What do you do when you fill your package early?

[eatmore-pbj]

If you're lucky enough to fill your package early what do you do with your extra days? Do you feel obligation to the outfitter to keep hunting? Sitting at camp is no fun. Many times you cant find an alternative.You committed to the days and do you feel the PH has a commitment to at that point "babysit" you. That situation can become akward for both parties.

 

[BRICKBURN]

No obligation, just go hunting.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

If you are paying a daily rate/fee, that should include PH, truck, and tracker, so keep hunting. You never know what you'll see and you may not make it back. I never sit around camp, I just keep hunting. You may see a monster warthog or something they want culled. Maybe a Jackal or baboon....

 

[Boyd Brooks]

I was done my list half way through my 8 days but my buddy was just starting as it took him 3 days to bag his buffalo. My daughter and myself were lucky enough to join my ph to hunt one horned antelope and did some Guinea fowl and Francolin hunting. He also taught my daughter how to drive a standard and took us to see a 2000 plus year old Baobab tree as well as other site seeing. I am fairly sure that they will insure you have a great time no matter what transpires.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

This happened on my first hunt.

My PH, who is also the owner, sat down and discussed options with me. There was zero pressure from him, something I have always appreciated greatly, after reading a few horror stories on here. He was totally cool with me chilling at the lodge, or finding touristy things to do. In the end I wanted to hunt - I did not know if I'd ever make it back. And we focused on low dollar items - I added a second impala, a warthog, a springbok... and he offered a management/cull kudu bull. I have said this before: I cannot imagine my first experience could have been better, in any possible way, and how I was allowed to fill my time was a part of that.

 

[WildWill]

Didn't feel obligated but I kept hunting. I made sure to have extra funds before going incase I found something that peaked my interest. My outfitter had several day trips and spa type packages I could've done and might have if the wife had come along. But I came to hunt and hunt is what I did. If warthog isn't on the package I'd suggest chasing one of those cheap, fun to hunt, and challenging to find a big one.

 

[Field28]

Didn't feel obligated but I kept hunting. I made sure to have extra funds before going incase I found something that peaked my interest. My outfitter had several day trips and spa type packages I could've done and might have if the wife had come along. But I came to hunt and hunt is what I did. If warthog isn't on the package I'd suggest chasing one of those cheap, fun to hunt, and challenging to find a big one.

Another option that is not overly expensive with most Outfitters is a bushbuck! Fair warning, you'll be hooked on hunting them afterwards.

 

[mdwest]

always budget for a bit more than your anticipated package will cost.. that way if a target of opportunity comes up, or if you tag out early, you have options.. .

depending on the year we've done different things... sometimes we just keep hunting (budgeted money is still available and we dont want to just sit in camp).. sometimes we'll do an additional excursion or two (theres always a "sanctuary" of some sort nearby (close to where we hunt there is an elephant sanctuary and a primate sanctuary).. or we'll hit Pilanesberg National Park for a day.. etc.. or just go to the nearest city and do some shopping or have a nice meal in town, etc.. sometimes we'll focus on low cost - nuisance type animals that are not just fun to hunt, but also help out the outfitter.. we'll spend an afternoon hanging around camp resting so that we can go out all night to jackal hunt.. etc..

 

[Lumaberpat]

In this situation, would it be inappropriate to swap the gun for a camera and have the rest of your prepaid hunting days be a photographic safari?

 

[Green Chile]

Many of us have met our hunting goals early and I have often found that is when something magical seems to happen. You go back out with an open mind and end up finding something really cool...no pressure but it might be the biggest XYZ you've ever seen. I've taken top 10 animals in exactly that way...more than once. I've also found some really interesting old males just by looking around relaxed or being open to seeing a new area. I will also ask the PH, is there a part of this area that we haven't seen yet that you think I would like? Those are some cool memories and sometimes trophies taken.

 

[Joker12]

In this situation, would it be inappropriate to swap the gun for a camera and have the rest of your prepaid hunting days be a photographic safari?

Why not, sounds like a nice relaxing way to just enjoy being in Africa. A bit of bird watching could also be big fun!

 

[Green Chile]

We were sitting in camp after lunch about 1 month ago...end of the hunt...and the PH says do you think you could hit that baboon down there...it was over 300 meters and he brought a suppressed rifle over and I killed the baboon...then we took it over to the lake and fed the crocs and videoed it. That was really interesting and cost me nothing.

 

[DieJager]

Some cull hunting/meat hunts if possible. Also nice to write my journal, have some drinks in the sun or in the pool. Just relax and enjoy Africa.

 

[CAustin]

No obligation, just go hunting.

Exactly, enjoy the bush, sit by a nice fire and enjoy a glass of bourbon!

 

[PARA45]

This happened on my first hunt.

My PH, who is also the owner, sat down and discussed options with me. There was zero pressure from him, something I have always appreciated greatly, after reading a few horror stories on here. He was totally cool with me chilling at the lodge, or finding touristy things to do. In the end I wanted to hunt - I did not know if I'd ever make it back. And we focused on low dollar items - I added a second impala, a warthog, a springbok... and he offered a management/cull kudu bull. I have said this before: I cannot imagine my first experience could have been better, in any possible way, and how I was allowed to fill my time was a part of that.

The same happened to me, I had paid for a package and got done early. I had already added three extra animals, Warthog, Black Wildebeest and a Hartebeest. So, I sat around camp, relaxing smoking a couple of good cigars, and enjoying the wildlife that came down to eat the green grass below the lodge. The owner's dad asked me one day if I wanted to go sight in some rifles, and I did that with him. Another day the owner asked if I wanted to go with him to check fences, and I spent half day doing that. We bumped into some Egyptian Geese, and the owner asked me if I wanted to take one, and I did, I used his Sako 222 Rem. Unfortunately, I had another hunt in the Kalahari, so I was already stretching my budget, and I didn't want to be tempted. LOL!

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Same has happened to me on all my hunts it seems. I always budget a little extra for cull animals, bird hunts or sight seeing. I have never sat around camp except maybe the last afternoon and start packing. We always find something to do.

 

[steve white]

Sand grouse are a blast!

 

[Firebird]

If affordable, keep hunting! I have also visited game parks with a camera and sat in a baited blind with only a camera-both experiences were very worthwhile

 

[375Fox]

There is no obligation to the outfitter but I think there is one to yourself if you traveled all that way. I’ve ended North American hunts early because my tag was filled. I think what I like so much about Africa is you book the days more so than the animal. I’ll never end an African hunt early. I want to utilize all the days I booked. There is always some low cost hunting available impala, warthog, birds or fishing. Talk with outfitter and PH and they will find a solution for you to use all the days you booked.

 

[Green Chile]

You mention fishing...I had never fished in Africa until the last trip and we had some extra time. It was a blast just hanging out with a cold drink and watching the crocs swim by and looking down at hippo tracks. We didn't catch much but I was having a great time.