Hunt value Africa VS North America

[JJHACK]

What is holding you back from experiencing the greatest hunting on earth? I know....... MONEY!

But is there something else? Government? travelling with guns? Bugs? snakes? Lions? What are your feelings on making the trip to the dark continent?

The money is the biggest issue. I think the cheapest hunt a guy could do would be to go for 7 days and shoot three inexpensive animals. You get the whole adventure without the massive bank crumpling expense. A hunt like this would be about 2200.00 bucks plus airfare. Airfare is gonna run about 1300.00 or so depending upon where you leave from. So 3500.00 bucks could get a decent adventure in Africa.

Where could you go in North America and be waited on, catered to and spoiled during a week long hunting trip for that much money and shoot 3 animals? In North America you would pay more then that to have the chance to shoot just one animal in a camp that would not likely be the same level of 5 star accomadations.

Open bar, Wonderful meals many of which will be of the game shot during your stay, laundry done every day, private bedrooms with hot shower. These are not some plywood shanties either. This is top of the line high end hotel like accomadations in a rustic stone lodge with a thatch roof. Heck we even have a big Swimming pool! A full time cook, maids, skinners trackers, Professional hunters and 100,000 acres to roam around with 28 species of plains game and three of the big five. Plus hyena, jackals, African lynx, and plenty of monkeys and thousands of birds.

I doubt you can price anything in North America that would compare. I know there are several black bear and deer hunts which are a bit less money but again it's for one animal and you won't be seeing a giraffe from your treestand or see zebra and rhino in the bush. The camps don't compare. I know I was a bear guide for 20 years. It's why I moved my operation to South Africa!

Hunting in beautiful sunny weather of 80 degrees every day with no bugs or snakes in the winter months. My wife said it perfeclty the first time she was there. "This is like a relaxing vacation resort where you get to go and shoot stuff"

Don't misunderstand me, it's hunting and there will be belly crawling stalks and long walks but it's so nice to get back to the lodge and sit around the fire each night and share the days events with the others who are there hunting.

[Elkhunter]

It definitly sounds like a winning combination for a hunt. One of these days I hope to be able to do an African hunt, but right now is not the time for me. smilies/frown.gif

[Nut]

JJ you are right on that. It being a good adventure at a good price.

It also isnt the time for me either. But someday it will be(I hope).

From what I have seen ther is mainly flat land? or is there areas that is hilly and such?

[JJHACK]

South Africa has vary diverse habits. Much of the country is coastline. The north western area is the Kalahari Desert, the central eastern seaboard is a high rainfall forest habitat with rolling hills. The north central area is bushveld thick scrub. The very central portion of the country is high mountains to 9000ft. Snow with pine trees and plenty of open grassland. If you have ever been to Wyoming you could imagine the exact same views and elevations.

The huge majority of species live in the north central area where the bush is thick and the food plentiful. It's also where we operate our lodge which has 100,000 huntable acres. We do have approx 90,000 acres to hunt in Zululand(rain forest) and about 50,000 acres to use in the orange free state( the mountains). We only own directly about 37,500 acres but the other land is within the family business of my partners father. So we have it to hunt on when we like.

[Calif. Hunter]

What is the best time of year? I definitely want to do a plains game hunt within the next couple of years. About how much are we looking at for a 7 day hunt with 6 or 7 types of plains game like kudu, eland, impala, etc.? I was looking at around $6500? How much more will dipping/shipping trophies run?

[JJHACK]

I would suggest ten days if you want to shoot 6-7 animals. It's unrealistic to expect an animal per day when your hunting wild game. There are "put and take" properties throughout the eastern cape which will release the game they buy at auction from up north. The open grassy habitat of the eastern cape you can shoot all your game in a couple days. If you really want to hunt multiple species of wild indiginous game then you need to hunt the Northern Province. The Northern Province has more indiginous species of big game then anyplace else on earth. We actually make more money selling game we capture on our property and sell to the Eastern Cape "game farms" then we make from our 24 hunters per year!

The best time of year is May and June. Those are the peak rut months and the likely hood of the best weather. The middle of winter in June there so you would be there in the cooler and mostly bug free time of year. Check out my web page for some more detials on the time of year. There is also a weather graph to show you the temps and rain fall.

I have a 5 animal package for 10 days that is going for 4500 bucks now. What is included is also on my website. You would be welcome to shoot all the additional game you like for the cost of the trophy fees alone. The game included is:
warthog
impala
Steenbok OR blesbok OR caracal cat,
and two of the following animals: Kudu, zebra, gemsbok, hartebeest, blue wildebeest.

It's a good selection of plains game and you can take any other species you like for the trophy fee alone.

Send me an email with your phone and I'll cal you directly if you like.

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 01-15-2003 20:04: Message edited by: JJHACK ]</font>

[Muledeer4me]

Steve and I have talked about doing a hunt in africa for year's.
We keep saying "one day we will do it"
Well that day never get here LOL its always something that gets in the way.
Money of course is always a factor.
We are comming up on our 30th anniversary and would like to do something we havent done before.
I keep telling Steve we should just spend the money and go.
We are still kicking around ideas.

We have never used a guide for any hunts,and no doubt Africa is the best deal around . For how many animals you can hunt then add in the sight's ,im getting excited just thinking about it

smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif
I guess it really comes down to the money.

[Elkhunter]

That would be a great way to celabrqate an anniversary MD. smilies/smile.gif

[IndyJay]

JJHack.... my step-father and I have been making this arguement for years! All factors considered, it's extremely cost-effective to hunt plains game in Africa.

We hunted on the Devuli Ranch in '84 and had a tremendous hunt. Mike Vickery ran the ranch was also our PH. After a week there we moved to the highveldt to hunt with Dave Masson of Kavidja Safari's... in total we took 17 species and spent about $17,000USD before taxidermy... would love to talk about going back, likely not before 2004 though.

[Calif. Hunter]

2004 might be doable, Jay smilies/biggrin.gif

[IndyJay]

It would likely be late in the season for me... We were there from 10/13 through 11/5 in '84... let's talk!

[Moosie]

remember.. This year is Bear in Saskatchewan. Next year is Bou in Alaska. And '05 is African GAME !!!!!!

We'll see you there !! Mark it on your Callendar !!!

[JJHACK]

Indyjay, that's a horrible time of year! Hot and rainy, or at least thats the normal conditions. Go in the spring time during the Rut! Email me bud, I hunt there every year for about 2 months taking 20-24 hunters each season. We can have the time of your life hunting big game during the day and varmints at night until you begging to go to bed!

[ELKCHSR]

WOW!!!That sounds like a bow hunters wet dream, maybe some day!!! smilies/biggrin.gif

[Lochi]

Until a few years back, hunting in Africa was associated with lavish accommodation and big five quarry, thus only for the stinking rich Americans, presented by up-market fat-cat outfitters. Nowadays, thanks to the transparency of the Internet, the hunting outfitters in RSA are under huge pressure. They now compete also in the "entry-level" categories, just like JJHack explains his affordable plains game safaris for the first-timer-to-Africa. The Rand is weak against the Dollar, which makes South Africa beyond doubt extremely attractive, despite the airfare.

Lochi.
www.affordableafricanhunting.com (http://www.affordableafricanhunting.com)

[Calif. Hunter]

Moosie - if there is any way I can do Africa in 2004, I will. I'd rather do that than bou in Alaska, and I'm not getting any younger! smilies/wink.gif

[memtb]

I'll be gathering information in a few years, then I'll determine if it was worth it!! smilies/wink.gif -memtb

[IndyJay]

Cali, let's try to swing it... honestly though, 2004 maybe a little premature. I have to sort out a lot of details first. Perhaps we need to start talking...

Cali, you have a pm

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 01-29-2003 21:08: Message edited by: IndyJay ]</font>

[Nut]

JJ are there any critters that there isnt a trophy fee? Varmints that ya can shoot because there are way too many?


Dont anybody want to donate to the "Send Nut to Africa Fund? smilies/frown.gif smilies/confused.gif

[Calif. Hunter]

I got your message, Jay. I'll call you tomorrow. I could swing it next year if I start saving now - I think $6500 would be a good, all-inclusive figure? (Airfare, trophy fees, dip & ship, tips, etc.) You've been, so you'd know better than me. But I'd rather go with some friends from HuntTalk...so I can be patient and it WOULD be easier to save over a couple years rather than one.

My .338 and my .300 Wthby ought to be good to go, right?

[Lochi]

Yes Nut,
We have black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas), much similar to your C. latrans, on sheep farms, where farmers welcome varmint hunters. See this link

http://www.affordableafricanhunting.co.za/Children%20of%20Predator%20Calling/predator_calling.htm

Baboons is a favourite too (I hunt them 5 minutes from home this time of year).
Our ground squirrels are not nearly as abundant as your prairie dogs though.
Lochi.

[IndyJay]

Cali... that number looks about right for a select few trophies. I'm interested in kudu and zebra mainly. I also think a nice impala ram makes a pretty trophy. I have one from my trip in '84 but I want a bigger one.

Now is the time to start planning and putting together numbers for '04 or '05. Hopefully we can hook up next week if/when I get to California.

[dgibson]

Stupid question from the Africa newbie...what would it cost for a good, heavy-maned lion? Is it still even legal? Plains game is great, but one of my bigger dreams is African lion. I'm not sure I would even go without a chance at that. I wanna wanna wanna. smilies/wink.gif

[dgibson]

Ah yes, here it is...in Tanzania, but smilies/eek.gif nevertheless: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>21 days

Lion, leopard, three buffalo and all plains game

Masai and Western
1x1 - $43,950
2x2 - $41,850
2x1 - $31,250

Selous
1x1 - $36,800
2x2 - $33,300
2x1 - $29,950<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Well, so much for THAT dream. smilies/rolleyes.gif

Well, this one is a little better: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>$1,000/day - 18 days, 1X1, Lion, buffalo, plains game<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>That one's in Zimbabwe.
smilies/fight.gif

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 01-30-2003 12:46: Message edited by: dgibson ]</font>

[Calif. Hunter]

That's just too rich for my blood! I'll be happy to settle for plains game and maybe I'll be lucky enough to see some of the big 5 hanging around. Kudu, eland, impala - the kind of critters that make colorful, big-horned trophies! smilies/biggrin.gif

[Tom]

I have a question. If like 35% of South Africans are infected with HIV virus, then do you make sure people on each hunt have compatible blood types or what? If anybody got hurt and needed a blood transfusion, man, South Africa may be the worst place in the world to be with that need. Any comments?

[Calif. Hunter]

Tom - quit trying to scare us out of going to Africa just so we'll come hunt exotics in Texas with you as our guide! smilies/wink.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif

[Nut]

LOL Cali. smilies/biggrin.gif

Tom that thought never crossed my mind. I mainly only break toes so I can live with that. smilies/wink.gif

[dgibson]

No South African hunt because of AIDS...check. No Tanzanian hunt because of impossible fees...check. No Zimbabwe hunt because of better, but still impossible fees...check check. Looks like I'll be spending another fall in poor ol' Western Kentucky chasing whitetails! Don't worry, Gimpy Nut, there's still a place for you! smilies/fight.gif smilies/wink.gif

[JJHACK]

No South Africa because of AIDS? I'm talking about hunting there, not any type of exchange of bodily fluids! What were your exact intentions on a Safari? I have never heard of a single person in my life who has gone on a hunting safari and come down with HIV or AIDS from hunting!

Do you understand how AIDS is transfered? If you do what were you intending to "hunt" that would give it to you?

[dgibson]

JJ, re-read Tom's last post and it will answer your questions. smilies/tongue.gif smilies/wink.gif

[Tom]

I'm blood type, A+, with 5 toes on each foot, but I pretty much want to keep those Nut. ha ha
Anybody compatible with A postive?
With that and about $5,000, I'd be on my way.

[Calif. Hunter]

I'm A+, Tom - but I may not want YOUR blood - after all - you're a single guy, and who knows what you've been up to??? smilies/eek.gif

[JJHACK]

Ok for starters all blood donated is screened for AIDS. Sure not 100% guarantee but that goes for the USA as well!

As far as percent of population with AIDS, These numbers comes directly from the landowner whose property we use quite often in Zululand. He is also the doctor and owner of the clinic in Josini. I was in school with him while in South Africa, it's where we met.

He see's 250 new HIV patients each month on Average. The black breeding age population may be as high as 80% HIV based on the black military figures which show just over 80% of the black population of SA soldiers are HIV or AIDS positive. The whole population of blacks would be just about 50% HIV or AIDS but the number is lower due to the population being divided between breeding age 15 through 45 years old and those younger and older then that. It's a logrithmic increase not liner. The situation is getting worse by the minute. We will see deaths of blacks in southern Africa like never before in the very near future from this problem. The President of SA said that nobody in the whole world has ever died of AIDS. He said it's the white mans hoax to put the fear of breeding into the black population. He told the TV viewers that they should go forth and make new voters(babys) to assure the country will be run by blacks for ever. This is the leader of the country!

The Percent of AIDS amoung hetrosexual whites is about the same as Europe and the USA. It's very low. The Population Of South Africa is 80% black of which the majority will die in the next 15 years. It's likley the influx of illegal aliens will become very high over that time which will balance the lower population of blacks with new blacks from neighboring countries. This will actually be promoted by the current government to maintain a majority in the vote. There will be a battle over this like never seen before!

It will be interesting to see how these events shake out.

The White population sees the real liklely hood of regaining control of the governement in the next 15-20 years. Only about 1/2 the black population votes because 1/2 are in villages which don't give a rip about the government anyway. They just want to be left alone. The 1/2 that will vote would likely be split to some degree because the educated population of blacks would recognise the need for the countries stabiltiy and corporations to remain in SA for majority employment.

There are some very tough years ahead in SA with the country headed towards a civil war of sorts when the votes get really close for the elections in about 10 years or so. I'm not sure what the hunting arrangements will be like in the next 5-7 or 10 years but right now it's like heaven to go there and hunt. I see it being very stressful for a while and then when it settles in we might see the best SA of all time!

[Nut]

Thanks for the info JJ. I just cant believe that the president of SA is such an idiot saying that nobody ever died of AIDS. smilies/rolleyes.gif

Thanks Darren smilies/wink.gif

Sorry Tom and Cali but I am A neg. But didnt ya both already share a hotel room together before? smilies/eek.gif smilies/hump.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/tongue.gif smilies/wink.gif

[Calif. Hunter]

Yeah, Nut - but that's ALL we shared!

[FLIPPER]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Nut:
Thanks for the info JJ. I just cant believe that the president of SA is such an idiot saying that nobody ever died of AIDS. smilies/rolleyes.gif

Thanks Darren smilies/wink.gif

Sorry Tom and Cali but I am A neg. But didnt ya both already share a hotel room together before? smilies/eek.gif smilies/hump.gif<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Hey Nut....I'm A neg also...does this mean I get to go on Safari too smilies/hump.gif wait..on second thought...I don't want any YANKEE blood smilies/eek.gif smilies/tongue.gif

[Nut]

C'mon Flipper I was only born here. My parents came from SE kentucky and are cousins. MY family tree doesnt have many branches. smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/shhh.gif smilies/tongue.gif

[Lochi]

When I teach the gosples of "Total Quality Management" and "Customer Service Excellence" and those stuffs here at work, I tell the class to "look at yourself through the eyes of the customer".
If I view the above posters as potential hunting clients, then it scares me to realise how little I understand of how they think of me, us, here, inhabitants of the Dark Continent. But I read and get educated.

Lochi.

[dgibson]

JJ, thanks for the further info and explanation! Lochi, no offense was intended or implied. We're simply ignorant of the practical side of safari in Africa, and our money isn't spent lightly. I don't think any of us think ill of people on "The Dark Continent," we are just trying to sort out the necessities of travel there. International travel is never a trivial matter anymore, and the more up-front questions we ask now the less ignorant we will be when the time comes.

Moosie will be exemplary of "seat of the pants" travel when he makes his safari in 2005. smilies/eek.gif smilies/wink.gif

[Shaky]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Nut:
C'mon Flipper I was only born here. My parents came from SE kentucky and are cousins. MY family tree doesnt have many branches. smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/shhh.gif smilies/tongue.gif<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nut,

You were born? Danged Moosie lied to me then, he told me you were hatched. smilies/biggrin.gif

Basically a $5,000.00 Safari costs around $10,000.00 from what I can gather from these posts.

Have a good one,

Don smilies/smile.gif

[JJHACK]

I think some realistic ideas should be considered when we talk about the cost of a simple plains game safari. The cost of the safari is not the cost of the entire life experience. I see a lot of interest in the cost with all the additional expenses associated with ownership of the trip, but which have nothing to do with the hunt.

When you buy a new truck, that you will own for 10 years do you add in the ten years worth of fuel and insurance and maintainance to the original purchase price? Heck no! Yet this topic has escalated into adding the cost of taxidermy to the cost of a safari. Those two are completely seperate issues.

I often go on Guided fishing trips in Canada but have never priced a trip and considered the cost of a mounted fish. The Fish we catch must be released as it's a trophy fishing lake only. The cost of a mount reproduction is expensive. Yet it has nothing to do with the trip itself.


Remember that no taxidermist is going to hand you ten shoulder mounts a few months after you return and expect full payment on the spot. If you're going to have the taxidermy done on all the game it will likely take any good quality taxidermist a couple years to complete it all. During which the payments can be spread out with no interest. Depending upon the Pack and dip you use, it will take anywhere from 5-10 months for your trophies to get into the USA. Then the tannery will have them for another 4 months, or more. Before the taxidermist even sees them your in over a year. Then you have them fit into his existing schedule and you have 4,5, or maybe 10 animals. If you have chosen wisely and a quality African experienced taxidermist is doing the work it's gonna be at least another year to get back all the animals.

More important then anything is the memory you have each and every day when you wake up and replay the events of the trip. There is not a day that goes by that you will not think at least for a moment about the experience you had there.

Where else can you stalk an animal and spook 3-4 huge white rhino within a stones throw? See a herd of Cape buffalo causing you to give up the stalk for risk of a charge. How about glassing through the trees and bush, but seeing them moving only to realize they are the legs of a giraffe who is looking right down on you. The bird calls and the noisy zebra's the exotic tracks and small game. The evening at a waterhole to see the game visiting for a drink.

Value for the dollar??? Noplace can compare with the memories and the trophies available. Believe me. I live in what is arguabley the most beautiful of all the lower 48 states. I have worked in Alaska for 20 years where the wildlife and trophies are unmatched in North America. When I moved my business to Southern Africa I was stunned at just how much effect it would have on my life.

I don't know a single hunter in my camp who has not started thinking of the second trip before the first was finished! Value for the dollar? unmathced on this planet!

[Nut]

Do some hunters go and just want to have the pictures that are taken as their trophies?

What then happens to the heads if they do that?(horns,etc)

What does Pack and Dip actually mean? (I have read this and don't quite understand)


LOL Shaky smilies/biggrin.gif

[JJHACK]

The trend over the last few years is to have high quality photo's done. I think much of this has started because the cost of the shipping, brokers, tanning, and taxidermy are nearly equal to the cost of the hunt in some cases.

Many of the guys would rather hunt there more frequently and not bother with the trophies. Can't say I blame them! After all I'm a hunter first and formost not a museum or collector. The experiences and the photo's are much more important then a mounted head.

Since the popularity of digital cameras you can actually see the photo's and be sure they are perfect when you take them. My simple 3.6 megepixel camera with photo paper makes just as good a photo as any I have seen. I have had several dozen printed in Magazines with my articles from this camera.

Each guy has to sort this out himself. I'm not saying one is better or worse. Goodness I have a whole lot of Taxidermy in my trophy room. However I do it myself so The experience was good for me and the cost was low.


PAck and dip referes to the processing of the trophies so that they can leave the country they are in and arrive into the country they are going to. Depending upon the species it involves boiling the skulls and cleaning every speck of meat off them and removing the horns and treating them with poison to insect proof them. The hides are dry salted and then soaked into a vat of insecteside ( the "dip" process) . Then all the paperwork must be done to prove by the government agent that all the work was properly completed in a certified business.

The Government of South Africa is extrememly strict about this. The last thing they want is hoof and mouth being introduced into the USA which would shut down completely the trophy shipping and then soon to follow would be the whole hunting industry! Countries like Zimbabwe and Namiba don't give a rip about this part of the business. One day they will pay for their lack of interest. When a contaminated animal part enters the USA from one of those countries they will be shut down and there goes the business for everyone.

I see hunters boasting about packing the hides and horns in bags and boxes to bring home with their luggage. Holy smokes that is asking for trouble. Get the wrong customs agent and it will be quarantined until who knows when and at what cost to you to figure out! There is good reason Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa are so careful. They want to remain in the safari business!


The hides are sometimes kept and sold to gift shops, or given to anyone who wants them. Same with the horns. They have little if any resale value. It's not like you can sell them back to the safari company. I have a small building with several dozen if not 100 hides and capes salted as "spares" for poor quality capes and or head shot game. Sometimes after the animal is shot less then perfect late in the day, he runs off and is not found until the next day. If the jackals and hyena's get to it the hide will be ruined. We keep them as spares for those situations too.

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 02-08-2003 18:11: Message edited by: JJHACK ]</font>

[Shaky]

OK Guys, add it up

Lets say you went on a 10 Day Safari and it was a package deal. Lets say the following animals were included in the "package": Kudu, Gemsbok, Zebra, Impala, and Warthog, just to pick 5 animals. Lets say this "package" cost $5,000.00 US

Package - $5,000.00
Air Fare - $1,200.00 in the off season
Air Fare - $1,500.00 in the peak season (our summer months)
Hotel & meals before and after the hunt, in Africa - $200.00
Dipping and packaging - $1,000.00
Shipping - $800.00
Taxidermy - $2,000.00 to $3,000.00
Tips - $500.00
Airfare to Atlanta from your home airport - $400.00

If you go in the off season and get your taxidermy work done for 2k your looking at $11,100.00

If you go in the peak season and you get your taxidermy work done for 2k your looking at $11,400.00

If you go in the peak season and your taxidermy work is 3k your looking at $12,400.00

These are total costs and not to far off from your real costs.

So, when I say a $5,000.00 "package" hunt will cost you $10,000.00 one can see its not a reach in total costs.

Sure you could skimp on the taxidermy work and save some $$$ but who wants to go to Africa and NOT have the heads mounted?

Is Africa a "Deal"? I would say YES it is, but don't be fooled into thinking that the ONLY cost is the price you pay for the "package". You MAY be able to spread the taxidermy costs over a period of time but you still have to PAY it.

Have a good one,

Don smilies/smile.gif

[FLIPPER]

DITTO....Shaky smilies/wink.gif

Bottom line is the overall $$$ spent...no matter how you justify the total experience smilies/smile.gif


BTW...I think you figured at the low end on the taxidermy work.

[Lochi]

JJ Hack says:
"The trend over the last few years is to have high quality photo's done. I think much of this has started because the cost of the shipping, brokers, tanning, and taxidermy are nearly equal to the cost of the hunt in some cases."

I agree wholeheartedly with that. I have a client hunting with me coming May, who has 8 animals in his "package". Of these, he is having only the kudu mounted, all else are skulls and rugs only. However, we will make extensive use of video and still cameras.
I am even doing him a little private web site of his safari, complete from the dream through the preparations phase, the safari itself and the aftermath. I take a digital camera with me and upload pictures onto his site every time I get to a phone line. That allows his family at home to follow the proceeding blow by blow. Once he gets home, he tells me at leisure how he wants his site modified, sends the URL to all and sundry whom he would like to share his experience, friends, hunting forums, work colleagues,…

From Shaky's figures it seems that taking trophies doubles the total cost, so why not hunt double as many animals rather!
Me personally, I have never had a trophy done.

Lochi.
smilies/smile.gif

[Shaky]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FLIPPER:
DITTO....Shaky smilies/wink.gif

Bottom line is the overall $$$ spent...no matter how you justify the total experience smilies/smile.gif


BTW...I think you figured at the low end on the taxidermy work.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Flipper,

My figures for taxidermy work may very well be on the low end. My intentions were/are not to discourage anybody from going to Africa and experiencing all Africa has to offer such as a new culture and the experience of it all. I have been very fortunate to have traveled extensively around the world and I wouldn't give up my experiences for anything.

Personally I would have every animal mounted, except a warthog. I never have anything mounted as ugly as me smilies/biggrin.gif

Thats not to say that "every" hunter feels the same way.

I merely posted the "made up" figures so all could see that the "hunt" cost is not the only cost involved.

I recently was in Texas on a hog hunt. The "hunt" cost was $379.00
If I break down ALL the costs for that 2 day hunt all can see it costs a lot more then the "hunt" cost.
Hunt = $379
License - $35
Hotel before the hunt - $65
Hotel after the hunt - $65
Air fare - $300
Car rental - $300
Meals - $100
Gas for the rental - $60
Thats $1304 total
Lets add the taxidermy, since I am having a hog mounted - $550
Grand total is - $1854.00
Tips - I won't add this since this is personal

Now, the "Hunt" cost was $379.00 which figures out to be 20% of the total cost.

No matter how I slice it, my total cost for this trip was $1854.00 and all but $300 of this trip was paid for before or during the trip. I owe a balance of $300 for the taxidermy work once the shoulder mount arrives at my place.

I don't like supprises and I always try to add up ALL my costs before I book "any" hunt.

Book a Safari to Africa once you can pay for it and enjoy a new culture and all the other new experiences. Have fun and return home safe.


Have a good one all,

Don smilies/smile.gif

[dgibson]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>I don't like supprises and I always try to add up ALL my costs before I book "any" hunt.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>That's all I'm saying. I have no doubt that the experience is worth every penny and the memories will last a lifetime. But, if the total cost is $100 and I only have $75, then it might as well be $1000. Talk about how great it was won't pay the bill when it arrives. Now that we've had our lengthy discussion, I have a better idea of what we're looking at from soup to nuts and can plan accordingly. Thank you all for your information! smilies/smile.gif