I purchased a hunt at the SCI convention in 2009 with Shingani Safaris. The hunt was for buffalo and was to take place in the Binga area. My friend and I also wanted Sable. Riaan Vosloo said this was no problem. We also paid for a 1 on 1 hunt. Riaan also told me that he would be my PH on the hunt.
We bought tickets to Vic Falls and 12 hours before we were to leave the states I get an email saying change of plans, picking you up in Joburg!!!!!!!!
We get to Joburg and are met by a young ph and taken to Shingani's South African headquarters. I find out Riaan has two other buffalo hunters and has already left with them for Zimbabwe. The next morning we leave and drive to the border. Riaan Vosloo has a guy meet us to help obtain gun permits. Long story short we get strong armed out of $200 per gun, having 2 guns, I'm out $400 and also the $500 airline ticket to Vic Falls. A bad start! Riaan's response is "oh that's to bad"
After driving for hours looking for the camp we arrive.
Riaan is pretty cold to us.
We find out he has two guys on our hunt and now it is a 2 on 1 hunt. Riaan says we'll have our buffalo and be out of here in 3-5 days????? What about Sable?
Well now we are in the Crooks (perfect name for this hunt) corner area and there are no Sable here. Riaans clients kill the first 2 buffalo they saw and left with him the 2nd day of the hunt. One is a tiny inmature bull. I shot a nice bull the 2nd day (only buffalo I saw in 5 days) and my friend finally saw a bull the 5th day and shot it.
Riaan also left with the only 4x4 truck and we were left with a 2 wheel drive. Of course we were stuck every day. Also the drinking water in camp ran out after day 3! We had to boil water and had only 2 20 ounce bottle to drink a day! Mind you it was well over a hundred degrees every day!
My dream hunt wasn't at all what I had hoped it would be and as of yet, I still have never seen my trophy. I was told it was delivered to the dip and pack place last October, but found out today that was just another one of Riaan's lies!
So after all that, I end up with no buffalo!

We left Zimbabwe and returned to SA and hunted a few days. I took a kudu and bushbuck and my friend a kudu and 14 inch warthog! Our capes and skins were unmountable when we got them and my friends huge warthog wasn't in the crate! He contacted Shingani Safaris but was told they would look into it. You guessed it, no reply!


Best advice is steer clear of Riaan Vosloo and Shingani Safaris!

I am sorry about your hunt... sounds like much was promised and little delivered. I know there has been alot written on these forums on South Africans hunting in Zimbabwe without Zimbabwean PH's involved and they follow a similar storyline.I am afraid this is what happened to you. I hope you don't let this incident keep you from hunting Africa in the future, there are wonderful people and hunting available. Do a little research and you will find opportunities abound.

Good hunting and thanks for the "heads up" on Shingani!

This shows just because an outfitter is at a show one still has to do their homework. The show operators can't and shouldn't vouch for the vendors. Personally I think many people go to a show and think the vendors are OK because they are at the show.

Now that you are here I am sure you can get alot of input for your next hunt if you just ask.

You should report this to SCI!

And if SCI has any balls they would kiick this outfitter out of the show!

Of course, knowing how SCI operates, they got their money, and that is all they care about!

"FIRST FOR HUNTERS!" My foot!

Saeed, this was reported to SCI and they followed up immediately and withdrew the donated 2012 Zimbabwe hunt that from Shingani Safaris, SCI are currently awaiting the complete documents in order to take this one step further. They are reluctant to act for legal reasons until ALL paprwork is filed.

Martin,

I am glad to hear this.

It certainly is a change from trheir past performance.

May be all our complaints are having some effect at least!

I knew this would end up a bashing of SCI. It is not only at SCI events these things happen. I work with a local SCI chapter (which no one has any problems with) and we have had the same type of things happen, in fact I am working to resolve a problem similar but this one is in Texas!

That really sucks! I also bought a hunt at SCI but my results were completely different. Had a fantastic time and an outstanding hunt in Moz. Shot a nice old 41+ bull and some plains game. The PH was Obviously "better than me" and the gentleman that owned the concession had very little to say about anything but they probably hadn't expected someone they didn't know to buy the hunt. I didn't realize how long it takes to export trophies out of Moz. Other than that, it was great!

All this is amazing to me, and frankly I’m puzzled by this! I’ve hunted a couple of times with Riaan Vosloo, not in Zim but on a couple of the DRSS hunts, and he came off as a very nice guy, and I know a couple of DRSS members who have hunted in Africa with him, with never a hitch. Of course none of this negates him being a crook, because even nice guys can be crooks where large amounts of money are involved. I have a feeling though, that there may be more to this than has been stated.

I will say as it stands right now I would not book with him, till more is known, but who knows how this will turn out in the long term. Riaan may be the victim of crooks who sold him the illegal permits, and led him to believe he was legal. As I read in one of the other reports on this, he had the paper work issued by the parks officials.

Certainly with the financial condition of Zimbabwe’s government, and the reputation of the Mugabe regime many things may have changed and as has been the case in the past, ROBBER BOB doesn’t think he is required to inform anyone of changes he makes. Simply look at the land grabs he has allowed.

With a lot of this seemingly being par for the course in Zimbabwe I’ll reserve my judgment till I know more!
Here’s hoping this is settled quickly, but fairly, one way or the other before anyone else is impacted!
Knowing Riaan casually I’m saddened by this, and I must say it is a complete surprise to me!
......................................................................................

I bought this hunt at the SCI auction in Reno. Shingani was a first time contributor and Riaan talked a good story! After buying the hunt, my friend also booked with Riaan. We went down to the Portland show and talked to Riaan 7 months before our hunt and were told, yes we could hunt sable (it was offered as an ad on to the hunt I bought as well as elephant)and he would bait hyenas for us also. I also wanted a Chobe bushbuck which Riaan said was no problem. Where he ended up taking us there was only 4 buffalo (reason for dragging us there as he book 2 other clients) and 2 nyala. I would have loved to hunt nyala there as they were free range, but with no water to drink, we needed to get out of there.

Another thing that bothered me was Riaan told me he and his ph's wouldn't be drinking in camp as he would never allow someone with a hangover to be responsible for our safety! After the first day of hunting we got to camp and Riaan was drunk as a skunk! Made me glad he wasn't my ph!

I did file a hunt report with SCI and was contacted by them with in a few days. My friend also plans to file a report.

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:
Riaan may be the victim of crooks who sold him the illegal permits, and led him to believe he was legal. As I read in one of the other reports on this, he had the paper work issued by the parks officials.

Certainly with the financial condition of Zimbabwe’s government, and the reputation of the Mugabe regime many things may have changed and as has been the case in the past, ROBBER BOB doesn’t think he is required to inform anyone of changes he makes. Simply look at the land grabs he has allowed.

Mac,

If the first paragraph in the quote above is correct, then at a minimum, Riaan is to stupid for me to ever book a hunt with him. He is a professional hunter and outfitter and should do all his due diligence before peddling a piece of crap like this to a client.

The second paragraph is true, but has no bearing on what happened to the unfortunate hunter.

I'm not trying to start a pissing match, I have always respected your opinion and am merely giving mine.

quote:

Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
I knew this would end up a bashing of SCI. It is not only at SCI events these things happen. I work with a local SCI chapter (which no one has any problems with) and we have had the same type of things happen, in fact I am working to resolve a problem similar but this one is in Texas!

How many times have we heard of hunts bought at SCI functions going sour?

This is NOT the firs time, and as you state youurself, you have one you are trying to be resolved.

I think SCI chapters job of sorting this sort of thing out, compared with SCI Convention.

MACD37 Riaan was the nicest guy in Reno and Portland. In camp with his past clients, he almost never spoke to me and my 2 friends.
Also he hunted everyday with his two clients without a Zimbabwe ph present, which I understand is illegal! He did have a black Zimbabwain ph with us to make it somewhat legal.

I was told today by the dip and pack place that my buffalo was still at the camp where we left it and was never picked up like Riaan told me last october.

I also forgot to mention that the area we hunted (Sengwe 2) was a place Riaan had never been to before. Not sure how he came by this area, but he told us none had hunted here for 2 years.

Did the references you spoke with have good or bad things to say?

The lions share of hunts in Zim with South Africans are illegal . I don't understand why SCI accepts these hunts and why members buy them. This is a pretty well known issue.

My advice would be to check out the legality of the hunt. If there are questions, do not import any trophies. You might find out what the Lacey Act is all about .

Saeed, you reply doesn't make any sense. I said I (our committee) is trying to resolve a bad hunt purchased at our banquet. My point is neither SCI (National) or local chapters can totally vouch for hunts sold at their functions and I might say I have heard (no personal knowledge) the same from other org i e RMEF etc. having this type of problem. It appears the hunting industry does not walk on water - they have their share of bad apples.

Gentlemen, In hind sight, and with the posts in response to mine, I will say, usually where there is smoke there is fire, and so far the responses to me have held some water. That being said, in my defense, I’ve always acted on the principle that a person should be assumed innocent till proven guilty, hence the tac of my post. I will say at this point, the negative evidence has become quite a bit more than that in his favor.

Lhook7 don’t worry about a pissing match from me, I simply want all the evidence I can get before condemning a person to the firing squad, nothing more! Once all that evidence is in, no matter which way it swings, I have no problem throwing the guilty to the lions or backing him if innocent!

..............................................................................

My first trip to Zim was from a donated hunt to a CCA event. The guy listed as the contact for the hunt was a pretty fast talker, but I was dumb and naive and was excited about hunting in Africa. My friend and I landed in Harare (the old airport) and met our PH. By the grace of God he was (still is) one of the best, most experienced and conscientious PH's in Zim, but he informed us that the guy that donated the hunt had been their agent in the states but had since been fired and hadn't been authorized to donate the hunt. He stood by what had been promised as far as no daily rate, etc. and we had a good time anyway, but I learned a very valuable lesson.

I will never bid on a donated hunt again. If I can't carry, pull, or drive what has been donated, then I'm not bidding. I'd rather pay full bore for something and know that the provider is making a profit off of me and that I have every right to demand the best service.

I don't mean to imply the gentleman that posted this thread did anything wrong - it sounds like he quite possibly got the royal shaft from a disreputable operator and I sincerely hope he gets all of his trophies home soon.

Just saying that there are a lot of variables involved when you get into a donated hunt, even with the best of operators.

A lot of people (again, not this gentleman) want a helluva bargain at a charity auction. These are the folks that write the amounts next to each item in the auction brochure and tell their friends that they wouldn't pay that much. They seem to miss the whole "charity" concept. If they do happen to pick up a bargain, they expect to be treated like kings. Life just doesn't work that way.

quote:

Originally posted by Cazador humilde:
My first trip to Zim was from a donated hunt to a CCA event. The guy listed as the contact for the hunt was a pretty fast talker, but I was dumb and naive and was excited about hunting in Africa. My friend and I landed in Harare (the old airport) and met our PH. By the grace of God he was (still is) one of the best, most experienced and conscientious PH's in Zim, but he informed us that the guy that donated the hunt had been their agent in the states but had since been fired and hadn't been authorized to donate the hunt. He stood by what had been promised as far as no daily rate, etc. and we had a good time anyway, but I learned a very valuable lesson.

I will never bid on a donated hunt again. If I can't carry, pull, or drive what has been donated, then I'm not bidding. I'd rather pay full bore for something and know that the provider is making a profit off of me and that I have every right to demand the best service.

I don't mean to imply the gentleman that posted this thread did anything wrong - it sounds like he quite possibly got the royal shaft from a disreputable operator and I sincerely hope he gets all of his trophies home soon.

Just saying that there are a lot of variables involved when you get into a donated hunt, even with the best of operators.

A lot of people (again, not this gentleman) want a helluva bargain at a charity auction. These are the folks that write the amounts next to each item in the auction brochure and tell their friends that they wouldn't pay that much. They seem to miss the whole "charity" concept. If they do happen to pick up a bargain, they expect to be treated like kings. Life just doesn't work that way.

At least in Zim...Riaan Vosloo should be avoided like the plague. He is BAD NEWS for Zim wildlife.

quote:

Originally posted by Cazador humilde:
My first trip to Zim was from a donated hunt to a CCA event. The guy listed as the contact for the hunt was a pretty fast talker, but I was dumb and naive and was excited about hunting in Africa. My friend and I landed in Harare (the old airport) and met our PH. By the grace of God he was (still is) one of the best, most experienced and conscientious PH's in Zim, but he informed us that the guy that donated the hunt had been their agent in the states but had since been fired and hadn't been authorized to donate the hunt. He stood by what had been promised as far as no daily rate, etc. and we had a good time anyway, but I learned a very valuable lesson.

I will never bid on a donated hunt again. If I can't carry, pull, or drive what has been donated, then I'm not bidding. I'd rather pay full bore for something and know that the provider is making a profit off of me and that I have every right to demand the best service.

I don't mean to imply the gentleman that posted this thread did anything wrong - it sounds like he quite possibly got the royal shaft from a disreputable operator and I sincerely hope he gets all of his trophies home soon.

Just saying that there are a lot of variables involved when you get into a donated hunt, even with the best of operators.

A lot of people (again, not this gentleman) want a helluva bargain at a charity auction. These are the folks that write the amounts next to each item in the auction brochure and tell their friends that they wouldn't pay that much. They seem to miss the whole "charity" concept. If they do happen to pick up a bargain, they expect to be treated like kings. Life just doesn't work that way.

Really good way of looking at the whole donated hunt concept.

My donated hunt purchase was a bit different!
Riaan owner of Shingani Safaris donated the hunt and was there at the show! I talked with him before and after buying it. I didn't save a whole lot by buying it at auction compared to booking with him at that time. I did save enough to get airfare.

quote:

Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
Saeed, you reply doesn't make any sense. I said I (our committee) is trying to resolve a bad hunt purchased at our banquet. My point is neither SCI (National) or local chapters can totally vouch for hunts sold at their functions and I might say I have heard (no personal knowledge) the same from other org i e RMEF etc. having this type of problem. It appears the hunting industry does not walk on water - they have their share of bad apples.

Die,
I respectfully disagree with you. When a hunter buys a hunt at an auction, who is the seller? SCI of course. They market it, they take the money, they set the terms.

If it goes bad, SCI is responsible for damages, costs and attorney fees. I personally would sue SCI and the officers of the local chapters if they misrepresented a hunt I bought by knowingly selling something they did not review, research or verify. This is no differnet from knowingly selling a defective and potentially dangerous product.

SCI and the local wonks should verify and guarantee performance by the donation entity.

Otherwise, I would never, never even consider buying a hunt at an SCI function.

On second thought, I have never and will never buy a donated hunt because your recourse is ZERO and you have just thrown your money away. If you book with an operator, at least you have a leg to stand on (not much, but more than via SCI).

The whole idea of "donated" hunts is an abomination on the whole industry.

No outfitter likes to "donate" anything, but SCI blackmails them into it.

Then they sell these same hunts in direct competition to the hunts the outfitters sell.

People who buy these "donated" hunts think they are getting a bargain, and at the same time giving to the good cause of conservation.

Nothing is further from the truth!

As we have seen here on numerous occassions, none of the staunch SCI supporters have been able to show us much in the way of where all these millions are spent.

We are still waiting to see what SCI actually does for conservation in Africa!

Saeed,
You and I are on the same page.

Donated hunts are not donations. They are payments for booth and ad space.

In life and hunting, you do not get something for nothing. When you are "buying" a donated hunt, you are expecting something for nothing. A safari operator cannot afford to donate a hunt - he rolls the cost that hunt into the hunts you and I are paying for!!! I really do not support the idea of this "donation" because I am the one paying for it in increased prices for my full price hunt.

I am a member of SCI and I donate directly to the causes I support, but I do not support nor think the "donated hunt" is remotely legit.

Comments I saw on another forum about the same Topic.

I believe there are 2 sides to every story just as one mans adventure is anothers headache. My friend and I were on that adventure so allow me to throw my 2 cents in as it seems everyone is eager to jump in if they smell blood. We hunted the famous Crooks Corner which is rich with history and lore. Yes, we too had to pay "fines" to the border officials to bring in our firearms and the officials charged $1,000 fee for one of our trucks which was negotiated down to $800. You are at the governments mercy. The camp was comfortable and clean. No it wasn't a 5 star or even a 2 star but clean, great food and staff. The camp was strictly used for sleeping eating as we hunted all day. The boiler for the hot water was busted the 1st night but I have been in the moose and sheep camps were you are eating MRE's or other meals from bags and pumping water from a stream and boiling it for the nights meals. The camps well was running close to dry but the workers dug feverishly to find new water everyday. Hell we were camped on a dry river bed in the middle of the bush, i didn't expect a day spa.
Thomas is correct in the fact that we shot the first 2 bulls we saw. We had walked miles that day up and down the Limpopo river, fighting the sand and weaving in and out through the Jess tracking buffalo. See i trained for this hunting. I got myself into shape becasuse i excepted a physical hunt. I hiked with a pqck on and completed the P90X in preparation for the trip and it still kicked my butt. My friend was not prepared and by lunch he and his wife were spent. He had blisters and our efforts of tracking became hampered by his lack of physical preparedness. When he shot his buffalo Riaan told him he could do better but Dale waived him off as he knew this was an opportunity to end the physical demands of the hunt. The bull was not huge but you know what it was and is a trophy to Dale. It measured 37 inches. Too many times we are caught up in the size and not the challenge of hunting. We left Dale and his wife in the truck while we continued looking for buffalo. It was near dark when we spotted my bull. It was a welcomed sight as i had earned it. I shot him at less than 60 yards and he was huge. I will never forgot it. We were so excited, 2 bulls! When we arrived back at camp that night we were singing our praises and we learned that Thomas had taken an exceptional bull as well. I still hadn't measured mine as i really don't care about the inches. All i want is respectable representation of the species and I had one. Thomas was big, he had already measured and scored it. 42 inches be told. Mine well it turned out to be a respectful 39 inches. I was extremely happy before i knew the measurements and even more so after i learned the size. See Riaan was extremely happy with out kills and he was bragging to us about how big and nice our animals were. So when Thomas showed up we told him we had taken 2 bulls and 1 one was a monster. It looked like a monster to me. Thats when we learned Thomas had taken one as well, turns out his was a MONSTER, 42". His party was a tired as ours as they had covered a lot of ground that day as well. Truth be told they were not in shape for the hunt. Cape Buffalo hunting is a physical hunt. That night in their tent all Thomas did was trash talk our bulls at how small they were. Exact quote, " Monster? I Killed the only "F" monster. Riaan is full of "S"." this went on and on. Its nice to be in camp and have someone trash talking your trophy. You know we tried to be friendly but they were cold. When we left Zim for SA one of Thomas party hitched a ride as he didn't want to walk any more. I believe that Thomas other friend took a very respectable bull as well. I don't recall the measurements but you know something he worked for 5 days to earn that bull. He owns that experience and no can ever take that away.
I don't know what they were expecting, drive the land cruiser up around until you see one then roll the window and shoot? I got an experience of a lifetime in rural Africa. As for the paper work goes, yes i signed and completed all paper work before we left camp. Thomas started a thread earlier in the year trying to get negative trackion going. Turns out Riaan was in Zim for 7 weeks straight before he responded. Once Thomas found out the facts from those questions did he post a correction or explain? I don't have my horns either but i was told up front that it could be up to 18 months before i received them due to the remote location of were we hunted. I totally trust Shingani Safaris and have no reason not to.
Jim

This dude Thomas shot a 42 inch buffalo and he is bitching????

I have hunted with Shingani safaris,it was my first hunt in Africa,I had no problems whatsoever,I cannot comment on Riaan hunting in Zimbabwe for the simple reason that I have not hunted with him in Zim,but you have to be there in person to know what really happened,there are always two sides to a story,

Roscoe,
thanks for telling us about the other side of the story.

We always had bottled water to drink in the Selous.

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
This dude Thomas shot a 42 inch buffalo and he is bitching????

Considering he has not received his trophy and probably never will is one cause to bitch a little.

I am a newbie to Africa. I have only been there once, so consider my answer in that light.

The trip I went on was a donated hunt. I won the hunt at the Maryland Bowhunters Society Banquet. It was a trip for four (2 hunters and 2 observers) to plains game hunt with Van Wijk Safaris in the Limpopo Region of South Africa. All I can say is that if donated hunts are not the best hunts, I can't wait to experience a full priced hunt! We went over there and experienced the trip/hunt of a life time. It was all that everyone talks about and more. I have been hunting in the US for over 40 years and had never experienced anything like it. I am definitely hooked on Africa. Like many first timers, I was trying to figure out how to get back before I even left. I am going again this August with Steffi and Andrieas Van Wijk and I can't wait. What a great time.

I don't mean to take the discussion of track, but just wanted to add my two cents...

I am glad to hear the other side of the coin as well. You feel sorry for someone who has genuinely been taken but if one knew the conditions before they left.......and to gripe about a 42" bull???
I have also hunted in camps where the "mix" of people was not correct and it is from uncomfortable to more than unbearable. Not much to do but enjoy yourself as you best can.
And Mr. Neese...I have also enjoyed a campfire with Steffie and Andries. Aren't they wonderful people? I hunted with them in 09 on a hunt i bought at a local SCI banquet and he just loves to kill stuff and to be a part of it. They have a first class operation outside of Vaalwater, I believe they bought the operation from his Uncle Boer Coetzee who was InAfrica Safaris. Next time you talk to them, tell them Rick and Barb from Colorado said Hello.

Hey Rosco, maybe you should have posted my reply to the post you got at the other forum!
I would also like to say I was thrilled with the buffalo I killed but am more then pissed I will never see it again!



I knew this was coming and I would like to set Jimmy B straight on a couple of facts about this hunt!
Numbrer 1, is the fact that he has no idea what I was promised when i bought this hunt. I got nothing I was promised except a buffalo. I and my partner were promised and paid for 1x1 hunts, but the fact is we had to hunt together.
I never bitched about the camp being rough! I live in the mountains of North Idaho and am happy to sleep on the ground while elk hunting! I prefered the zim camp to the plush SA resort type camp.
Also saying I wasn't in shape for this hunt is a bunch of crap. I would crawl on my hands and knees if I had to. After the first day all you in your party did was bitch about how tuff it was walking along the river ON FLAT GROUND! We were hunting in the steep Mopane hills and I never once complained. It wasn't even close to as tuff as the stuff I hunt here. Now to set you straight about me being an ass and talking down your trophies. When we got to camp with my bull (after being stuck in the river bed for a couple hours while you were in camp drinking beer) you told us YOU had killed a F'n monster! You said it several times about what a F'n monster you got. When we asked where it was you stated it was still in the bush and the trackers were taking care of it. I stayed in the bush with my tracker and gutted and took care of my bull! I wanted all of the buffalo experiance! When your buffalo showed up we told you it was a great bull and I told you congradulations!!!! Why would I trash talk your trophy. I knew my bull was wider, but who cares! My party commented what an arrogant guy you were. So maybe you need to refresh your memory a bit.
You might also mention your bull was spotted from the truck and there was no hiking involved!
You were in camp 2 days and I was there for 5! My friend that left was an obserever on my hunt and we wanted him to go to SA to hunt for himself as there was no game in this camp he could hunt. I stayed and hunted with my friend until he took a bull on the 5th day! We had no water, like we had when you were there. Two of these days I had the flu, but spent all day hiking the hills.
My main complaint is that we didn't get to hunt where we were promised, we didn't get a 1 on 1 hunt, and I really wanted a sable like promised. I also wanted the opportunity to hunt were there were lots of buffalo and hunt for the 10 days i was promised!
No I didn't expect to shoot a buffalo from the window of the land cruiser, but as I remember you almost did!
I talked to the taxidermist in Zimbabwe today and they have no idea about our buffalo and I'm pretty sure yours isn't there either. Truthfully i could care less about you or your buffalo.
I told Riaan I wouldn't say anything negative about my hunt and what I didn't get as long as my buffalo was delivered to dip and pack by the end of last September. I still have no idea where it is and all I hear is lies!
My friend is also mad and is seeking legal action against Riaan as he is tired of how he was cheated and lied to also!

I went hunting in Canada in November and we had a bad mix in our camp. It was just miserable. The food, conditions, and hunting was great, but when you have personalities that clash.... We made the best of it and did well hunting, but if a few of our camp members got lost in the woods, I don't think many would have complained.

quote:

And Mr. Neese...I have also enjoyed a campfire with Steffie and Andries. Aren't they wonderful people? I hunted with them in 09 on a hunt i bought at a local SCI banquet and he just loves to kill stuff and to be a part of it. They have a first class operation outside of Vaalwater, I believe they bought the operation from his Uncle Boer Coetzee who was InAfrica Safaris. Next time you talk to them, tell them Rick and Barb from Colorado said Hello.

They are definitely wonderful people. I definitely enjoyed hunting/being with them. My dad and two of my sons went with me and they had also had a great time. We lived like royalty and it was first class all the way.

Andries does love to hunt and we did it non-stop. I've never experienced anything like it. It was go, go, go and shoot, shoot, shoot... and we did.

Yes, he bought it from his Uncle Boer. Boer still lives near by.

I will pass on your greetings.

Also a USMC life time member...

Thank you Sherril and Pagosawingnut! It is almost time to start hunting and killing stuff again!

It is good to hear that we are doing things right. We try very hard not to be one of the "bad apples" out there.

Good hunting to all.

witjagter,
goeie moire!
since you went to facebook, I haven't heard from you and I don't do facebook. Hope everything is going to suit you. Sort of expected to get to put you up again this year before SCI and you were a no-show.....Our best and kind regards
Rick

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
The whole idea of "donated" hunts is an abomination on the whole industry.

No outfitter likes to "donate" anything, but SCI blackmails them into it.

Then they sell these same hunts in direct competition to the hunts the outfitters sell.

People who buy these "donated" hunts think they are getting a bargain, and at the same time giving to the good cause of conservation.

Nothing is further from the truth!

As we have seen here on numerous occassions, none of the staunch SCI supporters have been able to show us much in the way of where all these millions are spent.

We are still waiting to see what SCI actually does for conservation in Africa!

You are assuming that outfitters care nothing for contributing real money to conservation and that assumption is incorrect.

As for SCI and conservation - at the convention all of the govt game depts of the various major African countries were represented and no doubt wined and dined by SCI. I sure wish my country's government would send some game delegates so they could see how real conservation is put into action... at an international hunting convention, sponsored by the members of a hunting club (outfitters included). If my donation dollars are spent on such initiatives (drawing these people together to help maintain hunting abilities) - even if it is mainly African... I am OK with that!!

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
I know there has been alot written on these forums on South Africans hunting in Zimbabwe without Zimbabwean PH's involved and they follow a similar storyline.I am afraid this is what happened to you. I hope you don't let this incident keep you from hunting Africa in the future, there are wonderful people and hunting available. Do a little research and you will find opportunities abound.

+++1

Bad hunt and a bad situation. That being said, I don't think I would want to share a camp with any involved in this sad saga.

Jeff