Book safari through PH or Agent

[enysse]

If your hunt goes bad and the outfitter will not take care of it, you have very little pull for him to fix it, he already has your money. Agents on the other hand may be holding funds for them and can work through the situation to make it right and get you a refund or a replacement hunt.

Excellent point, James!

 

[Wheels]

James,

Will you have a booth at DSC? If so what is the number?

Thanks

 

[billc]

Dont know about some of the points.The outfitter has the money I paid to start the hunt.He never has all my money unless I am happy in the end.At the end of a hunt if I am not happy he will not get paid in full period.If he ask to be paid in full before the hunt start I look to the next guy on my list.Getting something done after a hunt is done is hard for anyone to do anything about it.As for cost maybe 10% of a 10,000 or more hunt is not alot to some but that 1000.00 buys me some extra animals so means alot to me.Again a hunting agent is good for some but not needed for everyone out there for sure.Pick which makes you feel good about the hunt and go have fun.

 

[JamesJ]

Wheels, I'll be in booth 2111-2113

 

[Wheels]

Wheels, I'll be in booth 2111-2113

Looking forward to meeting you. I'll stop by.

 

[AkMike]

In booking my flights with a non hunt booking agent recommended by my PH, they have me flying with Jet Blue, then connecting with SAA at JFK. Only problem is JB does NOT transfer your rifle for you to SAA. So when I land in NY, I have to grab my rifle at baggage and re check it in at SAA! I will have 5 hours on the ground to do it, but I would have way preferred not to have to. Fortunately the arriving and departing terminals are 5 and 4, right next to each other. Problem is, I am not sure how much of a pain it will be. Hopefully not too much.

You'd better check with SAA carefully. Firearms are a no-no in NYC and you'll need a airport cop to handle the transfer from what I've read. Be careful! The transfer from 1 terminal to another will be a problem I'm afraid.

Hopefully others will add to this here or another thread.

I'm going to try to route thru Atlanta when I head over there.

 

[TOM]

Agent for sure. He is the guardian of your funds and liaison with the outfitter to make sure all goes well. He is accountable to you in your home country. Lots of reasons to use one, none that I can think of to not use one. His services are free to you and it is nice peace of mind.

 

[billc]

No offense but I think I am the best guardian of my funds.LOL Hell i even thought of booking hunts at one time just did not have the time to do with my reg.job to.As for free that all depends on what you feel is free.When I get 10% of a hunted booked direct over the agent getting the 10% that is not free to me.I guess the money did not come out of my book but trophy fees higher or day fees higher equals more money out of me for same hunt booked.When I first started taking trips I used an agent had the same quality hunts I book now I just get them cheaper now direct.I am still friends with him and 25 years later he is still booking hunts all over the world.Agents have there place but just like my job most of there job is selling a product for $$$$.Someone feels better using one more power to them just dont think you cant do the same on your own.

 

[JamesJ]

AKmike and sestoppelman,

you may transit through NYC with your firearms as long as you don't stay in the city for more than 24 hours. YOu also do not need the assistance of a NY policeman to make the transition. Happy hunting.

 

[sestoppelman]

AKmike and sestoppelman,

you may transit through NYC with your firearms as long as you don't stay in the city for more than 24 hours. YOu also do not need the assistance of a NY policeman to make the transition. Happy hunting.

I have done this several times guys. I am in transit and will be on the ground there (airport only) about 5 hours. This was purely because of the Jet Blue policy of not transferring firearms to SAA and or other lines for the passenger. I simply have to make the transfer myself. I have done that before too, but some time ago before the gun craziness. I dont think it will be too bad, just shouldnt have to do at all is what irks me. But the tickets are bought and the flights booked. Just gotta get on with it.

 

[Cliffy]

I'll just relate my NYC experience. I showed up late at night at La Garbage airport and went to a hotel in Queens (That's another entire thread in itself) went to JFK next noon and went through he doors to the SAA terminal and found the radar range just inside the door. I asked the attendant if he wanted me to put my rifle case on the belt (this is BEFORE I got to the ticket counter). He stopped in his tracks, stared at me a said something into his Dick Tracy wrist radio. 40 seconds later 3 NYC cops have surrounded me with 2 more coming down the hall. One was a Sarge and his first question was, and I quote, "How long you been in NY city?" Having done my home work I knew where he was coming from (over 24 hrs requires registration with the police dept). I said, "16 hrs!" So he knew where I was coming from. They had me put it through the radar range and then they required SAA to send someone over to carry it to their counter. We're talking 50 feet.
So can it be done, yes! Do you want to do it NO! As I tell everyone I help go on their first safari, GO THROUGH ATL TO JNB AND THEN TRANSFER TO WHERE YOU WANT. Don't pass NYC don't pass Europe, just collect $200 and go through ATL. Why increase your frustration on a 16 hr flight.

 

[sestoppelman]

There is nothing wrong with going thru JFK as long as your domestic carrier transfers your guns to the next carrier, usually SAA. No worries. Its the best way if you have a connector at Joberg as it gets there in the morning in time to catch the next flight if you have one. And you wont have to overnight in Jo unless you want to. But when you do you have to do it all over again, next day. I am only having an issue this time because Jet Blue wont transfer the guns to SAA for some reason. They just wont.

 

[shakari]

I don't think it's particularly important whether you book through a PH, outfitter or agent but it is VITALLY important to book through a GOOD, HONEST, ETHICAL & RELIABLE PH, outfitter or agent.

There are all kinds of people in all parts of the industry so don't make the mistake of thinking (for example) that just because an agent is based in the US he knows what he's talking about or is even honest & will pass your money/booking on to the safari company.

 

[ChrisT]

Most people can "compile" a hunt contract...not all Outfitters "comply" with the terms of a hunt contract Some know the difference and some can do both...

As Shakari stated, whether you book through (Outfitter or Agent) is not as important as who you deal with.

Booking through an Outfitter direct is unlikely to save you any money but dealing with him directly, conversing with him and getting to know him (even if only via email/Internet) might well save you some grief in the long run.

There are many "Agents" out there who are selling hunts on behalf of Outfitters who have never met nor hunted with that Outfitter. I know this, because I have been approached by multiple individuals over the years who enquired about selling hunts for me without ever having met me.

Then there are those who became "Agents" after visiting Africa for the first time and figured they could earn some extra money by referring friends, family and whoever else to the Outfitter they hunted with... Or if it is not extra money, a free hunt works too sometimes.

I don't think there is an easy answer. There are some great agents and great outfitters out there. Ultimately, I think the best way forward is to contact those who appear to offer what you are looking for hunting-wise, interact with them, see if you can find a rapport with some and take it from there.

 

[Markschu]

Anyone familiar with Henley & Delamere?