How well seasoned are you?

[Bandera]

Hunted South Africa last at 58. We are turning next year and then again in 2027. 2027 trip will be to Namibia. The 2025 trip I am taking two young men I have mentored since they where 4 and 6 years old. They will be 34 and 36 next year. I taught them to shoot, to hunt and many other life lessons and now it is passing the passion along.

 

[Cheesehead]

I’m the same age and hunters in my circle can’t seem to separate the idea of trophy hunting from poaching.

“Why would you want to shoot a Buffalo/Lion/Elephant?” Etc. and “that’s not hunting..”

It’s frustrating that not many I know share my same interest.

I'm 36, haven't been yet, but my goal is to get there by 40. Of course with a wife and 3 kids, it's going take some serious planning and saving.

I have found the same things from people I know who hunt. They'll willing spend $1-2k a year accumulating preference points and upwards of $10k for guided hunting in the western US, but think Africa is only for rich people.

 

[CBH Australia]

I started shooting rabbits at a young age then hunted goats from 18 when I became licensed. Had family and just did what I could and was hunting pigs and shooting other pests where I could before I found this site and started planning.
I had always dreamed of hunting the world over but the budget doesn’t allow all I would like to do so any free hunting opportunity in Australia is jumped at.
I was 48 when I did a cull hunt in South Africa with my wife along as an observer.

 

[UKHunter]

2013 aged 21 - spent the summer working harvest on a friends farm to pay for a Sept hunt in SA

 

[Ryan]

I booked my first At 40, went on the first one at 42 and the last of four at 49. It helped I am single. The next will be a few years down the line. I have other ideas for hunts and some life goals needing that kinda money.

 

[uplander01]

I’m turning 56 shortly, Started pursuing big game in a traveling sense all over North America in late 90’s in my late 20’s/early 30’s, didn’t make it to Africa until my 40’s. I anticipate about 2-3 more trips to Africa spread out every other year or so into my early 60’s. At that point I’m hoping to retire in my early to early-mid 60’s and be done traveling to do anything for the most part. I don’t enjoy the traveling part anymore. Ive been traveling for work my entire life since my mid 20’s, pile on traveling for leisure to that and at some point it all starts to feel like to much moving around. If money were no object, I would spend 30-45 days a year at a time in Africa and really enjoy it, but reason for not doing that is obvious. To me the key has always been balance and reason…never had any kids so haven’t been racked with lots of family responsibilities, if I had I wouldn’t have done half the things I have, simply from a financial standpoint.

Good luck with your information gathering,…interesting thought and topic….i have often wondered about the same info.

 

[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.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I’m 53. I took my first Safari at 36 after a near death experience and came to the realization that life is short, and precious, and I need to enjoy it more! I had already been hunting North America for some time. Been back to Africa several times and plan on continuing into retirement next year. Likely some extended stays to hunt multiple countries.

 

[Philip Glass]

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 was fortunate to go on my first safari at the age of 25. It changed my life in many ways. I am 52 now and have been to many Africa countries.

 

[MontanaGrant]

34. Hoping to go to Africa before 50 is my goal.

 

[revturbo9967]

Landed in Zimbabwe for my first hunt on my 40th. Going back in 26 and hopefully again before 2030

 

[Boris11]

i started 45

 

[Justbryan]

First safari 55 year old then 56, 57, covid, 60, 62 in April, 63 next year.

After next year, I am going to concentrate on the USA and North America. I am glad I did it this way with the rising cost of these trips.

 

[capra-capra]

33 myself from Australia. I started properly hunting when i was 15 but have been out since i was 10. Mainly hunt for deer and help out the farmer with wild dogs if he needs them taken out.

Just did my first International hunt to Kazakhstan for Ibex and Siberian Roe deer. Having 2 kids i can not do OS hunts each year but will be putting a deposit for a Maral hunt back in Kazakhstan for 2029 (gives me time to save up )

Also hoping to get to Mongolia with my Dad in the next few years to fish for Taimen. Lot cheaper than hunting trips at $3400 USD for 14 days trip 10 days of fishing.

Would love to hunt Kudu, maybe one day i will but at this stage two more trips are only approved by the minister of finance.

 

[DillonG]

I’m in my 30s, but I don’t plan on hunting Africa until my 40s. The wife and I are using disposable income for family building. Additionally, I have been building points in western states for 8 years. I would like to burn some of them first. Hoping for a decent mule deer or spring black bear hunt to start.

 

[Elkeater]

I turned 74 this 8th August.

First safari was in Kenya, 1974.
View attachment 644591
Most recent safari was in Tanzania, 2023.
View attachment 644592

Hopefully, I will be in Zambia for wild lion in 2025.

I turned 35 in the 8th so happy birthday to us I suppose.

Took my first safari at 34. Planning on a return trip before I turn 40. It’s a pricey proposition for us though because the whole family of 4 goes. I suspect I’ll only get one more safari before the kids are out of the house. But we had kids young and my kids will be out of the house by the time I’m in my mid 40s and I suspect the wife and I will enjoy some safaris on our own in the future. Africa will always draw me back.

 

[Safari Dave]

Never borrow money to fund lifestyle...




I went on my first safari in 2007 at the age of 42. I paid $375 for it at an SCI fundraiser banquet.

(Of course, it didn't include airfare, guest, tips, or trophy fees, except for an impala and a warthog)


My last safari was in 2021. ($950 +/- at an SCI fundraiser). For a Cape Buffalo in Mozambique. It ended up costing about $15K and I still don't have the taxidermy back.

But, I would would absolutely do it again.


I have had good luck in "rolling the dice" on auctions.

If I wanted to do something specific, I would book a trip with one of our sponsors.

 

[pilar]

I’m in my 30s, but I don’t plan on hunting Africa until my 40s. The wife and I are using disposable income for family building. Additionally, I have been building points in western states for 8 years. I would like to burn some of them first. Hoping for a decent mule deer or spring black bear hunt to start.

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

 

[The Engineer]

My impediment was not finances it was being able to take more than a few days off. Even after the kids had moved out I could not take off more than a week. I turned 65 in Africa on my first safari and at 79 I plan on at least one more safari.