Big Differences in Trophy Fees?

Although I am not entiriely a "newbie" to African Hunting - can somebody please explain the vast differences in Trophy Fees between different outfitters for the same species in the same country??

Well it depends where the outfitters core hunting area is? If you are looked in the Northern Limpopo Province and you want to hunt the 4 springbok species....he basically is going to have to drive or fly you to a area that has springbok....meaning unless he has land in the Free State, Karoo...etc., he will have to hunt on someone else's property and pay for accomadations and food....it adds extra costs.

Steve, if you are looking for a specific set of animals...print them on this post and well try to help you out and find a excellent outfitter that fits your needs or at least point you in the right province or area to hunt the animals you are looking for...it is always best to hunt animals in their native habitat.

Steve

enysse has it well covered...

I would suggest you use the outfitter button at the top and go to South Africa...

You have two ways of doing things...
1. book a package and hope for the best and add animals to the basic list.
2. Book a PH and select the animals that they have to offer...(I like this one best)

There is a 3 option...
3. Book a 3 day safari with one PH and then move to another PH and hunt for 3 to 4 day and make another move to another PH for your 10 to 14 day trip...there are many on here who split there time between PH's and countries to go after selective trophies...these hunters usually have been on more that one safari and are looking to fill the gap in the trophy room...

Look for a PH or outfitter that have great reviews and there are many and then look at your animal wish or want list...

I would suggest that you have 3 to 5 key animals for a 7 to 10 day safari and be flexible in the other animals that you would be willing to take...looking at some trophy room pictures some individuals like Kudu, or the like Cape Buffalo and so on they just like to go after a select species...

Now if you are very selective on the animals you want then the want list should be narrowed to 1 or 2 animals...

Some of this has to do with "supply and demand"... There are Outfitters who have built such a reputation for themselves they can virtually charge what they want and still be fully booked each year. Here the principle is - "if I can charge $3000 for a Zebra and get bookings - why should I charge $1000?

Quality is also a factor..... Mercedes and Toyota both make cars - both will get you from points A to B and both are good vehicles. But they sell at different prices and target different markets. The question you should ask yourself is whether you're a Mercedes or Toyota man OR whether you're happy with the "Lada" experience.

You'll often find some of the newer guys will cut prices to the bone in the hope of getting booked, getting references and making a name for themselves. Some of these guys provide "Mercedes" experiences at "Lada" prices..... But you may well get what you pay for.... or even less

.

Chris, you are definitely right in your answer too! Check to see what associations your outfitter is a member of...PHASA being huge in RSA. Check how many years of experience a outfitter has too. A guy that has been in the business for close to 20 years is doing something right. Check references very carefully! In the end you do get what you pay for...and I can't over state that comment.

Do your home work! a lot of the well established guys can and do charge more and can get away with being booked up with hunters. Some of the smaller guys are a little cheaper & can provide a great hunt a little cheaper. Check references and ask questions . There are always people out there who will take your money! It amazes me being a hunt chairman for our local SCI chapter you have a 100 donations out of the Limpopo area and the wide array of prices being charged for local animals. I can see why a person can have a ton of questions!

A great thread guys, I am doing some research on a maiden trip to Africa for myself and two buddies. Nothing special, just three or four animals each to break our duck. Probably a week long that's all, but the prices vary so much it's confusing. We don't want to spend the earth on our first trip, but the rates are pretty confusing. When you get a figure it isn't a true figure, there seems to be an endless list of 'add-ons'. Does anywhere just give you a figure and thats all inclusive?? (except flights of course).....
Thanks in advance for any advice.....Jaeger

Originally Posted by jaeger

... Does anywhere just give you a figure and thats all inclusive?? (except flights of course)...

Jaeger, From the list of hunting outfitters that you have selected, contact them directly to request a fully inclusive quote from them based on the hunting safari that you intend on doing. This will usually only include their portion of the trip, meaning some costs will not be included such as the airfare, pre or post accommodations, tours/excursions, tips, dip and pack/taxidermy/shipping/taxes/fees/clearing of trophies, etc... Make sure to have the hunting outfitter layout exactly what is and what is not included.

I would second Jerome's advice. If you find a outfitter you like and the references fit your needs...ask for a all inclusive quote.

This will usually only include their portion of the trip, meaning some costs will not be included such as the airfare, pre or post accommodations, tours/excursions, tips, dip and pack/taxidermy/shipping/taxes/fees/clearing of trophies, etc...

This will always be the case with most hunts in Africa...and they do add up. You need to figure out how much taxidermy you will have done, how much shipping costs, and get Lori from Travel Express to figure out how much airfare will cost. Hotel accomodations usually don't amount to much in costs.

It price for trophies to be determined by the hunting outfitter or professional hunter himself. Price structure are being influenced by the availability of the specy in the hunting area, if your PH owns his own piece of land or if he has to pay the land owner, etc, etc.

if the outfitter owns the land, you will get a better rate then an outfitter who may have to lease land.

Always contact REFERENCES and ask specific questions, such as qty game available, quality of trophies, abundance of wildlife, ability of PH's, hunting method, hunting area, terraine, qty hunters in camp, treatment received from outfitters, cuisine, plan to return or not. Are you sometimes "talked" into shooting some game? Request a CALCULATION SHEET. Never "home for the best", address all issues of concern prior to making the booking.

Originally Posted by Kowas Hunting Safaris

Always contact REFERENCES and ask specific questions, such as qty game available, quality of trophies, abundance of wildlife, ability of PH's, hunting method, hunting area, terraine, qty hunters in camp, treatment received from outfitters, cuisine, plan to return or not. Are you sometimes "talked" into shooting some game? Request a CALCULATION SHEET. Never "home for the best", address all issues of concern prior to making the booking.

Could not agree more!!!