Do you pay before or after?

[375Fox]

But for a private land ranch hunt in SA with no government quota and to be charged in full like op seems unreasonable.

I think in this case they are asking too much but the OP also isn’t providing many details. If this is booked as a heavily discounted package I could understand the outfitter’s perspective of wanting full payment so clients don’t back out. Also animals like buffalo could require upfront payment from outfitter to secure good dates and quota on good properties or bringing in a bull on a put and take operation. If I trust the outfitter and how they run their business. I really don’t care how they want payments structured as long as it’s put in contract.

 

[Rare Breed]

I think that giving him 10's of thousands of dollars of my money is trust enough for him to trust me that i'm good for the rest of it. But paying a 100% up front and he will refund me for trophies that I didn't decide to take is BULL SHIT.

Paul

Could not agree more. I would never pay for trophy fees up front. just me

 

[Hogpatrol]

Ten PG hunts, just a copy of my airline tickets, never had to make a deposit, paid at the end or if additional payment by wire when back in the states. One time, paid the tips in cash at the end of the hunt and the package price by wire when I got home. I believe certain considerations are made for repeat customers.

 

[coreydb]

Many PHs have you pay the balance at the end because you may not either get what you intended, or second choice animals were shot that have a different value. If you're required to pay the balance prior to the hunt, which is also common, either the PH guarantees the hunt or will reimburse you for the unsuccessful trophy. You do need to get it clarified before putting any money down.

 

[45-70guy]

As my first time going also, my personal experience is I paid a small portion of the package up front 1/3, and the remaining is due at end of hunt. Outfitter has been extremely good at communication and I get a great vibe of the situation.
Just one example from my limited experience

 

[BryceM]

I believe certain considerations are made for repeat customers.

Yes, as with most things in life.

As others have said, things are a bit different between a ranch-style PG hunt vs a remote DG hunt.

I’m usually trying to get the operators to take larger wire transfers up front since traveling with a ton of cash isn’t my preference. I do get the sense that most of them try to avoid the need to issue refunds.

 

[3chunter]

I am not paying much ahead of time. I prefer small or no deposit in Africa. DG maybe different but Pay at end of the hunt for plains game. My plane ticket was all that was needed for deposit on the two trips I went to Africa. I want to have a good enough relationship with them or be going with someone where the outfitter doesnt feel the need to charge me a big deposit upfront.

 

[Hunt anything]

I am not paying much ahead of time. I prefer small or no deposit in Africa. DG maybe different but Pay at end of the hunt for plains game. My plane ticket was all that was needed for deposit on the two trips I went to Africa. I want to have a good enough relationship with them or be going with someone where the outfitter doesnt feel the need to charge me a big deposit upfront.

How far out do you normally buy plane tickets?
I normally buy around 6 months out and try to nail down Safari dates at least a year in advance to secure any special quotas for animals that may have limited numbers.

 

[3chunter]

How far out do you normally buy plane tickets?
I normally buy around 6 months out and try to nail down Safari dates at least a year in advance to secure any special quotas for animals that may have limited numbers.

The two times I went to Africa I bought plane tickets as soon as the dates showed up available online to book, which is sometimes 10 months or so in advance.
So 10-12 months I am booking in advance.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I am not paying much ahead of time. I prefer small or no deposit in Africa. DG maybe different but Pay at end of the hunt for plains game. My plane ticket was all that was needed for deposit on the two trips I went to Africa. I want to have a good enough relationship with them or be going with someone where the outfitter doesnt feel the need to charge me a big deposit upfront.

The reason some outfitters ask for a trophy deposit upfront (can almost guarantee this one isn’t the case) is because they have to purchase hunting licenses, permits, and add quota to your license.

Typically this happens in the more wild areas. It’s much more common in places like Tanzania, Mozambique, Cameroon, CAR, Ethiopia. Not all outfitters do this there, as some will use a portion of your deposit or day rates or deposit for these. It really depends on the outfitter. Ive even seen it happen on larger, multi Big 5 species hunts in Zimbabwe or Zambia albeit far less common

 

[Sabre]

How far out do you normally buy plane tickets?
I normally buy around 6 months out and try to nail down Safari dates at least a year in advance to secure any special quotas for animals that may have limited numbers.

Airlines typically post available flights 11 months out.

 

[LivingTheDream]

I have everything small deposit, large deposit, trophy fees up front, cash at end of hunt, wire once Im back in the states. Depends on the outfitter and trust level and that goes both ways.

I have one outfitter I hunt with, that will never take a deposit or tell me what the price will be. Just dont worry my friend, I will let you know. About 60 days out he let's me know, and I am always happy.

So probably not the best person to ask on this one.

 

[Scott CWO]

For the bigger, longer and more expensive hunts in wild areas of Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana, Cameroon, etc… it is common practice to pay all daily rates and a large trophy fee deposit upfront before you arrive. As @DLSJR said, it’s not safe or smart to carry tens of thousands in cash with you. Then after you get home, you pay and wire the rest of the trophy fees, if any. As for trust, the outfitters with these top-end concessions are well known and trustworthy but they get bookings from unknown hunters that they have never heard of or met. I don’t blame them a bit for requiring large trophy fee deposits on expensive hunts. There are concessions in Tanzania that cost the outfitter $1M per year in concession fees/leases upfront.

Yes, we have all heard of a few instances of outfitters having a problem but I can assure you after 36 years in this industry, it is much more rare than problems that hunters cause with payments! Bad checks, health problems, marital problems, lost jobs, truck broke down, bankruptcy, too many hunts booked, etc… I’ve heard it all. I don’t mess around anymore. If you want to hunt with our company, all fees are paid upfront and we are always booked a couple years in advance, except for hunts in the random draw system (sheep, moose and mountain goat). I don’t make any exceptions for repeat clients (75% of our bookings) because that just causes issues in camp when clients talk to each other. Everyone is treated the same and it’s easier to track.

 

[FB1416]

1K Deposit. Settle everything else at end of hunt. I do usually wire over advance amounts to help pay my projected balance. Also take them a few thousand in cash as they usually say they appreciate it so they have cash to bring to US for shows and don't have to go through exchange rates that always get their piece. Also, did not first time, but since I have tipped PH in cash and staff in Rand or whatever native currency is.

 

[migrabill]

1K Deposit. Settle everything else at end of hunt. I do usually wire over advance amounts to help pay my projected balance. Also take them a few thousand in cash as they usually say they appreciate it so they have cash to bring to US for shows and don't have to go through exchange rates that always get their piece. Also, did not first time, but since I have tipped PH in cash and staff in Rand or whatever native currency is.

Did you read my post? None of that is an option for me. It all has to be paid in advance. It’s in my post.

 

[coreydb]

Payment depends on your PH. Aside from the initial deposits, some hunts I had had to pay the balance 60 days prior to the hunt, others 30 days prior, then some only after the hunt was concluded.

 

[FB1416]

Your question was "Is this normal?" So, like everyone else who has posted in this thread, was just recounting what I had done based on prior experiences.