Bongo Hunting?

[SoulFish]

Recently came across this awesome animal. I'm new to African hunting I've been once and gotten a few Antelopes on my trip (Sable, Gems, Hartebeest, Impala). But wondering which area the Bongo is in, looks like jungle areas? Which outfitter PH offers good pricing on them and what is a good price for a mature bull?

Pict for Attention, thanks for answering a newbies questions

 

[mark-hunter]

Cameroun. Rain forest. (as possibly safest country)
25-30k, starting budget.
Few sponsors here on forum, are outfitters offering this hunt.

 

[375Fox]

Cameroun. Rain forest. (as possibly safest country)
25-30k, starting budget.
Few sponsors here on forum, are outfitters offering this hunt.

30k is before trophy fee, tips, and very pricey charter. Definitely not a cheap hunt. Maybe charter can be avoided in Congo or CAR if willing to risk those countries?

 

[crs]

Several years ago when I had a hunting lease in North central Texas, the rancher next door was raising Bongos and showed me his small herd. I left that lease and lost track of his growing herd. It has been 20 + years and I wonder how many he has now?

 

[Ryan]

Here's a cancellation hunt advertised earlier this year to get an idea of things. 20k Euro in Daily fees, 8,900 Euro for plane charter in country, and another grand for dip&pack and export paperwork. And that's before trophy fees and travel costs to the country.

Cancellation Offer 12 Days Hunt April 2022 Central African Republic C.A.R. Bowhunting As well

Hello AH member, We have a cancellation opportunity from the 1 April to 15 April 2022. The offer is 12 full days hunt for 20'000€ a unique opportunity You can hunt: Bongo Giant Forest Hog Central Savanna Buffalo Harness Bushbuck Warthog Red River Hog Oribi Western Roan Sing Sing Waterbuck...

www.africahunting.com

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Cameroun. Rain forest. (as possibly safest country)
25-30k, starting budget.
Few sponsors here on forum, are outfitters offering this hunt.

I've always thought of bongo as one of those hunts the if I have to ask "how much?" I can't afford it.

 

[grand veneur]

Bongo hunting is very expensive, in Cameroun or in the République du Congo. The demand is just great. I would not go to CAR for safety reasons.

Although I am not interested in Bongo hunting, I have often asked about a Forest Buffalo hunt in both countries. So far I have not received an offer in a reasonable price range. There are also very high additional costs in both countries, be it for a Bongo, Sitatunga or Forest buffalo hunt. There are no special hunts for this buffalo species. An new area in the south west part of Congo is still pending and is currently being tested. Wait and see how the prices will be.

 

[mark-hunter]

I've always thought of bongo as one of those hunts the if I have to ask "how much?" I can't afford it.

True.
So, I think (with great regret) I will stick to plains game safaris. For the value of one bongo hunt, there is at least three good plains game hunts elsewhere. (or more). Too much for me.
Bongo hunt is for following hunters who can afford it:
- bongo aficionados
- spiral slam collectors
- those who want to experience tough hunt in rain forest

I could identify myself in the last group, but it is still simply too much for me.

 

[mark-hunter]

@SoulFish
We dont know what is your budget, or where do you live.

But in former French colonies, there is still possibility of chasse libre.
This means "hunting as it once was", without logistics provided by local outfitter.
But you still need logistics. It could also be a cheaper option.
You may also want to investigate in chasse libre possibilities.

If you live in Africa, it will be easier for you to get information.

 

[SoulFish]

yup seems out of my price range but one can dream I guess and play the lotto

 

[SoulFish]

one of the prettiest antelopes I've seen online though.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

one of the prettiest antelopes I've seen online though.

It is, but so is the nyala, and those cost a lot less.

 

[grand veneur]

I also cannot understand why bongo hunting is so expensive.

It was always an exclusive hunt and decades ago, the Bongo was classified as rare and solitary. I can still remember it well. It is not the case, there are many more bongos than expected and they live in small herds, a knowledge since there has been more forestry activity in the rain forest.

Nevertheless, the prices stayed high.

 

[Nyati]

If there is a strong demand, prices will keep high.

 

[Andrew62]

I have hunted bongo 2 times in Cameroon, 20+ years ago. Be very careful when you price out a bongo hunt, the air charter into the rain forest cost me 5,000.00 US over 20 years ago, and I was only paying 1/4 of the cost of the air charter. Trophy fees, gun fees, etc will drive this hunt to 50,000 in a big hurry. In fact I do not think you can hunt bongo under 50K once you add all of the fees in.

 

[375Fox]

I also cannot understand why bongo hunting is so expensive.

It was always an exclusive hunt and decades ago, the Bongo was classified as rare and solitary. I can still remember it well. It is not the case, there are many more bongos than expected and they live in small herds, a knowledge since there has been more forestry activity in the rain forest.

Nevertheless, the prices stayed high.

What do you think has occurred that should cause prices to come down? Still remote areas in undeveloped countries with relatively few PHs? I can’t see why prices would ever decrease when you compare to Southern Africa where PHs live in country full time, supplies are readily available, multiple countries competing for hunters.

 

[mark-hunter]

I have my doubts about that.
I went looking for example, for hunt prices in my country, especially in foreign languages.,and the prices that I find offered on internet are tripled or quadrupled, from the pricing that I pay.

I am sure that local hunters in Africa can hunt much cheaper, then we, that look for pricing on internet.
I simply cannot imagine that all the bongos legally shot in Africa are paid in 30-40k price range, exclusively by foreign clients.

But internet barrier I was not able to crack. Those who advertise, do not advertise for cheap, because they must make living.
Those who hunt locally, have their way, dont bother to advertise.

 

[375Fox]

I have my doubts about that.
I went looking for example, for hunt prices in my country, especially in foreign languages.,and the prices that I find offered on internet are tripled or quadrupled, from the pricing that I pay.

I am sure that local hunters in Africa can hunt much cheaper, then we, that look for pricing on internet.
I simply cannot imagine that all the bongos legally shot in Africa are paid in 30-40k price range, exclusively by foreign clients.

But internet barrier I was not able to crack. Those who advertise, do not advertise for cheap, because they must make living.
Those who hunt locally, have their way, dont bother to advertise.

Certain countries what you wrote is very true, New Zealand being a really good example. However, I really doubt you will find many (or any) sport hunters living in Cameroon/Congo/etc where Bongo live that would create local pricing, particularly on an area not heavily poached. Just meat hunting/poaching likely in a grey area between legal and illegal.

 

[LEFOL SAFARIS]

I also cannot understand why bongo hunting is so expensive.

It was always an exclusive hunt and decades ago, the Bongo was classified as rare and solitary. I can still remember it well. It is not the case, there are many more bongos than expected and they live in small herds, a knowledge since there has been more forestry activity in the rain forest.

Nevertheless, the prices stayed high.

Bongo hunting is expensive due to the remote areas where they are living! So the expenses for the outfitter is very high like building camp, making roads and the difficult weather is hurting the equipment very badly.

Plus the effort on anti poaching si every high on many areas more difficult to organise compared savanna.

 

[mark-hunter]

I always have doubts when poaching/antipoaching is concerned.
I can describe poaching as "local guerilla warfare against animals", for financial or survival reason with collecting bush meat.

To beat guerilla you need extremely high and trained force of "regular troops" or rangers, and clear rules of engagments, and armed response possibility

Availability of patrol vehicles is expensive. Air patrol even more (helicopter).
For all that: fuel supplies, wages, comms (talkie walkies).

Too many times I have seen photos of locally employed rangers in Africa armed with sticks.
Overall I have doubts.

In any case, it would be good for outfitter to have public presentation, of antipoaching efforts he makes.
But when I see sticks, I am not impressed of the efforts taken. It is not simple, I know. Or easy. But still...