Trophy Fee Budget

[Capnjackv]

Have you already booked your hunt? You need to be upfront when you book and there will be no issues. No outfitter will be upset if that is how a hunt is booked. The ones that aren’t interested will decline the hunt or price it appropriately for them. The only story I’ve ever heard from an outfitter was a pair of “hunters” from a non-hunting culture country booked a 10 day plains game but were only seemingly willing to shoot 1 impala but were very focused of hunting photos holding rifle just not shooting. Be very clear what you want with your outfitter and there will be no issues.

I have not booked yet and I am being very up front about it to the outfits I've talked to.

 

[CoElkHunter]

What extra taxes? BBBA did not pass, so tax rates did not change between Trump and 1. year of Biden. Capital gains is still the same, so is the top rate.

Trump lowered the tax rate for most to 22%. Will go back up to 25% in 2026 unless something changes.
Edit: The thing that WILL change are interest rates will be through the roof in the next couple of years. So maybe Congress will give us a break and keep the tax rate low? Yeah, right. LOL

 

[ActionBob]

BTW, I’ve settled up at the end with credit card. No fee. Do people actually travel to Africa with $30k - $40k++ cash or travelers checks?!?!?

I've never had to settle my final bill until I got home and either wired the money or sent a check to an account the Outfitter had in the States or to an agent. Used a credit card once upon insistence of the Outfitter. Although it was from home. He had a few questionable issues (its usually the crooks who don't trust others) and is fortunately banned from this site

 

[Tanks]

Trump lowered the tax rate for most to 22%. Will go back up to 25% in 2026 unless something changes.
Edit: The thing that WILL change are interest rates will be through the roof in the next couple of years. So maybe Congress will give us a break and keep the tax rate low? Yeah, right. LOL

That has nothing to do with Biden though, it is just the 10 year sunset due to passing the tax cuts with reconciliation. If a Republican wins in 2024 then it might be extended.

Yes. Free money will be over due to Fed raising rates to fight inflation.

 

[Troubleshooter]

Get a price list print it out and keep a running tally as you go. I have done this before. It’s down and dirty but keeps you on budget. Also, get a list in your head of what animals you want/ can afford before you are in the field.

This is solid advice.
That being the case however, animals are cheap -- taxidermy is expensive!

 

[MarkB]

"rabies"? Poisonous snakes without anti venom available and now animals with rabies? What hell hole have I signed up for? LOL

Yes the rabies was real bad in Namibia, outfitter wanted and I did as asked and we shot all the rabies kudu we encountered. Of course no TF but was real sad as some were already trophies but walking dead. We also shot a cobra behind the oven in a cave we stayed in for a couple nights. I always take maximum weight of ammo, easy to bring home (all reloads so don't leave), real hard to sometimes get when you get low.

MB

 

[CoElkHunter]

Yes the rabies was real bad in Namibia, outfitter wanted and I did as asked and we shot all the rabies kudu we encountered. Of course no TF but was real sad as some were already trophies but walking dead. We also shot a cobra behind the oven in a cave we stayed in for a couple nights. I always take maximum weight of ammo, easy to bring home (all reloads so don't leave), real hard to sometimes get when you get low.

MB

Kudus with rabies, cobras behind an oven in a cave? Sounds like a real horror show to me? See any rabid zombies? LOL

 

[C.W. Richter]

What extra taxes? BBBA did not pass, so tax rates did not change between Trump and 1. year of Biden. Capital gains is still the same, so is the top rate.

The income tax when you've already paid more than the average American and they hit you up for an additional 15 grand to help cover China virus expenses and the vast waste of tired old big government! I find the timing of this demand quite interesting-during year one of Biden.

 

[BLJC30]

I've never had to settle my final bill until I got home and either wired the money or sent a check to an account the Outfitter had in the States or to an agent. Used a credit card once upon insistence of the Outfitter. Although it was from home. He had a few questionable issues (its usually the crooks who don't trust others) and is fortunately banned from this site

Can you tell us who that is that got banned?

 

[ActionBob]

Can you tell us who that is that got banned?

Loodt

 

[Tanks]

The income tax when you've already paid more than the average American and they hit you up for an additional 15 grand to help cover China virus expenses and the vast waste of tired old big government! I find the timing of this demand quite interesting-during year one of Biden.

Can you give me a link to that $15K surcharge on the taxes please? I was not aware of it.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Loodt

As in stolen "loot"?

 

[ActionBob]

As in stolen "loot"?

Yea some would say that....

As in Loodt of Tootabi Hunting Safaris. Big shit over the name of his outfit as a nieghbor was already using Tootabi Valley Safaris as the name of his business.

 

[revturbo9967]

Yea some would say that....

As in Loodt of Tootabi Hunting Safaris. Big shit over the name of his outfit as a nieghbor was already using Tootabi Valley Safaris as the name of his business.

I had the pleasure of speaking with him about 6 years ago when I was thinking of going to Africa then. I ended up going on an elk hunt instead, but the conversation still stands out in my mind and still rubs me the wrong way.

 

[Aaron N]

Loodt

There’s a 2014 throwback!

 

[PARA45]

On my first and only safari, I had a package of 7 animals. I did not deviate from the 7 animals I had in mind. I did mention to the PH that if we found an Impala or Warthog much bigger than the ones I had already shot, to set up the sticks. I took travelers check back then (10 years ago), I hear that is not a good practice anymore.

I'm going back this year, and I'm set on the animals I'm taking, which it is offered as a package. I did tell the owner that I'd like to shoot 2-3 additional animals. So, I'll probably pay for the safari in advance, and then settle the rest either by credit card or transfer.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[Shootist43]

On our first safari my sons and I filled our packages early and were not eager to go over our "limit." The outfitter then offered some "cull" animals at a very reasonable price. So, in the end, we did go over by a little bit. Throughout the first days of the hunt, we made it quite clear to our respective PH(s) that we were unwilling to shoot animals outside of the agreed upon "package." Remember it is your hunt and your money.

 

[Nyati]

I have a budget for the animals that I am looking for, and I keep to that.

However, I will not pass another Warthog, Baboon, or Jackal, but these are inexpensive animals, and will not break the bank.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Can you give me a link to that $15K surcharge on the taxes please? I was not aware of it.

that was, special-special terminology. they were digging for gold in '21. never again. tax atty. plenty of articles about Joe's irs v. Donny's. that explains it all!

 

[ActionBob]

that was, special-special terminology. they were digging for gold in '21. never again. tax atty. plenty of articles about Joe's irs v. Donny's. that explains it all!

Now I'm even more confused....