Cull Animal

All my dad wants to do is a cull hunt. He doesn't care about trophy size and doesn't want to import anything back. That's just his style. But I agree with what is written above, what he wants isn't necessarily a cull hunt but more or less a cheaper non-trophy hunt.

I think the other great point is it depends on the animal, a cape buffalo vs a springbok certainly makes a big difference.

^^^^I have seen outfitters offer cull hunts at reduced rates. Not many advertise them but some cull packages are offered. I feel that there is a need for cull packages as there are hunters who desire these.

Warbird782 said:

^^^^I have seen outfitters offer cull hunts at reduced rates. Not many advertise them but some cull packages are offered. I feel that there is a need for cull packages as there are hunters who desire these.

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That's the thing, they are there and just not advertised. You just have to look for them a little more. As much as anything I think it just has to do with how much demand, or perceived demand, there is for the cull hunt.

I also wonder how much experience has to do with it? Meaning, if I'm on my seventh kudu and I really looking for another one to out on the wall, or to kind one with one more inch?

CAustin said:

I would have loved to cull hunt while on the recent trip to SA. No culls available at the time....but I would have gladly paid a small fee to do it!

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My friends in SA tend to do cull hunts every year. Unfortunately they are generally done at the end of or after regular hunting season.

Generally you also have to be "in the loop" or have friends that are to get invited to participate.

Also when it's being done commercially to feed the wild game meat market they buyers get awfully picky about not wasting meat and insist only on head and neck shots so it requires a great deal more skill than regular hunting.

I'm working on some business opportunities there which will hopefully having me making several trips a year in the future so I'm hoping to get lucky and be there occasionally at the right time.

Code4 said:

The old definition of a cull animal, was one that (for whatever reason) was worth nothing or only worth the meat on it. This was usually on sold by the PH to a pro meat buyer.

I have recently seen on here, a cull hunt advertised where there was a fee of $800 for a female Kudu. In fact all the animals listed had a price on them. For me this is not a cull hunt but a non trophy hunt and I called it as a misleading and deceptive advertisement.

You can get very cheap cull hunts. Plains game populations have exploded in South Africa and for some reason prices have gone up as well. No doubt due to the high level of management now employed with these animals.

Just shop around and don't be duped by additional fees from less than honest operators..

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Your final point is a very good one.

Sometimes these opportunities though pop up really fast with little time for conversation so my advice to all would be that if such an opportunity does arise like that, be prepared to pay full price unless you've set a price ahead of time.

It wouldn't hurt to just as a part of your first night/evening there or first morning of the hunt casually mention that you'd be happy to help if such a situation arises so that you can have that conversation well ahead of time.

There's a massive red heartabeest on one of the places that we hunted who is very old and has a bad leg that I'm sure will have to be taken soon but the landowner was hoping he'd still be able to breed a few more females before he goes.

Sad, the leopards will most likely end up getting him in the end. Terrible waste of such a magnificent trophy but I understand why he wants to go that route.

In RSA and Namibia, the animals are the property of the landowner. They have an investment in time and money in those animals, they have every right to charge for them culls or otherwise. I don't think trying to get a return on your investment is a deceptive practice. If you are not happy with the price keep shopping and have what is agreed on in writing beforehand.

I have shot females, culls, non-trophy, wounded and sick animals sometimes I pay for them sometimes i don't, but I knew ahead of tie how much it would cost.

What can be better than spending your time, enjoying your passion hunting without the pressure of wondering “are those horns long enough” Enjoying nature to its fullest, sitting around the camp fire at night, discussing what you saw and what you experienced during the day. There is even the opportunity if you stumble over a record breaking animal, to take it as well. Budget permitting!

What is the general consensus, which specie would be the most sought after to hunt?

For my mind, kudu, they always remain challenging!

I don't trophy hunt so only cull in RSA and indeed other places in Europe ...

I usually agree a fee sometimes on a specific list of animals ...sometimes on a flat fee basis and I turn up shoot whatever needs to be culled and that's that.


Mostly plains game however working on a hippo culling opertunitity for 2016

Any of the few skins I have asked for I have not had to pay for ..

Places I have hunted

Game4Africa and Richard Holmes Safari both in the Karoo. Indeed I am booked with Richard thru to 2018......

Both amazing places to hunt and indeed some amazing trophies ...

For anyone who would like culling in the UK or indeed in Europe PM. Me and I can share some people I have hunted with.

Indeed if anyone has questions just pm.me

Rhinoster Hoek Safaris said:

For my mind, kudu, they always remain challenging!

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I think that is the obvious choice and what most would want to do.

I think I'd also enjoy culling steenbok or duiker at your place too though. I sure love those little guys!!!

Royal27 said:

I think that is the obvious choice and what most would want to do.

I think I'd also enjoy culling steenbok or duiker at your place too though. I sure love those little guys!!!

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Don't know about steenbok I think they all make trophies!

Rhinoster Hoek Safaris said:

Don't know about steenbok I think they all make trophies!

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I thought five inches and under were cull on your place????

Royal27 said:

I thought five inches and under were cull on your place????

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Under 4 1/2

Speaking of management, cull or non-trophy hunt species-wise, I often see the deals for most common plains game. (very good deals)

Is there such thing for other "premium game" species?

Once in the future I would / might be interested in something like sable, roan, buffalo, with broken horns or similar. But such hunts I do not see in deal & offer section, however some hunters post the photos with these.

I was wondering what would be realistic cost - trophy fee, approximately of course, for those non trophy "premium" game?

mark-hunter said:

Speaking of management, cull or non-trophy hunt species-wise, I often see the deals for most common plains game. (very good deals)

Is there such thing for other "premium game" species?

Once in the future I would / might be interested in something like sable, roan, buffalo, with broken horns or similar. But such hunts I do not see in deal & offer section, however some hunters post the photos with these.

I was wondering what would be realistic cost - trophy fee, approximately of course, for those non trophy "premium" game?

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I took a broken-horned sable a couple of years ago. I wanted the skin, so the price was a little less than half the regular price. Same thing with a nyala with only one horn. About 45% of the trophy fee - again because I wanted the skin for a rug. On one hunt, we say jackal at night, and the outfitter asked if I wanted to shoot it. $100 he said. I said no, I'd shot lots. He then said, well, just shoot it anyway, I want it gone.

I've also gone to a property with the intention of removing as many animals as I could in as short a time as I could. A friend and I shot every blesbok on the place - about 40, at a cost of about $75 each. But it was quite a production - took lots of staff to keep them moving around the property so we could get the shots. This is the Tom Sawyer situation that @Royal27 referred to, but I was happy to get in the practice.

Mostly these come up as you come across them and ask the question. My guess is that if you ask in advance, it might be a bit more expensive.

On my first safari the head PH/Outfitter put out an APB for a one horned waterbuck. Said to shoot it on sight as a customer wanted the skin for a rug. We spotted it the first day on the way back to the lodge for lunch and I made the shot. Was asked later if I'd like the skull for a Euro and said sure. Well low and behold another group picked up the broke off horn two days later and this is the before and after photos. Cost me $125 for the Euro and horn repair.

Thank you guys, I got the picture!