Just curious how wide spread this practice is. How many of you guys have arranged hunts for a group or two so that the outfitter will credit you or trade you for your hunting and accommodations here?

Many outfitters have no means of personal marketing in the USA so they have used hunters to market for them. Is this a common practice? Have any of you done this?

I used to do it in Europe quite a bit when I was a young sporting agent. Pheasant and boar shooting trips to Hungary in particular were often comped to the agent in an effort to juice up the level of interest in their market.

I would not now take friends to Africa in return for a freebie as it would increase the cost/reduce the discount for my buddies. But, when I was younger and dealing with corporate clients, it was a good way to get in on otherwise unavailable opportunities. If you are considering it there is potential for fantastic experiences.

PM me if you want a general chat about it.

Way to many. Most of the time when you hear of a hunter really getting burned, you find out later he worked with a "booking agent" working out of his house.

quote:

Originally posted by JJHACK:
Just curious how wide spread this practice is. How many of you guys have arranged hunts for a group or two so that the outfitter will credit you or trade you for your hunting and accommodations here?

Many outfitters have no means of personal marketing in the USA so they have used hunters to market for them. Is this a common practice? Have any of you done this?

Hey JJ where have you been? It's been a while since I've seen you here. Are you still booking group hunts in RSA?

As to the question, I've never done it, but as long as the service is up to snuff, I couldn't care less as to how the booking agent is paid! I'd say most of the well known booking agents get some slack season hunting, at least for a deep discount if not free, and again I see no problem with it,as long as what he sells the client is what is represented. IOW, I say if you can make a living and part of your pay is hunting privilages, then more power to you.

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AH! Dave HELLO!

Please elaborate on your last post "working out of his house". I do work out of MY house and I assure you I am a "booking agent". Just pulling your leg. I do think some people get themselves in a mess on safari by booking some group thing that a buddy AKA booking agent has arranged mainly to get a free hunt. Free is the main reason the guy has booked the hunt with little regard for the overall quality offered his buddies. To answer JJ's question I think it happens quite often.

Mark

quote:

Free is the main reason the guy has booked the hunt with little regard for the overall quality offered his buddies. To answer JJ's question I think it happens quite often.

Could not be summed up better! (Especially for discriminating hunters and rare opertunity hunts) I see very few buddy hunts where the paying buddies are truly happy and or generally went on future hunts with the ride along buddy!

Not too dissimilar to turning over your trophy class cape and horns to a buddy for a super deal. Might be "ok" but might not produce the absolute best hunting memory!

Best regards
Mike Ohlmann
Mike's Custom Taxidermy Inc.
4102 Cane Run Rd.
Louisville KY 40216
502-448-1309
Mike@mikescustomtaxidermy.com
www.mikescustomtaxidermy.com


Not really too different than taking