The outfitter and PH both seem very unprofessional, but at least some blame goes to you. You wrote you’ve hunted with several outfitters in South Africa but are still buying low price auction hunts with new outfitters instead of hunting with previous outfitters. I can only assume to find the best deal. You should be asking for quotes from previous or vetted outfitters at this point not auction shopping. Only buying auction hunts with new outfitters doesn’t look good on you as a client either.
Can't really fault a person wanting to hunt various areas in any country, which also requires hunting with different outfitters
As for buying or bidding on auction/donated hunts....why not?....outfitters auction/donate hunts to draw in clients and garner business.
Is it your intent/advocate that outfitters should not offer such hunts?
That organizations such as SCI, DSC, etc. that benefit from such outfitters' auction/donation hunts should not solicit outfitters for such auctions/donations?
IMPO.....It's on the outfitter to provide the winning client a good hunt and quality services. If the outfitter doesn't feel they need to provide a quality hunt nor quality services to an auction/donated hunt recipient then the outfitter shouldn't have offered such auction/donation hunt.
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Rhetorical question to those who have purchased auction/donated hunts.
In reality the priced paid for an auction/donated hunt....how much money was saved comparing the auction/donated hunt versus having straight out purchased a package deal from the outfitter?
Why I don't bid on auction or donated hunts/trips. For me personally, I find it less expensive to book a package hunt vs a somewhat inflated cost
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Personally I choose to hunt with different outfitters based on their respective location which differs from previous outfitters' locations I have hunted with. Simply because I want to see more of the country, and not all outfitters provide 100% of the animals I would like to hunt or see.
Since I'm in country, if possible, I also choose to take the opportunity to visit, hunt, renew the friendships I have with previous outfitters/PHs, PHs, and others, I have met and/or hunted with.