Would you hunt in an area in Africa that used a sliding scale for fees?

[curt672]

I have not hunted New Zeeland or Argentina for that very reason , I don't have a scope with a calculator it and don't want to. I pay my price to hunt and what ever happens --- happens.

 

[375Fox]

I have not hunted New Zeeland or Argentina for that very reason , I don't have a scope with a calculator it and don't want to. I pay my price to hunt and what ever happens --- happens.

There is a lot of free range hunting in both countries that’s on fixed pricing. It’s only the high fenced areas charged on a sliding scale. Free range hunting in NZ is a really good hunt in impressive landscape. The trophy size/genetics just don’t compare to the high fence areas.

 

[Cucuy]

No. I’ve been researching European hunts tonight and I’m about ready to scrap that idea all together. Inches translates into $1000s and are judged by folks who have a personal financial interest in you upgrading. I much prefer the PH putting me on the biggest/oldest animal he can for bragging rights.

 

[375Fox]

No. I’ve been researching European hunts tonight and I’m about ready to scrap that idea all together. Inches translates into $1000s and are judged by folks who have a personal financial interest in you upgrading. I much prefer the PH putting me on the biggest/oldest animal he can for bragging rights.

That is not true. There are certain hunts I’d be cautious of due to potential costs but most European hunts are very professionally done. The game is highly managed and the game keeper often knows the individual animals in the class you prebooked. If you book representative animals that’s what you take. If you book a large trophy that’s what you take. There are only so many of each category available and the management is strict. There are also a number of fixed price hunting options available in Europe especially with roe deer. Stags are available on fixed pricing as well, but typically areas that don’t have massive genetics. If you are serious about it research it more, but you are drawing incorrect conclusions.

Here’s a good example for you. We looked at these beceite ibex around 2 hours before he stood up for a shot. I shot one middle right because he fell into representative class I was looking for. Some others in group were higher scoring we discussed those as well. My ibex was 11 years old.

 

[Cucuy]

Thanks, I stand corrected!

 

[Sika98k]

I don’t think I would.
The post about if the ph ever told someone to shoot the wrong animal. On here.

I would think could get really interesting really quickly and not in a good way.
If they told you to shoot the wrong animal and it was a few points higher on the price scale than you had the budget for.

If they tell you to shoot the wrong animal that is out of your budget that’s their problem. The fellow that you are hunting with is called the PH, Professional Hunter.

 

[thriller]

I experienced a similar situation on an archery only concession in the East Cape. On day 7 of a 10 day hunt, a large eland bull (not a target specie, but within the budget I had available) began to approach the blind and the PH got excited. Naturally I too get pumped up as this animal must be special as nothing we had seen nor harvested thus far elicited this type of response. As I was prepping for a shot opportunity, the PH softly whispered to me that THIS particular eland bull would be almost triple the price posted on the outfits pricing sheet. At first I assumed he was joking as nowhere before had a sliding scale of any type and mentioned. Nonetheless, I did indeed confirm that he was serious and was firmly quoted the higher price again. At that moment I put the bow back in its hanger and listened to the PH stubbornly try to upsell me to take the shot. After the bull departed we had a LONG discussion about how it was concerning to me that at no time in any conversation prior to the hunt, at any time during the safari or in any documents provided by the outfit did the practice or even possibility of sliding scale pricing come into play. It was still a great hunt, but to say that one moment left a bad taste in my mouth would be an understatement. I realize all the game is owned by the landowner, but if its even a possibility that truly superior specimens may incur a higher fee, its the outfits obligation to disclose that beforehand. Anything else appears to be price gouging.

Haha I would tell that clown to take me to the hotel hunts over. If it’s undisclosed until the last minute like that no telling what else they are going to try to drop on you at the end.

 

[coreydb]

I do and I have, but only after careful research price/package comparisons with other PHs. Then I budget for the most so if I'm that fortunate, I can cover the cost. If not, I make sure before hand I don't pay for the "Gold" trophy, shoot the bronze, and don't get the balance returned. Get that part clarified with the PH before you commit.

 

[Nyati]

The 100 pound elephant isn’t always more because of trophy fee. Rather you pay a much higher daily rate for the premium area. And if you don’t get one you still paid it. I’m much more comfortable with that than by the inch or pound.

Your choice, which I respect, but in the end, the heavier the tusks, the more you are paying.

 

[Russ16]

Your choice, which I respect, but in the end, the heavier the tusks, the more you are paying.

Yes it to me there is a difference between paying for the opportunity (daily rate) and the success (trophy fee by pound or inch).

I’m more comfortable paying for opportunity.

 

[godwincp]

No
I want to go hunting and take what the bush offers- if I have to haggle over price in the process I’m out.

 

[grand veneur]

Many write No, they would not hunt in areas where there is a sliding scale for fees. That may be true, but if it becomes a general regulation in all areas, would all those who say no then no longer hunt in Africa?...I am not so sure about that.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

i would 100% for sure

just have the discussion with guide/ph before the hunt be clear and done

we dont work on sliding scale but each to his own

i hunted a moufflon in CZ few years ago(government forestry area), we stated clearly before the hunt what size we wanted and were prepared to pay for(high bronze,,,maybe low silver) first outing i got a low bronze, so i said i would take another one, on next outing i shot a high gold medal- after discussion with the boss i pad for low silver as agreed in the beginning....because we had made it clear and the guide was in charge and he told me which animal to shoot

 

[grand veneur]

In Europe, we have become accustomed to the system. We are not happy about it, but that is just how it is. However, one must not forget that all these medals trophies of the various game species were achieved through considerable effort with not low costs. They don't just grow in the wild on their own. In some countries of Africa, you are also not that far from this type of wildlife management.

 

[Russ16]

Many write No, they would not hunt in areas where there is a sliding scale for fees. That may be true, but if it becomes a general regulation in all areas, would all those who say no then no longer hunt in Africa?...I am not so sure about that.

That’s a good point but I think that intent of the question was would you in the current environment where other options are available.

I just finished a chamois hunt and it had a sliding scale like most European hunts. It really was a damper. Not because of cost but because they had to measure it at the end and compare it to every other animal taken when was there. It’s the first animal I’ve ever had a tape measure put on and I hated it.

It was an amazing hunt and is a great trophy because I earned it. I kept telling them not to tell me the score and I didn’t care but they insisted. I really didn’t like that.

 

[skydiver386]

In Europe, we have become accustomed to the system. We are not happy about it, but that is just how it is. However, one must not forget that all these medals trophies of the various game species were achieved through considerable effort with not low costs. They don't just grow in the wild on their own. In some countries of Africa, you are also not that far from this type of wildlife management.

One of our website sponsors in Romania has several areas that are fixed price, and several that use a graduated scale. Take your pick according to how large a trophy you expect, and what your wallet will stand.

Here in the U.S., if all you want is freezer meat, and don't mind shooting Doe's and fork horns, you can hunt on public land. If you want something a little bigger, you can lease some land and try to improve the genetics after a few years. If you want the best chance at a real trophy, you pay for private land access in a high percentage trophy area.

Complain all you like, but this is how it's always been. It's nothing new.

It may be possible to pay a little and get a lot, but that's the exception, not the rule. Usually you get exactly what you pay for. The basic laws of economics prohibit getting something for nothing.

As the Worlds population increases and available hunting land decreases, the cost is inevitably going to go to some type of system where the better areas and larger trophies demand a higher price. It's been that way for years already. Average daily rate and trophy fee in South Africa may be as little as $250, but in the Caprivi strip of Namibia $850 and up seems to be the norm and trophy fees often increase by 50% over the same species in another area.

If we as conscientious hunters want to make the moral claim that our hunting Dollars are a benefit to the local community, the wildlife and the land out of one side of our mouths, we can't demand lowball prices out of the other side.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

One of our website sponsors in Romania has several areas that are fixed price, and several that use a graduated scale. Take your pick according to how large a trophy you expect, and what your wallet will stand.

Here in the U.S., if all you want is freezer meat, and don't mind shooting Doe's and fork horns, you can hunt on public land. If you want something a little bigger, you can lease some land and try to improve the genetics after a few years. If you want the best chance at a real trophy, you pay for private land access in a high percentage trophy area.

Complain all you like, but this is how it's always been. It's nothing new.

It may be possible to pay a little and get a lot, but that's the exception, not the rule. Usually you get exactly what you pay for. The basic laws of economics prohibit getting something for nothing.

As the Worlds population increases and available hunting land decreases, the cost is inevitably going to go to some type of system where the better areas and larger trophies demand a higher price. It's been that way for years already. Average daily rate and trophy fee in South Africa may be as little as $250, but in the Caprivi strip of Namibia $850 and up seems to be the norm and trophy fees often increase by 50% over the same species in another area.

If we as conscientious hunters want to make the moral claim that our hunting Dollars are a benefit to the local community, the wildlife and the land out of one side of our mouths, we can't demand lowball prices out of the other side.

well said sir, well said

 

[Flbt]

Many write No, they would not hunt in areas where there is a sliding scale for fees. That may be true, but if it becomes a general regulation in all areas, would all those who say no then no longer hunt in Africa?...I am not so sure about that.

It depends. If people stopped booking the sliding scale hunts. Then they would stop.
Now getting most hunters to agree to something like that would be the hard part.

 

[Russ16]

One of our website sponsors in Romania has several areas that are fixed price, and several that use a graduated scale. Take your pick according to how large a trophy you expect, and what your wallet will stand.

Here in the U.S., if all you want is freezer meat, and don't mind shooting Doe's and fork horns, you can hunt on public land. If you want something a little bigger, you can lease some land and try to improve the genetics after a few years. If you want the best chance at a real trophy, you pay for private land access in a high percentage trophy area.

Complain all you like, but this is how it's always been. It's nothing new.

It may be possible to pay a little and get a lot, but that's the exception, not the rule. Usually you get exactly what you pay for. The basic laws of economics prohibit getting something for nothing.

As the Worlds population increases and available hunting land decreases, the cost is inevitably going to go to some type of system where the better areas and larger trophies demand a higher price. It's been that way for years already. Average daily rate and trophy fee in South Africa may be as little as $250, but in the Caprivi strip of Namibia $850 and up seems to be the norm and trophy fees often increase by 50% over the same species in another area.

If we as conscientious hunters want to make the moral claim that our hunting Dollars are a benefit to the local community, the wildlife and the land out of one side of our mouths, we can't demand lowball prices out of the other side.

Don’t confuse people not wanting to pay be the inch with wanting lowball prices. I’d rather pay more for what to me feels like a more natural experience even if the trophy is smaller.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

It depends. If people stopped booking the sliding scale hunts. Then they would stop.
Now getting most hunters to agree to something like that would be the hard part.

100% will not happen unless you can convince the world smaller is better. Might wanna start with the wife and let us all know how that conversation goes