Not a trophy Hunter just like to Hunt

14 December 2008, 23:42

Harold R. Stephens

I have never hunted just for the trophy, have always hunted to put meat in the freezer. Not to say that if a trophy specimen steps out that I would not shoot it, but would likely only do a euro mount or just a straight horn mount. I have been asked a couple of times to go on trophy whitetail hunts, but feel guilty that I do not do head mounts or feel like I am looked down upon for not having the animal mounted.

I really don't mind not mounting the animals, it just that it seems that it is expected from the hunting community. I can relive that hunt in my mind just fine looking at a horn mount or even just a photo without spending another $500 dollars to stuff said animal, just is not needed by me. Besides, when you get right down to it I don't really care what others think as I am the one with the memories. I like to go to peoples ranches and help taking out the cull animals and does so that the people with the need to take horns can have a better opportunity. In the past my trophies have been the sorriest animals on the ranch that need removed from the gene pool.

So to bring me to the point, can one find an economical hunt to Africa hunting broken horned or cull animals without being thought of as just a cheapskate. Don't want any canned hunts. Will help on cull hunting (slaughter shooting) if needed as long as there is some spot and stalk hunting similar to any trophy hunt.

Do PH's treat these types of hunt with less vigor than the people on trophy hunts?

Since I would not need to pack and dip and maybe just ship back the skull cap with horns on a couple of animals, what would be the estimated expense (plains game type animals)?

If I save for a trip like this I am sure that others would come along and want the real trophy type hunt. Is there a way that you could combine these two types of hunts within the same camp?

15 December 2008, 00:14

Bullet_.375

Harold

There sure are oppotunities for non trophy hunters.

There are plenty game around and usually good management requires culling or harvesting hunts.

You can pm me if you need more detail or advice.

15 December 2008, 00:49

infinito

Sir,

PM send. We have been doing these "managment" hunts for years now, and there are members on this forum that has hunted these hunts with us. They will be more than glad to provide you with ref.

It is a very affordable way to hunt africa, with no less service an quality.

I look forward to hear from you soonest.

Regards,

Charl van Rooyen
Owner
Infinito Travel Group
www.infinito-safaris.com
charl@infinito-safaris.com
Cell: +27 78 444 7661
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15 December 2008, 11:29

Rikkie

Harold,

I used to feel exactly the same way. Sure, I shot some big animals, but as you said - 'if they stepped out in front of me'. I would also not have my photograph taken with the animal, as I believed it to demean the animal.

I think that any outfitter would be glad to cater for your needs. There is always culling to be done, and vermin control is a subject on its own - calling in jackal and lynx, bushpig by moonlight, and some damn fine wingshooting too. All this can be done very affordably if you get to speak to the right outfitter.

15 December 2008, 12:34

500nitro

No problem.
Management hunts can be arranged and do not diminish the experience of the hunt.
Let us know what you would be keen to hunt and we can advise you accordingly.

16 December 2008, 07:32

JPK

If you are interested in bigger game, there are problem animal and non export bull elephant hunts available in Zimbabwe and Botswana.

There are aslo tuskless elephant hunts in Zimbabwe. Most tuskless are cows, a very few are bulls, and most quots doesn't specify which may be taken, just "tuskless elephant." Tuskless cow hunting is more fun generally than bull hunting, in my experience, though both are fantastic in their different ways. I've done quite a bit of both bull hunting and tuskless cow hunting. Either would be a fantastic trip.

Tuskless is generally less expensive than PAC or non export bulls.

I am not an operator, and have no financial interest in hunting (other than paying for my safaris!) but I could put you in contact with those who could set you up. Or inquire directly of Charlton McCallum Safaris, who do these hunts very well and who I have hunted with. There website: http://www.cmsafaris.com/

Best,

JPK

16 December 2008, 07:47

zimbabwe

I have taken 8 safaris to Zimbabwe and only on the last one did I really bring back a 'trophy', A nice pair of Elephant tusks. I also have 2 zebra rugs but that is the sum total of 8 hunts. I have taken most of the animals in Zimbabwe,some more than several times,including 2 leopard,3 elephant and many Kudu. All were what could be called trophy animals and some have in fact been mounted by the PH's I have hunted with. I always paid the going rate and never paid dip and pack because I never had trophies shipped. This was understood by all up front and in no way actually played a part in my hunting at all. I have always felt the PH's hunted as hard for my animals as they did for any hunt.I do have Many,many pictures of those animals taken and remember each one clearly and with great pleasure. I live in a townhouse with regular 8' ceilings and my late wife had more than tastefully decorated almost all the wall space with fine paintings and really had no place to display trophies should I have had any interest in taking them which I didn't. I figure over the 8 safaris the savings I made on taxidermy and shipping alone paid for at the least one safari and all the animals on it. I figure that to be good exchange.

16 December 2008, 07:51

Bill C

Harold,

My last trip to Africa in August was a "non-trophy" hunt: Click Here for Recap

There are plenty of opportunities for big game or plainsgame non-trophy hunts. Some of my most fun hunting in Africa has been for "broken horn" animals or for the camp pot. And no problem shooting some of each, or one hunter after management animals and others shooting trophies for the wall.

16 December 2008, 08:42

Harold R. Stephens

Thanks for all the replies and PM's. I guess this is the beginning of the research for my first African Safari. Doubt 2009 will be my target date as I have some stateside hunts already planned but 2010 is definably doable. Now if I cant talk one of my hunting partners to go along I will just have to drag my daughter with me.

17 December 2008, 01:52

Mikelravy

The safari company can probably sell or otherwise find a use for your trophies. They may or may not give you a price break because of this but they certainly should not treat you as some sort of second class citizen.

17 December 2008, 02:02

MileHighShooter

I have looked at doing the same thing myself! There are several outfits in Namibia (other places I'm sure, but I was specifically looking at Namibia) and most of them you get quite a large bag of animals for a REALLY good price. One place was about 4-5$ depending on how many hunters, and it came out to about 13 animals per person. For example, you might get to shoot 6 Oryx, and they'll give you 1 or 2 trophy quality animals along with the culls. Keep in mind with a hunt like this, the PH will be advised as to what sex, age and size of animals need to be taken so you may very well have to pass up many shots because they don't "fit".

17 December 2008, 08:23

ChrisTroskie

quote:
Originally posted by Harold R. Stephens:
I have never hunted just for the trophy, have always hunted to put meat in the freezer. Not to say that if a trophy specimen steps out that I would not shoot it, but would likely only do a euro mount or just a straight horn mount. I have been asked a couple of times to go on trophy whitetail hunts, but feel guilty that I do not do head mounts or feel like I am looked down upon for not having the animal mounted.

I really don't mind not mounting the animals, it just that it seems that it is expected from the hunting community. I can relive that hunt in my mind just fine looking at a horn mount or even just a photo without spending another $500 dollars to stuff said animal, just is not needed by me. Besides, when you get right down to it I don't really care what others think as I am the one with the memories. I like to go to peoples ranches and help taking out the cull animals and does so that the people with the need to take horns can have a better opportunity. In the past my trophies have been the sorriest animals on the ranch that need removed from the gene pool.

So to bring me to the point, can one find an economical hunt to Africa hunting broken horned or cull animals without being thought of as just a cheapskate. Don't want any canned hunts. Will help on cull hunting (slaughter shooting) if needed as long as there is some spot and stalk hunting similar to any trophy hunt.

Do PH's treat these types of hunt with less vigor than the people on trophy hunts?

Since I would not need to pack and dip and maybe just ship back the skull cap with horns on a couple of animals, what would be the estimated expense (plains game type animals)?

If I save for a trip like this I am sure that others would come along and want the real trophy type hunt. Is there a way that you could combine these two types of hunts within the same camp?

This might be what you are looking for...

Management Hunt

If you are interested please feel free to contact me.

Regards,

Chris