IdaRam
AH legend
Hello and welcome Tony! Glad to have you aboard.
Here are a few of my thoughts on reasonable expectations based on my own experiences and many related to me by others.
Prompt and clear communication before, during and after the hunt. Within reason of course. Understand sometimes comms are difficult or PH is out hunting. A reasonable client will understand this, however extended radio silence or less than concise answers tend to make clients nervous.
Staff and PH prepared for client(s). This may sound a bit odd, but let me explain. If a client (especially a group) has communicated a desire for both night and day hunting, provisions should have been made for a tracker/skinner to be “on duty” in the middle of the night to skin animals taken at night. I have seen it become an issue when the skinners worked all day and then client(s) hunting at night have animals that need skinning. Skinners may be less than thrilled at working night and day. Make a plan before hand.
I have made two trips to SA and one to Zim. All 3 were great and all were very different. I enjoyed all three and have no regrets. However, I would offer the following advice to some/most outfits in SA. Get off the damn truck! I didn’t come all this way and spend a lot of money to ride around in a truck all day. No problem with some truck hunting, we need to cover some ground. Hunting for night animals, sure. We going to hunt from the truck. All well and good, but I go hunting to experience nature, see the flora and fauna, and have an experience. I expect to sweat and these Courtneys ain’t cheap. I didn’t buy ‘em as a fashion statement. I find that a hard earned trophy (regardless of size) is much more rewarding when sweat and boot leather has been expended, not diesel fuel.
Care of trophies - Please take good care of my capes and make sure skinners are well trained. I have a few friends who are taxidermists. I hear a lot about african trophies. 7 out of 10 (I am told) are sub-par, either skinning skill or care immediately afterward is sometimes lacking.
Remember! You asked!
So, there you have it, 3 of my observations which I hope may be useful.
My best and happy hunting
By the way, I have heard a lot of good things about your operation. Keep up the good work.
Here are a few of my thoughts on reasonable expectations based on my own experiences and many related to me by others.
Prompt and clear communication before, during and after the hunt. Within reason of course. Understand sometimes comms are difficult or PH is out hunting. A reasonable client will understand this, however extended radio silence or less than concise answers tend to make clients nervous.
Staff and PH prepared for client(s). This may sound a bit odd, but let me explain. If a client (especially a group) has communicated a desire for both night and day hunting, provisions should have been made for a tracker/skinner to be “on duty” in the middle of the night to skin animals taken at night. I have seen it become an issue when the skinners worked all day and then client(s) hunting at night have animals that need skinning. Skinners may be less than thrilled at working night and day. Make a plan before hand.
I have made two trips to SA and one to Zim. All 3 were great and all were very different. I enjoyed all three and have no regrets. However, I would offer the following advice to some/most outfits in SA. Get off the damn truck! I didn’t come all this way and spend a lot of money to ride around in a truck all day. No problem with some truck hunting, we need to cover some ground. Hunting for night animals, sure. We going to hunt from the truck. All well and good, but I go hunting to experience nature, see the flora and fauna, and have an experience. I expect to sweat and these Courtneys ain’t cheap. I didn’t buy ‘em as a fashion statement. I find that a hard earned trophy (regardless of size) is much more rewarding when sweat and boot leather has been expended, not diesel fuel.
Care of trophies - Please take good care of my capes and make sure skinners are well trained. I have a few friends who are taxidermists. I hear a lot about african trophies. 7 out of 10 (I am told) are sub-par, either skinning skill or care immediately afterward is sometimes lacking.
Remember! You asked!
So, there you have it, 3 of my observations which I hope may be useful.My best and happy hunting
By the way, I have heard a lot of good things about your operation. Keep up the good work.
