How well seasoned are you?

[Mtn_Infantry]

I’m in my 30s, but I don’t plan on hunting Africa until my 40s. The wife and I are using disposable income for family building. Additionally, I have been building points in western states for 8 years. I would like to burn some of them first. Hoping for a decent mule deer or spring black bear hunt to start.

You might want to look at Idaho if you can pull a tag from the queue. With 8 years of points you should be able to draw a fairly decent tag depending upon the state. I've got several states I've been chasing the more premium tags, with some of them going on 16/17 years.

My advice to you is create a short term, intermediate, and long term application strategy. Just be careful because the states can change how they do tags at the drop of a hat and like in my case and a few others on here 16/17 years of points might be worth nothing other than funding a states F&G Dept. as we're so far off max points and they're only awarding max points. Just some insight from someone who's also in their mid to late 30's and has been applying since the mid 2000's

 

[Killo]

I was 75 on my first Cape Buffalo hunt. 2 days ago I returned from my second buffalo hunt; I'm 77 and starting to plan my next.

Bravo

 

[DillonG]

You might want to look at Idaho if you can pull a tag from the queue. With 8 years of points you should be able to draw a fairly decent tag depending upon the state. I've got several states I've been chasing the more premium tags, with some of them going on 16/17 years.

My advice to you is create a short term, intermediate, and long term application strategy. Just be careful because the states can change how they do tags at the drop of a hat and like in my case and a few others on here 16/17 years of points might be worth nothing other than funding a states F&G Dept. as we're so far off max points and they're only awarding max points. Just some insight from someone who's also in their mid to late 30's and has been applying since the mid 2000's

I’ve been putting in for WY, CO, and I have a couple years on MT. I would definitely like to hunt bears in ID. I have not looked into the draw odds for any species for non-residents in ID.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I’ve been putting in for WY, CO, and I have a couple years on MT. I would definitely like to hunt bears in ID. I have not looked into the draw odds for any species for non-residents in ID.

Idaho does a "waiting room" type deal for general tags. On the day they go on sale you sign into the portal before a certain time and are assigned a random number. You then get to purchase the general non-res tags in the order of your randomly assigned number. Anyone joining after the time they go on sale goes to the back of the line. It used to be December 1st but for this year the date is December 10th. Make sure you have purchased your license before getting into the portal, it makes it a lot quicker.

Colorado you should be able to draw a decent tag. You're kinda in a limbo area with too many points for an ok tag and too few points to catch-up to the points creep for several decent tags. For me personally Colorado has become a short term draw plan state. I burned some points when I shouldn't have when the State made some changes to their application process years ago.

Wyoming is one of those states where I'm at 16/17 points. I'm chasing some specific tags, but points creep continues to put me 1-3 points behind drawing depending on the year. They also changed their tag percentages for Non-Residents a few years ago from 20% to 10% on several species. This has eliminated the random draw tags for the species changed. My personal worry here is they try to do that on the other species and I get caught in a grey area of having to outlive the folks with more points than me. Since at present, there are more max point holder than there are tags for the species that were changed and that doesn't include people with 1 or 2 points less. If/When I draw the tags I'd like in Wyoming, it will become a short term draw plan state IF I decide to keep playing the draw game. Given the changes they've made, I might take my money elsewhere.

Just my .02 and I know I'm not alone

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I’ve been putting in for WY, CO, and I have a couple years on MT. I would definitely like to hunt bears in ID. I have not looked into the draw odds for any species for non-residents in ID.

If you want to shoot a bear, come up here. No points and it's typically a slam dunk. Over bait of course.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Glad I got my elk in the seventies and eighties. It is crazy now. I have a Montana tag again this year but doubt I'll even see one. It's nutty how overrun things have become. I will hunt Africa from now on. Best bang for the buck.

 

[coreydb]

I’ve noticed through reading several of these threads that many here are older that I had initially presumed, many north of 60.

That makes sense given the nature of African Hunting and the financial position required to support this interest.

Just curious what the demographic breakdown is here. I’m in my 30’s for reference.

I’d also be interested to know at what age you started to pursue this interest?

I could only begin hunting Africa when I retired at 67. By then all my kids were in the workforce and finally had the time and free money to go. I'm 72 now with many trophies on my walls and annual safaris to Africa, but I also hunt in Europe.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

51 years old. Moved to Alaska in 2005 and did not hunt outside Alaska until just this year. Way took much wilderness to explore and animals to chase that I simply got a little distracted for a while. Did make it to Mexico this March for desert bighorn and then my first trip to Africa in June, taking a buff that was everything I had hoped for along with several other nice trophies, including a 47” Sable, Roan, Kudu and old Eland.

To make sure my youngest daughter who also has the sheep hunting bug doesn’t get similarly distracted by Alaska, I’m taking her to Africa this coming May. She harvested her first Dall ram at age 10, she will be 13 when we make her trip.

 

[coreydb]

That's great!

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

51 years old. Moved to Alaska in 2005 and did not hunt outside Alaska until just this year. Way took much wilderness to explore and animals to chase that I simply got a little distracted for a while. Did make it to Mexico this March for desert bighorn and then my first trip to Africa in June, taking a buff that was everything I had hoped for along with several other nice trophies, including a 47” Sable, Roan, Kudu and old Eland.

To make sure my youngest daughter who also has the sheep hunting bug doesn’t get similarly distracted by Alaska, I’m taking her to Africa this coming May. She harvested her first Dall ram at age 10, she will be 13 when we make her trip.

You’re about to have 2 bugs to fund for her. A Dall or any of the North American Sheep has always been my #1 bucket list animal. I’ve considered moving to Alaska for that exact reason

 

[runningman]

It’s sad to say I have been to Africa only twice
And the first was 43 the Second was two years ago and I will be 56 in 3months time.

 

[dogcat1]

Seasoned enough to know 99% of Democrats hate us and are trying to wreck our country and my industry.
Seasoned enough to know that we should never place faith in people, but only in the Lord.
Seasoned enough to know that doing what you say is a big deal and marks your integrity.
Seasoned enough to know that I have "enough" with where I am in life and where the Lord has placed me.

 

[Pondoro]

62, first hunt in Africa in 2013 at 51..have gone every year sans 2021..

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I’ve noticed through reading several of these threads that many here are older that I had initially presumed, many north of 60.

That makes sense given the nature of African Hunting and the financial position required to support this interest.

Just curious what the demographic breakdown is here. I’m in my 30’s for reference.

I’d also be interested to know at what age you started to pursue this interest?

@Northern Shooter
I'm 66 and started shooting at the local pistol club that my father was a founding member of at the age of 4or5.
My job was to load dad's magazines for him and after the shoot all the kids were given the chance to shoot pistols and rifles under instructions from the adults. This led to a life long passion of shooting, hunting and all thing weapons related.
My dad taught me a lot as he was an armouer in the military.
Fortunately I have been able to pass this knowledge and passion into my son. I started him off in the bush tracking animals and shooting and processing his own game. Like me I started his training at the age of 5. At 14 he did his trip to Namibia and is now completely hooked on hunting. At age 20 he has 5 of his own rifles and shotguns as well as a custom made knife using Nitro V steel by my dear friend Ted Mitchell. He shoots and hunts at every chance he gets.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My local hunting club, about 140 members of local people, none of them ever hunted Africa. Thier average age is 57.4.
I dont remember when I last saw a hunter younger then 35, not only in my club, but also when participating in various driven hunt as guest

My theory:
When you reach adolescent age, you need everything to set up living: house, mortgage, car, job, then comes family, wife, children. By the time average young man sets up everything he is at least 40.

Hunting costs. By the time you get to buy first rifle with scope, and other gear, you are over 40.
That is typical urban and suburban situation.

In rural parts, is different and people in general start early with their fathers. So demographic in rural parts is different.

Then comes The Africa.
Small numbers go there. In my hunting club of 140 members, I am only one going to Africa.
If judging by that source, less then 1% of hunters go to Africa, and of those few that I know, most of them is one time - enough - of - Africa - for - me, type.

I asked my hunting agent, 99% of his clients is African one timers.

@mark-hunter
My son did his first Safari at 14 to Namibia.
He is now building a life for himself at age 20. He has his own 4x4 for daily use and hunting, is saving for a deposit for a house. He works 4 jobs plus full time university. On top of that he has a girlfriend of a few years and still hunts.
I asked him what his girlfriend thinks of his hunting. Told me she doesn't mind but if she did she would have to live with it or find another boyfriend.
At our local club we have about 2,000 members with about 40% under 30. Out of those my son and I are the only ones that have hunted Africa ( Namibia). A few have said they would love to one-day but at their age it will be to late. A few of the younger under 50s would love to and a few have guns like 338s, 375 and a couple of 458s dream of it.
When I show them my hunt photos they say it looks great would love to do it but to dear. We then have a conversation about cost and they realise how affordable it can be and are saving to go soon. We will see what happens. Hopefully they get there and fulfill their dreams.
Bob

 

[Daniel Cary]

not very well, at all

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I went for the first time in 2021, age 54.
Second time was last year, age 56.

I wanted to go next year but my hopes are diminishing: a recent divorce is going to scuttle that - I have things to pay from that.

I had wanted to go for most of my adult life but it was more like a "win the lottery" type hope or dream.

Bowhunter Magazine had an article by Dwight Schuh back in the 80s that highlighted bowhunting in South Africa - anyone remember that article? I think that was the first time I thought about Africa in terms of the possibility of it being real. I think the name of the place was Melorani? I have that magazine buried in a box somewhere.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My first was 2017 at age 77. 2 more at 78 and 79. I had one planned for 2021 but covid quashed that one. I'm 84 now and still contemplate going back again.

@Newboomer
You deserve another trip before you get old mate.
Hopefully your health keeps well and you can get there again soon.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I went for the first time in 2021, age 54.
Second time was last year, age 56.

I wanted to go next year but my hopes are diminishing: a recent divorce is going to scuttle that - I have things to pay from that.

I had wanted to go for most of my adult life but it was more like a "win the lottery" type hope or dream.

Bowhunter Magazine had an article by Dwight Schuh back in the 80s that highlighted bowhunting in South Africa - anyone remember that article? I think that was the first time I thought about Africa in terms of the possibility of it being real. I think the name of the place was Melorani? I have that magazine buried in a box somewhere.

@Tundra Tiger
I had dreams of African hunting with my first marriage but that ended in a messy divorce

She got the gold mine I just got the shaft.
Second marriage similar to No1

Marriage three beautiful wife. When I was forced to retire due to medical reasons my beautiful wife asked what I would like to do.
I told her hunt Namibia with her and my son. Fortunately we were in a pretty good financial position and didn't need anything.
She said don't just sit there MAKE IT HAPPEN.
We did and it was the best hunting experience of my life, sharing it with my family with a rifle I had built for the hunt. Yes my 35 Whelen.
A man can't get any happier than that.
Beautiful wife, great son and the freedom to hunt
Life is good.
Bob