Last minute PH change...should I be concerned?

Hogpatrol said:

I'd keep it light and not make it sound like you are a job interviewer. If he's not in to the facetime thing, are you on WhatsApp? It's used quite extensively in Africa amongst PHs and outfitters. You can send and receive voice messages through it.

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This is great advice, as is communicate, communicate, communicate - don't stew about anything, just nicely bring it up to your outfitter and if it's a good outfit they will address your issue. Relax and enjoy. Take it all in, the sights, smells, noises, etc. Keep a journal - I re-read mine recently and had already forgotten lots of the details from 2017.

I've only been once, for PG. Was told I'd hunt with a particular PH. My PH wasn't the outfitter, who's also a PH but was going to be hunting with another group while I was there. When I arrived I was told that my PH had decided not to hunt that year (I was an early safari) and did I "mind hunting with a black guy?" I said "hell no, I don't give a flip if he is purple with pink polka dots is he good?" Outfitter said really good, maybe the best tracker we have, and I met him. About my age, about my speed (I love to stalk, don't mind putting in the miles, but I'm a "slow and steady" kinda guy - I book extra days so I can take my time and take it all in). Fantastic time - we got on *famously*. I ask loads and loads of questions, what's that noise, why did that wildebeest do that, is that a kudu track, what's that plant, can I shoot the next go-away bird that ruins a stalk, etc. He was patient and very knowledgeable - even if he didn't know how to say it in English (guy spoke 5 or 6 languages) he'd remember and we'd look it up when we got back to camp. I'd definitely hunt with him again and would highly recommend him. We still check in with each other on WhatsApp - same as I do with my outfitter as well. If I don't check in regularly, they do. That's my PH Philamon in the pic with me.

There was a point during my hunt when I was basically done with my hit list except for a warthog. Saw loads of pigs, but I wanted a really old gnarly, nasty boar. The other group was hunting everything, including buff and sable. There was one day where I felt like I was given the "gar hole" and I brought it up at lunch - btw, not only do SA's not know what a "gar hole" is, guys from North Dakota don't either. Oh well, that afternoon the owner of the ranch we were on (owner was different from my outfitter) grabbed my PH and me and we headed for a whole new ranch for a couple days. I didn't get my pig but saw all kinds of great stuff. From unhappy back to happy. That's the way it should be handled in my view.

Headed back with same outfitter but a different ranch on Memorial Day! Already mostly packed.

TJ is up on InstaGram, Twetter and a few more social media things I know nothing about.
I'd be surprised if he didn't have FaceTime, but I have WhatsApp on my wife's phone, so if no FaceTime...WhatsApp it is.
Yes, I will keep it light.
It's more about getting to know each other a little bit.
He already has the job and that isn't gonna change.

BeeMaa said:

I would like to thank all the members for the advice, I truly appreciate it.
Not pissed anymore, matter of fact I'm getting back in the right frame of mind...calm and centered.
Thank you all for helping me calm down and put my mind at ease.

Update from the outfitter:
The owner (also a PH) is on a hunt and will not be available until next week.
They sent along most of TJ's qualifications, apprenticeship info, years with the company...etc.
It's all very good and I'm wrapping my head around hunting with this guy.
I'll email back and get the rest of what I would like.

From the sounds of it, TJ and I should be just fine (insert "I told you so" here).
I'm not going to make a big deal of it, because the gap between TJ and CH isn't nearly what I was lead to believe.
If things aren't going well, I'll let TJ know in a nice way...after all he can't fix what he doesn't know is broken.
Communication is the key, lack of it is what started this whole thing.
I think they understand how they handled this was poor and should prevent further issues of this sort.

The only thing I would really like to do is a little FaceTime with the PH, just to talk a bit.
Doesn't have to be long, just to get to know each other.
How do you hunt/what's your plan/how's the weather/anything I can bring from the US for you...stuff like that.
I was going to ask the outfitter if this is OK as long as TJ is available.
Anyone think this is over the line?

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I really would quit sweating this. My three favorite guides, with whom I have now hunted several times (one is in British Columbia, one in Spain, and the other in Mozambique) were met for the first time when I arrived in camp. One is my age - the other two, less than half. My best buffalo was taken with a young guide in the Caprivi who I met upon arrival. On two hunts in Africa, I had three different PH’s during each hunt. Enjoyed time spent with all of them. Almost all African outfitter’s have two or three independent PH’s who hunt for them periodically based on client numbers, game to be hunted, etc. I have yet to meet one who didn’t know his business.

Hogpatrol said:

"This is Africa", and "this is hunting", yep things can change in an instant. Same goes for anywhere else. I'll give you an EXTREME example. Got a prairie dog hunt in Texas lined up, six months in advance, deposit made. Going to meet a buddy down there and we're going to team up and hunt with a guide for three days. Hunted with him before so I know the drill. Eight hundred rounds of two different cartridges sent UPS a couple months in advance to the guide. Rifles dialed in to 800 yards, leaving on a Sunday, airline tickets bought, motel and car rental reservations made, two rifles packed with cleaning rods, rangefinders, binos, all the junk I figure I'll need. Clothes packed for a week, carry-on ready to go. Plane leaves at eight, I'm up waiting for my wife to get ready to drive me to the airport. Bags and gun case are in the trunk of the car, garage door is open, I even got my jacket on. It's around 5:00 a.m.
Phone rings. It's my buddy in Texas. Guide got in to some sort of pissing match with his lease holder and was told to get his shooting trailers and clear out. No backup plan, the hunt is cancelled. Closed the garage door and went back to bed.

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OH shit !!!! that's not cool!

Red Leg said:

I really would quit sweating this.

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I will wait until tomorrow to send a response, call it a little more cool off time.
Making decisions with emotions so high is rarely a good thing.
Drinking helps.

I personally understand the anxious concern, however, I will tell you I have been on 7 safaris and never once met the PH until in camp. Call it great luck, good fortune, great outfitters, or I am just a happy go lucky guy, but I am lifelong friends with all. They have ranged from grizzled veterans to kids in their 20’s. As long as they love what they do, I think you will have a splendid time. And just so you know, while hunting elephant in the Selous, and just 3 days into a 14 day safari(just after we got my el), my young PH’s father had a heart attack. I encouraged him to go be with his family. It happened that his cousin, not much older than him, came and finished out the safari with me. We had a blast, and subsequently hunted again together in the Selous. The silly bugger actually invited me to his wedding in SA several years later. Such are some of the wonderful and unexpected pleasures of Africa, if you can just go with the flow. I know there are many horror stories out there about PH’s, guides and other unsavory characters. Seems like those guys don’t stay in business long.

Like has been said above, this is really not the kind of news I would fret over.

Have a fabulous time on safari and all the best!

My simplistic views based on only two trips, both awesome: pick where you want to go, research and choose a good safari company, and trust them to provide a quality PH. A good company has good PHs, young or old. I would’ve happily hunted with any of the guys I met at Blaauwkrantz or Kanana.

BeeMaa said:

I will wait until tomorrow to send a response, call it a little more cool off time.
Making decisions with emotions so high is rarely a good thing.
Drinking helps.

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I guess I have missed something here, but I honestly do not understand what you have to cool off about. I will be in Argentina in June, Austria in October, and the frigging Kamchatka Peninsula next April (Long story how I was talked into that!) I am booked with excellent outfitter’s, but have no clue who will be my actual guides. In fact, the only one with whom I am certain that I can converse in a common language will be the Austrian, whoever he is, because I speak German. In my fairly broad experience in international hunting (frankly, guided hunting anywhere) that is typical. Unless the terms of your contract specified a specific PH for a specific period of time (haven’t seen one of those, but maybe they exist), I am not sure how you even have a complaint. Perhaps your guided hunting experiences are different than mine, but based on what I have seen over the last few decades, and assuming this is a quality outfitter, I would truly let this go.

Finally, it is never good to roll into camp perceived as a “problem” client. That doesn’t mean accepting sub-bar performance - but it also doesn’t mean creating problems where there are none. I would urge you to go to Africa, go hunting, and have a great time.

PH´s in Africa come and go, maybe your Outfitter has a resident PH, but mostly they are contracted for a given hunt, or a period. They are not permanent employees, so you can hardly be certain of who you are going to hunt with.

I am planning to go back in September, and I don´t know who I will be hunting with, I trust my Outfitter to give me a competent PH.

If it wasn´t illegal, I would be very happy to hunt with just any of his three trackers.

I personally like to hunt with small outfitters that are the owners and the PHs, they have far more vested than a freelance PH, you get to know them and what you can expect! You deal directly with them on the booking and the hunt.

Red Leg said:

I guess I have missed something here, but I honestly do not understand what you have to cool off about.

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Cool off time is just a way of me saying to take a breath and have a little perspective.
Perspective is exactly what you all have given me.

I've exchanged emails with the owner of the outfit.
I let him know that this change although unexpected is completely understandable.
Also that I trust his judgement and that of his staff.
My wife and I are very much looking forward to our safari with our new PH TJ.

We are both in a much better and positive headspace.
You guys have been a great resource for us.
Thank you.

I await the hunt report!

Newboomer said:

BeeMaa,
On my first safari the outfitter was going to be my PH. A few weeks before I got there he informed me that due to business reasons he couldn't do it and assigned me to another PH. I was a little upset but when I got there and met Lammie we hit it off and I had a fabulous hunt to the tune of 10 head of pg. It went so well I requested Lammie specifically for my second hunt. Another great hunt. I requested him again for this year but he is committed to hunting with a long time buddy so I am hunting with the outfitter as my PH. So, don't get all worked up over nothing. Go with an open mind and give the guy a chance. After all, he is a licensed PH and probably knows quite well what he's doing. You say you're hunting pg so there is no danger factor involved. If it were DG, then I would want a more experienced PH or a second one as backup for the youngster.

Don't dwell on a simple change of PH. Be more concerned about getting you, your wife and your gear there, your flights are on time and the gorillas don't destroy your stuff. Think WE WILL HAVE A GREAT TIME and make a new friend.

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Newboomer,

Are you hunting right now? I am sitting with Lammie but fire as we speak. Amazing time as always. Recommend Lammie to anyone. Awesome guy and PH.

ksuhawkeye said:

Newboomer,

Are you hunting right now? I am sitting with Lammie but fire as we speak. Amazing time as always. Recommend Lammie to anyone. Awesome guy and PH.

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@ksuhawkeye who are you hunting with? Had a great time with Lammie in camp back in 2017 at Symbol Safaris.

BeeMaa

I really would not worry to much. In Africa you must go with the flow, its part of the fun, not regimented like home hunts. I have had safaris where my PH switched during our hunt (illness). Took a few days to get into the rhythm of each other again but safari is what you both make of it, relax, listen, enjoy and have fun. BTW the BEST PH I ever had so far was a FREELANCE PH who was thrown in last minute, unannounced to me as I sat in Vic Falls waiting, he was in Bulawayo waiting. He was told by Zim company I was a plains game hunter, US agent was a LIER as I had paperwork and contract for elephant, sable and PG. Back to that PH, thanks to Wayne (on this site) we had one hell of a hunt. So glad my PH was changed.

MarkB

Bsto270 said:

@ksuhawkeye who are you hunting with? Had a great time with Lammie in camp back in 2017 at Symbol Safaris.

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@Bsto270,
We are hunting with Doug Snow Safaris. Doug and Lamie are PHing our group of 3. We hunted a couple camps this trip to get different topography and animals and actually just left Symbol. Had great hunt and wonderful time at Wimpie's camp.