It is reported in RSA, that as of June 21st, hunters arriving in RSA at JNB were down by 202. Take into account that there are no direct USA Cape Town flights, so all hunters come into JNB now, and the number is much higher than that.

So it is 202, plus all those that used to go to Cape Town.

Terry - I think it's a matter of rising $$$ for African hunts. I was looking at a Buff hunt that went from around 7k in '02 to over 10k now.

Maybe I'm a bit envious as my industry doesn't get to make a 30+% increase in pricing in 3 years.

So, I'm looking to South American and putting that Cape Buff hunt on hold. Maybe the economy of that hunt will improve while I'm young enough to do the hunt.

Terry,

Is that just hunters staying to hunt in SA or does it count "pass throughs"? If it is just SA, I'ld say it has more to do with their increasing BS from the government....one of the reasons I am going to Namibia this fall.

Bob

I think a lot has to do with that stupid beaurocratic nightmare getting through customs in RSA. I'd rather go to Namibia or even poor sad Zim just to avoid the hassle ..

quote:

Originally posted by richardpowell:
I think a lot has to do with that stupid beaurocratic nightmare getting through customs in RSA. I'd rather go to Namibia or even poor sad Zim just to avoid the hassle ..

Absolutely correct!

South Africa should do it the way it was done in Zimababew.

You arrive at the airport, signed the import permit, and be off on your way 2 minutes later.

No wonder .......!!!
RSA is for sure not the end of the GAME !
But for the HUNT !
Ethical Hunting understand very few Outfitter in South Africa. Shooting fom the car,on water holes, canned lion hunting etc.... is very common in this country.

r.
seloushunter

I agree completely - they did it that way for many years and it worked just fine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it......

My guess is that guys are going to Namibia in lew of SA. This sort of junk goes in cycles. Once they see the real drop in income from Tourists, it will change. What you have here is a bunch of Socialist/Communist doing stuff and figuiring that people will just put up with it. They forget that free people are also free to choose where they spend their hunting dollars or Euro's or what have you. They will spend it else were. The free Market at work. Why hunt or travel to SA for there BS, when You can go to Nanibia with way less BS, and more value for your money?

I'll go this year cause I'm booked,but if my health holds,no SA next year...The SAPS have ruined that !!!!!!!!!!!! 8-10 hour wait.crazy

No point in going thru the gun hassle if there are alternatives.

You can be thru the RSA hassle in JoBerg in "two minutes", IF you are prepared for them with your forms, including the US 4473, (or whatever the right number is for the US Customs reentry form). LLS

When I was there in May, I was totally prepared. I had all my forms filled out correctly, had the invitation letter with all necessary details, and had my 4457 form with only the rifle I was taking with me. It still took me two hours and forty five minutes to get through the hassle. I don't believe you when you say you got through in two minutes unless you already had your permit.

Boss K- I wouldn't count on any hunt going down. Just have seen no trends that would indicate a price reduction. Most of the really solid operations are into 2007 now. The demand is there for sure.

I just hunted Namibia instead of RSA.I wanted to hunt with J Hack, but went to Namibia insteaded because of the Inport process in RSA,
and the cost of the Hunt being tied to the rand.
I spent 9000 on the hunt another 600 in town, and 2000 at the tannery and taxadermis.I am not a big spender but X 200 other hunters that is a lot of doe that could have gone to the RSA.

JD

crane - I'm sure you are correct. I really wanted that buff while I'm still young enough to do the hunt.

Luckly it's a big planet with plenty of other game to hunt.

I don't wish the legit outfitting companies in RSA any ill will, but to the bueracrats that have so totally messed up the process of clearing gun/customs there, I bid farewell.
Namibia is usually cheaper all the way around alot less hassle to get your guns into, safer, and you can connect thru Air Namibia from cities such as Frankfurt.Or check your bags straight thru to windhoek from your departing city stateside.

Wynwood, I agree completely with you. Unless and until the gun import regs are fixed, I am afraid I'm done with South Africa. Damn shame too, as I was considering going back to SA next year. Between the dreadful SAA Airbus and this, enough is enough!!

Well, if it's money that's the issue then I wonder if the numbers are up in Namibia. If it's the regulatory crap in RSA then it would have to be "Repeat Customers" who have enjoyed SAP hospitality before and don't want to deal with it again. This would be bad news indeed for the RSA Outfitters because repeat customers are vital to this type of industry.

Elmo

The "Gun Trap Bullshit" in the RSA is getting worse! On my trip through from Zim two days ago, my Optima agent told me she had 35 hunters to get through the gun registration process and it took her from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to get them processed! There were 60+ hunters waiting and many missed connections causing Optima to line up shuttles to get them to their camps because they had no other place to go!!!!

If that won't put the damper on travel for a second trip to the RSA, I don't know what will! I don't know when PHASA and the hunting community will wake up to this fact and press to get something changed. It could be the death knell for their Safari industry! I am transiting through from here on and WILL NOT hunt the RSA until something is done about it!

quote:

Originally posted by George Semel:
My guess is that guys are going to Namibia in lew of SA.

I must agree. I`m no expert, but it seems like the neighbouring countries eventually have started to catch up with RSA. Some years ago RSA might have been the only option the normal guy had, to fullfill the African dream. And the other countries like Namibia and Zim have had a great rise the last years. In total, Africa still have the same numbers of hunters as earlier, they just spread out a bit more. Also to the more exotic places.. No facts, just what I think...