Its almost here

[Dbrown4183]

Our long awaited first trip to South Africa is almost here. We fly out next Saturday. Thank you everyone on this site who have been such a wealth of information. I wouldnt feel prepared without it.

I do have what i hope will be a final question. How does the PH determine which animals on your list you go after first or in what order? Why I ask is that it could determine what "exta" animals I might pass on or take based on what I already have in the salt. If that makes any sense to all of you.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I have only been on one safari as of now. Number two is in 3 weeks. I let my PH know what my priority animals were I wanted and we kind of worked on them in that order. But if the PH gets excited and says you really need to take this animal even tho it is not on your list or a priority animal. Take it!! Dont get tied into a set of certain animals in certain order. Take what Africa has to offer one day at a time.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

Enjoy the build up, there's nothing like a first safari. Soak up every moment of being there and don't sweat the small stuff.

On your question, communication is key. My advice is to choose two or 3 species that you really don't want to leave Africa without. Then have a list of others that you'd be interested in should an opportunity arise. Communicate this to your PH. Trust in his judgement, and if he gets excited about an animal, shoot! It pays to remain flexible and take what Africa offers.

In my experience PH's will often start out the hunt by targeting one of the easier to hunt, or more abundant species, just to settle any nerves and get a feel for how each other works in the field in a lower-pressure scenario. For example, on my first safari I was focused on kudu but we went stalking impala first. Second time around, we hunted Nyala straight up before we tackled my dream eland. Once everything is working like it should and the pressure of 'the first' is removed, you might then go and tackle your main species while there are plenty of days remaining. And then if you need to fill in days on the end you can always chase those on your 'maybe' list, if you haven't already taken them as targets of opportunity.

Good luck and shoot straight.

 

[sgt_zim]

Let him know your preferences. If you're hunting a large, single property, I expect it shouldn't be a problem to hunt what you want to hunt, in the order you want to hunt.

Consider a perfectly square property of 100,000 acres. That's a property which is about 12.5 miles on each side. I wouldn't want to have to walk it corner to corner every day, but driving it wouldn't be a time-consuming problem.

Having no idea who you're hunting with, or where you're hunting, I can only speculate.

 

[Ryan]

First up, talk to them. They're going off of whatever information you've given them up to this point. I'm assuming you are hunting a package deal of a couple/few known animals and going from there with extras. Of the knowns, let them know your preferences up front, after that they will have ideas of where animals are and field conditions and go from there. Keep your eyes open and when you see other things that do or don't interest you let them know.

 

[BRICKBURN]

............. How does the PH determine which animals on your list you go after first or in what order? .............

Discussion with you, then opportunity. If they hear about a great specimen I guarantee the PH will be "making a plan". Expect to change directions.

Have a great hunt.

 

[Nyati]

Be flexible, and listen to your PH´s advice.

Wish you the best of luck !

 

[spike.t]

To put it bluntly you are going hunting not shopping...... So yeah you might have preferences but go with the flow and just enjoy your experience........

 

[CAustin]

Enjoy this adventure to its fullest. Do explain which animals are most desired and I’m sure your PH will do everything possible to help you achieve your dream.

 

[cpr0312]

Have a great time! Look forward to the report!