How long do you wait?

[LimbNoMo]

If you make an inquiry on a new gun or a hunt, how long do you wait to get a reply before you look to someone else?

 

[BryceM]

If it’s for a common thing I can get anywhere, anytime, it doesn’t matter.

If you’re trying to book a full bag safari in Tanzania, it mighty pay to have enough patience to let the poor guys get out of the bush and back to electricity.

 

[Rare Breed]

Almost always it is due to outfitters being in the field hunting. In my experience what’s app is the fastest way to get an outfitters attention

 

[mdwest]

depends..

between January and late Feb I expect most outfitters to be doing the show circuit.. theyre busy as hell, traveling etc.. and from May to August they tend to be out hunting and even busier.. so during those time periods I give them a bit of slack.. if it takes several days to get back with me I dont think anything of it..

outside of those time periods Im usually good with a 24-48 hour turn around if Ive asked basic questions.. if I've sent off a laundry list of questions or some complicated ones, Im good with them taking more time..

and, to @BryceM 's point.. it also depends on where Im emailing.. if its somewhere like Zim, Tanzania, etc.. I understand "TIA" and it might take a while.. vs somewhere in the US or Europe or South Africa where things tend to be better developed, etc..

I also agree with @Rare Breed .. Whatsapp is almost always the fastest way to connect Ive found anywhere in the world except the US..

 

[Tdsmith517]

At least a week. If it is international add a few days. I can tell you as a Small Business owner that if someone makes repeated calls or emails in less than 48 hours that is a big red flag IMHO. If someone is that impatient or expecting instant gratification, they are probably going to keep at it while they wait for the multi month lead time. People seem to forget it takes time to make something to order.

 

[dogcat1]

I give them 48 hrs and move on. Slow response is an indication of issues usually.

 

[Betterinthebush]

Three days.

Thread 'The “Three Days Rule” for outfitters, guides, PH’s'

Mar 17, 2026

Well, it’s happened to me again.

I use this site for a lot of research. I read as many threads as I can on hunts, species, areas, outfits and PH’s. The information found here is invaluable.

I’ve noticed something in outfitters that is a huge turn-off for me. After doing research on species, areas, etc. and visit the outfitters website, read their about page, opportunities, amenities, testimonials and submit an information e-mail on what I’m looking for, I receive.., nothing. Zip. Nada. Out of the information requests I’ve submitted on websites, outfitter responses are only batting .250...

• Betterinthebush
• Replies: 78
• Forum: General chat

• 

 

[Sabre]

At least a week. If it is international add a few days. I can tell you as a Small Business owner that if someone makes repeated calls or emails in less than 48 hours that is a big red flag IMHO. If someone is that impatient or expecting instant gratification, they are probably going to keep at it while they wait for the multi month lead time. People seem to forget it takes time to make something to order.

An outfitter used me as a reference one time, and to help some guys figure out some permit things they weren't familiar with. One of the guys would call me at like 6am and call 4-8 times in a row before leaving a message when I couldn't answer. Exhausting person in that regard and every other way too.

 

[Sabre]

To OP, I am not impatient when first contacting outfitters. If it takes them a little while to first make contact, I don't get worked up. Even if it takes a month, especially during hunting season, if they just tell me that when they contact me.

However, if once we start talking they aren't responsive, or if they say they will contact you back with dates or pricing or whatever, and then they ghost. I am usually done with them then.

I said some similar things in the other thread linked, but I have had way more issues with this stuff with North American outfitters than international hunting outfitters.

 

[375Fox]

It depends. It’s a combination of the hunts and areas they offer combined with the time of year. Someone offering a very unique hunt I give more flexibility than someone offering a very common hunt. However, once some initial discussions have taken place I expect timely replies. I take bad communication as a sign of the way they run their business.

 

[Tdsmith517]

I would have blocked their number. I don’t have any idea why someone would think that behavior is not going to piss someone off. The only thing worse than that is when someone hires you to do something and then tells you how to do it.

 

[375er]

If you make an inquiry on a new gun or a hunt, how long do you wait to get a reply before you look to someone else?

I think it really depends on what you are talking about. Can you give us more of a hint?

 

[Mark458]

I'm pretty patient with this kind of thing, especially if someone is highly recommend or has something special to offer. I give some leeway for a pH to be out hunting and out of communication for a while, but I also feel that if they are going to be out of range for an extended time they should have someone monitoring emails to at least give a response to let you know the message was received and will be passed on to the outfitter once they return. This is a simple thing to do and gives me more confidence they are trying to be organized and professional. My 2 cents.

 

[LimbNoMo]

Well…what got me thinking about it specifically was I had contacted a gunsmith about a caliber conversion on a rifle. Initial contact was quick. Follow up was a couple of days. 3rd email where I was asked to provide specifics went unanswered for 16 days. I figured he got my list and just didn’t want the job.

 

[deewayne2003]

Well…what got me thinking about it specifically was I had contacted a gunsmith about a caliber conversion on a rifle. Initial contact was quick. Follow up was a couple of days. 3rd email where I was asked to provide specifics went unanswered for 16 days. I figured he got my list and just didn’t want the job.

I would say either he didn't want it or disorganized; although sometimes the ball just gets dropped on accident, having said that... as someone that is 6 years and the 3rd gunsmith into a .404J project that was started back in 2020 with a 6 week turn around time; I would avoid that gunsmith.

As far as hunts I understand being in the field, but I sent off a couple of emails last year asking about different hunts and oddly enough the most expensive leopard hunt operator didn't get back to me for 4 months; I decided to save leopard for another hunt.

 

[LimbNoMo]

@deewayne2003 your story is part of the reason I decided to pitch in the towel. I was also hoping for a .404j.

 

[deewayne2003]

@deewayne2003 your story is part of the reason I decided to pitch in the towel. I was also hoping for a .404j.

I just came to the conclusion that the elder statesman of the boomer gunsmiths suffer from selective memory and inflated egos.

That .404J project is with Tip Burns now, he’s both honest and extremely competent.