CAUTION: Mozambique Senga Senga Hunting Safaris

[BushPig1963]

Just a word of warning from SA media - apologies if it has featured before: https://www.citizen.co.za/network-n...t-of-thousands-by-barberton-hunting-operator/

 

[Scott CWO]

Yikes! Curt is former Outfitter himself.

 

[fourfive8]

Gee what could go wrong? — Facebook selfie like that and an auction hunt… laundry list of trophies… package deal!

I would imagine this is circulating through other sites around the net

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Something doesn't seem right. $45K up front for an auction hunt? My first safari I sent the operator a deposit for half the price of the advertised package. The last three safaris he has required no deposit. So one victim was formerly an outfitter in North America. Does he require full payment up front or just a deposit? No way would I ever pay that much just to book a hunt. But I don't care to hunt elephants so ...

 

[Hogpatrol]

Auction hunt, LOL. At 70 years of age, with that cost, one would think he would have known to get references.
Like my pappy used to say "Some people just have to learn the hard way".

 

[Ontario Hunter]

And the Lencioni guy from Great Falls, Montana works for his dad in their well known game meat processing plant and taxidermy studio. Would have thought those guys would be more astute given thirty years in the business of hunting.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Wow. Y’all see the other one in that article? $19k for buffalo, leopard and pg in Mozambique

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Wow. Y’all see the other one in that article? $19k for buffalo, leopard and pg in Mozambique

He's the taxidermist from Montana. I'm curious about the unnamd German guy who somehow got his money back for the bogus Godzilla crocodile hunt. That client must have known the right people in Mozambique govt.

So what's a leopard worth these days? Buffalo in RSA can be anywhere from eight to fifteen thousand US. I presume leopard must be at least that much?

Unclear from the article if the Canadian client was ripped off for total of $45K. Seems the gal was selling him a package where she was partially acting as agent. Apparently the South African end of the deal worked out. He finished that hunt and flew to Mozambique where she pulled a disappearing act. He had wired her $45K in February but did that include his South African safari which was presumably successful?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Never bid on an auction hunt, much less won one. But as far I know, no money ever goes to the outfitter on an auction. The hunt is a donation to the organization that is conducting the auction. Proceeds are taken 100% by the organization.

Perhaps there are arrangements I'm not aware of where the outfitter receives a portion of the funds. But I'd think that would be handled after the bidder has paid for their auction win. In other words they pay for that and behind the scenes there is some sort of pre-arranged split between the org and the outfitter.

Charging a winning bidder after the auction was won and paid for I would think would only be for additional trophies and/or hunting days.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Sad that back in February when the Canadian client was about to throw his fortune away, another fella came on African Hunting and asked about this outfit. The response was overwhelming: the auction stinks, stay away.

I see they still have a leopard hunt posted on an auction site for $10K. The auction site lists as Senga Senga's US contact a bowhunting influencer from Oregon named Brad Clemens. Included his phone number and Gmail address (lifewithabow81). I wonder what he's got to say about this? He's probably at the car wash trying to get the egg off his face.

 

[375Fox]

Never bid on an auction hunt, much less won one. But as far I know, no money ever goes to the outfitter on an auction. The hunt is a donation to the organization that is conducting the auction. Proceeds are taken 100% by the organization.

Perhaps there are arrangements I'm not aware of where the outfitter receives a portion of the funds. But I'd think that would be handled after the bidder has paid for their auction win. In other words they pay for that and behind the scenes there is some sort of pre-arranged split between the org and the outfitter.

Charging a winning bidder after the auction was won and paid for I would think would only be for additional trophies and/or hunting days.

Not all auctions are 100% donations. The outfitter can reserve a portion of the bid with the organization if they choose. Especially common on the bigger donation hunts in concession areas for dangerous game.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Not all auctions are 100% donations. The outfitter can reserve a portion of the bid with the organization if they choose. Especially common on the bigger donation hunts in concession areas for dangerous game.

I can believe that. However, I'd have to think there'd be a reserve amount or minimum bid required at start of auction. If minimum or reserve is met, the winning bidder pays that amount and no more, at least not for the hunt quoted. This story reads like the bidder paid for the auction and then paid more afterwards. But it's not terribly clear either.

Whatever the case, we do seem to have another case of a scam outfitter. I won't trash auction hunts, there not all like this that's for sure. But I would caution anyone bidding on a hunt to not get caught up in the moment and bidding on one where you haven't vetted the outfitter yourself.

 

[Safari1]

Something doesn't seem right. $45K up front for an auction hunt? My first safari I sent the operator a deposit for half the price of the advertised package. The last three safaris he has required no deposit. So one victim was formerly an outfitter in North America. Does he require full payment up front or just a deposit? No way would I ever pay that much just to book a hunt. But I don't care to hunt elephants so ...

Elephant are not even on license in Niassa!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Elephant are not even on license in Niassa!

It's not clear from the article if the package was strictly to hunt the Niassa area. When published, the Canadian guy was still in Africa hunting somewhere. And he had been in RSA before getting stood up at Moz airport. I guess I presumed a $45K package must have included elephant somewhere. Shouldn't assume anything.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

He's the taxidermist from Montana. I'm curious about the unnamd German guy who somehow got his money back for the bogus Godzilla crocodile hunt. That client must have known the right people in Mozambique govt.

So what's a leopard worth these days? Buffalo in RSA can be anywhere from eight to fifteen thousand US. I presume leopard must be at least that much?

Unclear from the article if the Canadian client was ripped off for total of $45K. Seems the gal was selling him a package where she was partially acting as agent. Apparently the South African end of the deal worked out. He finished that hunt and flew to Mozambique where she pulled a disappearing act. He had wired her $45K in February but did that include his South African safari which was presumably successful?

The article made its sound as if it was a package deal when listing the species but it can’t be if I’m correct. The trophy fees for the buffalo and leopard alone would be over half of that $19k, trophy fees probably $4500-5500 for the buffalo and at least $7k for the leopard (not to mention baiting) I would think. And then probably 14 days of daily rate, pg trophy fees and transfers on top of that.

 

[Dirtdart]

I don't know anything about this particular situation other than this thread but 45K would have to be a deposit.
If there is a reputable outfitter that can offer that species list for that price in Moz all in I would like to see it listed on this site.

 

[fourfive8]

Obviously that is a deposit of some percentage. Such deposits in and of themselves would not be the red flag. Auction hunts for whatever reason seem to be prone to issues - use caution and guard should go up. That selfie as posted on Facebook by the operator would be another “ look out!”. Now no contact after significant $ sent… prepare to panic!

 

[SETH RINGER]

FOREST GUMP "STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES"

 

[PerH]

Arnt there a ongoing incursion in that northern region there also now ?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Her Facebook selfie is real classy. I guess that overhead angle was supposed to enhance her cleavage? A box of Kleenex would have had better effect.