quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
In addition to Martin Pieters, I will add three more off the top of my head:

Charlton McCallum Safaris
Bvekenya Safaris (Pete Barnard)
Chifuti Safaris

I could go on, but will let others add to the list.

Mokore Safaris (Duckworth Family)

Pete Fick, Brent Hein, Shaun Buffee (They hunt the Bubye Valley Conservancy)

Walker-Watson Safaris

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Don,

I appreciate your perspective. Let me offer mine.

The reason that I hunt in Zimbabwe is that in my view there is still a dedicated group of professional hunters in Zimbabwe that care about their country deeply and who struggle every day against sometimes insurmountable odds to carve out a way forward. They do so with a sense of humor and with a can do spirit that is admirable. In my view, these people are deserving of our support. They represent, in part, the hope for the future of their country and the country's wildlife. I realize that others disagree. Some see supporting the hunting industry in Zimbabwe as being tantamount to supporting the Mugabe regime. I beg to differ. I see it as supporting a group of people that deserve not just our support but our admiration.

I feel the same way as does my wife.

My wife and I agree 100%. We should support the legal and ethical Zimbo's, without these guys the wildlife in Zim will be lost.

quote:

Originally posted by 465H&H:
Not being a rich client, I see no value in paying for a South African PH to come along if I was to hunt with a Zim outfitter. A second PH, especially one that has no licence in Zim is as useful to me as a life preserver in a car crash. If a South African PH wants or can arrange a hunt for me in another country, I would expect him to be satisfied with the 15% fee that is usually paid to a booking agent. If he wants to come along as a vacation or fact finding trip for himself, then he can pay what ever fees are required by the Zim outfitter.

465H&H

Great post. A good friend of mine is a South Texas outfitter/guide, if I were going hunting in Canada I would not ask him to come hold my hand.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Don,

I appreciate your perspective. Let me offer mine.

The reason that I hunt in Zimbabwe is that in my view there is still a dedicated group of professional hunters in Zimbabwe that care about their country deeply and who struggle every day against sometimes insurmountable odds to carve out a way forward. They do so with a sense of humor and with a can do spirit that is admirable. In my view, these people are deserving of our support. They represent, in part, the hope for the future of their country and the country's wildlife. I realize that others disagree. Some see supporting the hunting industry in Zimbabwe as being tantamount to supporting the Mugabe regime. I beg to differ. I see it as supporting a group of people that deserve not just our support but our admiration.

+1

Finding the right guys to go with is really not hard to figure out. You'll find a safari with them to be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience, void of unusual hassles and personal jeopardy. You'll find the paranoia to be unfounded and will be looking to go back and bring the family prior to the trip ending. You'll come away having seen some beautiful country, experienced some outstanding hunting, and feeling that you supported people who are doing their absolute best to fight the good fight.

I've hunted Zim 3 times and RSA 4 times. I've had "issues" with 2 of the SA outfitters I hunted with and none with the Zim operators. My last SA outfitter lost 3 of my animals prior to them being sent to the expediter. A friend of mine who hunted with the same guy had 4 of his animals lost, including a lioness. The point being that the people you choose to conduct your safari is far more important than the country in which you choose to hunt.

I think the reason you are seeing as much static over Zim operations is because the good guys are taking a public stand to sort things out and not standing by quietly without challenging wrong doing. Personally, I feel good about supporting those types of people.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Don,

I appreciate your perspective. Let me offer mine.

The reason that I hunt in Zimbabwe is that in my view there is still a dedicated group of professional hunters in Zimbabwe that care about their country deeply and who struggle every day against sometimes insurmountable odds to carve out a way forward. They do so with a sense of humor and with a can do spirit that is admirable. In my view, these people are deserving of our support. They represent, in part, the hope for the future of their country and the country's wildlife. I realize that others disagree. Some see supporting the hunting industry in Zimbabwe as being tantamount to supporting the Mugabe regime. I beg to differ. I see it as supporting a group of people that deserve not just our support but our admiration.

100%

Todd, thank you!

quote:

Originally posted by Mike70560:

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
In addition to Martin Pieters, I will add three more off the top of my head:

Charlton McCallum Safaris
Bvekenya Safaris (Pete Barnard)
Chifuti Safaris

I could go on, but will let others add to the list.

Mokore Safaris (Duckworth Family)

Pete Fick, Brent Hein, Shaun Buffee (They hunt the Bubye Valley Conservancy)

Walker-Watson Safaris

What about Frik and Louis Muller??

I have hunted seven times with HHK Safaris in Zim. Manager Graham Hingeston has been a pleasure to work with. You can count on his word. Judge G also has hunted with them numerous times but I'll let him speak to how they teated him. HHK has an excellent stable of PHs and geat concessions.

465H&H

Guys thanks for the list of operators. Just for clarification, I'm only concerned about losing my money with a shady outfit, or one who loses a concession and nothing more. Since retired Army officers aren't rolling in dough I need to spend my resources wisely. As far as my personal safety is concerned, I'll just say I've been in a whole lot worse places than Zimbabwe, will be again shortly, and done a thing or two at much greater personal risk than going on a safari.

Being one of those "bad" contractors now the press loves to berate unfortunately forces me into short decision cycles when it comes to hunting trips.

Thanks again for the input on reputable outfitters.

Don