We never should have went hunting in Africa

[Wade J VanGinkel]

So should I be taking this thread as a warning? I need to quickly cancel my first 2021 safari or suffer a lifelong affliction?

 

[mdwest]

Don't get me wrong, we will go hunting and fishing other places.
We're just not sure how they will compare.

they wont compare...

but thats ok..

comparing Alaska to South Africa or Central Europe to Tanzania is like chalk and cheese.. no matter what your purpose is for being there (hunting or otherwise)..

I've personally found Africa addictive.. I've had the blessing of being involved in a line of work that has had me make several dozen trips all over the continent for more than 15 years.. I cant ever see a time where I wouldnt be planning my next trip to somewhere in Africa whether it be for hunting, catching up with old friends, or some other purpose (we've talked about even doing a non-hunting, touristy type trip during the off season to see the things we never take time to see when we are over for hunting..)..

But.. that doesnt mean we'll give up hunting, fishing, and visiting other places too..

doing a high volume dove hunt in argentina is not like dove hunting anywhere else on the planet.. im sure the deer hunt I've got planned in Alaska later this year is going to be unlike any deer hunt I have ever done anywhere in the lower 48.. etc...

those things just get done in addition to our regularly scheduled/planned African hunting adventures in my house, as opposed to in lieu of them..

 

[BeeMaa]

So should I be taking this thread as a warning? I need to quickly cancel my first 2021 safari or suffer a lifelong affliction?

“The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa - for he has so much to look forward to." William Burchell

No, no, no...no need to cancel the trip, just don't go.
I'll PM you my name and address so you can update the flight itinerary and safari company.

 

[TNDave]

“The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa - for he has so much to look forward to." William Burchell

No, no, no...no need to cancel the trip, just don't go.
I'll PM you my name and address so you can update the flight itinerary and safari company.

+1

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

After reconsidering I've decided to continue my plans. I'll just be adding to the affliction anyway

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

Well, thanks to you guys I just messaged my ph and added 1 more day my safari.

 

[JOHN GRENZ]

Two things I learned in Africa. Practice shooting on sticks and take some extra cash along. You always seem to come across a big something or other that would fit perfectly in your trophy room.

 

[hntr58]

Yea, she will get under your skin and in your blood and you will never be the same....I truly wish I could find the happiness hunting in North America but I never have.....this place is special and she always wins......and to think I thought I could just go once and get her out of my system......never will happen.....maybe you are ruined for everywhere else but aren’t you glad it was this place that ruined you?...I know I sure am!!!!

 

[leslie hetrick]

YES!

 

[Timbo]

My wife and I have been on only one safari to RSA for PG in June 2019.
We are currently ..."

IMHO I've found Africa to be both a blessing and a curse!! You're blessed with an amazing array of hunting opportunities when actually over there - but cursed on your return home, in having to work and save (frustratingly!!) for that next trip!!

Once you've hunted Africa, it takes hold of you like an addiction or a disease - either way, I'm happily afflicted!!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My wife and I have been on only one safari to RSA for PG in June 2019.
We are currently planning another for 2022 for a PG/DG with the same outfitter.

Over the past several months we have been looking into other places to hunt and fish.
Alaska fishing and Brown Bear hunting.
Canada for Brown/Black Bear, Moose along with fishing.
Western US for Elk/Black Tail/Grizzly Bear/Sheep.
Etc, etc, etc...

Thing is we are coming to the realization that we have been completely spoiled.
Every hunting adventure will be compared to Africa.
The thought of hiking 10 miles through rain and cold to possibly SEE a sheep but not actually shoot one...
Being dropped off in a Deer blind and sitting there all day to MAYBE see a shooter...

No, no, no...We're thinking of driving in the bakkie until we see something and putting a stalk on.
We know not all of them will work out, but if the PH sees a really good Impala....we might have a new rug.
Almost all the animals are on the menu if your checkbook is willing.
The weather isn't usually bad and if it is, it doesn't last too long.
Then the plan will be adjusted and we can watch animals in the rain...FROM THE LODGE!

Don't get me wrong, we will go hunting and fishing other places.
We're just not sure how they will compare.
Especially for the price, how we were treated and how much we loved everything about it.

The point is we never should have went hunting in Africa, because it has spoiled us for everything else.
We know we can't be the only ones thinking this.
Anyone else feel the same or have a rebuttal?

Been Maa
I'm feeling your pain, to hunt a water buffalo or a wild scrubber bull and a few really good hogs in my part of the world (Australia) will set you back not much less than a 7 animal hunt in Namibia.
Africa wins when your own country is so expensive.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

So should I be taking this thread as a warning? I need to quickly cancel my first 2021 safari or suffer a lifelong affliction?

Wade
Yeah mate cancel it and give me the trip as a gift. I think I could almost handle another trip to Namibia. It would be hard mate but I would do it for a nice bloke as your self. Ha ha ha.

 

[Tanks]

You can hunt multiple species in RSA for less than the price of a guided Elk hunt in Montana and that includes the air fare.

 

[BeeMaa]

You can hunt multiple species in RSA for less than the price of a guided Elk hunt in Montana and that includes the air fare.

And you wonder why we love it...

 

[JimP]

You can hunt multiple species in RSA for less than the price of a guided Elk hunt in Montana and that includes the air fare.

While I agree to a point but those must be some very expensive elk hunts.

Here in Colorado you can get a guided elk hunt in one of the better units for around $6000. This will be for a 350 inch bull on average.

Now if you are talking about a non resident hunt up in Canada or Alaska that has to be guided then by all means you are real close as for the price.

Now I did go to South Africa back in 2015 and would love to go back but I don't see that in the cards unless I hit the lottery, and I believe that the vast majority of hunters who have been there are in the same boat

 

[BeeMaa]

While I agree to a point but those must be some very expensive elk hunts.

Here in Colorado you can get a guided elk hunt in one of the better units for around $6000. This will be for a 350 inch bull on average.

Now if you are talking about a non resident hunt up in Canada or Alaska that has to be guided then by all means you are real close as for the price.

Now I did go to South Africa back in 2015 and would love to go back but I don't see that in the cards unless I hit the lottery, and I believe that the vast majority of hunters who have been there are in the same boat

I understand your point, however...
There are African safari companies offering 10-days, 5-animal, all inclusive for ~$6K.
Yes the flight is not included, but the variety of animals is what draws me there.
Options that are not present Elk hunting in the US and a success rate that can't be argued with.

 

[JimP]

But you aslo look at the PH's that are coming here to North America for sheep, goats, elk, and moose hunts along with other animals.

 

[BeeMaa]

But you aslo look at the PH's that are coming here to North America for sheep, goats, elk, and moose hunts along with other animals.

The grass is alway greener...

 

[Ridge Runner]

old hunters are like old trappers, they don,t die they just smell that way.

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+1

Wives and soon to be ex girlfriends always swat the air and hold their hands over their noses while backing away voicing their welcoming you home....and making it clear....."you" need a shower before they get any closer than 10 feet to you. Can't understand why it's only deer,(doe pee, buck urine and doe esterous), cologne (I sprayed on my clothes). Well maybe with some added acorn and/or maybe somes pine scent added). Oh and maybe a little funky smelling fresh dirt rubbed in.

 

[Tanks]

While I agree to a point but those must be some very expensive elk hunts.

Here in Colorado you can get a guided elk hunt in one of the better units for around $6000. This will be for a 350 inch bull on average.

...

At DSC convention I was seeing multiple 5+ species 7 day hunts for about $3,500. Add the plane fare still less than $6K.