What animal do you think is the most overrated for the trophy fee? Or daily fees that make it expens

[Norwegianwoods]

Sad brother...sad indeed but true words.
Hell i hate seeing trophy hunting prices and economy get the better of a fellow hunter's way of life.
Before you retire from hunting, come to Namibia and do a 7 day DIY 'biltong hunt / meat hunt' with me. We will drive to the farm ourselves - no pick- up fees at airport, sleep in a tent in the veld which we put up ourselves - not a 5 star lodge, no 'pampering fees' for a PH or servants - we do food (bbq only) and dishes ourselves, no driving all day long looking for the right animal - we walk & stalk and enjoy the wild - at our own pace. Your most expencive cost will be airfares to Windhoek. Hell - i will pick you up in Windhoek. You pay me ZERO, you just share the hunting trips cost (fuel / animal fees / cold-room facilities) Meat hunters pay far-far less than trophy hunters. I can almost guarantee you it will cost you 1/4 of the price compared to what a standard 7 day trophy locally will cost you. Only downfall is - you will have no trophy to take home - but pictures and memories. Perhaps this is the way for future budget strapped hunters who wants to hunt Africa come hell or highwater. Meat-hunt with a fellow African meat hunter. Pictures and memories - no trophies. My 5c

This is the sort of hunting I would enjoy a lot.
I don't hunt to get a trophy collection. I hunt because I enjoy hunting, period.
A trophy is just a nice bonus. I couldn't care less about how much a trophy scores.
But if I first must pay a trophy fee, I want at least something decent. Even if the Kudu I shot this year hardly could be called decent Not so picky since I both really wanted to shoot one and I really enjoyed the stalking that day

I don't want to pay for being pampered with.
I don't need a luxury lodge.
I would much more prefer to hunt together with another hunter than together with a PH(babysitter). Even if I enjoyed very much the company of my PH this year, I know I would enjoy much more to hunt together with someone on equal terms and where a successful outcome of my hunting totally depended on my hunting skills alone.

One of my dream hunts would be to do a hunt as you talk about fhm3006 for 10-12 hunting days with a bow

 

[enysse]

Paul, Post #39 says it all. You are 100 percent correct cutting corners with a cut rate outfitter is a definite recipe for disaster. I would not recommend anyone trying it. The hunt will cost you in many other ways...bad memories that never go away. There are a lot of fixed costs in hunting. And when you cut corners you are trusting the person you are hunt with to have the professionalism to follow through on every facet of the hunt. That rarely happens. Seriously, there are reasons why outfitters survive over a decade or more and have a lot of friends.

I believe like Paul when the pendulum does swing....prices will not come down. That will never happen. Hunting is a lot like buying land....the price only goes in one direction up! They are not making anymore land....and wildlife is certainly not getting cheaper.

I think cull hunts like Paul offers are a great option in the future for me and other hunters. It is better to be in the field hunting....than not hunting.

I think the terrible thing I see across the globe, is the catering to the wealthy hunter...lodging, food and staff that put the other hunters out of the business. I can't begin to express the frustration other hunters have told me....on how this could have been prevented. They just wanted tent, simple food, and a warm cot and sleeping bag. And I'm talking about guys that make a hell of a lot of more money than me and other guys on here. But I certainly can understand why this doesn't occur. There are just way to many people that have to have it all and you can never satisfy them.

 

[Calhoun]

Since i went to Africa in 2007 the price of Cape buffalo, Leopard, Sable, & Roan have all doubled. I certainly can't figure out why except that hunters are willing to pay those prices! I certainly won't! I just wish I would have shot a leopard or Sable when I was over there. I did have the sights on a Sable but when he said the price I went " bang" and the trophy was mine - in my mind.

 

[James.Grage]

Calhoun

I do believe you can pass judgement on our central fed bank...plus our hugh debt to China...

Our FED lower our moneys value to help reduce our monthly debt...i am sure you know we are trillions in the hole...and the plan Was we devalue our currency to cut our monthly debt owed...And that plays a great part in what we have to pay...

The USA is doing all it can to make our money worthless...not all countries are doing so.

Since i went to Africa in 2007 the price of Cape buffalo, Leopard, Sable, & Roan have all doubled. I certainly can't figure out why except that hunters are willing to pay those prices! I certainly won't! I just wish I would have shot a leopard or Sable when I was over there. I did have the sights on a Sable but when he said the price I went " bang" and the trophy was mine - in my mind.

 

[johnfox]

Sad brother...sad indeed but true words.
Hell i hate seeing trophy hunting prices and economy get the better of a fellow hunter's way of life.
Before you retire from hunting, come to Namibia and do a 7 day DIY 'biltong hunt / meat hunt' with me. We will drive to the farm ourselves - no pick- up fees at airport, sleep in a tent in the veld which we put up ourselves - not a 5 star lodge, no 'pampering fees' for a PH or servants - we do food (bbq only) and dishes ourselves, no driving all day long looking for the right animal - we walk & stalk and enjoy the wild - at our own pace. Your most expencive cost will be airfares to Windhoek. Hell - i will pick you up in Windhoek. You pay me ZERO, you just share the hunting trips cost (fuel / animal fees / cold-room facilities) Meat hunters pay far-far less than trophy hunters. I can almost guarantee you it will cost you 1/4 of the price compared to what a standard 7 day trophy locally will cost you. Only downfall is - you will have no trophy to take home - but pictures and memories. Perhaps this is the way for future budget strapped hunters who wants to hunt Africa come hell or highwater. Meat-hunt with a fellow African meat hunter. Pictures and memories - no trophies. My 5c

That's exactly the type of hunt I'd like to do. I came back from Namibia (first trip to Africa) last year with a set of warthog tusks, photos and video. Have I regretted bringing more home?? No.

Sounds like a lot of fun...

 

[Wolverine67]

I personally thinks the springbuck and the blesbuck and the warthog and the impala are overprised. This are animals you could hunt anywhere and they are aboundant. When this is said, why are the price on the waterbuck that high? Take an animal like the grey rehbuck or waal rehbuck, that is an common animal in the eastern cape, but anyway, its an animal that is hard to get, because of its biology, and living habitat. So why do it cost so much to shoot? Of course, because of the tendensity to use more days to get it. I guess the same reason is to use when it come to roan, sable and buffalo. You would have to use more days to get this animal, than you use to any other species. The outfitters need to get their daily income, so they price their prey after how difficult it is to get.

 

[35bore]

Ironic how most of the comments here are more about the economy, instead of the original question of "which animal do you think is overpriced and why"...

I commend the people that kept to the original question, I thought it was a great topic, just to see other people's thoughts throughout the world. The simplest answer was basically "supply and demand" you got an animal that's a hot seller, then yes, charge a fair market value. But, (as with the original question of "WHY") ( and I understand the question) is it that a Eland can most of the time cost more than a Kudu, or a Sable cost more than a Gemsbok? All of the game is plentiful,,, so is it really just the simple fact that the hunters lust for these animals are what drives up the cost?

Yes here in the states, I have personally met a guy that paid 30k for a non typical 305 class whitetail, I thought then and still think he is nuts, but, he only had 4 days to hunt, and he had the money ( yes high fence hunt). So I guess he is really chasing after what he loves to do, but with a pricetag like that, I would be divorced. Enysee had a great topic here, and again, not to step on any toes here, I realize the price of fuel, hired help, trophy fees, etc. but again, if you have 5000 of animal X on your hunting property and 5000 of animal Y on your property, why is it that animal Y cost more?

 

[enysse]

It's alright if people want to reply on anything. I didn't call my friend Cal to reply either if anyone wants to know. I had this topic on my mind for a while. The comments on the waterbuck being over priced made me wonder what else is over priced? The topic is for sure controversial.

 

[Norwegianwoods]

I think if it was not about economy at all, no one would care if an animal was overpriced or not, because you could and would pay any price asked for the trophy you wanted anyway.
A Lion hunt is totally out of my league when it comes to costs, so I don't even consider if it is overpriced or not.
A Waterbuck is within my league when it comes to costs, so I ask myself if the price is something I am willing to pay and if it is overpriced or not.

I think you last question regarding why an animal is much more expensive than the other when they are at about the same number and quality in the same area, is very good 35bore.

My impression is(right or wrong) that very many places they will charge the trophy price that is the common rate for that animal disregarding numbers and quality in their own area.

Being on this forum will hopefully give me lots of knowledge and information about things I don't know, so I can make better judgments about where to hunt, what to hunt and how much is an acceptable price to pay for it all.
I have already learned much and I am sure I will learn much more, and I for sure need it being the novice I am when it comes to hunting in Africa.

 

[Ammy John]

but here in this case might the animals be deprecated when you would afford it

 

[enysse]

but here in this case might the animals be deprecated when you would afford it

Please expand on your reply, Boddington said in a recent "Sports Afield" article that 80 percent of the sable have been slaughtered since 2000 in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe used to be one of the best places to hunt sable. As far as cape buffalo go...I don't think their populations have decreased at all? That being said there are plenty of hunts around. I just have to save for it that's all. Cape buffalo doesn't cost petty change at all. In that same article Craig Boddington wrote he said roan are suspected of not handling human pressure well. Could explain their low numbers.

 

[TERMINATOR]

Great topic Eric, (sure to create some waves) lol.

Just by the title I would say Sable, not really sure why they cost as much as they do but as cool as they look I could not justify the cost. Sable vs. any other plains games, I would go for a beautiful Gemsbok or Springbok over a Sable due to the cost... That being said, It seems to me (without researching it) that those Ibex are very expensive hunts, from what I can remember.

I would have to disagree with you (personally) about the Cape Buff, only because it is the only one of the Big 5 that I really want to hunt, so I guess the price would not be the issue for me vs. that of a Lion or Rhino, etc. etc., cause I only want the Buff.

Great topic, you don't really use kid gloves when you ask a question, do you...lol

I am with you on the Sable....but I want one...and a Cape Buff...and a Leopord. After my upcoming trip to RSA for Nyala those are about all I will probably want to hunt because they are expensive to hunt and I should have most of the common plains game.

 

[TERMINATOR]

I think you can put 90% of the blame for the cost of hunting going to the stratosphere on SCI/DSC and it's members focus on "making the book" and "Grand Slam this" and "Super Slam that". Basically it has turned hunting into a pissing contest between billionaires.

Most of them don't want to "hunt"...they want to kill a record book head and will pay anything to do it so the outfitter cater to the dudes that are "throwing the party"

Yes, cost of fuel and everything go up and contribute to the rising cost of hunting.

But I think the main issue is that 40 years ago you couldn't just "buy" a trophy elk...you had to go earn one and 99.9% of the dudes in DSC wouldn't know what to do if you dropped them on the mountain where I self guided myself, from out state, on a mountain I had never seen before to a 5x5 elk.

But because there are plenty of dudes willing to pay $10,000 for a 6x6 Elk it means the outfitters can afford to lock up a zillion acres in leases and sell them an elk (not a hunt). If the outfitters could only get $4,000 for an elk it wouldn't justify paying for large leases.

That is why I let my SCI membership go by the wayside. I am more proud of my "measley" 5x5 elk that I did my homework on and busted my azz getting on public land out of a backpack than I ever would be if I shot the #1 elk in the world on a hunt where I stayed in a lodge, got driven in a Land Rover to field and shot him.

I do pretty well money wise but it makes me sick that hunting has stopped being about being in the backcountry where animals live and people don't and has become about who's head scores higher than who's in the SCI book and how many Super Slams Joe Billionare has collected.

 

[enysse]

I think the outdoor media and various clubs have certainly run the cost of hunting up! The converse of that is they have saved a lot of species from becomeing extinct or very low in number. I think a lot of the expensive elk and mule deer hunts have turned a lot of people off. I think, Africa has amazing plains game hunts available. Sorry if I'm offending anyone but unless you have a lot of home or garage space. The best thing you can do to keep costs low. Is shoot what you can afford in Africa. Take awesome pictures and leave everything there. Between the shipping and taxidermy the trip starts doubling an tripling in costs. What do you want to remember? The great hunting? The process of getting the animals home and up on the wall...along with all the hastle and bills with it? If you didn't go anything but take pictures you could be doing a lot of hunting! I don't regret mounting anything I have. They look great to me. I know what they cost too. They do take a lot of room up in my house. That pisses some people off that visit....but hey you are not going to please everyone. But is I had to do it over knowing what I know.....I wouldn't mount a thing. My reasons include having a lot more money to go hunting. More room in my house. Less complaints from family and friends that hunting is not that important. I am sure some of you have heard the same arguements. The world as whole has changed. We were first hunters and gathers and have progressed to a society that relies on technology to do everything for us. The few people that understand the cycle of life have become fossils.

Terminator....I agree with a lot of things you say about SCI. They keep talking of doubling membership every year....but they never will for the same reasons you posted.

 

[Norwegianwoods]

I think you can put 90% of the blame for the cost of hunting going to the stratosphere on SCI/DSC and it's members focus on "making the book" and "Grand Slam this" and "Super Slam that". Basically it has turned hunting into a pissing contest between billionaires.

Most of them don't want to "hunt"...they want to kill a record book head and will pay anything to do it so the outfitter cater to the dudes that are "throwing the party"

Yes, cost of fuel and everything go up and contribute to the rising cost of hunting.

But I think the main issue is that 40 years ago you couldn't just "buy" a trophy elk...you had to go earn one and 99.9% of the dudes in DSC wouldn't know what to do if you dropped them on the mountain where I self guided myself, from out state, on a mountain I had never seen before to a 5x5 elk.

But because there are plenty of dudes willing to pay $10,000 for a 6x6 Elk it means the outfitters can afford to lock up a zillion acres in leases and sell them an elk (not a hunt). If the outfitters could only get $4,000 for an elk it wouldn't justify paying for large leases.

That is why I let my SCI membership go by the wayside. I am more proud of my "measley" 5x5 elk that I did my homework on and busted my azz getting on public land out of a backpack than I ever would be if I shot the #1 elk in the world on a hunt where I stayed in a lodge, got driven in a Land Rover to field and shot him.

I do pretty well money wise but it makes me sick that hunting has stopped being about being in the backcountry where animals live and people don't and has become about who's head scores higher than who's in the SCI book and how many Super Slams Joe Billionare has collected.

I think you are very right
TERMINATOR

enysse, I have still not yet mounted one single animal I have shot.
First of all I think it is to expensive(rather use my money on more guns and hunting), they take to much space and I often find the European skull mounts to better looking for many animals.
There is only one animal I know for sure I will shoulder mount if I shoot one and that is a Nyala.
I guess that I for my hunting in Africa after my 2012 trip, I will mostly hunt non-trophy animals to get the most bang(or arrow flinging) for my money

 

[enysse]

My wife likes European, they don't do it for me at all. And that is me. It's cheaper and more affordable. I won't mount anything from North America anymore. I think the memories remain there long term for me. The rest becomes "stuff" that costs more money and takes up space in your house, garage...etc. The older I get the more I want to minimize the "stuff" I have. Memories and moments along your life's journey is what remains after the years go by. And by saving on space in the house and not spending on taxidermy...you will get to hunt more....which to me, is a huge bonus.

 

[TERMINATOR]

I know SCI does some good as far as preserving the ability to hunt some species.

I also know that the competition for a limited commodity (trophy heads) between millionaires and billionaires has driven up the cost of hunting BIG TIME and has steered outfitters toward providing cushy, luxury catered hunts and away from less expensive, no frills hunts.

No matter what I want to hunt there is some dude with 10x or 100x more money that is willing to pay triple what I can for a hunt and that is where the outfitters gravitate.

That is why I liked it better when the western states basically just had lottery for tags...now they take some and auction them off, have "Special" tags (read that higher priced for people willing to pay more) etc which dilute the # of tags available to non-residents

I killed 4 animals that would have made the SCI book in Namibia and I was a member at the time and I did not register one of them because it just didn't matter all that much to me. I joined SCI to "help" hunting and to get access to a vast amount of contacts for Africa but in the end I decided that SCI was doing more to price the average Joe out of hunting then they were helping him.

 

[enysse]

I know SCI does some good as far as preserving the ability to hunt some species.

I also know that the competition for a limited commodity (trophy heads) between millionaires and billionaires has driven up the cost of hunting BIG TIME and has steered outfitters toward providing cushy, luxury catered hunts and away from less expensive, no frills hunts.

No matter what I want to hunt there is some dude with 10x or 100x more money that is willing to pay triple what I can for a hunt and that is where the outfitters gravitate.

That is why I liked it better when the western states basically just had lottery for tags...now they take some and auction them off, have "Special" tags (read that higher priced for people willing to pay more) etc which dilute the # of tags available to non-residents

I killed 4 animals that would have made the SCI book in Namibia and I was a member at the time and I did not register one of them because it just didn't matter all that much to me. I joined SCI to "help" hunting and to get access to a vast amount of contacts for Africa but in the end I decided that SCI was doing more to price the average Joe out of hunting then they were helping him.

Amen, that pretty much somes it up. Could not agree more.

And hunting is a lot better off in the United States with lottery odds for tags....rather than giving them to the highest bidder!!!!! It has totally removed the tradition! It essential becomes a "free market" with who pays $$$$ hunts.

 

[Cliffy]

My biggest "concern" with SCI is there is no problem becoming a "Diamond " level hunter- only requirement is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Anybody can do it. Now do they do some good with their money at SCI- sure. I go to Africa because I like to see the countryside, smell the ordors and listen to the "African" bush. Huntig for me is secondary. I sure like to do it but there is so much more than pulling the trigger.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I know SCI does some good as far as preserving the ability to hunt some species.

I also know that the competition for a limited commodity (trophy heads) between millionaires and billionaires has driven up the cost of hunting BIG TIME and has steered outfitters toward providing cushy, luxury catered hunts and away from less expensive, no frills hunts.

No matter what I want to hunt there is some dude with 10x or 100x more money that is willing to pay triple what I can for a hunt and that is where the outfitters gravitate.

That is why I liked it better when the western states basically just had lottery for tags...now they take some and auction them off, have "Special" tags (read that higher priced for people willing to pay more) etc which dilute the # of tags available to non-residents

I killed 4 animals that would have made the SCI book in Namibia and I was a member at the time and I did not register one of them because it just didn't matter all that much to me. I joined SCI to "help" hunting and to get access to a vast amount of contacts for Africa but in the end I decided that SCI was doing more to price the average Joe out of hunting then they were helping him.

Amen, that pretty much somes it up. Could not agree more.

And hunting is a lot better off in the United States with lottery odds for tags....rather than giving them to the highest bidder!!!!! It has totally removed the tradition! It essential becomes a "free market" with who pays $$$$ hunts.

My biggest "concern" with SCI is there is no problem becoming a "Diamond " level hunter- only requirement is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Anybody can do it. Now do they do some good with their money at SCI- sure. I go to Africa because I like to see the countryside, smell the ordors and listen to the "African" bush. Huntig for me is secondary. I sure like to do it but there is so much more than pulling the trigger.

I can't disagree with you guys and in fact very much agree with you. The unfortunate bad we have to take with the good is that this value the animals of Africa bring is what I believe saves them. I will most likely never be able to hunt a free range male lion with the $$$ they bring. But you know, in some way I think it brings a sense of value to the lesser priced plains game I have been able pay the price for. I don't begrudge the rich man for running up the price of some species, in my mind it makes that $1500 Waterbuck I killed on my first safari that much more meaningful to me. It measures well enough to make SCI gold, yet I haven't actually sent the paperwork in and most likely won't at this point. I really don't care about getting the little medal and certificate or having my name in some book. The bull is on my wall and serves as a reminder of my first safari. What else do I need?