Always...ALWAYS check that your PH is a member of the association (info@phasa.co.za) I think if you are hunting in SA.

This is even more important if you book through an Agent-make sure he is booking you with somebody legitimate.

There are many good outfitters and Agents on AR- many of them will get you exactly what you want (but very seldom at the price you want - if the offers too good to be true...it isn't true. and you almost always get what you pay for...)

Some folk prefer to book directly with the outfitter/PH like Andrew McLaren who has given you advice and not even mentioned that he offers some quite good hunting. Others prefer to use a local Agent so they have somebody they can deal with who understands their culture and can taylor the safari more exactly.

I personally never book hunts for myself- the Agents handel all of that. I have a contract with them and they sign the contracts with the clients, make sure the US or EU paperwork for importing the trophies is all correct etc. There is far too much paperwork for my liking to ensure the client gets what he is paying for and I get paid... Also If you are booking a hunt in one country use a 'local PH where possible'...ie don't ever book with a South African to hunt Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana or Namibia...Mozambique and Tanzania are a bit different in that many of the (top) PH's are nationals of somewhere else.


Sit back, read...watch....and mainly think. Most clients who end up dis-satisfied with their hunts are so because they were not 100% clear in their own minds, let alone to the agent or Outfitter, exactly what they wanted or expected.

As an EG...I had a client this year who was upset that he was accomodated in a tent ranther than a brick chalet considering we had elephant in camp most nights and lion walk through twice....Some folk love it- this last guy didn't and his wife even less

Had a client two years ago who complained that the camp he was in was "too upmarket" and didnt show him what africa was all about. Fair comment , but the following year, he insisted on staying at the same camp......its about client choice, you cant keep everyone happy all the time....but we can damn well try!!!

Check this. Richard Bell Cross had a French client in the Kafue last year who shot a Lion and then did not pay for it as he reckoned it was not big enough?

Subsequently we now only stock South African wine in camp.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Check this. Richard Bell Cross had a French client in the Kafue last year who shot a Lion and then did not pay for it as he reckoned it was not big enough?

Subsequently we now only stock South African wine in camp.

How was he allowed to leave the country?

How about Ray Atkinson?

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
As an EG...I had a client this year who was upset that he was accomodated in a tent ranther than a brick chalet considering we had elephant in camp most nights and lion walk through twice....Some folk love it- this last guy didn't and his wife even less

Amazing

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Check this. Richard Bell Cross had a French client in the Kafue last year who shot a Lion and then did not pay for it as he reckoned it was not big enough?

Subsequently we now only stock South African wine in camp.

Did you allow him to leave camp?

Just got back 2 weeks ago.

Best hunt in years PM if you want information.

Had my first safari last year in June. My hunting partner and I had booked at the DSC event. We did get our trophies, however, there were some changes: type of zebra,cooking, general attitude of owner, ph, and staff. Not anything really bad, but could have been better. We checked on references (all were first safari types). The price was cheaper than others. In retrospect, we would have paid a little more, but I think we would have been happier.
We will be back in January at DSC to book for next year (this year in and out of hospitals). From those outfitters I've met at DSC and communicated with on this forum, I think we'll both be more in tune.

quote:

NEVER hunt with any PH who has received the SCI Hunter Of The Year Award!

Wise words indeed ,Saeed you just put the biggest smile on my face in weeks ,thanks.

Avoid all of them, you'll save a lot of money in the long run!

I'm surprised that no one has said it yet;



Out of Africa



Unless you're a high ranking SCI member.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Check this. Richard Bell Cross had a French client in the Kafue last year who shot a Lion and then did not pay for it as he reckoned it was not big enough?

Subsequently we now only stock South African wine in camp.

Proof that some people are just assholes. I suppose it didn't occur to him at the time he pulled the trigger that the lion was "too small"! Mane only down th back to his testicles I assume? Didn't rap around to the belly like the one his buddy shot is RSA?

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by Brett Adam Barringer:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Check this. Richard Bell Cross had a French client in the Kafue last year who shot a Lion and then did not pay for it as he reckoned it was not big enough?

Subsequently we now only stock South African wine in camp.

Proof that some people are just assholes. I suppose it didn't occur to him at the time he pulled the trigger that the lion was "too small"! Mane only down th back to his testicles I assume? Didn't rap around to the belly like the one his buddy shot is RSA?

Brett

Was the hunter named Guy LePhifer?