As some may recall, I posted a report on my Namibia hunt with my wife, that eventually turned into quite a long thread regarding my complaints against Boet Nel. I posted about our nice hunt with Frank Heger, and referred to a few bad days with a poor outfitter. Although I did not name the outfitter, another AR member joined the thread and not only named Boet Nel as the outfitter/PH, but took exception to my complaints.

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This was in June 2006. At long last I finally received the definitive word from Ben Beytell, Director of the Directorate of Parks and Wildlife Management for Namibia.

An investigation was undertaken by the game warden for Mr. Nel's area. Mr. Nel submitted a statement as well as supporting statements from his staff.

Mr. Beytell told me that Mr. Nel was issued an official reprimand by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, and that he admitted he acted unprofessionally and, in the words of Mr. Beytell, an "unpleasant" manner. Mr. Nell agreed to reimburse me, in full, for the money he collected (I say extorted) from me.

I asked for a copy of the reprimand letter, but Mr. Beytell stated he could not release it as it was a matter between the Ministry and Mr. Nel. Mr. Beytell stated that there was not enough evidence to pull his license.

Interesting that to date Mr. Nel has not paid me anything. He apparently likes to cut things close, and has no honor, and expects me to sue him to recover the funds. Mr. Beytell said the Ministry could not force him to pay, but that the settlement with Mr. Nel was that he would be only admonished if he paid me my refund. Mr. Beytell was quite surprised to hear Mr. Nel had not paid me, and said the matter will once again be looked into.

I think everyone who is considering a hunt with Boet Nel should know that my allegations of unprofessionalism were investigated by the Ministry and found valid. More importantly, that Boet Nel promised to pay me a refund, and once he had what he wanted, did not do what he said he would do.

I am glad there are people who love him and think he walks on water. I do not, and think this incident is objective evidence that any potential client of his should look elsewhere for a hunt in Namibia.

I really had a chuckle- apparently ol Boet has read the AR thread, and could not believe my wife hunted the gemsbok. He then lodged a complaint with the Ministry against Frank Heger for illegal hunting. Some of you may know Frank Heger. He was President of NAPHA for 7-8 years and regularly displayed at SCI in the NAPHA booth. He is also a Director at Large for SCI.

What an oddball Boet is---the complaint was pure nonsense but again is illustrative of the type of person he is.

He also obtained hunting rights to a large communal area and will be pushing these hunts at SCI this year. I expressed surprise that someone with his record would be granted such a concession, and Mr. Beytell told me the Ministry had nothing to do with it, that Mr. Nel dealt directly with the local people to obtain the rights.

So he will be at SCI- stop by and have a chat with him, and ask him about the incident, if you like. There are a few more chapters yet to be written on this saga.

If you're serious about getting your money back, file suit in your local jurisdiction and have him served while he's in Reno. You'll probably end up with a default judgement against him (he's unlikely to respond in a U.S. court) and you could then make his life miserable the next time he shows up in the U.S.

I have no idea if a US court will accept jurisdiction in a case like this. However a judgement is grounds for termination of SCI membership which means that he cannot exhibit there.

A finding from a government agency may also be grounds for termination from SCI. Both require you file a complaint with SCI's ethics committee.

GN

Well done on a satisfactory outcome.

I'm still dealing with an unscroupulous guide who is withholding trophies, and to hear that someone gets their dues is heartening indeed.

Even if you don't actually get your money, getting him struck off the SCI and potentially causing problems for him each time he tries to come to the states should give satisfaction to some degree.

Rgds,
FB

Rgds,
FB

404:
You have a PM.

Thank you all for your replies. I don't want to tip my hand, but there is more in store for Mr. Nel. The interesting thing about default judgments is, if you plead punitive damages, the court will award them in the judgment, making the award much larger than one's actual damages. It is a hassle but one can obtain a writ of replevin and seize the debtor's assets- property etc. and there are treaties which will allow for recognition of judgments in foreign jurisdictions.

I am having this issue of enforcement of US judgments in Namibia researched now.

quote:

Originally posted by 404WJJeffery:
Thank you all for your replies. I don't want to tip my hand, but there is more in store for Mr. Nel. The interesting thing about default judgments is, if you plead punitive damages, the court will award them in the judgment, making the award much larger than one's actual damages. It is a hassle but one can obtain a writ of replevin and seize the debtor's assets- property etc. and there are treaties which will allow for recognition of judgments in foreign jurisdictions.

I am having this issue of enforcement of US judgments in Namibia researched now.

I have received very nice notes and encouragement to sue Mr. Nel from three well known members of the hunting community in Namibia who have dealt with this AssHat for years and want to see him go down.

The problem you are going to run into is that to sue in Nambia you must be there.

They will not allow you to sue through an Attorney and stay home in the US.

This will add quite a lot of expense to your trial that will not be reimbursed.

Better to

a File an Ethics charge in SCI

b Take the findings to a Nevada small claims court before the convention.

c take the judgement and, if he is at the convention, seize all of his assets including his booth, clothing and toothbrush to honor the judgement.

This all supposes you have a case and win of course.

Good Luck

This is sounding more and more like a vendetta.

I have read and read this. I've hunted with Boet Nel 2 times in the past 3 years. My father and I enjoyed each day there. Mr. Nel treated us great and we thought things were nice. I am an Alaskan who roughs it on each hunt and don't expect too much, so I can't compare it to other outfitters, but everything Boet promised, he delivered on. I am sorry for this problem that 404 and Boet are having. I surely hope that it gets resolved. For what I know with my limited knowledge of Namibia, we had an excellent hunt and the amount of game we saw and took was incredible. I would book a hunt with Boet at any time. Boet is an an acquired taste, but he delivered on each and everything he told us. His turn around of trophies is outstanding as we only waited 2-3 months time to receive our trophies. I encourage you to meet Boet at Reno, I wish I would be there. Hopefully next spring. Would like to be able to meet all of you there. 404, I hope you and Boet can resolve the issue at hand and go your separate ways.

Sincerely,

Mike Cronk

Montana,

What is your motivation here? You deride 404 for attempting to right his injustice, but at the same time, every time you post, you trash "Old Friends Taxidermy" or what ever of San Angelo, Texas. Pot/kettle/black? or what?

Jeff

I have had further correspondence with NAPHA regarding this issue, and as of August 4, I did receive an incoming wire transfer refund from Boet Nel for the money he owed me.

It took more than 2 years, but I have some resolve.

quote:

Originally posted by 404WJJeffery:
I have had further correspondence with NAPHA regarding this issue, and as of August 4, I did receive an incoming wire transfer refund from Boet Nel for the money he owed me.

It took more than 2 years, but I have some resolve.