During the early to mid 90's the Kudu was without a doubt the best big game bargain in Africa. Here was an elite animal with stunning looks and large size that was readily available and very affordable. They were usually 1/2 the cost of a watrbuck, eland, Nyala, and dirt cheap when compared to Sable.

About 2001 I noticed a country wide trend that the hunting consessions had jumped the price a bit from an average price in the 90's of 750 bucks to about 1150 bucks on average. I spoke with plenty of my co-workers both within my own business and other outfitters and landowners. The exchange rate fears were one reason for the increase and just plain economics. Prices had to increase to cover increasing expenses. Since Kudu are the top choice of every fisrt time hunter they needed to be priced at an amount that justified the value. ..........They are a very high demand species.

During the mid 90's I had quite a few hunters that would shoot two bulls. They would typically shoot the first decent one they saw and then during the hunt if a bigger one showed up they would take that too. At only 750 bucks they were priced to sell for a stunning trophy! I have probably had more the 70 hunters through the camp that have shot more then one Kudu. Including those that shot two because they lost the first one.

This trend was not unique to my place. It was the norm at most hunting operations. During a few exceptional seasons of bookings I was concerned that if I had 25 hunters and each shot two Kudu I would be over harvesting the biggest bulls. I was concerned that taking 50 plus big bulls off the area would leave me with a bad situation for the next few seasons. I started to contact other local property owners who did not have a hunting operation but had good Kudu living on their land. They would usualy welcome hunters to make a few bucks from the game they saw as no real financial value living wild there.

Over the years we took most of the "second" bulls for hunters from these kinds of places. Things seem to be changing now, quite a bit. These non-hunting locations no longer think about the Kudu as no value but rather are trying to get outfitters to come and hunt them. In the beginning these bulls could be paid for with 6-7000 rand, then these guys wanted 9000 rand and now over 10,000 rand. It used to be you could show up with a sack full of rand notes and they would jump on that offer. Now when you call around they have set the price ahead of time and won't even talk about a "deal"

You hear comments like "I don't even want to talk about a lower price........I have outfitters calling every week to come shoot my kudus".

A quick search shows that Kudu now run from 1400-2000USD and several farms have a price now of 3500 for any kudu that is over 60". The PH will say before you shoot that the bull you're looking at will likely go over 60" so you can pass it or pay the additional amount. If it's 59.25" then it's just the basic Trophy fee, if it's 60" the price is double.

Kudu have gone from the best big game value in Africa to an elite trophy animal. There are places in RSA that a Nyala is less then a Kudu. Kudu are often more then a waterbuck and equal to an Eland in some areas now as well. Who would have thought that they would even approach half the cost of a sable with the 60" trophy fee listing?

The one part of this price structure to remember is that much of the price level is based on the exchange rate concern. I cannot speak for the other outfitters but at least for us if the exchnage rate is good we adjust prices on the spot for the hunters. The list price is the parachute incase all goes to hell. But during the hunt if we see a good exchange rate it's never a problem to reduce the trophy fees for the hunters who shoot additional game beyond the package they bought into.

I doubt Kudu in the core of their natural habitat will ever be less then they were in the 90's, and the way things look now...... Kudu are headed for an elite status amoung trophy fee levels in the very near future.

A good reason to hunt kudu outside of South Africa to avoid the ridiculous game auction and release prices.

PS Namibia sounds better and better all the time.

Never hunted Namibia but I do think that if they had a direct flight from the US it would be a much more popular destination. Game prices are much lower there for some species. In fact, my PH friend in SA invited me to go on a hunt with him and his father to Namibia. They are going there because they can hunt there for less than in SA.

Still ther'are some areas where kudu hunt in not really expensive.

In zim in our unfenced areas in the Lowveld ( good trophy average) the trophy fee is 800 us and the daily rate is 250 / 300.

In Namibia, near Etosha, ever unfenced area, I hunted last year for 150 Euro a day, trophy 800.

MY kudu went 750 back in 2001 and this past summer it was 850. In Zim, the prices are still pretty reasonable AND free-ranging. jorge

jorge

Spot on.

I use kudu as the first guide as to whether trophy prices are reasonable or not.

I paid $600 the first time and would have paid $750 the second time. If a price list lists kudu well over a $1000 bucks to me the trophy prices are inflated and a better deal can be done elsewhere.

The Kudu is a magnificant trophy; unfortunately the ceilings in my humble abode would mean the neck of a mount would be near my floor and the horns touching the ceiling. I'll have to get a home with taller ceilings before I get one. Buffalo and a number of other fine trophies should fit though.

That said, I think Kudu are a bit overpriced. When I was in SA, the outfitters seemed to encourage Kudu hunting (probably because of a good profit margin). Kudu and Impala: the places I was at seemed overrun with them.

I also look at price lists and if they look inflated, I go elsewhere. In addition, I've sort of taken a vow not to go somewhere that is going to charge me a trophy fee depending on horn length; I'm not that desperate to hunt there. It's not as exotic to hunt groundhogs and deer in OH but then there isn't a 17 hour flight and several thousand more dollars to pay either.

quote:

Originally posted by JJHACK:
Kudu have gone from the best big game value in Africa to an elite trophy animal. ... I doubt Kudu in the core of their natural habitat will ever be less then they were in the 90's, and the way things look now...... Kudu are headed for an elite status amoung trophy fee levels in the very near future.

This website is the best source of information on hunting in Africa I can find. Because it is populated by outfitters, PH's and hunters alike make it so.

I hunted my kudu in a package price in Namibia in 2001 that made it a bargain I will likely never see again, which brings me to my point.

In the never-ending search for new economic opportunities, this scenario appears to be yet another example of simple supply and demand. When hunters pay enough for (fill in your favorite game animal), they too will become an elite and highly prized trophy.

Nitr oX wrote:

quote:

A good reason to hunt kudu outside of South Africa to avoid the ridiculous game auction and release prices.

Some people have lots to say about Kudu hunting in South Africa - price and otherwise.

Biltong hunters in SA are paying as much as R4 500 ($750 @ R6:$1) for a good condition, large Kudu bull.
Só, a trophy quality bull could easily be as much as $1 200 - $1 500 + and still be priced fair.

On two recent game auctions in the Limpopo province a total of only 40 kudus (male & mostly female) were available.
That just to show that this specie is not freely available in large quantities to buy for resale at your so-called ridiculous prices.

It is simply a question of demand and supply driving the prices.

As far as free-ranging goes in Zim and elsewhere, can you and others tell for how long there will be any kudus or other game available in those countries at all?

South African well managed, fenced-in game ranches have more than quadrupled the numbers of all species of game over the last 50 years.

Think again before you criticize.

quote:

Biltong hunters in SA are paying as much as R4 500 ($750 @ R6:$1) for a good condition, large Kudu bull.
Só, a trophy quality bull could easily be as much as $1 200 - $1 500 + and still be priced fair.

This brings driven shooting in GB to mind. The estate owns the game. Guns come and shoot high birds for sport. The estate sells the shot game to a middleman, who in turn sells it to a game processor, who then sells it a butcher shop. It changes hands yet again to the consumer. That's four-time mark-up before it's in someone's kitchen.

When we, as sport hunters, shoot trophies in Africa, and we don't keep the meat. The concession does. Where does it go? To the trackers and ranch hands, as many of us believe? Or does it go to the local abbatoir, for a second profit by the pound? I know for a fact that my Hartmann's zebra went to the abbatoir in Windhoek. After processing they will sell the meat, or specialty sausage in that case, to the retail markets, who then in turn sell to the consumer. That's the same scenario as in GB. It's only in the US that this system does not exist.

Jagter makes a very good point. The price of biltong as a commodity is affecting trophy fees.

Originally posted by Jagter:
Some people have lots to say about Kudu hunting in South Africa - price and otherwise.

Biltong hunters in SA are paying as much as R4 500 ($750 @ R6:$1) for a good condition, large Kudu bull.
Só, a trophy quality bull could easily be as much as $1 200 - $1 500 + and still be priced fair.

Fair to the seller anyway. I'll take the $750 price you mention. Fact is I am guessing it still may be possible to get the cheaper prices if one shops around.

On two recent game auctions in the Limpopo province a total of only 40 kudus (male & mostly female) were available.
That just to show that this specie is not freely available in large quantities to buy for resale at your so-called ridiculous prices.

Goes to show even more, that the "wild" animal you have to pay a high price for, probably was bought at auction a month or two before. Maybe ???? What a turn-off for anyone wanting a truly wild sporting hunt.

It is simply a question of demand and supply driving the prices.

And for the safari client market too, perhaps? For a plains game safari Namibia looks very good for the future.

As far as free-ranging goes in Zim and elsewhere, can you and others tell for how long there will be any kudus or other game available in those countries at all?

True. If things improve in Zimbabwe we can expect demand for hunting in Zimbabwe to increase and prices as well. Then operators in neighbouring countries will be able to increase their prices even further. The time to hunt is now!

South African well managed, fenced-in game ranches have more than quadrupled the numbers of all species of game over the last 50 years.

Think again before you criticize.

I did. That is why I mentioned Namibia and Zimbabwe. No way am I paying $1500 for a kudu in 2006 or 2007 doesn't matter how big it is, or how much it cost at an auction .

We have kudu in Zululand for $800 and in Namibia for 1100 and Zim for 950. No surcharge for horn length.

Nitr oX wrote:

quote:

Fair to the seller anyway. I'll take the $750 price you mention. Fact is I am guessing it still may be possible to get the cheaper prices if one shops around.

True, but you'll have to accept it will never be anything above 60" horn length - rather just over 50" - not really trophy quality. Unless you stay in a very low ceiling dwelling, .

quote:

Goes to show even more, that the "wild" animal you have to pay a high price for, probably was bought at auction a month or two before. Maybe ???? What a turn-off for anyone wanting a truly wild sporting hunt.

How you got to this kangaroo conclusion only you would know.

quote:

I did. That is why I mentioned Namibia and Zimbabwe. No way am I paying $1500 for a kudu in 2006 or 2007 doesn't matter how big it is, or how much it cost at an auction .

Só much for your thinking and 'research' on kudu prices in Namibia and Zim when Russ Gould says:

quote:

We have kudu in Zululand for $800 and in Namibia for 1100 and Zim for 950. No surcharge for horn length.

Zululand is still RSA, you know!

quote:

True. If things improve in Zimbabwe we can expect demand for hunting in Zimbabwe to increase and prices as well. Then operators in neighbouring countries will be able to increase their prices even further. The time to hunt is now!

You have one thing right, though when you said the above.
Prices will keep on increasing as the demand for certain species continues to spiral up higher and higher! So yes, the time to hunt is now!

There are still plenty of operations in RSA that have kudu going for under $900 and no limits on horn size.

As for the whole 60" issue, this is being blown out of proportion. Only a few kudu of that size are taken each year and assuming that a $2000 bill will ensure a huge animal is not logical.

In my opinion the surcharge for horn lenght, is the contrary of the african hunting. The rule in africa was always pay the same trophy fee for any size of trophies.

The surcharge is a europen system, adopted in Africa from some very small game farms, that often buy live animals on request... But this is real hunting?

Jagter

Never mind. But I won't even tell you the prices I would be looking for if I was after a plains game hunt in Zimbabwe including Kudu. And the dollars I would be talking about would be A$ not US$.

Unfortunately my interest is more for buffalo and elephant now and that is a different story.

quote:

And the dollars I would be talking about would be A$ not US$.

Are you sure you're not talking Zim$ since the hunt you are referring to will take place in Zim?

Gentlemen,

Trophy kudu bulls are becoming scarce in South Africa and I can hnestly say that my cost price on trophy kudu vary between $1000 - $1350. Is asking $1500 then so much? We must also make a living.

This array of Kudu prices is baffling! From $800 to $2000!

I'm wondering how many of the Kudu harvested in RSA are from auction/capture sources? Are there any figures available on auctioned animal numbers?

How many Kudu are taken as trophies by sport hunters in RSA annually?

It would seem to me that if the Kudu populations have recovered to the point that "Kudu Crossing" signs are required on the highways, that many of the sport hunted Kudu are indigenous and likely naturally occurring. Yes/No?

For those outfitters that denounce the use of captured animals, and hunt only naturally occurring indigenous trophies, their costs for Kudu must be MUCH lower than those that are subject to auction pricing. Perhaps they are not "zero" but certainly much lower than the average? How can they charge $1700 or $2000 for a Kudu trophy and sleep at night?

Oh, I'm sure the "supply and demand" reason and the "how much the market will bear" reason will be used here - but really! Isn't this the new "exchange rate" pricing model? After having driven the Daily rates up to cover the lost profits caused by the exchange rate decline, are they still trying to get back to the profits of the 10/1 exchange rate days by pushing the trophy fees up too?

Well, I know there are places where one can hunt naturally occurring Kudu for much, much less than $1700 or $2000 - those are places I'll send everyone I tell about hunting in South Africa.

Les

quote:

Originally posted by Jagter:
Nitr oX wrote:

Just noticed the very petty childish insult Mr Jagter included in most of posts addressed to me.

What a star.

To get so worked up about pricing to foreign clients you must have a personal investment in an outfitter. Come on fess up so we know which outfitter we are talking about.

Seeing you tout for an investment fund, surely you understand supply and demand. Why get so worked up over very high even ridiculous kudu prices. If the demand is there you get the price. If it isn't the clients go elsewhere. Any amount of lobbying on the net won't work as there is so much information available easily on the net today.

I do prefer animals born in bred in the wild for hunting however so mentioning auction prices is just a turn off.

Ha ha, very funny about Zim dollars. You must be confusing me with the crooked outfitters that bribe their way through the border from down South.

My sincere apologies, I didn't even noticed it untill you've pointed it out now.
Just shows you, one wrong slash or a single space skip and you've undergone a serious personality change .

You're right, two of my brothers do sell their own wild Kudus both in RSA as well as Namibia - unfortunately the current mouth and foot disease ban on their Botswana game makes things a bit difficult for now.

BTW, something to make you think twice about your favourite Zim -

quote:

How Bad Is Inflation in Zimbabwe?
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By MICHAEL WINES
Published: May 2, 2006
HARARE, Zimbabwe, April 25 — How bad is inflation in Zimbabwe? Well, consider this: at a supermarket near the center of this tatterdemalion capital, toilet paper costs $417.

Skip to next paragraph

Vanessa Vick for The New York Times
Ayina Musoni, 58, has taken in lodgers to help with expenses, but she can barely afford food for her family.


No, not per roll. Four hundred seventeen Zimbabwean dollars is the value of a single two-ply sheet. A roll costs $145,750 — in American currency, about 69 cents.

quote:

Originally posted by Jagter:
My sincere apologies, I didn't even noticed it untill you've pointed it out now.
Just shows you, one wrong slash or a single space skip and you've undergone a serious personality change .

"Sincere" my arse, as it was repeated more than once.

Now proven bullshit artist and childish lowlife.

quote:

BTW, something to make you think twice about your favourite Zim -
How Bad Is Inflation in Zimbabwe?
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Hell you are one paranoid and xenophobic individual. This discussion was on kudu prices by SOME outfitters and some SELLERS of wildlife in South Africa. I have nothing against South Africa at all and more friends there than elsewhere in Africa. The only thing negative about South Africa is it has more than its deserved fair share of arseholes.

PS Glad you have owned up to your commercial interest in this discussion ie that you SELL kudu and other game animals.

This next bit of your own could just be more applicable to yourself living low downunder - decide for yourself, I know the answer already!

quote:

Now proven bullshit artist and childish lowlife. ..... fair share of arseholes.

Finally, if hunters hunt Kudu or whatever animal anywhere in the world at a price, however your minute fraction of a single brain cell wants to see it, it was and always will be an animal SOLD.

Funny how small minds repeatedly turns to bad behaviour when painted into a corner by their own doing.

An online search does reveal operators that don't charge the 1700 plus prices, so just stick with the lower priced guys. Other AR memebers here have already mentioned RSA kudu below $1000. Obviously some clients are happy to pay those higher prices, why flame all the outfitters operators? And certainly not everyone uses that horn length gauge either. Are kudu hunted on fenced ranches in Zim and Namibia, of course!

As for auction prices? I have never seen or heard of operators 'stocking' kudu short term (perhaps some do, I don't know). Some simply buy a few every few years after culling or catching portions of existing/resident popluations. I have been involved with this on umeorus ocassions and it has never been with the purpose of 'stocking' individuals for hunts in the short term, more long term additions.

All the kudu I have ever been around/hunted etc have been totally free-ranging (E Cape, KZN and Limpopo) and even on fenced properties can still move through fences, although with less frequency.

I think this 'stocking' debate (in the ilk of put and take pheasant), is blown out of porportion completely and unfortunatley, is the bastard child of the bloody canned lion crap that is starting to spread like a perspectival cancer!

We are getting a hell of a deal on our safari to Namibia next summer. We are paying $600 per Kudu and I'm thinking of trying for two. My parents are also shooting at least one each. My daily rate is also only $160/day. If you book now, it's $660 per Kudu and about $200/day, still a HELL of a deal!