuse VALID REASON to buy another gun???? Are ye daft man?

Seriously, he and his dad are avid hunters and, I'm confident, have several PH friends who will be happy to help out with the paperwork involved. I understand it will be more of a hassle to bring my own hardware with me and I'm ok with that.

And I do appreciate that everyone is trying to help me avoid the pitfalls.

Hope you all had a magnificent Christmas.

Just had that convo with my SiL.

He IS a PH. So ALL the required paperwork will get done to make importing my gun(s) and exporting my trophy(s) 100% legal.

He also told me he wants to take to 3 different locals in SA. An Uncle's farm in The Free States, The Kalahari and The Bushfeld (sp?) at another relative's with 48k hectares. I think he said The Kalahari will be a camping experience and the other two we'll sleep in beds.

If we can stuff his freezer and bring home a nice kudu mount this feller will be a happy hunter.

quote:

Originally posted by Tnic:
Just had that convo with my SiL.

He IS a PH. So ALL the required paperwork will get done to make importing my gun(s) and exporting my trophy(s) 100% legal.

He also told me he wants to take to 3 different locals in SA. An Uncle's farm in The Free States, The Kalahari and The Bushfeld (sp?) at another relative's with 48k hectares. I think he said The Kalahari will be a camping experience and the other two we'll sleep in beds.

If we can stuff his freezer and bring home a nice kudu mount this feller will be a happy hunter.

It would have been nice if you would have shared this information when you started your post.

quote:

It would have been nice if you would have shared this information when you started your post.

Nothing better than a good troll prior to a strike.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana338:

quote:

Originally posted by Tnic:
Just had that convo with my SiL.

He IS a PH. So ALL the required paperwork will get done to make importing my gun(s) and exporting my trophy(s) 100% legal.

He also told me he wants to take to 3 different locals in SA. An Uncle's farm in The Free States, The Kalahari and The Bushfeld (sp?) at another relative's with 48k hectares. I think he said The Kalahari will be a camping experience and the other two we'll sleep in beds.

If we can stuff his freezer and bring home a nice kudu mount this feller will be a happy hunter.

It would have been nice if you would have shared this information when you started your post.

Woulda been nicer if I had known.

We talked about a lot of stuff when I was there and too many Qs never got asked not too mention all the Qs I didn't even know to ask until I got home (where I have internet) to begin the research.


There, now that that's outta the way.

Just pulled the trigger on a near mint "Rifleman's Rifle". A 1957 (same as me) Model 70 in 30-06. Sadly, there's no compass or a thing that tells time in the stock.