Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game What to do... Europe or Africa?

So I was planning to hunt Brown Bear, Chamois, boar and roebuck in Romania this fall. My hunting friend from Sweden was to join me.

The guide in Romania has been great but did not get the bear quota this year he had hoped for so there is no bear tag for me this year. My partner is also trying to sell his home and wavering on if he will even come to hunt. The bear was the appeal to me and the chamois was the cherry on top.

For close enough to even money I could travel down to RSA for a week of solo PG hunting. A package like Cape Kudu, Impala, Common Springbuck, and Gemsbuck.

The vacation is approved for October. Where would you go? I have not hunted either.

I am currently overseas and will be borrowing a rifle in either location if that makes a difference to anyone.

I'd still go to Romania. Sounds like a sweet hunt, even without the bear.

Haverluk,
read this and if you need more info let me know.
My story is almost like yours.
I was at a backyard BBQ, the host was putting together a trip to South Africa (RSA) for a Plain's Game hunt..at that time the plan was 2 years ahead so all 6 guys could save money and get ready.,,,,,short story, when the 2 years ended, 5 had bailed out, I was on my own. So I went ahead, flew to Joburg changed planes and flew to Port Liz, hunted for a week with a great outfit. Their package deal was 5 animals for $4000....this included room and meals and drinks (Sundowners)...I would love to do it again.
They are Mayogi Safaris in the Eastern cape, checkout their website.
Anyway,,,that is my suggestion.

I emailed Mayogi. We will see if they can accommodate my time window.

One vote for each so far. Hmm... Maybe I should have asked what scope to use?

Neither, I'd look at New Zealand or possibly Oz...

Coincidentally I am taking the family on vacation to Oz and the South Island of NZ in a couple weeks.

I have booked up a short hunt outside of Dunedin for the last couple days of August.

Haverluk,
I can add a bit more info.
I also did not take a rifle with me....I wanted an easy time going thru customs etc....so, I used a rifle that the PH had in their gun safe, 30-06 with a Zeiss scope, not a problem. Also, there were 2 other hunters in camp the same week. One from England and a French hunter who after a week at Mayogi was going to meet his wife in CapeTown for another weeks vacation. It was cool to talk guns and hunting with those guys. I had a super time.

Exporting trophies from Africa?

Don't forget.....as it is rarely mentioned

Budget $250 per animal for dip/pack/ship from SA to the states

Add in just over $400 more for a US broker to receive and then re-ship your crate

I've done the Africa ranch hunt thing...and while fun and fairly challenging (I hunted common free breeding critters like kudu, impala, warthog: not the put and take animals) I still would rather go to Europe. Being that you already have Oct time off, I would stay in the N Hemisphere to take advantage of the rut that time of year. I think Red Deer should be roaring right around then in Europe. Roe deer are more of a late spring/summer type thing I think but you may still have opportunity.

I do enjoy the southern hemi hunts, especially in the spring when I'm bored around here as that's their fall timeframe.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

An old world European hunt should be done by all at least once. Americans have this idea of Europeans being liberal, gun hating people. Europe has a long, rich gun history and some really great hunting. In my time there I received what could only be compared to Southern hospitality from the hunting community. Great people and a great time. I'd go to Romania.

If it were I, It would be Africa plains game/varmint/bird hunt. Your choice was for a bear which isn't available. Do Romania when they have a bear tag.

I bought tickets to Bucharest.
Chamois
Roebuck
Red Stag
Wild Boar
and so on...

Slight possibility I might still get a bear tag.

Decided to go to Africa for PG next year.

Thanks for all advise.

If you do plan on a trip to Africa next year make the trip to Namibia not RSA. Less money and free range animals. Of the two I think you will enjoy the Africa trip much more. Far more different animals to be seen, try keeping a written list of what you see if you do go to Namibia.