I apologize if this question has already been asked, but what percentage of American hunters get to hunt Africa?
I was fortunate enough to go on a 7-day Namibian Plains Game hunt in 2013. My hunting history is small game, deer, antelope in Wyoming and bear in Maine. I was not a CEO or fund manager. I was a Letter Carrier for 34 years. I retired in 2000 and wanted to hunt Africa in a bad way,started saving, and my wife and I went to Namibia! It can be done if one is passionate enough about Africa.
The memories of that safari will stay with me for a very, very long time.

MauserK98

It's probably less than 1%.

George

Just a SWAG, but my recollection is that there are about 15 million hunters in the US. That being the case, I would guess that the number that ever hunts Africa is in the low single digit percentages. Truth is that Africa is not the dream for many hunters. They would prefer a beautiful whitetail, a great quail hunt, a good day chasing rabbits with a beagle.

I know very few hunters who have hunted Africa other than the ones I have met through this site. IME George is right, probably less than 1%.

I've seen a study, done in 2015, that indicates less than 15,000 hunters did so in 2013-2014. This included all international hunting (excluding Canada), but didn't break it down by country. So, if it was an accurate study...not a hell of a lot of us go to Africa.

According to South Africa statistics, about 9,000 trophy hunters travel to South Africa every year with 90% of them from the US. SA would represent the largest draw of hunters but would imagine total US hunters in Africa somewhere around 15,000 each year.

So something like 0.1% or less...

http://www.hsi.org/assets/pdfs...y_hunting_by_the.pdf


See page 3 of attached link, Trophy Hunting by the Numbers:



While Africa is certainly a major destination for trophy hunters, trophy hunting also occurs in the U.S.,
Canada, Mexico, Argentina, New Zealand and Spain, to name a few countries. According to 2009
estimates, approximately 18,500 trophy hunters visit Africa every year to kill approximately 105,000
animals. Of these, the overwhelming majority—nearly 15,000—are from the U.S.

I never mderstand why more do not go. It is cheaper than a guided elk or moose hunt and way cheaper than sheep hunting.

The original question was, "what percentage of American hunters get to hunt Africa?"

If as I suspect the vast majority of those 15,000 hunters Kathi, Karl and Opus! said hunt in Africa each year are first timers (let's say 12,000 just for example), that means 360,000 Americans hunted there during the past thirty years.

To continue my supposition-based math, that's 2.5% of the 14 million Americans who buy deer licenses every year.



Bill Quimby

You beat me to it while I was sleeping!!

So the 300 K in 30 years or 450k in a life time would be 0.136% of Americans have hunted Africa! Only 3% of American hunters hunt Africa. It is impossible to factor in the many high end hunters who go to Africa multiple time. So that estimate would be on the high side.

quote:

Originally posted by billrquimby:
The original question was, "what percentage of American hunters get to hunt Africa?"

If as I suspect a large portion of those 15,000 hunters Karl said hunt in Africa each year are first timers (let's say 12,000 just for example), that means 300,000 Americans hunted there during the past thirty years.

To continue my supposition-based math, that's 2.5% of the 14 million Americans who buy deer licenses every year.

Bill Quimby

But many over those years would be return hunters. It's hard to go just once.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
But many over those years would be return hunters. It's hard to go just once.

I accounted for that in guessing that 3,000 of the 15,000 Americans hunting in Africa each year had hunted there before. There's no way of knowing, but I suspect my guess is w-a-y high.

Bill Quimby

In US, you don't have to be high roller, if you really wanna go, you can make it happen
Africa is best bargain in international hunting including travel
And in comparison with domestic guided hunt prices, even better
And there is no such thing as going to Africa " only once "
That'd be like going whitetail or elk hunting only " once "

I don't know the percentage who go but let me give you my own observations. I have been 5 times to Africa and I am going back next year for a sixth. I have begged, pleaded, threatened, and cajoled my fellow hunting friends to go with or without me. Just once is all I ask. So far I have had no luck. There are three things you need to make an African trip. Money, health, and time. For some it is hard to have all three simultaneously. But for a whole lot of hunters even if the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. Excuses vary but many are frightened of traveling to a foreign country, getting out of their comfort zone, to just being overwhelmed with the process of bringing their rifles and passing through customs. So count your blessings here. You are the lucky few who have journeyed to one of the greatest hunting destinations on Earth.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
But many over those years would be return hunters. It's hard to go just once.

But for some (me included) it gets boring after a while - especially if you are not into taxidermy.

After 4 trips to Africa - the fifth does not have the same appeal or urgency.

I am headed in 2 days to fish the amazon with guidance from an AR member who will also be on the trip.

The amazon fishing trip is 1/4 the price, I dont have to deal with taxidermy, shipping, clearing ect. Get to see a new place and try something new. Easier flight and same time zone. Don't have to deal with traveling with guns ect.

I will probably be back in Africa in the next few years. But I have not been since 2014 and for me I don't feel like I have missed anything by not going.

I had to cancel a trip with subsailor74 - I think more than hunting africa I would have liked to hang out in camp and in the highlands of zim with the admiral and mike payne the ph. Shooting another buffalo does little for me.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
But many over those years would be return hunters. It's hard to go just once.

But for some (me included) it gets boring after a while - especially if you are not into taxidermy.

I absolutely cannot imagine hunting Africa ever getting boring. I would be perfectly content to hunt elephant to the exclusion of all other hunting for as long as my body (and bank account) would allow. A hunt is so much more than taxidermy. I gave my last set of tusks to Buzz . . . I may not have the tusks but I still have wonderful memories of that hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Just a SWAG, but my recollection is that there are about 15 million hunters in the US. That being the case, I would guess that the number that ever hunts Africa is in the low single digit percentages. Truth is that Africa is not the dream for many hunters. They would prefer a beautiful whitetail, a great quail hunt, a good day chasing rabbits with a beagle.

Most people like the hunting they did as a child /young adult/adult that got them into hunting.

I did not start off hunting whitetails. I hunt whitetails but I am very indifferent about it. I like hunting, I like getting in a stand, I like hunting trips. I like hanging out with my hunting buddies. But if I shoot or dont shoot a whitetail I dont get crazy excited. I dont think I will ever get buck fever hunting whitetails.

But one of the guys I hunt with is 83 years and he has probably killed few thousand whitetails (most with a 22-250) and he gets 100 time more excited that I ever would on shooting another whitetail.

Most US hunters cannot imagine hunting africa. They much rather go do a once in a lifetime elk hunt than stamp a passport and hunt africa.


Mike

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
But many over those years would be return hunters. It's hard to go just once.

But for some (me included) it gets boring after a while - especially if you are not into taxidermy.

I absolutely cannot imagine hunting Africa ever getting boring. I would be perfectly content to hunt elephant to the exclusion of all other hunting for as long as my body (and bank account) would allow. A hunt is so much more than taxidermy. I gave my last set of tusks to Buzz . . . I may not have the tusks but I still have wonderful memories of that hunt.

Some people like steak some people like lobster. Some like scotch some like bourbon.

I have zero desire to hunt a elephant. I find buffalo hunting kind of boring but I would partake in the activity.

I really like eland hunting and could do that every trip over to africa. Before my first trip to africa I thought eland was boring and looked like a cow and had zero interest in shooting one.

I always wanted to shoot a warthog - got one on the third trip and it did nothing for me.

Its like shooting doves - I get bored after 10 birds and some people shoot 1000s a day to the point of physical pain.

The reality is for a majority of americans hunting south africa - the experience is not the same as africa from the yesteryears. Its very similar to high fenced operations in TX.

Mike

I traveled to southern Africa 22 times on business and on my own dime between 1983 and 2008, and hunted virtually all of the major large and small antelopes, zebras and pigs of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia.

A buffalo in Zim and a lion in Zambia were the only dangerous game animals I took. I would have liked to even the score with the elephants that spooked the bejeezus out me more than once, but the trophy fee was beyond my means then.

Most of my hunting took place in the 1980s and 1990s, before costs went crazy and South Africa passed legislation that I call "The PH And Outfitter Protection Act" that requires foreigners to hunt with a licensed PH.

In those days, South African friends would invite me to hunt on their farms at no cost and shoot meat for their braais. If they couldn't go out with me, I'd borrow a Land Cruiser and have a farm worker help me load what I shot.

Funny thing, I never got bored with hunting in Africa. I'd go back tomorrow if I were younger and in better health.

Bill Quimby

quote:

Originally posted by RAC:
I don't know the percentage who go but let me give you my own observations. I have been 5 times to Africa and I am going back next year for a sixth. I have begged, pleaded, threatened, and cajoled my fellow hunting friends to go with or without me. Just once is all I ask. So far I have had no luck. There are three things you need to make an African trip. Money, health, and time. For some it is hard to have all three simultaneously. But for a whole lot of hunters even if the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. Excuses vary but many are frightened of traveling to a foreign country, getting out of their comfort zone, to just being overwhelmed with the process of bringing their rifles and passing through customs. So count your blessings here. You are the lucky few who have journeyed to one of the greatest hunting destinations on Earth.

Been trying to get few to come with, they got more money and time and even more excuses
I dragged my girlfriend there kicking and screaming and now I created monster Ha Ha

quote:

Originally posted by RAC:
I don't know the percentage who go but let me give you my own observations. I have been 5 times to Africa and I am going back next year for a sixth. I have begged, pleaded, threatened, and cajoled my fellow hunting friends to go with or without me. Just once is all I ask. So far I have had no luck. There are three things you need to make an African trip. Money, health, and time. For some it is hard to have all three simultaneously. But for a whole lot of hunters even if the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. Excuses vary but many are frightened of traveling to a foreign country, getting out of their comfort zone, to just being overwhelmed with the process of bringing their rifles and passing through customs. So count your blessings here. You are the lucky few who have journeyed to one of the greatest hunting destinations on Earth.

Pretty much what I have observed.

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
But many over those years would be return hunters. It's hard to go just once.

But for some (me included) it gets boring after a while - especially if you are not into taxidermy.

After 4 trips to Africa - the fifth does not have the same appeal or urgency.

I am headed in 2 days to fish the amazon with guidance from an AR member who will also be on the trip.

The amazon fishing trip is 1/4 the price, I dont have to deal with taxidermy, shipping, clearing ect. Get to see a new place and try something new. Easier flight and same time zone. Don't have to deal with traveling with guns ect.

I will probably be back in Africa in the next few years. But I have not been since 2014 and for me I don't feel like I have missed anything by not going.

I had to cancel a trip with subsailor74 - I think more than hunting africa I would have liked to hang out in camp and in the highlands of zim with the admiral and mike payne the ph. Shooting another buffalo does little for me.

Mike

I feel the same, a good part of the experience is who you hunt with.

I'd be surprised if the percentage was more
than .1%. That's just my opinion.

I've only been twice and enjoyed. I probably
Shot 25-30 animals on these trips. I took
my family and a good friend on the 2nd trip.

Biggest reason people do not go, In my opinion are:

1- Too many unknowns- cost, travel, etc.
2- Mostly content with the hunting here
3- Cost. Sure Africa is a good deal. However,
when you add up flights, day rates, dip and pack,
taxidermy (for 5-10 animals), the price adds up.

Africa is great but the hunts there will never
replace a trophy mule deer or elk hunt for me.
It's just totally different for me. Just my
opinion.

I'm most likely retired from Africa hunting. I'm
content hunting here at home!

I would guess less than .1%.
I have been three times and probably am not going back.
A friend went with me, and I know two other guys that went.
We are very fortunate to have been able to hunt Africa.

"I absolutely cannot imagine hunting Africa ever getting boring. I would be perfectly content to hunt elephant to the exclusion of all other hunting for as long as my body (and bank account) would allow. A hunt is so much more than taxidermy"

Couldn't agree more Mike!

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
But many over those years would be return hunters. It's hard to go just once.

But for some (me included) it gets boring after a while - especially if you are not into taxidermy.

I absolutely cannot imagine hunting Africa ever getting boring. I would be perfectly content to hunt elephant to the exclusion of all other hunting for as long as my body (and bank account) would allow. A hunt is so much more than taxidermy. I gave my last set of tusks to Buzz . . . I may not have the tusks but I still have wonderful memories of that hunt.

Boring??? Like Mike if my funds would have made it possible I would have hunted Africa every year for as long as I could carry my rifle. also like Mike, I could hunt Cape buffalo to the exclusion of all other species and take as many as were available on each trip. The only other animal I wish I had taken is the leopard and if I could have afforded it, a good bull elephant.

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

No doubt less than 1% are willing to travel to Africa. IMO RSA and Namibia are great values. Tanzania is again IMO the holy grail of Africa hunting. However, Tanzania is pricing itself out of the marketplace.
Many USA hunters are afraid to travel internationally. Whether it is the long flight, perceived fear of the unknown, or spouse's unwillingness to approve or even travel with the hunter.
The latter not only applies to the hunter but most all other interests such as photo safaris, etc.

In my experience, the cost is the biggest factor in keeping Americans away from Africa. I know that cost-wise a plainsgame hunt compares favorably with a guided elk or moose hunt, but of all the hundreds of hunters I know, very few have ever gone on a guided hunt. It's just too big a chunk of most folks' income. That doesn't mean they aren't serious hunters, it just means that even setting aside a couple grand a year for four or five years to go on a hunt is too hard to justify. For most of us who have gone-- and who aren't doctors or oil magnates-- it has required a fair amount of sacrifice to do something we've dreamed about since we were kids.

I knew an insurance agent(passed away now) that had hunted Alaska and the Yukon a lot and he had great trophies but was never interested in Africa. There are some avid whitetail hunters that would take a hunt that was likely to produce a B&C buck over any 21 day DG/plains-game hunt if they were both offered free. Depends on where your mind-set is. Total cost is biggest factor.

Of my friends, it's probably close to 10%, but of all the folks I know it is well under 1% of the hunters...but then not all of the folks I know buy a license every year, some do it just every 4-5 years when they go to a family event that involves deer or pheasant shooting over the holidays.

To me, the selection bias makes this a very hard question to answer.

I will say that once someone has gone once, their likelihood of going again goes way up...it seems that you have to break out of the comfort zone, but once you reestablish it, you are willing to try more.

I will say that outside of Canada (which most here really don't call international-says a lot about how nice the canucks are...), the vast majority have hunted Africa if they hunted internationally. Then South American birds, then NZ, then Europe (mostly ex service types) and very few have hunted anywhere in Asia.

i have ask many to go but for many its the 16 hours sitting in a plane that make it a no go. like many have said on here lots don't have any interest in going. the ones that would like to go don't have the funds or the time to go. i have gone with the wife and without her enjoy both ways. but i think i would really enjoy going with someone who has never been and reliving all the excitement i had the first time i went.
lee

I have never understood anyone who didn't want to hunt.

And even less have I understood anyone who, if he hunted, did not want, and thirst, and need, to hunt that Elysian Field, that timeless place, that hunter's paradise, Africa.

And more to the point of this thread, my experience has been that those in modern societies who hunt, at all and anywhere, are a small minority, and that those who hunt Africa are an infinitesimally tiny minority.

One last point.

I have seldom tried, and would advise anyone who cared to ask, to be careful when trying, to convince anyone to do anything that their heart should simply require.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:

And even less have I understood anyone who, if he hunted, did not want, and thirst, and need, to hunt that Elysian Field, that timeless place, that hunter's paradise, Africa.

+1, and that is some damn good prose there.

Thanks, Mike. I try, sometimes.

I can only speak for myself, but it can generalize to others.
I had always fantasized, but until a group of friends invited me on an entry level South African plains game hunt, I don't think I would have gotten that far out of my comfort zone. Once there, I was smitten. I had to do a dangerous game hunt. I have killed six elephant, and have two more trips in planning stages. Both involve tuskless. It has become my passion, and I continue to work in retirement to make it possible.
It never would have happened without a great first experience, and , quite frankly never would have gone this far without the support of this forum.
Whatever the number is, it is very small for all the reasons mentioned. We are the very lucky ones.

I have no explanation as to why so few hunters go to Africa. Like other previous posts, I have tried to convince many of my friends here to go and none has ever done it. Perhaps I'm not very convincing.

What makes it even more curious is that some have big bore rifles which they will never shoot anywhere but at the range. Some have a .375, some have a .416 and some have a .458, but none has ever used them in the field. Go figure.

I suspect two factors as being predominant, at least for those I know: wives, time. They might never admit it, but unless the wife is supportive of the expense, the time away and the on-the-surface egotistical appearance of this luxury, for which the family gets neither the pleasure nor the experience, it's not any easy sell and appears to be a self-serving indulgence. This can change over time, but for young fathers I suspect there is a lot of reticence about putting themselves first, even if they have the time and the money. I generally blame my hunting in Africa on friends, who volunteer for the most part to be the scapegoats in what is a pretty transparent ruse, but friendship is something wives tend to understand better than a yearning for dead animals on the wall, which they don't want in the first place.

quote:

This can change over time, but for young fathers I suspect there is a lot of reticence about putting themselves first, even if they have the time and the money.

I have four kids under 18, including my five year old, who arrived on my 41st birthday. I have put off and put off and put off going, for all the reasons you describe.

My wife is actually OK with me going, as she's put up with my talk for 20 years or so now. I'm in the planning stages for 2019, so there's hope!

quote:

Originally posted by nhoro:
"I absolutely cannot imagine hunting Africa ever getting boring. I would be perfectly content to hunt elephant to the exclusion of all other hunting for as long as my body (and bank account) would allow. A hunt is so much more than taxidermy"

Couldn't agree more Mike!

+1 more.

I bought my first hunt at an SCI local chapter fundraiser. Got it really cheap and took a close friend and hunting buddy with me. That's 2. I certainly had jitters about going somewhere new to do something so exotic that I'd only ever read about. When I got back, I talked a couple of guys into taking the leap to Africa, so that's 4. But I've also invited or encouraged lots of others who could afford it and would have had the time to go but haven't and probably never will. My take is that some people just won't step out and do it. I really think it's a comfort thing.
As for me, I just got back and I'm already plotting my next trip.
kh