The “Three Days Rule” for outfitters, guides, PH’s

I look at timely communications as an indicator to how they run their business. I have given some smaller outfitters more flexibility though. I’m currently booked with one I actually forgot I sent the initial email when he responded 3 weeks later during hunting season. We arranged a WhatsApp call and he was very responsive from then on. Some bigger names though have really frustrated me. If I know you have an admin or a secretary in the office, a simple “thank you for the email. The outfitter will be back after this date and will be glad to answer your questions then” would give me a positive initial feeling on outfitter instead of zero response. One of my favorite hunts is also the most difficult outfitter to reach. It gives me hesitation booking with them again because it continues getting increasingly worse. If me as a repeat client feels that way I don’t know how much potential business they’ve lost because of it. It was mentioned earlier in this thread, but CMS is one of the best at communicating. Lynn in the office will always reply and it’s almost always followed up by an email later on from Buzz or Myles. I also know if I sent either a WhatsApp asking for a call I’d get it that evening at latest. I think that has really helped them reach where they’ve got to.

There are some areas and countries where communication can be difficult during hunting season. Certain hunts like leopard or elephant can take up a large part of a PHs time. Most South African and Namibian outfitters though have no excuse. Even concession areas in other countries, Starlink has really changed things. I can give some flexibility, but how they communicate planning a hunt is a sign of how they run a business and organize during the hunt to me. Some outfitters will get my business and others won’t because of it.
 
Africa time is like Hawaii time; you kind of get used to it.

That’s part of the reason why I hunt with the same outfitter even though he’s based in South Africa, I’ll travel with him to hunt other countries because I don’t have to go through the pain of vetting another outfitter…
 
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Yeah i also feel the same way and move on. Ive also had many with no response at all.
I was working with a newer but big name on back to back year leopard hunts for 2 of us. Just went cold on me. Maybe to many questions? Idk but dropping 60k+ usually comes with questions….

I didn’t go with CMS but can say they were extremely responsive and still are. Someday….

Like someone else stated….This being the greatest forum on earth many members reached out and set me up with someone. Thanks AH!
 
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NIGHTHAWK said:
That’s part of the reason why I hunt with the same outfitter even though he’s based in South Africa, I’ll travel with him to hunt other countries because I don’t have to go through the pain of vetting another outfitter…
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I'm one of those guys that when I find someone I enjoy spending time with, I will go out of my way to have another trip with them. In Africa, if the PH can travel to other places so much the better. I will never be able to know all of them but those I spend time and $ with are ones I really look forward to seeing again. Seeing their smiles when you get off the plane and that slap on the shoulders says this is going to be a good trip. These are the guys you hunt DG with and climb mountains with. At the end of every day, you look across the campfire at them and say this was a good day!
 
I’ve communicated with several dozen outfitters in Africa over the years, and I would say communication is an almost universal problem when dealing with Africa outfitters for a variety of reasons, several of which have already been mentioned.
One outfit I have actually hunted with twice, got so many complaints, they finally hired someone whose sole job was to respond to emails and WhatsApp and such. She was a local girl who I feel certain was not paid an excessive amount of money, and she didn’t have all the answers immediately. But it made a world of difference in clients’ perception of the outfit. She usually responded in a few hours, if not minutes, seemingly any time of day or night regardless of whether it was a weekend or holiday.
I post this with the delusion dream that all the outfits I deal with might read this and suddenly decide to do something similar.
 
I've been trying to book a hunt with N.A. Outfitters for a sheep or goat hunt this fall.


I'm only 2 for 5 on getting return phone calls.
 
If an outfitter doesn’t respond in a timely manner I take it that they have plenty of business and don’t consider hunting with them in the future. I believe with the prevalence of Starlink in camps now email and what’s app makes it very easy for PH’s to communicate with clients and potential clients while in camp at night or in the morning.
 
375Fox said:
I look at timely communications as an indicator to how they run their business. I have given some smaller outfitters more flexibility though. I’m currently booked with one I actually forgot I sent the initial email when he responded 3 weeks later during hunting season. We arranged a WhatsApp call and he was very responsive from then on. Some bigger names though have really frustrated me. If I know you have an admin or a secretary in the office, a simple “thank you for the email. The outfitter will be back after this date and will be glad to answer your questions then” would give me a positive initial feeling on outfitter instead of zero response. One of my favorite hunts is also the most difficult outfitter to reach. It gives me hesitation booking with them again because it continues getting increasingly worse. If me as a repeat client feels that way I don’t know how much potential business they’ve lost because of it. It was mentioned earlier in this thread, but CMS is one of the best at communicating. Lynn in the office will always reply and it’s almost always followed up by an email later on from Buzz or Myles. I also know if I sent either a WhatsApp asking for a call I’d get it that evening at latest. I think that has really helped them reach where they’ve got to.

There are some areas and countries where communication can be difficult during hunting season. Certain hunts like leopard or elephant can take up a large part of a PHs time. Most South African and Namibian outfitters though have no excuse. Even concession areas in other countries, Starlink has really changed things. I can give some flexibility, but how they communicate planning a hunt is a sign of how they run a business and organize during the hunt to me. Some outfitters will get my business and others won’t because of it.
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Yep, I was emailing buzz off and on. and then office replied becuase it was his first hunt of the season with Sourdough here. I know I could reach on whatsapp but its nothing important,

that goes back to my first safari. I contacted buzz after 4-5 people recommended buzz, he replied right away, and also what won be over a few others. he was very honest and upfront with what they had vs others. you dont here alot of PHs say "they will have better eland etc" "we should have better kudu xyz" I did my research but also cms won me over too
 
Buzz is up at the ass crack of dawn every morning. I promise he isn’t going to mind a what’s app text while he is in camp.
 
Cme1983 said:
Buzz is up at the ass crack of dawn every morning. I promise he isn’t going to mind a what’s app text while he is in camp.
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I know I know. I hoped to be booking a trophy ele with him, after my 2018 buff with him in Nyakasanga. But my current gov banned it, so thinking about a hippo croc too now.
 
Most of the time I have had good result with a person getting back with me. The only time I had a big issue was with a well known and well regarded sponsor of this site. I gave the person multiple chances because I really wanted to hunt with his outfit. Every time he said he would respond he never did and always had an excuse (pretty weak too). I don't know if that was the norm but a lot of people have given the outfit good reviews so I don't know what the problem was.
 
I do think many of thr high quality outfitters are fully booked or close to it post the NA shows.

Coenraad Vermaak Safaris isn't mentioned much on here but my goodness are they good at this. World class communicators and helpful in every part of the trip, not just hunting. Absolutely top shelf.
 
Hornedfrogbbq said:
I do think many of thr high quality outfitters are fully booked or close to it post the NA shows.

Coenraad Vermaak Safaris isn't mentioned much on here but my goodness are they good at this. World class communicators and helpful in every part of the trip, not just hunting. Absolutely top shelf.
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All outfitters, even the best, that are sold out at the shows have cancellation hunts come available. Get on mailing lists for outfitters you want to hunt with and you will be surprised what comes available during the year.
 
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I've seen many outfitters try to keep up with whatsapp while on my hunt. That's almost as bad. I try to put myself in their business position, how could I do it better?
I teased one good P.H. I have hunted multiple times alongside I would respond to his request for payment with the same speed. I tend to understand they just can't do everything all at once for everyone. It's a judgement call for you to make.
 
this is a very interesting thread
i always ask clients the reasons why they chose to hunt with Tallyho
one fairly common reason is they received a quick response to queries or questions
i do really try and get back to clients timeously, and then follow up a couple days or a week later
it does get hectic when we are in hunting season, a group of 1-2-3-4-5 hunters in camp, sometimes a few wives or observers, clients request to hunt with me specifically and want time with you in evenings around the fire.....u need to spread yourself pretty thin and then still respond to whatsapps and emails etc
sure its no excuse, and sure we should employ a lady in the office, but as most outfitters will tell you the margins are not great, the income is seasonal, so its not that good of an idea to have a lady in office for 12 months.

its a balancing act, i for one do my very best to respond to enquiries personally and timeously and i do understand that it is important

best regards to all
 
One PH with whom I hunt - I have caught up some of his replies to initial inquiries while having a beer in the lodge - the volume is scary, and indeed the questions range from the intelligent to the banal.

Some fun ones - thinking of hunting with you in 5 years time can you give me a price for a package?

that was it.No animals no number of hunters etc etc

Wish to Hunt - a trophy Springbok - how much would it cost - so apparently I did respond to this one - he wanted to come to Africa shoot a springbok and go home.

Can you give me a list of ATM in Joberg as I would like to pay in cash!

I want a fence-free hunt - does your place have fences

I could go on but sweet jeasus waking up every day to 100 emails !



D
 
Hyde Hunter said:
But, the person could respond to the best of their ability and explain the PH is hunting and will get back to them asap
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Indeed, if they have someone in the office they could do just that and I've told the owner of an outfitter thus
 
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