I may be done with africa, at least for a while

[375Fox]

Can you or someone else explain the cull vs trophy hunts in Africa? I may be mistaken but i thought that you could still have the opportunity to bring those home if they met the minimum. Are you only shooting femailes?

Depends on the country, but generally in South Africa and Namibia cull hunts are where landowners are reducing game numbers on their land and selling the cull hunt to hunters then selling the meat and maybe the skins depending on the species. A trophy hunt is obviously selectively looking for trophy bulls and all parts of trophy belong to you. A cull hunt might be young bulls, cows, broken horn bulls depending on the property. Cull hunting isn’t nearly as selective and provides a lot more shot opportunity. I don’t think it gives the same hunting experience though because you don’t pass nearly as many animals . You’d need to talk to outfitter, but most in South Africa would let you take skull and horns on a cull hunt and maybe pay a little extra for skins, however shipping “trophies” from a cull hunt home really defeats the purpose if the cost to get them home exceeds the cost of the hunt.

 

[TwentyTwo250]

Depends on the country, but generally in South Africa and Namibia cull hunts are where landowners are reducing game numbers on their land and selling the cull hunt to hunters then selling the meat and maybe the skins depending on the species. A trophy hunt is obviously selectively looking for trophy bulls and all parts of trophy belong to you. A cull hunt might be young bulls, cows, broken horn bulls depending on the property. Cull hunting isn’t nearly as selective and provides a lot more shot opportunity. I don’t think it gives the same hunting experience though because you don’t pass nearly as many animals . You’d need to talk to outfitter, but most in South Africa would let you take skull and horns on a cull hunt and maybe pay a little extra for skins, however shipping “trophies” from a cull hunt home really defeats the purpose if the cost to get them home exceeds the cost of the hunt.

Thanks for the explanation. I'm really interested to go to one of those two countries specifically to bow hunt so a cull hunt may or may not fit into my plans. I assume it's outfitter specific; are there any questions that I should be asking besides "can I bring the skulls home?"

 

[375Fox]

Thanks for the explanation. I'm really interested to go to one of those two countries specifically to bow hunt so a cull hunt may or may not fit into my plans. I assume it's outfitter specific; are there any questions that I should be asking besides "can I bring the skulls home?"

I’d ask yourself the experience you are looking for. On a cull hunt maybe every 5th animal can qualify as a cull on a trophy hunt you might look over 20 or 50 or 100 bulls before taking one. If you are looking for a better price for the experience and bringing trophies home, maybe ask outfitters about a non-trophy hunt targeting old bulls. Still a selective hunt just not the trophy quality/genetics of true trophy bulls something like a 30” gemsbok instead of 35”+ or old wildebeest that didn’t have genetics to get wide. Some outfitters will offer hunts like those if you ask.

 

[TwentyTwo250]

"maybe ask outfitters about a non-trophy hunt targeting old bulls. Still a selective hunt just not the trophy quality/genetics of true trophy bulls something like a 30” gemsbok instead of 35”+ or old wildebeest that didn’t have genetics to get wide. Some outfitters will offer hunts like those if you ask."

This is what I want, I just didn't know how to say it. I wanna shoot one each of the species I want but not necessarily a trophy.

 

[HuntingGold]

I've brought plenty of culls home as "trophys" but only when I already had a box trophies coming home. It will depend on your outfitter whether you can take them or not.
Going over specifically to hunt culls and not shipping anything home is the most cost effective ways to do it.

 

[Dan458]

Yes, the shipping prices seem to have doubled post Covid. I’ll be looking at ‘own use’ hunts in future. Cheaper hunt and no export costs seems like the way to go

 

[TwentyTwo250]

Yes, the shipping prices seem to have doubled post Covid. I’ll be looking at ‘own use’ hunts in future. Cheaper hunt and no export costs seems like the way to go

Own use?

 

[375Fox]

Own use?

Namibia assigns an “own use” non-exportable quota in community and concession areas. It’s a good way to hunt dangerous game at a very fair price.

 

[Philip Glass]

Just recieved word that my trophies from last summer are done. Ready to be shipped. The importer I had lined up will not be taking shippments through NewYork any more. They refered me back to my exporter in africa for alternative destination. I am in VIrginia and would prefer Baltimore. I do not know about importing animals and all the nuiances that go with it. Thats why I thought I had hired a importer. They could work with the exporter and get my heads to my door. Not me running between the two trying to figure something out.

So here I am with a Buffalo hunt booked next summer. Between plane tickets, firearm paper work and getting trophies home I am really considering canceling the trip. Its just gettign to the point of the aggrivation and hidden costs just isnt worth it to me.
I also found out getting a buff/big 5/wart hog and cat back in the country is more of a issue.

I may go back but I wont be taking guns or bring much back. I may change my mind just frustrated right now.
Oh initial quote for shipping my crate to baltimore is $2835.00 231kg volumetric weight.

rant over..

I Understand your frustration. We all do. You MUST use the right people and follow my advice and others who have been many, many times. Call Coppersmith and your worries will be over. Your freight quote is not out of bounds.
What does this have to do with guns? Again follow the advice and have a great buffalo hunt!

 

[Gluff]

Call Michael Coppersmith.

I have used coppersmith many times, and they have it shipped to the tannery for me they are no nonsense and easy to speak with, they make it easy ( or as easy as it can be).

 

[Topshots]

Only if there was something or someone can that help reduce the shipping costs.
hunting and leaving behind the trophies isn't fun at least for me.

 

[Philip Glass]

Own use?

A term for a non exportable animal in the communal areas of Namibia. Meaning the locals would use it as part of their meat quota whether a hunter shot it or a PH or game ranger. Similar would be a tuskless elephant in Zimbabwe.

 

[62flint]

I Understand your frustration. We all do. You MUST use the right people and follow my advice and others who have been many, many times. Call Coppersmith and your worries will be over. Your freight quote is not out of bounds.
What does this have to do with guns? Again follow the advice and have a great buffalo hunt!

If you take guns , flights are limited and cost more,

 

[375Fox]

I Understand your frustration. We all do. You MUST use the right people and follow my advice and others who have been many, many times. Call Coppersmith and your worries will be over. Your freight quote is not out of bounds.
What does this have to do with guns? Again follow the advice and have a great buffalo hunt!

I think it bothers you equally as much, but I hate seeing bad information make its way out there. If a person wants to travel and hunt and get their trophies back from Africa. It’s a simple as choosing a professional based on quality recommendations that applies to travel agent, import broker, and gun permit service. There is a lot of misinformation that discourages hunters from going to Africa. Costs have gone up but I haven’t had a real issue in 13 trips. Hunting in Africa and the areas need trophy hunting and trophy imports, non-trophy and cull hunting might supplement revenue for an area, but it doesn’t pay the bills or attract the volume of new hunters needed to sustain areas.

 

[Philip Glass]

I think it bothers you equally as much, but I hate seeing bad information make its way out there. If a person wants to travel and hunt and get their trophies back from Africa. It’s a simple as choosing a professional based on quality recommendations that applies to travel agent, import broker, and gun permit service. There is a lot of misinformation that discourages hunters from going to Africa. Costs have gone up but I haven’t had a real issue in 13 trips. Hunting in Africa and the areas need trophy hunting and trophy imports, non-trophy and cull hunting might supplement revenue for an area, but it doesn’t pay the bills or attract the volume of new hunters needed to sustain areas.

I agree with you. We see over and over a person who has made a mistake in planning have a terrible experience and then state "don't take your own gun" or now it seems " don't even try to import trophies". This is one of the reasons I made the video series to try to help folks out with their safari planning. I don't want to be right I just want people to have a good time!

 

[Philip Glass]

If you take guns , flights are limited and cost more,

This may or may not be true depending on your itinerary. One example is the need to stay on one airline (actual metal not code share) which is a good idea on a long trek like visiting Africa whether you take guns or not. Sure I can find options on Google flights to take some weird series of flights and get there very cheap.
My point will always be that an epic safari that one plans for and saves money for years to accomplish would be a great disappointment with a borrowed gun for me. To each his own. I just wish for everyone to be fully informed and then choose what is best for them.

 

[wesheltonj]

I have my trip booked for Tanzania next year. That maybe the last trip. I still don’t have my trophies from last year’s Zambia hunt. It’s been over a year now. It’s become too much of a hassle. I did a European hunt this year. If the shipment is easier, I will stick with Europe for international hunts.

 

[62flint]

I just got my mounts to the states , landed in Atlanta , required to be cleared by taxidermy.
So they fly the crate to Baltimore to then be picked up by the taxidermy folks for insp.
Make good sense.
Fly finished trophies and tanned hides to the states. Only then to fly them all around the east coast saying they need inspection,,,
All finished shoulder , European mounts and tanned hides. Plains game.

This may or may not be true depending on your itinerary. One example is the need to stay on one airline (actual metal not code share) which is a good idea on a long trek like visiting Africa whether you take guns or not. Sure I can find options on Google flights to take some weird series of flights and get there very cheap.
My point will always be that an epic safari that one plans for and saves money for years to accomplish would be a great disappointment with a borrowed gun for me. To each his own. I just wish for everyone to be fully informed and then choose what is best for them.

I agree I am not going to Africa with out my own rifle.
And I will eventually go back.
But with current airline prices and other government mandated bs.
I choose to catch up on some dream hunts in North America.

 

[Hunt anything]

I just got my mounts to the states , landed in Atlanta , required to be cleared by taxidermy.
So they fly the crate to Baltimore to then be picked up by the taxidermy folks for insp.
Make good sense.
Fly finished trophies and tanned hides to the states. Only then to fly them all around the east coast saying they need inspection,,,
All finished shoulder , European mounts and tanned hides. Plains game.


I agree I am not going to Africa with out my own rifle.
And I will eventually go back.
But with current airline prices and other government mandated bs.
I choose to catch up on some dream hunts in North America.

Why in the world were your trophies not inspected in Atlanta?

 

[62flint]

Why in the world were your trophies not inspected in Atlanta?

I have no clue. Sounds messed up.
But I never underestimate the ability of the government to be stupid