“I want to book a hunt for next year.â€

Whenever someone starts a post with that they get asked a lot of questions about what their requirements or preferences are so I thought that I would try to include everything I could think of in this post. If this doesn’t work it will at least serve as an example of what not to do.

I would like a hunt for Cape buffalo and plains game but I may re-think the Buff based on price because I want to shoot more than one or two bullets during the hunt. My budget is $8,000 - $9,000 (excluding airfare). I would like to hunt Kudu and other large antelope species but I’d leave the particular breed of animals open for the PH’s recommendation of the best type to hunt in that particular area. I don’t want to shoot an animal just because it’s there if it’s not a good representative of its species. I’m not obsessed with horn size just good mature animals. The thing I would not like is to shoot something and have everyone ask me why I shot a baby. But, I don’t need a 50†Kudu or 40†buff to be satisfied with the trip.

I don’t care for lodges, swimming pools, etc.; a tent camp would work fine as long as I can take a warm shower at the end of the day. I’m not particularly scared of snakes or creepy crawlies but I don’t like biting insects anymore than the next guy. I don’t want a lot of entertainment nor do I ask for any special attention after the day’s hunt. I’m just as happy sitting back by the fire at the end of the day with a small drink and a good cigar and engage in light conversation. My personal limit is one alcoholic drink at a sitting so the bar bill for the trip will be small.

For a PH, I like a person who tells me what is going on and what to expect as we go along. A good sense of humor is a must as I’m here to have fun and enjoy the whole experience. If either of us makes a mistake (as long as it isn’t dangerous) and blows a stalk or something like that, I would much rather have a PH who can laugh about it rather than one who’s going to get mad. I don’t want a high intensity PH who’s driven strictly by the number of animals shot and their horn length.

If I see a good amount of game, get honest opportunities to shoot (Not “there he is at 300 yards running over the hill, shoot him!â€) and collect some decent mature animals I’ll be happy. I am good shot in most supported field positions and will be working hard on my standing shooting off of sticks. In the 6 months before the trip I will be shooting every week for practice so as not to embarrass myself. I’ll be shooting a LH Model 70 in 375 H&H with a 1-4X Leupold and another higher variable Leupold for back up (in Talley QD rings). I’ll be shooting the 300 grain TSX and can bring some 260 grain Partitions if the PH thinks they would work also. I can also bring a 7mm Mag or 300WSM for a back up gun.

My only limitation besides the 30 Lbs that I need to lose before the trip is that I have a bum knee and cannot mountain climb or run on it. I can and do walk 3-8 miles over rolling hills for 2-3 days in a row hunting antelope, deer, varmints etc but my running is limited to a 20 yard limping sprint.

Anyway if you know of an outfitter/PH who you think would fit with me I’d love to get some recommendations.

Well Frank you did a great job of covering the bases with one exception - you did not specify if you have an aversion to fences as some do. I'd say you're pretty prepared with a good plan. If you're OK with hunting (thousands of acres) behind a fence I'd suggest RSA as the best place to jump in. That said, unless you have your heart set on a tent camp many "lodges" can provide a comfortable yet uniquely African experience without thinking you're at a resort. Conversely some of the "tent camps" I've seen pictured provide even more conveniences than some "lodges"!!! You have plenty of time, look around and make you can expect what you want.

BTW - you have a PM

Frank,

drop me an email, I can send you a good hunt planning spreadsheet.

Frank,

You should also PM Terry Blauwkamp who posts here.

T think Terry has been to Africa 15 times and I believe he has hunted mostly in RSA. RSA is likely to be the most economical if your excluding buffalo.

Terry will be able to tell you a lot about a lot of places. I suspect by your description you are not interested in high fences.

The other choice would be Nambia. Nambia does have some fenced properties but they are often 30,000 acres of fence

Frank,

You might be able to find a buff hunt with your budget, but I don't like your odds. Buffalo specials seem start $1k or $2k higher. Still worth looking though, you might find one. That's the bad news. The good news is you can have a good pg hunt with that budget. I'd scroll through the African hunting reprt section, looking for something that catches your eye. There are lots of good ones out there but fwiw I had a great time with Claude Thorburn in Namibia last June (claude@iway.na) and posted a report on it. He has access to some excellent kudu.

Have fun searching,
Dean

Frank,

I agree with Dean about having a difficult time hunting the plains game you want and buffalo for your budget.

Your only option would probably be Zimbabwe.

I have hunted Nambia twice and IMO that is the best bang for the buck with plains game.

Wendell Reich is on a hunt in Botswana right now on a plains game hunt that he books that sounds very interesting though.

I believe it's a 2 x 1 hunt, 7 days, eland, kudu, wildebeest, and gemsbuck for $4,900. If I weren't booked for Namibia for the next two years I might look at that hunt. Maybe 2009?

Problem with buff, once you go the plains game hunting just isn't the same.

Good luck, and have fun.

Shaun

Frank,

PM

Cheers

Charl

Frank

Seriously consider Roger Whittall Safaris, for a great buffalo plainsgame deal in Zimbabwe's south east lowveld. The Save Valley is a plainsgame hunters dream, and also has a very healthy buffalo population with great bulls taken each season. Although most all Zim plainsgame species can be taken, Humani (Roger Whittall's land) is especially famous for spiral-horned species. Many record book kudu, nyala, bushbuck and eland are procured on Humani every year. Added to all this, Roger Whittall offers a very reasonable deal. Contact RWS at roger@humani.cc, or liase with them through me.

Regards
Dave

just what david hulme said, there are also several other outfitters in the save area. I kinda doubt the 8-9 figure if you include buff though. i tend to believe 12-14 would be realistic. also if you are booking for 2008 i would get to it, some of the better outfits are already filled for 2008

Even in Zim, buff hunts are beyond your budget. Your $9k will barely cover the daily rates on a 10 day hunt.

If you want to hunt buff on a budget, you have three options:


1. Go on a "chasse libre" hunt to Burkina Faso. You supply everything except the campsite, the buffalo, and the vehicle. You get two trackers. Neither of them will back you up. You may not get a shot at buffalo, they are not plentiful. And the folks there aren't too good about deviating from the official government program (days, bag etc.)

2. We have a poor man's DG hunt in Zim, for this year at least...not sure about next. Price; 10 day hunt @ $600/day and trophy of Ele tuskless $2500 and buff cow $1200.Plainsgame could also be taken as per normal (and reasonable) plainsgame price list,including Eland,Kudu,Zebra,Impala,Waterbuck, Duiker,Sable,Grysbok,Wildebeest and small cats. Bearing in mind that these ele tuskless are 99% female and not such an 'easy' animal to hunt, 250cc/day more adrenalin required. For $9700 a nice 10 day hunt

Dates available; 1 to 10 AUGUST
1 TO 10 OCTOBER.
1 to 30 NOVEMBER

3. Hope for a late season discounted buffalo hunt. These are normally buffalo only and you are expected to pack your bags once the buffalo is down. At least that's how Chifuti does it.

Frank:
Check out Van Heerden Safaries on the net. He's in Namibia. No buffalo, but a hell of a hunt for the money. My son and I hunted with him in 2005 and had a ball!