guys first let me say thanks for the great site and info. i have been a member for quite a while, but really only started reading a lot a few months ago.

what i have is the opportunity to hunt RSA June of '09. I have a friend that is from there, and his family is still there. He wants to take me hunting on their farm... and I want to go. badly.

but since he doesn't run a hunting service (yet, working on starting the business), there are a ton of things I'll have to do. I will search the threads so i don't repeat a ton of questions, but not knowing what to look for makes it a little difficult at the moment.

how does tags and licensing work? is it similar to the u.s. where i buy tags for the animals that i'm allowed to take?

are there any vaccinations i will need before i go?

i will have tons more questions i know, but i have learned a lot from reading the posts here. the hunt will be for plains game, with kudu being the primary target. i cannot turn down an opportunity like this and i can't wait to get there.

In most cases in RSA, the animals belong to the landowner, so 'tags' aren't really needed. If they are, the landowner should arrange for them with the provincial game dept.

The real question is, will you be able to export the trophies, and how to obtain the paperwork?

George

As a foreigner, it's not legal to hunt in RSA (and most other countries as well) without the supervision of a licenced PH, so forget about seeing your trophies.

You will not be able to get a rifle permit without a letter of invitation from a licenced PH.

I would wonder about a friend who led down this garden path.

those are certainly things i will have to address. i was thinking i had to have a ph for the paperwork and to get a rifle permit.
thanks guys.

Cooper,

I say this to advise you, nothing else.

Amongst the many things you'll need are a PH AND an outfitter both of whom must be licenced in the relevant province, written permissions and invitations to hunt, and (depending on species and sex of animals hunted and province) permits and/or licences. Without those things plus a whole bunch of other paperwork, not only will you not get a rifle into RSA, if you're caught hunting illegally, you may face the confiscation of all equipment used during the hunt, including vehicles and firearms. Both you, whoever is with you and the landowner face personal prosecution where, if found guilty, you could face fines and in some cases, possible, though not likely jail time...........

If your friend is looking to get into the hunting industry, he'd better get his shit together or he won't be in it for very long.

What you do is your decision, but whatever you do, my advice would be, don't get caught as you you really won't enjoy the experience of being in an African prison.

Let me add that SA is changing a lot of things in their hunting industry over the coming year or so, including the PH training/qualification being changed dramatically and as part of tightening the rules, you can expect them to come down very hard on anyone caught breaking the rules.........

I sent you a PM

Here is what I would look into:

See if you can find a good outfit near your friends farm. Maybe set up a "bush camp" of your own on the farm. Arrange to hunt legally on properties within driving distance (with a PH) at reduced rates (no lodging etc). Have a blast. Or just book a hunt somewhere then spend some time on your friends farm.