Anthony Dyer said…(African Outfitter: August / September 2009, p11) "For many people a hunting safari is the fulfilment of a often dreamt dream. So, was the hunt up to the dream?"

What is your definition of a quality hunt? (Pro / client)

Being in the field.

One in which the unexpected turns out to be better than my preconceptions.

As Wink says, where the reality turns out to be better than the dream. I've done two safaris now, both with the same company and they both far exceeded my hopes. The quality of game, the quality of the stalk's and as well the PH's were all outstanding, knew there stuff and were great for round the bar chats and fun.

As a client, being out in the field having the hunt exceed your expectations as stated earlier. Seeing new places to hunt, and hunting familiar places, just being out. Having the means to hunt is high on the list. There are some folks in the world who would like to hunt freely but cannot because of laws, customs, or lack of means. We should be very thankful we can hunt as we wish.

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:
One in which the unexpected turns out to be better than my preconceptions.

Amen...

Quality is defined as: Superiority of kind, as well as the grade or degree of excellence. Therefore, if the hunt and its physical amenities are superior(extraordinary)and of a higher nature or kind than others, then it is a quality hunt to me. And in that light, I agree with the comments above.

A quality hunt is where the controllable variables (camp , service equipment , attitude etc) are exactly as expected or better and the uncontrollable aspects have excellent potential.

+1

quote:

Originally posted by ivan carter:
A quality hunt is where the controllable variables (camp , service equipment , attitude etc) are exactly as expected or better and the uncontrollable aspects have excellent potential.

Good definition...

To me, a quality hunt is being in prime game country (and for me this is truly wild and beautiful country such as the Sapi Safari Area in Zim. or any similar area) with a good, hard-working PH who loves to hunt and is great company in camp.

I couldn't care about the creature comforts in camp and am just as happy with a swag on the ground. I don't care if I don't shoot record-book heads, just as long as the hunting is truly fair-chase.

These are the basics I expect from a quality hunt - anything extra is just icing on the cake.


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I think Ivan nailed it.

A quality hunt is defined by me as being a safari or hunting trip that allows the hunter the opportunity to truly hunt for, (spot and stalk, set bait for a blind, track, whatever,)the intended game in an area that is suitable habitat for both the hunter and the hunted and actually has the intended game residing in said habitat!

That measn to me, put and take lion, buffalo, elk, pheasant, not a quality hunt. Semi urban deer or duck hunting on golf courses or near condo developments? Not a quality hunt. Certainly there are many duck hunting clubs in the States that regularly yield limits of ducks with the individual blinds evenly spaced 75 yards apart. No thanks, not a quality hunt. A western Montana opening day elk hunt with the bullets flying every which direction from the ten thousand road hunters out on opening day is not a quality hunt.

If a hunt or hunting area is sold based primarily on price, accomodations or the guarantee of a collected trophy I do not believe it to be a quality hunt.

A Save Conservancy safari to me is a quality hunt. good game numbers in good real wildlife habitat. The Selous sound to me to be a quality hunt, not based on accomodations or price, but based on the remote and "Wild Africa," aspect.
We are mostly all aware that the ivory from the Selous may well not be as heavy as from Botswana or even Zimbabwe, but to me Selous ivory would be a treasured prize/ memory from a quality hunt.

A "quality hunt" starts from the minute you leave home, and my own definition might be a slightly different than some.

1. I want all the arrangements agreed on with the outfitter and PH taken care of, with no questions left an answered.

When I am in the field hunting, that is all I want to do. HUNT!

2. This includes making propper travel arrangements with qualified hunting travel agents, who would know the details, and any unforseen problems that might crop up.

I don't want to skip on costs and book my travel through the Internet with an unknown entity who probably has no idea what travelling with firearms entails today.

3. I want to arrive at my destination with the outfitter or PH's representative meeting me at the airport, complete with all relevant licenses - rifles, hunting etc.

I have no wish to arrive at my destination and find that my outfitter has been sleeping on the job, and has not managed to the firearms permit. I sure haveno wish to leave my guns at the airport while cooling my feet at some hotel in Dar - or any other city, for that matter.

I don't want to get to the hunting camp and find that my hunting license has not arrived yet!

4. I want a comfortable, safe camp with plenty of food and drinks.

I want to have a reasonable chance of at least seeing the animals I have agreed to hunt.

Finding the right trophy I will leave to lady luck.

quote:

Originally posted by ivan carter:
A quality hunt is where the controllable variables (camp , service equipment , attitude etc) are exactly as expected or better and the uncontrollable aspects have excellent potential.

Couldn't agree more!

quote:

A "quality hunt" starts from the minute you leave home, and my own definition might be a slightly different than some.

1. I want all the arrangements agreed on with the outfitter and PH taken care of, with no questions left an answered.

When I am in the field hunting, that is all I want to do. HUNT!

2. This includes making propper travel arrangements with qualified hunting travel agents, who would know the details, and any unforseen problems that might crop up.

I don't want to skip on costs and book my travel through the Internet with an unknown entity who probably has no idea what travelling with firearms entails today.

3. I want to arrive at my destination with the outfitter or PH's representative meeting me at the airport, complete with all relevant licenses - rifles, hunting etc.

I have no wish to arrive at my destination and find that my outfitter has been sleeping on the job, and has not managed to the firearms permit. I sure haveno wish to leave my guns at the airport while cooling my feet at some hotel in Dar - or any other city, for that matter.

I don't want to get to the hunting camp and find that my hunting license has not arrived yet!

4. I want a comfortable, safe camp with plenty of food and drinks.

I want to have a reasonable chance of at least seeing the animals I have agreed to hunt.

Finding the right trophy I will leave to lady luck.

perfect i agree completely ...

Ivan and Saeed nailed it.

One of the biggest measures of a quality hunt for me is that I can look back at it later with no real bad memories, and nothing I would feel bitter about or ashamed of.

A quality hunt is one were you are succesful in taking the game you are after.It's obvious that if you don't have a license,you can't hunt.Likewise,other gaffs don't need mentioning.

A good PH with a pleasing personality; abundant opportunites to take mature game; good food; good weather; and nobody got hurt.

What else could a hunter ask for?

Good weather,good game,no surprises.