Largest Hunting Concession South Africa?

[Roller]

That’s pretty much what I did. I did not know how to find guaranteed quality in RSA, so I went to another country. Granted, I could have had a terrible hunt in any country, but at least I knew the animals were not put and take and game farming was not existent.

The more deception operators try and create, the bigger the black eye gets for RSA.

100%. Their industry doesn't seem to understand that or care enough to change. Hence, I won't spend another dime in that country (and I'm not alone).

 

[Nyati]

Now, let´s all be honest here, as many hunters want to go to Africa, hunt 15 trophies in a week´s time, and pay as little as possible.

Put and take is here to stay.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Now, let´s all be honest here, as many hunters want to go to Africa, hunt 15 trophies in a week´s time, and pay as little as possible.

Put and take is here to stay.

I agree wholeheartedly with what you say. The point that I am trying to get across, don't pay peanuts and then come and complain about hunting in a pen.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

One thing to consider is in order to obtain a selection of species, multiple areas must be hunted. Vaal rhebok for example. So an outfitter/ph with multiple properties is not concerning, so long as the hunter is comfortable with the size of those properties. Most guys don’t want to hunt in the breeding pen, regardless of how big the bull inside the fence is.
One other consideration is that size changes constantly, properties added or lost, new leases, new lodges etc.

I agree with your sentiments. However, I have seen that the cheaper the price, the more flexible people's ethics become.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

U pay peanuts
U get monkeys

 

[revturbo9967]

I agree with your sentiments. However, I have seen that the cheaper the price, the more flexible people's ethics become.

I can see that for sure. Many know what they’re getting into way before they get over. Sometimes Lowest price is all that matters

 

[Doug3006]

You can usually rely on the market to weed out shoddy products or services. The word will get out if a provider disappoints too many customers.

I think what insulates safari operators from much of this dynamic is: 1. The lack of safari experience of a first-timer (or those who decide to hunt the same place with the same outfitter multiple times) and 2. The resultant low expectations. Unless an operator is an outright fraud, most first-timers won’t know the difference. They come back raving about the experience. I know I did, but fortunately for me it truly was a wonderful experience that stacks up against any safari I’ve been on.

I belong to several sportsmen’s groups. Like this one! I’ve gotten to know experienced people whose opinions I trust and who like and value things as I do. This is the only way I can vet a new operation.

I’ve never been to a ballet. If I ever do and say it was the best musical experience in the world, consider the source!

 

[WAB]

Now, let´s all be honest here, as many hunters want to go to Africa, hunt 15 trophies in a week´s time, and pay as little as possible.

Put and take is here to stay.

I guess I’m in the minority. I’d much rather go and stalk buffalo for ten days and make one, one shot kill, than fill the bakkie with critters spotted from the high seat. I’ve never understood the fascination with killing a bunch of different species. For me it’s about the hunt.

 

[wesheltonj]

I did an RSA hunt, in the Northern Cape. Large property - 24k acres continuous and Definitely not put and take, but it was not cheap either. I had to ask lots of questions and check references.

I would do another RSA hunt, only because there’s a couple of animals that I would like to take from that region but it's time move to Tanzania.

 

[revturbo9967]

I guess I’m in the minority. I’d much rather go and stalk buffalo for ten days and make one, one shot kill, than fill the bakkie with critters spotted from the high seat. I’ve never understood the fascination with killing a bunch of different species. For me it’s about the hunt.

I don’t think you’re the minority, many share the same view of how a hunt should commence. I think many are looking for the best bang for their buck. Unfortunately ethics frequently go out the window with that decision.

 

[Philip Glass]

Yes, the shenanigans need to be called out more often. The bad operators aren't doing anyone any favors. PHASA isn't doing anything about it to my knowledge. My response (and many others I've talked to around the fire) is just avoid RSA altogether. Better places to spend discretionary income.

I must disagree with your ending comment. There are plenty of quality places in RSA. For instance I have been hunting with Frontier Safaris on their 75,000 acre (and growing!) privately owned game ranch. It is big and very challenging to hunt.
Everyone must do their own research and decide what hunt they think is best.

 

[Philip Glass]

If you have something that others don't, it creates value which in turns comes at a higher cost. Someone who has access to free range/ 100,000 contiguous acres with self sustaining herds, are never going to charge the same as someone who only hunts on 5000 high fenced acres.
The smaller parcel has no choice but to lure hunters to a lesser experience with cheaper prices. That is unfortunately the reality.

But in reality the larger farm with self sustaining herds has a lower cost structure than the small put and take farm. I mention this in my video about selecting an outfitter.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

But in reality the larger farm with self sustaining herds has a lower cost structure than the small put and take farm. I mention this in my video about selecting an outfitter.

hay Phillip
this is not entirely correct, yes he may have a lower cost structure because he doesnt bring in animals, but he also cant hunt as many head as the put and take operators. so his season stops.. quotas get done.. and he knows which species he can cull and which not... and thus limits his income.

this is how we operate and it works, but our income is seasonal, as hunting is. but with good management and our eyes on the future not the present, (and not being greedy) things look good and healthy.

 

[Philip Glass]

hay Phillip
this is not entirely correct, yes he may have a lower cost structure because he doesnt bring in animals, but he also cant hunt as many head as the put and take operators. so his season stops.. quotas get done.. and he knows which species he can cull and which not... and thus limits his income.

this is how we operate and it works, but our income is seasonal, as hunting is. but with good management and our eyes on the future not the present, (and not being greedy) things look good and healthy.

 

[Doubleplay]

U pay peanuts
U get monkeys

Partly true,
There are a lot of farms in SA with self sustaining wild herds and challenging hunting which does cater to locals and biltong hunters and they do not spend the time and money to advertise for international hunters.
Their prices are way lower than all of the advertising outfitters here and I was lucky enough to be on a property like that with a resident and it wasn't monkeys!
International hunters pay extra for a lot of stuff like transportation, nice accommodations, good food, drinks, hand holding, paper work etc..
It's not always you get what you pay for....
However for most people here it's beyond their time commitment, capability and connections to pull off something like that.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

However for most people here it's beyond their time commitment, capability and connections to pull off something like that.

How about illegal. For one, as a local, you don't require the services of a licensed Professional Hunter. You rock up with your own vehicle, a cooler box and you go hunting.
As a foreigner, hunting without the services of a licensed PH, you would be breaking the law.

 

[Doubleplay]

How about illegal. For one, as a local, you don't require the services of a licensed Professional Hunter. You rock up with your own vehicle, a cooler box and you go hunting.
As a foreigner, hunting without the services of a licensed PH, you would be breaking the law.

What if the owner of the said farm also has a PH license?
Or in my case my resident buddy has a non DG PH license.
Also there are a lot of free lance PH's in SA who'll go anywhere with you for a daily fee.
I think you wanted to say non-resident instead of foreigner?
You can be a foreigner but still can be a resident of SA and can go hunting by yourself.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Also there are a lot of free lance PH's in SA who'll go anywhere with you for a daily fee.

Who will sign off your paperwork for exportation of your trophies?

 

[Doubleplay]

Who will sign off your paperwork for exportation of your trophies?

I guess we're not on the same page here.
Like I said in the beginning this is not for someone who wants to export trophies or have very little time in SA, doesn't know his way around or doesn't have any local contacts.
It's mostly out of realm for most International hunters.

 

[Roller]

I must disagree with your ending comment. There are plenty of quality places in RSA. For instance I have been hunting with Frontier Safaris on their 75,000 acre (and growing!) privately owned game ranch. It is big and very challenging to hunt.
Everyone must do their own research and decide what hunt they think

I must disagree with your ending comment. There are plenty of quality places in RSA. For instance I have been hunting with Frontier Safaris on their 75,000 acre (and growing!) privately owned game ranch. It is big and very challenging to hunt.
Everyone must do their own research and decide what hunt they think is best.

There is no disagreement . Plenty of good places to hunt in RSA. As for me, my research is complete. I’ll be spending my money again in Zim for sure and possibly Moz and Bots in future , but not RSA.