Two friends are looking to book a plains game hunt in Namibia. They found the booking agent at a major outdoors show, and have been corresponding with him, and are almost ready to book.

However, in the two months they've been corresponding, they also sent several e-mails to the PH, copying the agent, asking some questions. To this point, they've received no response from the PH, though the agent has provided answers to their questions.

My question is: How much contact do you expect with a PH when you're using a booking agent? Does the PH leave everything to the booking agent, or should there be some exchange between the clients and the PH?

I think it is a good question. Kind of having the same sort of thing going on myself but I hope it is all because they have been out hunting the last 2 months.
Good luck

When I am in the field with my PH, even evenings in camp. The last thing I want him to be doing is corresponding with the next client. When we are in camp, and he is not going over things with me, such as our plans for tomorrow. He is also checking on the vehicle, the trackers, and skinners. He is coordinating meals, and a thousand other things. Trust your outfitter. Your PH is not slighting you, He is giving me the same attention you will want when you arrive.

quote:

Originally posted by WannabeBwana:
Two friends are looking to book a plains game hunt in Namibia. They found the booking agent at a major outdoors show, and have been corresponding with him, and are almost ready to book.

However, in the two months they've been corresponding, they also sent several e-mails to the PH, copying the agent, asking some questions. To this point, they've received no response from the PH, though the agent has provided answers to their questions.

My question is: How much contact do you expect with a PH when you're using a booking agent? Does the PH leave everything to the booking agent, or should there be some exchange between the clients and the PH?

Lots of contact with the PH is nice, but it is hunting season in Africa and I would expect that most PH's are pretty busy and generally out of touch with most of the world right now.

Much of what has been said is reasonable. I communicated direct with my PH because I booked directly with him rather than using a booking agent. He was always very responsive & timely. I had a great hunt & my misses enjoyed herself immensly. This was after doing a ton of research, including contact with references. It may be that your PH has been in the field & unable to get back to you. This is reasonable. But, I would expect that he will eventually respond; if he does not, I would be concerned. I think they all want satisfied clients & this is part of getting off on the right foot.

quote:

Originally posted by WannabeBwana:
Two friends are looking to book a plains game hunt in Namibia. They found the booking agent at a major outdoors show, and have been corresponding with him, and are almost ready to book.

However, in the two months they've been corresponding, they also sent several e-mails to the PH, copying the agent, asking some questions. To this point, they've received no response from the PH, though the agent has provided answers to their questions.

My question is: How much contact do you expect with a PH when you're using a booking agent? Does the PH leave everything to the booking agent, or should there be some exchange between the clients and the PH?

Everyone is right in noting that PH's are busy now - well, good ones are!

The main point here is that their questions were replied to.

Would be nice to know if the agent copied his replies to the PH? If, YES, then it certainly shows good faith and understanding between PH and agent. If NO, well, it doesn't really say anything, or does it? ARRrggg! Forget it, I'm trying to be to clever......

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Using an agent or not most hunters would agree that part of the fun of waiting for the hunt is to talk with the PH or owners of the company to see how hunts are going. The agents might know a little how things are going on but it is nice to get to know the PH. The PH also might have certain ways to prepare a hunter for a hunt as well. I understand a PH may be busy but lets face it ,how long does it take to answer the odd e-mail every month or 2 till the hunt finally takes place?

Even during hunting season, and even given that you are booking through an agent who has answered your questions, a courtesy reply on a topic or two by the PH is absolutely warranted. I would not book without some idea that the PH can actually be bothered to offer a quick reply along the lines of "Yes, my agent is correct in stating XYZ, I look forward to having you in camp". Of course, a more extensive reply is appreciated, but SOMETHING is necessary or I take my money and walk.

JMHO

quote:

Originally posted by venda axe:
When I am in the field with my PH, even evenings in camp. The last thing I want him to be doing is corresponding with the next client. When we are in camp, and he is not going over things with me, such as our plans for tomorrow. He is also checking on the vehicle, the trackers, and skinners. He is coordinating meals, and a thousand other things. Trust your outfitter. Your PH is not slighting you, He is giving me the same attention you will want when you arrive.

Tend to disagree with part of this statement and there is always time to for communication whether the PH has to get up earlier or stay up later. Agreed it should not interfere with your safari but there are many questions that a PH can answer that an agent cannot and it is part and parcel of the pre safari preparation.

A quick phone call on the SAT phone is often all that is required from the PH.

quote:

Originally posted by WannabeBwana:
Two friends are looking to book a plains game hunt in Namibia. They found the booking agent at a major outdoors show, and have been corresponding with him, and are almost ready to book.

However, in the two months they've been corresponding, they also sent several e-mails to the PH, copying the agent, asking some questions. To this point, they've received no response from the PH, though the agent has provided answers to their questions.

My question is: How much contact do you expect with a PH when you're using a booking agent? Does the PH leave everything to the booking agent, or should there be some exchange between the clients and the PH?

if I contact a ph and he does not respond in a reasonable time, I conclude he does not deserve my business. If you accept poor business practice before the hunt, I feel you have no reason to complain when it happens later when you are hunting.
The agent giving me a reply don't cut it for me. If I wanted his opinion I would have asked him to start.

Dear Wannabebwana

I would never book a hunt with out contact with the PH first.

After all every thing needs to be sorted out by him once you hit the ground.

Arrange a time to talk with him on the phone for 1/2hr and have all your questions written down.

If he dose not have 1/2hr to talk with you then I would give it a miss.

But you must prearrange a call and be prepaired to do it at a not such good time for you.

Regards Mark

Lots of good comments here. I side with those who suggest a PH should respond - at a minimum to let you know that he has received your e-mails but is busy hunting and will be happy to arrange a time for a call, or let you know when he'll have time to respond by e-mail.

Being a PH is a hard job, no doubt. But it's also a service job. Those of us in service professions know that the client comes first and no matter what else we make every client feel like they're the ONLY client. Even when we're trying to make a number of them feel like the ONLY client! Responsiveness is an important trait for anyone in a service profession - including PHs.

quote:

if I contact a ph and he does not respond in a reasonable time, I conclude he does not deserve my business. If you accept poor business practice before the hunt, I feel you have no reason to complain when it happens later when you are hunting.
The agent giving me a reply don't cut it for me. If I wanted his opinion I would have asked him to start.

I agree. Most of the hunting in Namibia is done on Ranches. A PH there should have time to respond.

My wife and I went to RSA in 2009. We booked directly with the outfitter/PH. Before making a commitment, we exchanged about a dozen E-Mails and had a lengthy 4-party phone call with the PH and his wife. It was the phone call that really convinced us that we had found the right people to go with, and the resulting vacation was wonderful.

Hugh

What about all those PH's, some outstanding, that freelance? Are we talking reaching the outfitter/safari company or the PH who may be assigned to you whose name you will not know until you get there????

If I were getting absolutely no response from the PH, I'd be a little wary. Personally, I like to book directly with the outfitter, which is quite easy to do if you can make it to one of the bigger shows. I usually go to the Dallas show. I have used a booking agent in the past for a hunt in Argentina and ran into some problems and misunderstandings when we got down there. The booking agent did everything in his power to make things right so I have no complaint there, but I think the problems would have been avoided had I made the arrangements directly with the outfitter. Cut out the middle man, you know?

If they have not responded once walk away... There are others in Nambia who can take there of them.

Mike

Tom in Tennessee, I always try to find out who I'm hunting with before I go, and if possible, communicate directly with the PH or guide. That is not always possible, but when it is, it's a big help. If I'm returning to a place I've hunted before and I developed a nice relationship with the PH or guide on the previous occasion, I'll specify that guide or PH and get as much of a commitment as the outfitter will make that I will be hunting with that PH or guide. But it's true that in some cases they just can't tell you who your PH is going to be (I suspect it's because they don't know themselves until the season gets underway) so we all have to be a little understanding about the practical realities of running a hunting business.

Sweet River, I understand where you're coming from. My experience has gone the other way, though. I now use a broker for everything. I have a guy I know well and trust, and he has never steered me wrong. Trying to research and sort through all the different options for a hunt used to be fun and I really enjoyed it, but now it's become a chore. I hate to say it, but it's really hard to cut through all the BS you get from a lot of outfitters and figure out who's telling you the absolute truth and who is engaged in puffery. A broker develops relationships with outfitters and they depend on each other. If the outfitter doesn't deliver for the broker's clients, the outfitter doesn't get any more clients from that source. And the broker needs to be certain that his clients have a great experience or they won't book any more hunts with him. I think the key is finding the right broker or booking agent.

Good responses above, but not enough information for me.

Is the booking company booking your friends with a big outfit and you are trying to communicate with potentially one of many PHs?

Is the booking company booking your friends with a "family farm"?

What is the business relationship between the booking agent and PH? How have they decided to handle specific questions, like what ya'll are asking? Did the PH answer directly to the Agent and the Agent just copied and pasted?

Do the Agent and PH know how close you are to booking until this came about?

Have you asked the Agent why the PH hasn't responded directly/CC'd you?

Obviously you have doubts and are uncomfortable with the answers you've gotten or you wouldn't have posted here. When in doubt about this type situation DON'T until you get this sorted out.

I had no trouble emailing with the two outfitters I hunted with last year, nor the PH I am hunting with in 2012.