How well seasoned are you?

[bashaw]

Unfortunately such mentality is always present. High percentage. Many hunters in my vicinity, prefer to hunt for free or for cheap. This is the reason to join hunting club, although for hunting this is not mandatory. But non members of a club pay, while club member have very conveniently priced annual membership fee with obligation of some voluntary work.
They are happy to bag a hog and bring it home. I am sure, on many occasion they forget the tag. Which is the reason why so many club managed hunting areas are depleted of game. So:
"You are crazy to pay so much money for safari, and not bring meat home".

Another view: "I will never hunt in Africa, before I hunt all the species available in our country". BTW 90% of hunters never get all the species, because they dont even try. Roe deer and boar and thats it, most common game.

The first is attitude of a poacher for a cheap meat. The second is just excuse for the people to stay in their comfort zone.

I'm a ways away from getting the N American 29, no skin off my teeth I'm 3 sheep, Goat, Wolf, Tule Elk and Grizzly away. For the price of one of the Sheep hunts, thats 2 or 3 trips to Africa, The Wolf is very high on my list.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I am surprised that I am the only one who had their first Africa hunt as a teenager. No one else had parents take you on hunts?

@Tanks
I took my son when he was 14.
Acquitted himself well with a big standard Howa 308 with 150 gn accubond and 140gn mono outer edge projectiles. Game from impala to zebra and gemsbok/ oryx
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I started late ( 54 )
But these year I took my 14 year old Son with me!!

View attachment 644657View attachment 644658

@Kilo
I go so much joy watching my son hunt Namibia and still do everytime we hunt together at home.
Just gives you a sense of pride that only a father can understand.
Bob

 

[R eight]

I’ve noticed through reading several of these threads that many here are older that I had initially presumed, many north of 60.

That makes sense given the nature of African Hunting and the financial position required to support this interest.

Just curious what the demographic breakdown is here. I’m in my 30’s for reference.

I’d also be interested to know at what age you started to pursue this interest?

I still haven’t got to Africa and I’m in my mid 60’s….so I’m still young.

I can come up with any number of excuses for not getting to Africa. But, I guess that the real reason has been that I haven’t prioritised it so far. I had the opportunity to go in’93 but the opportunity to shoot at Camp Perry came along at the same time. Camp Perry won and I have no regrets.
Then I figured that I’d better hunt NZ and Alaska and Canada whilst I can still climb hills. I figured Africa is probably flatter and more forgiving of old men. Who knows ? I certainly hope so. So, four NA hunts down and that itch has been scratched ….sort of.

Anyway, NZ again next year and every year after while I can ….and Africa for late 2025 or definitely in 2026. Elephant and or buffalo.

Nice to have first world problems.

 

[R eight]

I am surprised that I am the only one who had their first Africa hunt as a teenager. No one else had parents take you on hunts?

I guess my parents didn’t love me. If they had have then I’m sure my dad would have robbed a bank or three to finance a safari.

 

[DillonG]

I once had that chase the draw for mule deer, elk and bear bug and never got any results, now I’m strictly private land or international hunting, way more productive
And cost efficient, just my 57 year old 2ct
I survived cancer and it really helped me realize life is short and the world is a big place
To have tunnel vision on the western states , when Mexico, Yukon, Africa, Australia
Mid Asia hold a lot more freedom and buying power for free range animals and adventures, going when you are young and healthy has lots of benefits and merit

I would love to go on a hunt in Alaska or BC. The wife and I are going through IVF. So that burns about $5k/month. That is dependent on what we had done the month previous. Until this is done, I will keep buying my points and living vicariously through hunt reports on AH and other websites.

 

[Hunt anything]

I’m only 60 for another month from today. I hunted Mozambique in 2014 at 50, made it to South Africa in 2018 and twice in 2021. Planning on another RSA trip in 25, after that no more RSA but hopefully will do a Zambia or another Mozambique hunt to finish up my Africa “career” by the time I turn 65 in 2028.

I should amend this, I do want to hunt RSA one more time. I want to return to the Eastern Cape and hunt with Wic and Game 4 Africa one more time!

 

[DillonG]

I should amend this, I do want to hunt RSA one more time. I want to return to the Eastern Cape and hunt with Wic and Game 4 Africa one more time!

Is the travel and time away from home what is keeping you from going back in maybe 2026 or 2027? I still have a long way before retirement. I am curious what your reasoning is.

 

[Hunt anything]

Is the travel and time away from home what is keeping you from going back in maybe 2026 or 2027? I still have a long way before retirement. I am curious what your reasoning is.

I like to have everything home and paid for before going on another safari. Plus my wife wants to do some non hunting trips. She has been so supportive of my hunting travels I have no problems with her planning some adventures. She doesn’t hunt but tags along on my African trips and really enjoys it. My tentative plans are a wilderness hunt with a return to Mozambique or Zambia, we are going to RSA in August ‘25 that she actually booked for us. Then the Moz or Zambia in ‘27 and go back to Game 4 Africa in ‘29, the trip to G4A may be my retirement present to myself except farmers don’t really ever retire.

 

[Rare Breed]

I guess my parents didn’t love me. If they had have then I’m sure my dad would have robbed a bank or three to finance a safari.

No surprise to answer @Tanks comment about not many teen agers hunting Africa. Over 50% of us 50+. Unfortunately while not a rich man’s game raising family takes its financial hit. I put my two kids through college spending over $300,000 cash to do so but well worth it…think about the opportunity cost for Africa safari’s with that money!!!!!

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

No surprise to answer @Tanks comment about not many teen agers hunting Africa. Over 50% of us 50+. Unfortunately while not a rich man’s game raising family takes its financial hit. I put my two kids through college spending over $300,000 cash to do so but well worth it…think about the opportunity cost for Africa safari’s with that money!!!!!

You could’ve told your kids to join the army or get good at sports and re-allocated those funds to Africa. Thats what my parents told me growing up, but then again they didn’t have the funds to re-allocate, hence never going to Disney World either.

 

[375Fox]

I would love to go on a hunt in Alaska or BC. The wife and I are going through IVF. So that burns about $5k/month. That is dependent on what we had done the month previous. Until this is done, I will keep buying my points and living vicariously through hunt reports on AH and other websites.

Sitka blacktail deer in SE Alaska is the most affordable hunt in Alaska. Also one of the most unique landscapes I’ve ever hunted. Huge old growth forest, clear cuts, and mountain alpine. The first hunt I did was in August in the alpine while bucks were still in velvet. The second I did was in November during the rut. I got to salmon fish, set crab traps, as well as take 5 bucks, just a great experience at a similar price to most mule deer hunts.

 

[DillonG]

Sitka blacktail deer in SE Alaska is the most affordable hunt in Alaska. Also one of the most unique landscapes I’ve ever hunted. Huge old growth forest, clear cuts, and mountain alpine. The first hunt I did was in August in the alpine while bucks were still in velvet. The second I did was in November during the rut. I got to salmon fish, set crab traps, as well as take 5 bucks, just a great experience at a similar price to most mule deer hunts.

That is actually fantastic. Would black bear be possible with a Sitka hunt?

 

[DillonG]

I like to have everything home and paid for before going on another safari. Plus my wife wants to do some non hunting trips. She has been so supportive of my hunting travels I have no problems with her planning some adventures. She doesn’t hunt but tags along on my African trips and really enjoys it. My tentative plans are a wilderness hunt with a return to Mozambique or Zambia, we are going to RSA in August ‘25 that she actually booked for us. Then the Moz or Zambia in ‘27 and go back to Game 4 Africa in ‘29, the trip to G4A may be my retirement present to myself except farmers don’t really ever retire.

I’m a farm kid, I get it. Farmers never truly retire. I hope you and your wife enjoy your travels!

 

[375Fox]

That is actually fantastic. Would black bear be possible with a Sitka hunt?

Yes and no. I hunted on prince of wales island. The seasons overlap in September but it’s a more difficult time to hunt deer. If you go it needs to be focused on one. Black bear for non-residents are also on a draw in that particular area (if not hunting through an outfitter). Deer tags are over counter.

 

[Rare Breed]

You could’ve told your kids to join the army or get good at sports and re-allocated those funds to Africa. Thats what my parents told me growing up, but then again they didn’t have the funds to re-allocate, hence never going to Disney World either.

lol! I played football at GA Tech but sadly my son could not catch a football if I stabled it to his hands

 

[dchamp]

My father didn’t hunt. I started hunting in my yearly 50’s. I took my youngest son on my first African hunt. He was 17 and I was 60. I am now 72.

 

[Matt 72]

I dreamt of Africa as a kid here in Australia but never thought it would be something I would get to do or afford!!
But July this year myself and mate went to Namibia for plains game and love it and will definitely be back again, maybe East Cape next trip !!!
I’m 52 so hopefully get couple more trips in!!
Planning to do Canada black bear and Texas Aoudad hunt in next few years and then back to Africa!!!!
Anyone thinking of doing Africa, just get it done you won’t regret it !!!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I’m in my late 30’s and have been hunting since I was legally old enough offer tagging along with my dad well before I could. I have 3-10 states a year (mostly public land) and take at least one international trip a year.


I grew-up hunting with my dad but in a lower class household. Hunting was always on the family 20ac or somewhere we had permission for. We’d often improve the freezer stock with a couple roadkills, slaughtering some of the pigs, chickens, or a cow. Out of state or international hunting wasn’t even a thought. I first started applying for out of state tags my senior year of high school without my parents knowledge or permission (or understanding of how they worked) thinking if I got a permit I’d pack up the old truck I owned, tent, and sleeping bag to drive out there and hunt until I was successful or the season ended.

My dad in his 60’s still thought Africa was just “trophy hunting” and looked down on it in 2018/2019 when I asked if he’d join me on my first hunt. My mom had to convince him to join me. Now he’s about to join me on his 2nd safari and bringing my mom since she retired from teaching this year. He’s tagged along on a couple of US Hunts I’ve drawn tags for as well and if finally open to the idea of applying himself.

@Mtn_Infantry
Father's can be strange things at times. We think you yougn's don't know much at times but are amazed when we take the time at how much you do know and that you have actually listened to us sometime.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I dreamt of Africa as a kid here in Australia but never thought it would be something I would get to do or afford!!
But July this year myself and mate went to Namibia for plains game and love it and will definitely be back again, maybe East Cape next trip !!!
I’m 52 so hopefully get couple more trips in!!
Planning to do Canada black bear and Texas Aoudad hunt in next few years and then back to Africa!!!!
Anyone thinking of doing Africa, just get it done you won’t regret it !!!

@Mat 72
I was in the same boat, always thought Africa was to expensive. After talking to my mate Ted Mitchell about hunting buff in Australia he said why waste money on shooting a wild plough cow as he calls them when you can hunt Africa cheaper. I looked into it and he was right. Had a great family hunt and sightseeing trip ( 21days in total) for really good value.
Bob