Rifle Lessons Learned from the Zimbabwe Professional Hunter Proficiency Exam

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

A few things to remember.

It is going to cost a Learner PH several thousands of dollars to take this test.
Time of work at least three days or more.

A week long prep course about $700.00.

Ammo for this course depending on ammo used probably $200.00

Cost of course, I do not know what it is now $100.00?

If LPH can pass doing a one station reshoot $20.00

Now for the rifle most will shoot .375 which mean they have to score 10 points higher to pass.
My observation of these rifle many or even most are not fit to use on dangerous game. Iron sights falling off, magazines falling open. Jams for mechanical reasons or short stroking. Sometimes you see the same defective rifle show up several times over a 2 o 3 period of time.

Now for the cost of these rifle. Up until now $2,000.00 to $3,000.00 is the average cost, until now.

Zimbabwe just increased gun licensing rates. Lets say you buy a Ruger in RSA for $2,000.00. Import permit $2,000.00. Duty 40%=$800.00 + license not sure now, but I think $350.00 total over $5,000.00.

Most will not by a new gun outside of the country & pay the import. This mean both decent rifle and sub standards are going up a hell of a lot.

A first time LPH may have a outlay of $4,000.00 to $5,000.00 for their first attempt. Some will never pass.

As a side note I think the highest score recorded was with a double if I am correct the deceased gentleman passed away a year or so ago.

Lon

 

[Luvthunt]

An who can debate the OP. What a resume he had!

 

[steve white]

Does anyone know what "Ganyana" means in African language?

 

[Ridge Runner]

It's been 14 years since the OP.
What, if any, comparison differences of the firearms used back then to the same models available /used today? ie. Ruger, Remington, and Winchester models; Are these manufacturered firearms better today than 14 years ago?

I ask because it seems Winchester and Ruger firearms are all a rage today. And they happen to be the two brands I am looking at in 458WM caliber for DG.

 

[PerH]

Does anyone know what "Ganyana" means in African language?

As I remember I saw posted on other forums like A……R and so on

We have to go back to the Matabele wars

Some music for context in background

During the war there one of his family members came up there with the Pioneer column . And under an engagement he shot a Matabele high ranking officer . When that was found post battle , Matabele said he was a nobility and its rank Ganyana was hereditary. And it also went to the young spur that took out an older knight, as was in some eras before . This led to him and lineage sons and so on being appointed to be nobility there .

 

[PCC600]

There have been two posts recently that really strike a chord with me, Geoff's one above and the one on 'beware the man with only one rifle'. To suggest such a thing to our USA members who can buy rifles like groceries and enjoy the pursuit is not meant to be in any way disparaging, but I wonder how many have a real favourite that could be the one and only if push came to shove?

A John Rigby 450 magnum .A single square bridge . An outstanding rifle . A joy to shoot and super accurate . I can always find 458 calibre bullets , I can use 416R brass if reloading and I can reliably hit something at 150 yards off hand . What more could I want ?

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

It's been 14 years since the OP.
What, if any, comparison differences of the firearms used back then to the same models available /used today? ie. Ruger, Remington, and Winchester models; Are these manufacturered firearms better today than 14 years ago?

I ask because it seems Winchester and Ruger firearms are all a rage today. And they happen to be the two brands I am looking at in 458WM caliber for DG.

Due to the Arms embargo there are very few new models being used.
Again import permit $2,000.00 + 40% + license a new Winchester .458 ends up costing $5,000.00 pluss.

Lon

 

[juan pablo pozzi]

Jerome,
No surprises in any of your commentary above. I have the ZKK602. Bought it in 458 Win and went straight to 450 Ackley. We had to do some work to get it to feed properly and it needed an extra cross bolt as I split the first stock first time on the range, but she hasn't missed a beat since 1996!
I regularly take her out pig shooting in hot (over 100°F) and dusty country and there's a lot of fast shooting going on. And I often fire the full compliment of six rounds as quickly as I can work that bolt and other than a slightly heady feeling (me), the rifle is fine! Never had an issue with the safety as I refuse to use one - the rifle is either loaded or it is not.
Agree that the ZKK602 is the most rugged, workhorse of a rifle around!
A double would be a dream, but the Brno (CZ) is certainly very achievable for us every day guys operating on every day budgets!

One of the best articles i ever read by my brother Ganyana