First time hunting

[wesheltonj]

Just a suggestion. Where I hunted in RSA, I was the last hunter of the season. After I left the PH culled a couple of hunter animals. Perhaps you could accompany a PH or Hunter culling for the observer rate.

 

[mark-hunter]

I can’t believe I’m the only person who has asked “can I go on a hunting expedition and watch you guys”.

people either go hunting, or go on photo safari to national parks. Sometimes, go visit national parks after safari
To be honest, never have I heard a similar request as yours.
None in my circle of non-hunting friends although being outdoors-oriented ever asked to join me on safari.
I have two friends, one a professional photographer and one hobbyist photographer, who never expressed the willingness to go to safari with me, although I asked them to join as cameramen.
It seems two activities do not mix.

I am deep in shooting sports. I shoot a pistol and rifle for competition. I can tell you, a pistol is most difficult to master, more difficult than a rifle.
If you can hit a target with a pistol, you will quickly adopt the rifle. (opposite is not the rule)

On a safari, they will arrange the hunt based on your skills.
I have seen a father accompanying a son as an observer and non-hunter.
Father was a hunter at home, but with some disability, and he was not certain he will be able to shoot in the field, standing or from sticks. So he came as an observer, with his son.

On the end, they put him in a blind over a waterhole, rifle at rest, at close distance of less than 100 meters.
This is how he hunts at home
And he had three animals in 7 days. Jackal, springbok, and something else... maybe baboon.
Bottom line, get some practice with a rifle, sitting from the rest. And go to the safari.
On this forum, you have an offer for a short, 2-day hunting safari in the deals section. This can be arranged. But, you shoot.
Getting rifle practice before, or short hunting trips in the states, as 375fox suggested, is good advice.
And then, in your sixties you will have full experience, lifelong dream fulfilled.

BTW, PH shooting animals for you is unethical, and there have been criminal cases with this practice and pseudohunters. I strongly suggest not to push in this direction.

There have been cases where journalist and vegan reporter came on safari undercover, did not hunt, but witnessed everything, took photos, and made negative reports in media.
Some hunters being blasted in the media lost their jobs, or had ruined careers for doing nothing wrong, but being painted bad by some reporters. So this is the overall situation. And everybody knows it.

 

[BRICKBURN]

..........
I can’t believe I’m the only person who has asked “can I go on a hunting expedition and watch you guys”.

An absolute Unicorn.
Be that as it may going along on a hunt tends to be a very personal request. So, you'll likely need to develop some sort of relationship to follow along.

Land owners and outfitters certainly cull animals and may be willing to have you tag along for a week.
Drop some a PM and explain your interest and goals.

Good luck.

 

[mark-hunter]

An absolute Unicorn.

 

[dchum]

Just worded it weird…

If you would have taken more time to explain yourself in the first post, we might have understood.

 

[Sabre]

Thanks for the suggestions. To answer some of your questions:

Red flags?? I’m trying to support these private safaris, try to take advantage of this opportunity while in South Africa.. maybe my only chance to go on a hunting expedition.

None of these companies have any “beginners”?

I can’t believe I’m the only person who has asked “can I go on a hunting expedition and watch you guys”.

I think most people's reactions are just sort of shock/caution because it isn't very common (I have never seen it) for someone to want to pay to watch others hunt. Most people here can't even get their wives on board with paying to watch them hunt, and they love them .
Mostly because hunting is so much more expensive than going and seeing the same animals and taking photos of them.

Almost every outfitter in Africa, if not every outfitter has "beginners" and from what I have seen, they love bringing new people out to experience hunting. However, the beginners are almost always people who have an interest in getting into hunting and go hunting with them, or are going along with a person they have a close relationship with who is hunting.

I have been a reader of this site for many years before joining and I haven't seen anyone ask to pay to go watch someone do an African Safari just to watch. If you are genuine about it, you might end up the most popular person who has ever joined the site.

Good luck in your adventures and I promise you that if you actually want to learn about hunting, there is likely no better site for it.

 

[Scott CWO]

Thanks for the suggestions. To answer some of your questions:
I have NEVER been hunting. I have no friends who hunt. Am I against hunting? Not at all. Just never had the chance. I’m retired now and can do/go where I want without having to explain myself to anyone.
I have shot hand guns before (just target practice), no rifle experience. Definetly no “sticks”.
I am going on a cruise in May out of Cape Town. Hence, South Africa. I will be there anyways. Instead of Kruger Park (been there about 15 years ago) i see all these private hunting packages for 5-7 days for less than 10K USD. I thought this is my chance. Yes, I know I’m not a hunter. That’s why I’m asking if I can go on one of these packages and watch someone hunt??
Red flags?? I’m trying to support these private safaris, try to take advantage of this opportunity while in South Africa.. maybe my only chance to go on a hunting expedition.
I found this forum hoping someone would say check out this or that private hunting safari. They may be able to help. None of these companies have any “beginners”?
I can’t believe I’m the only person who has asked “can I go on a hunting expedition and watch you guys”.

I will be in Canada hunting in April 2026, guiding in Alaska in May 2026 and an observer on an elephant hunt in Namibia in June 2026 but if you want to plan something in May or June of 2027 and pay part of my fees, I’m all for it. Probably in Uganda, Botswana, Namibia or Zambia but not South Africa. I’ve guided several new hunters so I can’t see how it would be much different to show an observer the ropes while I’m doing the hunting.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I will be in Canada hunting in April 2026, guiding in Alaska in May 2026 and an observer on an elephant hunt in Namibia in June 2026 but if you want to plan something in May or June of 2027 and pay part of my fees, I’m all for it. Probably in Uganda, Botswana, Namibia or Zambia but not South Africa. I’ve guided several new hunters so I can’t see how it would be much different to show an observer the ropes while I’m doing the hunting.

Hey, hey, hey... Stop cutting into my action! May ‘26 works ideal for me the first week or the last week in SA. In between I’ll be busy in Zimbabwe. ;-)

 

[Drewm]

people either go hunting, or go on photo safari to national parks. Sometimes, go visit national parks after safari
To be honest, never have I heard a similar request as yours.
None in my circle of non-hunting friends although being outdoors-oriented ever asked to join me on safari.
I have two friends, one a professional photographer and one hobbyist photographer, who never expressed the willingness to go to safari with me, although I asked them to join as cameramen.
It seems two activities do not mix.

I am deep in shooting sports. I shoot a pistol and rifle for competition. I can tell you, a pistol is most difficult to master, more difficult than a rifle.
If you can hit a target with a pistol, you will quickly adopt the rifle. (opposite is not the rule)

On a safari, they will arrange the hunt based on your skills.
I have seen a father accompanying a son as an observer and non-hunter.
Father was a hunter at home, but with some disability, and he was not certain he will be able to shoot in the field, standing or from sticks. So he came as an observer, with his son.

On the end, they put him in a blind over a waterhole, rifle at rest, at close distance of less than 100 meters.
This is how he hunts at home
And he had three animals in 7 days. Jackal, springbok, and something else... maybe baboon.
Bottom line, get some practice with a rifle, sitting from the rest. And go to the safari.
On this forum, you have an offer for a short, 2-day hunting safari in the deals section. This can be arranged. But, you shoot.
Getting rifle practice before, or short hunting trips in the states, as 375fox suggested, is good advice.
And then, in your sixties you will have full experience, lifelong dream fulfilled.

BTW, PH shooting animals for you is unethical, and there have been criminal cases with this practice and pseudohunters. I strongly suggest not to push in this direction.

There have been cases where journalist and vegan reporter came on safari undercover, did not hunt, but witnessed everything, took photos, and made negative reports in media.
Some hunters being blasted in the media lost their jobs, or had ruined careers for doing nothing wrong, but being painted bad by some reporters. So this is the overall situation. And everybody knows it.

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. FYI - I’m not a reporter, not a vegan, I’m a retired engineer. Like I said before I don’t know any hunters! So I’m on my own. But I’m not giving up.
I’ll reach out to some of these private hunting safaris for maybe like a 5 day trip.
Am I willing to shoot? Absolutely! But I have NO experience. Meaning, I would need to be taught everything. I thought I would be wasting a PH time and experience. That’s why I asked about observing. Teach me - I will hunt. This next comment may be against hunting principles but I don’t want a trophy to take home. BUT I do want a picture of me next to one of these down animals like you see everywhere!
I would love to say I went hunting in South Africa! Yes, it’s on my bucket list.
Again, thanks for the info. It wasn’t my intention to offend anyone! I’m trying to learn.

 

[mark-hunter]

There is also, a comfort zone that some people develop. I have friends, who are local hunters, but they know their blind, their woods, and their animals which they hunt, and their way around. And they like idea to go to Africa, but never had the balls to do a safari. Their blind is their own little hunting world.
It is always something, some reason not to go.
But they listen to my stories.
They just dont want to move from their comfort zone. There is a thousand reasons and excuses why not to go. And there is only one reason actually to go.

So, first advice, is move out from comfort zone. Make a plan, time table, and do it.

I dont think getting basic rifle skills would be a problem. So go in that direction first. Learn the rifle.
As said earlier, ask outfitter to be in the blind, will be easier shots, on closer range

Secondly, there is more then 60 species in South Africa. Go through this, and make a list of what you want to hunt. And learn shot placement

Then, read and learn about each of them. To understand the differences young/old, male/female, solitary animal/herd animal, habits, and habitats, etc.

Third, physical shape, if that is a problem, prepare. Start long walks, maybe weekly visits to gym, or the swimming pool.

I am not sure, if you mentioned when do you plan a trip?
But take one year to prepare, and go. Consider it a mission. It will be a quality time in preparations, well spent.
Fast track? six months.
Beleive me
I joined this forum in 2016, and went on my first safari in 2017. One year to get ready and execute the plan.

When I joined this forum, I already had decision made - I must go. (just like you)
And It took me one year to learn and prepare.

Basic conditions to do this, are: Health in family, family support, budget, and spare time (leave, pension etc).
If you have all that checked, take the time and effort to prepare, and go.

Once you complete the circle, you can sit back, revoke the memories, and be proud

 

[Philip Glass]

I always wanted to go hunting. Just never. I don’t want a photo safari.

Try bird Hu ting here first.

 

[Philip Glass]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. FYI - I’m not a reporter, not a vegan, I’m a retired engineer. Like I said before I don’t know any hunters! So I’m on my own. But I’m not giving up.
I’ll reach out to some of these private hunting safaris for maybe like a 5 day trip.
Am I willing to shoot? Absolutely! But I have NO experience. Meaning, I would need to be taught everything. I thought I would be wasting a PH time and experience. That’s why I asked about observing. Teach me - I will hunt. This next comment may be against hunting principles but I don’t want a trophy to take home. BUT I do want a picture of me next to one of these down animals like you see everywhere!
I would love to say I went hunting in South Africa! Yes, it’s on my bucket list.
Again, thanks for the info. It wasn’t my intention to offend anyone! I’m trying to learn.

Look to see if you have a SCI Chapter near you or other Hunting orgs. Get involved and find some friends to get started.

 

[spike.t]

You’re the first to ask in the years I’ve been a member of this forum. So, yeah, it’s surprising.

Yup never seen it before either...

 

[spike.t]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. FYI - I’m not a reporter, not a vegan, I’m a retired engineer. Like I said before I don’t know any hunters! So I’m on my own. But I’m not giving up.
I’ll reach out to some of these private hunting safaris for maybe like a 5 day trip.
Am I willing to shoot? Absolutely! But I have NO experience. Meaning, I would need to be taught everything. I thought I would be wasting a PH time and experience. That’s why I asked about observing. Teach me - I will hunt. This next comment may be against hunting principles but I don’t want a trophy to take home. BUT I do want a picture of me next to one of these down animals like you see everywhere!
I would love to say I went hunting in South Africa! Yes, it’s on my bucket list.
Again, thanks for the info. It wasn’t my intention to offend anyone! I’m trying to learn.

OK mow you are talking more sense....I doubt there is one outfitter on here who would say no simply because you haven't hunted before....you would just have to accept you are " learning on the job" so as to speak, and accept a bunch of failed stalks etc....but the outfitter/ph would work with you to get better....you might have to fork out some more simply for extra ammo to have extra practice on the target to begin with....and not taking the trophies..not a problem, people sometimes only want photos ...reach out to some of the SA outfitters on here am sure someone will be able to sort you out...we bit too far away...

 

[Hogpatrol]

You have enough time to plan a hunt in RSA and do some local deer hunting in Ohio. Joining a gun club and/or a local SCI chapter can help with your quest. There are also shooting schools that can bring you up to speed quickly. For the Africa hunt, you don't need to own a rifle and most outfitters rent good equipment. The best option is to find an experienced mentor preferably one who's hunted Africa.

SCI Chapter Locator - Safari Club

safariclub.org

Edit: AFAIK, in most U.S. states, a hunter education course is required to obtain a license. This would be a good start and a venue where you could meet others new to the sport.

 

[Scott CWO]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. FYI - I’m not a reporter, not a vegan, I’m a retired engineer. Like I said before I don’t know any hunters! So I’m on my own. But I’m not giving up.
I’ll reach out to some of these private hunting safaris for maybe like a 5 day trip.
Am I willing to shoot? Absolutely! But I have NO experience. Meaning, I would need to be taught everything. I thought I would be wasting a PH time and experience. That’s why I asked about observing. Teach me - I will hunt. This next comment may be against hunting principles but I don’t want a trophy to take home. BUT I do want a picture of me next to one of these down animals like you see everywhere!
I would love to say I went hunting in South Africa! Yes, it’s on my bucket list.
Again, thanks for the info. It wasn’t my intention to offend anyone! I’m trying to learn.

As another member suggested, sign up for a Hunter Education class as a first step. Introduce yourself to the instructor and let him know you have not hunted before and I’m sure the instructor would take you under his wing.