SOUTH AFRICA: Koringkoopie Safaris *Warning* Stay Away

[Hogpatrol]

No PH/Owner I've ever hunted with would have classified that waterbuck as a trophy, but a cull at a deep discount. I killed a similar specimen on my third hunt, for a hundred dollar cull price. He first asked me, told me the price, I agreed and killed it. I Kept the hide, had a skull mount for S&G. The OP's PH should have told him it was a cull and NOT a trophy. That's 100% the PH's responsibility..

An extra 2¢, These donation hunts should be done away with. The ones that go south give Africa hunting, especially RSA, a bad name. I'm surprised the FTC doesn't step in and ban them, since most are quasi bait and switch affairs.

 

[WAB]

No PH/Owner I've ever hunted with would have classified that waterbuck as a trophy, but a cull at a deep discount. I killed a similar specimen on my third hunt, for a hundred dollar cull price. He first asked me, told me the price, I agreed and killed it. I Kept the hide, had a skull mount for S&G. The OP's PH should have told him it was a cull and NOT a trophy. That's 100% the PH's responsibility..

An extra 2¢, These donation hunts should be done away with. The ones that go south give Africa hunting, especially RSA, a bad name. I'm surprised the FTC doesn't step in and ban them, since most are quasi bait and switch affairs.

See my post above. My experience is very different than what you describe.

 

[Shaw]

My hats off to you for enduring a nightmare of issues. I personally would have relocated to town and stayed in a hotel for the remainder of my stay vs some of the thing you have endured.
I also don't understand the auction hunts as most have a separate trophy fee list that are super inflated to offset cost of said hunt on their end. I have looked at a few over the years and just never pulled the trigger on one for fear of this right here happening. There are some that are looking for a bargain and that's only way they can afford to hunt Africa but Outfitter has to have that mindset not everyone is rich and unlimited budget but that is a discussion that happens prior to the hunt so there are no surprises for either party.
I too have had a Outfitter rub me the wrong way and I walked away from a $5000 deposit which in anyones book alot of coin to leave on the table but I be damned if I'm gonna give him another cent even if I walk away, mine was due to COVID but the heartburn is there and I won't tolerate a crook.
Sorry you had to go through it but we live and learn cheaper is not always better.

 

[WAB]

I am glad to hear that PHASA is initiating a hearing. The outfitter appears to have a lot to answer for.


I just went back and read the first post again. I have to say that both the PH and the hunter have a lot to answer for in killing the first giraffe. I don’t care what kind of pressure you feel you are under, you do not have to sit in the back of a truck and pop a giraffe at 40 yards in a breeding pen. If you pull the trigger you own it.

 

[WAB]

I re-read the post. I may be referring to the reedbuck, the paragraph is difficult to follow. Regardless, the point is the same. Badly done by the Outfitter and the Hunter.

 

[Hogpatrol]

See my post above. My experience is very different than what you describe.

I read it and glad it worked out for you. If one is willing and able to spend more for a hunt, I get it. It may start out cheap but in the end it's probably more costly than a package or a la carte hunt. From all the ink on here and other sites about auction hunts, yours were probably exceptions to the rule.

Edit: Thinking back to two local SCI banquets I attended, I remember my 24 time Africa hunter and mentor and former local SCI president, told me never bid on an auction hunt, it'll cost you more.
Nine hunts, I have followed that advice. YMMV.

 

[WAB]

I read it and glad it worked out for you. If one is willing and able to spend more for a hunt, I get it. It may start out cheap but in the end it's probably more costly than a package or a la carte hunt. From all the ink on here and other sites about auction hunts, yours were probably exceptions to the rule.

Edit: Thinking back to two local SCI banquets I attended, I remember my 24 time Africa hunter and mentor and former local SCI president, told me never bid on an auction hunt, it'll cost you more.
Nine hunts, I have followed that advice. YMMV.

I’ve only done the two, so very small data set. A normal trip to Africa for me is into the bush and tracking buffalo. I don’t buy those hunts at auction.

 

[BJONES]

We may have found a new Kuche safaris.

LOL! Agree!