Morning folks.

I�m new to this board, as you can tell,
and I wonder if you�d all be willing to answer a question for me? If I've posted this in an inappropriate place, I apologise,and trust one of the Moderators will move it.

Basically, I�d like to know what YOU, as a hunter,
expect from the Owners or Operators of a
Hunting Destination.

What is it that makes the difference between a Dream destination,
and a Nightmare one?

Please mention ANYTHING that you feel is relevant,
whether it�s the service, the food, the game or the personality of the PH.

I�m interested in every aspect of your expectations for a great hunting
experience.

Thanks in advance for your input, it�ll be much appreciated.

Be Safe,
and Good Hunting
--Umzingeli

Bwana Umzingeli

How are you doing today ..

Welcome to the wonderful world of AR ... please do tell us a little bit more about yourself and where in the world you are hiding please, as it is so much better to talk to someone whom we know a bit better and can assist

Take care, Peter

Regards, Peter

Sanibona!
I forgot to fill in my profile details.

As you should now be able to see, I'm currently in Jo'burg, South Africa. I'm doing some work for a company that is looking at trying to make southern African hunting destinations more accessible to international Hunters, and to improve the services etc. that are offered by them to said Hunters.

Hence my question obviously. We'd like to know what the Hunter expects when he books a hunting trip, to try and minimise the terrible disappointments that occur every so often, and so ensure that the maximum benefits are enjoyed by Hunter and Operator alike.

Thanks for the Welcome, this seems an excellent board, and a very helpful community. I look forward to participating.

Many Thanks
Hamba kahle!
--Umzingeli

I expect that a hunt be as advertised. That the particulars of the hunt will be presented in a full and complete contract; and that the outfitter live up to both the spirit and the letter of the contract.

I expect that the ph will be professional, know his business, and guide me on a hunt that will challenge my abilities; that the animals listed be available; that trophies be mature and representative; that the accommodations be as represented, dry, and safe; that the water be hot at least once a day; that the water be bottled; that there be toast w/ peanut butter or dry cereal with coffee and juice in the a.m., and food for brunch and dinner be varied, a balanced diet, tasty, and plentiful; that the water, beer & sodas be cold or at least cool and on the truck; that we have a lunch packed if we are to be gone all day; that the beds be comfortable and netted against mosquitos; that the truck work; that there be a dog available for follow ups, if necessary; that I be picked up and delivered to the airport; that the animals be professionally dressed and skinned with due care to the trophy; that I receive assistance with dipping, packing and shipping of trophies, and with taxidermy if requested; that staff be helpful in other respects as necessary; and that there are no surprises. Ku-dude

Well hell...I will second that!

Dear Umz.,

As you are located in SA here is one man's opinion regarding the hunting in that great country...

I have elected to hunt elsewhere at higher cost because I highly value the "wilderness experience" and the chance to enjoy a "traditional camp". I often wonder why more operators in SA do not offer a more traditional tented camp in a large, preferrably non-fenced area. Your neighbor Namibia seems to be able to offer both the tented, wilderness type hunt and the game ranch, hunting lodge type of arrangements, why not in SA??

Best regards;
Brett Trimble

Brett



What you need to remember is that Namibia has vast open spaces with a population of only a couple of million people. The towns are small and spread out and there is a hell of a lot of wide open spaces and desert where game will be running wild to a large degree.



South Africa although also vast it is a highly industrialised country with proberbly nearly 50 million people and many cities and towns large medium and small . There are big game parks as well and not a hell of a lot of vast open free hunting land in comparison to Namibia, so although there are wide open spaces to hunt the prolifiration of game ranches ( 9000 + ) has taken over the industry to a large degree.



Other countries like Namibia also have game ranches BUT no country in Africa will ever catch up with SA in the expansion of game ranch hunting, not unless the countries allow the national parks to be nationalised and split up for ranching



Peter

Thanks everybody, this is exactly the kind of input that I'm after.

Brent--Watch this space. Soon, you'll be able to inspect only the destinations which offer exactly the kind of experience that you're looking for.

Please don't anybody hesitate to add your factors. All comments are gratefully accepted, and seriously considered.

Many thanks for all the comments- Please don't stop now!

Be Safe All
--Umzingeli

Welcome to the forum, nice to see people from the Rainbow nation on these forums.
I didn't know that hunting companies hire consultants, are you an agent only, or do you guide hunters too?

I think that Ku-dude and Brett have covered most, if not all, of the key elements.

But once you're over the bar on the things they mentioned, there is another, almost intangible factor to consider: the personality and attitude of the PH.

The PH is the key to a good experience. He must be competent, to be sure, but he must also be able to communicate well, and willing to consult with the hunter, as well as guide and advise him, throughout the hunt.

He must be hardworking and serious about his job, but also personable, with a good sense of humor. He must be professional in every sense of the word, yet he must also be able to carry on a lively and friendly conversation at the end of the day around the campfire.

I'll put it this way: Even if everything else on a safari is perfect, if the PH isn't up to par, or ideally far better than par, then your hunting clients will not return.

We offer a tented camp in Kwazulu-Natal, ambience is just right, and there is (wood-fired) hot water in the evenings and a refrigerator (LP gas). Hunting is done on foot only, thick acacia brush, rolling ridges, thick riverine brush, and FANTASTIC Nyala. And you don't pay a premium to stay in a tent, on the contrary this hunt is extremely good value. See website for details.