For those contemplating Africa

[Capt. Oblivious]

Its africa people, the only way to get a vote from another party is to be sound radical and promise bigger things. All the cards have been played over here in the last 20years and the only one thats left is the land card.

Come over and hunt you will be treated like a rock star and stay in 5 star lodges. In every country all over the world you have special people that feel they need to make some crazy claim to be heard but the majority of people over here just want to make a living and carry on.

Xswanted, no one will force you to take a trophy, yes most places you hunt will have a fence around it but we have farms here much bigger than your national parks and you will have to drive around four hours to see a fence, the big difference is the animals you hunt on that farm is very well managed and if you do the work you will get a wonderful trophy

On the way back spend a couple days in Cape Town and see what a Africa could be.

On a side note there are no properties being seized anywhere in SA.

I have 4 hunts planned this winter, Freestate, Natal, and limpopo. Ill let you guys know if I survive

 

[hogpatrol]

Does a person have to keep and ship back horns/heads if you do a trophy hunt?

i.e. if a guy went over there and did some trophy hunting and shot a big Kudu, are you required to ship the skull and horns back to the US?

No. Some hunters take photos or have videos made and leave everything there. IIRC, hiring a professional videographer for a 7 to 10 day hunt costs around $400 U.S.

 

[hogpatrol]

Zimbabwe

As bad as it has been, hunting and safaris have been continually operated for years. Even now with the present chaos, Americans are traveling there to hunt. The major shortage in Zim now is U.S. dollars and they sure as hell aren't doing anything to stop hunters bringing them. The African countries aren't any different than us when it comes to tourism. They mean foreign exchange and jobs.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Thanks for the info. That's a LOT of hunting for the money.

I have a fishing trip to Alaska planned with my son this summer but wanted to maybe do something else as well. Was thinking about putting in for Oryx in New Mexico or going for Red deer in Scotland. But now this Africa Father/son deal is looking pretty sweet Definitely more food for thought.

 

[hogpatrol]

Thanks for the info. That's a LOT of hunting for the money.

I have a fishing trip to Alaska planned with my son this summer but wanted to maybe do something else as well. Was thinking about putting in for Oryx in New Mexico or going for Red deer in Scotland. But now this Africa Father/son deal is looking pretty sweet Definitely more food for thought.

PM me. I can dial you in to how to make an African hunt as easy as the Alaskan one. The key is to just have all your ducks in a row before departing. For first timers, South Africa is the best and easiest option.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I will definitely hit you up with a PM for specifics on a PH info if we decide on Africa. I've been traveling the world since I was a young man at 17 and still travel internationally every month for work so I'm very familiar with the importance of 'keeping my ducks in a row'

Thanks again for the info

 

[hogpatrol]

For a combo trip, there's some great marlin and game fishing out of Richards Bay, relatively inexpensive too.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

Zim has somer killers deals now and as hogpatrol said they want your money but I would stick to SA and Nam for now things are heating up in Zim again.

 

[nawahine]

Hi “xswanted” “onelastshot” has it right...

Just my .02...I have only hunted SA 3 times and “explored” your questions a few times.

There are pros and cons about having taxidermy work done there or in the U.S. I’ve had my work done in SA and have been very pleased with the end results.

Cost is of a major concern for me; the taxidermist I used was in the area of my last 2 hunts. I met with them, looked at their operations, met their working staff and explained how I wanted my animals mounted.
The cost are pretty consistent with taxidermy work here in the U.S.

The cost of shipping the completed mounts have to be taken into consideration. I have used an internationally known importer to process all the necessary forms, inspections, permits, etc. So from completion in SA to my doorstep cost me approximately $3,000.00 plus. ((my concerns of bugs,spider, etc infestation are minimized)

Using a U.S. taxidermist was also considered. The outfitter/PH must be informed that you want your trophies “dipped and packed” then forwarded to the U.S. taxidermist of your choice. Depending on your location there are many that are US licensed to do all of the necessary importing, inspections, clearing, etc. (infestation could delay releasing your skins, skulls, and horns)

One disadvantage to doing work in SA is once you make arrangements with the taxidermist you have very LITTLE recourse if the work was not done per your instructions and completed to your satisfaction.

Where as you can have “eye yo eye” meets and conversations with your local taxidermist and changes could be made as the work moves on.

As to your questions about a kudu, it’s your decision to bring it back. As described above some cull or management hunts also would include “trophy animals” at current safari prices....It remains your option to bring back skull and horns or have it mounted (European mounts) on wood backing.

As also referred above, Africahunting.com, has a wealth of information...

Wow!!! I didn’t intend to be so wordy....

Good luck.

 

[300_whisper]

This thread is firing me up. I really want to go!! How difficult are import laws with firearms? Like if you wanted to bring multiple rifles?

 

[hogpatrol]

This thread is firing me up. I really want to go!! How difficult are import laws with firearms? Like if you wanted to bring multiple rifles?

It depends on the country but for most one can pretty much forget any type of autoloader or defensive type weapon (most handguns). South Africa and Namibia are relatively easy. Don't know about other countries but the best way to do a first time trip is to go with a travel agency that specializes in worldwide hunting. I use Gracy Travel but there are others.

https://www.gracytravel.com/

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Best thing to do is to select a PH first, then talk with them about all the details. As with any guided trip, the PH or outfitter you decide to go with will have all the information you need to get your fireram(s) and gear in and back out of the country. The outfitters deal with it all the time as it is part of maintaining their business.

I've been looking into various countries and they can all be a little different in certain aspects.

Not saying that folks on here cant help immensely for preparing to go on exotic hunting trips, but you must select an outfitter and do everything as they require. They will also be fully up to date on any changes in laws or regulations

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

Nam changes their import permits allot even for us guys from SA going there so I would think the best bet would be to get in contact with a PH where ever you plan on going and ask him all the qeustions. You will prob be saver in Nam than you will be in the US... fantastic country but unfortunitally China has also discovered it now. If your coming over to SA with a minor without both parents on the trip just make sure you have all the docs you need or you will have a battle on your hands. They are very strick regarding children entering and exiting the country

Now I also want to go hunting wheres the safe keys!

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

Read through the posts on the Facebook page named: Stop Farm Attacks & Murders in South Africa

 

[oldhoward]

Hi, I have not experienced any negatives from my trips to SA. A canned hunt on 420,000 acre farm is not a canned hunt. You could drive for hours looking for game. You have to realize that not all game live in the same environments, some like plains, some like mountains, some like dense brush. You may travel to different places to hunt your selected game animals. Importation of firearms is easy, talk to your PH and travel agent for recommendations. I have talked to several farmers/ranchers about the land grabs. So far as I know it has only been talk. I know many ranchers/farmers have worked the land for generations and taking their farms would be difficult to say the least. Once you go to Africa you will want to go again and again. I am old and broken and I still want to go, I doubt I will go again, but I want to. One thing that I really like was how you are treated. I wish USA air carriers would provide the service that the African airlines provide. Everywhere we went we were treated really like movie stars.
All my trophies were assembled in Africa and the work was very good and I had no issues what so ever. For the dollars I spent on the trophies I think it was a good value. Yes you could spend more dollars on a top end taxidermy but for my needs and the room I have for trophies I am happy. Finally a shout out to 3S Safaris, they are great folks to work with, honest, and fun to be around. Good luck on your journeys to the dark continents.

 

[onelastshot]

Going to SA in October. Ten day management hunt ten animals for $3,700. You can't shoot one animal in the states for that price. Everything is included food drinks lodging at a five star resort. The next six months will be spent practicing shooting on sticks. Do your homework, Africa has some incredible deals.

 

[hogpatrol]

Going to SA in October. Ten day management hunt ten animals for $3,700. You can't shoot one animal in the states for that price. Everything is included food drinks lodging at a five star resort. The next six months will be spent practicing shooting on sticks. Do your homework, Africa has some incredible deals.

If you can get four guys together, a venue I hunted has a six day, ten springbok management hunt for $2100. Extra animals at $85 each. Hides and head can be kept for taxidermy. It's not a five star lodge, basically a hunting lodge, but the food is top shelf, laundry done every other day, airport pickups and you are treated like family. You can combine this with some trophy animal hunting a la carte. For most first timers, the package deals are the best value.


http://www.jakkalskuilsafaris.com/management_hunting_gallery.htm

 

[onelastshot]

Best thing to do is to select a PH first, then talk with them about all the details. As with any guided trip, the PH or outfitter you decide to go with will have all the information you need to get your fireram(s) and gear in and back out of the country. The outfitters deal with it all the time as it is part of maintaining their business.

I've been looking into various countries and they can all be a little different in certain aspects.

Not saying that folks on here cant help immensely for preparing to go on exotic hunting trips, but you must select an outfitter and do everything as they require. They will also be fully up to date on any changes in laws or regulations

There are special companies that do nothing but handle importation of firearms. Thwy fill out the forms and meet you at the airport they walk you through the process and take care of everything. Importing a firearm in SA is no issue whatsoever.

 

[hogpatrol]

This thread is firing me up. I really want to go!! How difficult are import laws with firearms? Like if you wanted to bring multiple rifles?

Airlines are the limiting factor. Some only allow two firearms but IIRC, you can import four into South Africa.

https://www.saps.gov.za/services/flash/firearms/importation.php

 

[DaveTooley]

There are special companies that do nothing but handle importation of firearms. Thwy fill out the forms and meet you at the airport they walk you through the process and take care of everything. Importing a firearm in SA is no issue whatsoever.

I went to SA last May. We hired a company in Joburg to handle all the firearms paperwork, pick us up at the airport, top shelf over night accommodations with meals and transportation back to the airport for our connecting flight the next day. I think it was $400 for myself and my wife. Absolutely no stress which was nice after a 14 hour plane trip from ATL.
We hunted on different properties ranging from 14,000 acres to 600 Sq. miles. Absolutely amazing hunting. I'm ready to go back as soon as I recover from the taxidermy bill.