We’ve had some threads from new members who “won” a safari at a SCI, DSC or so on auction. While there are some great auction buys such as donated hunts from the Duckworth family of Mokore Safaris which lists there to and from the airport, and trophy fees. The Duckworths are the exception to the auction hunts. They have however been in the outfitter business for 40 or 50 years… Other outfitters perhaps cannot give away too many free hunts. That stated, we were all naïve at some point in our lives and made somewhat similar mistakes.
I hunted with
@Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS in 2021 and everything passed muster. In naval terms that means passed a stringent inspection. And when it comes to money for services the Marine in me comes out and
“views most everyone in this world with a tolerant scorn”. Stuart, Rudi, and all their staff provided such an outstanding hunt and camp experience in 2021 that I took my wife and her sister’s family to Tally Ho in October, 2022.
Since I
trust Stuart of Tally Ho, I asked him to coordinate a CBL lion hunt for me in conjunction with a cull hunt at Tally Ho. Here are the two hunt reports:
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...ses-hunt-with-tally-ho-hunting-safaris.71691/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...-tally-ho-hunting-safaris-october-2022.71692/
As
@Philip Glass recommended, there are other fair and noble outfitters other than Stuart of Tally Ho. I haven’t hunted with then so I can’t recommend them. Phillip has and his recommendation is good enough for me. Take your pick of any highly recommended Africa Hunting sponsoring outfitter and ditch the high priced auction hunt! A good outfitter will treat you right because repeat clients are the best!
Figure out your budget for hunting including daily fees, trophy fees, and tip for a job well done. If that is say, $6000 per person, then contact
@Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS , Phillip’s recommendation, and other recommended outfitters. If it were me, I’d ask for a package deal that would more than make up for the $400 per person, and one animal that you SHOULD forget about!
CHOICE TROPHY HUNTING PACKAGE DEAL $5 500 ALL INCLUSIVE, VALID FOR 2023 this package can be done with Rifle or bow This package deal includes the following trophies 1 impala 1 Blue wildebeest or Zebra 1 oryx(male/female) or Red hartebeest (male/female) 1 Nyala or Eland or Waterbuck 1 Jackal...
www.africahunting.com
Or this 3-buffalo cull hunt:
BUFFALO COW CULL PACKAGE DEAL-2023 $7 500- This package deal includes the following trophies 3 buffalo cows The package includes the following Pick up and return to JNB int airport, by road (vehicle) 8 or 9 nights accommodation , 7 or 8 full hunting days, in the lodge which is inside the...
www.africahunting.com
You and your buddy could select the 3 buffalo deal and the $5500 package and split the animals! Wow!
Or maybe
@Lex Strauss SAFARIS
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/crocodile-bushbuck-7-day-combo-package.72932/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/trigger-time-9-day-hunting-package-south-africa.73663/
I haven't hunted with Lex, yet. We have however conversed many times and I know he has integrity.
The last thing you want is to be with a disgruntled outfitter who “has your back”, a couple hundred kilometers from civilization. If you don’t choose to waste lots of money on their double-priced trophy fees,
it will be like being stuck in a bad marriage.
Run away from those screws!
PS: Since this is your first safari, don't be afraid of a discounted "cull" hunt of older animals, or those in excess to the safari area. I would not plan on bringing home any "trophies" from a cull hunt but that's not bad. If you hunt with a great outfitter, this won't be your last safari. After you gain experience from a safari or two, decide on what your "bring home" trophies should be.
