Who was at fault, me or the PH?

[ActionBob]

The mistake was all on the PH. Thankfully both the PH and owner took responsibility.

We are constantly told to listen to our PH! Sounds like that is exactly what @Speedster did. Although I am still unclear if he actually shot another or not? @Speedster did you take them up on the offer and shoot a better Gemsbok?

When Gina 's dad was hunting his buffalo he asked the PH if he should bring his binos to which the PH said no. Then told him he wanted him on the gun lining up the shot when told to do so and to not get distracted by looking at horns or anything else that is the responsibility of the PH. Now this was a first and likely only buffalo for a guy who struggles to walk, especially through brush and over rocks. He got a fantastic buffalo!

Another situation had happened with another hunter just before we arrived. Basically the compete opposite of what the OP experienced. They had been struggling finding a good kudu on a property the PH had not hunted before. Every bull they saw had his horns up in thick trees so there was no good way to judge length. Then the PH spotted a bull that had huge bases and the PH just knew it was a really good one even though he could not see much of the horns. He told the hunter to shoot. The hunter hesitated because he could not see the horns. I believe the conversation was something along the lines of "shoot itvor give me the gun and I'll take it!"

The client ended up wounding it and they could find it after an exhaustive search. The hunt continued onto other properties and species.

Then right at the end of the hunt they got a call that the farm staff found the kudu bull dead and the PH had best come over. I believe the hunter was still in camp so they drove over. That kudu went 70 inches!!!

The cape was gone but they got the skull and horns. In fact it was in the salt shed yet.

 

[Mekaniks]

Mistakes happen. How it’s handled is important.

On my very first safari I really wanted a black wildebeest. We got into a herd and the PH picked out the “bull” and I shot. And I shot badly. Somehow in the follow up, either I shot the wrong one or we just miscommunicated. Either way. I shot the wrong one.

Dust settled and the first was a huge cow. And the second was a cow too. Obviously the first animal was just a mistake by the PH. The second was either my fault, or both, I’m still not sure

We had chances at bulls later, but I had two already, so I didn’t shoot.

I get the final bill and the owner didn’t charge me anything for the black wildebeest. I asked and he said he wasn’t going to charge me as they were cows. I didn’t think that was fair, so I offered to pay for the price for one bull. He was happy I think. I was happy. I hope it was a fair way to resolve it.

I have those two black wildebeest skulls in my office and no one even knows what they are, let alone that they were cows.

And I would hunt with that owner and that PH again any day

This is an excellent example how things can happen and how they should be sorted.....

 

[Ridge Runner]

A 70 inch Kudu! WOW! That's Awesome.

 

[sniper7]

Sounds like it worked out well. PH made the mistake or wanted it culled and made a quick call. Luckily you were in an area to shoot another one. Some countries you would be mostly stuck with it.

I’ve culled a lot of animals and only questioned my PH once very early on as I wasn’t sure what exactly was happening. Then I understood if he said shoot then I shoot. We have had great communication and I trust him. Been twice with that PH and take his advice on other African hunts I’ve been on as well. He has set me up on a ton of trophies, he sees things I don’t. There is a huge difference in seeing 10/15/20 different plains game species vs hunting whitetail or elk and you are after one specific species. Or even judging elephant or buffalo with little to no experience.

There is something great to be said about trusting your PH, not only on calling the shots or the animal but also potentially with your life.

I look at any new PH/concession/outfitter/etc as an interview before I book a trip. I want to talk with the PH who I will be hunting with, if I don’t have a great first impression of someone I might spend 5/7/10/14 days with hours on end I’m not going.