Saeed, see your point. We've all hunted animals and been unsuccessful, at least I have. If the hunter tries, but is unsuccessful, I don't think it's fair to charge the trophy fee. Maybe if they get a shot and miss that might be different. Done that too. Last year on roan, I totally killed a tree. I didn't hit the roan, but I'd pay a trophy fee there if that was in the contract. I got the shot, just blew it.

But if the hunter simply shows up and says I no longer want this to be a hunt for a quota animal, I think it's fair for them to pay the trophy fee.

Isn't this how Ethiopia handles things...i thought that if you went on a Mtn Nyala hunt it was all up front?

In Ethiopia I think it is the government requirement.

In the case here it was the outfitter who decided to do because he was cheated by idiots!

Having been to Ethiopia and going again, the process is you pay for a permit ahead of time at a government set price. The daily rates are higher than other countries as the PH/outfitter does not make money on trophy fees but on daily rate.

In my limited experience there, you have an excellent chance of getting what you are after as there is virtually no poaching and plenty of animals. The toughest to get are the Mt. Nyala and Giant Forest Hog, the rest are there in good numbers.

This is different than the deal discussed on this thread.

I don't think the OP was clear as to what the deposit covered. It's not clear to me whether this deposit covers trophy fees. Maybe just half the daily rate. Not clear that the PG and DG hunts are concurrent, in Zim you may end up doing your PG on a private property at a different rate, subject to a deposit. And if YOU the client cancels, typically you don't get your deposit back, that's why it's called a deposit and not a loan. Sometimes, the operator will be nice and let you reschedule. But very seldom do you get a DR deposit back in cash.

And even if it does cover trophy fees, what is the difference between this and a "package" that is usually paid for entirely upfront, or some % upfront to "secure the dates".