Three weeks away from one of those once in a life time experiences, 21 days in the African bush with my good friend Rich from CMS. The to do list this time includes Tuskless Elephant and Hippo, both to hang up and hopefully entice a nasty old cranky mature Lion for a feed or two.

Naturally the question of getting the hunt filmed was bought up when I booked this hunt nearly two years ago, but was put off in favour of spending the money on bait instead!!! As so often happens, things change and opportunities arise and so once again have the chance to get the hunt filmed.

Since I have never had any previous hunts filmed wondering on other people's experiences. For the good or bad. Does it add or subtract to the overall experience? The final product been worth the effort? Do you ever watch and re-live the hunt? It has been said that Lion hunting 90% boredom of checking baits and 10% full on adrenalin so does this make it hard to have a finished product that is enjoyable to watch?

Looking forward to your replies

Scott

Steve,
I had my hunt last year with CMS filmed and it really did
add to the experience. Ray Buchanan filmed it, and also took about 1500
Photos during my 14 day ele / buff hunt and I fondly look at the photos
and video footage regularly. It helps the time between hunts pass quicker!
I am yet to receive the edited hunt DVD , but have some of the raw footage and
It is great!
In my experience it was worth the extra cost, and I'm doing it again on this years
hunt with the guys as well.

Best of luck on shumba!

Cheers

Nick

I debated the expense, but chose to do it - absolutely a great decision. Money very well invested. Yes, I watch the dvd often.

I have had my last 5 safaris filmed as well as a couple of duck hunts in Argentina. Well worth it in my opinion.

As long as the camera man is a good guy, it will add to the experience. I have started giving the camera man my camera to take photos as we hunt. I get a lot more photos and much better photos.

At this point for me, it is a far better investment than taxidermy. I have all the stuffed critters I need.

Jeff

It is only worth it if the area is good and the hunt has skilled shooting and there is a good director and actors(you=director and actor,PH=actor)It is no good if you are going to use a scope and make easy shots.You dont want an expensive video of a hunt that is like a month long hiking trip.

Also you need to be fit to cover area and make things happen-for the best video.

sjb - your trip, your money.

Never been to Africa but, the hunts I have done here in the states and in Canada, I wished I would have taken more pictures and some video so to be able set and reminisce about the experience.

Do what you want to. I feel that it you probably won't be entering the video in the Cannes Film Festival. It will be something that you and your family will have as a memory of an adventure you experienced.

DO IT! There are so many things that you forget that are brought back while watching it,plus you get to share the hunt with others. I had my hunt with CM in May filmed, Ray did it. Both of their camera guys are GREAT and Ray took hundreds of stills. After a couple of days you will feel comfortable with the camera and will not pay much attention to it.By all means do it, you won't miss the money.

sjb
Come on get some of that Aussie money spent !!
You will not regret it. I have had all my hunts videoed and it was worth every penny. I normally use Justin Drainer, AKA Timbersnake. He will keep you amused when you loose tracks and is a mind of information on all flora and fauna. The only subject that he is crap at is women although I am reliably informed that he is all loved up at the moment so he may not be available.
I did the same hunt in that area with Buzz two years ago - mmmmmm - I can smell that bait bucket already !!
It will be tough for the lion, but proper hunting and Rich is a top bloke.
Good luck.

I might add that looking at the cost of having it filmed lately I am thinking of using my brain as a video camera for my next hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
I might add that looking at the cost of having it filmed lately I am thinking of using my brain as a video camera for my next hunt.

Someone is going to knock this "softball" out of the park..... Sorry I couldn't resist.

Although I have had a few hunts captured on video, IMHO video is not worth the money. For me, the hunt is better remembered and shared via still shots. Spend the money on having a photographer to take great pics.

quote:

Originally posted by Safari James:
Although I have had a few hunts captured on video, IMHO video is not worth the money. For me, the hunt is better remembered and shared via still shots. Spend the money on having a photographer to take great pics.

My brain works as a camera too!

Go for the filming. Justin Drainer filmed my first with CMS. Blake and my son filmed the second and Ray Buchanan filmed the lion hunt last year. Absolutely some of the best money spent on all accounts. To answer your question, yes I do watch the footage and relive the hunt. There is so much that doesn't get locked away in the memory banks and the video is great for bringing that back to the fore. If you're like me, I take my time having all the mounts completed. One here and one there. Pictures and video go a long way to stimulate those memories.

Either Justin or Ray will do a great job for you. And both are lots of fun to have in camp as well as in the field.

DO IT !
Your money will be very well spent and i am sure you will not regret it.
I have many films from my hunts on elephant and lion and from time to time i see them.
Go ahead .

Never had any regrets about filming. Just for my own use and memories. 3-4 hunts this year and all will be filmed. Best memories ever.
Cal

Thanks for all the input, seems most experiences are on the positive side.
Scott

Scott, also realize you would be using the same cameraman several of us have experience with if going with CMS.

Justin and Ray are good at what they do. Ryan is their back up guy if the other two are booked. From all reports, he is very good as well. I shared camp with him for about a week last year as well and he too, was a good guy to have around.

Mate if you pay for air fares for me I will film it for you for FREE!!!

Do the video, you won't regret it. I have had many of my safaris done since the turn of the century and wish I had done those from the late 20th century. Like others, I have enough taxidermy trophies - truth is, more than I need - and now only a world record gets the taxidermy treatment. The DVDs are watched periodically and will be passed on to my grandkids.

Absolutely without question film it!!!! Done it twice in Africa and several times in the states. Worth every penny!!!! Has never been a distraction at all. In fact the cameraman has done nothing but add value.

Justin.

Scott75
new member
posted 10 April 2013 04:46 Hide Post
Mate if you pay for air fares for me I will film it for you for FREE!!!

With your technical knowledge ( re step below that of a caveman !!! ) we would end up carting about one of those old wooden cameras that require powder for the flash and a cape to look thru the view finder!! Though at the very least I could possibly make use the extra Lion bait....
Scott

You know i'm good with technical thing!! I can wipe a computer & not even mean it