Cheap hunts? Cull hunts or budget packages

CBH Australia

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Any suggestions for cheap locations and hunting packages. I am doing Africa in January 2020. Maybe I will try find something for Feb 2022 when I turn 50., Maybe pending budget
When I say cheap i have found that some locations have different options and I am not looking for trophies just the experience of some affordable international hunting.
I'm fascinated by DG but that seems to attract premium prices.
Id like to bag a Bear, or do a Driven hunt for Boar or hunt something unusual in another country, i would consider cull Buff in Australia or something in New Zealand I am open to suggestion and will google some of these. It might not happen but if there is something that appeals i will have something to look forward too.
If I do some Antelope in Africa then I would consider something different, wolf, wild dogs, Coyote , Bear, dependent on airfares i can do some sightseeing and visit another country doing what i like
I've shot Fallow deer , Pigs, goats and Dingoes. what else is on the menu?
I think Domestic flights in Australia and O/Seas can be a big part of the cost so I am looking to stretch my budget. Id like to take my own rifle O/Seas but happy to hire if its a hassle.
 
For cull hunts in Namiba or south Africa, I am sure - you will get responses and offers very soon from our sponsors.

For this:
do a Driven hunt for Boar

This is typically done in Europe.
You tube is full of great footage, high volume shooting on running boars.

However, be advised, that most of high volume driven boar hunts are arranged or organised in fenced areas.
Nothing wrong with that, but be aware what to expect.

An example:
In area where I go hunting (I go there for roe deer, stalking), local hunting club organizes once or twice per year driven boar hunt for foreign guests. No fences. True free roaming, free chase.
Last year they kept maintained best part of hunting area - no hunting there, no shooting, they just kept filling feeding stations.
Area reserved, and protected for year, entire year - just for that annual "big hunt".

When guests arrived (from other part of Europe), they had shot only one or two boars. Total failure. Despite the annual efforts.

So, my suggestion would be to find reputable outfitter, and try combination of hunting that includes free range plus fenced hunt.
In free range options, consider red deer - it does not need to be trophy stag. It can be something for cull, or even doe, as cheaper options.

On driven hunts:
For high volume commercial hunts, ususally drive does not shoot. Only hunters from stand.

When driven hunt is organised less formally, at least in my country, there is no legal obligation of who will go to stand, or who will go to drive, and if agreed during initial brefing, even drive can shoot.

Then, when drive is allowed to shoot - then, more shots are fired from drive, then from stands.
Sitting on stand, when no game is running is boring (to me).
So every time I can, I "volunteer" for drive.

Nota bene:
In Sweden they organize driven hunts for European moose. Costs are not high to participate. Do the research.
But also there is no guarantee that you will have a chance of shot. So again, try to look for combination type of hunt, stalking for something, high stand for something else, and driven hunt for boar, or moose.... Then you will get maximum experience.

Good luck!
 
Check out the Deals and Offers threads here on AH. Depending on your budget, number of days, where and what you want to hunt, I'm sure you can find someplace exciting to hunt.

Check on the variuos airlines reservation cite for the lowest airfare dates and flight times.

I saved several hundred dollars on my flights:

1. Since South Africa Airways started charging fees for firearms I changed to Qatar Airways. The only downside the layover in Doha. Never been to Doha; maybe in 2022 I'll plan for a longer layover to really visit the city.

2. The flight from Doha to Johannesburg has an early morning arrival time, which means I can arrive at the lodge the same day instead of overnighting in Johannesburg.

3. Instead of going in June, I changed my plans and I'll be going in May.

Now am I really saving any money?
Hell No!!
The money I saved on my flights are allowing me to spend more days in South Africa to hunt more animals.:A Banana::A Banana:

That incurable African bug has mutated and now I'm already looking to travel to other countries to satisfy my incurable hunting virus.:E Day Dreaming::A Whistle::A Coffee::E Crazy Eyes: :P Elmer Fudd::E Rofl:

Meet new people and experience different foods and cultures.

Trophy---or----Cull regardless of classification....as long as it is fair chase hunt and a respectable quality animal....are not all animals worthy of being called a trophy?
 
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I have done quite a bit of flying around SE Asia, so adding a flight leg or two to get to Africa or anywhere else in the world from Australia won't be such a big thing if you have experienced much travel out of Australia. From here in the US, even though the single leg is longer I've pretty much experienced everything North America has to offer including about everything in AK. And having done quite a few Africa "safaris" to various countries.... right now I would have to recommend Africa. As with all destinations whether hunting, fishing or just sightseeing- trip duration in many ways determines cost therefore budget constraints may be tied to duration. To fully get acclimated it takes me a couple of days. Add that to travel time and it may easily eat up 4-5 days. My suggestion is to plan the budget accordingly and "think" longer is better than shorter.

For getting a taste of Africa for certain consider a cull hunt. IMO, try to find an area, possibly a much larger area or free range area, that has lots of different animals, not just a high fence, 10k acre farm packed with popular PG for quick "hunter mill" turnover. An area for example where you can mix with elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, maybe rhino, and leopard and/or lion, even though not hunting them, makes for half the enjoyment of being there in the first place! Looking up at and listening to a jumbo elephant in thick bush, planning a retreat from a herd of buff or a near-sighted rhino easily equals a real hunting experience and doesn't cost extra if out hunting.

You could even consider a single trophy animal hunt (where you would pay the trophy fee and take it home if desired) mixed with cull hunting as available. Make no mistake, cull hunting can turn into a real deal, difficult hunt in a hurry. You will be hunting very specific animals and if they have been hunted a lot or if there are lions or leopards in the area, don't expect a "farm pasture shoot". For PG and something much less expensive than a DG hunt, you might consider a trophy eland tracking hunt combined with an "as available" cull hunt for whatever the outfitter/owner deems necessary. I would not limit my search only to RSA. There are many destinations that are only a relatively short "commuter flight" from the JNB hub... like Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia and Botswana.
 
@fourfive8 offers a really good advice. Several of our sponsors would likely be interested in putting together a cull package built around one trophy animal - say a kudu or a zebra (nothing is quite so “African” as a zebra rug on the floor).

My first experience with Africa was the ranch country of central Namibia. That is a land of conservancies and huge low fence ranches. It is not the wilderness areas of say Mozambique, but it is also not a game farm in South Africa. Looking for a kudu or an old Hartman stallion in such country can be a demanding memorable experience. You likely won’t see one, but you would be hunting in some of the best leopard country on the continent. And daily rates will be competitive with any other PG only destination. A side trip to Etosha is easy and inexpensive where you can see and photograph vast numbers of wildlife.

North America is regrettably expensive. A three or four-day hunt for even a “management” whitetail buck in say Texas will run you the cost of the Namibian hunt FourFive8 suggests. A Black bear in British Columbia will be roughly the same price range - though a bargain as most bear hunting goes. And the exchange rate against the US dollar is pretty awful at the moment for Australians.

And no, you absolutely do not need to invest in a Blaser R8 for such hunts. ;)
 
@CBH Australia what are your current plans for the Jan 2020 trip, since that is coming up soon? You mentioned about then going in Feb 2022 for your birthday. Both of these dates are in the summer, quite warm then, and I guess that's when cull hunts might occur. Give some thought about trying to find a hunt in May-Aug and enjoy some of the cooler weather.

There are several AH sponsors that offer some quality hunts and very good prices. The eastern cape in RSA offers great hunting value, with a variety of animals and real hunting.
 
@CBH Australia what are your current plans for the Jan 2020 trip, since that is coming up soon? You mentioned about then going in Feb 2022 for your birthday. Both of these dates are in the summer, quite warm then, and I guess that's when cull hunts might occur. Give some thought about trying to find a hunt in May-Aug and enjoy some of the cooler weather.

There are several AH sponsors that offer some quality hunts and very good prices. The eastern cape in RSA offers great hunting value, with a variety of animals and real hunting.
My first African hunt is with Game4Africa in the southern Cape I believe it is. 6 species including Warthog . I have a good deal and as a hunter, I just would like to see different places and different game . Not saying I wouldn’t do the same place twice but Africa don’t have Bear. A second trip is a bit of a dream a this point. Originally I was thinking 2022 but put 2020 as a typo then some Africans got in my ear making offers and well I asked my wife if she would like to spend our 25th Wedding Anniversary in Africa. Africa it’s not as dear as I imagined. As with anything though it is what is the priority, Mortgage, kids , health, cars or travel.
Hunting something else maybe Nice but a leopard over hounds, now that sounds interesting. Grown Aussie me get excited about shooting feral cats out of trees. Bigs cats that’s what hunting is about! That’s something I might make a trophy of. I can’t do Bear or lion.
I found a link here for Romania. That does not seem that expensive either. Driven boar. They also say it’s not so hard to Hunt NZ , one problem is domestic flights before you travel are relatively expensive before you start.
 
No, Leopard are out of budget. You all talk in US $ putting that week above my total trip budget this time.
Keep thinking
 
A cow buffalo hunt in SA is an exciting bargain IMO, which I am considering. Just as dangerous as bull, but almost 1/3 the cost. 3x the excitement for the same price! My kind of affordability! I’m not interested at my age at bringing trophies home to fill up space I don’t have. Experiences are my trophies. JMT on it.
 
nothing is quite so “African” as a zebra rug on the floor).
I’ll have to agree with Red Leg that everyone that goes to Africa should have a zebra rug.(y)
 
I will agree with Red Leg on this one, I should have considered a Zebra but like you no money or space for trophies. My cull hunt meat will be utilised in various ways.
I think there will be many questions for my PH when I get there and start pondering if I m going to do a second trip.
 
Another really interesting corner of the world to hunt is Argentina. Free range red stag are a great value and the bird hunting may be the best in the world.

And cow buffalo as @Ridgewalker suggests is a great affordable hunt for a dangerous game animal.
 
The shame is that buffalo is the only one of the big 5 that can be imported into Australia these days. Otherwise a leopard hunt would be at the top for me some day.

Keen to see what you end up doing.
 
I would offer up one opinion on cull “hunts”. My experience with culling is that this is more like shooting than hunting. Yes, some opportunities at culls will require the occasional stalk, sticks, shoot. But let’s be honest, the land owners, specifically on fenced properties in SA, are really interested in managing their game numbers. So when opportunity arises, they are just as apt to tell you to take that one from the truck as they are to try and give you a “hunting” experience. The cost and game numbers in a particular ad may seem like a great bargain on hunting. But in reality, it is a great bargain on shooting game, providing them a service that you are paying to do for them. With a group, it can be loads of fun. The fellowship, lodging, meals and fire are all the same as a trophy hunt. The “hunt” itself is a totally different thing. Just understand what you are looking at and if the trip is right for you.
 
@Mort Hill
Thanks for the reply, I hope that is not the case.

I’ve asked numerous questions about the first hunt that is booked and been assured it is still hunting. It’s just the animals are not trophy grade but that’s ok as I won’t be mounting them. It’s about the experience.

I shoot pest animals in Australia. I want the African hunting experience and memories, I have told the PH Wik at Game4Africa I’m happy with the meat being donated, sold whatever so long as I get what’s I asked for. This first hunt includes a couple of tour days. I understand this is a business for them but I don’t have Warthogs, nearby so I get to pay to help manage their stock numbers so they can breed better trophies. Such is Life.

If I’m lucky enough to do another international hunt later I would probably look for a different experience. It I am happy to see what others think and see what come of our campfire conversation while on Safari.
 
Just keep in mind...a January hunt in southern Africa is going to be quite warm. I'm sure you're accustomed to that, as I am having lived on the US coast of the Gulf of Mexico for 50 years. But if I'm going to pay to hunt, cull/management/trophy, I'd rather do it in better weather.

Just a thought is all. Do what you can do within your budget.
 
Cull hunts are a cheap option but the phrase is a misnomer. It's a game management/killing operation. One could kill one horns, stunted horns, diseased animals, undesired sex animals and overabundant species. It's not for everyone or those looking for the safari they read about in a book. Like Mort posted, the enjoyment comes mainly from the camaraderie, the lodging, food, campfires and just being in Africa with your friends and fellow hunters.
 
I agree with the sentiments above and agreed to these in the previous post.
That is the experience that I asked for. You get what you pay for.
My Outfitter @Game4Africa has been grilled many times to clear up that we are on the same page.
I dont the have money or space for trophies, I live ok because I live within my budget. The kids won’t value a trophy when I die . The kids won’t see how I paid many thousands to have that stupid head on the wall that they never liked anyway. An African Safari will be my trophy. I thought I deserve a medal for 25 years of marriage but I chose Africa and she thinks it’s all about the Wedding Anniversary.
Kids aside I’m asking about what other places and other hunts would people suggest in the lower price point?
 
I agree with the sentiments above and agreed to these in the previous post.
That is the experience that I asked for. You get what you pay for.
My Outfitter @Game4Africa has been grilled many times to clear up that we are on the same page.
I dont the have money or space for trophies, I live ok because I live within my budget. The kids won’t value a trophy when I die . The kids won’t see how I paid many thousands to have that stupid head on the wall that they never liked anyway. An African Safari will be my trophy. I thought I deserve a medal for 25 years of marriage but I chose Africa and she thinks it’s all about the Wedding Anniversary.
Kids aside I’m asking about what other places and other hunts would people suggest in the lower price point?

I have been looking toward a Romanian, European, Asian, Canadian, and alternative US hunts.

What is your definition of lower price hunt? A Very Retoricle Question.

Way to many variables.

Are you looking to hunt one or several animals?

Are you flying or ground travel? Or both?

Are you traveling alone or with family?

My hunts start out at $500.00+ to $8000.0+ USD just for animals. Airfare about $1200.00 to $3000.00+/- USD. Ground travel estimate $300.00 USD minimum inside US to $1000.00+ international (Canada).

Then there are taxidermy fees. I use hides for various clothing and other items. As far as wall mounts.......individual preference. I like them as conversation and for visual memories.

A friend of mind who has past many years ago had a philosophy: I earned my way in life they can earn theirs. He was moderately well off. He enjoyed hunting and he provided for his kids into their 30's, helping them with their own businesses and hobbies.

So, if you want to fill your walls and floors with skins and shoulder mounts, have at it. They are for you! Not your kids. If your children want your mounts to reflect upon your adventures, Great! ...Maybe....it will inspire them to create adventures of their own. Who knows ..You may start a family tradition.
 
1D46E029-7E33-484D-9127-08104631FEE0.jpeg
Namibia offers great value for management/cull/meat hunts, whatever you want to call it. Especially now with the severe drought conditions. Hopefully they’ll get some rain this year.
As pointed out it’s not your safari that books are written about but where I go we never shoot off the truck. We spot, walk and stalk. To me that is the fun, getting in close to a wild animal who lives there 24/7. In the course of a ten day trip we are going to shoot some nice heads. You can keep it if you want at minimal cost. As we all know it’s the shipping that crucifies you.
As Hogpatrol points out a lot of the enjoyment of the hunt is the lodgings, food and the camaraderie of your friends under the African sky.
That Oryx above was shot at 30-35 yds after a very intense stalk in the bush in the late afternoon when the wind dropped. We spotted him from a kopje and made a plan. An old bull and I did end up with the head back in Ireland.
 

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