Can a group of 3 to 4 hunters all get good trophies on a hunt?

[alimufti]

We have been planning a ranch hunt in ZA for some time now but the concern that my group of friends voice often (most never hunted in ZA or Africa) is that how will it be possible for multiple hunters (3 to 4) all get decent trophies of the species they are after?

For example kudu is a must on everyone's list. Now of course hunting is hunting and subject to luck but the ranch/ranches we hunt in a standard 7-10 day plainsgame package must actually have enough trophy kudu existing on it to give each hunter a fair crack at a decent animal (50 inch plus). While a few hours drive is acceptable, we would certainly like to avoid any plane journeys to different ranches to get our species - and would prefer to hunt a ranch which has a game population that caters to our hunt without travelling.

The trophy quality animals our group is interested in are

- kudu x 3-4
- impala x 6-8
- wildebeast (black or blue) x 2-3
- Gemsbock x 3-4
- Zebra x 1
- nyala x 1
- waterbuck x 1
- bushbuck x 1
- Eland x 1

Misc game as we see it.

Our group prefers stalking as opposed to alot of driving around and hopping off the car to shoot.
Quality wing shooting for waterfowl and francolin is a must for this group.


Thank you,
Best Regards,
Ali Mufti

 

[BRICKBURN]

Welcome to AH.

Pick a well managed property (ies) and you will not have a problem.
Large enough that 4 people are able to hunt it at the same time with bumping into each other.

The numbers of trophies and species you are talking about are not that large in the whole scheme of things.

I'll give you some examples from three outfitters I have hunted with:

Ozondjahe has numbers of all these species and enough space for all of you.
kudu x 3-4
- impala x 6-8
- wildebeast (black or blue) x 2-3
- Gemsbock x 3-4
- Zebra x 1
- waterbuck x 1
- Eland x 1

Does not have these species. (They do not occur naturally in that area in Namibia.)
- nyala x 1
- bushbuck x 1

Leeukop has numbers of all these species and enough space for all of you.
kudu x 3-4
- impala x 6-8
- wildebeest blue) x 2-3
- Zebra x 1
- waterbuck x 1
- nyala x 1
- bushbuck x 1

Does not have these species on the main property, but has them on a concession. (driving)
- Eland x 1
- Gemsbok x 3-4
wildebeest black


Kanana has numbers of all these species and enough space for all of you.
kudu x 3-4
- impala x 6-8
- wildebeast (black or blue) x 2-3
- Gemsbock x 3-4
- Zebra x 1
- waterbuck x 1
- Eland x 1

Does not have these species. (They do not occur naturally in that area of Botswana.)
- nyala x 1
- bushbuck x 1


I have also hunted with other outfitters who can not provide half the list but specialize in other species.
There are plenty of outfitters who would also provide you with quality opportunities for these species.


So some driving may be involved as for example;
Gemsbok and Nyala do not inhabit the same biome, naturally.


Bird hunting will have to be in season and quality of the type you are implying is not likely going to happen in very close proximity to the plains game hunting you are asking for.
That will likely require some travel.


Good luck.

 

[ChrisT]

We have been planning a ranch hunt in ZA for some time now but the concern that my group of friends voice often (most never hunted in ZA or Africa) is that how will it be possible for multiple hunters (3 to 4) all get decent trophies of the species they are after?

For example kudu is a must on everyone's list. Now of course hunting is hunting and subject to luck but the ranch/ranches we hunt in a standard 7-10 day plainsgame package must actually have enough trophy kudu existing on it to give each hunter a fair crack at a decent animal (50 inch plus). While a few hours drive is acceptable, we would certainly like to avoid any plane journeys to different ranches to get our species - and would prefer to hunt a ranch which has a game population that caters to our hunt without travelling.

The trophy quality animals our group is interested in are

- kudu x 3-4
- impala x 6-8
- wildebeast (black or blue) x 2-3
- Gemsbock x 3-4
- Zebra x 1
- nyala x 1
- waterbuck x 1
- bushbuck x 1
- Eland x 1

Misc game as we see it.

Our group prefers stalking as opposed to alot of driving around and hopping off the car to shoot.
Quality wing shooting for waterfowl and francolin is a must for this group.


Thank you,
Best Regards,
Ali Mufti

There are a few factors that will influence your group's chances on success...

1) Size(s) of property(ies) and game management practices on property (ies). E.g. A 1,000 HA ranch might hold ,enough kudu to have 4 or even more quality bulls taken but it will hardly be large enough for four hunters hunting the area at the same time. A 10,000 HA ranch is a different story - provided the property is not over-hunted... Hunting different properties from one camp might be a better option and this would not necessarily entail driving long distances between areas.
2) Whether you elect to hunt 1X1 or 2X1? You may save money on Daily Rates by booking a 2X1 hunt but your chances of bagging all the animals on your wish list will effectively be halved by doing so.
3) As Brickburn quite correctly stated, different species inhabit different habitats. So it might be necessary to travel to different properties in some instances. However, nowadays there are many ranches that have all the species on your wish list available in good numbers.

Best is to contact various Outfitters and put your questions to them directly. But if I can offer a piece of advice don't let price alone be the deciding factor in deciding who you book with - especially if trophy quality and chances on success is a priority to you and your friends.

FWIW, I have all the species on your list available in good numbers on large areas. Please feel free to contact me privately.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Chris 100% spot on, on a specie list like this I would also recommend 1x1 safaris, this runs hand in hand with large properties...

At worst I would opt for at least 10 days if a 2x1 safari was to be considered... Large properties are challenging to hunt and hard work will be required... Then again it would be no fun if it was easy...

It is most certainly doable... Enjoy the planing.

My very best always

 

[BRICKBURN]

.........
There are plenty of outfitters who would also provide you with quality opportunities for these species.
..
Good luck.

.. and you have now heard from two of those good outfitters here on AH.