Somehow I ended up in charge of our SCI chapter fundraiser's live auction and I was wondering how many people go on a plains game hunt together in either South Africa or Namibia?

I am trying to determine how popular solo hunts are versus hunts for 2 or 4 hunters.

I am not sure to include a hunt on our auction for 1 hunter.

Thanks for your help,

Jim

Question:
How many hunters are in your group when you plan to go to or have gone plains game hunting in South Africa or Namibia?

Choices:
One hunter
Two hunters
Three or more hunters

 

Hi Jim

Having traveled a good distance to make the journey to Africa, I have found that I like to hunt 1 X 1 on my Safaris. The vote i case, is how i like to hunt.

I have found that the small difference in cost to go 1 X 1 is well worth the expense. an example: I like to go after Bush buck and on my two successful trip for them i have only seen 3 shooters Bush-bucks. And 1 sighting was a brief glance while driving to a blind to hunt bush-pigs.

Now having other parties in camp is a plus as you have more people to visit with in the evening at at meals.

I have been at tables at the local SCI banquet where members were always looking for someone to join them on the hunts that they just purchased and they realized that it was for multiple hunters.

I just know that i would never purchase a multiple hunter package.

There are some folks who hunt as a group.

I don't. I would be very unlikely to bid on a group package.

I see lots of folks who have issues trying to arrange a time that works for the whole group, and as a result the hunt never happens, or someone ends up going without the others and eats the extra cost.

That being said, it seems that lots of folks at the conventions are buying for a group to go together.

Singleshot03

Auction it as a 2x1 with the option to up grade to 2x2 for XXX or add hunters at xxx per day. Offering it for a group will cause a mess for the lucky bidder even if you get bids.

Trying to get 4 hunters on the same page is a lot like herding cats.

Mark

I agree Mark
I always hunt 1x1
Of course it's lot of fun to have other guys in camp

Unless I could get one of my sons to go with me, I'm hunting solo.
Entirely too hard to get 2 or more people to agree on dates or locations.

Auction it off as one hunter trip.
If the buyer wants to add more people they can make a deal with the outfitter.
I have bought one hunter hunts at banquets and upgraded to add more hunters or observers.
The only time i bought a multiple hunter trip i took my sons with.
" Herding cats" is exactly what happens with too many opinions.

I much prefer one hunter and one non-hunter packages. Trying to get people to go with you these days is a complete waste of time……. I don't even try anymore. They are in like flint until you need to get a deposit from them to commit, then they fade into the woodwork.

Group hunts for 3 or 4 hunters usually just ends in a wreck. You see that at the main auction a lot and it is usually just so the exhibitors can bump the value of their donation package up into the 'attaboy' category and the perks that go with it.

A lot of hunters I know that frequent the conventions and chapter banquets do not bid on those group hunts.

I've only gone once, I hunted with my son.

We swapped opportunities.

1x1 except for my favorite which is a father & son .....

I've bought auction hunts both ways, I prefer the one hunter hunts, but have bought several for two hunters and have taken friends along who probably would never have gone the first time by themselves...I say sell the hunts that will raise the most money for your chapter.

Karl

Always 2 hunters my wife and me. Would love to take my buddy as well but his wife won't let him.

If one gets a foul ball in the group it can be a nightmare. Or a cry baby.

Mike

One or two hunters. I bought a hunt for four at an SCI silent auction. Luckily I didn't spend much, because that thing never got used.

I've done hunts with 2 hunters, including dangerous game, and they are fine if you know the person and enjoy their company.

My first trip was 1 on 1. I was the only person in camp. I didn't like that, hunting 1 on 1 is great but I like other hunters to share my stories and a drink with

I may have not read the question right,,,I answered 3 or more, I generally go to Namibia on a plains game hunt with several friends,, but we hunt 1 on 1 ,,,,I like being in camp with old friends and meeting new ones after the hunt,, listen to their stories and tell mine of the days adventure...

Two issues really, sharing a camp, and/or sharing a ph. I'd never share a PH except with a child or a spouse or an extremely good friend where I never planned on pulling the trigger or at least didn't care.

I'm about as picky on sharing camps. Some have been good experiences, but I'd prefer not to share a camp with anyone except my party.

I greatly appreciate everyones feedback. I expected more "two hunters." than single hunters. Based upon your feedback I will be adding a couple hunts for 1 hunter to our auction.

Thank you again,

Jim

My first trip to South Africa was with 3 other guys and we hunted in two groups, each 2x1. I really lucked out there because my partner was basically a bird hunter who just wanted to experience Africa, and only shot a Kudu.

On all of my other trips to Africa I went and hunted by myself 1x1 with the PH, and even a few times 1x2 with 2 PHs.

I like hunting alone or 1x1, but it's great to sit around the campfire or dinner table with a bunch of guys.

My first hunt was an auction hunt that I won for 2 hunters and 2 observers. I took my dad and 2 of my sons. When we got there we found out that all of us could hunt if we stuck together. So, we did. It was a 4x1 hunt. We had a fantastic time. One would be "the hunter" while the rest of us would talk and joke and enjoy Africa. When that person was done, the next person would be at bat. I got as many animals as I wanted (Kudu, zebra, impala, blue wildebeest, gemsbok, and eland) and the rest some shot animals too. Besides the camaraderie and "bonding time" the thing I liked best was that you got to take a break from the hunting. You weren't always on alert. You got to sit back and relax, yet be involved.

The second time I went it was just one of my sons and I. Both of us hunted. It was the same thing. One would hunt and the other would relax/watch and enjoy. We got as many animals as we wanted (10 altogether) and we had a great time.

Bottom line: I like hunting both ways. I have hunted on my own and I have hunted with others. There are pluses and minuses for each. For trips where I have to travel, I like going with others just because you have someone to enjoy it with, talk to on the trip, share the adventure, etc. Yes, you can talk with your PH/outfitter and their family, etc, but it's not the same.