I am new to this forum and I have been reading other posts for the past year or so. As so many other young hunters I always dreamed of taking a trip to Africa. Two years ago I made it happen and booked a hunt from a reputable outfitter in South Africa. I booked to hunt plains game and I was so excited about the trip. The trip happened last June. I wont name the outfitter in this thread. I was able to harvest 11 animals, three more than I expected to harvest and all was well. The facilities were great and, although I didn't have anything to compare it to, the hunting was great. However when I was leaving on the last day of trip I was approached by the owner of the operation and pulled aside from the rest of my group. Somewhat embarrassed I accompanied him outside and was asked if the hunt was what I expected. I told him I was very satisfied with my African hunting experience. He then began questioning me on my "gratuities" that I gave the staff. Some may think this story is leading to me saying I didn't tip the staff, its not. I have worked for 13 years as a guide in Wyoming and I understand the importance of providing a suitable tip at the end of the hunt. I tipped my PH what was approximately 30% of my entire hunt. A very, very, good tip. But he had earned it and I enjoyed spending 10 days with him. He did an excellent job and I did not mind tipping him accordingly. I also tipped the cook for the hunt, which happened to be my PH's wife. I tipped her very well as well. The skinners and trackers I tipped also according to what I've read on this forum. To be approached by him was total disrespect to me, I felt. He had no idea what or how much I had tipped and suggested at the beginning of the hunt that I give him the tips and he would give them to the staff. Which I did for the skinners and trackers but I felt it was more personal to tip the cook and wait staff and my PH myself.
Now to the moral of this thread. Last week I obtained my trophies. I took them to my local taxidermist and learned that several of my trophies were skinned improperly and ruined. The ears of several of the animals were so damaged that they cant be used and I will need to obtain another cape in order to mount my trophies. The taxidermist warned me before I ever left for SA and he told me to make sure my capes were taken care of prior to leaving the country. I went to the skinning shed everyday and watched the skinners and was told repeatedly that they knew what they were doing and that they, the skinners, didn't speak English. To say that I was a bit disappointed in my hunt is an understatement.
I was curious for some feedback and was wandering if anyone else has had an experience like this. As I said the hunting was great and well worth the cost, however the "after the hunt" was seriously lacking in customer service.
Now to the moral of this thread. Last week I obtained my trophies. I took them to my local taxidermist and learned that several of my trophies were skinned improperly and ruined. The ears of several of the animals were so damaged that they cant be used and I will need to obtain another cape in order to mount my trophies. The taxidermist warned me before I ever left for SA and he told me to make sure my capes were taken care of prior to leaving the country. I went to the skinning shed everyday and watched the skinners and was told repeatedly that they knew what they were doing and that they, the skinners, didn't speak English. To say that I was a bit disappointed in my hunt is an understatement.
I was curious for some feedback and was wandering if anyone else has had an experience like this. As I said the hunting was great and well worth the cost, however the "after the hunt" was seriously lacking in customer service.