Myself being an OP, I can say so far,
@Hank2211, is right on the subject.
Why I have started this subject?
On my self, I am very much divided on this topic.
I will give both approaches from personal perspective.
For example, when I hunt locally at my hunting grounds at home, I am happy just to
A) be in the field, and
B) just to see the animals.
Connecting is less important. Practically insignificant.
The hunting for me, is almost 12 months per year, huntable species are each in different season during the year, but there is something to hunt every month fro january till december.
I can drive to hunting grounds, in 20 minutes from my home - where I hunt for membership fee only, or few hours away by car if I go elswehere, on differen arrangemnt.
Yearround.
And bottom line, I HAVE TIME, to repeat tomorrow, and go again (as long as work schedule allows)
In Africa, we hunt on time we buy.
The time in Africa, looks like passing slow, and everyday in the field, I have this false feeling that I have all the time in the World, but in fact, hunt is for one week only, perhaps two weeeks, and for some 4 weeks maybe. Speaking from perspective of international client.
And on this I am yet not certain, how much I would gladly spend, for not connecting with specific animal?
And then try again, doubling the investment?
For average PG hunts, I dont see much issue, because if there is no oryx, there will be blesbok. If not connecting with all 5 animals on package, I can still connect to maybe three on the list, or add one or two extra. In any case, will be happy either way.
So far, in two hunts, I wanted to get jackal, and baboon, but every day there was a priority for somthing else, once the priorities were completed, jackals and baboons were not showing up... ehh... (i keep them in mind for future hunts, they are climbing fast on priority list)
But focusing on one animal - and in some hunts we focus on one animal - that one probably will be more expensive then other, and will require to repeat the process, when not connecting, doubling the price. Leopard is nice example
I dont know how would I feel?
Thus the question: Lets see which animals are most challenging, and not certain?
How woudl you feel if not getting it?
I also think that this dilemma - which deeply gets to subject of personal ethics - gets to most of true hunters on occasion, from time to time.
I cannot think of better description, then the one I found in green hills of africa.. Hemingway describes it as .. "not pleasent":
“
Now it is pleasant to hunt something that you want very much over a long period of time, being outwitted, out-maneuvered, and failing at the end of each day, but having the hunt and knowing every time you are out that, sooner or later, your luck will change and that you will get the chance that you are seeking. But it is not pleasant to have a time limit by which you must get your kudu or perhaps never get it, nor even see one. It is not the way hunting should be.”
gents, please keep on, with your input, much appreciated.
