Verifying Hunting Outfitters and Professional Hunters Credentials

[pigslayer]

I'm trying to verify an outfitters and professional hunters licensing in the Northwest Province in South Africa.

Sent an email to info@tourismnorthwest.co.za , but haven't had them respond. Does someone have better contact info. to inquire about this sort of question and hunting in general ?

Thanks much !

 

[buchnerl]

I'm trying to verify an outfitters and professional hunters licensing in the Northwest Province in South Africa.

Sent an email to info@tourismnorthwest.co.za , but haven't had them respond. Does someone have better contact info. to inquire about this sort of question and hunting in general ?

Thanks much !

These guys might help you out: PHASA - PHASA Members

 

[SafariA]

I am sorry to say you might have trouble ..... If the mentioned person cannot be verified through PHASA North West Parks is in absolute disarray ! They will probably not be able to give you any information if you could ever get through to them .

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I'm trying to verify an outfitters and professional hunters licensing in the Northwest Province in South Africa.

Sent an email to info@tourismnorthwest.co.za , but haven't had them respond. Does someone have better contact info. to inquire about this sort of question and hunting in general ?

Thanks much !

Pigslayer,
Don't hold your breath on receiving a response from them either. The tourism board won't be able to help you. PHASA will be the people to contact. If you follow the link posted, you can check up on the outfitter's surname whether he is a member or not. Whether being a member to PHASA is a way of making sure you are going with a reputable outfit, is an entirely different topic on its own. Many swear by it, others swear at it. I am a member because of what they stand for.
Why not ask about the outfit right here. Chances are there are members of this forum who have dealt with the outfit.
All the best in your search for answers sir. I'm sure you will find what you are after.

Best Regards,
Marius Goosen

 

[James.Grage]

+1
What Marius Said...

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Refer to this page under South Africa: AfricaHunting.com - Hunting Clubs, Hunting Associations, Hunting Organizations

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Pigslayer,
Don't hold your breath on receiving a response from them either. The tourism board won't be able to help you. PHASA will be the people to contact. If you follow the link posted, you can check up on the outfitter's surname whether he is a member or not. Whether being a member to PHASA is a way of making sure you are going with a reputable outfit, is an entirely different topic on its own. Many swear by it, others swear at it. I am a member because of what they stand for.
Why not ask about the outfit right here. Chances are there are members of this forum who have dealt with the outfit.
All the best in your search for answers sir. I'm sure you will find what you are after.

Best Regards,
Marius Goosen

Spot on Marius...

After all that is what makes AH so great many hunters on here a wealth of knowledge gained through experience rather than hear say...

My best always.

 

[Diamondhitch]

Do not trust the PHASA logo on an outfitters website either. Yerify it on PHASAs member list.

I found an outfitter with a big writeup about his glorious involvement in PHASA on his homepage but didn't see him in PHASA member list when doing my background check. I emailed PHASA to see if it was an oversight. They emailed me back thanking me for bringing it to their attention and the outfitter had removed the writeup and the PHASA symbol. As it turns out he was actually a legitimate outfit but that blatant lie on his homepage cost him my business (it was down to him and 1 other at the time).

 

[pigslayer]

thanks gents for your response ! i've since contacted more sources. will post if any are successful.

it just seems amazing how there are so many outfitters in south africa but there isn't any way to verify their licensing !!!! how do they get registered ???

 

[Bos en Dal SAFARIS]

Pigslayer i must admit i think Marius's idea is the best way for you to verify an outfitter or PH. You just ask AH. About the way they work in NW..
Each year you need to reapply for your PH and outfitter permits from Nature conservation. This is different from the Limpopo province where your license is valid for three years.

Regards

 

[peras]

Follow Marius's advice.We operate in both Limpopo and Northwest,and like Gerrit mentioned in Northwest we re apply for permits every year.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

agree with all of the above, you could also ask to see relevant permits, Outfitter, PH and such, I attach these quite often especially on the Mozambique hunts to prove both.

On the other hand if I had to go to that extent to book a safari with an outfitter I simply would not do it, IMO it means that you have not been supplied with ample or enough references to make you feel secure in booking. Or with a booking contract for that matter...

I would go screw it and find someone else, (once again just my opinion)

My best always

 

[shakari]

Actually guys, I hope you don't mind me making a slight correction there. PHASA will be able to confirm or deny if the guy is a member of PHASA or not but not whether he holds a licence for that Province or not & if he's not a member that doesn't necessarily mean he's not a good & qualified PH....... Not all good RSA PHs are members & not all members are good PHs.

The way to do it is to ask for a copy of the (valid & up to date PH licence for that Province) & then run his name past the forums for independent references & opinions etc.

I'd also recommend you do the same for the outfitter.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Actually guys, I hope you don't mind me making a slight correction there. PHASA will be able to confirm or deny if the guy is a member of PHASA or not but not whether he holds a licence for that Province or not & if he's not a member that doesn't necessarily mean he's not a good & qualified PH....... Not all good RSA PHs are members & not all members are good PHs.

The way to do it is to ask for a copy of the (valid & up to date PH licence for that Province) & then run his name past the forums for independent references & opinions etc.

I'd also recommend you do the same for the outfitter.

I believe most of us agree 100%.... I for one do.

But once again going through all that to verify... Clearly not many references or a booking contract, I stare again if I was that suspicious I would go with someone else...

My best always

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Actually guys, I hope you don't mind me making a slight correction there. PHASA will be able to confirm or deny if the guy is a member of PHASA or not but not whether he holds a licence for that Province or not & if he's not a member that doesn't necessarily mean he's not a good & qualified PH....... Not all good RSA PHs are members & not all members are good PHs.

The way to do it is to ask for a copy of the (valid & up to date PH licence for that Province) & then run his name past the forums for independent references & opinions etc.

I'd also recommend you do the same for the outfitter.

I believe most of us agree 100%.... I for one do.

But once again going through all that to verify... Clearly not many references or a booking contract, I'll say it again if I was that suspicious I would go with someone else...

There are enough reputable outfitters out there on this site, at the expos and everywhere else.

The other approach would be to ask, on this site, and in particular on this thread.....combined there is probably over a century or at least close to online right now in ways of outfitters and ph's and both..

We do provide good references for multiple outfitters in the industry on a regular basis and will be more than happy to do so again. If not we can easily source info.

My best always

 

[shakari]

Getting the info is easy. All you do is email the PH & Outfitter & ask them to email you a copy of their licence.

Then all you've got to do is run the names of the PH & Outfitter past the forums for comment........ asking the PH & Outfitter to give you references is actually fairly pointless because they won't give you the contact details of a dissatisfied client and they could easily be faking the good references themselves.

As for safari contracts: Anyone who books a hunt without a comprehensive, detailed written contract (especially with someone they don't know from a bar of soap) is crazy simply because they don't know what they're getting for their money.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Getting the info is easy. All you do is email the PH & Outfitter & ask them to email you a copy of their licence.

Then all you've got to do is run the names of the PH & Outfitter past the forums for comment........ asking the PH & Outfitter to give you references is actually fairly pointless because they won't give you the contact details of a dissatisfied client and they could easily be faking the good references themselves.

As for safari contracts: Anyone who books a hunt without a comprehensive, detailed written contract (especially with someone they don't know from a bar of soap) is crazy simply because they don't know what they're getting for their money.

Agreed once again Shakari, but disagree on references, any outfit that can provide 10 - 20 CURRENT REFERENCES NOT 2 - 3 or 4 year old...should be taken serious.

References are a very important part, one could always add 500 names would this be regarded as sufficient...

Always ask for references. Apart from all other research as already mentioned.
My best always

 

[spike.t]

jaco did you get the email i sent you asking about someone?

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Spike No forward it again please I'll have a look and let you know right away, I might have over looked it... Oops! Will be on the lookout and in the office for the next week or so.

My best always

 

[BRICKBURN]

I certainly ask for licences of both the Outfitter and the PH. Why not?
It is one more link to a clean well run outfit.

It is one of the last steps I take after all the REFERENCES and CONVERSATIONS have taken place. It's not the first question.

I recall someone taking offence a while back for me proposing this idea here on AH. Can't recall their name.
Somehow he thought it was private information and none of my business.
I was shocked at the stupidity.
It is the basis of the contract for services that are entering in to. No license, you can't Outfit!
Prove you can.
The candy store on the street corner has to post a license to do business in my city. He can't sell dime candy without it.

I would never hunt with anyone who would not provide it.
What's to hide???

I also asked for CAE for the properties I was going to be hunting on.
Another technical link of the required chain for legal hunting and making sure my trophies will get out of the country.

I do not ask to see the written agreement for the concession, although they are required by law, I think this is a private matter. What the Outfitter is paying for the rights and the cost of the animals is up to them.
(You'll note that several hunts have recently been pulled from AH because of a misunderstanding with the landowner. How can that occur if there is a written agreement in place?? )

I have a GPS with African Topo data on it, including all the local farm boundaries marked and I use it during my hunts.
I want to know where I am hunting.

SHOWS
SCI does not screen outfits selling hunts at the convention.
They disclaim all responsibility in the fine print.

CONTRACTS
A written hunting contract is required by law.
But, it is only as good as the man on the other end signing it.


Get all the information you require and use all the methods and means at your disposal, including hunters, Outfitters/PH's and retired guys, to make yourself feel comfortable in making your purchase.