How well seasoned are you?

[bashaw]

Unfortunately such mentality is always present. High percentage. Many hunters in my vicinity, prefer to hunt for free or for cheap. This is the reason to join hunting club, although for hunting this is not mandatory. But non members of a club pay, while club member have very conveniently priced annual membership fee with obligation of some voluntary work.
They are happy to bag a hog and bring it home. I am sure, on many occasion they forget the tag. Which is the reason why so many club managed hunting areas are depleted of game. So:
"You are crazy to pay so much money for safari, and not bring meat home".

Another view: "I will never hunt in Africa, before I hunt all the species available in our country". BTW 90% of hunters never get all the species, because they dont even try. Roe deer and boar and thats it, most common game.

The first is attitude of a poacher for a cheap meat. The second is just excuse for the people to stay in their comfort zone.

I'm a ways away from getting the N American 29, no skin off my teeth I'm 3 sheep, Goat, Wolf, Tule Elk and Grizzly away. For the price of one of the Sheep hunts, thats 2 or 3 trips to Africa, The Wolf is very high on my list.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I am surprised that I am the only one who had their first Africa hunt as a teenager. No one else had parents take you on hunts?

@Tanks
I took my son when he was 14.
Acquitted himself well with a big standard Howa 308 with 150 gn accubond and 140gn mono outer edge projectiles. Game from impala to zebra and gemsbok/ oryx
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I started late ( 54 )
But these year I took my 14 year old Son with me!!

View attachment 644657View attachment 644658

@Kilo
I go so much joy watching my son hunt Namibia and still do everytime we hunt together at home.
Just gives you a sense of pride that only a father can understand.
Bob

 

[R eight]

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 still haven’t got to Africa and I’m in my mid 60’s….so I’m still young.

I can come up with any number of excuses for not getting to Africa. But, I guess that the real reason has been that I haven’t prioritised it so far. I had the opportunity to go in’93 but the opportunity to shoot at Camp Perry came along at the same time. Camp Perry won and I have no regrets.
Then I figured that I’d better hunt NZ and Alaska and Canada whilst I can still climb hills. I figured Africa is probably flatter and more forgiving of old men. Who knows ? I certainly hope so. So, four NA hunts down and that itch has been scratched ….sort of.

Anyway, NZ again next year and every year after while I can ….and Africa for late 2025 or definitely in 2026. Elephant and or buffalo.

Nice to have first world problems.

 

[R eight]

I am surprised that I am the only one who had their first Africa hunt as a teenager. No one else had parents take you on hunts?

I guess my parents didn’t love me. If they had have then I’m sure my dad would have robbed a bank or three to finance a safari.

 

[DillonG]

I once had that chase the draw for mule deer, elk and bear bug and never got any results, now I’m strictly private land or international hunting, way more productive
And cost efficient, just my 57 year old 2ct
I survived cancer and it really helped me realize life is short and the world is a big place
To have tunnel vision on the western states , when Mexico, Yukon, Africa, Australia
Mid Asia hold a lot more freedom and buying power for free range animals and adventures, going when you are young and healthy has lots of benefits and merit

I would love to go on a hunt in Alaska or BC. The wife and I are going through IVF. So that burns about $5k/month. That is dependent on what we had done the month previous. Until this is done, I will keep buying my points and living vicariously through hunt reports on AH and other websites.

 

[Hunt anything]

I’m only 60 for another month from today. I hunted Mozambique in 2014 at 50, made it to South Africa in 2018 and twice in 2021. Planning on another RSA trip in 25, after that no more RSA but hopefully will do a Zambia or another Mozambique hunt to finish up my Africa “career” by the time I turn 65 in 2028.

I should amend this, I do want to hunt RSA one more time. I want to return to the Eastern Cape and hunt with Wic and Game 4 Africa one more time!

 

[DillonG]

I should amend this, I do want to hunt RSA one more time. I want to return to the Eastern Cape and hunt with Wic and Game 4 Africa one more time!

Is the travel and time away from home what is keeping you from going back in maybe 2026 or 2027? I still have a long way before retirement. I am curious what your reasoning is.

 

[Hunt anything]

Is the travel and time away from home what is keeping you from going back in maybe 2026 or 2027? I still have a long way before retirement. I am curious what your reasoning is.

I like to have everything home and paid for before going on another safari. Plus my wife wants to do some non hunting trips. She has been so supportive of my hunting travels I have no problems with her planning some adventures. She doesn’t hunt but tags along on my African trips and really enjoys it. My tentative plans are a wilderness hunt with a return to Mozambique or Zambia, we are going to RSA in August ‘25 that she actually booked for us. Then the Moz or Zambia in ‘27 and go back to Game 4 Africa in ‘29, the trip to G4A may be my retirement present to myself except farmers don’t really ever retire.

 

[Rare Breed]

I guess my parents didn’t love me. If they had have then I’m sure my dad would have robbed a bank or three to finance a safari.

No surprise to answer @Tanks comment about not many teen agers hunting Africa. Over 50% of us 50+. Unfortunately while not a rich man’s game raising family takes its financial hit. I put my two kids through college spending over $300,000 cash to do so but well worth it…think about the opportunity cost for Africa safari’s with that money!!!!!

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

No surprise to answer @Tanks comment about not many teen agers hunting Africa. Over 50% of us 50+. Unfortunately while not a rich man’s game raising family takes its financial hit. I put my two kids through college spending over $300,000 cash to do so but well worth it…think about the opportunity cost for Africa safari’s with that money!!!!!

You could’ve told your kids to join the army or get good at sports and re-allocated those funds to Africa. Thats what my parents told me growing up, but then again they didn’t have the funds to re-allocate, hence never going to Disney World either.

 

[375Fox]

I would love to go on a hunt in Alaska or BC. The wife and I are going through IVF. So that burns about $5k/month. That is dependent on what we had done the month previous. Until this is done, I will keep buying my points and living vicariously through hunt reports on AH and other websites.

Sitka blacktail deer in SE Alaska is the most affordable hunt in Alaska. Also one of the most unique landscapes I’ve ever hunted. Huge old growth forest, clear cuts, and mountain alpine. The first hunt I did was in August in the alpine while bucks were still in velvet. The second I did was in November during the rut. I got to salmon fish, set crab traps, as well as take 5 bucks, just a great experience at a similar price to most mule deer hunts.