Can someone explain how trophy fees work?

What is the triggering event as to when you have to pay them? It is when you shoot an animal, see an animal, get close to an animal??????

It seems some posts contradict each other from time to time. Are the rules different for each PH or country? Feel free to expand your answer to help me understand what it going on with Safaris. Thanks.

Trophy fees are paid on animals you shoot..You can ask for a list of trophy fees and you pick which animals you want to hunt and can afford...The problem lies in that when you shoot you had better kill it...Once you draw blood that is a trophy fee to be paid...So in other words if not comfortable do not shoot and do not rush the shot be comfortable then make the shot...

Mike

Mike has it right, you pay once blood is drawn. His advice is spot on as well.

If you shoot the horn off an animal, you pay for it as well.

mike416Rigby

Talking from experience Mike?

quote:

Originally posted by mikeh416Rigby:
If you shoot the horn off an animal, you pay for it as well.

Really??!!
Most contracts read "wounded and lost". Is a one-horned animal actually "wounded". I'd certainly agree with Aspen Hill Ann, tho' (once blood is drawn). Please, no "opinions"; experienced or professional responsonses only. I'm looking for actual information, not an argument.
Thanks for your consideration.
Dave

If you shoot the horn off of a trophy animal, you no longer have a trophy animal. I guarentee you that you will pay the trophy fee. Never even heard it implied before that you wouldn't pay it under those circumstances. Anybody disagree?

Basically trophy fees are the cost per animal specie taken or wounded and lost //

Most all operators outfitters Ph's or whomever that you hunt with will provide a full specie list in advance of your planned safari ...

In the Southern Africa region per se the most common safaris are for (plains game). The specie list will outline the actual cost per animal taken, and generally speaking the price range varies per country and per outfitter BUT is essentially based upon a scale that starts with the most common animal being the Impala from $200-$350 dollar range, right up to the blue chip animals being the Sable & Roan antelope in the $3000-$4500 range

In most cases (wounded and lost) is a decision made ONLY by the Guide/PH at the time and with blood as one of the main features or criteria BUT essentially the PH is in a (much better position) and with Bino's than the hunter to determine if an animal is wounded, we can argue this till the cows come home but someone has to be the final judge ///

If a trophy Sable or Roan has one horn blown off and is not found I cant see how a hunter can say he did not in fact hit the animal or wound it, of cource some of you will want to argue the point BUT it will be a tough debate to win !!!

At the end of the day the PH will talk it over with each client as every situation and every hunt is different, but the rule of thumb is if you wound you pay

Somtimes on a specialised package hunt, plains and DG, the specie fees are included within the price and not itemised, you pay the package price regardless.

Often with DG or on a special classic 12-14 day hunt the (package price is set) and even if you take an elephant say on day-3 of the hunt you pay the full package fee, and there can also be a trophy fee to add on ///

That is why I keep parroting on about a basic contract being very important which outlines what you will pay and what you are paying for ....

I personally like an itemised quote myself BUT whatever the hunter wants I will provide

Peter

just for the record,:

I once shot the horn off a Impala, (I won't go into details) The horn, the piece that was lying on the ground was about 3/4's of it, the trackers looked for blood, no blood on the horn. The PH came to a conclusion that I didn't wound the Ram but I did take away the "Trophy" part of the animal. So I was charged for a "bait" instead of a trophy. That ram would be a perfect animal for bait now...

I thought it was a very fair conclusion, and I got to keep the piece of horn!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Widowmaker416:
just for the record,:

I once shot the horn off a Impala, (I won't go into details) The horn, the piece that was lying on the ground was about 3/4's of it, the trackers looked for blood, no blood on the horn. The PH came to a conclusion that I didn't wound the Ram but I did take away the "Trophy" part of the animal. So I was charged for a "bait" instead of a trophy. That ram would be a perfect animal for bait now...

I thought it was a very fair conclusion, and I got to keep the piece of horn!!!!!

Thanks, Widowmaker416 & Peter. This is the kind of detail that is extremely important to know. "Wounded", to me, meant "blood drawn". It had never occured to me that a horn would constitute "wounded".
Thank you.
Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Widowmaker416:
mike416Rigby

Talking from experience Mike?

Yes.

I´ve heard that sometimes if you buy a "package deal" you will pay for the whole package even if you don´t bag all the animals, this due to the price being very special. I had this deal on my first trip and it worked out nicely, bagged all my trophies and then some (extra charge for that). Make sure to get all the details before you go.

The wounded or blood drawn "rule" is only a convention. It is the usual rule.

However read the booking agreement as some may say simply firing at an animal means you pay for it. Missed, wounded or recovered. Not so common in Africa but more common in Europe. Some European outfitters may in particular have this rule.

If you don't like it, make it known BEFORE booking.

So be aware.