Deposits

The booking agent I'm dealing with for my 2014 hunt wants a 50% deposit nine months out from the hunt. That seems sort of high. Is it normal and okay?

I think it is. But I think it also depends on what you're hunting and where. If this is a plainsgame hunt, it would seem high to me.

I agree with 1ObsessedHunter.......

Sorry, yes plains game only. On a private place in Botswana.

Originally Posted by postoak

The booking agent I'm dealing with for my 2014 hunt wants a 50% deposit nine months out from the hunt. That seems sort of high. Is it normal and okay?

Postoak,
Typically, you will have to put down a deposit equal to half of the daily rate. Seven day hunt at $400.00 per day = $1,400 deposit. All outfits are different but this is pretty standard. Most also want the balance 30 days prior to the start of your safari with trophy fees payable before leaving.

Postoak

There are 2 different Safari we could be looking at?
1. Package Safari deal. PH & number of animals Set rate.
2. PH daily fees and Selected Trophy animals

#1. Package deal - you would need to make a deposit of 1/2 the safari fees at time of signing. With the balance due 1 to 2 months prior to leaving on your safari.

#2 - PH daily fees and selected trophy animals.
You will need to make a 1/2 deposit of the daily fees at time of signing. with the remainder 1 to 2 months prior to leaving on your safari. Also you have to make arrangements on how to make the trophy animals payments at this time. Pre-pay a basis amount. cash on hand, bank transfer, credit card or the method of payment you work out.

Some times when booking years out the deposit may be 1/4 the package or daily rate.

It is a package deal. My package deal for 2013, I only had to put down 20%, so just wondering.

Jame/Buff Buster...is that really how it generally works? My experience is limited. However, my outfitter never asked me for the balance of the safari prior to arrival. I put up a reasonable deposit and the balance at the end of my safari. I would be very reluctant (especially as a first timer) to put up thousands of dollars up front. Why would you pay for trophy fees up front....you may not even fill your package of animals. It doesn't make total sense to me but if that's how it is, then that's how it is.

As an agent, I follow what the operator wants. In general, most want a significant enough deposit to reserve the dates on the calendar. Without a financial commitment, the parties are not perceived as serious and cancellations can happen.

Most operators like 50% of daily rates or package price down, but most all are open to arrangements as long as the original deposit is timely made and in a reasonable sum. I've taken as little as $1,000 for some hunt deposits and as much as payment in full for the clients "wish list" a year in advance in other circumstance. 50% is a general rule but there is some flexibility. Deposit secures dates and shows commitment. They are not meant to be burdensome but they have to be significant enough to commence hunt preparations and block off the dates as well....hope that makes sense.

OH
a package deal included the trophy feed for the animals weather shot or not. so it is paid in full prior to leaving to go.

On the PH and trophy fees. PH fees would need to be paid in full prior to leaving. As you shoot animals you will have to pay for those animals on a daily basis or at the end of the hunt. This is worked out prior to leaving.

I have no issue with having a pre paid amount to the outfitter before i leave on safari. And if i have a balance i pay in cash or when i return what ever is worked out before hand.

Originally Posted by 1ObsessedHunter

Jame/Buff Buster...is that really how it generally works? My experience is limited. However, my outfitter never asked me for the balance of the safari prior to arrival. I put up a reasonable deposit and the balance at the end of my safari. I would be very reluctant (especially as a first timer) to put up thousands of dollars up front. Why would you pay for trophy fees up front....you may not even fill your package of animals. It doesn't make total sense to me but if that's how it is, then that's how it is.

Some outfitters dont require the balance of daily rates until you arrive in camp, usually before the hunt commences. If you have hunted with them before and they know you likely you wont pay until the end of the hunt unless the outfitter needs the money for whatever reason. Half the daily rate is standard up front. On a package hunt it could be half the package cost. Having your booking agent send trophy fee money ahead by transfer, (or hold in escrow) is becoming more common and its a good idea as you wont have to pack so much cash or checks around, its easy to lose stuff with all the traveling and transfers. Put more in escrow than expected and whatever is left can be applied to the daily rate or used for tips, gifts etc., or refunded, usually when you return home.

I think a 50 percent down payment on a package hunt is ok, especially if the outfitter locks in price on all trophy animal fees. It shows you are committed to the hunt.

Originally Posted by James.Grage

OH
a package deal included the trophy feed for the animals weather shot or not. so it is paid in full prior to leaving to go.

On the PH and trophy fees. PH fees would need to be paid in full prior to leaving. As you shoot animals you will have to pay for those animals on a daily basis or at the end of the hunt. This is worked out prior to leaving.

I have no issue with having a pre paid amount to the outfitter before i leave on safari. And if i have a balance i pay in cash or when i return what ever is worked out before hand.

Thanks. This is good to know. At least I won't be surprised in the future if asked to provide a larger down payment or payment in full.

Originally Posted by 1ObsessedHunter

you may not even fill your package of animals.

On a package hunt the price is set whether you kill all included animals or not. Reputable outfitters only offer packages that they are sure they can fill and in the circumstance that you do not get a reasonable opportunity on an included animal, they usually allow you to take a different animal of equal value.

Originally Posted by enysse

I think a 50 percent down payment on a package hunt is ok, especially if the outfitter locks in price on all trophy animal fees. It shows you are committed to the hunt.

I agree, You lock the dates, He locks the price - win-win.

+1


1. all package deals - 50% of total package, the rest when leaving the camp. Ph's fees, animals fees, camp, concession ect. all already included...package deals get constructed a bit differently.

2. Not booking package deals, will be 50% on the daily rate upfront , the rest when leaving camp.

Originally Posted by Diamondhitch

I agree, You lock the dates, He locks the price - win-win.

On both of my safaris I was required to deposit 50% of the daily rates. Each time I elected to pay more just so I didn't have to carry so much cash, but I never had to pay for any trophy fees before I actually went on the hunt. On both safaris I paid all remaining fees on the last night of the hunt. I personally don't feel comfortable pre-paying for trophy fees. Several years ago my father pre-paid for an entire hunt and did not take all of the animals he paid for. While he eventually did get a refund, it took far too much time and effort to do so.

Originally Posted by sestoppelman

Some outfitters dont require the balance of daily rates until you arrive in camp, usually before the hunt commences. If you have hunted with them before and they know you likely you wont pay until the end of the hunt unless the outfitter needs the money for whatever reason. Half the daily rate is standard up front. On a package hunt it could be half the package cost. Having your booking agent send trophy fee money ahead by transfer, (or hold in escrow) is becoming more common and its a good idea as you wont have to pack so much cash or checks around, its easy to lose stuff with all the traveling and transfers. Put more in escrow than expected and whatever is left can be applied to the daily rate or used for tips, gifts etc., or refunded, usually when you return home.

ses is right with the outfit I hunt with they require a 50% deposit on all package hunts and the rest to be paid upon arrival. and if it is not a package hunt then 50% of the daily rates to book the rest of the daily rates due upon arrival or before hunt starts the fees for animals taken before departure. I have also noticed that the outfitters requiring 50% or more deposit also offer you most or all of your deposit back if you have to cancel the hunt in a reasonable amount of time before the hunt begains.

The trophy hunting business is all about TRUST (mutual trust). As outfitter, we trust that the client will arrive, will have funds to cover costs, practised, etc,etc while the client trust that the outfitter will meet all promises made: abundance of wildlife, excellent trophy quality, personal attention, etc, etc.

We (Kowas Hunting Safaris) request a deposit of only US$800 per person to secure the safari dates. If the safari is scheduled for 2013, the deposit is payable now. If the safari is scheduled for 2014, the deposit is payable as from end September 2013. The willingness to pay a deposit indicates the seriousness.

The balance of the safari cost is payable on the last day of the safari.

Thank you for allowing us to share with you what works for us for the past 2013 years. Happy hunting.

Originally Posted by Kowas Hunting Safaris

The trophy hunting business is all about TRUST (mutual trust). .........

I just had an outfitter request a R1000 deposit by bank transfer.
A Grand total of $112.68 CAD by todays exchange.

The poor outfitter just wants some form of commitment, he does not not know me and all he is asking for is a token really.
Which I truly appreciate.

The hitch, the bank fees charged (by my bank): $25.00 and $15.00 and an exchange rate fee of about 5%.
Which comes out to $45.63 to make this transfer plus the minimum half hour in the bank waiting for them to figure out how to do a transfer.
40% of the deposit amount just to make the transaction.


I am investigating internet money transfers at the moment.
With this I get to use a credit card (more safety for me) and I get to pay a small fee. One site is 3.99 Pounds and the exchange rate of about 4%.

Questions:
Have any of you used this type of service with an outfitter?
Outfitters, have you used this kind of service?
Do you have one you would suggest?