New Member with some newbie questions

[martinc31415]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this site but in addition to that I am new to hunting. I am 45 years old and have not really hunted anything....ever.

I am an army veteran and have done lots of shooting. I know firearms very well. They have always been a hobby for me.

Over the past few years I have become more interested in various aspects of hunting and hunting in Africa in particular.

The costs are daunting to me. I would like to have the opportunity to hunt Africa at least once in my life but I am not sure it is realistic. I am a school teacher. Obviously my resources are limited

Is it possible for me to hunt Africa on less than 10k USD? I am not expecting big 5 or anything. Some nice plains game or something would make me quite happy.

Oh and when I say 10k, I mean from here to there and back with all fees and extras. from what I have seen, that might be a very tight budget.

Thanks to any who answer.

 

[jaustin]

Hello Martin welcome to AH. Now is the time for some great inexpensive plains game hunts. I have been on some great hunts that cost less than half your budget, including air and tips. There are several ways to save money on African hunts such as going in the late season when flights are cheaper and outfitters discount unsold or cancelled hunts. I am not a booking agent but if you would like more information feel free to PM me.

 

[monish]

Hi Martin ,

Welcome to the AH forum, there are lot many hunts that come cheap, it depends what game you paln to take and in which country , there are many fine professional outfitters , who would formulate a good economical package , and you can have a great hunt of a life time.

Ah is very informative and you can get in touch with lot & lots of very fine outfits.

have a great hunting time !!!

Monish

 

[TRAVEL EXPRESS]

Hi - welcome to the AH forum! It is definitely possible to do a plainsgame safari for several head of game all-inclusive and remain within your budget. You get a lot of value for your money in Africa as compared to some of the North American hunts. I can certainly give you some ideas on what to expect on airfare at different times of the year and advice to help save you some money. I think you'll find a lot of information on this site to help in planning your safari!

 

[Patrick R]

Welcome to the forum. With 10k you defiantly can hunt a lot of plains game animals

 

[M. Egan]

Hi Martin
When ever I travel in the US, I check to see if there is an SCI dinner or show happening in the area. This gives me an opportunity to speak to local hunters and get some face to face oppinions on different hunts and outfitters. I have always been made to feel very welcome.
The point of me telling you of this, is that there are often hunt auctions at these functions. I have seen many all inclusive plains game hunts (usually including 3 or 4 of the less expensive animals) sell for less than $1500. On two occations I have seen them sell for $500.
Another way that I am able to travel less expensively, is that I use my credit card with reward miles for most of my normal daily and monthly purchases. Of coarse I keep it current to avoid interest payments. This has allowed my wife and myself to travel from Canada to Africa twice now, and we are working on a third time.
Good luck, Mike

 

[martinc31415]

Thank you very much to all who have replied.

I guess I have some more specific questions about how the pricing works.

I have browsed some outfitters sites and reviewed their pricing/packages.

Quite often I see something like Package X, which includes animal 1, 2 and 3. Then below it lists trophy fees for theses animals. If package X costs 5k for example, do I also pay trophy fees for the animals which are included with the package? or do trophy fees only apply to animals which are not included in the package.

I'd also like an idea about taxidermy costs or other costs associated with the trophies. Export/import fees, shipping fees etc.

I must say that I am not all about getting a big head to hang on my wall. I am after an experience and memories and some great pictures to hang on my wall.

Again, thanks to all who have replied.

 

[Heeler75]

Martin,
The trophy fees are for animals that you shoot that are not included in the package. And also, many times outfitters will work with you to create a package specifically for the animals you want. It all depends.

Read back through a few posts here regarding shipping costs, etc. That can be the joker in the deck. I paid $1,300 to have four trophies dipped, packed, shipped, cleared through customs, and shipped to the tannery in the US.

I chose to have my taxidermy work done here as I know a taxidermist that does many African animals and does outstanding work. Some people also choose to have the work done in Africa and then shipped back home. Me, I'd rather be there close by in case something comes up that I need to discuss with the taxidermist.

If you don't want the trophies, that's not a problem either. As most here have stated, by foregoing the dipping/taxidery/shipping costs, you free up more money to shoot animals with.

If you have a local SCI chapter that would be a great place to start and also check to see what hunting shows might be coming up in your area. That way you can get out and see what taxidermists are out there along with outfitters that can help answer your questions.

 

[Heeler75]

And doing a trip for $10k total is very doable. At our local SCI show a few weeks back there was an outfitter offering a 2x1 hunt in Namibia for 6 hunting days (8 total) and 5 animals for $3,900. The animals were a kudu, gembok bull, gembsok cow, red hartebeest and warthog. Granted, that wasn't inluding airfare, tips, and taxidermy, but at least give a starting point.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

... Quite often I see something like Package X, which includes animal 1, 2 and 3. Then below it lists trophy fees for theses animals. If package X costs 5k for example, do I also pay trophy fees for the animals which are included with the package? or do trophy fees only apply to animals which are not included in the package...

Welcome to AH martinc31415! You'll certainly find the memories that you are after!

To answer your question regarding the package price, most often the package hunt offered will include the animals listed in the package, it should be clearly defined within the package what is and is not included. If not, either contact the outfitter to find out or just move on to an outfitter who is not hiding anything... The trophy fees list is usually included for you to see the price of the animals should you want to add any species to your hunt. It is also there for you to be able to evaluate the value of the package hunt.

 

[Erik]

I think that 10K is quite doable. My wife and I are going this summer in the midst of World Cup and our trip would be about 10K before gratuities and taxidermy, but keep in mind that flights are wickedly expensive during that time because of WC. That includes a Wildebeest, a Gemsbok, an Impala and a Warthog on 6 days of hunting.

I got some quotes for taxidermy from South Africa and for three shoulder mounts and one euro mount (Warthog), the cost is about $3000-4000 shipping incl (shipping is about 1000 to Canada, but U.S. might be a bit cheaper).

I think the idea about SCI dinners is a good idea. I see in our local chapter that there are a lot of African hunting trips up for auction, so that may be a good way to get a bargain.

 

[dwerner]

If you shop around and select your area, species, flights etc. carefully, an African safari for plains game can be done for $10k or maybe a little less.