Going it alone.............

[Timbo]

Hi all!

So far I've been very lucky to have done 4 hunts to Africa, 2 with my (then) girlfriend, 1 with my wife and two teenage kids, and the last 1 on my own.

From my experience I found them all enjoyable for different reasons - though the family one, being a first for them, had me fretting that they were all ok. Both my kids fell in love hunting in Africa - so that's all to the good!! The 2 hints with my gf were great, with the one on my own being the most casual and laid back of all. But in saying that, I found that going on my own was the most frustrating one of all, in a post-hunt sense.

In this, I mean that by going in company with someone (pal, hunting buddy, son, daughter or wife etc) when you get back you have a point of reference with them of shared experiences to remember, laugh over or commiserate with thereafter. They will also remember things that you'd forgotten, and vice versa, thereby enriching the experience. By comparison however, on my "alone" hunt I don't have that opportunity: I can only "tell" about my hunt with others, but not "share". And there probably are things from outside my own perspective, that a companion would remember to fill in and complement the experience.

But it's entirely up to you. Some are happy going it alone: it just comes down to what you want to get out of a hunt. But IMO going with someone shares the experience, some responsibilities, gives advice/support if needed, and may even save a bit on you hunt costs if you're doing a 2x1.

Right now I'm planning for next year where I'll savour a new hunting experience - hunting with a small group of AH guys in SA. I'm looking forward to it greatly, as I can feel it's going to be a blast! Oh, and btw, my daughter's also coming along with me - she for PG, while I try to sort out some DG - so I'm sure we'll share this great experience for the rest of our lives! She got infected with the bug to hunt Africa from that prior family hunt we did - and now she just LOVES the place!!! I'm a happy Dad!! Woohoo!!

Cheers!

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

May I suggest Zimbabwe for a month with about half of it devoted to hunting. Possibly use two different safari co. If you do not want to travel with your own firearm arrangements usually can be arranged or secure arrangements can be made for your firearm. Just a couple os suggestions stay out of big towns stay offof the roads at night. It is great to take a friend with you, but why not meet new people and make new friends, you might be surprised at the oportunities that exist.

 

[Dr Ray]

Hello;
Just curious as to how many who have hunted Africa have "gone it alone", i.e. traveled without a companion of some sort?
When I went to Africa in 2014 I was suppose to go with a friend who likes to hunt. He then asked about bringing the wives, which I didn't have a problem with. So I asked my wife (the world traveler) and she said she would be delighted to go.......as long as she didn't have to see anything being killed.
....then my friend tells me he can't go......his wife won't let him. Not sure why (other than she is a...well, never mind). So it was just my wife and I. She had fun with the elephant back safari, touring Marakele and the predator park, had some excitement with a black mamba in camp, etc).
SO............now I would like to go back for cape buffalo and some more plains game. My friend starts with "when are we going". Then the last time I talked with him, he tells "I don't know why I'm planning on going; my wife is never going to let me go!" UGH!!!!

My wife is not really into going back......not that she didn't like going, but she has other places on her bucket list that she wants to visit: Australia, Spain, etc.

I've done trips alone here in the States: deer hunts to N.C., mule deer and antelope hunts out west, etc. No problems........but I'm just a little leery of flying half way across the globe on my own.

Anybody here hunt Africa alone? What problems, if any, did you encounter? Do you feel that you were more of a target of scam artists and thieves because of your being a single, or doesn't that make a difference?

I'm picky about who I hunt with......I don't want to just "hook up" with someone else that I don't know; did that on a duck hunt several years ago and damn near got my head blown off!!! I'm still partially deaf in my right ear thanks to that little shindig!

Just curious........with all the negativism in the papers now adays re: travel (I know there is nothing one can do re: a terrorist attack, like what happened in London the other day, but it still weighs heavily on my mind), I'm just a bit concerned.
Thanks to all for your input............................

Last hunting trip I went alone and carried two rifles. What a pain juggling luggage and rifles.
Normally wouldn’t go by myself.
Maybe next time I’ll take my buffalo hound “Fierce Jess”.
Photo attached.

 

[Timbo]

May I suggest Zimbabwe for a month with about half of it devoted to hunting. Possibly use two different safari co. If you do not want to travel with your own firearm arrangements usually can be arranged or secure arrangements can be made for your firearm. Just a couple os suggestions stay out of big towns stay offof the roads at night. It is great to take a friend with you, but why not meet new people and make new friends, you might be surprised at the oportunities that exist.

Last hunting trip I went alone and carried two rifles. What a pain juggling luggage and rifles.
Normally wouldn’t go by myself.
Maybe next time I’ll take my buffalo hound “Fierce Jess”.
Photo attached.View attachment 209848

My God!! What a fierce brute!! I'm sure all the buffalo quake at the sight of Jess!!

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

May I suggest Zimbabwe for a month with about half of it devoted to hunting. Possibly use two different safari co. If you do not want to travel with your own firearm arrangements usually can be arranged or secure arrangements can be made for your firearm. Just a couple os suggestions stay out of big towns stay offof the roads at night. It is great to take a friend with you, but why not meet new people and make new friends, you might be surprised at the oportunities that exist.

Hi 16 gauge,

If you are so inclined feel free to contact me at lekkerkry@hotmail.com.
Maybe we can share some ideas.

Cheers, Lon

 

[Dr Ray]

My God!! What a fierce brute!! I'm sure all the buffalo quake at the sight of Jess!!

Fierce on rats!

 

[Timbo]

Hahahaha!! Tell Jess it's ok - she can work up to bigger critters from there!!

 

[mark-hunter]

Hello;
Just curious as to how many who have hunted Africa have "gone it alone", i.e. traveled without a companion of some sort?

In my country I often hunt alone. And its not bad experience. During stalking two men (in my view) make twice the noise as one man only.
So even when I go to other hunting grounds in my home country, away from hunting grounds of my club, I even prefer to be without the guide, if the area is familiar to me from previous hunts. And if it is allowed to be without the guide.

When talking about Africa the situation was that my wife was not interested to go (she is urban kid, and "jungle, snakes, bugs, blood, skinning, field dressing, butchering, etc" do not appeal to her). My hunting buddies who could afford PG hunt were afraid to go to unknown (pussies) , so they said, I will go first, and if everything ends up good, they will consider going on next opportunity. So, I was breaking the ice for my hunting circle of friends, like guinea pig.

My own mind set was this:
I felt confident in my shooting skills, had the references about outfitter, and was thinking as long as hunting distances are within my limits, and the game is plentiful on the plains, there should nothing be wrong. Right? BTW, i did my research as well to know what to expect. I went also with flexible mindset, like if there is not a shootable oryx, there will be something else shootable like hartebeest. So I did not stick too strong on final trophy list. And i did not care about tape measuring of horns. I went for good time and good hunting experience.

As long as there is game to hunt, rifle and ammo reliable, and my shooting skills sufficient, and lodging organised, I saw no problem. And certainly I do not need a hunting buddy for support.
As it turned out, real true hunters are all very much alike, and there were other hunters from other countries in the camp, and as we all spoke English, we get along very well, in the bar and around camp fire. It was great socialising! So there was no problem at all. In fact i just met new friends!

If I remember correctly, Jim Shockey in one of his TV shows of international hunts said: "generally we are just good hunters.". Basically I think that this is what he meant. You put the hunter (alone, or not) in hunting position, and he will do what is to be done.
If you are confident in what you do, like hunting, you are confident World Wide.

Of course, all this what I wrote is not covering a problem of possible scums in Afrika, but for me it worked. Preliminary research, contacts, references, etc should eliminate the possibility of scum. When it comes down to hunting, one good hunter supported by outfitter is all it takes.

 

[Northwest9]

i will be going to Namibia in May solo, but thats how i wanted it. its not really solo, as ill be with an outfitter, but I wont have to worry about "friends" taking over the hunt, which has happened before.

the trip is going to cost enough money, i wanted to do it solo so i had no risk of being pushed into shooting a "monster" on the first day, only to find its a tiddler, and then spending the rest of my time while the "friend" passes up multiple better examples, then running out of time as they take theirs on the last day

 

[mikeinarkansas]

I guess I'm lucky in this. My first hunting trip to Africa will be in May (wheels up in 161 days ) I'm going with my long time best friend who is more like the brother I was fortunate enough to pick! We had been talking about Africa for years and he called me up in January and said pick a date or we will never go. He was right so we will be there for my birthday week. Lol turning 61 on the Dark Continent....which is pretty darn cool. We are close enough that I took care of his boys for two weeks back in May while he and his wife took their 20th wedding anniversary to Italy I took care of his two boys (11 and 13...you can find the 11 year old with a whopper whitetail buck on the thread on how everyone did hunting this year) and that's just our level of trust.
If I wasn't going with him I'd be just as happy going alone. But I'm glad we can make this trip! Should be a blast! And I'm very thankful to have found AH.com. Great people on here. And just a great source of information you wouldn't find anywhere else that I know of.
He says people will get tired of hearing us say "one time.....in Africa....."

 

[mikeinarkansas]

I guess I'm lucky in this. My first hunting trip to Africa will be in May (wheels up in 161 days ) I'm going with my long time best friend who is more like the brother I was fortunate enough to pick! We had been talking about Africa for years and he called me up in January and said pick a date or we will never go. He was right so we will be there for my birthday week. Lol turning 61 on the Dark Continent....which is pretty darn cool. We are close enough that I took care of his boys for two weeks back in May while he and his wife took their 20th wedding anniversary to Italy I took care of his two boys (11 and 13...you can find the 11 year old with a whopper whitetail buck on the thread on how everyone did hunting this year) and that's just our level of trust.
If I wasn't going with him I'd be just as happy going alone. But I'm glad we can make this trip! Should be a blast! And I'm very thankful to have found AH.com. Great people on here. And just a great source of information you wouldn't find anywhere else that I know of.
He says people will get tired of hearing us say "one time.....in Africa....."

 

[Timbo]

I guess I'm lucky in this. My first hunting trip to Africa will be in May (wheels up in 161 days ) I'm going with my long time best friend who is more like the brother I was fortunate enough to pick! We had been talking about Africa for years and he called me up in January and said pick a date or we will never go. He was right so we will be there for my birthday week. Lol turning 61 on the Dark Continent....which is pretty darn cool. We are close enough that I took care of his boys for two weeks back in May while he and his wife took their 20th wedding anniversary to Italy I took care of his two boys (11 and 13...you can find the 11 year old with a whopper whitetail buck on the thread on how everyone did hunting this year) and that's just our level of trust.
If I wasn't going with him I'd be just as happy going alone. But I'm glad we can make this trip! Should be a blast! And I'm very thankful to have found AH.com. Great people on here. And just a great source of information you wouldn't find anywhere else that I know of.
He says people will get tired of hearing us say "one time.....in Africa....."

Sounds like it'll be a great trip! Two great pals hunting Africa!! Best of luck to you both - and post up a report with pics when you get back!!

 

[mark-hunter]

i will be going to Namibia in May solo, but thats how i wanted it. its not really solo, as ill be with an outfitter, but I wont have to worry about "friends" taking over the hunt, which has happened before.

the trip is going to cost enough money, i wanted to do it solo so i had no risk of being pushed into shooting a "monster" on the first day, only to find its a tiddler, and then spending the rest of my time while the "friend" passes up multiple better examples, then running out of time as they take theirs on the last day

@Northwest9, what do you mean by "friends taking over the hunt"?
Please give us some example of friends spoiling the hunt? basically if you go hunting on 1:1 system, PH and you, what can go wrong whilst your buddies do their 1:1 hunt in other part of concession. If you huint 2:1, it is suficient to have agreement with hunting buddy who shoots first, or who shoots game by species (like one shoots the first oryx, the other hartebeest). I mean, what can go wrong?

 

[Dr Ray]

Hahahaha!! Tell Jess it's ok - she can work up to bigger critters from there!!

Well buff might be stretching it though even in long run.

 

[Timbo]

Well buff might be stretching it though even in long run.

Still, a friendly looking little pooch though.

 

[Dr Ray]

Still, a friendly looking little pooch though.

Demands to be patted.

 

[Northwest9]

@Northwest9, what do you mean by "friends taking over the hunt"?
Please give us some example of friends spoiling the hunt? basically if you go hunting on 1:1 system, PH and you, what can go wrong whilst your buddies do their 1:1 hunt in other part of concession. If you huint 2:1, it is suficient to have agreement with hunting buddy who shoots first, or who shoots game by species (like one shoots the first oryx, the other hartebeest). I mean, what can go wrong?

this wasnt guided, this was DIY hunting in NZ

both going after tahr, he already has a 11.5" tahr at home, i have a 10.5".

i spot a tahr on the first day, we climb up to it, he sets up the spotter. "its a monster, if you dont shoot it i will". turns out ot be a 9" immature bull.

"oh well, my turn now"... we spent the next 6 days while he turned down 10"s and 11"s. id say, "well, if you dont want it, ill upgrade" only to be told to not be selfish, my gunshot will screw up his hunt. i should have spoken out prior, but bit my tongue

last day he shoots a 12", chopper is called, we fly out.

i told him i wasnt impressed and he turned it against me, and abused me

we dont hunt together any more. ive since found out there are at least 13 others who will not hunt with him for similar reasons. basically this guy, if given the choice of world peace and the cure for cancer, or that animal up there on the hill side, his only thought is which turn he should use on the mount

hence i chose to do 1 on 1 so as to not risk that again

these days i hunt locally with other mates, recently i took a mate out and put him onto his first deer, a fallow buck on one of the properties i hunt on, was the first kill shot with his first proper hunting rifle, and i rate it as one of my favourite hunts of all time. selfish hunters have burned me once, Im not in a hurry to play that game again

 

[WildRose]

this wasnt guided, this was DIY hunting in NZ

both going after tahr, he already has a 11.5" tahr at home, i have a 10.5".

i spot a tahr on the first day, we climb up to it, he sets up the spotter. "its a monster, if you dont shoot it i will". turns out ot be a 9" immature bull.

"oh well, my turn now"... we spent the next 6 days while he turned down 10"s and 11"s. id say, "well, if you dont want it, ill upgrade" only to be told to not be selfish, my gunshot will screw up his hunt. i should have spoken out prior, but bit my tongue

last day he shoots a 12", chopper is called, we fly out.

i told him i wasnt impressed and he turned it against me, and abused me

we dont hunt together any more. ive since found out there are at least 13 others who will not hunt with him for similar reasons. basically this guy, if given the choice of world peace and the cure for cancer, or that animal up there on the hill side, his only thought is which turn he should use on the mount

hence i chose to do 1 on 1 so as to not risk that again

these days i hunt locally with other mates, recently i took a mate out and put him onto his first deer, a fallow buck on one of the properties i hunt on, was the first kill shot with his first proper hunting rifle, and i rate it as one of my favourite hunts of all time. selfish hunters have burned me once, Im not in a hurry to play that game again

Ouch, you need better friends.

I'd have gotten on the chopper and left his ass on the mountain.

 

[bilmcc]

I went to Zambia by myself, with one glitch coming back. I was missing my import gun permit. Fortunately, a police officer decided he would risk easing me through the system. It was pretty transparent, but a 100 tip and all problems disappeared. Also went to New Zealand and the wilds of Texas by myself. That's part of the adventure. In the Navy I travelled many places by myself, although when I had one or two companions it usually felt safer. There were two of us headed back to the ship in East Oakland when we were robbed at knifepoint by a few locals. Stuff is going to happen, alone or in groups. An adventure is a catastrophe that you survive.

 

[jeff]

Have made 6 hunts in SA by myself and all went good, been on 8 hunts to SA and Namibia with my wife or hunting buddy's, but wouldn't hesitate to go alone again, it's all great !