Zambia, this doesn’t sit well with me about renting guns or Zambia

[pilar]

I we just listening to two hunters getting back from Zambia, their PH advised them to not bring any guns or ammunition ( because of the extreme high cost/ tax of import there)
They took his advice and then ph didn’t let them test shoot them ( once again saying the cost per round was cost prohibiting) luckily the hunt was filmed as one guy nicked a Roan through the neck hair , it was off 8 inches high and right, next was a buffalo with a 416 rigby which he insisted on shooting gun before he would hunt, the PH about flipped out saying “” every single round cost +/- $40 US $ “ gun was on and only one practice was needed, both guys shot every renter but never really felt comfortable shooting them.
1. Is Zambia that expensive to import ammunition and equipment
2.anyone have such a experience with a PH and renting guns?
3.is Zambia really that much of a fence farm country?
Luckly they got their target animals, but said for them never Zambia again or a completely different area and or PH. ( + I didn’t know air charter was a problem there length and costs)
I appreciate hearing the bad hunts as much as the good,

 

[375Fox]

Did they hunt with a Zambian outfitter or a South African PH advertising hunts there? Sounds like a few parts missing from this story. There are only a few fenced farms in the country. There majority of hunting is done on large GMAs in the Kafue and Luangwa. Use Google image and search “ Zambia GMA map” to see.

Here’s what SCI says on firearm import to Zambia. I believe the $2 per round fee has been dropped.

https://safariclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Zambia.docx.pdf

 

[mdwest]

@spike.t is in Zambia and @roverandbrew has hunted Zambia very recently (a few times).. They can probably provide some insight..

My understanding is that it isnt all that hard to get firearms into/out of Zambia.. I know of multiple hunters that have taken their own guns there within the last few years..

 

[spike.t]

Not sure who you hunted with...but whoever it was was talking bullshit.....all we need is a copy of your 4457 listing your firearms...a copy of your photo/info page of your passport and how many rounds of ammunition....most outfitters charge usd 200 for getting the visitor permit for you..there is no duty on bringing ammo in these days..PGOAZ is talking to or in process of doing so with SCI to change the info saying there is an import duty.....ammunition is more expensive than usa but not to that extent....and in some cases not too different....only thing is we are only allowed 150 rounds a year per rifle.....as for air charter...well the country isn't small and some areas you would need to charter..unless you were happy to drive for 14 hours or so in some cases.....and yes air charter here is expensive....dont ask me why as not my area of knowledge....

 

[Mauserdude]

Was that the guy that is sometimes on Ron Spomer’s podcast? I listened to that story too. That seem pretty suspicious, especially with someone with as many connections as Spomer.

 

[pilar]

Was that the guy that is sometimes on Ron Spomer’s podcast? I listened to that story too. That seem pretty suspicious, especially with someone with as many connections as Spomer.

That would make two different groups with problems, I guess asking questions with the booking agent would make sense

 

[375Fox]

That would make two different groups with problems, I guess asking questions with the booking agent would make sense

Asking questions directly to PH or outfitter would make more sense. I’ve booked many hunts through an agent. They always put me in contact with outfitter. If an agent wants all contact to go through them I’d avoid that agent. Not all agents are actually experienced.

 

[wesheltonj]

I we just listening to two hunters getting back from Zambia, their PH advised them to not bring any guns or ammunition ( because of the extreme high cost/ tax of import there)
They took his advice and then ph didn’t let them test shoot them ( once again saying the cost per round was cost prohibiting) luckily the hunt was filmed as one guy nicked a Roan through the neck hair , it was off 8 inches high and right, next was a buffalo with a 416 rigby which he insisted on shooting gun before he would hunt, the PH about flipped out saying “” every single round cost +/- $40 US $ “ gun was on and only one practice was needed, both guys shot every renter but never really felt comfortable shooting them.
1. Is Zambia that expensive to import ammunition and equipment
2.anyone have such a experience with a PH and renting guns?
3.is Zambia really that much of a fence farm country?
Luckly they got their target animals, but said for them never Zambia again or a completely different area and or PH. ( + I didn’t know air charter was a problem there length and costs)
I appreciate hearing the bad hunts as much as the good,

Well if you fly into Lusaka with a gun and ammo you will have not problem they are used to hunters.

Fly into Ndola prepare for them to try to screw you. When I flew into Ndola they wanted to charge me per round and VAT. We spent about an hour screwing with them and a call to Lusaka Customs resolved that problem. The next problem was the police chief demanding a "tip" in USD for everyone in his office including someone who did not do shit except sit there, after @spike.t "shook his hand."

 

[Safari Dave]

If I can't use my own rifles, then, I better get at least a 75% discount.

Using my own rifles really means a lot to me.

I spend MUCH more time with my rifles, loadings, thoughts, selection, working up loads, etc. than I spend hunting Africa.

I would abort the mission, if you don't stand to loose big money.

 

[pilar]

Well if you fly into Lusaka with a gun and ammo you will have not problem they are used to hunters.

Fly into Ndola prepare for them to try to screw you. When I flew into Ndola they wanted to charge me per round and VAT. We spent about an hour screwing with them and a call to Lusaka Customs resolved that problem. The next problem was the police chief demanding a "tip" in USD for everyone in his office including someone who did not do shit except sit there, after @spike.t "shook his hand."

#3 now

 

[375Fox]

#3 now

Seems like you are looking for confirmation. Reading this (with very few details) I’d suspect issue with the agent and/or outfitter and client failing to ask the right questions. The smaller the airport in Africa typically the more problems. It’s not unique to Zambia.

 

[375Fox]

Well if you fly into Lusaka with a gun and ammo you will have not problem they are used to hunters.

Fly into Ndola prepare for them to try to screw you. When I flew into Ndola they wanted to charge me per round and VAT. We spent about an hour screwing with them and a call to Lusaka Customs resolved that problem. The next problem was the police chief demanding a "tip" in USD for everyone in his office including someone who did not do shit except sit there, after @spike.t "shook his hand."

I don’t think the issue is being use to hunters or not. The issue is lower ranking staff with less oversight. I’ve had issues at regional airports In Namibia that I didn’t have at international airport. Then regional airport in Cameroon was a whole other level.

 

[wesheltonj]

#3 now

I don't care where you are flying to with a gun. Always expect problems. Two round trips with Qatar, problems on both flights, but all resolved. BA flight from JNB problem resolved. BA flight to Slovenia, problem resolved.

Computer down at JNB, having to wait while the police handwrite out a firearm transit permit.

Just takes time, shit happens.

 

[mark-hunter]

I we just listening to two hunters getting back from Zambia, their PH advised them to not bring any guns or ammunition ( because of the extreme high cost/ tax of import there)
They took his advice and then ph didn’t let them test shoot them ( once again saying the cost per round was cost prohibiting) luckily the hunt was filmed as one guy nicked a Roan through the neck hair , it was off 8 inches high and right, next was a buffalo with a 416 rigby which he insisted on shooting gun before he would hunt, the PH about flipped out saying “” every single round cost +/- $40 US $ “ gun was on and only one practice was needed, both guys shot every renter but never really felt comfortable shooting them.
1. Is Zambia that expensive to import ammunition and equipment
2.anyone have such a experience with a PH and renting guns?
3.is Zambia really that much of a fence farm country?
Luckly they got their target animals, but said for them never Zambia again or a completely different area and or PH. ( + I didn’t know air charter was a problem there length and costs)
I appreciate hearing the bad hunts as much as the good,

For 40 usd per round, ammunition for entire safari, will cost more, then importing the gun, i guess.

If i went that route i would insist on test shooting before hunt. And pay.

I know of a case, when hunter wounded a leopard, and lost him, with a rifle not tested before.

High value hunt, with rifle not tested before is gamble.

 

[Red Leg]

My last African hunt was in Zambia with my own rifle (Rigby .275) and I flew Qatar. No issues coming or going. Admittedly, I was hunting with a competent Zambian outfitter, @spike.t, who is also a sponsor on this site.

Rented firearms are always a question. If I am with folks I know and trust like Great European Hunts or FN Hunting in Europe, or MG Hunting in Argentina, I know the rifle will have been properly cared for and shoot as advertised. But I always take a verification shot, and have never had an outfitter object. I have always taken my own rifles to Africa.

 

[Flbt]

For 40 usd per round, ammunition for entire safari, will cost more, then importing the gun, i guess.

If i went that route i would insist on test shooting before hunt. And pay.

I know of a case, when hunter wounded a leopard, and lost him, with a rifle not tested before.

High value hunt, with rifle not tested before is gamble.

Over there if you draw blood and the animal is not found you have to pay right?
You are hunting where the animal you are hunting can kill you and you could run into a animal that can kill you?
Now add in I never want to wound a animal.

There no way I am hunting with a un tried gun.
I want to know it’s sighted where I can hit with it.
But I dammed well want to know the gun works at all.

 

[Safari Dave]

I have absolutely NO interest in "renting" a rifle, unless it is an absolute emergency situation.

I don't even fully enjoy catching fish on someone else's tackle.

I spend too much time perfecting my own gear, to be forced to use someone's else's (which is always always, sub-standard) gear when things get really important.

 

[dchum]

Do you plan on going to Zambia? I remember you said you were going to Zambia on your introduction post 2 years ago.

Who were these hunters “you were just listening to”?
Who did they hunt with?

What do you mean you “didn’t know air charter was a problem”

 

[Flbt]

I have absolutely NO interest in "renting" a rifle, unless it is an absolute emergency situation.

I don't even fully enjoy catching fish on someone else's tackle.

I spend too much time perfecting my own gear, to be forced to use someone's else's (which is always always, sub-standard) gear when things get really important.

I us to be so bad about what rifle to use.
I Tryed to get the best rifle and round for each game animal and each way I was going to hunt that animal.
After the house burned I got more into the generallise hunting rifle.

 

[Safari Dave]

I would have to shoot at least 3 quick shots with someone else's rifle, before I would even consider using it.

Even then, I would skeptical of a "rented rifle."


If I had to pay the trophy fee for a drop of blood with a rifle I had no experience with, this could lead to serious contention.

My rifles have had SERIOUS and meticulous scope mounting.

Many rounds of test firing at home and at least 5 rounds of verification firing at the hunting camp.