I'm researching a plains game hunt to Africa in May/June 2009. Will be my first trip. Does anyone here have any experience with Jim H.? By all accounts he seems to be a stand up guy with a top notch operation but I thought I'd see if there was anyone here with first hand knowledge. Thanks.

I have not hunted with him, but I've known him for years. He's real. He used to post here as JJHACK, and still does at 24hourcampfire.com. Search both places and you should find what you need.


Okie John

A number of my friends hunted with him, and had nothing but praise for Jim.

I would be happy to hunt with him myself, and would recommend him without any reservations.

Haven't gone with him yet, going in May. I talked to many that did and all said it was great and He was very honest. I've met with him a number of times now, have taken him fishing, super nice guy and very interesting.

I hunted with Jim last June.

I got a recommendation from him for a tour guide, and we first toured the Kruger Park for several days. The tour guide he set us up with was great!

We had a great time hunting! There were 4 hunters and 1 non-hunter (my wife) in camp at the time. We saw a lot of game and had plenty of opportunities to pick out good animals. I shot 6 animals, which was about the average, but could have easily shot a couple more if I had wanted them (actually really regret not pulling the trigger on a nice waterbuck on the last afternoon). I shot a Sharps .45-90 at black powder velocities, and so limited most of my shots inside 100 yds., and that didn't create any problems.

The accomodations at the Landelani Lodge were first rate, and the food and service was everything we expected.

I found Jim very well organized and helpful. I booked my hunt late (early January), and he led me through all the necessary preparations. He used Air 2000 to expedite firearms permits, and we were out of the J'Burg airport within an hour after the wheels hit the tarmac.

I'd hunt with Jim again in a minute. He didn't create unreasonable expectations, so I knew what to expect, and he delivered what he had told me he would do.

If you'd like to discuss any specifics, post your number or send it in an e-mail and I'll give you a call.

Clarence Dykstra

I went on my first African hunt in June of 2005 with Jim Hackiewicz. Everything that Clarance said in the post above was just like my experience. The whole operation from start to finish ran smoothly and my wife and I had a great time. Game was plentiful and some really nice trophies were taken. You can't go wrong if you book a hunt with Jim.

I hunted with Jim last summer. I had a geat time, as did everyone else there. The lodge was first class and the food was as good as you'll find anywhere. The hunting was pretty good too.

I will definitely be hunting with Jim again in the future.

Here's a picture of one of the seven animals I shot while there.

I will also add that we saw a huge amount of game each day. The only trophy animal I didn't see was a warthog (of all things).

This is one of the animals I saw while watching a waterhole for pigs.

I will also add that Jim hunts in a great part of South Africa. Trophy quality in that area is top notch!

I've hunted with Jim twice at Landelani Lodge in RSA. Obviously, I wouldn't have gone back a second time if things weren't good the first time around. Both trips were great. Jim is an honest guy who won't BS you and goes the extra mile for a client.

On my last trip I had booked a 9 day hunt with Jim and after pulling out all the stops and hunting several different properties I just couldn't get a shot at an Eland. Saw several, but just couldn't get a shot. After the last day I figured I was going home without an Eland. I wasn't back in my room for more than a few minutes when Jim asks me what time my flight was the next day. I told him 4:OOPM and he said we had time for an AM hunt if I was interested in trying another place for the Eland.

Of course I said yes and we went to another property that from all appearances was a very expensive place to hunt. I bagged a decent Eland and made it back to the lodge just in time to make the trip to Joberg to catch my flight. This all took place on a day for which I didn't pay a dime to hunt. Now that is going the extra mile for a client. Everyone who I know who ever hunted with Jim was very satisfied.

Just book the hunt and you won't go wrong.

I have also been hunting with Jim and I have no idea how these people had good hunts with such a goofball like Jim.......just kidding, just kidding!!!!

JIM IS OUTSTANDING!!!!!!

You will not go wrong booking with Jim!

I had an incredible first-time Africa experience thanks to Jim. Listen to everything he says and make sure you get his book on hunting Africa. It's a must for first-timers as Jim is a very experienced hunter and P.H. I also did a lot of other traveling around S.A. to do some scuba diving, surfing, sightseeing and even a great white shark cage dive and learned a lot doing that, so if anyone wants to contact me about that, feel free. My only regret was staying only 3 weeks and not doing 4 instead which would have given me more time to rent a car and just cruise around and do a little more exploring (and diving...good stuff on the Indian Ocean side). I have never heard a bad thing about Jim so book with confidence...I was there with 2 repeat customers (including Tom Z from the above post) if that tells you anything!

I just got the best news ever...my trophies have landed at the taxidermist and are under way...I might be getting some skulls and a Zebra rug in a month or so! The head mounts will unfortunately take a little longer

I have a trip planned for this year in June. This will be the first hunt with Jim, but I did extensive background work before signing up. Can't wait!!!!

Thanks to all for the info. When I have some more time I may be in touch with those that offered. Looking forward to continuing to make plans. Only wishing now that the plans were not quite so long range. Patience has never been one of my strong suits!

CKR

Jim did PH School with me back in 2001. He came joint 3rd in the class (with me), beating out a whole bunch of the locals. To say they were pissed is a bit of an understatement!!

He is very good in the field. I've seen the Landelani operation and it is a top notch outfit. You won't find better value for money.

Cheers

pete

My wife and I hunted with Jim last summer. The things everyone else has said in this thread are all true: We had wonderful encounters with some awesome animals; Landelani Lodge was first rate; the food and staff were great; we each took 5 very nice trophies; I have never seen a bigger more beautiful sky; he lent us his excellent rifle for no charge (I fell in love with it so much that I built one like it when I got home). The stories I have to tell about some of our hunts leave my most experienced hunter friends positively green with envy.

But the best thing about working with Jim was far more intangible. From the moment we got there we felt like Jim was an old friend we just didn't know yet. We genuinely felt like there was nothing more important on the planet to Jim than our happiness and the success of our trip. We felt like we built a real frienship with Jim, not at all like we were paying someone to go through the motions. And it was true: We really did form a lasting friendship. We still exchange emails and phone calls and in two months when Jim has a half-day lay over in D.C. on his way back to RSA he is going to spend it with us at our home.

You won't regret booking with Jim

Rory Clark

Thanks folks, as you know I run my camps as if I were the hunter. I'm on site to be sure your happy and I hire some of the best folks in the whole of RSA to work for me.

As all who have hunted with me have said we have the best cook, and staff you will ever experience.

Thanks for the feedback here for all to see regarding my business. If anyone wants to hook up with us for 2008 send me an EMail and I can set up the trip for you.

I just got back from South Africa after booking a hunt through Jim. I haven't met him but hunted with one of his PH's Pieter Kriel. I had a great time. We hunted just North of Thabazimbe in the Limpopo. All the animals I shot were over book minimums for SCI and Rowland record books. I will be posting in a short time, the pictures and more about the hunt and the lodge I stayed at. Jim made sure I was well taken care of and would not hesitate booking with him in the future.

My son, two friends and I hunted with Jim and his staff the first of june 07..it was the trip of a lifetime...great hunting, food and folks..We all are looking to go back and hunt with Jim as soon as possible..if you like, pm me and I can send you a cd we made.
jmr