I am planning on going to Zimbabwe in 07 for plainsgame and sable. I will be taking my son who will be 10 as an observer. I would like, if an easy shot presented itself, for him to take an impala or zebra. Would it be likely for me to have to pay a daily hunting rate if that took place or would they just let him shoot as a courtesy to me as the hunter since there will be ample supply. Any thoughts

Lance,

Welcome to AR! Good question. I am curious about your question as well as other comments about the pros/cons of taking children. Somebody here will jump on this thread soon enough...you're gonna like it here.

quote:

took place or would they just let him shoot as a courtesy to me as the hunter since there will be ample supply. Any thoughts

If you are with a legit hunting operation, they will not charge you any extra if it is your son who pulls the trigger on impala instead of you. (Not to criticize RSA, but there are some outfitters there who would charge you extra if they thought they could get away with it...)

On the other hand, it's not proper to turn it into a 2x1 safari, but that is not what you mentioned.

Good luck!

The safari company I hunt with in Zimbabwe will let an observer shoot critters on my trophy list just for the trophy cost, no extra charge

It shouldn't be a problem at all but why not just check with your outfitter in advance anyway?

The actual answer is - Depends where you are hunting - by the letter of the law, your son should pay the daily rate for the day he shoots something. No operator worth booking with is going to worry about that for 1 or 2 animals but... If you are hunting in National Parks Safari Area, that is not the operator?PH's call and will require "convincing" the game scout.

If you are hunting in Communal (tribal) lands, Conservancy/Private land- no problem.

Dear Lance

when on our hunts, if a kid or wife wants to shoot an impala to try hunting i simply say trophy rate please. In some places due to contactual obligations we don't allow people to share packages, but in some we specifically sell sharing packages as i feel strongly that families and couples to should enjoy the hunt together. also frankly it would be so much easier if the missus or partner said let's bring the kids on safari again, instead of you saying i'm going on safari. hahahaha


cheers, tm

Kind of off thread, but...

For a plains game hunt in Africa, out of a lodge, what is the youngest age you would consider bringing a child along?

My son was 11 when we went to RSA last year. He shot 3 animal for trophy fees only. I have seen some different opinions about the minimum age for a kid on safari, but at 11 he did great. He was able to keep up and was quiet when needed. Great experience for both of us.

Doug

We've had kids as yound as 7 and 8 hunt small game . I reckon its their maturity and how much time and experience daddy or mummy has a hunters and hunting caoches that makes a difference. I would say 10-12 would be a completely safe age on a game farm plains game hunt, if well supervised.

cheers. tm

Personally for my boys (twins age 10), I've told them no going until they are at least 12 and that depends on their maturity, etc. at that time. I also think it would be good to take them on a 10 day photographic followed by a little hunting so that can get some of the "oh my god we're in Africa" out of their system. It worked well for me. JMO

I doubt you will encounter any problems having your son take an animal or two. I have taken my sons twice to Africa. The youngest was 11 on his first trip. He shot an impala and a blesbock, and had a great time. The impala was his first big game animal, ever. When I mentioned this to the PH, my son was quick to correct me and say that he had shot 2 ground squirrel before in the US, so it wasn't his first big game animal! We still get a kick out of it.
If you think your son is ready, take him and have a great time. As long as he is shooting the more common animals, I would be very surprised if the PH had any problems with this.
Have fun,

Bill

Folks,

Regarding taking kids on safari and appropriate ages please check out page 24 of the new SAFARI magazine. I was in camp with these little troopers and believe me they had a ball. Mike the PH was paricularly good with them. Garry Kelly who hosted this safari encourages people to bring their families and is very well set up to deal with their special needs.

Regards,

Mark

I took two of my sons (ages 8 & 10) to Namibia in 2002. They did fine as both started hunting at 7 years and both shoot well. My 8 year old only got to shoot three shots in Africa because everything died instantly(243 win with Barnes X’s). The warthog and springbuck were both 150 yard shots off sticks and his Steinbuck was 50 yards off hand (no time for sticks). My 10 year old used my 300 Wby on Gemsbok and Kudu like a pro. Obviously I’m very proud of them both. My regret is that now three years later they hardly remember the trip. I think if they went at between 12 and 16 they might remember more. I’ll never forget the trip however and they know the stories from my telling. I guess we’ll just have to go again.

It´s nice having the family along but it does subtract a bit from concentrating on specific species, long days without food and rest aren´t really compatible with small children.

But if the trip is planned as a family thing it can be enjoyable. I had my family with me in SA two years ago and it worked out nicely, the kids shot some small game with a .22LR. The boys were then 10 and 12. Next year we will again be doing a tour with the family, a six day hunt at a friends farm in SA and a twelve day stay in Namibia (six days hunting, six days touring). As they are now 12 and 14 it´s a bit of a different story, they´ll now be hunting an impala each in SA (while I concentrate on bush pig) and maybe a springbuck in Namibia IF they learn to shoot well enough with the 6.5x55!

They´re doing well with the gun so that shouldn´t be a problem. My outfitter will be charging a minimal fee for their hunt as my shooting will mostly be done a night over bait so daytime hunting is for the kids.

at risk of getting trashed for the following comment I would like to add yet another viewpoint as to childern in camp/safari:
I love children have 3 of my own that hunt with me to this day and worked with/around children most of my adult life! But when I book a trip, be it whitetails in Texas or an up comming safari to RSA, etc. I ALWAYS ask if my party is the only party in camp at that time. Why? because I go on a trip not only for the sport but also as a vacation away from children. Little Angles have the nasty habit of turning Impish quickly. I would not be happy to have parted with $1000s of retirement fund to spend a few weeks in a camp with them that did not originate with the group I booked with.
Should parents take their children on safari? Certainly!! but those same parents owe the coutesty to ask the company if there will be others in camp than their party, possibly book with another group that includes children but not mix witrhout permission. Cats

Cats: A good outfitter should have that part under control. I did once make an exception to my rule of wanting to be the only hunter in camp and "allowed" a couple with their two kids to join me. Nice family, nice kids but the trip just wasn´t the same.

Now if the daughter would have been 20-25...

Lance,

You more than anybody else will know if your son is ready at 10. Does he spend time in the woods with you now? Does he get excited when you come home from a trip? Does he ask questions or does he sit in front of the video game and ignore you?
WHen we went in 04 my daughter was 13, she had already taken whitetail and loves duck hunting(because you can talk while hunting).
Will Mom be along? Will your son be comfortable staying at the camp or lodge without you while you are hunting?

I think these are the more important questions rather than how mmuch they might charge. I did find that hwen you are upfront from the beginning you will get the best treatment from your outfitter!


Dulcinea

cewe 20-25 AND gets horney as hell when mummy & daddy are out in the cruiser

Cats: Depending on how well mom is preserved ...