What makes a good safari client?

JPbowhunter said:

See I don't think that has anything to do with Africa. Maybe I'm different because I hunt a lot but my gun and I are always in the best nick we can be. Can't see why anyone would do anything different.

I have been wondering if there are a lot of inexperienced guys going to Africa with little to no hunting experience (not directed at yourself obviously). Then again I see some pics of guys posing over animals in white shirts talking about how tough african animals are after pumping a magazine into every part of the animal other than vitals! That then makes me wonder why Africa draws those blokes?

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Hah Ha!!

i am a part time big game guide, so this might not track completely to a true african PH, but what i like to see in a client that shows up in camp:

when we sight in the rifles, the hunter handles it carefully, competently and shoots it well adjusting his sights if they are off, but again quickly and competently. that tells me he knows his equipment and will likely shoot it well.

i like to see a client that is in reasonable physical condition appropriate to the clients age. being in decent shape WILL give him more opportunities at the quarry we are hunting.

a good attitude. a hunter with a positive attitude will be more fun to be around, easier to manage and will hunt harder and longer. my kind of guy!

The type client no PH/Guide really wants, But has to eventually deal with preferably later (never) than sooner.

For several years I was a horseback trail guide, in North Carolina. One Saturday morning a fellow comes in to ride for 8 hours. Has no type of experience around horses and request a horse by name, this particular horse requires a reasonably experienced rider for the day and "... no easy trails."

No matter which route is taken riding dirt/gravel roads is how you get to the riding trails. My client became frustrated because after 5 minutes of riding this was to easy and wanted a harder trail. I had to suck up what I wanted to say, Just told him we were at the start of the trails yet. 10 minutes later we turned onto, what we the locals and regulars call an moderateit easy trail, that leads to more trails of varying degrees. He instantly complained it was to rough and wanted something easier. ( only thing easier is the road we just left!)

I constantly asked him what kind of trail riding he wanted to do. With pretty much the same answer each time:...no easy trails....I want to ride for 8 hours....

Three hours later we ( I took him back) headed back to the stables. That's how long it took me to get a straight answer from him though all his complaining.

His purpose for the 8 hour ride was in preparation for a 2 week western cattle drive; starting the following week. His intent was to tell the operator at the cattle ranch he was an experienced rider.

I was already feeling sorry for the ranch owner and others on the cattle drive.

Example of good clients:

During this same time as a trail guide I had 4 ladies, for a 4 hour afternoon ride, (all married) (all or most had their own horses), unfortunately most of their riding was limited to "flat land", and walking horses.

They were now on quarter horses, riding various terrain, up, down and around hills, in and across streams and creeks, on very narrow (knee brusing) and sidewalk wide paths, in open fields, woods, and everything in between.

Because it was getting dark and these horses were getting tired and needing feed along with the other horses back at the stables.....among all the compliments given to the horses: how exciting and relaxing the ride had been: how respectful and nice (I) was toward them, (compared to some of the past guides they had).

their only complaint: ' .....wish (we) had more time...'.

They, the ladies and their husbands, became regular weekend clients for 4 months.

Unfortunately, I wasn't available one weekend to be ladies guide, as another group of clients had previously requested me.

The guide the stable owner provided them was not to the ladies liking, thus the ladies nor their husbands never came back.

I guided buffalo hunts in Northern Australia for a dozen or so years and have now retired from that so can answer without concern.

My favourite client was the one that came without expectation !

I operated in an unfenced wilderness region where anything can, and does, happen.
I genuinely appreciated the type of hunter who understood that I didn't mean to steak that tyre this morning, that unprecedented rain during the dry season was not forecast, that my many "honey-holes" were not producing, etc, etc, etc.

There are many reasons why a hunt may not go to "plan".

I appreciated those hunters who trusted that despite the difficulties I would hunt hard and hunt honest in order to achieve their desires.
Supporting your P.H rather than imposing additional pressure was most appreciated.

I had hunters, many, who could not stalk the clothes line in their own back yard, I once in fact had a hunter who had hardly ever fired a firearm previous to his buffalo hunt.
No problem, that's why they hired me.
Simple shooting lessons and stalking in close got all of those situations closed successfully.

In fact, in my dozen or so years as a buffalo guide I only ever sent ONE client home WITHOUT his bull and THAT is the client NONE OF YOU WANT TO BE !

On my first Namibian hunt when I was talking to the outfitter about booking and wanted to bowhunt as they hadn't had bowhunters before he said that would be fine if I didn't put to much pressure on the PH, I said that would be fine if the PH didn't put too much pressure on me. We got along well and the result was a the free range 58 inch kudu in my avatar!

jeff said:

The right PH can sometimes make the client try harder and have a better positive outlook than a PH who's attitude is it's just another client and hunt.

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This was true for us! Even though we were were already in a GEEZ WE'RE IN AFRICA OMG THIS IS SO COOL frame of mind our Africa PH started with a pep talk at breakfast with continued encouragement throughout the day. His enthusiasm literally rolled on to us so that when we headed out we were really "pumped". I think he is truly passionate about what he does.

JPbowhunter said:

See I don't think that has anything to do with Africa. Maybe I'm different because I hunt a lot but my gun and I are always in the best nick we can be. Can't see why anyone would do anything different.

I have been wondering if there are a lot of inexperienced guys going to Africa with little to no hunting experience (not directed at yourself obviously). Then again I see some pics of guys posing over animals in white shirts talking about how tough african animals are after pumping a magazine into every part of the animal other than vitals! That then makes me wonder why Africa draws those blokes?

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This is the preparation by 90% of U.S. deer hunters and just a WAG but probably 50% of Africa hunters. That factory ammo is EXPENSIVE and besides, " I don't have time to get to the range". And, oh yeah, that's a target set up at 50 yards.

.

steve ahrenberg said:

I believe that some true friendships do in fact develop. Some of the individuals I write about are in fact friends, just not to the level of friendship that may be surmised.

Keep in mind the business transactional nature of the relationship to keep yourself insulated from being taken advantage of.

My example of your dentist or the guy you bought your truck from are accurate. They too will try to form some bond to remove you from your income.

It’s just hunan nature, I simply put my thoughts down on paper. When it was in print. Many messages I received from other clients insinuated “I would be blackballed from the hunting community.”

Hah!!! Just call to book a hunt and lay your money down brother.

I had a very enjoyable private exchange with both John Sharp and Kevin Robinson, who wrote a rebuttal called “The PH” which appeared in the next issue. Both sides can learn.

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I'm quoting my own post to correct a mistake. The rebuttal article in"African Hunter" magazine, was Not written by Kevin Robinson, it was written by Kevin Thomas. I found it in; African Hunter magazine, Volume 20, number 3.

I'll try to copy it and post it.

Here is a question I have never asked a PH / Outfitter. What do you consider accurate shooting? Do you have a different standard for "off the bench" and "Off Shooting Sticks".

Hogpatrol said:

Wonder no more. I was in camp (Africa) with two guys from a former eastern bloc country. They couldn't hit their grandmother with a double barreled shotgun at forty paces. One missed a kudu at 150 yards, then again at 100 yards and finally at 75 yards before it finally trotted off, I figured laughing.

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I encountered something similar on my last safari. At lunch, one of the PHs was late getting back for lunch, although his Eastern European client wasn't late. The PH told his story (in Afrikans, of course) to the other PHs with whom I was sitting. I'd gotten to know him fairly well over several evening discussions and drinks, so he was comfortable enough with me to turn and explain in English what he had said. First, he was late returning for lunching because he had to find and dispatch a blesbok that the client had wounded (not the first time with this same client). He said that the client specialized in shooting animals in the leg. It goes without saying that he was quite disgusted.

I am not a PH or guide. I have never been one and I've never played one on TV. However, I am going to share this because, over the years, it has gotten a lot of positive feedback from PHs, guides and outfitters.

It all began on a buffalo hunt (no, not that kind of buffalo - an American Bison). Unlike many bison hunts, this one was a free-range hunt and like Africa, it was done spot and stalk. As we headed out, my guide asked me, "So, what kind of buffalo do you want to shoot." Not a question that I had considered in advance, so after giving it about one second of thought, I replied, "A big one???" (Aren't they all big, at least in body?) He then gave the question more direction, asking if I cared about fur color, fur type; did I want one that was B&C, etc.

That elicited from me a collection of thoughts and opinions that had been in my head for a long time, but I had never articulated to anyone prior to that. I have repeated it with every subsequent guide and I now share it here for you to comment (please go easy on me).

First, for me a hunt is an intensely personal activity. I am not on the hunt (safari) to prove that my male member is bigger than that of anyone else because of the size of an animal that I may be fortunate enough to take.

I want to learn about my quarry, it's environment; to understand and learn about it; and appreciate as much as possible about both. I respect the game that I am pursuing; and in the end, I want to take a good representative animal. Yes, bigger is better. However, I'm not here for bragging rights.

It is my responsibility as the hunter to show up in the best physical condition that I can be in for this hunt. It's also my responsibility to be proficient with my weapon so I can make a clean kill.

It is the responsibility of the PH to find a suitable animal and get me into position to make that shot. It’s not that I’m not going to try to spot animals, but he is the pro.

I consider the PH to be the expert on judging any animals we see. If he tells me that animal is the one to take, I am going to get on the sticks. I am not going question his judgment. ("Are you sure?") I am not going to second guess him before the shot or after the animal is down.

Next, my PH needs to know about me. To start, I try to honestly and candidly share my personal assessment of my physical abilities and limitations.

I tell him about my shooting abilities. The range at which I'm comfortable, the longer ranges at which I'm willing to shoot if the conditions are right, and the distance beyond which I'm not willing to take a shot because I can't be confident of making a clean kill. There is no point in exaggerating.

If there are multiple species on the list for a hunt, I tell him what my priorities are.

I’ve been told that from the perspective of a PH all of this is helpful and takes a lot of pressure off of the PH. One outfitter said that, a PH may even try harder because of it. That’s not my objective, but it is interesting.

Charles de Ribeau said:

I am not a PH or guide. I have never been one and I've never played one on TV. However, I am going to share this because, over the years, it has gotten a lot of positive feedback from PHs, guides and outfitters.

It all began on a buffalo hunt (no, not that kind of buffalo - an American Bison). Unlike many bison hunts, this one was a free-range hunt and like Africa, it was done spot and stalk. As we headed out, my guide asked me, "So, what kind of buffalo do you want to shoot." Not a question that I had considered in advance, so after giving it about one second of thought, I replied, "A big one???" (Aren't they all big, at least in body?) He then gave the question more direction, asking if I cared about fur color, fur type; did I want one that was B&C, etc.

That elicited from me a collection of thoughts and opinions that had been in my head for a long time, but I had never articulated to anyone prior to that. I have repeated it with every subsequent guide and I now share it here for you to comment (please go easy on me).

First, for me a hunt is an intensely personal activity. I am not on the hunt (safari) to prove that my male member is bigger than that of anyone else because of the size of an animal that I may be fortunate enough to take.

I want to learn about my quarry, it's environment; to understand and learn about it; and appreciate as much as possible about both. I respect the game that I am pursuing; and in the end, I want to take a good representative animal. Yes, bigger is better. However, I'm not here for bragging rights.

It is my responsibility as the hunter to show up in the best physical condition that I can be in for this hunt. It's also my responsibility to be proficient with my weapon so I can make a clean kill.

It is the responsibility of the PH to find a suitable animal and get me into position to make that shot. It’s not that I’m not going to try to spot animals, but he is the pro.

I consider the PH to be the expert on judging any animals we see. If he tells me that animal is the one to take, I am going to get on the sticks. I am not going question his judgment. ("Are you sure?") I am not going to second guess him before the shot or after the animal is down.

Next, my PH needs to know about me. To start, I try to honestly and candidly share my personal assessment of my physical abilities and limitations.

I tell him about my shooting abilities. The range at which I'm comfortable, the longer ranges at which I'm willing to shoot if the conditions are right, and the distance beyond which I'm not willing to take a shot because I can't be confident of making a clean kill. There is no point in exaggerating.

If there are multiple species on the list for a hunt, I tell him what my priorities are.

I’ve been told that from the perspective of a PH all of this is helpful and takes a lot of pressure off of the PH. One outfitter said that, a PH may even try harder because of it. That’s not my objective, but it is interesting.

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Contrary to that on the two guided hunts I've done I picked the animal I wanted, on the first ovcasion I refused the guides choice. First day he tried to get me to shoot a 25" chital stag, it was insulting to think he would even try that on a client. He then told us how his previous client a close friend of his shot at and missed a 31" head. We asked to go hunt over where he saw it and try to find it but he refused, giving some fluffy reason I don't recall. After that I decided to pick my own and ended up with a nice deer.

On my second guided trip, we saw a big sika stag which I later found out scored mid 180s DS. Guide wouldn't let us go after him because the river was a bit high. I know rivers get bad in NZ but I've crossed far worse since hunting diy over there. I ended up with a much smaller head. Couple months later I saw photos of the stag I wanted, shot by a higher paying client. We most definitely could have got the big one had he really wanted to, I instantly got the impression he wanted to save it for someone else.

Never done a guided hunt since. I understand some people need help, I've guided those types of people myself. But I personally would never blindly follow someone's directions after my experiences.

Charles de Ribeau said:

I am not a PH or guide. I have never been one and I've never played one on TV. However, I am going to share this because, over the years, it has gotten a lot of positive feedback from PHs, guides and outfitters.

It all began on a buffalo hunt (no, not that kind of buffalo - an American Bison). Unlike many bison hunts, this one was a free-range hunt and like Africa, it was done spot and stalk. As we headed out, my guide asked me, "So, what kind of buffalo do you want to shoot." Not a question that I had considered in advance, so after giving it about one second of thought, I replied, "A big one???" (Aren't they all big, at least in body?) He then gave the question more direction, asking if I cared about fur color, fur type; did I want one that was B&C, etc.

That elicited from me a collection of thoughts and opinions that had been in my head for a long time, but I had never articulated to anyone prior to that. I have repeated it with every subsequent guide and I now share it here for you to comment (please go easy on me).

First, for me a hunt is an intensely personal activity. I am not on the hunt (safari) to prove that my male member is bigger than that of anyone else because of the size of an animal that I may be fortunate enough to take.

I want to learn about my quarry, it's environment; to understand and learn about it; and appreciate as much as possible about both. I respect the game that I am pursuing; and in the end, I want to take a good representative animal. Yes, bigger is better. However, I'm not here for bragging rights.

It is my responsibility as the hunter to show up in the best physical condition that I can be in for this hunt. It's also my responsibility to be proficient with my weapon so I can make a clean kill.

It is the responsibility of the PH to find a suitable animal and get me into position to make that shot. It’s not that I’m not going to try to spot animals, but he is the pro.

I consider the PH to be the expert on judging any animals we see. If he tells me that animal is the one to take, I am going to get on the sticks. I am not going question his judgment. ("Are you sure?") I am not going to second guess him before the shot or after the animal is down.

Next, my PH needs to know about me. To start, I try to honestly and candidly share my personal assessment of my physical abilities and limitations.

I tell him about my shooting abilities. The range at which I'm comfortable, the longer ranges at which I'm willing to shoot if the conditions are right, and the distance beyond which I'm not willing to take a shot because I can't be confident of making a clean kill. There is no point in exaggerating.

If there are multiple species on the list for a hunt, I tell him what my priorities are.

I’ve been told that from the perspective of a PH all of this is helpful and takes a lot of pressure off of the PH. One outfitter said that, a PH may even try harder because of it. That’s not my objective, but it is interesting.

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Hi Charles. I would agree with your assessment of a PH or guide liking those qualities. Nice post.

I will say one thing....... Save us from the people who have Hunted whichever African country once....twice....maybe three times and are then experts...... Please....

JPbowhunter said:

Contrary to that on the two guided hunts I've done I picked the animal I wanted, on the first ovcasion I refused the guides choice. First day he tried to get me to shoot a 25" chital stag, it was insulting to think he would even try that on a client. He then told us how his previous client a close friend of his shot at and missed a 31" head. We asked to go hunt over where he saw it and try to find it but he refused, giving some fluffy reason I don't recall. After that I decided to pick my own and ended up with a nice deer.

On my second guided trip, we saw a big sika stag which I later found out scored mid 180s DS. Guide wouldn't let us go after him because the river was a bit high. I know rivers get bad in NZ but I've crossed far worse since hunting diy over there. I ended up with a much smaller head. Couple months later I saw photos of the stag I wanted, shot by a higher paying client. We most definitely could have got the big one had he really wanted to, I instantly got the impression he wanted to save it for someone else.

Never done a guided hunt since. I understand some people need help, I've guided those types of people myself. But I personally would never blindly follow someone's directions after my experiences.

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That's too bad and hasn't been my experience. Perhaps you should have checked some references?

Interesting thread for sure. I have been guiding for 29 years, mostly in Colorado but also in Alaska and Mexico. I have also been on the other side of the equation - seven times to free-range areas in Africa, as well as trips to Canada, Mexico, Tajikistan, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Alaska as a client. I am sure there are hunters on AH that have a lot more experience but here's my thoughts on both clients and PHs.

For both:
1. PMA - positive mental attitude. Every day is a new day. With big game, the hunting can be slow and turn on a dime. You can go from being a Zero to a Hero in an instant. It's a 14-day hunt for a reason. If you could get the animal(s) in one day all the time, we would book one day hunts, but we can't so we book multiple days for a reason. It can happen on the last day - I have seen it many, many times. Keep your head in the game. If the PH is hunting hard and smart, the opportunity should happen if you've done your research on the area. Be ready when opportunity knocks - even late in the trip. NEVER quit.
2. Communicate - I do an orientation talk with all my clients as to what to expect and also let them ask questions and get their thoughts on what they want BEFORE the hunt starts.
For Clients:
1. Shoot and handle your rifle enough to where it becomes a natural extension of your body. NEVER point your muzzle in my direction - loaded or not. Be proficient at the four shooting positions in case sticks or shooting rests are not available or ideal. Some people don't even know these positions!
2. Realize that a good PH feels the pressure for success and large animals. You don't have to keep harping about getting the biggest of the biggest. This is a real turn-off and the guys that put themselves and their PHs under the most pressure are usually not rewarded. It's just karma. My outfit takes some of the largest animals in Colorado. For example, we take about six 200"+ mule deer each year but I get tired of clients that think they can just book a hunt for a 200" deer like it's ordering up a steak cooked the way they want it. It is still hunting! In good areas, exceptional animals pop up once in a while but be happy with a nice big trophy animal that is above average. There are not giants available for every hunter and don't shoot a small one on the last day - go home empty if you held out for a big one and didn't get one.
3. Treat your PH like you would want to be treated. Your PH is not your servant or slave. He is your partner and is hopefully doing his best and working hard for your shared success.
4. Be as physically fit as you can for the type of hunt you are booking. Share any physical limitations before the hunt starts so the PH can tailor the situations appropriately.
5. If you did your homework and are with a reputable outfit and PH, don't "guide the guide" and try to overly influence him about where and how to hunt the area.
For PHs:
1. Hunt hard. I hate a lazy guide or PH and I won't tolerate it. On my first African hunt in Zim, my PH was a little too laid back for my style. He would turn the truck back towards camp a couple hours before dark and we weren't leaving camp in the mornings until after sunrise. After the second day, I had an open respectful conversation with him about it and things were changed.
2. A good PH or guide not only tells his hunters when to shoot a mature animal, but also when NOT to shoot a substandard or immature animal for the area. I hate "tag filler" guides and PHs. I would rather have my client go home without an animal than one they are unhappy with. This is something I have to explicitly train my guides to do. I have had new guides make a mistake and tell me that, "The hunter was happy with it." My response is, "Perhaps, but you also work for me and I am not happy and the client doesn't know that he killed a substandard animal for the area but you and I do know."
3. Be organized and have above average equipment in good repair. Off-season prep can prevent a lot of breakdowns and issues. If something happens, get it resolved quickly and have a Plan B.
4. Be assertive, smart and confident with your hunting plans with your client's best interests at heart. Share your plans but don't let the client take over the planning of each hunting day - they have never been to the area before and if you know what you are doing, they should pick up on that and follow your lead. Suggestions are fine but you should have more local knowledge and should be using that knowledge to maximize success.
5. If there is a disagreement with the hunter or a problem, sit down and talk it out like men. Handle it on the hunt so it get's resolved and fixed DURING the hunt so that it doesn't fester afterwards. The trip should be a success at the end with both parties happy with your efforts.

Just my .02 cents.

@Scott CWO, Great post. On your #1 for clients, I had to laugh. I've hunted with guys that I had to show how to use one of them. They didn't know! (sitting, standing, kneeling and prone)

Hogpatrol said:

@Scott CWO, Great post. On your #1 for clients, I had to laugh. I've hunted with guys that I had to show how to use one of them. They didn't know! (sitting, standing, kneeling and prone)

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Exactly. Thanks!