First safari

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Pretty sure there arent flights anymore to polomwane/pburg
So check transfers from jhb

Regards

 

[Ryan]

So, Do you have a hunting partner? This is a 2 person hunt and if you upgrade so must your partner it seems. And the way it reads those three management animals are split between the two of you. I could be wrong, I'd find out. The lack of a trophy fee list on their website spooks me. I'd want to know that before I committed to a hunt. Pick up and drop off from an airport? And which airport?

As for rifle, I've said exactly what @Tanks said to people. Whatever you can comfortably kill a bull elk with out to maybe 300 yards. Chances are good you won't be shooting farther than 200 but longer shots may happen. Practice on sticks, a lot. As for baboon, talk to the outfitter about that. The places I've been on where they existed they get shot at enough they didn't stick around when they saw people and they have incredible eyesight. So you may be taking a long shot on one.

 

[Tanks]

Looking at the specifications of the hunt, I would not go all the way to Africa for 5 hunting days for sharing 3 management female/non-trophy animals with another person. Also, you have to pay $1,000 to book it to start.

It is one of the worst offers I have ever seen, designed to make one "upgrade".

 

[Hunt anything]

Agree with Tanks I’ve never understood the deposit or whatever they call it to reserve a donated hunt, I will bid and have won donated hunts but stay clear of that type and will probably do it again. But on this hunt take what they offer have a good time upgrade if possible and enjoy Africa!

 

[ActionBob]

Looking at the specifications of the hunt, I would not go all the way to Africa for 5 hunting days for sharing 3 management female/non-trophy animals with another person. Also, you have to pay $1,000 to book it to start.

It is one of the worst offers I have ever seen, designed to make one "upgrade".

As I read it, there are 5 total critters. A choice of 3 larger ones and a choice of 2 smaller/cheaper.

And that $1000 booking fee is each so $2000. And if going alone it is an extra $500 thus the $1000 becomes a $1500 booking fee. So essentially you can bring another person for $500.... about standard observer fee for 5 days in Limpopo these days.

So you are paying $3800 for 5 days for two people and can shoot 5 cull animals.

The very first thing you want to do is check on the price list of those extra trophy animals you want to take. Then compare to 5 day plains game hunts on here.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Has anyone ever gotten a good deal on one of these auction/bid hunts? If so, I'd like to hear about it and how it was CHEAPER than similarly booked hunts.

As I read it, there are 5 total critters. A choice of 3 larger ones and a choice of 2 smaller/cheaper.

And that $1000 booking fee is each so $2000. And if going alone it is an extra $500 thus the $1000 becomes a $1500 booking fee. So essentially you can bring another person for $500.... about standard observer fee for 5 days in Limpopo these days.

So you are paying $3800 for 5 days for two people and can shoot 5 cull animals.

The very first thing you want to do is check on the price list of those extra trophy animals you want to take. Then compare to 5 day plains game hunts on here.

Bob, under UPGRADES, it states 3 animals and that's split between two guys. The only question to ask is how much are more cull animals and trophy animal costs.
Excluded are sealed and bottled beverages and alcohol. What's that mean? Cash bar? Spigot water?
I'm with Tanks. This is a poor "deal".

 

[JimP]

In my reading of it the only beverage that is included in the hunt is tap water. Everything else is a cash bar.

If you do decided on other animals get the price in a email, and see if it is on their concession or if you need to travel and if there are any other expenses if you do travel outside of their property.

While this may be a fun hunt by the time that you start adding up all the extra charges you could of found a hunt with one of the forum sponsors that would be quite close to the same cost if not less.

Then there is the expense of trophy care once it hits the taxidermist, who do they recommend? What is the cost of dip and pack? Shipping back here to the US varies quite a bit in these days.

Of all the "I won a hunt in South Africa" threads that I have read very few come out with a positive review.

 

[ActionBob]

Has anyone ever gotten a good deal on one of these auction/bid hunts? If so, I'd like to hear about it and how it was CHEAPER than similarly booked hunts.

Bob, under UPGRADES, it states 3 animals and that's split between two guys. The only question to ask is how much are more cull animals and trophy animal costs.
Excluded are sealed and bottled beverages and alcohol. What's that mean? Cash bar? Spigot water?
I'm with Tanks. This is a poor "deal".

Yup, they keep the devil hidden in the details for sure. I realize these outfits are pressed hard to donate to all the various organizations putting on the trade shows. I just wish they would be .ore transparent. I have seen similar deals where a trophy fee price list is included. That's a great start. I looked on this outfits website and under prices it says to contact them...

Two more quick stories on this;
I bought a Spain deal for $1500. Final cost when everything was included came to $25,000. The $1500 simply became 100% donation to the organization. I'm at peace with that because they are a good group.

I was at the local Man Mall (Mills Fleet Farm) checking out the reloading supplies a few years ago and struck up a conversation with a guy very excited to go on his hunt he won. He planned a kudu upgrade for which the outfitter quoted him $4500 but gave him a "deal" at $3500. At that time trophy kudu were going for $1500.

 

[BLJC30]

Has anyone ever gotten a good deal on one of these auction/bid hunts? If so, I'd like to hear about it and how it was CHEAPER than similarly booked hunts.

I feel like I got a good deal on the one that I won. 7 days all inclusive and includes a trophy Impala and a trophy Blue Wildebeest for $650.00. However, I will be adding more trophies and now the whole family wants to go, so the trip isn't such a bargain anymore! LOL

 

[Buffalo1]

With your variety of animals to choose from a 30.06 would be adequate. Looks like you will be picked up in Poke, but plane ticket from Joburg to Poke is included in the deal.

Enjoy your hunt !!

 

[ActionBob]

Has anyone ever gotten a good deal on one of these auction/bid hunts? If so, I'd like to hear about it and how it was CHEAPER than similarly booked hunts.

Bob, under UPGRADES, it states 3 animals and that's split between two guys. The only question to ask is how much are more cull animals and trophy animal costs.
Excluded are sealed and bottled beverages and alcohol. What's that mean? Cash bar? Spigot water?
I'm with Tanks. This is a poor "deal".

Yea I re-read it. 3 total with one larger species and two smaller ones. And that drinks thing.

Still might be a salvageable deal if the trophy fee list is reasonable and the charges for drinks are cheap. PIA keeping count. I'd probably ask to stop off at one of the grocery stores and liquor stores along the way and just stock up my own supply.

It does appear to be a 5 day hunt in the way African outfits typically look at it.

 

[Rubberhead]

My thoughts:
You're getting a safari package worth about $3,500 for $1,000. Add the sunk cost of $5k for two airline tickets, baggage, etc. and you're out of pocket about $6k you can add 5 day for another $2k - do it. Add trophy animals, at this point, would be a bargain if you consider the incremental cost. They are a Christian family but, the down side, they seem to have a Clemson graduate in the family so I color them suspect...Go Cocks...haha

If you do take the base package you can try to take the management animals as quickly as possible and make a couple of day trips to nearby Kruger.

 

[Hunt anything]

I feel I got an outstanding deal on an auction hunt. Paid about 4500.00, 10 days and an observer. Trophy fee for a roan antelope. I added 5 animals and kept the total price of about 10000.00. If everything was charged in full it would have pushed 20,000. The 30” roan I shot would have been 8,500. So I think I made out pretty well, and I added pretty good animals, klipsringer bushbuck, blesbok, springbok and gemsbok.

 

[ActionBob]

My thoughts:
You're getting a safari package worth about $3,500 for $1,000. Add the sunk cost of $5k for two airline tickets, baggage, etc. and you're out of pocket about $6k you can add 5 day for another $2k - do it. Add trophy animals, at this point, would be a bargain if you consider the incremental cost. They are a Christian family but, the down side, they seem to have a Clemson graduate in the family so I color them suspect...Go Cocks...haha

If you do take the base package you can try to take the management animals as quickly as possible and make a couple of day trips to nearby Kruger.

He paid $1800 at the auction, plus must pay $1000 each to actually book dates so for two people he has $3800 in so far. I agree that could be worse and adding 5 days would be a decent deal if trophy fees are reasonable. Or the hunt can likeky easily be done within the 5 days even adding a couple trophy animals. I think for the common species you can plan to average 1.5 to 2 animals per day in that South African model. Just be careful you don't average 3 with the culls

Otherwise the Kruger idea is an excellent one! "If" a car can be rented in Lois Trichard or Polokwane, or through the outfitter. A do it yourself Kruger tour is easily done with a nice day drive over and back. On line booking of accommodations in Kruger is easy. Alternatively there are plenty of tour operators who will do it for you and provide a guide and transportation. Just don't be surprised if the cost is higher than the hunt.. Your outfitter may even offer that.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Go and enjoy it, Africa is very special, so much more than the thrift store image some have portrayed here. The sun, the air, the fire chat, the hunt itself, the memories. I am happy to pay more for all this than you have been charged, and I live in Africa!

 

[thi9elsp]

I've done both of my safaris on auction hunts from DSC.

2012 - 12 days - plus travel days: $12,000. Hunter and observer. 10 days including buffalo trophy fee. 2 days fishing. Including Videographer and 30 minute edited video of the hunting portion. Shot Kudu, Chobe Bushbuck and Impala for standard trophy fees. This was in the Zambezi Valley.

2016 - new PH to DSC. Simon helped me on knowing about the guy in Mozambique Niassa province. 11 days hunting plus travel days hunter and observer. Day rates included had to pay for trophy fees. $3,400. Trophy fees were very reasonable and none of the 'Mozambique' you have to pay the license fee stuff to hunt it. I killed cape buffalo, eland, sable, reedbuck, warthog, and hartebeest.

I don't bid on any of the SA plains game hunts as they never appear to be 'good deals'.

The best deal I saw this year at DSC and SCI was Thormahlen and Chochran hippo in the Caprivie, 5 days including trophy fees and they went for around $5 - 6,500. Everything else (non-SA plains game) was going at or above normal safari rates direct with the outfit.

 

[Rubberhead]

He paid $1800 at the auction

Woops - I missed that part.

 

[fourfive8]

To the OP- whatever you do, use due diligence. How good a deal is it??- anyone's guess. I'm sure you'll have a great hunt if you go in eyes open.

Since you mentioned baboons.... this shows how that looks to anyone, whether they hunt not, whether it is legal or not. This guy, an EX game commissioner from Idaho, obviously not the sharpest arrow in the quiver, paid the price and likely still is.

 

[TXhunter65]

I haven’t had trophy fees increase on donated hunts in fact it was just the opposite, my outfitters have always gone the extra mile working on my budget. One even gave me a free trophy if I agreed to shoot a little higher dollar animal.

As usual I could be wrong but I would assume most outfitters increase trophy fees on donated hunts to recoop some of the cost of the donation. Attached are the two price lists I was provided, one was for the donated hunt and the other was from a US rep for the same outfitter to use when booking direct. As can be seen some of the animals trophy fees are significantly increased. I was just trying to inform the OP of situations he may encounter.

 

[Hunt anything]

Never seen that before and I’ve looked over dozens of auction hunts, maybe I missed it as most say “ as current price list “ definitely something to look out for.