Do you pay before or after?

[migrabill]

My first Safari I did, we settled the bill at the end before I left. I just booked my second trip and this outfitter requires that the bill is paid in full 30 days before arrival. Is this normal? Of course any adjustments will be settled in country (animals not taken that were on the wish list, animals that were taken that were not on the wish list, etc).

 

[Andrew62]

I've had hunts where the day fees were paid in advance, trophy fees paid at the end of the hunt, other hunts where I paid a deposit then paid the balance of the day rates and trophy fees at the end of the hunt. I personally would not pay any trophy fees ahead of time.

Anyone buying a package, from my personal experience, thought needs to be given to what happens if an animal is not taken.

 

[Cme1983]

Day rates up front and trophy fees at the conclusion of all hunts. All outfitters I have hunted with allow a couple of weeks to get back home and get settled before wiring the balance for the trophy fees.

With my trip to Tanzania this year the outfitter requires nominal deposit towards trophy fees prior to the hunt.

 

[Tanks]

Day rates up front and trophy fees at the conclusion of all hunts. All outfitters I have hunted with allow a couple of weeks to get back home and get settled before wiring the balance for the trophy fees.

This has been my experience as well, except once. And that time I never got the trophy fees of animals not shot.

 

[375Fox]

It depends the outfitter and his policies. Usually all daily rates are paid before hunt takes place then trophy fees are paid after the hunt. I do typically put down a trophy fee deposit before the hunt starts.

What does paid in full mean? Did you book a day rate and trophy fee hunt? Or a package hunt?

 

[Rare Breed]

My first Safari I did, we settled the bill at the end before I left. I just booked my second trip and this outfitter requires that the bill is paid in full 30 days before arrival. Is this normal? Of course any adjustments will be settled in country (animals not taken that were on the wish list, animals that were taken that were not on the wish list, etc).

Package hunts think SA yes normal. Any hunt with day rates and trophy fees all day rates due 30 days before hunt no trophy fees due unless you draw blood or take the animal. Just me I would never pay in advance trophy fees not happening. There are too many great outfitters who don’t ask for trophy fees in advance. Buyer beware in those operations. Do you really want to be depending on a refund of prepaid trophy fee if animal not taken?

 

[375Fox]

Day rates up front and trophy fees at the conclusion of all hunts. All outfitters I have hunted with allow a couple of weeks to get back home and get settled before wiring the balance for the trophy fees.

With my trip to Tanzania this year the outfitter requires nominal deposit towards trophy fees prior to the hunt.

A lot of smaller outfitters in South Africa and Namibia want paid before you leave camp. I think they have more problems getting paid on lower cost hunts.

 

[Tanks]

A lot of smaller outfitters in South Africa and Namibia want paid before you leave camp. I think they have more problems getting paid on lower cost hunts.

Hard to wire funds though unless tips plus trophy fees are less than $10K.

 

[Cme1983]

A lot of smaller outfitters in South Africa and Namibia want paid before you leave camp. I think they have more problems getting paid on lower cost hunts.

Now that makes sense for SA and Namibia. The hunts like you and I take operate differently from that model. Tanks said it well that it would be hard for us to pay trophy fees and tips with 10k in cash . As long as the hunter knows what they are getting into up front and can make an educated decision then I’m good with it either way.

 

[matt85]

In my case, a down payment was made on the hunt (i cant remember how the amount was decided). Than the majority of the hunt was paid for afterwords.

I imagine some outfitters will be more trusting than others.

 

[Sabre]

My first Safari I did, we settled the bill at the end before I left. I just booked my second trip and this outfitter requires that the bill is paid in full 30 days before arrival. Is this normal? Of course any adjustments will be settled in country (animals not taken that were on the wish list, animals that were taken that were not on the wish list, etc).

Who is the outfitter?

And did you book through a booking agent?

 

[JimP]

Both of my hunts were paid in full 30 days before I arrived.

Then at the end of the hunt I paid for what expenses I had during the hunt.

I wouldn't expect anything else unless you are a very good return hunter.

 

[revturbo9967]

Pay for daily rates before hunt , wire transfer once I’m home for trophy fees.

 

[MacJenkins]

Done 13 African Hunts with 10 outfitters. A portion of daily rate to all the rate has been paid before hunt. Never paid a trophy fee before conclusion of hunt. Roughly half the time the bill is settled with a check at the end of the hunt. Remaining usually get an email a week to a month or so after the hunt and wire the balance.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I have done hunts where a small deposit was paid when booked and balance at end of hunt. Some I have paid full day rates and trophy fees ahead of time and then balance after I returned home. This coming trip deposit to book, all day rates, travel and permit fees due 60 days before hunt. I will also pay some of the planned trophy fees ahead of time, to show good faith with an outfitter I have not hunted with before. We have met at the shows and I feel comfortable in doing so.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I’ve paid large deposits upfront to lock dates. Then written checks or wire transferred for balance at conclusion of the hunt before I leave. Done this in Africa and New Zealand.

Paid for full hunt in advance for Elk in New Mexico and Mule Deer in Sonora.

A lot of this is circumstance. These were with outfitters I know or outfitters whom I am joining other hunters who know them and hunted with them previously.

Signing up with a new outfitter can be tricky. You have to reallly vet them before you just give them a big deposit. I had this concern recently because I was being pressured by a Spanish outfitter and changed Spain Outfitters prior to making a deposit… Trust your gut and actually call their references and ask the tough questions!

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

My first Safari I did, we settled the bill at the end before I left. I just booked my second trip and this outfitter requires that the bill is paid in full 30 days before arrival. Is this normal? Of course any adjustments will be settled in country (animals not taken that were on the wish list, animals that were taken that were not on the wish list, etc).

Likely circumstance… What animals are you hunting?

Most PG - I would be inclined to pay balance at the end of the hunt.

DG - Different type of negotiation.

 

[Paul K]

Paying half or the full daily rate up front as a deposit is fine. Paying for trophy fees up front in my mind is ludicrous. I carry enough cash between me and the wife to cover all trophy fees and other incidental expenses., If a safari company told me that I had to pay 100% of his safari up front including trophy fees, I wood walk and wish him the best of luck. Trust is earned, not bought. I'm not going to pay for a pig in a poke. Would pay a contractor whom you have just met, in full to build you house your first house?

Paul

 

[DLSJR]

Paying half or the full daily rate up front as a deposit is fine. Paying for trophy fees up front in my mind is ludicrous. I carry enough cash between me and the wife to cover all trophy fees and other incidental expenses., If a safari company told me that I had to pay 100% of his safari up front including trophy fees, I wood walk and wish him the best of luck. Trust is earned, not bought. I'm not going to pay for a pig in a poke.

Paul

“I carry enough cash between me ad the wife to cover all trophy fees and other incidental expenses”.

No offense intended, but I’m guessing you’ve never hunted outside South Africa or Namibia, and definitely haven’t hunted dangerous game. I’d hate to carry enough cash to pay for a couple Buffalo and a leopard. Or a lion!

 

[375Fox]

If a safari company told me that I had to pay 100% of his safari up front including trophy fees, I wood walk and wish him the best of luck. Trust is earned, not bought.

I think there is a fair number for both sides. It’s not 100% of safari. I’m good with full daily rates paid and a partial trophy fee deposit. You are asking outfitters to put a lot of trust in you before you’ve ever earned it.