Ray would you like to know how many emails and PMs I've gotten about you? Aren't you the same Ray Atkinson whom got run off this site for the bait and switch hunting area fiasco last year. The same Ray whom vowed never to return to AR, the same Ray,etc. etc.......
That aside I've hidden nothing. Everyone whom has contacted me by PM about Dingwall/Don Bower got the scoop and that's about 20 posters so far. The fact remains CVC asked for imfo on reasonable buffalo hunts and I gave it to him. I'm sorry you don't represent Don and can't make a few dollars off of anyone whom hunts with him but that's life. Get over it.
You mention 7 day buff and shareing the cost/bag. Couldn't someone hunt 2 buff while his partner hunts PG? DUH! guess you hadn't thought that one out that far. My partner Steve Rifkin of NJ had no interest in PG, I didn't have much more. Fact is I've been to Namibia a couple times in the last year for PG and going again in late October.Each trip after the 1st I was content to look for a larger kudu than I had killed the 1st time and an over 40" male oryx while my buddies hunted their packages out. My dime my choice.
I'm going back with Gary Hopkins to L1 to hunt lion next season...fee hikes be dammed....and far as I'm concerned the only other animals I need kill are for bait.
Next time the little refugee sends you and email about me ask him what his axe to grind is....sour grapes he can't afford Africa I assume.

CVC sorry for the hijack ! I trust you read the PM I replied to and if I can be of more help let me know. I'll put you in contact with a real booking agent that does represent Hopkins and doesn't need to cruise the message boards looking for business! ALP

CVC, these are the often hidden costs that could bite yer butt,. Be advised, these are ones I have been known to encounter in the learning process and I am quite sure the list is incomplete.

Meet and greet upon arrival
Meet and greet upon departure
Government conservation fee
License (your daily rate may or may not include this believe it or not)
Anti-poaching fees
Drinks beyond water/coffee/tea
Charter flight in (and out)
Assistance with rifle clearance
Mandatory Bird license if requited by country
Dip and pack of trophies
Rifle/ammo permits
pre-post hotel
Transport betwen airport and hotel
Trophy fees

The big thing here with what is and is not included--GET IT IN WRITING ON THE CONTRACT.

Now, as for what country-- that is filled with slings and arrows.Good to great buff are where you find them. The swamps of MZB, Masai and or Selous or Moyo in TZN, Zambia's Kafue, ZMBs Matetsi. (TZN and Zambia being a bit higher at first glace)My advice, talk to a bunch of folks, talk to a bunch of PHs. when you are comfortable with one, go with him, after, of course, you check references thoroughly.

quote:

Originally posted by ALP#4:
Ray would you like to know how many emails and PMs I've gotten about you? Aren't you the same Ray Atkinson whom got run off this site for the bait and switch hunting area fiasco last year. The same Ray whom vowed never to return to AR, the same Ray,etc. etc.......
That aside I've hidden nothing. Everyone whom has contacted me by PM about Dingwall/Don Bower got the scoop and that's about 20 posters so far. The fact remains CVC asked for imfo on reasonable buffalo hunts and I gave it to him. I'm sorry you don't represent Don and can't make a few dollars off of anyone whom hunts with him but that's life. Get over it.
You mention 7 day buff and shareing the cost/bag. Couldn't someone hunt 2 buff while his partner hunts PG? DUH! guess you hadn't thought that one out that far. My partner Steve Rifkin of NJ had no interest in PG, I didn't have much more. Fact is I've been to Namibia a couple times in the last year for PG and going again in late October.Each trip after the 1st I was content to look for a larger kudu than I had killed the 1st time and an over 40" male oryx while my buddies hunted their packages out. My dime my choice.
I'm going back with Gary Hopkins to L1 to hunt lion next season...fee hikes be dammed....and far as I'm concerned the only other animals I need kill are for bait.
Next time the little refugee sends you and email about me ask him what his axe to grind is....sour grapes he can't afford Africa I assume.

CVC sorry for the hijack ! I trust you read the PM I replied to and if I can be of more help let me know. I'll put you in contact with a real booking agent that does represent Hopkins and doesn't need to cruise the message boards looking for business! ALP

thanks

nkonka, good information. It should go without saying, but it is always good advice to get it in writing.

Let me ask this question. Is it better to go through a booking agent rather than the outfitter?

Good God Man! You are doing your best to get me in all sorts of crap!

I say yes, it is, as long as it is real one and not doing it as a favor for a buddy, a free hunt, or what-have-you.

You will 99.9 percent of the time get the same price from the outfitter or his agent. It will be much easier to stay in touch with your agent than the outfitter (assming US agent) during hunting and show season. hell, it will be easier always because the phone lines don't always work and the internet, well, you know. Take this year as an example with the crap in TZI-- next to impossible toi contact your outfitter/ph and even if you could it would be unfair as you would be one of dozens trying to call him on satelitte time. Now, staying in touch with the agent, who will get in touch with the ph to answer everyone's questions, just makes more sense. And, oh yes, you do have the ability to visit said agent quite easily should something go very wrong. You also have someone on your side if things get dicey over there, and may be able to help out in a jam--kind of like using a travel agent rather than the interent to book africa flights.

Like with PHs it is with agents-- I have had the extreme pleasure of being with great ones, had fun with some good ones, and, well, the others weren't so pleasurable. This is a personality game in large part. Trust your gut.

CVC in most cases in these days of uncertain conditions in most African countries it would behoove you to use an agent here in the states. As they usually hold your money on account until you and your safari operator call to have it released. In the case of Zimbabwe that's the only way I'd suggest you do it.
Don't get sucked in by the agent "suggesting" which travel company to purchase air fare from. Rates cover a large spectrum. But do book thru an agency that is used to booking hunters whom travel with guns. Make as very few connections in your flight plans as possible...guns have a way of missing flights.
By all means purchase Medjet Assist Evac Ins. As well as a good travel ins. policy that will cover you if you need to cancel.
Comapre boking agents, talk to them in person if possible. Many,many are just part time looking to support their own addictions to hunting.I've used a few different ones but just cause someone has a big name doesn't make them good... I recently booked a trip thru one of the biggest named companies (Jim McCarthy) and was disappointed with his lack of interest to details...turned out Jim is ready to retire and really has been slipping.
One other item I simply use as a hard and fast rule is to request to speak with the PH you will be assigned to. He's the one whom will make or break your hunt in the long run. Even more so than the company or booking agent.
Good luck

Good advice Alp on asking to speak to the PH. That is the single most important relationship in the whole process. That can't be stressed enough. In some cases, like last minute bookings, it may not be possible but otherwise it's a very reasonable request. I have called at all hours in order to accomdate the guide's schedule.

I will explain a few things concerning this flamer that goes by Moccasin Joe and a number of other names..He has decided to become a booking agent and that's fine, but flaming others in the process and spewing falsehoods will be his downfall..

Any Safari Company in Tanzania will let two hunters hunt on one license, its very lucrative to do so for the Safari company and the booking agent..Old Joe does not have a monopoly here as he indicates.

Two hunters paying $8000 each for one license amounts to a $16,000 for a 7 day hunt that normally sold for $11,550 in 2007 and even in 2008 I can do a 2x1 $500 cheaper than $16,000..The booking agent also makes about double his commission. Not a bad deal, huh?

On the upside, this hunt is designed for those that cannot afford to hunt at the regular rate and that is fine, but nothing in this world is free even though it looks good on the surface.

The downside is that both hunters have only 7 days to shoot two buffalo and plainsgame and you may not fill your tag completely as that allows 3.5 days to do so, and you don't really have time to pick your good bull and are putting your hands into old mother luck. Did you notice in Joes picture one good bull and the other a scrub.

Then he pulls up an old thread wherein a nutcase that has made a career of trying to scam Safari companies and taxidermist caused a real ruckus on here, but he did not mention the many hunters on AR that have had wonderful hunts with Pierre van Tonder, not to mention all the deer and antelope hunts sold on this forum..

I can do these same hunts with two hunters on one license and make more commission, but I also tell every potential client both sides of the story before they make their choice..I try to talk them out of it, to wait a year and go the regular route, then its up to them.

I have been booking hunts all over the world for 40 plus years, and I will tell you this guy won't last long enough to squat in this business if he keeps trying to build his business at the expense of others..

I am not going to sit back and take his flaming over and over again without stating my case. I tried to ignore him, but enough is enough.

I have stated my case and don't intend to say anymore, if he has a problem with this then he can talk to me personally at Dallas SCI...I see no reason for us to continue ruining someone elses thread.

Atkinson,
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't hunting two people on one license illegal and subsequently you or which ever booking agent which arranges an illegal hunt and subsequent trophy importation in violation of the Lacy Act?

Jeff

quote:

Next time the little refugee sends you and email about me

That would be me apparently, but over on 24 Hour, he insulted somebody else that he somehow omitted here, but those of you that care to link to it, it will become readily apparent:

24 Hour post

I guess to many I'll never be considered a true American, not even after 27 years of ongoing Naval Service. jorge

This would be one of ALP#4's less offensive comments on the 24 Hour Campfire under his screen name there "Mocassin Joe""

quote:

After traveling to Africa myself a few times last year, once already this year and with another return later this year. I have learned enough to know most the "gurus on AR" don't know crap about anything African except posting on a message board!

And his reference to our host here was especially offensive.

Talk about a backstabbing SOB!

Gentlemen,

Just to put the record straight.

ALP#4 used to post here under another name. He got into all sorts of rather silly arguments, which deteriorated to a level which was unacceptable to us. So he was banned from AR.

He appologized and promised to clean up his act, so we allowed him to come back with a new ID, under the promise that he will behave himself.

Sadly, that did not last long, and I had no choice but to ban him again.

As our long time members already know, we try to be very lenient with our members, and certainly do not take banning very lightly.

But, as has happened in the past, the very few people banned stepped way over the line of common decency. And the still fewer of those banned who were allowed back, I can think of only one who is still active AR.

Which proves the point we have of being as lenient as we can, but once an individual is banned, it should remain permanent.

AR for us all to enjoy, and share what we love most.

It is not for those who lack character or upbringing, who wish to use the Internet to glorify certain parts of their lives that they lack in real life.

Thanks Saeed!

www.luxuryhunts.com i booked though them and had a great 7 day cape buffalo hunt, at a great price,the booking agent is Jeff Martinell,Jeff is a nice guy,he also books for Pierre Van tonder.

quote:

Originally posted by Lhook7:
Thanks Saeed!

+1