Many cheap hunts vs only one very expensive premium hunt in a lifetime

[Muskox]

I think the problem with the “one and done” hunt mentality that that it will most likely be so rewarding that there is no way you wouldn’t want to repeat it again.

To me it is the concept of only having one shot, and the odds for epic failure are much higher.

 

[Muskox]

Where was this?

I am not going to get into it. It's water under the bridge, and not a hunt you would find normally.

 

[mark-hunter]

Copy that!

I was asking because 6 hunters in the camp hunting roe deer is not usual.
It is individual stalking or sitting in the blind. It also means at least 6 guides for proper stalking. And they should all spread so as not to affect each other's hunting. Or one or two guides driving around hunters to individual blinds, like bus drivers with instructions to call back if you shoot something.

On the other hand, large hunting areas in Hungary or Serbia, could possibly provide that.
But in any case, I would be skeptical to such arrangements

 

[Nevada Mike]

I think the problem with the “one and done” hunt mentality that that it will most likely be so rewarding that there is no way you wouldn’t want to repeat it again.

Exactly, And why is this a problem?

 

[Muskox]

Copy that!

I was asking because 6 hunters in the camp hunting roe deer is not usual.
It is individual stalking or sitting in the blind. It also means at least 6 guides for proper stalking. And they should all spread so as not to affect each other's hunting. Or one or two guides driving around hunters to individual blinds, like bus drivers with instructions to call back if you shoot something.

On the other hand, large hunting areas in Hungary or Serbia, could possibly provide that.
But in any case, I would be skeptical to such arrangements

Group hunts for roe deer are actually super common.

Here in Germany you drive your own car to an area and they drop you in a blind. Typical way hunts are handled. Was a huge estate, over 1800 hectares. Spring Hunt though. We had 2 guides that dropped us on stands, but you had your own car and you'd park and then we met up after the hunts.

My previous German group hunt was 6 hunters and we killed 20 bucks. On that hunt they had 4 guides and they dropped us on stands.

In Hungary last year we had 7 people and we killed 30 bucks. We were guided and had a guide with us on every stand. Pretty standard thing in Czech and Poland.

 

[CBH Australia]

This thread was a good read for a new guy who is dreaming of an African Safari.

Sort of a 30,000 foot view.

Stop dreaming, Africa is cheaper than you think. That’s what they told me.

Honestly I had “Dreamed” for years. Within 10 months of being on this site I touched down in Johannesburg for my first international trip.

I was on a fairly tight budget and hunted accordingly.

 

[CBH Australia]

Group hunts for roe deer are actually super common.

Here in Germany you drive your own car to an area and they drop you in a blind. Typical way hunts are handled. Was a huge estate, over 1800 hectares. Spring Hunt though. We had 2 guides that dropped us on stands, but you had your own car and you'd park and then we met up after the hunts.

My previous German group hunt was 6 hunters and we killed 20 bucks. On that hunt they had 4 guides and they dropped us on stands.

In Hungary last year we had 7 people and we killed 30 bucks. We were guided and had a guide with us on every stand. Pretty standard thing in Czech and Poland.

Sounds great and I have watched similar hunts on You Tube.

I would actually like to hunt somewhere in Europe. Driven Boar would be interesting too..

1800 hectares is small by comparison to Australian properties. I’ve been on properties of varying sizes and recently hunted 2000 hectares where I can find Deer but they mostly come in from much larger forestry areas. But I don’t think I could get 30 deer in a few days bless conditions align.

 

[Muskox]

Sounds great and I have watched similar hunts on You Tube.

I would actually like to hunt somewhere in Europe. Driven Boar would be interesting too..

1800 hectares is small by comparison to Australian properties. I’ve been on properties of varying sizes and recently hunted 2000 hectares where I can find Deer but they mostly come in from much larger forestry areas. But I don’t think I could get 30 deer in a few days bless conditions align.

Roe deer weigh 30-40kg, and we have Queensland level water and amazing soil. Game density would blow your mind. I used to live in Canberra, and I have been all over eastern Australia.

 

[Muskox]

I love Africa, I can't wait to go back. Been a long time. I think it will be a 2027 or 2028 event. It will be in June, when my wife and daughters are at Summer camp.

Moving back to America next year, and I have a mountain of points that will drain my leave balance.

My goal is just a lot of shooting. Whatever that means.

 

[Rare Breed]

Exactly. About ten years ago, I started planning one good hunting trip every two years. The pandemic interfered with that, but over time the goal has become to go somewhere (on whatever continent) once a year.

I've said it here before, but you need "time, health, and money" to make it happen. Lack any of those three, and your hunt will be severely curtailed or just plain not happen. The same principle applies to other endeavors and activities as well.

Looking at double rifles for sale, I lost track of the number of times I heard "...bought it for a once-in-a-lifetime safari, but never used due to..." (insert work, health, expense, etc. here). Make pragmatic plans for the future sure; but don't forget that tomorrow is promised to no one.

You are so right. I am a 50-50 man…50% to retirement and 50% for Africa and family fun since to your point tomorrow is promised to no one

 

[Charles de Ribeau]

My wife and had bought our first home. We wanted to buy some art for it - nothing expensive, just nice prints. We were overwhelmed by the options. At that time, we took a class about local history and one night the speaker was an art professor from the local university. After class, I asked her how we should pick something to hang in our house. Her answer was simple. "Buy the one that sings to you." That applies to your question as much as it did to mine. It doesn't matter what anyone here thinks. Decide based on what excites you. It's your hunt.

 

[Brandon.Gleason]

My first trip was supposed to be my only trip, and I never dreamed I'd be able to do some of the hunts I've done so far and am planning on doing shortly. The first experience gave me the drive to make the changes necessary to do the follow ups. A very understanding and supportive wife helps.

 

[Odinsraven]

Many cheap hunts been to South Africa ten plus times exclusively cull hunts ......usually book two hunts back to back with a weekend off though in the past one outfitter has dropped me at the next ...equipment cheap rifle either a parker hale 303 or my Varberger with a mid range scope....neither rifle was more than 500 dollars..... Total cost that one of amazing hunt ....but I have half a year of memories ....I would not trade ..

 

[hunt4fun]

This has been a very interesting read. It's kind of a Chevy vs Ford kind of discussion.

For me, the five hunts I have been on cost about what one "deluxe" hunt would cost. I got to hunt numerous trophy animals, including two buffalos. I got to share four of the hunts individually with my wife, two of my grandsons, and my son in law. I thought that each time, it would be my last. But, I am already planning on my next trip to Africa for next year.

For me, the best bang for the buck is multiple affordable hunts.

 

[JPbowhunter]

I would rather go on a real hunt in a wild area where the game can get away, and chances of going home empty handed are real, every few years than go to a farm to shoot stuff for the wall as much as possible.

I came back to this site chasing some information on a gun I bought and went down a rabbit hole that lead me to this thread. I just checked, my first post in 7 years!

The reason for my absence is that 7 years ago I was looking for a hunt in Africa and in doing so and speaking to outfitters came to the realisation that the hunt I wanted was just out of my price range. Hunting is a very personal thing, we all are chasing something different out of it, just as we are in life.
Like you, I’d rather not do it at all if I can’t do it the way I want so as much as it’s been a childhood dream to hunt Africa I pretty well scratched it off my list and moved on. I won’t hunt in a managed game farm behind wire and if that means I can’t ever do Africa then I’m content with that.

I’m still in the career progression phase of life but like the housing market in Australia, the cost rises of hunts in wild places are outpacing any wage progression. But it’s not just Africa. I remember in 2010 you could hunt dall sheep for $10-15,000 aud. I figured within 10 years I’d have done that. Yet, within 5 years that cost was $30k and last I checked it was north of $50k aud. Alaska is another one I don’t even think about anymore.

I’ve settled for other things, since then I’ve been saving up points to hunt Wyoming. Going after elk and mule deer unguided in a foreign land is adventure for me, and something I can realistically save for.

I’d really like to do an affordable buff and scrub bull hunt here, they do exist but they’re hard to find. It’s about having the right contacts.

Anyway, I thought your response was great even though we’re coming from different places. I also thought this thread, old as it is, would benefit from a different perspective.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I’ve settled for other things, since then I’ve been saving up points to hunt Wyoming. Going after elk and mule deer unguided in a foreign land is adventure for me, and something I can realistically save for.

Not sure if you saw but Wyoming decided to increase the non resident preference point costs the other day to the maximum allowable under the current laws.

Antelope increased from $31 to $75
Mule Deer increases from $41 to $75
Elk increases from $52 to $75

Their wildlife commissioner stated “the increase in preference points is a necessary step in the increased cost to manage Wyoming game and will ultimately benefit resident Wyoming hunters”. Based on 2025 non-resident applications the increases on these 3 species point fees is a minimum of an extra $14.65 million dollars for the State of Wyoming.

 

[JPbowhunter]

Not sure if you saw but Wyoming decided to increase the non resident preference point costs the other day to the maximum allowable under the current laws.

Antelope increased from $31 to $75
Mule Deer increases from $41 to $75
Elk increases from $52 to $75

Their wildlife commissioner stated “the increase in preference points is a necessary step in the increased cost to manage Wyoming game and will ultimately benefit resident Wyoming hunters”. Based on 2025 non-resident applications the increases on these 3 species point fees is a minimum of an extra $14.65 million dollars for the State of Wyoming.

I hadn’t seen that but thanks for the heads up. I think I can soak up the extra few bucks for the next couple of years for each of those, I’m up to 7 or 8 points as of now. It’s just a matter of saving up for the trip itself before I cash them in now.

 

[Adam Stevens]

I came back to this site chasing some information on a gun I bought and went down a rabbit hole that lead me to this thread. I just checked, my first post in 7 years!

The reason for my absence is that 7 years ago I was looking for a hunt in Africa and in doing so and speaking to outfitters came to the realisation that the hunt I wanted was just out of my price range. Hunting is a very personal thing, we all are chasing something different out of it, just as we are in life.
Like you, I’d rather not do it at all if I can’t do it the way I want so as much as it’s been a childhood dream to hunt Africa I pretty well scratched it off my list and moved on. I won’t hunt in a managed game farm behind wire and if that means I can’t ever do Africa then I’m content with that.

I’m still in the career progression phase of life but like the housing market in Australia, the cost rises of hunts in wild places are outpacing any wage progression. But it’s not just Africa. I remember in 2010 you could hunt dall sheep for $10-15,000 aud. I figured within 10 years I’d have done that. Yet, within 5 years that cost was $30k and last I checked it was north of $50k aud. Alaska is another one I don’t even think about anymore.

I’ve settled for other things, since then I’ve been saving up points to hunt Wyoming. Going after elk and mule deer unguided in a foreign land is adventure for me, and something I can realistically save for.

I’d really like to do an affordable buff and scrub bull hunt here, they do exist but they’re hard to find. It’s about having the right contacts.

Anyway, I thought your response was great even though we’re coming from different places. I also thought this thread, old as it is, would benefit from a different perspective.

Appreciate your post and well said. Unfortunately it isnt getting any cheaper.

As a canadian, similar to your AUD in many ways, first the dollar is 35+ % worse against USD so we have to save up that much more for the same trip compared to most. And then our housing is out to lunch, US housing finally went nuts since covid, unfortunately my and yours has been some of the highest in the world.

I very much respect the mindset of either having the hunt you want or not at all. over the years many SA hunts have peaked my interest but I never could book it. I wanted a Dugga boy in the thick stuff. I wanted the vast quiet places. miles and miles of bloody africa. And it did take a career change to finally get that opportunity. Hunted and tracked in Zambezi valley in 2018.

Now looking back at those same prices, they have easily gone +50-75% or more now. I planned to return for a Elephant bull trophy. Life, two more kids, and finally looking to book again 8 years later. and my country banned ivory import 2 years ago, so its the hunt I want, a proper tracking elephant bull hunt. non-export non-trophy is my option now. But still, part of me thinks about holding off and only doing the hunt I want. or nothing at all. your words resonated with me.

 

[JPbowhunter]

Appreciate your post and well said. Unfortunately it isnt getting any cheaper.

As a canadian, similar to your AUD in many ways, first the dollar is 35+ % worse against USD so we have to save up that much more for the same trip compared to most. And then our housing is out to lunch, US housing finally went nuts since covid, unfortunately my and yours has been some of the highest in the world.

I very much respect the mindset of either having the hunt you want or not at all. over the years many SA hunts have peaked my interest but I never could book it. I wanted a Dugga boy in the thick stuff. I wanted the vast quiet places. miles and miles of bloody africa. And it did take a career change to finally get that opportunity. Hunted and tracked in Zambezi valley in 2018.

Now looking back at those same prices, they have easily gone +50-75% or more now. I planned to return for an Elephant bull trophy. Life, two more kids, and finally looking to book again 8 years later. and my country banned ivory import 2 years ago, so its the hunt I want, a proper tracking elephant bull hunt. non-export non-trophy is my option now. But still, part of me thinks about holding off and only doing the hunt I want. or nothing at all. your words resonated with me.

Can’t disagree with anything you’ve said here my friend.

I looked back and saw that you hunted with Buzz Charlton. It takes a lot to get me envious but you’ve done it! Haha his operation and him as a ph would be my pick if I could swing an African trip. I don’t watch hunting videos but his are very well done, entertaining and he seems like a genuine good guy. A small thing I’ve noticed is that he’s always very grateful and kind to his staff. That kinda of thing is a big tick for me.

Bummer about the elephants and ivory imports. Tracking hunts are my passion. I love doing that here after red stags in thick bush. That’s why my interest in Africa was always eland, buffalo and elephant- to my mind the 3 best tracking hunts. A tuskless hunt would be still pretty special in my mind, although i do suppose it’s missing something over chasing a nice tusker.

 

[Rare Breed]

To me it is not about premium or non premium it is about the vision I desire for just myself, the Big 5. I got the buff, elephant and hopefully my last which is leopard with no fences truly wild. I can’t afford a wild lion so took a well researched CBL lion as well as a well researched dart hunt for Rhino where I fired the sleep dart nit some vita dart. I don’t care about any of the other slams. My vision coupled with affordability drives my hun choices nothing else. Just me