Africa is just not for me

[Inline6]

I know several hunters who have no interest in going. One is a brother-in-law. Funding the trip is not the issue. But all are somewhat intimidated by “new” things. There is also a perception that Africa is for “those” sorts of people.

The saddest to my mind are those who go once and are slaves to their taxidermy. They spend a week to ten days on a rack and stack ranch or concession, fill their home with stuffed fauna, and then never return because they have no room for the taxidermy.

If we are dedicated hunters and if we have normal limits of disposable income, then at some point we run out of space. Not returning to again embrace what was for these folks a life changing experience is, to my mind, the essence of madness. Photos are a great way to remember the hunt, and a lot easier on our heirs.

I have read your words on this subject several times. Along with your book idea (That is on my list of things to do). My first trip (only one so far, plans are made for 2024) I wanted to bring home euros. When I priced it out it was half the cost of the mount. So might as well go all in, did shoulder mounts on pedestals and 1 rug. I could damn near go on another buffalo hunt for what was spent on mounts. As I was wiring the money I was thinking of your words. I have no regrets on doing it, It will be a reminder of my time there. I will however be very picky from now on in regards as to what gets mounted.

 

[JimP]

Hunting Africa isn't for everyone. If you like going to a area, seeing a lot of animals along with shooting quite a few in a short time then go. If you like testing your ability against some of our North American animals then that is fine also. To tell you the truth I actually got more satisfaction out of my coues deer hunt down in Arizona a number of years ago that I have out of both of my South African hunts. I had to put in more time and use more of my ability than on either one of my African hunts just to bag my coues deer. I feel the same way about the bull elk that I have hanging on my wall or the B&C mule deer that I shot with a muzzle loader 3 years ago.

None of those hunts cost me even as much as just the airfare to South Africa was on my trip in June.

But I have also said that it is going to be real tough to shoot a rocky mountain bull elk, mule deer, coues deer, whitetail deer, grizzly, or moose in South Africa. So if those type of animals are on your priority list I doubt that a hunt in Africa will give you that warm fuzzy feeling that you will get when you first spot that trophy animal here in North America.

 

[freefall]

I have never been to Africa. I would like to go there and shoot a Kudu, an impala and a cape buffalo. I find those trophies interesting.
I am turned off by the thought of not eating the things I shoot. I live in Alaska, I shoot moose because I want to eat them. I used to shoot black bear, til the smell of one turned my stomach. I gave it to a neighbor and have never shot another.
I see offers of cull hunts where you are to shoot 30 animals in 6 days, no trophies, you're not eating them, I see zero appeal there. Lots of you guys think it's a great deal, OK we differ.
I don't know if I ever will go to Africa, I think I'd enjoy it but I don't want to be disappointed.
Plus I am DEATHLY afraid of snakes.

 

[Mopani]

I‘m living in South Africa for 40 years, have hunted a lot, hunted in Namibia and Zimbabwe as well, became long ago a PH - but still, I‘m unable to convince my cousin to hunt in Africa. He has plenty of money, could go to Africa every year, but no. Once he visited me with his family, just before Covid arrived; we were touring Kruger National Park when all of a sudden he declared 'I would never hunt in Africa, hunting in Europe is way nicer!' I couldn‘t trust my ears. He is not the only one, I know of other German, Swiss and Austrian hunters, who rather hunt a home.

 

[Just Gina]

I find it a curious thing with women, they seem to assign value of life based on how cute something is. I will kill a turkey, they're ugly, can't shoot a deer because they are so cute. It would make an interesting psychological study honestly.

This form of stereotype regarding women becomes rather insulting after a while. While it may be true with some it is definitely NOT the case with all! Those of us women not like that get lumped into the same basket because of ignorant comments like this. Ridiculous.

 

[1dirthawker]

Has anyone ever talked to someone who hunted Africa and came back and said, "nope, not for me" I went but I just did not enjoy it and I won't go back.

said nobody, EVER! i have talked to people that had no interest in going, but anyone who has gone once always wants to go back!

 

[PerH]

Heard some celeb hunters say in interview over here, " no i only hunt down there with a camera, we have better hunting here at home"... yes a good cover to say in public how not to cover up .

Other said i think it was " i only hunt warthogs there ,as they are in abundance" yeah same stuff there also.

 

[Inline6]

I have never been to Africa. I would like to go there and shoot a Kudu, an impala and a cape buffalo. I find those trophies interesting.
I am turned off by the thought of not eating the things I shoot. I live in Alaska, I shoot moose because I want to eat them. I used to shoot black bear, til the smell of one turned my stomach. I gave it to a neighbor and have never shot another.
I see offers of cull hunts where you are to shoot 30 animals in 6 days, no trophies, you're not eating them, I see zero appeal there. Lots of you guys think it's a great deal, OK we differ.
I don't know if I ever will go to Africa, I think I'd enjoy it but I don't want to be disappointed.
Plus I am DEATHLY afraid of snakes.

Most of the time you hunt our summer their winter, or at least you can. So snakes should not be to big of a deal. If you hunt the warmer part of the year and/or jungle that's a different story.

Like you I had to do a lot of soul searching, I did not want to go to kill animals for the sake of killing animals. Our guide had a long talk with us before we even booked the hunt about how the meat from the animals goes to a local school in the area. We were good with that, we also ate some of what we killed. The lodge cooked it for us, it was nice to be able to do that.

It really depends on what you are after, it was a life changing experience for my 18 year old son. Seeing what real poverty looks like first hand will make you appreciate what you have. I have hunted the Rockies and love the feeling, Africa was somewhat similar just it's own twist on it. That what draws me to hunting being one with nature, taking in all the sights, smells, sounds, relationships and memories along the way. Hunting is one of the best ways I am able to plug and really take in the surrounding. If hunting DG, that a whole nother leave of awareness (you being from Alaska you probably get to experience this more often with bear).

It really depends on what you want, if you don't think you are going to be happy hunting Africa. Well we as humans tend to be self prophesying.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

For those who are bitten by the Africa hunting bug one tends to overlook the pot holes and squallour on the way to camp, but it can be very off-putting to someone on a first trip, especially with some Africa misgivings. If we are bringing someone like this along consider making South Africa a first destination - good roads, good lodge, lots of game choices. Someone once said that Zimbabwe is for the more experienced and discerning hunter, which it may be, but for sure it is harder too.

 

[bowjijohn]

A slightly different slant

I first came over to the UK when I was about 22

The trauma of the change to such an alien culture was so great that I was reluctant to return home for fear of re-opening wounds (and longing) that time had seen fit to scar over

Finally I succumbed to temptation and ever since then I spend every single waking moment scheming my next return home

 

[Fixfire]

100% of the time (in my experience) it’s a defense mechanism for the underlying - I’m too cheap and/or too lazy to put forth the effort. No sin in not wanting to invest in an expensive trip - particularly since many of us Pennsylvanians own or have access to remote hunting camps - but just say so, instead of bemoaning us who find adventure In traveling to exotic places to hunt.

 

[Philip Glass]

This popped in my head the other day as I was mentally planning a future safari to follow up the first safari that hasn't even happened yet. I hear all the time, " you think this is a once in a lifetime trip, but you will go back." " nobody goes to Africa just once". Which all seems to correlate pretty accurately with everyone I have spoken with that has been to Africa, and not just on this forum, but people that I have met at random that have been. Everyone loves it, and everyone I have spoken with recalls it fondly and speaks of how great the trip was. Aside from the actual flight to get there. Ha ha

So, I have a question. Has anyone ever talked to someone who hunted Africa and came back and said, "nope, not for me" I went but I just did not enjoy it and I won't go back. If so was there any particular reason, other than if they just had a bad experience with a particular outfitter or PH which can happen and can sour your taste on the whole experience. Other than that though, has anyone ever met someone who went to Africa on a hunt and just said nope this is not for me, I just don't like it?

The Africa experience is why I do what I do. Taking people, who would have never ventured to Africa, with me on safari is a very gratifying experience.
Ive never had someone who hunted with me say they thought Africa was just not for them. I do know some who actually can not afford to go back but that is another subject.
I hear so many reports of bad experiences with donation hunts but even those guys who got burned still want to go back and try again with a reputable outfitter.

 

[Backyardsniper]

This form of stereotype regarding women becomes rather insulting after a while. While it may be true with some it is definitely NOT the case with all! Those of us women not like that get lumped into the same basket because of ignorant comments like this. Ridiculous.

Sorry about that, that was intended as a little tongue in cheek. No offense intended, that was honestly how my wife explained why she was OK with turkey hunting but didn't want to kill a deer.

 

[Hunt anything]

My brother in law went to Africa back in the early 2000’s and doesn’t want to go back. Since then he and his family have hunted New Zealand, Argentina and Canada. He is more of a list checker and once he does something he has no interest in doing it again. I try to tell him there’s a whole new world in Africa other than the little slice of the Eastern Cape he hunted but still has no interest.

 

[fourfive8]

100% of the time (in my experience) it’s a defense mechanism for the underlying - I’m too cheap and/or too lazy to put forth the effort. No sin in not wanting to invest in an expensive trip - particularly since many of us Pennsylvanians own or have access to remote hunting camps - but just say so, instead of bemoaning us who find adventure In traveling to exotic places to hunt.

Yep agree, including being a jealousy defense mechanism. And some just can bring themselves to admitting they want to change their mind after taking a stand. The excuses many times turn out to be BS with the real reasons something complete different and possibly psychotic. I know a fellow who used them all including, "can't bring the meat home" to "don't like the politics" to "too many regulations" to "too expensive", all the while deriding those who bit the bullet, saved and went... not only to Africa but to places like Ak. After a while I give up talking to him about it. Yet he has continued to counsel everyone in his circle on what the conditions are, what the weather is like, what the people are like, the correct bullets, calibers, actions, rifles and techniques for hunting everything from elephant to duiker.... having never gone. He now has health issues that won't allow him to walk across the street. He now has a legitimate excuse.

 

[buck wild]

I know TWO. One guy went in the 90s on a bowhunting trip with several guys and one lead guy that put together the group. It sounded like a 5 day bow hunt. He shot one warthog and smallish impala. Basically sounded like they did the normal bow trip- sat over a waterhole for 12 hrs per day then packed up and went home. Despite me explaining there are lots of other ways to do it and that it sounded like he just had an off trip, he is ABSOLUTELY not budging ongoing again.

Second guy went 5 years ago and took his whole family. They had a great trip and loved it but at this moment he expresses no interest in returning. They are seeing other parts of the world I suppose, but maybe he'll go again some day.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I have one friend that had a really negative experience and hasn't been back. This guy is a big deer, duck and goose hunter in the US and strong enough financially that he could afford to go to Africa every year if he wanted to. He and a bunch of his hunting buddies booked a Namibia hunt about 10 years ago. They met a well known outfitter at DSC, had some special requests that were detailed in the contract (side trips for wives, kids, etc) and even specified some single malt scotch to be available at the lodge (which they would pay for). According to my friend, several of the contractual issues weren't met. The outfitter actually posted on FB or Twitter some comments that were unprofessional and in poor taste. The back and forth actually spilled over onto AH a few years ago. The few trophies my friend took ended up getting tied up during importing to the US. All in all, a bad experience for him. I've tried to get him to come on a hunt with me and he still isn't too excited about giving Africa a second try.

 

[Backyardsniper]

I have one friend that had a really negative experience and hasn't been back. This guy is a big deer, duck and goose hunter in the US and strong enough financially that he could afford to go to Africa every year if he wanted to. He and a bunch of his hunting buddies booked a Namibia hunt about 10 years ago. They met a well known outfitter at DSC, had some special requests that were detailed in the contract (side trips for wives, kids, etc) and even specified some single malt scotch to be available at the lodge (which they would pay for). According to my friend, several of the contractual issues weren't met. The outfitter actually posted on FB or Twitter some comments that were unprofessional and in poor taste. The back and forth actually spilled over onto AH a few years ago. The few trophies my friend took ended up getting tied up during importing to the US. All in all, a bad experience for him. I've tried to get him to come on a hunt with me and he still isn't too excited about giving Africa a second try.

That is unfortunate

 

[Hunt anything]

This is my thoughts on those big group hunts. When I set up my 1st safari I didn’t want anyone else to go with me, it was MY one and only trip and didn’t want to worry if the other people were having a good time. Of course it wasn’t my one and only trip and have been back 3 more times . Now it wouldn’t bother me to go with a group as long as I don’t set it up. I want to enjoy not be concerned if others are having a good time. I have gone on one trip with a hunting buddy( G4A) and my wife went on that trip and won’t let me go back without her because she had such a good time.

 

[archer36]

The only negative to me is the potentially long travel. Other than that, there is NO hunting trip that will give you so much for so little. People think that a Safari cost is out of reach. Check the cost of North American hunts for a SINGLE species. They are far more expensive than a Safari. I tell fellow hunters all the time. Stop wasting your money on North American deer hunts. Go to Africa!