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

[Cme1983]

It’s often priced with quite a premium hike when it surpasses the inches required for some book such as Rowland Ward. This quickly can turn into the specific animal conversation. I much prefer to book an area, experience and opportunity than specific animal.

Well, it is a free range area that Dogcat was asking about…not SA, so the specific animal part of the equation isn’t relevant. The pricing mentioned is exactly what is being charged by the operator in the area; therefore, he brought the question to the forum. I personally don’t like the sliding scale and would prefer to hunt for the biggest animal I can find.

 

[Philip Glass]

Assume you are hunting in Africa, free range area. The operator charges trophy fees on a sliding scale. Something similar to the gold-silver-bronze medal size seen on many European hunts.
Would you automatically not hunt with that outfit?

What if the scale only applied to animals that were not in large numbers but had some good trophy quality "out there"?

It depends. In general no I would not like that type of hunt but there are certain scenarios where I wouldn't mind. Sable comes to mind. Also it would have to be with an outfitter I trust.

 

[HSands]

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.

 

[wvfred]

I would not as I consider it hunting and what you find is what you get be it a world record or just a decent trophy or go home without anything. I would like to hunt Europe but this is what turns me against it.

 

[Tanks]

Assume you are hunting in Africa, free range area. The operator charges trophy fees on a sliding scale. Something similar to the gold-silver-bronze medal size seen on many European hunts.
Would you automatically not hunt with that outfit?

What if the scale only applied to animals that were not in large numbers but had some good trophy quality "out there"?

Nope. I was offered a hunt on a sliding scale on a Botswana elephant hunt a couple of years ago. Rejected it.

 

[Field28]

To me, sliding scale and free range don't go hand in hand. So, no.

 

[375Fox]

It depends. In general no I would not like that type of hunt but there are certain scenarios where I wouldn't mind. Sable comes to mind. Also it would have to be with an outfitter I trust.

Sable came to my mind too. I think a place like matetsi would have benefited from a sliding scale. I’m told the average size has decreased over time. I think the quota is too low now to even really matter though. As much as I hate a sliding scale, Europe has really protected their genetics with it. It incentivizes taking representative trophies instead of always the biggest trophy with the best genetics.

 

[mark-hunter]

Assume you are hunting in Africa, free range area. The operator charges trophy fees on a sliding scale. Something similar to the gold-silver-bronze medal size seen on many European hunts.
Would you automatically not hunt with that outfit?

What if the scale only applied to animals that were not in large numbers but had some good trophy quality "out there"?

Yes, if he could guarantee smaller horns, older animals, below medal score, at minimum trophy fee.
That is how I hunt in Europe.

 

[Gemsbok45]

No

 

[Hank2211]

No

 

[pilar]

No , I hate that scale stuff it’s ruined deer hunting, pay buy the inch over 160 , 170 , 180
Trophy fee then $175 per inch
That was a huge deal for Houston safari club members back in the 1990’s wanting to make SCI Book on pen raised deer , a abhorrent practice imo

 

[Velo Dog]

I am annoyed by the entire tape measure and record book sub-culture within our otherwise pleasant global hunting and fishing culture.

 

[mark-hunter]

I am annoyed by the entire tape measure and record book sub-culture within our otherwise pleasant global hunting and fishing culture.

Me too! And more than annoyed.
That is why I never shot anything in medal score. And when I could, I did not. It has nothing to do with fair chase hunting principle and hunters skill and luck.

 

[grand veneur]

I would do it, or rather, I will continue to do it because I only hunt buffalo or elephants in Africa, and for these species there is already a scale for fees in many areas. But I would not longer shoot PG during this hunts.

 

[buffybr]

No!

 

[pilar]

Me too! And more than annoyed.
That is why I never shot anything in medal score. And when I could, I did not. It has nothing to do with fair chase hunting principle and hunters skill and luck.

I’m not going to knock the hunter who wants to take shortcuts on hunting a trophy
But it’s not really sporting or challenging ( and to me those freaky white tail and elk are easily spotted when displayed )
Keep African game free from any type pen raised and sold hunting, it’s bad enough already some “put and take “ ranches

 

[grand veneur]

It may be that the majority of the hunters in Africa only hunt PG, but elephant and buffalo trophies are already being assessed according to a scale in many areas and nobody is outraged.

 

[uplander01]

NO

 

[Andrew62]

For me this would be a ‘hell to the no!!!’

 

[mark-hunter]

It may be that the majority of the hunters in Africa only hunt PG, but elephant and buffalo trophies are already being assessed according to a scale in many areas and nobody is outraged.

Buffalo per inch, only in South Africa.

The pricing of elephant as per offers I have followed and have seen: exportable, non exportable, own use, tuskless, trophy, non trophy. (Namibia, Zimbabwe) I was not following offers on elephant in south Africa to tell more about it.