So hypothetically speaking, say another African country had authorized Trophy Hunting and you had the opportunity to get in on the ground floor, so to speak. As an outfitter, what would be some of the first issues you'd have to address and how would you go about it? To further complicate things, say sanctioned Trophy Hunting was such a newly authorized activity that the current Governmental policies and regulations may not even exist to deal with the unique aspects of the sport. Also, say the current level of accommodations and infrastructure would definitely not be on par with other African nations where hunting has a much more established track record. Would this endeavour even be worth pursuing? The potential trophy quality is very high and it could present some fantastic hunting.

This is not as "hypothetical" as it sounds; but, at the risk of sounding coy, I would prefer to keep the specifics on this under wraps for the time being. Simply seeking some advice on how to develop things at this point.

Thanks in advance.

Not without a strong local partner. My experience in international deals is that the less developed the country, the stronger the need for a good local partner. You can get by in countries like Germany and England without a top notch partner -- although it helps there too -- but in developing or third countries, no way.

Pintoguy

For Africa you need:

Loooooooooooots of Time

Enough Money

Looooooooots of Patience

Determination

Diplomacy

Knowledge

Good nerves

Luck

A never give up attitude

Able to deal with plenty of frustration and incompetence

And a very thick skin


Cheers

Even when there's already a hunting industry established, going into a new African country for the first time isn't easy. - When there's no hunting industry estalished, it's a hundred times harder. - If you're not experienced in the hunting industry already, it's pretty much impossible.......or at least, inadvisable!

A couple of examples are, we were approached a few years ago by an African country to see if we'd be interested in taking a hunting concession as part of a pilot scheme. They'd had no hunting there for a considerable number of years, but it looked like it had potential. We spent a lot of time writing reports and discussing areas etc and it looked interesting enough for us to start planning an exploratory trip....... until it was suggested we might get a better area if we bought the minister a new toyota 4x4. - At that point, we declined to get any further involved, as we don't do business that way.

Also. two buddies of mine have spent the last two years trying to get an area in an African country that does already have a hunting industry, but wants to expand it. My buddies spent the afore mentioned 2 years plus over ZAR2M doing game counts and assessments and talking to 'ministers' etc and they've just decided to pull out because so far, all they'll actually got out of the deal is headaches and overdrafts.

I guess at the end of the day, you need to weigh up how much time, money and effort you want to put into it and then if you think it's worth it, go for it. - But don't underestimate the skills that'll be required, or you'll be wasting your time, money and effort completely.

Thanks for the sound advice so far guys. Hopefully, more folks will chime in. Not sure, right now, what the end result with this will be, but the consensus is that it bears some further investigation.

Steve,

Just curious here - what ended up happening in the country you mentioned in your first example? Did someone else try and develop hunting there after you decided not to proceed?

I guess so.......... I lost interest after that.

"Buying the minister a new 4X4,"...Hey, that's sounds like Mexico! (or South Texas) I resemble that remark! Some things are similar the world over.

My family's business never did business that way either; straight up or not at all. In some parts of the world that equals no business.

I was intrigued with the fold out section of "INC" magazine this month and who does the most export business with the US. Seems the US has signed a trade agreement with Mozambique. I have to admit I do ponder doing something over there, although I openly admit I don't know s*^% from shinola about starting ANY type of international business. Freischuetz's list seems an excellent one and I can't say I can honestly answer "check" to all of them without hesitation, especially the last one.

Just some of the other factors to consider are the legalities of not only getting, but keeping the concession, logistical problems of getting staff, supplies and clients in and out, nearby local populations, poaching situations, game populations, quotas, PH licences, PH availability, roads, nearest fuel (cos it can't be flown in) and support from the local game dept etc. - To say nothing of medical infrastructure and local politics etc etc etc......... it's really not a game for a beginner on his own........ the locals just see them as just another lamb to the slaughter.

Pinotguy,

A safari operator that you would recognize that is a friend of mine has been working on a arrangement similiar to what you have described for 3 years now. The end is not in sight or are they even where they can plan a camp, bookngs etc.

The same operator and a couple of others I have known quite well have told that essentially a non-African should not invest in African hunting unless the investment is made with discretionary funds. If the investment will jeopardize your lifestyle forget it.

Mark

I would like to see a more logical rate structure than exists in most countries...the practice of linking daily rates to species and combinations of species (instead of the camp/area) is pretty hard for the average bloke to fathom. The differentiation between hunts for different species should come in the trophy fees. The other thing that bothers me is the minimum days again as a function of species and combination of species. I accept a minimum for logistical reasons. Anything beyond that should be the hunter's decision, based on his budget, available window, and his willingness to take the risk of coming home empty-handed. And the longer the hunt, the lower the daily rate should be. If these pricing schemes were applied in the USA, they would most likely run afoul of the "bundling" prohibitions in the anti-trust laws. Where's Richard Branson when we need him?

Cannot do it without someone on the ground that can DRIVE the thing, that has got the business sense and knowldege of Africa to make things happen.

What you need to know is that it will take time to establish, and it will not be a "quick rich scheme".

I might be interested and tempted to help you, if this country is south of the equator.

Steve might not say which country it was.......but Kenya did try to approach acouple of outfitters for pilot hunting schemes. If this was the case, a 4x4 bribe would have been a cheap price to pay to be the first back into Kenya...... not to mention the other million or so acres Steve could hunt on, and be bussy for another 5 months of the year

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