Humans naturally seek a 100% success rate. When does seeking a 100% success rate become unsporting? This question can go one hundred different ways. Some of which are:
- Should a hunter hone their skills, equipment, etc..., so that they expect 100% success?
- Should a hunter seek to improve their skills to the point that they can guarantee 100% success when they they go hunting, when they pull the trigger, etc...
- Should an outfitter/ph/hunter expect a 100% success rate on a package deal?
- Does high fence hunting guarantee a 100% success rate? If so, when?
- Could a hunter/PH's knowledge of their quarry and hunting area guarantee 100% success rate in a free range area?
Essentially when does seeking a 100% success rate become unsporting, and when/if should hunters limit themselves to make hunting sporting?
In my personal view, one thing is omitted in this approach.
The time! How much time, you can invest in a specific hunt for specific animal?
If you live there, in Namibia, or South Africa, or Zimbabwe, and you want kudu.
If you don't get it this week, you can get it next week, or week after that, or three months later. You have entire year for that, and then, next year.
But eventually you will get that kudu, if you keep trying, its just a matter of time.
If you visit the country, for 10 days, and you want that same kudu, how much disappointed you will be if you don't get it? And you have only 10 days? When is next chance?
So 100% expectation is not the same for everybody.
And then, there are other considerations:
You are visiting Africa, first time, and you have bucket list, and that kudu on the list.
You dont get it first time. How disappointed you will be? Its personal and individual. Do you want 100% that badly?
Next option, you are visiting Africa 10th time, you want that kudu, but you already have 2 kudus mounted at home. And if you dont get it this time? Will you be disappointed? is 100% necessary?
Soo all your questions must be looked from perspective of already gained experience and time available or already time spent on the ground.
When looking from that perspective.:
Many outfitters I think have considered this matter.
And so, you have so called "beginners packages", "first timers packages" etc... those are packages that are most likely to be accomplished, and will result in happy clients. Because there arfe plenty of some animal species around, so chances are high.
As hunters (clients) get more experience, and collect more time on the ground, they look differently at this, and if they can afford, with experience, they go for more challenging hunts.
Bongo. Mountain nyala. Leopard. Zebra duiker. Damara dik dik. Lord derby eland. etc etc
Seasoned hunters go specifically for something that is not readily available, and will be challenging to find, or get a shot at. And they know, maybe they will not succeed. Thos are 50-50% chances at best
And, of course, these hunts are usually not guaranteed.
So, 100% success rate is badly expected with younger hunters, first timers, and less experienced.
Less then 100% is acceptable for experienced hunters.
If I go to Africa: success for me means - chance for a shot and quality time on the ground. (and / or of course, getting the animal, and be ready to compromise with something else if possible)
If i go hunting around my place: success means: to see animals around, chance of a shot to specific animal, quality time on the ground. If I dont get it, I will try tommorow. At my place, I have time.
My local hunting at my place is average 5 outings for one successful big game hunt with animal bagged.
In Africa, I am ready to compromise, to take something else available, if my bucket animal is not.