Who has info on what happened to Aubery Kent in Sengwa 1?

yes-hunted it in sept-

Lots of dirty laundry, what would you like to know?

Buzz,

Two outfitters opened fraud cases with the police against Aubrey for stealing money. True or not I do not know. I got this from Paul Phelan. Two guys, one here on AR is bussy buying the area and taking it over. They can spill their beans if they wish. I always had my reservations on Aubrey as he was not a registered PH or Outfitter in S.A. or anywhere else. Will have to wait and see what happens hey?
Good seeing you at DSC again!

A dishonest, shady South African??? Charl, say it isn't so!@!!! :-)

I have heard the same stories. True or not, I do not know.

What I can tell you is that Aubrey asked me to lend him money a year or so back. The entire thing seemed fishy to me. I said no. shortly thereafter , he quit posting here. I have not heard from him again.

I think that once again, a South African operating in Zim ends up being less than honest. No big surprise there.

I hunted with Paul. He made a bad situation into a very nice hunt.

I took a very nice Kudu, an excellent 39 in Buff and a 59x53 elle.

had some very adverse situations due to Aubrey-as Charl stated its my understanding that the concession will be under new management this year--Aubrey is out.

I can't say enough good about Paul Phelan, IMHO he went way above and beyond to make my hunt happen and was a great PH and companion on the hunt.

Charl, I believe that the plan is for Paul to be hunting Sengwe this year, you should contact him for details.

Larry, he hit me up for more money over and above my deposit about the same time.

If anyone is owed funds by Aubrey Kent you need to contact Paul Phelan so he can bring you up to speed.

I have hunted twice with Paul. Good man.

Paul has gone above and beyond to help those who got caught up in this mess.

I will second that that Paul is a good and honest fellow and I would not have a problem hunting with him ( and a qualified Zim Ph).So who is marketing Sengwa 1 then?

quote:

Originally posted by luan:

IS IT? CAN IT BE? OOOHHH NNNOO! IT IS!! THE BIG DUDE HIMSELF!! AAARRRGGGHHH!!!....

Buzz, Paul has a Zim PH when he hunts in Sengwe. I have forgotten his name. I understand that Aubrey owes the Zim PH a substantial amount of money.

When I get back to the office from my business trip and hand surgery, I will post Aubrey's e mail if I did not delete it.

Ishumael Tshabalala was the Zim PH on my hunt-dont know if he will be back or not. I know he also hunts for Nixon.

Thanks Larry- I certainly was not insinuating that he hunted alone. He is a good guy and know that he always had a zim Ph with him. He is not the sort of fellow that would cut corners and is a darn good PH also!

I know Buzz. I was trying to point out that Aubrey screwed the guy that could least afford it.

Speaking of getting screwed by a South African PH hunting in Zim, I understand that another Zim PH was toasted by a South African PH hunting in Makuti. The South African refused to pay the Zim PH after the hunt had been conducted. Anyone know the story on that? Seems like there are an increasing number of rumors floating around about shady South Africans trying to take advantage of Zim and Zim PHs.

Mike, I think it is a sign of the times.
There are SA based operators like us that have great relationships with outfits in Zim, Tanz, Moz, CAR and Congo going back 20 years with never a days nonsense between them. It is sad that the few unscrupulous ones trying to make a quick buck are destroying the reputation of our country's PH's.

I would only say that each client can make a difference when booking a cross border hunt by ensuring that there is a long standing relationship there. Also make sure you are not supporting a Zanu PF packed land grab. Support the operators who are supporting their areas for the long term and not simply raping the wildlife as fast as they can.

I really hope the Zim guys get this sorted out and hold things together. Does SOAZ or ZPHGA have any sway in stopping dodgy deals etc from happening?

Good luck chaps
Ian

Ian,

Yes, it is dangerous to paint with too broad a brush and I am sure that there are a number of reputable folks out there that do not wish to be tainted by the acts of a few. Funny you should mention SOAZ and ZPHGA as my understanding was that the person responsible for the Makuti situation was someone that was or is a senior official with PHASA. Perhaps someone else has the specifics or I guess my information could be inaccurate too.

Hi Mike

Its a sad state of affairs. It is unfortunate but that broad brush you mentioned might not be so far off the mark anymore. It seems the quick money has appealed to many.
No excuses though, name and shame.

I can see this degenerating into one of those threads that accuses all RSA PHs of being crooks etc etc etc but before it gets to virulent, let's please try to remember there are plenty of really good and highly experienced professional RSA operators out there who operate extremely well throughout Africa and there are also a good many Zimbos who are as bent as a nine bob note and couldn't be trusted to throw a stone in a straight line.

Don't blame the country, the PHA or the industry of any particular country. Instead blame the individual who either behaved dishonestly, dishonourably and/or simply lacked the experience and/or financing to do things properly and professionally.

Getting back to Paul Phelan - All I can say is that without your input there would have been a huige disaster with trophies from the area. Thanks again

Andy

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
I can see this degenerating into one of those threads that accuses all RSA PHs of being crooks etc etc etc but before it gets to virulent, let's please try to remember there are plenty of really good and highly experienced professional RSA operators out there who operate extremely well throughout Africa and there are also a good many Zimbos who are as bent as a nine bob note and couldn't be trusted to throw a stone in a straight line.

Don't blame the country, the PHA or the industry of any particular country. Instead blame the individual who either behaved dishonestly, dishonourably and/or simply lacked the experience and/or financing to do things properly and professionally.

as always I couldnt word it better.

I had an outfitter/PH once told me "not all outfitters are crooks but all the outfitters I know are"
Oh well just a little humor
Almost booked a hunt with Aubrey
Paul seems to be a good guy.
What will come first banning guns in the USA OR BANNING ALL HUNTING IN AFRICA.
Start planning for that great hunt before it all goes away.
Larry

For those who asked:

Aubrey Kent is completely out of Pelandaba Safari's.

Paul Phelan is booking for Pelandaba safari's with hunts in Sengwe 1.

Pauls contact address is:

MWNGRUMA@mweb.co.za



As I said above--Aubrey tried to pull some really shady stuff and Paul bailed me out on my hunt. Had a wonderful time in Sengwe 1.

Before its asked; I have no financial connection to Pelandaba Safaris apart from my hunt-when my trophies showed up in Houston on 12-29 (thanks Andy Hunter ) my only connection is to Paul as a friend.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
I can see this degenerating into one of those threads that accuses all RSA PHs of being crooks etc etc etc but before it gets to virulent, let's please try to remember there are plenty of really good and highly experienced professional RSA operators out there who operate extremely well throughout Africa and there are also a good many Zimbos who are as bent as a nine bob note and couldn't be trusted to throw a stone in a straight line.

Don't blame the country, the PHA or the industry of any particular country. Instead blame the individual who either behaved dishonestly, dishonourably and/or simply lacked the experience and/or financing to do things properly and professionally.

I absolutely agree and i know many SA Phs that are nice, honest and correct people.

I hope that I was not taken out of context as I did not intend it to be a "SA PH bashing session".I have a client interested in a big ele and I know that Aubery had posted some impressive pics that got my attention.

I have the utmost respect for a few SA PHs Carel Maartins, Craig Maartins,Mark De Wet and also Paul Phelan to name but a few.

I am happy to hear that Paul is booking hunts for Pelandaba Safaris and I now have no doubt that with the exit of Aubery and now with Paul at the helm that everything will run above board and he will provide a great service. I will seek out Paul at Reno then for a hunt!

Cheers Buzz

As the saying goes, "Not all outfitters are crooks, but most all crooks have at one point or another been outfitters".

Aubrey tried to screw me and Tim on a buff hunt but thanks to Luan it was not a total disaster. tim did not want to go public with it at the time but when Aubrey was trying to screw my friend Sean i did get a little involved. i don't get mad!!!! but i dam sure will do what ever it takes to help a friend

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
I hope that I was not taken out of context as I did not intend it to be a "SA PH bashing session".I have a client interested in a big ele and I know that Aubery had posted some impressive pics that got my attention.

I have the utmost respect for a few SA PHs Carel Maartins, Craig Maartins,Mark De Wet and also Paul Phelan to name but a few.

I am happy to hear that Paul is booking hunts for Pelandaba Safaris and I now have no doubt that with the exit of Aubery and now with Paul at the helm that everything will run above board and he will provide a great service. I will seek out Paul at Reno then for a hunt!

Cheers Buzz

Buzz, not at all! I am not going to get upset over stuff up other guys do....doe snot matter where they are from! Speak to Paul, me and him had a couple of looong chats....I can tell you however that another South African has taken over the area, and Paul is involved with him. I can tell you that this guy, in my honest opinion is the real deal, and NOT a shady basterd. They do, for starters, not need the money from the area to make it a success.

Any case, I expect the boys to make their announcement here when it is singed and sealed.

Good luck!

I sent an email this am to see if all the paperwork is settled on the concession so we will finally know who is in control or when it will be finalized.

Who is going to be in control of this concession is still up in the air. TIA.. I got email from one of the parties who is involved this afternoon.

Hi Guys! Happy New Year to you all.

Unfortunately I have not been following this story too much, so admit that I am in the dark on what has transpired. However would just like to add my 2 cents worth on the situation. Paul Phelan is an honourable guy - I have known him for many years, and he will rather take the short end of the stick, than let his clients or any one he does business with get shafted unfairly. So I think this situation is in good hands if Paul is involved.