How does african hunting work?

[Roland Tembo]

I wonder if anyone can tell me more about the legal aspects of african hunting, I mean... I know Africa is a continent of many different nations... but

For those nations where legal hunting is an option, how does it work? Does the government sell tags for managing the population directly to hunters?

So what with the whole interaction between hunters and PHs / Safari outfitters? Are these private hunting reserves? Or do they buy tags from the government allowing foreign hunters to pick the animals on their own?

Do you know if any private hunting reserve exist in african countries where it's not allowed to hunt on public land? Would this be legal?

I'd like to understand more about these modern safari "behind the scenes" and how the business works, please

 

[BRICKBURN]

I wonder if anyone can tell me more about the legal aspects of african hunting, I mean... I know Africa is a continent of many different nations... but

Your question is so broad as to be impossible to answer properly.
Explain hunting in Europe! Every country and every province can have different rules and laws.
National, Regional/Provincial, EU, City.

For those nations where legal hunting is an option, how does it work? Does the government sell tags for managing the population directly to hunters?

Yes and No. Some areas of some countries sell quota to Outfitters. Others, some of the game is privately held and some is not. Depends on the province in RSA for example.

So what with the whole interaction between hunters and PHs / Safari outfitters? Are these private hunting reserves? Or do they buy tags from the government allowing foreign hunters to pick the animals on their own?

Outfitters contract with hunters. PH's guide the hunters. Someone can be both an Outfitter and PH.
The Outfitter manages the hunt, not the hunter.

Do you know if any private hunting reserve exist in african countries where it's not allowed to hunt on public land? Would this be legal?

Plenty of private reserves/property where hunting is allowed. Some species can be hunted on private land while not being in season on public land. eg. Time of year. CAE in RSA changes access and hunting rights

I'd like to understand more about these modern safari "behind the scenes" and how the business works, please

Suffice to say. In the majority of cases an international hunter contracts with a qualified Outfitter to hunt a specific list of species, some of which may require qualification permitting (eg Rhino). The Outfitter will arrange everything related to and for the hunt while in country.
Look at the hunt offers and you will see what they include and exclude in the offer.

This will provide a general overview in RSA.
https://phasa.co.za/p20/legislation/regulation-of-the-trophy-hunting-industry.html

Here are 18 legal legal documents (Not the entire body of law relating to hunting in RSA by any stretch)
https://phasa.co.za/p90/legislation/provincial-ordinances-and-proclamations.html

Go to the PHASA site and look under "legislation"

Rinse and repeat for every country on the continent. Good luck.

 

[gillettehunter]

If you spend a while looking at hunt reports many have talked about the process of selecting an outfitter/PH for a hunt and that would answer many of your questions. Like Brickburn says each country has their own regulations and in RSA each providence has their own.
Bruce

 

[Altitude sickness]

“How does african hunting work?”​

It’s PFM. You hand them cash. And they convert it into animals. Then for 18 months afterwards. You keep sending cash to half a dozen companies to get your trophies home. Pure FN magic

 

[coreydb]

Its easier than you think and don't over think this. The safaris that offer hunt packages with pre-selected game, can be harvested when you go. They don't offer anything that can't be hunted.

 

[Roland Tembo]

Thank you people for the answers. BRICKBURN provided a ton of material.

I think I see your point, the outfitter is there for a reason: you give him money, he cares for all the bureaucracy and legal aspects of the thing.

So... it's not completely clear to foreign hunters -and many don't even waste time to ask- whether the game they're after is wild or bred, does come from a private reserve or from public land, ecc.

Also, most of them don't even care to try and understand whether that nation government would sell directly to international hunters a tag to go on a hunt on their own. If I'm not wrong... let's say the outfitter is the tour operator agency of the hunting experience, with all related fees but also comforts.

 

[Nyati]

Esatto @Roland Tembo

 

[VINOYASADO]

Reading this post, come to my mind many questions...

When the first PH's appeared? and the OUTFITERS?

Does the people in the 1900 just go to Africa and hunt whatever they want?

Is there any thread about the history of hunting in Africa ?

Un saludo!

 

[SETH RINGER]

I THINK TEDDY R. USED DALTON & YORK!

 

[thi9elsp]

Wrong. You will always know if wild, reserve sustaining or bred ( put and take)

As in Alaska certain species require you to use a local guide / ph. Because of risks (legal, predators, etc) most foreign hunters would not try to hunt on there own even if allowed

What is your hunting experience? Animals countries rifle calibers etc?

 

[Roland Tembo]

When the first PH's appeared? and the OUTFITERS?

I think I can answer this one. There is this nice book, "White Hunters" by Brian Herne.

Apparently, scostman Alan Black could be the OEM PH. At some point some british aristocrat hired him and a somali hunter to guide a safari. Since Alan surname was the same english word for the skin tone of the somali hunter, with whom the different spoken language already complicated things, the aristocrat ruled he would just refer to the somali fella "black hunter" and Alan Black "white hunter".

I guess outfitters started to get in there when safari became a profitable business and things turned the way they are today so... modern safari >> very different from traditional safari.

 

[Roland Tembo]

Wrong. You will always know if wild, reserve sustaining or bred ( put and take)

As in Alaska certain species require you to use a local guide / ph. Because of risks (legal, predators, etc) most foreign hunters would not try to hunt on there own even if allowed

What is your hunting experience? Animals countries rifle calibers etc?

I'd say I lack experience, Sir.

Anyway, good to know the provenance of the game you'll be hunting it's clear, I think it can make a great difference in overall experience. I believe hunting on public land is more true of an experience.

Still, I don't understand... even if true that most foreign hunters would not try to hunt on their own even if allowed... could they?

I mean, some safari hunt video you can easily see on some outfitters Youtube channels seems to me super-boring in the shoes of the foreign hunter, he is basically treated like a puppet constantly told what to do 'till he squeeze the trigger.

I mean, surely a high success rate hunt but actually no real use of your own skills outside of shooting from the stick. Sounds a bit like cheating on the skills of the PH and the overall guidance from the outfitter?

Or at least this is the first impression.