Hello. I now have the means to finally hunt in Africa. I have an idea where and with whom, but I would like some feedback about my hunting criteria. My wife and I retired and have downsized to a mobile home park. 1380 square feet. All to say that there will not be any room for trophies. Is it considered ok to leave all shot animals behind or will I be looked down upon by the camp? I would rather not go than give the impression that I am not a true sportsman.
Next, I really want to hunt and get close to everything. No shots over 100 yards if possible. Not because of shooting ability but just for the feeling and challenge. Not worried about trophy size. Also, this would make a difference as to what rifle to buy. For romance and excitement, the double sounds wonderful, especially if we stick to the 100 yards or less.
Thank you in advance for comments to my dream hunt. Gary

Gary, I have only left bait animals behind, so I can't answer your question about doing that with a real trophy. I would find that impossible.

But since you asked, I would say, as a general matter, just remember that you, and only you, are the hunter.

Act ethically; eat your own nyama; what you don't eat, give away; and otherwise, enjoy yourself.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Gary, I have only left bait animals behind, so I can't answer your question about doing that with a real trophy. I would find that impossible.

But since you asked, I would say, as a general matter, just remember that you, and only you, are the hunter.

Act ethically; eat your own nyama; what you don't eat, give away; and otherwise, enjoy yourself.

Sage advice…

Here's my two centavos worth. Take pictures of your trophies, leave the physical trophies behind. Maybe the camp or someone else could use the horns and skulls for some camp or other mounts. As to the double. . . . .it would be nice, but not cost effective for one hunt. Take a 30 caliber plains game rifle or a 7mm, or such, and if hunting dangerous game, a .375 H&H, or, just rent camp rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Gary, I have only left bait animals behind, so I can't answer your question about doing that with a real trophy. I would find that impossible.

But since you asked, I would say, as a general matter, just remember that you, and only you, are the hunter.

Act ethically; eat your own nyama; what you don't eat, give away; and otherwise, enjoy yourself.

Sage advice…

As long as the animals you take will supply meat for the camp and the locals there is nothing wrong with not bringing the trophies home. Take a lot of pictures, both still shots, and movies to share with folks at home, and to bring back memories for many years down the road of your hunts. I can assure you they will be treasured for many years down the road, for not only you but for your family to remember when they think about you long after you are gone to the happy hunting ground.
.....................MacD37

quote:

Originally posted by GaryG:
Hello. I now have the means to finally hunt in Africa. I have an idea where and with whom, but I would like some feedback about my hunting criteria. My wife and I retired and have downsized to a mobile home park. 1380 square feet. All to say that there will not be any room for trophies. Is it considered ok to leave all shot animals behind or will I be looked down upon by the camp? I would rather not go than give the impression that I am not a true sportsman.
Next, I really want to hunt and get close to everything. No shots over 100 yards if possible. Not because of shooting ability but just for the feeling and challenge. Not worried about trophy size. Also, this would make a difference as to what rifle to buy. For romance and excitement, the double sounds wonderful, especially if we stick to the 100 yards or less.
Thank you in advance for comments to my dream hunt. Gary

Why not just go do a cull hunt? There is no trophy expectation and you’ll get more shooting in.

quote:

Originally posted by GaryG:
Hello. I now have the means to finally hunt in Africa. I have an idea where and with whom, but I would like some feedback about my hunting criteria. My wife and I retired and have downsized to a mobile home park. 1380 square feet. All to say that there will not be any room for trophies. Is it considered ok to leave all shot animals behind or will I be looked down upon by the camp? I would rather not go than give the impression that I am not a true sportsman.
Next, I really want to hunt and get close to everything. No shots over 100 yards if possible. Not because of shooting ability but just for the feeling and challenge. Not worried about trophy size. Also, this would make a difference as to what rifle to buy. For romance and excitement, the double sounds wonderful, especially if we stick to the 100 yards or less.
Thank you in advance for comments to my dream hunt. Gary

Don't have any preconceived ideas, you will get disappointed.

You don't wish to bring trophies back, that is great.

But please go with an open mind, and just enjoy the hunt.

Roll with the dice.

Go and enjoy yourself and take a ton of photos. No one at camp will look down at you for not taking home trophies.

If you feel like it, take some skins for trophies. There are a lot of unique plains game animals that make fantastic wall hangings.

Rest assured that nothing you shoot will be wasted. EVERYTHING will be eaten by camp staff and yourself. I haven’t brought back anything from my last 7-8 safaris- no room and I refuse to enlarge my house. Take lots of pictures and consider hiring a pro photographer to video the hunt. Unless you plan on hunting dangerous game on this and subsequent safaris, forget the double unless money is no object. Mainly just relax and enjoy the experience. You only have ONE first safari!

Personally, I would not purchase a double for your first safari but a good bolt action that is more versatile. Hunt Buffalo for ten days and a smattering of plains game. Take your wife and treat it as a hard-earned vacation. Maybe tack on a couple of days to do some sightseeing.

Or, if you get an exceptional trophy, bring home just the skull for a European mount and the skin for the couch or floor.

I haven't brought anything home in quite some time. That includes 3 Elephants and 2 Cape Buffalo. No room in my house for more trophies and I'd rather spend the $$ saved on shipping and taxidermy on another hunt. Shipping costs have become outrageous.

Like others have said take a lot of pictures.

Hi Gary,
Not taking anything home should not be frowned upon at all. As far as the meat goes, everything gets used and if one of my hunters choose to only take photos, I still skin the animals out to cuts that might come in handy as spares down the line.

Enjoy your safari!

Thank you all so much for the replies about not bringing animals home. I am feeling much more relaxed now. Also, good advice about the double. I got caught up in the romance of one. I will just stick to a bolt rifle as it will be much more versatile. Gary

I struggle with not bring them home. Given the cost of shipping/processing/clearing I am strongly considering not bringing them home in the future. In addition the cost of taxidermy and the space all of these things take adds to the issue.

I have gone to filming my hunts and having a dvd made . It is a hell of a lot less than taxidermy . Definitely keeps the memories.

GaryG,

Remember this is your safari. You are running the show. Do with your trophies as you choose. What anyone else thinks is of no concern.

Gary you can do a whole safari for what even a moderately priced double costs. As previously suggested buy a medium bore something with a quality scope shooting premium ammo and you'll be good. No flies on the old 30-06 for any plans game.

As for shooting ranges it will depend a lot on the terrain. If you are hunting say open areas such as in Namibia or the Cape area in RSA shots can be long. In areas found in RSA's Limpopo Province, forested areas of Mozambique and Zimbabwe most of your shots will be under 100 yards because of the cover.

I've been setting up 1st timers on their initial safari for many years. If I can be of any further assistance PM me.

Cheers,

Mark

It ain’t a dress rehearsal. Do whatever YOU want.

Do it with a double- make it memorable. And you won’t ever have any regrets about not taking a double.

Trust me- doing a full Safari with a double is special!!!

And don’t worry about trophies - between brokers, shipping and taxidermy fees you can pay for another Safari and go back again…

I have left lion, Buffalo and roan behind. They kept asking me why, and my response was that if they wanted to pay for my shipping and taxidermy I would gladly take them.

I don’t think anyone will make much of you not having the physical trophies sent back.

If they do, it’s a sign they have some sort of kick back with the dip and pack/shipping outfit.

As to the double- if you have the money, and it’s your dream to hunt with one, get it, and use it.

Doubles cost as much as many DG safaris, but if that’s not a concern, don’t worry about it.

The double is not as flat shooting and typically not as accurate as a repeater, so it might well cost you some opportunities; but again, if it’s your dream to hunt Africa with a traditional double, and less chances for success are agreeable to you, it’s a grand thing to do. You didn’t say exactly where and what you are hunting. If buffalo and pachyderms aren’t on the list, whatever you would take after elk is enough gun. Most doubles are made for the big stuff and are overkill on plains game.

I’ve shot more than a few game animals with a double, but I always have a scoped bolt gun along too.

You can decide what you want and think best. Don’t let us saying decreased chances and overgunned dissuade you if that’s really your dream, though.

A first safari is special. Enjoy the ride!

In your position I would contact Andrew Baldry, tell him what I wanted to do and what I could spend and show up when he said to. Probably wouldn't even take a rifle, just rent from him.

I suspect that if he knows in advance you only intend to take pictures and memories home he'd insure plenty of both.

Maybe consider bringing a single very good trophy home to represent the whole trip.

It's your safari so do it the way you want to. I've left some animals behind and don't fell the worse for it. Get a lot of photos and hire a cameraman.

On the issue of the double rifle. If that's your desire to hunt a buffalo with a double, don't let anyone talk you out of it. I've done it many times with a double, with an open sighted big bore bolt, and a scoped bolt. You'll definitely EARN it with the double which is why I prefer that weapon. On most of my buffalo hunts, the hunt would have been over on day 1 or 2 with a scoped 375. I like the hunt to last and a double will force you to get close, meaning you'll more than likely do more stalks over a longer period of days to make it happen.

In short, do what YOU want.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
It's your safari so do it the way you want to. I've left some animals behind and don't fell the worse for it. Get a lot of photos and hire a cameraman.

On the issue of the double rifle. If that's your desire to hunt a buffalo with a double, don't let anyone talk you out of it. I've done it many times with a double, with an open sighted big bore bolt, and a scoped bolt. You'll definitely EARN it with the double which is why I prefer that weapon. On most of my buffalo hunts, the hunt would have been over on day 1 or 2 with a scoped 375. I like the hunt to last and a double will force you to get close, meaning you'll more than likely do more stalks over a longer period of days to make it happen.

In short, do what YOU want.

I agree however a double takes considerable practise.

Hunting Africa for the first time, and setting yourself all sorts of conditions before hand, might turn out to be a disappointment.

For some of us who have been hunting there for many years, we know that all sorts of things happen that were never expected.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Hunting Africa for the first time, and setting yourself all sorts of conditions before hand, might turn out to be a disappointment.

For some of us who have been hunting there for many years, we know that all sorts of things happen that were never expected.

Absolutely Saeed. It would be nice if we knew where Gary was going and then could advise him further. Good photographs make for memories and a quality camera would not go amiss. Whatever his choice of weapon he would do well to start practising and get familar with his firearm.

If you are taking a double, take a bolt gun too.

A double only will probably be at a disadvantage in many situations.

And as it is your first safari, you really want to give yourself all the advantages you can get.

My Mom and Dad hunted in Zimbabwe in the early 80's with Buffalo Range Safaris. I am thinking about something similar. Saeed, you give good advice about expectation. Gary

quote:

Originally posted by GaryG:
My Mom and Dad hunted in Zimbabwe in the early 80's with Buffalo Range Safaris. I am thinking about something similar. Saeed, you give good advice about expectation. Gary

It's a shame that Barry Style was killed in a flying accident. He by all accounts was a fine man.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
If you are taking a double, take a bolt gun too.

A double only will probably be at a disadvantage in many situations.

And as it is your first safari, you really want to give yourself all the advantages you can get.

I can agree with this. As much as I like doubles, you will be limited so you might want to take a scoped bolt gun as well. The limiting factor is one of the things I like about doubles, but then again, I've shot a few buffalo at this point. I will say however, my first buffalo was taken with an open sighted bolt gun so it was still limited to some extent.

The way I see it, hunting with a double is somewhat like the guy who chooses a bow and arrow. If you're a committed archer, you typically don't take a gun back up even if it's your first trip. Then again, some do. It's totally up to you and what's most important.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I struggle with not bring them home. Given the cost of shipping/processing/clearing I am strongly considering not bringing them home in the future. In addition the cost of taxidermy and the space all of these things take adds to the issue.

I have gone to filming my hunts and having a dvd made . It is a hell of a lot less than taxidermy . Definitely keeps the memories.

This makes more sense to me. Especially given the costs of shipping which shows no signs of coming down.

quote:

Originally posted by GaryG:
Thank you all so much for the replies about not bringing animals home. I am feeling much more relaxed now. Also, good advice about the double. I got caught up in the romance of one. I will just stick to a bolt rifle as it will be much more versatile. Gary

I would bring back a few sets of horns, and maybe a skin or two. I live in a smaller house, and there is just no room for more.

So much common sense here. I will settle on a very nice bolt rifle which, as most have pointed out, will be my most versatile option to start with. I am only 67 so this doesn't have to be my only trip over!

Gary,

No matter how you do it your first safari will be one of your greatest memories. Like others have mentioned pay for a camera/video operator. Well worth it. I suspect you will come home and want to go back again anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by GaryG:
So much common sense here. I will settle on a very nice bolt rifle which, as most have pointed out, will be my most versatile option to start with. I am only 67 so this doesn't have to be my only trip over!

Been there a few times since I was 67!

As long as I can walk I will go.

Don't pay for a trophy hunt if you don't want trophies. You can hunt for half the money if you find the right outfitter/situation and make your intentions clear from the outset. Some call them "management hunts", or "cull hunts". Any given piece of turf can only produce so many trophy-class animals per year so your outfitter will be delighted to let you shoot the others. That's a bonus hunt for him!

As far as which country, you are more likely to find a receptive outfitter on private property. This means RSA or Zim, but does not exclude Namibia or Botswana provided you are OK taking longer shots. Shots are going to be closer in the thick stuff which you will find in the "lowveld" and especially so in Zululand. Not so much in the areas with rainfall under 350mm like the Karoo, Kalahari, or other arid areas.

As to the firearm, for some the hunt is just as much about the rifle as it is about the animal. But keep in mind it's hard to hit the little ones with a great big double with iron sights. If you want to shoot a double, by all means take that and shoot bwb, giraffe, eland, etc. You are not going to want to shoot impala, bushbuck, duiker, suni etc with a double. Take one with an extra set of shotgun barrels and have some fun shooting birds ..

Drop me a PM with your tel no and I will point you in the right direction.

With all the costs of shipping trophies home more and more people are choosing to video their hunts instead. The cost filming and editing is less than half the price of shipping alone; taxidermy and domestic shipping costs add even more.

I will not be bringing home trophies again.

Shipping agents, and unreliable taxidermists, are the cause in the death of this industry.

Some taxidermists are exceptional, in their work and work ethics.

Others are nothing but a bunch of crooks.

Shipping agents, ALL ARE A BUNCH OF CROOKS!

Funny thing, today I just paid an invoice to have trophies shipped to my taxidermist. With one exception all of the trophies are for my son. I shot a 45 inch buffalo with a cool hunt story. So I wanted to bring it back. However, I'm only bringing back the skull for a european mount.

I'm pretty much done with taxidermy stuff. For me to bring home a trophy, it would have to be special like this last buffalo.

I would not worry at all about bringing trophies home. The total cost of getting trophies mounted is getting ridiculous. I'd much rather spend that money on additional hunts.

Take lots of photos. You will enjoy reliving your trip through the photos.

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Blue Devil:
Funny thing, today I just paid an invoice to have trophies shipped to my taxidermist. With one exception all of the trophies are for my son. I shot a 45 inch buffalo with a cool hunt story. So I wanted to bring it back. However, I'm only bringing back the skull for a european mount.

I'm pretty much done with taxidermy stuff. For me to bring home a trophy, it would have to be special like this last buffalo.

I would not worry at all about bringing trophies home. The total cost of getting trophies mounted is getting ridiculous. I'd much rather spend that money on additional hunts.

Take lots of photos. You will enjoy reliving your trip through the photos.

That’s my plan going forward; either unique or a great story, but more than likely euro mounts at that, unless a cat or something with a unique cape.

Excellent advice about avoiding excessive taxidermy and shipping costs. I take TONS of trophy field pictures with my IPHONE and email them to Costco back in the USA while still in Africa. For $44.00 each, Costco will produce a professional grade 11” X14” enlargement mounted in clear Acrylic. Instead of waiting up to a year and spending thousands of $ on mounts, you’ll have trophy pictures in 7-10 days, complete with mounting brackets.

Gary,
I am a bit jealous of you. You only get one first trip to Africa and it will have a certain element to it you cannot replicate on your next trip. Go with an open mind and just let the trip flow around you. Don't get hung up if something changes, just go with the flow and enjoy every moment.
Our next hunt will be video only, no trophies coming back. After paying for the last set of trophies to come home, we are done spending money on taxidermy.
Here would be my list of where to start:
1) Get a good rifle, and practice a lot off sticks, no bench shooting other than to sight in.
2) Get a good travel agent, we use Gracy but there are other good ones.
3) Pick a proven outfitter, you have all the information needed to do that right here on this website.
4) Look into a good booking agent, you don't have to have one but they can be a huge resource of information and wisdom. Mark Young is one of those guys, there are other very good ones.
5) Keep an open mind and have a great time.
6) Beware, after your first trip, you will want to go back I guarantee that.
John