"Let me see photos of your best, and I'll tell you if we can do better."

I’m more in the collection of experiences rather than a couple of extra inches of horn or antler. I will always hunt bushbuck as I just enjoy it immensely. Doesn’t matter if I kill another I just enjoy the hunt. I’ve only taken a few multiples of a few animals and they’re the ones that I just enjoy hunting. I like hunting bushbuck, reedbuck, impala and springbok but I may never hunt another springbok.
That being said I won’t pass @Mtn_Infantry 32” nyala. The only trophy I covet is a 40” plus OLD buffalo bull from wild Africa ( I’ve got to get back to Mozambique) I have no clue why the 40” bull means anything to me but it’s just stuck in my craw, just one of those unexplainable things. To me it’s strange that I want that 40+ inch because I probably would never put a tape to it anyway, never measured a trophy in my life.

On Africa hunts, I am looking for different animals then the ones I already have. I have a 57” Greater Kudu. Would I shoot another one? Only if the PH says it’s 60+. I have a 31” Lesser Kudu, would I shoot another? Only if the PH says it’s 36”+. The only other animal that I want more of is the East African Zebra the ones that don’t have the brown shadow.

I don’t ask those questions but do try to gauge how much bs is coming out of the outfitters mouth by asking what he or she thinks an animal scores that they present. Can’t tell you how many hunters photos I’ve seen that claim gold medal quality when clearly it’s not. The vetting process goes both ways.

HH

Chasing trophies in any avenue is what moves most of humanity. However it’s usually pretty hollow. I’ve never met anyone that solely chased an animal for its size that was satisfied when all was said and done.. they just find another trophy to chase. Enjoy the experience in the end it’s all you will have.

Hunt anything said:

I’m more in the collection of experiences rather than a couple of extra inches of horn or antler. I will always hunt bushbuck as I just enjoy it immensely. Doesn’t matter if I kill another I just enjoy the hunt. I’ve only taken a few multiples of a few animals and they’re the ones that I just enjoy hunting. I like hunting bushbuck, reedbuck, impala and springbok but I may never hunt another springbok.
That being said I won’t pass @Mtn_Infantry 32” nyala. The only trophy I covet is a 40” plus OLD buffalo bull from wild Africa ( I’ve got to get back to Mozambique) I have no clue why the 40” bull means anything to me but it’s just stuck in my craw, just one of those unexplainable things. To me it’s strange that I want that 40+ inch because I probably would never put a tape to it anyway, never measured a trophy in my life.

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Good thing for you I passed. Maybe you’ll get him when you go and that 40” Buff

Sabre said:

I've noticed when speaking to prospective outfitters if you say you would like to go after a certain animal and have gotten one before they sometimes reply with a statement like the title of this thread.

I understand why they respond that way and I actually like the forwardness, transparency, and honesty of it. But generally speaking, I'm usually not trying to hunt an animal again only if I can beat the last one. It is nice to get bigger and bigger animals each time if possible. But for me, I don't need to beat my record every time to have a good hunt or to hunt a species again.

I am curious how many people hunt in a way that they will only take an animal If it beats their record each time and how many don't mind shooting one that isn't as big as the last time.

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Im more of an experience guy. And some of my best experiences and accomolishments in life there no photos of or trophies only memories.

I think if your always trying to one up yourself/others your going to at some point set yourself up for frustration and dissapointment. As animals only get so big at x rate. And any given area only has so many mature specimines of any size. So youll be dissapointed alot sooner than later.

Many African hunters would have called this impala "too young, or too, etc, etc" This was my first African trophy. I told my PH, "He's absolutely perfect!" as my hands shook on his horns. I wouldn't trade that morning for anything else.

I just want a mature, male, specimen of an African animal.

I don't care of if it makes the "book" of an organization that makes money by selling books.

Any PH our outfitter who asked this question would be asked to send my deposit back or hear from me, sorry I won't be able to go with you. It's all about the experience of hunting and all that goes with it.

If the outfitter initiated that conversation I would steer clear. From my experience as a former representative for outfitters I can say that many prospective clients have approached me with pictures of animals they have taken and bluntly ask if I can guarantee one that is better. Many times without pictures they just start the conversation by asking if I can guarantee them a particular size animal. I always told them I can't guarantee any particular size trophy will be harvested. If I had pictures available of certain animals on the property I would show them that they do certainly reside on the property, but it is not guaranteed to even see it much less get a shot at it.

Outfitters guaranteeing outcomes either hunt on very tiny concessions or most likely are just trying to get you there and hope the hunt works out good and you leave happy.

My 2 cents on that.

As for me moving forward I only have interest in hunting buffalo. Mature hard bossed bulls hopefully 40 inches or better, but that score is not a hard lined requirement. Character of each individual animal and quality of the hunt is most important.

I have shot enough other stuff and I would rather use the would be trophy fees and taxidermy fees for more buffalo. Any plains game animals at this point will have to make my PH go 'WOW THAT THING IS HUGE" before I entertain pulling the trigger.

In most cases I think the inch chasing should be left to the ladies!!

Spartan5 said:

In most cases I think the inch chasing should be left to the ladies!!

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So many possible responses reminds me of my highschool days. I'm going to refrain as tempted as I am!!!

My last thoughts on the subject, I may ask an outfitter “does the concession we will be hunting have mature animals above a certain age or size?” If an area isn’t capable of producing what I may be looking for no point in going.

This would probably be mainly a South Africa problem in areas without self sustaining herds. But I’m probably done with South Africa unless it’s in an open area along the Kruger border.

Mark458 said:

So many possible responses reminds me of my highschool days. I'm going to refrain as tempted as I am!!!

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Are binoculars required?

In a week I’ll be settling in at camp on Coutada 9. What I’ll be telling Neil Duckworth and his team is the same thing I start every safari with…

‘Let’s have a great time and see what we can find. Hapana Kunetseka!’ (That’s the Shona equivalent to Hakuna Matata in Swahili or No Worries in English).

About the only discussion on size will be to tell them I’d like to hunt for an old, broomed buffalo under 40”. I’ll let Neil know I don’t want anything 40-43” as I already have 3 or 4 in that size range and they charge a premium for 40-43”, and an even higher premium for 43”+. So it’ll either be old and worn down or something too big to pass up, which for me will break 45” or bigger.

Other than that it’ll be to enjoy the hunt and see what we might find.

@DLSJR I’ve never seen a sliding pay scale in a wild area of Africa, plenty of times on South Africa game ranches. Granted I haven’t looked much outside of Mozambique, Zambia or Zimbabwe.
The sliding pay scale is something I do not want to participate in on any animal.

Hunt anything said:

@DLSJR I’ve never seen a sliding pay scale in a wild area of Africa, plenty of times on South Africa game ranches. Granted I haven’t looked much outside of Mozambique, Zambia or Zimbabwe.
The sliding pay scale is something I do not want to participate in on any animal.

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Even in South Africa it's becoming less common than it used to be.

Haven't read most replies.....but to put it simply we don't guarantee anything trophy size or getting your animal....not hunting otherwise to me ...if people don't like their choice...

I think it’s critical to be able to have honest conversations with your PH/Guide regardless of the country or species about expectations. I told mine clearly I want a honest representation of the species. I don’t need the record book animal I don’t have the book and I left my tape measure at home. Other people want that and that’s perfectly fine. Several times we passed on a particular animal with PH saying there were better around. I respect and appreciate there judgement it’s why we have them after all. I left with animals in the salt that were better then I expected and was happy with an excellent trip and memories that will last a lifetime time. Not to mention a strong desire to return for more.

Gunnie said:

I think it’s critical to be able to have honest conversations with your PH/Guide regardless of the country or species about expectations. I told mine clearly I want a honest representation of the species. I don’t need the record book animal I don’t have the book and I left my tape measure at home. Other people want that and that’s perfectly fine. Several times we passed on a particular animal with PH saying there were better around. I respect and appreciate there judgement it’s why we have them after all. I left with animals in the salt that were better then I expected and was happy with an excellent trip and memories that will last a lifetime time. Not to mention a strong desire to return for more.

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Yup