We are offering a 7 day upland (dove, pigeon, guinea, sand grouse, francolin etc) and waterfowl hunt in South Africa next year. This is a great opportunity to sample some of RSA's fantastic bird hunting. You may add additional hunting days for plains game as well at the daily rate of $350 p/day and trophy fee. This bird package is all inclusive: ground transportation, all meals, lodging, daily laundry, guide/PH and staff. Does not include airfare to Jo'burg, RSA., personal items, shotgun shells (available in camp), tips, taxidermy or shipping of trophies. We do not have many openings left. Price: $2,350.00 USD per gun. Observers welcome at a reduced rate. Contact me for details. David

It's great to see bird hunting offered here. I'm curious about the cost of shells? I know it's not as bad as in Zim. When I was there this summer, they literally could not find shells in country even at $50 a box (not case).

Is there any limit on birds? Not for me but I have some friends who are only wing shooters and would like to pass this info on.

I was told that Rock Pigeon shooting was somewhat like dove shooting in South America.....like a limitless free for all.....

This sounds like a ball but I've never been to South America and would like to try that!

The guys that decide to do this hunt will have the time of their lives.

South Africa is an awesome place for wing shooting.

Gerhard

YD: we paid around $10 or less for boxes of 25 shells in RSA this past June. We plan to purchase case lots, so hopefully we can get a better price and pass it on.

DOJ: In some species yes. Limits may be set on waterfowl, but they are generous. Upland birds will vary; some do, some don't but ranch owners may set limits on some birds to keep the population healthy so we can continue to come back. I think everyone would get a fair amount of birds, but I'm "trophy hunting" in that I want as perfect a specimen as possible to bring back home for mounting. Pigeon's may be shot until you pass out into a coma.

Vapodog: I'm booking for next June in Argentina. Email me for details. Duck hunting or Dove/Pigeon.

Gerhard lives this dream! I think I would have no problem staying in RSA for three months and do nothing but bird hunt.

Who will be conducting ("PHing") the shoots, and where?

Is there a minimum number of guns in a party, or can one or two go over?

Thank you

There are limits...
Remember that many species provide good shooting but cannot sustain heavy harvest/commercial onslaught, especially the francolin/spurfowl species (with the exceptions of well run greywings). Some like Egyptian geese and rockies can.

Look at www.agred.com and www.wingshooters.co.za for info etc

I've not found bird hunting in Africa to be worth the money or hassle.

I think for guineas in Zim it was $5.00 a bird. I would imagine we could have killed 10 in about five minutes. The same with the other game birds. What's the point other than to enrich the outfitter?

Not worth the money or the hassle? God Lord, man, what hassle? And as for the money, after a few trips for birds in RSA I've found it much better to pay a fair daily than be billed by the bird on trophy fees.

It is cheaper than a guided quail hunt, often cheaper than a duck or pheasant hunt in the US.
Hunting birds in RSA is comparable in price to Argentina except that the number of species in RSA is LARGER!
L. David's, price, if there is no added trophy fee on the birds appears to be a helluva bargain. Most bird phs are getting $400 to 450 a day. Slightly less if group totals more than four.

Sorry, my dander is up a bit so let me say this on limits-- I don't care if there are none imposed by the govt-- there are still limits. And, any upland or waterfowl hunter going to partake in the absolute pleasures of gunning RSA should be embarrassed if they do not belong to AGRED. whew...

I would do it in a heartbeat if I had the time. That's a great price, especially since the shells are so much cheaper than in Zim.

quote:

And, any upland or waterfowl hunter going to partake in the absolute pleasures of gunning RSA should be embarrassed if they do not belong to AGRED. whew...

Good rant!! I aggree. Govt. limts are there...AGRED are on top of the issues to....

My fellow hunters: yes, some species have limits and those may change with next years regulations, but most likely will remain as is. Rock Pigeon can be taken in great numbers as they can sustain heavy harvest and are a true pest; crop & disease spreading. Let's have at 'em, but expect to be reasonable, after all we are sportsmen and women. Several species of Dove & Francolin. Most Ranchers and PH's will impose limits aside from the Gov't limit. We all want to sustain a thriving population. We may wind up hunting more than one area in a days time just to mix up the variety and attain a fun day of hunting (I didn't say shooting, we can do that on crow's at home ) What I would like to see is the enjoyment of "trophy" hunting the bird species. We all go after the big game animals but it's just as big of a thrill to me to take a new specie of duck, goose or upland. I'm working on the exportation of bird trophies. Hopefully, we can export and import without all the major hassle that can sometimes be associated with our big game exports. I'm looking at tagging, taxidermy prep/dip-pack issues and exporting as a group to save money on shipping costs for those that want to send some home for mounting. Currently, this hunt will be organized by myself and Charl Van Rooyen of Infinito Safaris. Charl is normally busy with his big game clients but we are doing this to see if there is interest in continuing this offer.
There is no extra charge per bird, or trophy fee. Taxidermy or dip/pack is not included, but as mentioned I'm working out details to offer us a deal.
The area will be the agricultural areas of Gauteng/Limpopo. Although a single hunter is welcome to come alone, due to associated costs and logistics, a minimum of 4 hunters in the party is required. A maximum of 8 hunters. Plains game is offered after the bird hunt for those who want to take a few animals. Have questions? Call me. Good hunting, David

David-

Keep me on your mailing list.

Les

Can somone please post what the limits are for these birds?

Greetings Saeed, I can get current regs but they may change after January. Usually they remain the same but one never knows. I'll see if I can get all the main birds listed by tomorrow. A few have no limits but we practice reasonable limits on any true game birds. Good hunting, David

This appears to be the limits on game birds for South Africa for 2008. Don't hold me to this please, the Gov't can change its mind at anytime but I don't see any problems.
Dove - No Limit
Pigeon- 50 per gun per day
Guinea - 5 per gun per day
Francolin- 5 per gun per day
Sand Grouse- 5 per gun per day

Ducks - various species all 5 per gun per day
Geese - 5 per gun per day - 2 main species (Spur Wing and Egyptian).

Keep in mind that many of the areas we hunt may offer most if not all of these birds on the same day, so the hunting can be substantial. Plus, for the trophy bird hunter, your chances should be great in collecting many of the different species in one trip. Big game hunting may be added after the 5 day bird hunts. I have saved June and July dates as this is when most of the birds are in prime plumage. Contact me right away if you want to join us. Good hunting, David