Does any Safari leading company offer senior citizen rates?

[Damonk1384]

They wouldnt be in business long if they did. There are many great deals out there however. Meet me at DSC or SCI and Ill show you around!

Thanks for the invite

 

[mark-hunter]

Maybe we can hear your theories on tipping too?

Hahaha, this is funny! "Warmongering" on forum! LOL

 

[375Fox]

Hahaha, this is funny! "Warmongering" on forum! LOL

I think it would be an interesting perspective. I’ve never seen a member who felt they were owed a free hunt as payment for their working years. Maybe they should receive a cash tip to leave Africa as additional payment? This whole thread was clearly something of a joke.

 

[mark-hunter]

The question, to be rephrased: what (African) hunting community can do, for hunters who on the end of their working life, or approaching the end of their natural life, were not able to afford hunt in Africa?
Elephant, buffalo, lion, iconic species, expensive. Ok. Leave it for liquid clients.

Is there anything else in all that Africa left to be offered?

Hunting is not social welfare. Fine.

Animals hunted should have their value, to keep the system running with economic incentive. We agree on that.
So, do we as community, favor only those who pay?

While animals have economic value, in the same time, how do we as hunting community - value, aging hunters with limited budget?

Zero?

F%^&&ck them?

(later edit: shooting jackal for free, still remains service to owner, jackal does not need to be 200$)

 

[375Fox]

The question, to be rephrased: what (African) hunting community can do, for hunters who on the end of their working life, or approaching the end of their natural life, were not able to afford hunt in Africa?
Elephant, buffalo, lion, iconic species, expensive. Ok. Leave it for liquid clients.

Is there anything else in all that Africa to be offered?

Hunting is not social welfare. Fine.

Animals hunted should have their value, to keep the system running with economic incentive. We agree on that.
So, do we as community, favor only those who pay?

While animals have economic value, in the same time, how do we as hunting community - value, aging hunters with limited budget?

Zero?

F%^&&ck them?

The quote pulled from the OP from a different thread in post 43 combined with his post 87 creates a very different picture. This went from discount to no interest to should be free because providing a service. A person with real interest speaks to outfitters and comes up with a package inside their budget. Many are posted here less than $4000 food, lodging, animals just for those persons you mention.

 

[VertigoBE]

The question, to be rephrased: what (African) hunting community can do, for hunters who on the end of their working life, or approaching the end of their natural life, were not able to afford hunt in Africa?
Elephant, buffalo, lion, iconic species, expensive. Ok. Leave it for liquid clients.

Is there anything else in all that Africa left to be offered?

Hunting is not social welfare. Fine.

Animals hunted should have their value, to keep the system running with economic incentive. We agree on that.
So, do we as community, favor only those who pay?

While animals have economic value, in the same time, how do we as hunting community - value, aging hunters with limited budget?

Zero?

F%^&&ck them?

(later edit: shooting jackal for free, still remains service to owner, jackal does not need to be 200$)

Hi Mark,

I'm sure if the OP had made a post saying something like: "Hi, I'm 69 years old, I have always dreamt of going on a safari one day, but unfortunately my finances do not give me much leeway. What would be the absolute lowest cost I could go for a one week safari, shoot a few animals, have the experience and fullfill my dream?"--> I'm sure a few outfitters would have responded with an okay offer.

But go into any store, and the first words you utter are, "where is my discount?" or "I'll be helping the outfitter, he should pay me" this is not going to be very constructive in my opinion.

Which is why I re-iterate my previous post to @Damonk1384 : Describe the minimum experience that you are after, that would fulfill your dream. Then the sponsors and outfitters, as well as the AH members, have something to work with, maybe provide suggestions on exchanging one location for another, one animal for another, etc. to reduce cost even more. I'm confident something will be able to be worked out.

Heck, I'm sure there are even a few financial advisors on this forum, that could give some pointers on how to get the necessary sum together when your income is severely limited.

 

[Tanks]

First and foremost, the outfitters are running a business, not a charity. That being said looking at various offers over the years one can go to South Africa hunt a few species, all in for under $5K including airfare. No, it will not be business class airfare, trophy animals or any of the Big Five, but it will be hunting in Africa.

If a guy can't save $5K for dream of a lifetime ($6.85/day in 2 years) then maybe it is not the dream of a lifetime .

Edit: Here is an example,

Giraffe & Zebra Cull Hunt With HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS US$3,375

Here with is our offer for a Giraffe and zebra Cull hunt from our Buffalo bush camp in the Thabazimbi area of south Africa. This package can be booked for 2022/23 seasons from Feb-Nov Hunt details; This package is for 5 full hunting days and 1 travel day, accommodation will be provided...

www.africahunting.com

 

[mark-hunter]

If a guy can't save $5K for dream of a lifetime ($6.85/day in 2 years) then maybe it is not the dream of a lifetime .

I am saying this to many of my friends. (or, quit smoking, save money on cigarettes and go hunting in 3 years after quitting)

I have to say also this:
I buy second hand cars. Many of those who think Africa is expensive buy new cars. (or 3, to 4 cars for entire family with kids)
This is fine.
But my response to them: In that case - you are better driver then hunter! I am the opposite. I am lousy driver. (but my guns are perfect for hunting)

Its really down to deciding priorities in life.

 

[Cam300]

I am saying this to many of my friends. (or, quit smoking, save money on cigarettes and go hunting in 3 years after quitting)

I have to say also this:
I buy second hand cars. Many of those who think Africa is expensive buy new cars. (or 3, to 4 cars for entire family with kids)
This is fine.
But my response to them: In that case - you are better driver then hunter! I am the opposite. I am lousy driver. (but my guns are perfect for hunting)

Its really down to deciding priorities in life.

I get “I wish I could afford to go to Africa like you” all the time. The last time I heard it was from a close friend. We were sitting in his 90k brand new truck, towing him a 60k brand new boat. I love new trucks and new boats, but I like hunting more. Also, the only thing better than having a boat is having a friend with a boat.

Edit to add: all financed. Hard to save money when you only have $100 left over every month after house, car, and boat payments.

 

[ActionBob]

The question, to be rephrased: what (African) hunting community can do, for hunters who on the end of their working life, or approaching the end of their natural life, were not able to afford hunt in Africa?
Elephant, buffalo, lion, iconic species, expensive. Ok. Leave it for liquid clients.

Is there anything else in all that Africa left to be offered?

Hunting is not social welfare. Fine.

Animals hunted should have their value, to keep the system running with economic incentive. We agree on that.
So, do we as community, favor only those who pay?

While animals have economic value, in the same time, how do we as hunting community - value, aging hunters with limited budget?

Zero?

F%^&&ck them?

(later edit: shooting jackal for free, still remains service to owner, jackal does not need to be 200$)

Mark I'm not sure where you intended to go with this post.... Life choices are choices we all are free to make (Fortunately!) And we get to live with them. That is one hell of a lot more fair than some socialist idea.

But your later post referencing cars is spot on. (As is the cigarette one, I know, easy for a non smoker to say).

We all make choices in life. And choices have consequences! Almost every day we come to a fork in the road of life where we at least figuratively make a choice to right or left. Buy a Starbucks coffee or McDonald's. New car or drive what you have. Put in extra work or go to the bar. Most people make these choices without thinking about the consequences. I've seen people drop hundreds into pull tab boxes and then complain they can't afford something.... Choices.

By the time a person is 69 years old, those choices have made literally millions of dollars of difference!

No, the OP nor anyone else doesn't "deserve" any special pricing advantage over anyone else. What he does deserve is to do his research and shop around.

 

[ActionBob]

jackal does not need to be 200$

I raised this point with a favorite Outfitter who was charging for jackal, although not $200... I thought his explanation was very good so I'll share here.

Every weekend local hunters show up out in country to shoot jackal, bush pigs, and whatever else they can for free. They rile up all the wildlife screwing up the paid hunting and take out a lot of the less popular critters.

This Outfitter has substantial business night hunting and hunting the more obscure critters. So he pays land owners for jackals and everything else so they will not permit the locals running rampant over their farms. I was able to take 5 jackal with him, plus many other critters. And do it in the off season with tall green grass when hunting is difficult to say the least.

So I was happy to pay for those jackals and have a better, more natural hunting experience

 

[davetexas]

I think you all are being trolled by a dreamer.

Good luck to the outfitters.....

 

[IvW]

No harm in asking....the OP may not be in a position to pay full price but has dreamt all his life about an African safari....who knows....
Most outfitters are looking to close out some availible dates....no harm in having the courage to ask....may just work out for both..

I am starting to doubt my own post after this.......

 

[R.M.C.]

If I can afford to go on a twelve day hunt in south Africa damn near everyone can. I make $18 an hour at a shitty little machine shop . I saved money for two years, about $100 per week. I drive a 2007 pickup truck and have a wife and two kids. Wife works part time. It's definitely an attainable goal for many people. I've seen hunts advertised on here for very little money, I remember a zebra and Impala hunt for $1200 or something. I will never be able to afford an elephant or hippo hunt but that's ok with me. I'll hunt the "cheap animals" lol Africa is surprisingly affordable, all things considered. You can pay for the travel portion, then ten months later go on the hunt, come home, and start saving to pay off taxidermy and shipping. That's the end of my rant on the subject lol

 

[mark-hunter]

The truth is: Hunting in Africa (actually Namibia and South Africa) is still best international hunting deal.
The bad part is: other attractive African destinations are not so.

 

[R.M.C.]

The truth is: Hunting in Africa (actually Namibia and South Africa) is still best international hunting deal.
The bad part is: other attractive African destinations are not so.

Well put!

 

[ActionBob]

The truth is: Hunting in Africa (actually Namibia and South Africa) is still best international hunting deal.
The bad part is: other attractive African destinations are not so.

Agree with half your statement.

However I have seen and taken some great deals in Zimbabwe and even Tanzania.

It is difficult to compare a 21 day full bag hunt with almost anything else offered in the World. Not many other hunts go over 10 days and for that you are likely talking about Alaska or Canada brown bears, moose or sheep. Or an Asian bear, sheep or goat hunt. Those North America or Asian hunts are going to very likely be rough accommodations and sparse meals, probably no showers much less unlimited hot water. Very unlikely you will get a shot at multiple animals and if you do it might be 2 or 3. Certainly not the many opportunities you will likely get in Africa. Tbe exception might be an elephant hunt but on mine took Impala and Buffalo.

For what you get, even a 21 day Tanzania hunt is a "good deal".

 

[Damonk1384]

If I can afford to go on a twelve day hunt in south Africa damn near everyone can. I make $18 an hour at a shitty little machine shop . I saved money for two years, about $100 per week. I drive a 2007 pickup truck and have a wife and two kids. Wife works part time. It's definitely an attainable goal for many people. I've seen hunts advertised on here for very little money, I remember a zebra and Impala hunt for $1200 or something. I will never be able to afford an elephant or hippo hunt but that's ok with me. I'll hunt the "cheap animals" lol Africa is surprisingly affordable, all things considered. You can pay for the travel portion, then ten months later go on the hunt, come home, and start saving to pay off taxidermy and shipping. That's the end of my rant on the subject lol

Don’t end the rant, please. Saving $100 a week while making $18 an hour (40 hour work week) is very admirable. Consider that after taking out taxes, Fed and State if in California, you are really looking at $1,616 a month take home pay. With a wife and two kids, That my friend, is determination.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I get “I wish I could afford to go to Africa like you” all the time. The last time I heard it was from a close friend. We were sitting in his 90k brand new truck, towing him a 60k brand new boat. I love new trucks and new boats, but I like hunting more. Also, the only thing better than having a boat is having a friend with a boat.

Edit to add: all financed. Hard to save money when you only have $100 left over every month after house, car, and boat payments.

The term "opportunity cost" is foreign to so many people, it's pathetic.

 

[R.M.C.]

Don’t end the rant, please. Saving $100 a week while making $18 an hour (40 hour work week) is very admirable. Consider that after taking out taxes, Fed and State if in California, you are really looking at $1,616 a month take home pay. With a wife and two kids, That my friend, is determination.

Yep, I wasn't fuckin around when I said I really wanted to hunt in Africa lol. I'm planning another trip for 2025 now, I'm hoping my truck lasts that long hahaha. It helps a lot that my job is five miles from my house and the house is paid off. I can get away with a beater truck . I grew up thinking the only Americans hunting in Africa were rich assholes, but I made it so that's definitely not the case.