Currently designing a classic for end of season group hunt and when I say end of season I mean the first rains. Crashing storms and the cool of moisture. It is a time when the bush transforms itself from battle field to botanical garden. A time when the winch is switched into action and flowers sprout through the green lawns of Africa. Dambos become streams and the game is washed of dust and are vibrant in colour.

For us who reside in Zambia it is a favourite time of year. The ground is soft underneath and tracking is easy. Game is on the move.

Is this a con or a pro?

End of season last year, and just outside my boundary, I could have sold Lion, Roan, Sable and Buffalo for the price of a plains game safari. This must be a pro.

The group hunts I have conducted have worked very well and whilst not everybody got their priority specie this was compensated by attending each others hunts and the social get together around the campfire. I have had no complaints.

I remember this chap who wanted just Africa and maybe a chance at an Impala and who went away with a very fine Kudu and did not really know what above 60 inches meant. Another who took a Lion on a handshake. These are the pros.

What I am thinking is a camp or two with some good people who otherwise could not afford Africa. A crate of fine whiskey and wine, some dancing girls (just kidding) and a chance to bash AR politics around the campfire.

Actually what are the cons of a group hunt?

From an agent point of view, scheduling is the big one for me. Trying to get agreeable dates with 3 or more guys is like herding house cats.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
Trying to get agreeable dates with 3 or more guys is like herding house cats.

Ain't that the truth!

I would be terrified of spending tons of money and weeks off work and get stuck with some real a-holes, ie other clients, with zero recourse.

Hard to vette strangers you may share a camp with.

That would be hell on earth to me. I was in an elk camp like that once. Miserable is an understatement.

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:
I would be terrified of spending tons of money and weeks off work and get stuck with some real a-holes, ie other clients, with zero recourse.

Hard to vette strangers you may share a camp with.

That would be hell on earth to me. I was in an elk camp like that once. Miserable is an understatement.

OK what I was thinking was two PH's and two teams of four. Obviously this is an AR member deal and the two groups sort themselves out. To be honest I have not come across a conflict but agreed it could easily happen. So we would have the resources to sort it out.

Dates can be a problem and I found that flights and meet & greet was complicated. But tough that is my problem. I have had chaps sleep on my floor to save the cost of hotels and awaiting the others. This was a potential con until they met my wife Julie who wined and dined them.

We all come from different walks of life but as gentlemen hunters we have a strong and common bond.

I have only attended one, and it was yours back in '11. It was one of the greatest experiences I have had in Africa. All parties were intimately involved in the hunting and day to day running of the safari rather than being "served". I assure you this made the experience and memories that much sweeter once the hunt was concluded and deemed a "success". No doubt, it was my kind of hunting trip and I look forward to hearing what you have to offer this go round.

Duckear,

The group hunt saves you tons of money. Tell me where you can hunt Lion, Buffalo and roan for a few hundred bucks a day.

The economics are that if all attend and accept the social structure then hunting can be had for very little.

The attraction is for first timers who want to experience real Africa and I mean wild Africa and not what we call Africa light.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
From an agent point of view, scheduling is the big one for me. Trying to get agreeable dates with 3 or more guys is like herding house cats.

On this one Dave I cannot afford the agents commission and the saving is extended to the client.

The risk could be a con?

I would love to join! Getting to know other fellow hunters from differnt parts of the world I would never get to know in any other way is a plus! Price is a doble plus!

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:
I have only attended one, and it was yours back in '11. It was one of the greatest experiences I have had in Africa. All parties were intimately involved in the hunting and day to day running of the safari rather than being "served". I assure you this made the experience and memories that much sweeter once the hunt was concluded and deemed a "success". No doubt, it was my kind of hunting trip and I look forward to hearing what you have to offer this go round.

Cheers mate and those who have done this hunt before will have first refusal and preference on quota.

When times were tough it was the likes of you lot who supported me.

I've been on a 'few' group hunts in my time.

I've enjoyed most of them and found I was, most of the time, the only female in camp, which made my stay better. No bunk house/shared quarters situation. I have always been treated like a lady by the outfits I have hunted with and appreciated that.

Yup, there is the occaisonal cry-baby or ugly prima donna in camp. I do my best to just stay away from them in such a case. Probably not so easy for the guys in camp or the guy who's BFF turns out to be a nightmare on a hunt.

I think the best way to measure the potential success of a group hunt is if the outfitter is able to be well organized, flexible and unflappable with the needs of the group. Thus, he or she should have a lot of experience in running such a camp to include proper staffing levels. An outfitter needs to be capable of stepping in when needed to curb a client with a truly bad attitude. Have a plan for such a situation. I am sure you all have run into it. If said outfitter does not manage well, then no, it won't be a good time.

quote:

Tell me where you can hunt Lion, Buffalo and roan for a few hundred bucks a day.

Fairgame, are you saying there will be a lion on quota?

Tom

I can attest to the fact that the time spend around the fires at night with a group hunt are some of my fondest memories. If some of those people are first timers will only make it better.
I have been with groups of up to seven couples hunting out of three camps and getting together at lunch at least once during the trips are like a July 4th celebration.
Having a jerk in camp can be an issue and it has happened with my group but the pros far outweigh the cons!!

We have one organized for 2014 for six guys. We will be hunting 2x1 with three PHs. Plan is that the group and the PHs will rotate every few days so that everyone has a chance to hunt with everyone else in the group. I am really looking forward to it. All six hunters are experienced hunters that have taken more than their fair share of dangerous game and are approaching the hunt primarily as an opportunity to have a good time and enjoy the camaraderie of the group. I think it will be a special trip. To avoid the scheduling issues Dave alluded to, we started working on the schedule last year. So for me, the pro would be spending quality time with a like minded group of fellows out to have a good time. The con is simply working out the logistics to make it happen.

Mike, I have the same type hunt coming up in June with Nixon in Malapati. Rotate friends and PHs so everyone hunts together. Looking forward to some good Buff.

Andrew, keep me posted! :-)

Andrew, assuming that you did your job, it would depend entirely on the group.

I did a group hunt with Andrew and had a blast. Shot 4 on my bucket list and wonderful times around the campfire. I hope to do more.

My experience only--all cons and no pros

I've shared camps a couple of times. I enjoyed myself, but lately I've been relegated to a solo camp. Apparently, I either smell or people just don't like me.

Aside from the above pros and cons, a true trophy hunter will find a regrettable circumstance should the oppurtunity present itself. Should he be a gentleman, even to his best friend, and relinquish the shot to the other guy, saying, "I believe it is your turn." In the pursuit of trophies, the true hunter would prefer to go solo.

If the participants look for fun and fellowship, then there is nothing better than a compatible group.

Geoff

It occurred to me that Saeed does a group hunt every year and they seem to have a grand time. Hard for me to see how a group of like minded folks focused on having fun and enjoying themselves could have a unenjoyable group hunt. I should add that on the group hunt we are doing next year, everyone is basically hunting the same package, buffalo and tuskless. I think having a common set of animals on the agenda helps too.

I am pretty much a 1 on 1 hunter, unless the other has his own PH and agenda and we are sharing campfires in the evening after each having a full day of great hunting. There are too many cons for me.

After reading the reports and the experiences on the past group hunts with you, it would certainly be worth the risk.

Be prepared for the type of offer it is an be ready to adapt.

An amazing offer. Those kinds of trophy opportunities at Plains game prices, you have me excited about the hunt reports already.

This has me interested. I went to Namibia in '11 for PG, and have scheduled for '15 in Moz for "real" Africa, but this offer sounds like a can't miss proposal, and a jump start on hunting real Africa.

I would be interested, sounds like a fun proposition..

Fairgame,
I have been reading and drooling over your group hunts since you first offered one. I will do this one day(not a mere hope, but give me a few years!). I had been hoping to make my first africa trip soon, but then between my wife wanting to have a kid and starting law school this coming fall, the adventures got put on the back burner.
But back to your original question: As a first timer I think it would be perfect. You could have some comradery with more experienced hunters, be on the cheaper side of things, and get to see some fantastic sights. What's not to love?

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
Trying to get agreeable dates with 3 or more guys is like herding house cats.

Ain't that the truth!

No it isn't.

I never have problems in this regards.

Every year for the past few years we have 4 hunters, and they hunt on the same safari.

The secret is to offer them the hunt for FREE

I seem to remember a couple of Saeed's group hunts going pretty badly when new members were introduced to the group. I'm pretty sure there are at least a couple of folks who weren't invited back after their first trip with Saeed.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

where you can hunt Lion, Buffalo and roan for a few hundred bucks a day.

Sounds good to me...

quote:

Originally posted by twoseventy:

quote:

Tell me where you can hunt Lion, Buffalo and roan for a few hundred bucks a day.

Fairgame, are you saying there will be a lion on quota?

Tom

No they have not given us Lion this year.

In the past we offered a Lion to a AR member and the deed was done. This is just an example of opportunities arising.

I am thinking late season as my neighbour will struggle to sell and will have quota.

For first timers to be hunting PG amongst DG is a very fine introduction to wild Africa.

The secret is to offer them the hunt for FREE [/QUOTE]

Saeed,

I accept your gracious offer. Let me know the dates.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by twoseventy:

quote:

Tell me where you can hunt Lion, Buffalo and roan for a few hundred bucks a day.

Fairgame, are you saying there will be a lion on quota?

Tom

No they have not given us Lion this year.

In the past we offered a Lion to a AR member and the deed was done. This is just an example of opportunities arising.

I am thinking late season as my neighbour will struggle to sell and will have quota.

For first timers to be hunting PG amongst DG is a very fine introduction to wild Africa.

I would love to hunt Zambia in a trip like this. I can be the PG-hunter of the group Seems like a great offer Andrew!!

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
Trying to get agreeable dates with 3 or more guys is like herding house cats.

Ain't that the truth!

No it isn't.

I never have problems in this regards.

Every year for the past few years we have 4 hunters, and they hunt on the same safari.

The secret is to offer them the hunt for FREE

I think this a great way to get rid of complainers. Give it away Magic reasoning

I'm not a group hunt hunt person b/c all of my hunting is done with my best pal, my wife. We hunt as a team. For that same reason, although we love int'l travel, we prefer to do it as a duo and avoid tours, charters, etc. (even though these are cheaper).

One may always run into a person who is a complete non-fit interpersonally on any extended group outing. I realize I may the a non-fit for some other person as well...

quote:

The secret is to offer them the hunt for FREE clap

I'm in! :-)

Andrew, I cannot do this in 2013, but would be very interested in 2014 if you do it again at that time. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I'd bring my then 26 year old son along. He's been to Africa once, but it was South Africa so a very different experience. We've already decided our next hunt will have buffalo on the agenda, so if he can hunt buffalo we'd be on board.

5 things hit my head
1 - you have to find people that really want to go
2 - they have to be able to afford it
3 - they have to get along together
4 - have them be able to commit to a time period well in advance - in my experience this is the hardest part
5 - safety - safe gun handling - you don't need one clown in the group

I would love to participate if I can make the dates work.

I would love to try it!

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
Andrew, I cannot do this in 2013, but would be very interested in 2014 if you do it again at that time. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I'd bring my then 26 year old son along. He's been to Africa once, but it was South Africa so a very different experience. We've already decided our next hunt will have buffalo on the agenda, so if he can hunt buffalo we'd be on board.

Pity because Thor and I were also talking about a group in Luangwa this year.