Seems some of you here have PHs that you always hunt with. Who are they and why do you stick with them???

This is a very good thread topic in my opinion. As I have never been to Africa and have no idea what to value in a PH (other than honesty and talent obviously), it will be nice to see some experienced African hunters express their opinions.

Good show gunny!!

If you get a good one, stick with him! If not, then change. Of course if you want to hunt a different country or even a different area, you may need to change based on who holds hunting rights. And it is of course best to have a PH familiar with the area.

I'll tell you how it is. If you find a guy that you like, with a safari outfitter you like, in an area you like, you will stick with them. That's just human nature. There are lots of horror stories out there, so why risk it?

It get's tough, though, when you make a move from country to country. Each year, you feel a loyalty to the guy you hunted with last. You feel a pull to go back.

I know an Italian, Roberto, a fine dentist from Milan, who has hunted for 18 years with the same outfitter in Tanzania. He just knows what he likes and won't rock the boat. He brings his wife, his kids, his in-laws and just has his 21 days of August-September fun each year.

That is money in the bank for him and he won't be changing. I understand that and respect it.

Like others here have said, it's human nature to demonstrate loyalty. Although there are many, many good PHs out there, I just can't afford to gamble and have a "bad" safari so recommendations go a long way in mitigating the bad safari issue. When Allen Day recommended John Sharp to me I had a safari beyond my all my expectations so I've stuck with him. Leaving in 17 days! jorge

I follow a very simple proceedure.

If I do busines with anyone, and find him honest, and delivers whatever he promised in goods or service, then I stick with him.

I have found this to work very well. One gets to know who he is dealing with, and more trust is established between the two parties.

In 1982 I hunted with Rosslyn Safaris in Zimbabwe, owned by Peter Johnstone. My own PH was Roy Vincent.

Both gentlemen provided us with a great hunt, and I would recomemnd both with out any reservation whatsoever.

When I wanted to hunt again, I contacted Roy, and found out he has set up his own operation. Since then I have hunted with him 10 times.

When we wanted to hunt South Africa, I contacted a number of outfitters. At teh end of which we decided to hunt with Peter Harris, who own Ntshonalanga Safaris.

Peter turned out to be a great PH and a true gentleman. So when we wanted to hunt South Africa again, there was no question of whom we should go with, so we went and hunted with Peter again.

When we decided to hunt in Tanzania, I contacted Ray Atkinson, and relied on his recommendations to hunt with Pierre van Tonder.

Pierre provide us all with a great hunt. So we hunted with him the following year too.

Now our old friends the Vincents are hunting in Tanzania, we are going back to hunt with them again.

I think we have been very lucky, in that every one we have dealt with did not just provide everything that was promised, but has become a close friend as well.

Great responses to an excellent question! I've been wanting to ask the same thing regarding the "go-to guys" in western US…if there are any...

Besides the loyalty and the fact that we are creatures of habit, there's also the learning curve involved. You don't really know somebody until you are in the field with them for a few days, by which time you are know if you are compatible or not. And if you are, and they you, it greatly adds to the enjoyment of the hunt. So next time, it is one less variable that can go wrong. You may not get the game you are after, but you are going to enjoy yourself. Chances are during the hunt you are chatting about other game, areas, etc. Any PH worth his salt is going to try to keep you coming back, as it's easy business and he also does not need to wonder who's going to crawl off the plane. There's also such a thing as "client loyalty".

As was said though, not everybody wants to hunt the same area over and over again, and not too many PH's have the ability to hunt multiple countries (although some do). And hunting with the same PH for different game is not always wise. So if you hunt Africa enough, you develop a short list. Since your original question asked "who" they are, mine are - so far:

Buzz Charlton - Zimbabwe buzz@cmsafaris.com
Peter Chipman - Zambia kwalatapeter@yahoo.com
Fred Bezuidenhout - Namibia fredbez@iway.na

P.H.s and outfitters vary just like people.Some one I like might suck for you.If you have what you thing is a good hunt great.Go back by all means.If you feel you got screwed write a hunting report and post it everywhere you can.

My first safari was with a friend of mine and his father.They had gone the year before and had a great time.Their P.H. split from the outfitter and talked a really good deal to my friend for a return hunt.Three days before are safari ended we ended up with the original outfitter.

Since then we have became friends.I get a really great deal and could'nt be happier.As for the P.H. I see him every year at the Houston Safari Club convention and kind of poke at him with a stick.

I guess I'm different than most. I have adopted the attitude that I want every safari to be different. Different hunting area and different PH. It may stem from the fact that I, like a lot of people, booked my second safari with the same PH and Outfitter that I used on my first safari. I wish now that I had spent that money hunting somewhere else. Not that the second safari was disappointing, just that with limited resources and time, I want to experience as much of Africa as possible.

That's why, when I decided to return to ZIM this season, I didn't book with PH Rory Muil and Russ Broom Safaris, even though our safari with them was hands down the best safari we have experienced (best PH, best food and facilities we've experienced). Instead I wanted to see other parts of ZIM, so we booked with Swainson's in Dande North and HHK in Lemco. I don't mind hunting with a PH that I don't know. Admittedly, there is some risk in this. You could get a less than competent PH and the facilities, food and equipment could be below par. If you book with a well-known outfitter then your chances of that happening are less.

It's not really in my nature to develop any kind of long-term relationship with previous PHs. I have had no contact with any PH once the safari was finished.

Regards,

Terry

I've hunted with a bunch of PH's and appy's.

They have to be the most diplomatic guys in the world (to get along with me!). Except for a couple of them I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with them again. There are some I know I would like to hunt with someday but probably won't have the opportunity.

Schedules, oppotunities, game sought, and other factors can keep you from hunting with the same PH all your life, like Terry said.

A few Zim PH's:

PH Doug Carlisle got his farm seized in Zim so has been struggling in his PH career, but I loved the guy.

PH Brent Hein (HHK) is another guy I like and am hunting with him again this year.

PH Buzz Charleton is suppose to be good. I'll find out in July. (Oh brother, he doesn't know what he is in for!!).

PH Peter Barnard: Just wet behind his years in 1995 when I first was in camp with him, but he has turned out to be a good PH. My boy hunted with him and I hope to someday.

You can hardly go wrong in Zim. What a bunch of good guys.

I have been on three safaris and except for a couple of days hunting with Rory Muil, I have always hunted with Gavin Rorke and Russ Broom Safaris. Gavin takes good care of us, puts up with me and my wife and finds good game and lots of it.

I do sometimes wonder about other areas and other hunters and camps but right now I am in the process of booking a hunt for next year. I am thinking of going back and getting a leopard with Gavin.

BigB

My experience seems the same as T. Carr. I hunted in southern Tanzania one year and took my two sons the next year. We all had a great hunt but I would have enjoyed a change. My next three safaris were in different places and with different PHs.

My reasoning for establishing and maintaining a "business" relationship with a PH or otherwise is built upon integrity, honesty, quality of operation and service, etc. With hunting it also includes the quality of hunting in the area, trophies, etc. Do a bit of research or the Agent, PH, Area, etc and verify and you should be ok. I have heard of some "horror" stories that included Canada, US, and Africa...but if you check around you usually can avoid those Operators.

My first and only experience with hunting Africa was made much easier because of Accurate Reloading. I went to Tanzania and hunted with Peirre van Tonder. Saeed having such a good experience made my choice easy. But it was JudgeG who "pushed" me into going and will always be thankful for his interest! Ray Atkinson booking for the PH is also a definate plus in my book. Ray takes care of his Clients and will go the last yard for them and his experience and knowledge is a significant benefit.

Pierre exhibited all the qualities I noted above and more. He was more than I could hope for in a PH and he has a secret weapon named Anneli. Anneli is Pierre' wife and she makes Pierre unbeatable in my opinon.

Yes, I am going back in July and hunt with Pierre again...hopefully many more time in the future! I trust the man and that means much!

An interesting thread in that it made me think about a subject I hadn't given a lot of thought to in the past. I have now made 10 hunts in Africa and have another elephant hunt in Zimbabwe booked for next year. I have had the pleasure of hunting with 5 different PHs and 2 Appys in Zim and two PHs in South Africa. I have found that all were very competent and in many ways different. Phs all have their good points but are human just like clients, all have some faults. In my exoerience these faults have been very minor. I hope they feel the same way about my faults. I'm sure PHs feel the same about clients. Although I have heard a few horror stories from them about a client they had guided. I have also found this to be true with guides in the Yukon Territory, BC, Wyoming and Mexico.

My first PH is no longer hunting so I'll not comment.

Derek "Gomez" Adams of HHK in Zim is now semi-retired and farming in Zim. I've hunted elephant with him on 2 safaris. Ex National Parks with a huge experience in elephant culling. Know as a cat and elephant expert. If you can talk him out of retirement you won't find a better PH. He only plans to take out a couple of safaris a year.

Scott Bailey - Hunted tuskless elephants with him and he was very good on elephant.

Brent Hine also of HHK. I hunted elephant with him a couple of months ago but met him several times in past years in camp. He always seems able to produce lion and leopard for his clients. Very knowlegable on elephants. Can't go wrong with Brent.

Howard Hunter also of HHK - Not presently hunting (to my knowlege) as he was injured by a gun shot wound while wrestling with a wounded buff last year. I hunted with him when he was an appy several years ago. Hopefully he will be back to the jess soon. Nice guy and a very good and competent hunter.

Pierre Hundermark an appy for HHK. Pierre is a very personable young man with great potential. He probably kept Brent or I from having a much closer relationship with an enranged cow elephant then either of us wanted.

All of these PHs and appys can be contacted through HHK Safaris. graham@hhksafaris.com or hhk@icon.co.zw. I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with any of them again.

South Africa

Peter Thormahlen peter@africatrophyhunting.com

Peter is a very very good hunter in South Africa and is known to produce outstanding animals for his clients. Has several concessions across SA and has wonderful accomadations. A go to guy especially for a hunter wanting an exceptional animal.

Pieter Engelbrecht of South Africa. Peter and I hunted with Pieter his year for vaal rhebock on his ranch and neighboring ranches. The ranches has access to are running over with huge vallies. Contact Peter Thormahlen to contact Pieter. A Roland Ward vallie is very possible here. We saw at least 3 in 7 days.

465H&H

My brother set me up with my Outfitter, Mark Kyriacou, Mark Kyriacou's big game and bird safaris, in Botswana for my first hunt. David had hunted with Mark before. Since My brother's PH, Clive Eaton, was busy I used Glen Munger as PH. I had such a wonderful time that I returned with my sons and hunted with Mark and Glen again. This summer I'm returning with my Wife and some friends. We'll hunt with Glen for 4 days and then go to Clive's ranch to hunt with him for 4 days and make my first visit to the Kalahari.
I've stuck with them because ; first it's worked, second, I've become friends with them and it's nice to hunt with your friends, and third, I can't imagine any place better to hunt than the Okavango Delta. Each trip has been special.
I know that at some point in the future I'll somewhere else in Africa with another outfitter and PH, but this will not be my last hunt in Botswana or my last with Mark, Glen and Clive.

I've always said, when you have found four people, keep them around. Those four people are, in no order of importance, a GOOD doctor, a GOOD mechanic, a GOOD barber, and a GOOD gunsmith.

I reckon you could add a GOOD professional hunter to this list.

Where I live, I have all four. I don't see moving anytime soon. (Actually, I've been shaving my head since the war, so I guess I've fired my barber.)

Russ

It is a good thread. I've hunted with many ph's.

Doug Carlisle is the best I've ever hunted with. He is unmatched.

Folks,

I think a fellow I spoke to a couple of days ago said it best concerning a company we represent in Zim. "When people treat you this good and the hunting is this good why would you go anywhere else".

Personally even if I love a PH I want to move on once I have exhausted all the hunting opportunities he has. I guess I'm still looking for that ultimate adventure that will keep me coming back time after time.

Regards,

Mark

To me, seeing new places is half the fun. So I've yet to hunt with the same guide or PH twice. Its just my thing, but there is a big world out there and I hope to hunt a bunch of it before I'm done. Don't get me wrong, I've meet some super nice people and may hunt with some of them again but a part of the thrill is seeing new country.

I found Tino Erasmus on the net when I was planning my first trip and since then I´ve been back three times. He´s a great guy and I feel lika a friend of the family -and I usually stay on for 3-4 weeks. In October I´ll be hunting with Uhlenhorst Safaris in Namibia and it almost feels like cheating on Tino! As it is I´ll hunt with Tino next year, he´ll be introducing my sons to hunting, and if I one day can afford DG then he has some good contacts. Good people are hard to come by.

quote:

Originally posted by T.Carr:
I guess I'm different than most. I have adopted the attitude that I want every safari to be different. .......
Terry

I'm in your boat Terry. Even tho' this will be my first "hunting" safari, I have already been thinking, "Who will I hunt with and where next time?".
I, too, like making new friends and getting different perspectives. That's how I learn. Which reminds me of the old joke about the new version of Playboy just for married men....Same centerfold every month!

I have had three African safaris and three different PHs.

I probably would hunt with all three again if gien the chance.

But I want to hunt with several others and in different locations and different game.

Africa is a big place.

quote:

joke about the new version of Playboy just for married men....Same centerfold every month!

And the centrefold is wearing a sexy quilted thick nightgown.

I'll be going on my first safari this summer, and I'm already thinking about the next one. Like many have stated above, I plan on going to different countries each time. If I do go to the same country twice, I will try to use the same PH if I am going to the same area.

I am likely to have more booking agent loyalty than PH loyalty simply because of my plans on hunting different countries.

I view my PH in RSA as a friend. I've hunted w/ Willem Koch twice, he's stayed @ my home when he visited the USA. The guys is knowlegeable, honest in his dealings w/ me & good guy to share camp with. I am particular about who I share the field with, whether it's a guide or hunting partner. If you have a good exp. you hunt w/ them again. If not, well there are lots of guys doing this, try another.

I have yet to hunt with the same guy twice but I would hunt with all of them again.
I am old and got started late with lots of Africa to cover. I doubt I will ever hunt with same guy twice just because I try to go to different places each time. My hip pocket will not let me go every year so that gets factored in too.
Guess I should have been born rich instead of sooooo good looking.

I've hunted with in four different African countries in seven "concessions" with five different PH's. Every safari but one has been wonderful and that was the one that I didn't really do my homework on.

As most of you know, Pierr'e van Tonder is my go-to PH and I'll be hunting with him in the Selous in August for the third time. I had a really wonderful time with Brent Hein this past year in Chete' and Matetsi, though. I reckon that I'm really lucky to have hunted with two of the PH's that seem to be high up on the list.

I'll have to agree with JJS in any event. Pierre's wife, Anneli would make the worst safari a treat... not that Pierr'e lacks anything is his operation. She makes a fine video, too. Can't wait until July 27th!

I'm going to get to enjoy JJS for three days, then 1115 and Russell will arrive when JJS leaves... Can't ask for more! Unless some very rich and beautiful woman wants to share my tent, that is???

I guess loyalty boils down to this. Sometimes the quality of the hunt is so good that the client seeks to repeat it. Sometimes it is the friendship built with the PH (to include visits to each others homes, exchange of Christmas presents, etc.) and sometimes, for the lucky client, it is both.

Well not what I expected when I started this thread. Ive heard many first timers talk about their PH like he was their best friend in the world. We had a great time with Rob Martin on our first two safaries and with Rory Muil on our last one . Only Rory is still hunting. I do know Doug Carlisle from his old Russ Broom days and consider him a great choice for our fifth trip if we dont go to tanzania.

I've found, without exception, all outfitters, guides, PHs I've hunted with have been hardworking, honest people that tried to give good value for the money being spent. My biggest concern is whether there are going to be any other hunters in camp. I tend to like very few of them. I like 1-on-1 hunts to avoid having to suffer with some fool who thinks I care about all his hunting exploits. Nothing ruins a hunt faster than a jerk, an "expert" or someone who can't keep up.

I like Pete Swanepoel in RSA and Zambia. He listens.

If I might add one other thing. Sometimes when you go on your first safari and you are treated as well as we usually are, you find it hard to believe you could get that kind of service again, somewhere else. I mean, I have hunted from some pretty spartan camps in North America and eaten some petty marginal food. Then you go to Africa and experience the service, maybe even average service by African standards and it far exceeds North America, you start to wonder if the outfit you are with is exceptional and if it could be like this somewhere else. So, next time you don't take the chance and book with who you are familiar with. Only thing is, you get to hearing that pretty much everyone offers outstanding service, with some exceptions, and you try someone else. And yeah, I am booking my second hunt, with folks I hunted with last time..... and the same PH. Creature of habit. Like it has been mentioned, if you find a good PH, why not stick with him if he hunts what you are after??

I have hunted with many many PHs in my life and probably should keep my dog out of this thread, but heck, I just think the world of Pierre van Tonder, and many of you on AR know him and the thing I like most, is were all family, we all try to meet at Dallas, and it's a high point in my life with all of you...shame it just comes around once a year....I think Pierre for that, as without him it wouldn't happen, you guys could only take so much of this old, crabby, non conformist, non politically correct, blunt,lack of tact, curmudgeon!, but hey I get along great with Will, he's one of my favorite misfits! I really like the guy...and I am not pumping for business, don't need it, just taking an opertunity to show some appreciation to all of you and just one of the many great PHs in Africa.

My favorite ph is Ashley King in Taarkastadt Eastern Cape (Happy Valley) who works with Chappie and Marilyn Scott (Scott of Africa). I have had the pleasure of hunting with him four times, and he is a terrific ph and great companion around the fire. He makes it looks easy, but like the duck, there is a lot of work going on under the surface. I'd go anywhere they hunt with Ashley, and look forward to any excuse to get back and hunt with Chappie, Marilyn, and Ashley. Any of you headed their way, please give them my best. Kudude

After just four trips I did think from time to time that I was missing something by not having a Roy Vincent type ph to call my friend and hunting partner. It just didnt turn out that way as PHs do retire and move off to bigger and better things. We always were treated with a degree of professionalism that I never encountered with north american outfitters.

I sure hope American outfitters are reading this thread...AND PAYING ATTENTION to the comments.

The great thing about hunting in Africa is that if you do your homework you can move from country to country and experince the many wonders that each country has to offer and still have a great PH with great areas, food and accomadations. The first trip I took to RSA I caught the "fever" and I didn't think it could get better fortunately I was wrong. Zimbabwe proved to be a better experience for me and the performance of my PH and the hunting was taken to a higher level. That was Barrie Duckworth's Mokore Safaris and I could not have been treated better. You will be hearing good things about Barries son Neil in years to come, I believe he will be a great one.

I was really torn when it came to setting up my safari for 2007 as I will be going after big bull elephant and they do take some nice ones in the forrest areas. But after finding a well priced hunt in Botswana with the heavy averages they have been posting for tuskers I had to book Botswana and of course the beauty of the Okavango was also a factor.

Each time the PH I had used the previous year was a guest at my house when he came for the shows, we had become friends as is so often the case. It is hard for me not to go again with someone I know and like as a PH and friend but I have chosen to try to hunt as many African countries as I can before I hang it up as they are so differnt.

CFA

My favorite PH is the one I've hunted with Claude Kleynhans of Mafigeni Safaris
He worked hard for me and treated me with courtesy and respect. He was honest about the trophy measurements. I felt it was an honor to be hunting with him. We keep in touch. Claude and his wife Jill are extened family.

When you leave Africa after your hunt and if you don't feel like the PH you hunted with is now a new good friend, then something is wrong!

The PHs mentioned above like Pierre, Roy, and others have a loyal following for a very good reason.
They are very good at what they do and they make the client's experience well worth the money and efforts!

A PH should to put you on game, save your life if need be, see to your needs, tell you great stories and make you feel like you can't wait to get back into the long grass.

Brent Hein. Why? Because he takes pride in his work and he's among the best at what he does. If the client is willing, he'll go to any physical length to make the safari a success. You can't ask for any better than that.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
When you leave Africa after your hunt and if you don't feel like the PH you hunted with is now a new good friend, then something is wrong!

Been there, done that

I had lunch with "my" PH today. It is fairly rare for him to be in France but he had some business with an outfitting agency here and took some time to visit me in Rambouillet. Looks like I'll be going for a mixed bag hunt in September. His name is Jan Dumon.

I have had limited experience in Africa after only one trip. I certainly want to hunt additional countries after hunting Tanzania the first time. My PH Pierre' van Tonder could not have done anything any better. When I go back to Africa it will be with him. If I hunt another location he does not hunt it will be with his reccomended PH, and if possible Ray Atkinson will arrange the hunt for me. It is simple, when I find a good horse I feel comfortable with what he can do and stick with him. Africa is not a place I want supprizes, I am not afraid of Her, but I have a great deal of respect for Her. Alaska is the same way. Good shooting

This is getting to be an extended advertisement for Pierre, Roy , John Sharp, Doug Carlisle, Barrie Duckworth, Rory Muil, etc. If I was booking my first safari I would certainly take note considering the experience of some of the posters on this forum.