Finally Pulling the Trigger

kpenglish · Jul 29, 2014

Gents,
After years of research I'm finally booking an African safari for 2016, East Cape, South Africa. I've received some great insight and advice from friends who have gone themselves but am always looking for different opinions.

Game plan as it stands is spending a couple days in Cape Town with the wife to shake off the jet lag and see the sights. Then it's on to safari where I hope to harvest at least six plains game in the 7 day/8 night package, with a few additional species if time permits. I guess my only concern is sufficient time to get everything on my list.

Has anybody every NOT completed their list and not had time to take extra trophies?

AfricaHunting.com · Jul 29, 2014

Welcome to AH kpenglish! Congratulations on pulling that trigger!

Bobpuckett · Jul 29, 2014

Welcome to AH kpenglish! Out of 4 trips only once did I not complete my package hunt and I booked it during a full moon never again. Depending on your hunting ability doing 6 animals in 7 days is
Very possible. Good luck on your hunt.

enysse · Jul 29, 2014

Welcome to AH, who are hunting with?

CAustin · Jul 29, 2014

Welcome to AH. I've been to South Africa twice and filled my list each time.first hunt I added an animal! Have a great trip and please remember when you get back to share pictures!

Royal27 · Jul 29, 2014

Welcome!!! Enjoy the planning. It is half the fun!!!

PHOENIX PHIL · Jul 29, 2014

kpenglish said:
Gents,
After years of research I'm finally booking an African safari for 2016, East Cape, South Africa. I've received some great insight and advice from friends who have gone themselves but am always looking for different opinions.

Game plan as it stands is spending a couple days in Cape Town with the wife to shake off the jet lag and see the sights. Then it's on to safari where I hope to harvest at least six plains game in the 7 day/8 night package, with a few additional species if time permits. I guess my only concern is sufficient time to get everything on my list.

Has anybody every NOT completed their list and not had time to take extra trophies?

I'm sure it's happened. Rather than putting pressure on yourself and thinking "I've got to get this particular animal", I'd advise having a list of alternative animals. This is still hunting and sometime you need to take advantage of opportunities you weren't necessarily looking for. Last year when I hunted with HartzView, I had not even thought about taking a Red Hartebeest. While I could certainly identify them, I just never had got the itch for one. But after seeing them in person, I did. I told my PH that if he saw a big one worth shooting to let me know. Sure enough the night before our last day of hunting, a very nice bull RH showed itself and it has now taken up a spot on my wall.

There is certainly some animals that most first timers will focus on, nothing wrong with that, but be prepared to maybe substitute when a trophy such and such that you hadn't considered shows itself. If your PH says to you something along the line of "I rarely see a _____ that big, you may want to consider taking it", you'd be wise to take that advice seriously.

JamesJ · Jul 30, 2014

Welcome to the forums, glad you are taking the plunge. Often people go over and don't take all the items on their list, sometimes they change their mind or the opportunity never arises. It is still hunting.

I suggest going over with a list, but keep an open mind, lots of guys don't want to go after "________" but change their mind when they see one in the bush.

Bushman10 · Jul 30, 2014

Welcome on board.

Nyati · Jul 30, 2014

Welcome to AH, Kpenglish, about not filling your list, well, it depends what´s on it.

After five hunts, I´ve been unable to shoot a hyaena or a baboon ! But these guys are tricky.

PeteG · Jul 30, 2014

Welcome to AH,
Don't stress too much about the list of species. 7/8 days should be sufficient depending on whats on your list. Keep your eyes and mind open to whats available. You may decide to add or substitute stuff while you're there.
Remember to relax and have fun.

Red Leg · Jul 30, 2014

I always try to have a very short "list" and work with the PH on targets of opportunity after that. Fully understand that on a first hunt that a specific number of animals may seem a more important driver (you may have even contracted for X animals). I would suggest that if one or two of that list are the most important that you make it known to your PH. For instance, if he knows that a kudu is most important, he'll make sure he is covering those brushy draws where they are most common early and late until you collect him. As others have noted, you are likely to stumble upon an unplanned trophy. And most of the common plains game is generally in the same trophy fee class. I have never met a PH who would urge you to shoot something exotic and expensive - say a sable - without you fully understanding the cost.

jeffpg · Jul 30, 2014

Welcome to AH kp and congrats on pulling the trigger. You are in the right arena for good advise and you have already received some that is excellent.

I'd just say not to fence yourself in to anything in particular. Try to hunt relaxed and opportunistically and just take it all in. You will see so much that is new and exciting and you will have your mind changed for you by being in the presence of different species and just the atmosphere that is Africa itself... heck, I can't manage to put it all into words but you will find out for yourself!

Just learn all that you can before going and have fun with that first trip. You will learn enough to know more about exactly what you want to accomplish on the second trip... then your third trip... and so on, and so on...

buchnerl · Jul 31, 2014

kpenglish said:
Gents,
After years of research I'm finally booking an African safari for 2016, East Cape, South Africa. I've received some great insight and advice from friends who have gone themselves but am always looking for different opinions.

Game plan as it stands is spending a couple days in Cape Town with the wife to shake off the jet lag and see the sights. Then it's on to safari where I hope to harvest at least six plains game in the 7 day/8 night package, with a few additional species if time permits. I guess my only concern is sufficient time to get everything on my list.

Has anybody every NOT completed their list and not had time to take extra trophies?

Welcome to AH KPEnglish!

Enjoy the planning of the hunt, and if there is anything we can assist with or answer a couple of questions from African Soil, please do not hesitate to send a PM or email. Doing the Garden Route from the Western Cape (Cape Town) to the Eastern Cape (Port Elizabeth) is a TRUE LIVING EDEN!

Happy Hunting!

KMG Hunting Safaris · Aug 3, 2014

Good day sir!
Welcome to the forum! Hope you enjoy your time here in the Eastern Cape. Please let us know, should you require any extra info on our area.
All the best with your planning.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

KWALATA SAFARIS · Aug 3, 2014

Welcome to AH, So are you excited??

I bet you are! I hope you enjoy the forums...

On the list question I have to agree with Bob, don't put pressure on yourself go with the expectation to hunt and take it shot by shot, and I can almost guarantee that you'll have an awesome time!!
My very best always

dory · Aug 3, 2014

Good luck buddy .
I am trying to orginize my first trip cant wait , but Im going grey in the meantime .
So many to choose from , which one ?
Cheers dory .
(Hot Barrels

bluey · Aug 3, 2014

Gday kpenglish
We only just got back from among other places the east cape tonight
And the only animal on the list that l never took was a common duiker
Which l couldve taken another day to complete
But wanted to dive with the white pionters as planned
The shots were all between 160 metres and 350
Lots of mountains in the east cape but the wind sure does get whistling
Up on top
Choose good projectiles

Finally Pulling the Trigger

kpenglish

AfricaHunting.com

Bobpuckett

enysse

CAustin

Royal27

PHOENIX PHIL

JamesJ

Bushman10

Nyati

PeteG

Red Leg

jeffpg

buchnerl

KMG Hunting Safaris

KWALATA SAFARIS

dory

bluey

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