Wife Advice

[Justbryan]

My wife has gone twice to Africa, once to New Zealand, and now goes on most of my hunts in Western USA and Alaska. She is hooked on photography now because of Kruger in South Africa.

 

[Randy F]

My wife went along on my first trip to SA as well. She doesn't hunt but loved the sights and sounds. She didn't want to go on any stalks but she loved to listen to the talks. My PH made sure she was taken on a couple of half-day personal photo rides through the bushveld while I hunted in different areas, AND he made it a point every time I had one down to call back and get her out there to where we were. She took the pic in my avatar and all the others as well. She very much enjoyed her stay at the lodge and took hundreds of great photos with and without me.

After the hunt, I took her to Sun City Resort and got us rooms at the Palace for 5 nights. Darn near as expensive as the hunt ,and not exactly my thing, but she loved it and our time together. Then we were off to visit friends for a few days.

She told me wouldn't trade the experience together for anything. We had a ball.

My wife is a non-hunting city girl who grew up in Minneapolis, spent ten years in Manhattan, then married a farmer. And she loved being included.

I would bring her again in a heartbeat.

 

[Ruan Bouwer]

Going on my first safari to Namibia in September for plains game. My wife, who doesn’t hunt, is going along. She says she wants to hunt with me but not shoot. Any general advice on making the hunt memorable and enjoyable for both of us?

I would definitely visit either Kruger National Park, Etosha, Tankwa Karoo, Richtersveld, Chobe or some other National Park. It's always a great experience when combined with the hunt. The places here...simply breathtaking.

 

[Happy Myles]

My wife and I have been married 56 years, she is a non hunter. However, she is a retired doctor zoooligist scientist, an expert photographer and a world class bird watcher. She has accompanied me on adventures all over the world. I make it very clear when i set up a safari she is to have her own first class PH, her own vehicle and crew and they will all be tipped as well as my own group at trips end. We meet in the evening and share the days adventures. This practice has worked well for decades, should add I make sure her PH is an avid birder. If you plan carefully and make sure your outfitter understands what you expect for your wife and not just lip service things usually go fine. She goes with me to the Dallas Safari club show and meets her perspective PH in advance. She has a very confident personality and used to being treated accordingly. Not the little woman type. An example. I was invited to attend a safari for an assortment of well known hunters. My wife was assigned a junior PH who was a bit chagrined getting the old woman bird watcher. By chance I was assigned a well known PH whom I had hunted with in three other parts of Africa. The first evening he pulled my wife’s young PH aside and told him to give his best and listen to her and the youngster would have a great safari and learn more about birds than ever in his life. He did and got a huge tip, plus a free new computer plus bird and animal apps.
The main thing to remember is make it clear what you and wife expect from the outfitter in advance. Do not leave her sitting around camp reading a book.

 

[Happy Myles]

Thought i would add that on several occasions my concessionaire has hired a local university person knowledgeable in local birds for surprisingly little money just happy for a free trip plus a little cash to help my wife’s PH with local birding. She always takes an extra pair of first class binos

 

[Doug3006]

Namibia is a great place for a 1st safari...for both of you. Depending on how much time you have, there are quite a few scenic and enjoyable places to visit. Swakopmund (nice shopping and eateries), Sossusvlei (the largest dunes in the world), Fish River Canyon (their Grand Canyon), Etosha (great because you can do self-guided tours). Nearly all of the outfitters in Namibia are used to non-hunting guests and know how to show them a great time. With all there is to do, she'll get worn out before she gets bored.

 

[buck wild]

Hand her the video camera

 

[Ragman]

Mine accompanied me to the Eastern Cape in 2018. I made sure that she got a day at the beach in Port Elizabeth and a day of shopping in Port Alfred, but on a 10-day safari I should have had one or two more days set aside for her. She enjoyed herself but did say that there were times that she sat back with the tracker while the PH and I were on a stalk that got a little boring. If she comes with me in the future I'll definitely let her choose more activities for her. But she says she can't face that plane trip again sadly.

 

[WyatBaker]

As @Red Leg said camera and binoculars. She could be your videographer. Make sure she practices with whatever equipment you choose to take.

Couple of things to make sure. One, that she is fine with getting up before dawn. Two, using the bathroom in the bush. Warn her of snakes as well.

If she is coming I'd also make sure there are a couple of rolls of her favorite TP in the luggage.

great idea! Do share some pictures with us.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Make sure that she has a adequate supply of good wine. Maybe a nearby .243 if she decides she wants to take her first impala. After that the costs of your Safaris will double!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Going on my first safari to Namibia in September for plains game. My wife, who doesn’t hunt, is going along. She says she wants to hunt with me but not shoot. Any general advice on making the hunt memorable and enjoyable for both of us?

@NEHunter
I took my non hunter wife to Namibia with my son. She came out hunting with both of us and enjoyed every minute of it. She also went to the local school and church with the PHs wife and our cook then we went to the school as a family.
After the hunt was over we went to Etosha National Park for a couple of nights that shouldn't be missed if you can. Okahenja markets is an eye opener for all and top it off with a great time at Joe's Beer House in Windhoek before you leave.
Bob

 

[Nhoro]

No one else has mentioned, if she is going on stalks with you or sitting in the blind, get her a good pair of ear muffs with electronics. When taking pictures or filming, you look at the animal and get the fright of your life when the gun goes off- and you blast your ears. Then the second time, you are so busy sticking your fingers in your ears that you miss the shot. The electronic ear buds are even better.

 

[K-man]

Great posts and ideas so far, just involve her in the planning and details just like you would a hunting buddy or your son. Get her to look at the shot placement threads and identify the different animals and flowers, trees etc you might see. Even show the difference between a young animal and a old or mature animal. Keeps a non-hunter from being bored if a stalk is unsuccessful or you decide to pass on an animal. You are fortunate yours wants to go in the field with you. Mine just wants unlimited wine and air conditioning.

 

[CBH Australia]

Just do it

 

[Flipper Dude]

Do NOT slip off with the PH and take an ele while your wife stays at the truck with the driver. DO NOT. Trust me on this one.

 

[WAB]

Do NOT slip off with the PH and take an ele while your wife stays at the truck with the driver. DO NOT. Trust me on this one.

Hmmm, I sense a story here. I actually got away with this exact scenario and survived!

 

[C.W. Richter]

As suggested above, sit at waterholes with her on (or after) spot/stalks and/or drives. 'Also a nice place to have lunch or sundowners. Perhaps stay at the Country Club (casino/hotel w/ African flair) prior to or after your safari. Some PHs have (or have access to) horses; Horseback rides (or hunting) can bring you to some real trophies where the tracks end in Namib! Hit the nat park sand dunes along the ocean. I'm guessing you'll be in the main/lower portion of Namibia for PG, but if within reach of the Caprivi, the parks up there are full of DG and Vic Falls isn't too much farther a drive...(Mine got a dishonorable discharge decades ago, so that's when the safaris became a much easier affair...) Enjoy!

 

[wesheltonj]

Wife and daughter went with me and I hunted the last week of the trip. Wife went out one day with me and that was more then enough for her, daughter stayed at pool. The rest of the time wife and daughter went went on photo game drives/walks.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

my wife is my favorite hunting buddy,has hunted with me on all our trips to africa,5 times and the lower 48 and alaska,wouldnt have it any other way.weve always had a great time together.also,she can out shoot me 9 out of ten times.all trophies are in the house as some are hers.

This!

But we always plan some tourist things to do before or after the hunt. Victoria Falls is unforgettable.

 

[NEHunter]

Thanks for all the great advice! We are going to have a great time!