Bring or Rent?

[K-man]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I think this time I am going to rent. I would get another form done but since I started a new job and already took a day off to do it once... Just this time to get my bearings on everything (especially since I’ve hardly ever left Wyoming and surrounding states) I think renting would be better for me. I may regret it but since this is my first time to Africa I’m going to focus more on the adventure. It really appreciate the help. My Booking guy for the safari sadly isn’t going into much detail to help me make my decision

You can always take your own ammunition along so you have a quality supply, and no special forms to get ahead of time. The outfitter may cut you a deal to leave an extra box or two exchange for rental.

 

[dmyers]

I tend to rent if not going after dangerous game. While I really like my own rifles, I am more of a hunter then a gun guy- if I didnt hunt, I doubt I would shoot recreationally. So, as long as the rifle is of decent quality, I've had little problem with using them. And I've enjoyed trying new calibers, models and suppressors while hunting. I would suggest not only making sure the gun is "on" at the range but also shooting a few extra and cycling the loads through the action at the range. Helps you work any bugs out and get used to trigger. It's worth the added ammunition cost in my view.

Renting has the advantage of making pre, post, and layover non-hunting side trips much easier.

In the end, guns are a tool for a job. If the right tool can be found close to the job site and save me the hassle and risk to my own tools at home, then I'd rather rent.

 

[Clayton d]

I have a hunt planned in September, the current form 4457 expires August 31 2019, anyone know when the forms expiration date will be updated with a later date?
Sorry to get off topic a bit.

 

[wesheltonj]

I have a hunt planned in September, the current form 4457 expires August 31 2019, anyone know when the forms expiration date will be updated with a later date?
Sorry to get off topic a bit.

As you are aware, that 4457 will not work for your trip. Not sure when a new date 4457 will be available. I would suggest that you keep checking Customs website weekly.

 

[Newboomer]

I would say take your own rifle(s) and ammo. I have to because I have short arms and all my stocks are cut to fit. If you take your own ammo you know what you've got and how it shoots. I can shoot a regular stocked gun but it takes some doing to crane my neck to see through the scope. Not comfortable and I don't like the chance of a miss or wounding an animal.

 

[JimP]

I would say to contact Henry at Rifle Permits and talk to him.

I presume that you are going to fly out of SLC? If so you could always have a 4457 made up that day at the airport. If you plan on doing this I would call in advance and explain what is going on to make sure that they have the correct dated forms on hand and are ready for you. Then just get to the airport another hour or two early so that you can get it all done.

I took my own rifle on my first trip, however if I go back I'll rent a rifle while there. But it was fantastic taking all my first African trophies with my own rifle.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Different strokes but no way I'm renting a rifle. My shooting regime is three days a week practicing 100 to 500 meters. Your hunt's distances may vary but there's nothing like knowing EXACTLY how your rifle shoots. As far as hassle? If hunting RSA, get your permits in advance from one of the firms that specialize in it. Six trips, different airlines, different routes including Germany and France, never had a problem. You just have to do your homework.

Download the form from this site: https://www.cbp.gov/document/forms/form-4457-certificate-registration-personal-effects-taken-abroad

or just print out this one:

 

[wesheltonj]

Download the form from this site: https://www.cbp.gov/document/forms/form-4457-certificate-registration-personal-effects-taken-abroad

or just print out this one:

That one is the problem - it expires August 31, 2019 and he leaves in September 2019.

 

[Eric Anderson]

I have a hunt planned in September, the current form 4457 expires August 31 2019, anyone know when the forms expiration date will be updated with a later date?
Sorry to get off topic a bit.

Not that I would suggest doing anything shady, but you can download a blank 4457 and photoshop a new expiration date on it, print it out, then have it filled out.

Do not under any circumstances alter one already filled out. That has to be illegal.

 

[Hogpatrol]

That one is the problem - it expires August 31, 2019 and he leaves in September 2019.

The op says late May. That's what I was referring to. Interesting they won't take one with no date. I've used them and no problems. I use Gracy Travel. They have people that work in RSA and have been doing it for decades. For me, winging it just doesn't get it.

 

[RogerHeintzman]

To keep it short, i will be renting for me leopard in June. Taken rifles many time of my 10 safaris.
If it is out of the way to renew your 4457 and you are not changing anything on your origianl 4457, check with the Customs office you work with and just maybe they will let you mail in the old 4457 and make you a new one and return it to you.
I've done this with my agent as long as nothing changes on my 4457. A 6 hr round trip otherwise.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[Bushpig4Ever]

In October 2018 I hunted in Zimbabwe. I had taken my rifle along whereas my companion had left his at home. However what a shock: both of the ph's rifles were out of order. Just think of it, the ph has two rifles, both are not in proper working condition! What a disaster.
The telescope of the one rifle can be moved in the scope mounts. The telescope of the other rifle is damaged inside. It wasn‘t possible to zero in the two rifles properly. Hearing protection was unavailable. Bring your own rifle 'cause you don't know the quality of the ph's rifles. We were after buffalo, during the seven days we just saw one buffalo, a youngish bull.

 

[Red Leg]

In October 2018 I hunted in Zimbabwe. I had taken my rifle along whereas my companion had left his at home. However what a shock: both of the ph's rifles were out of order. Just think of it, the ph has two rifles, both are not in proper working condition! What a disaster.
The telescope of the one rifle can be moved in the scope mounts. The telescope of the other rifle is damaged inside. It wasn‘t possible to zero in the two rifles properly. Hearing protection was unavailable. Bring your own rifle 'cause you don't know the quality of the ph's rifles. We were after buffalo, during the seven days we just saw one buffalo, a youngish bull.

Ugh. Sounds like an operation with all sorts of problems. Sorry you had that wasted trip. Did they have an explanation for lack of game?

 

[Red Leg]

So I do rent rifles when my bride and I hunt and travel in Europe. It is just easier than trying to play armed tourist for the remainder of our stay. However, our last trip to Spain offers a lesson on what can potentially go wrong. I used a .300 Win Mag Browning A-Bolt with Leica scope. Good solid rifle with great glass. However, the ammunition was standard Winchester 150 gr SP’s - a bullet that I would never have used from one of my .300’s. I shot a big boar broadside at 100 meters. It dropped him but he was far from dead and required another shot from 10 meters. The first shot blew up on the shoulder sending fragments into one lung. We were lucky not to have chased him all night.

When I have the option to bring my own artillery I do so. So many things can go wrong with any hunt, and borrowing a rifle simply adds another bunch of critical issues to an already long list.

 

[Bushpig4Ever]

Ugh. Sounds like an operation with all sorts of problems. Sorry you had that wasted trip. Did they have an explanation for lack of game?

We didn‘t need an explanation because the reason was obvious: lots of cattle, goats, donkeys and people, also poaching. Many cattle did have cow bells around the neck, the constant noise drove us nuts, an after-lunch rest was out of question.

 

[flatwater bill]

Bushpg...........sounds as if the PH's rifle quality made no difference. Sorry to hear. If one is going to hunt one locale, in one country, without any other destinations or stop overs, taking a rifle is an option. Otherwise, it is an easily avoidable hassle. And don't compare reports of taking a rifle into Namibia with taking a rifle into any other country. Most are more difficult........if you do take your own rifle, hire an importer....(and don't be surprised if they require your 1040 tax forms, 8 pages of SAPS nonesense, notarized POA, and a pair of coeds )..............My advice: for a Marco Polo hunt, take your rifle...............for a plains game hunt: use theirs..................................Best of luck..................FWB

 

[VonJager]

Took a rifle on my first safari, and I can now never part with it. Rented on trip 2, and renting this July. I would prefer to take my own, but in my cases, circumstances dictated renting was better.

4th trip, whatever and whenever that may be, I will take a rifle.

 

[Mitchell Greenwell]

Im going to rent on this trip and if Africa calls my name again I will probably go with a hunting friend and take our own rifles. For this first trip I’m going to focus more on the adventure than the kill and have a more focused hunting trip for next time

 

[Hogpatrol]

Im going to rent on this trip and if Africa calls my name again I will probably go with a hunting friend and take our own rifles. For this first trip I’m going to focus more on the adventure than the kill and have a more focused hunting trip for next time

What do you mean "if"???

 

[JimP]

What do you mean "if"???

There is always a "if" in the equation for a lot of us that scrimp and save for the first trip.

I would love to go back but for some reason finances always get in the way.