How many species per trip?

TEX84 · Mar 24, 2015

What are everyone's thoughts on the ideal number of species to take each trip? Sometimes I see pictures where it looks like someone shot every single animal on the property. I'm not saying anything is wrong with that; it can certainly reduce your overhead in terms of flight cost.

But I think I'm more inclined to target several indiginous species on my next trip. For instance, I would like to go to Namibia to take a mountain zebra, kudu, and oryx. And then next time to to KZN for Nyala, Waterbuck, and Eland. And then who knows after that. This way, I am also getting to experience different parts of Africa (scenery, culture, etc).

Thoughts?

billc · Mar 24, 2015

I think it is different for each hunter. Depends if you are only ever going to take only one of that species. I go to hunt and take what I like as I see it. I always start with a list but it always changes as I hunt. I may try for kudu in ever area I hunt but only take a nyala if I see a very good one outside of hunting natal.

I don't know that I will ever take a trip and hunt like 3 or 4animals. I go ever two or three years but go for like 20 days and hunt two areas each trip. Between myself and son I always plan on taking at least 10 to 12 animals in 20 days.

BRICKBURN · Mar 24, 2015

TEX84 said:
...............

But I think I'm more inclined to target several indiginous species on my next trip. For instance, I would like to go to Namibia to take a mountain zebra, kudu, and oryx. And then next time to to KZN for Nyala, Waterbuck, and Eland. And then who knows after that. This way, I am also getting to experience different parts of Africa (scenery, culture, etc).

Thoughts?

I'm with you.
Exactly what I did on my first trip over.
I'd add that Eland to your Namibia trip and add a Bushbuck to the Natal leg.

I did
Eland, Kudu, Oryx, Warthog in Namibia then Nyala, Bushbuck, Reedbuck in KZN.

Totally different topography.

(These were the main species. I added some others...)

Velo Dog · Mar 24, 2015

TEX84 said:
What are everyone's thoughts on the ideal number of species to take each trip? Sometimes I see pictures where it looks like someone shot every single animal on the property. I'm not saying anything is wrong with that; it can certainly reduce your overhead in terms of flight cost.

But I think I'm more inclined to target several indiginous species on my next trip. For instance, I would like to go to Namibia to take a mountain zebra, kudu, and oryx. And then next time to to KZN for Nyala, Waterbuck, and Eland. And then who knows after that. This way, I am also getting to experience different parts of Africa (scenery, culture, etc).

Thoughts?

Hi TEX84,

My thoughts on your question definitely vary depending on the circumstances of each safari.
But, my favorite thing to do is to tell my selected PH when discussing my intent to book a safari that, I might be interested in one or two specific species but otherwise would like to just walk about in the bush and take whatever the Hunting Gods present to us.
This plan however requires that I pretty much memorize the fee for each individual species occurring where I plan to hunt.
Sable and roan are out of my reach financially, straight away.

I have seen a very fine nyala bull toward the end of a hunt and so, I did not have enough money then to pay for it.
But, we tried to get close enough for a photo and it got away anyhow (fun to try though).
Never been disappointed with the number of animals I have taken on any African adventure, from only three to a dozen or so on license.
For myself, the pleasure of hunting in Africa cannot be measured in the numbers.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

greyfox · Mar 24, 2015

I took 7 in 10 days and felt like a game hog, honestly, I met guys in the airport who took 14 in 4 days (between all of them).

TEX84 · Mar 24, 2015

BRICKBURN said:
I'd add that Eland to your Namibia trip and add a Bushbuck to the Natal leg.

Good suggestions! I've certainly thought about tacking on an eland in Namibia.

kudu1 · Mar 24, 2015

Depends on what you are hunting - half a dozen springbuck is easily do-able in an afternoon, can't say he same about Nyala, Black Wildebeest or even bush buck.

I like to hunt two species in 7 days - that's it - come back next year and do the same again. Might think about throwing a little porker in the mix if a "vlakvarkie" pops up or even a baboon - but those are just targets of opportunity.

Hank2211 · Mar 24, 2015

Depends on where you are and how you feel about hunting.

If you're on a game ranch in South Africa, you will likely have the opportunity to take at least an animal a day, and often more if you are prepared to work at it. Many will not necessarily be indigenous to the area. Whether you want to take these animals or not will be up to you. Personally, I'm there, and once I've gotten what I'm after, I'll look for older animals that are losing condition or that might be cull animals. Keeps me busy, and I enjoy it. No need to take fewer animals to have a reason to go back, at least not in my book.

On the other hand, if you're in a place like Zimbabwe in an open area, you will have to work for the species you get and if you're looking for a particular type or size, you have to make some tough calls - if you pass on something, you may not see another again. And then there are the places like Cameroon, where you focus on one animal, and you may never see anything else (especially in the jungle).

I would say there are enough species that you will have plenty of reasons to go back. I never started out looking for the tiny ten (or the tiny one for that matter) but I am now. Same with the nine spiral horned. And now working on the small cats. Lots of animals, not a lot of time.

So I'd say take what looks good to you, and enjoy the time you are spending in Africa!

K-man · Mar 24, 2015

I have always gone with at least 2 animals on a "must" list, usually indigenous to the area. Keeps the trophy fees reasonable. Then discuss your standards and wishes with your p.h. and be prepared when the lightning strikes and you see "him". I have usually gotten 4 or 5 animals in a 7 to 10 day hunt, but only if they are worthy. Got a really cool bushpig that wasn't even on my radar.

CAustin · Mar 24, 2015

It does depend on what you want and how hard you want to hunt. Think about the top one or two must have animals that are available in the destination area and go from there. If it's me .....I want to hunt morning and afternoon until it's dark and I'm taking as many as I can.

kathy · Mar 24, 2015

All African animals are beautiful to me .I have a hard time holding back if they give me a good ethical shot.
I keep up with the trophy fees as I shoot ,and when the well runs dry, I shoot with the camera then. Forrest

Royal27 · Mar 24, 2015

As others have said, it depends.

I like to have primary species in mind, ones that I'm willing to put in extra time on, and to really focus on. In Zim that was my buff and in SA that will be Kudu. After that, it is more about opportunity and just enjoying the hunt.

I don't really guess I have a number now that I think about it... :E Confused:

How many species per trip?

TEX84

billc

BRICKBURN

Velo Dog

greyfox

TEX84

kudu1

Hank2211

K-man

CAustin

kathy

Royal27

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