Hunt expectations, how many animals?

[wildfowler.250]

Folks, this is as much a combination of 1) curiosity and 2) guessing bank balances.

What would you expect on a plains game hunt in South Africa? An animal every other day on average?


Im going for an 8 day hunt. I’m basically planning to go with the flow and not going to stress about how many animals and ticking items off a list. Main hope would be for a kudu, this may take the week in itself. Appreciate some other things may get added in along the way.


What’s an average for a good hunt and a difficult hunt? Weather and a lots of things can all come into it I suppose. A piece of string question! My goal has always been as fair chase as possible and not ‘canned’ hunt so the total numbers won’t make or break the trip over the experience if that makes sense..

 

[JimP]

On my first safari I booked a 8 day hunt for several animals and hoped for a couple more. The kudu evaded me for 7 of those 8 days. We would see them but not be able to get on them or they were not big enough. Through those other days I went about collecting the other animals on my list as they came along while I was looking for the kudu.

On my last safari I had kudu on my list of 12 animals on a 10 day hunt. Surprisingly I shot one on the first day out of the lodge, that same day I collected a impala and a blue wildebeest and missed a shot at a warthog. The second day I took two more animals that were on my list and then my luck went cold for a few days. You just never know. My primary animal on this hunt was a warthog and I didn't get him until later.

Remember that as you are hunting that most of the animals taken as the opportunity comes up. You may be hunting for a specific one but then another one shows up. Just let your PH know what animals are your priority are but don't pass up one if he tells you to shoot it.

 

[PARA45]

It all depends on terrain and conditions. I hunted the Eastern Cape, and the Bushbuck was one of my toughest hunt. Walked up and down those mountains and logged close to 8 miles that day. I went for 4 animals and walked out with 7. Go with the flow, and if one animal pops up and you like him, take him. Good luck!!

 

[Hunt anything]

I’ve seen it quoted before, one animal per day and a half of hunting. Of course this depends on the abundance of trophy animals on your list, your shooting ability, how picky you are and just plain old luck.

 

[skydiver386]

All of the above is certainly true, but part of the equation is what trophy size are you looking for? Your ph will try for the best the area can provide, but some want only that magical 60inch Kudu. Some are more than happy with the experience of hunting something that others might consider cull quality. Talk with your ph and let him know what you have in mind, and you can work out a plan from there.

 

[Nyati]

You already got great advices, it depends, on what you want.

I would say, go with a wishlist, but shoot only those animals which fill your expectations, you can always go back to Africa

I shot my eland on my 4th safari, I knew exactly what I was looking for.

 

[FlyGuy]

Spend the time looking for a great kudu.
Worry about the rest as targets of opportunity.

You didn’t mention the area or time of year that you’ve booked for.

 

[ru4elk]

Best advice for anyone hunting africa the first time is to have an open mind every time you go out. I think its good to have a "list", but be prepared to sway from it. On my first trip to South Africa I planned to take 5-6 animals and ended up with 15. Second trip was about the same; planned on 9 and ended with 14. Unless it's only dangerous game you are hunting, the plains game opportunities will surely show up. I agree that you can always go back, but live each day like it's your last and take advantage of being there!

 

[coreydb]

I hunted plains game animals in the North West Province of SA a couple times. Depending on your games package, its not unrealistic to harvest at least one trophy a day on the average; sometimes two a day, with one or two days of no success. The PHs will ensure you have the most shot opportunities possible, but when a specific animal just doesn't present itself, ask for an alternative animal. If the hunt is successful early, you may be asked if you want to continue hunting. So......ensure you have money to pay for the extra trophy fees.

 

[wildfowler.250]

All of the above is certainly true, but part of the equation is what trophy size are you looking for? Your ph will try for the best the area can provide, but some want only that magical 60inch Kudu. Some are more than happy with the experience of hunting something that others might consider cull quality. Talk with your ph and let him know what you have in mind, and you can work out a plan from there.

Awesome advice guys. Just interesting to read the perspectives. I’m going basically with an open mind. If I could have a 10/10 week then it’s kudu , nyala , springbok, impala, zeb, black wildebeest but there’s a few others around that that could sub in or out.

I’m basically after a decent representative. Along the lines of a ‘nice’ older one rather than X number of inches of that makes sense.


Other half thinks it’s my one and only time. May have to start putting 1-2k a side for a good few years for a return for a cape buff. Maybe I can swing that for a 40th further down the line!

 

[PARA45]

The Kudu and Nyala in my opinion are one of the most beautiful animals you could hunt. I would include a Bushbuck too; they are feisty little buggers specially if wounded. This is how I look at it. I go for the experience and the hunt, not the inches. It is my hunt, and I don't need to please anyone with size or record books. Hunt hard, have fun, take lots of pictures, take notes for your journal, and enjoy. You will be hunting in Africa.

 

[UKHunter]

Set expectations at the start with your PH. If you’re on a budget and don’t want to go over, a good PH will ‘slow down’ if you’re off to a quick start so you don’t get all your animals with several days remaining and nothing to do

 

[375Fox]

There are too many variables to really answer that question. It might take a week to get your kudu but you’ll take other animals along the way. On an 8 day hunt I think 5-6 would be a good number. You won’t feel like you passed up to much and got a good hunting experience. One per day 8 animals is very realistic if you’d like. Taking more than one per day l’d question if the hunting was designed for the experience or volume. Your list of animals is good but I’d really encourage you to take bushbuck if you get the opportunity and warthog.