Coming back from DSC something struck me. If I was a newbie - a first time potential hunter to africa. Everything looks the same - just by looking at booths, pictures, display one can barely tell any difference between outfitters.

This struck me cause for the first time I was actively looking at fishing outfitters and just on displays and pictures everything looked alike.

Takes time and effort to get up to speed to be a informed buyer - ar helps.

Mike

Mike,

You are absolutely correct a guy going to one of the big shows with a fuzzy idea in his head, without doing any research, checkbook in his pocket and beer in hand is probably not doing himself any favors. My friends do it every year. Sometime they do fine and quite often not.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:
Coming back from DSC something struck me. If I was a newbie - a first time potential hunter to africa. Everything looks the same - just by looking at booths, pictures, display one can barely tell any difference between outfitters.

This struck me cause for the first time I was actively looking at fishing outfitters and just on displays and pictures everything looked alike.

Takes time and effort to get up to speed to be a informed buyer - ar helps.

Mike

I agree with your assessment. Take the trip we just did, you basically took someones word that it was a good trip.

Otherwise, what would you use to decide on where to go and who to go with? You wind up having to trust folks.

Who on this site would trust me? not very many probably. That said, I would never recommend someone go somewhere just to help some guy I thought was my friend.

Steve

If one were to take a plane and fly someplace to meet with outfitters to plan a fishing expedition chances are they would know enough about fishing as to know where or with who they would want choose.I find the first post ridiculous.If you don't know anything about fishing maybe best to start small.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
I find the first post ridiculous.

ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz!

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
I find the first post ridiculous.

ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz!

+1

+2

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:
Coming back from DSC something struck me. If I was a newbie - a first time potential hunter to africa. Everything looks the same - just by looking at booths, pictures, display one can barely tell any difference between outfitters.

This struck me cause for the first time I was actively looking at fishing outfitters and just on displays and pictures everything looked alike.

Takes time and effort to get up to speed to be a informed buyer - ar helps.

Mike

I agree with your assessment. Take the trip we just did, you basically took someones word that it was a good trip.

Otherwise, what would you use to decide on where to go and who to go with? You wind up having to trust folks.

Who on this site would trust me? not very many probably. That said, I would never recommend someone go somewhere just to help some guy I thought was my friend.

Steve

Steve,
If I were going somewhere you had been that I had no contact you would be first on the dial list.

That is the greatest thing about AR. Knowing!

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:
Coming back from DSC something struck me. If I was a newbie - a first time potential hunter to africa. Everything looks the same - just by looking at booths, pictures, display one can barely tell any difference between outfitters.

This struck me cause for the first time I was actively looking at fishing outfitters and just on displays and pictures everything looked alike.

Takes time and effort to get up to speed to be a informed buyer - ar helps.

Mike

Mike,
You are so 100% correct!

Sitting in the booth at DSC with Nigel talking to people...your thoughts become so evident.

I always "want" to say...if you would just listen...I could help you.

Actually...the odds of blindly booking a good Safari at the shows is about the same as winning the jackpot on a slot in Vegas.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:
Coming back from DSC something struck me. If I was a newbie - a first time potential hunter to africa. Everything looks the same - just by looking at booths, pictures, display one can barely tell any difference between outfitters.

This struck me cause for the first time I was actively looking at fishing outfitters and just on displays and pictures everything looked alike.

Takes time and effort to get up to speed to be a informed buyer - ar helps.

Mike

I agree with your assessment. Take the trip we just did, you basically took someones word that it was a good trip.

Otherwise, what would you use to decide on where to go and who to go with? You wind up having to trust folks.

Who on this site would trust me? not very many probably. That said, I would never recommend someone go somewhere just to help some guy I thought was my friend.

Steve

Steve,
If I were going somewhere you had been that I had no contact you would be first on the dial list.

That is the greatest thing about AR. Knowing!

Thanks Lane. You going to LV? I will be there Weds-Thurs.

This thread is a good example of why a reputable booking agent can be very valuable...IMHO

quote:

Originally posted by Heym 450/400:
This thread is a good example of why a reputable booking agent can be very valuable...IMHO

+1

I only stop at the booths with scantily clad women, fine guns or scotch, but that's just me...

Interesting observation.

When I first met my (now) wife and took her to SCI, she had a similar question . With all the options, how does one sort the good from the bad?

I also rely on my booking agent.

Certainly the reputable booking agent is an option...but...also contacts with those that have been there and done that is invaluable.

I was taken under-the-wing of a "Steve-like" hunter when I first started going and since have made my own contacts and have never used a booking agent.

But...without a "trusted" and "experienced" friend to guide you initially a reputable booking agent is the way to go.

Lots...lots of sharks out there.

Steve,
No sir...I was booked long ago for 2017 and get all of the show thing I like right here at home with DSC. When I was more involved with conservation politics than I am today...I used to go to both just for meetings...not this year...sorry.

quote:

Lots...lots of sharks out there.

Outfitters, PHs and Booking Agents alike.

A trusted and experienced friend who will point you in the right direction is definitely the best way to go.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
Certainly the reputable booking agent is an option...but...also contacts with those that have been there and done that is invaluable.

I was taken under-the-wing of a "Steve-like" hunter when I first started going and since have made my own contacts and have never used a booking agent.

But...without a "trusted" and "experienced" friend to guide you initially a reputable booking agent is the way to go.

Lots...lots of sharks out there.

Steve,
No sir...I was booked long ago for 2017 and get all of the show thing I like right here at home with DSC. When I was more involved with conservation politics than I am today...I used to go to both just for meetings...not this year...sorry.

Hi Lane.

We only decided to go last week. I had to re-new my SCI membership.

The only reason we are even going is, we are building a traditional, full scribe, log cabin up in Northern Arizona. We want two antler chandeliers for it. There are always several vendors with them there.

Its only a 3-1/2 hour drive from my home anyway.

Steve

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:

quote:

Lots...lots of sharks out there.

Outfitters, PHs and Booking Agents alike.

Clients unfortunately fall into that camp as well . . . or arse holes if you prefer that term to sharks.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:

quote:

Lots...lots of sharks out there.

Outfitters, PHs and Booking Agents alike.

Clients unfortunately fall into that camp as well . . . or arse holes if you prefer that term to sharks.

Yeah not sharks,... I'd say it is more like ass holes and douche bags.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Interesting observation.

When I first met my (now) wife and took her to SCI, she had a similar question . With all the options, how does one sort the good from the bad?

I also rely on my booking agent.

One would assume one has some brains to see what is right and what is wrong.

I was trying to book a plains game hunt in South Africa years ago.

I contacted a number of outfitters, and read their offers.

Some where so ridiculous as to defy comprehension.

For example, I told them we are going to be 10 people, and not everyone will hunt. I asked if one of the non hunters wanted to shoot an animal or two, would that be allowed.

One outfitter told me it is, as long as a non hunter paid a hunter's daily fee on the day he hunted.

The daily rates were double for a hunter than for an observer.

We asked for 3 trucks, and 3 PHs, so those who wanted to shoot an animal would not require any additional personnel.

One outfitter asked if the hunters are likely to shoot at least 7 animals during their 2 weeks hunt.

I told him yes, at least. They will probably shoot at least an animal each day.

He came back and said in that case, he will offer us all observer daily rates, and everyone can shoot whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.

We booked with him, and had a great time.

Next time We wanted to go to South Africa, he was the only one I contacted, and he was very happy to have us hunt with him again.

His name is Peter Harris.