As everyone knows, it's the unasked/unanswered questions that can get you in trouble. So it seems fitting with all that has happened recently that we compile the minimum questions that should be asked by both the client and the PH.

Here are my recommendations:

Questions You Should Ask Your PH:

Am I hunting private land, Conservancy land, or Park land?
Am I hunting behind high fence or cattle/low fence?
What is the approximate size of the hunting area?
Of the animals I wish to take, which require permits?
How many permits do you have for this hunting season?
How many clients have you booked for those permits?
Will you refund 100% of my deposit should all the permits be taken prior to my arrival?
And a week before your arrive - Do you still have available permits for ALL of my animals?

Questions A PH Should Ask Their Client:

How much hunting experience do you have?
Can you hit a barn door at 50 paces?
When was the last time you visited an eye doctor?
When was the last time your shot your rifle(s)?
What is your fitness level?
What is your real fitness level?
Can you walk 100 yards on flat land without becoming winded?
When was the last time you tried?
Is your BMI less than 35?
Are you a whiner?
Do you know what an SCI Gold Medal is? Do you care?

Have you ever spent any time in a Turkish Prison?

JEff

And good luck getting a straight answer to those questions!

I prefer to ask the most important questions via email too...just so I get it in writing!

Most of the questions to the PH are legit.
The questions to the client are very condescending. They should be reworded or not asked at all. Not everyone is a marathon running sharpshooter.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Most of the questions to the PH are legit.
The questions to the client are very condescending. They should be reworded or not asked at all. Not everyone is a marathon running sharpshooter.
Cal

Right - very revealing ... not sure about what, but that guy sure has some unresolved issues about something.

No issues here, it's just that clients lie to PHs just as much as PHs lie to clients.

The PHs for the most part care about only one question.

Can you afford the hunt?

Opus1

I completely understand a hunter wanting to be informed but I also think if you can't safely assume that permits and quota are all in order that perhaps you need to consider another safari operator.

In my experience no PH would ever ask a client those questions in that manner. As an agent I bring the required fitness level into the correspondence and usually guns and practice also come up so the hunter will know what is required to have the best experience. How the client uses that info is up to them.

Mark

When I started a conversation with a PH that I have hunted with before about a cape buffalo hunt he diplomatically suggested more walking and getting into better shape. I am overweight but not obese (BMI in low 27's). He wasn't trying to be condescending. On my previous hunts I kept up and did just fine for plains game hunting. It is just that he knows I like to stalk and would enjoy the hunt more if my BMI was in the 25's. He is right and I am working on it. It is getting tougher now that I am in my 60's, but it will pay off.

Even if the client gives answers that are not the best the PH can adapt the hunt to meet abilities.
With advance knowledge the hunt could go from a spot and stalk to a blind and result in success. Or if the client is in very good shape it could open opportunities.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Opus1

I completely understand a hunter wanting to be informed but I also think
if you can't safely assume that permits and quota are all in order that perhaps you need to consider another safari operator.

Im just curious,
do you safely assume a clients hunt deposit has gone into your company account, ...or do you check to confirm?

IF you find yourself checking just to be sure[ i.e.; confirm], would you say that you are dealing with the wrong type client?

How much hunting experience do you have? Three prior safaris.

Can you hit a barn door at 50 paces? With a rock, a pistol, a shotgun, or a rifle?

When was the last time you visited an eye doctor? 2015

When was the last time your shot your rifle(s)? Last week.

What is your fitness level? Age 70, pulse 60, blood pressure 88/50.

What is your real fitness level? I told you the first time.

Can you walk 100 yards on flat land without becoming winded? Yes.

When was the last time you tried? Today I walked 3 miles while swinging 4-pound weights from both arms.

Is your BMI less than 35? Is 19 less than 35?

Are you a whiner? No and I don't ask stupid questions either.

Do you know what an SCI Gold Medal is? Yes.

Do you care? No.

First question: Do you have a sense of humor?

Indy - Your blood pressure is 88/50???

Ummmm, you better go see a doctor and like yesterday. You've gotta leak somewhere.

Having watched what goes on here on AR for a number of years, we will still have stupid clients who insist on hunting with stupid outfitters and PHs.

I remember having a number of messages exchanges with a member who no longer posts here regarding a hunt he wanted to go on which I thought was actually illegal.

He basically told me to mind my own business, went on that hunt, and learnt a terrible lesson.

Apparently things got so bad he had to cut his trip short and go home empty handed.

He did not want the details posted, as he wanted to take legal action against those he hunted with.

For all intent and purposes, getting a great hunt in Africa is not really that difficult at all.

All has one to do is a little bit of research.

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
Indy - Your blood pressure is 88/50???

Ummmm, you better go see a doctor and like yesterday. You've gotta leak somewhere.

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
Indy - Your blood pressure is 88/50???

Ummmm, you better go see a doctor and like yesterday. You've gotta leak somewhere.

Actually it was taken at a doctor's office. Sitting down. Standing it was a bit higher. The day before, I took at at the local drug store. They got 100/74. Still very good.

The most important question to ask a PH is, have you ever won a PH of Year Award From SCI??

If the answer is yes, I would run a mile away from him


The likelihood of you being taken for a ride is magnified about 1,000,000 times

quote:

Ummmm, you better go see a doctor and like yesterday. You've gotta leak somewhere.

Oh DAMN! That was funnnnnnnny!

quote:

Originally posted by Indy:

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
Indy - Your blood pressure is 88/50???

Ummmm, you better go see a doctor and like yesterday. You've gotta leak somewhere.

Actually it was taken at a doctor's office. Sitting down. Standing it was a bit higher. The day before, I took at at the local drug store. They got 100/74. Still very good.

Then you need another Doctor and like yesterday. Considering your age, he should have been moderately concerned and most likely diagnosed you with hypotension. Very low blood pressure as in 88/50 is not a sign of health.

Good luck with all that.

Actually most of the questions for customers came from other posts made here by other members complaining about one thing or another.

Opus, I saw the humor in that.

Thanks. While it was intended to be so, it is also what most PHs would LIKE to ask their clients and probably SHOULD ask their clients.

Watching some folks breaking a sweat and struggling to get off the plane in Joburg only makes me feel sorry for their lucky PH. The hunt will resemble something out of East LA - a lot of drive-by bang-bangs.

Phs should always keep in mind that the client-hunter is the reason they have a job so, yes, find out the client's abilities and "work with that" in a courteous manor. So many clients don't have the money to make these hunts until they are "over the hill" but they have always wanted to hunt africa their entire life. Make it good for them. For the occasional arse-hole client be accomidating and just do your best, they will soon be gone.