Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Question about Africa Hunting.....

Never considered a safari, but beginning to develop an interest. What happens to the meat from these animals, can't bring it with you, is it given/sold to locals. Is taxedermy done there usually, or in US? Problems bring in guns, bringing them back to US? Might have a job in Oman before too long for a short bit, maybe I could combine with a hunt somewhere in Africa? Don't think I'm interested in dangerous game, but havn't thought about it much. Have a 375 Ruger, couple of short 300 mags, 7 mag, 30-06.... Suppose a couple would be optimal for a hunt? Anything smaller or bigger for what I understand to be plains game?

The meat is owned and used by the landowner in any capacity they see fit. The hunter is paying for the hunt, and the trophy parts only. The meat is not legal to export, so it's of no value to the visiting hunter. We use the meat in the camp to feed the hunters, and the staff. The excess is sold, donated, or used by the local people. Depending upon the species some meat has no value, and some has a pretty good value. It also depends upon how badly shot up it is, or if it were gut shot and found dead the next day. Game shot several times has very little market value.

Hunting with me the guns are simply no effort to bring into Africa or get back home. Going to Oman first is a very big problem as I rather doubt you would get permits to bring your own firearms into that country. Maybe things have changed? but I doubt it. If you need firearms your welcome to use my Very nice 30/06 or 375HH. I will also have a .223 in camp Next season. All my rifles are very high end, these are my personal hunting rifles, not some camp beater guns. Although my 30/06 is ......... well lets say it has developed some character over the years!

I provide all pre issued permits and an escort to meet you as you get off the jet in Joburg. You will be escorted through the "special persons" imigration line and you will be expressed through the customs process with my staff there. The arrangements are exclusive for my hunters. Post a question here to anyone who has hunted with me about this process, I promise you everyone will say the same thing...... they are the best possible and there has never been a hangup or question about the guns, it is effortless and smooth sailing through the system.

One 300 mag or a 30/06 is all you need. Anything bigger so long as you can shoot it freehand to 50 yards and with an improvised rest to 150 is plenty good enough. Premium bullets are very much desired by me!

Taxidermy is done where you prefer. We have good people to manage this in RSA, Safari Taxidermy in Polokwane is competitive and provides quality work. They also have pretty darn quick turnaround. They will Dip Pak for you and then ship the dried and salted skins to the Taxidermist of your choice in the USA. The cost is a bit less in RSA, but it's always your decision to choose any Taxidermist or dip pack you like in Africa and have this done in RSA or the USA it's always your choice.

I can help with the logistics of either decision for you.

Thanks for the info, given me a lot of things to research. We do have a lot of exotics here in TX, some free ranging, others on ranches,so I am familiar with some, but I for sure don't know what is reasonably available in Africa. Where you outfit (what country?), what types of plains game are available? I have hunted for 30+ years in TX, but am ignorant of African hunting at this point. Would it be possible to ship my rifles to your operation in Africa, and pick the up for a hunt on my way back to the US? Could a hunt be had in 3 or 4 days on my way home?

You must arrive with the firearms, that is simply the law and there is no reasonable or functional means to do this otherwise. 3-4 days would be fine, even one day is fine, but you would be greatly limited in the amount and quality of game with such a short stay. It's also three hours drive from the airport so you would lose part of each day with travel.

My website is listed on every post I make, please click on it and see the place and what game we have to offer. There is a major change with updates and new photos's coming next week. So check back to see the pictures from last year, and then later in October, or so we will be adding the rest from the 2009 season as I get them from the hunters.

Also ask those here who have hunted with me, and look at the photo's they have. Dozens of frequent visitors to this site have hunted with us and had a wonderful and safe trip.

Dude, you need to make a safari friend. The questions you are asking need face time. I'd suggest getting to a local chapter of SCI or another safari club, even if just to meet up with an outfitter (such as JJHack). You absolutely do NOT want to wander into this deal blind and it sounds like you have bunches of questions. Enjoy the process and get a LOT of references!

Joe_Kidd

Come up to the Houston Safari Club convention in January. (It follows the SCI / Dallas meeting which is a bit more intense than Houston's.) Saturday of the weekend is when I get a day pass and visit friends from past safaris, look over Africa merchandise and catch up on news. Lots of the particulars can be discussed once you have chosen an outfitter / booking agent. You can only find out so much by reading, videos, etc.

OK think I will try to attend Dallas or Houston SCI this year. Could use a few friends in the know about this stuff. If I can't pre-ship a gun, can I do the hunt first and ship everything back to the US, and then go to Oman for my job?

If time is tight, ask what rifles are available for rent and use something similar to practice with beforehand, especially with "sticks". Then you can skip the hassle of permitting yours.

+++1. You can also get a real feel for the PH and their operation.

rej

I have hunted twice in Africa. Though never with JJHack, he has told you everything you need to know.

RSA is best as your first destination. While bringing rifles into RSA is simple, I would use your outfitter's, like JJ suggests, due to the Oman factor.

I would also allow at least one week (7 days) for hunting. JJHack hunts in Limpopo Province, where I have hunted. The nice thing about that, as opposed to the Eastern Cape or Namibia, is you save a day of travelling and an overnight in J'burg.

Do what I did for my first (and only so far) trip, borrow a rifle from the outfitter. JJHack was my outfitter and he hooked me up with a great PH. I used a loaner rifle. I practiced with sticks beforehand and then practiced with the loaner rifle on my sticks before starting my hunt. It worked out very painless.

http://24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/2663718/My_first_African_hunt#Post2663718

http://www.shakariconnection.com/index.html

Check out this spot as well as JJhack's. Wonderfully accurate and relevant info. Both are frequent posters. Both are no BS guys who only give honest info,
Randy

I hunted with Jim last year and had a terrific time. He was my PH and I used his 30-06. I shot a Kudu, Gemsbok and two Impalas. His rifle is is a pre-64 Model 70 that has a new barrel and Leupold scope. Four shots, four dead animals. All the animals were fine trophies. The two other hunters in camp also shot fine trophies. At least four animals qualified for Safari Club International, Roland Ward or both. If I go to Africa again it will be with Jim. I have fished and hunted with outfitters all over Canada and Alaska and Jim's camp was the best overall. In addition he is a great guy to spend time with.

Steeleman

I hope JJ won't mind me correcting him slightly by saying it what happens to the meat depends on what country you're hunting and in some cases, the species and how it's taken.

In SA it's usually the property of the landowner, in countries such as Tanzania, it's usually given to the camp staff in most (actually game reserve) areas because there are no local populations to give or sell it to. What can't be taken and dried is either used for cat baits or feeds the vultures & hyenas etc.

In Botswana, if it's a PAC animal, the meat usually goes to waste because the game dept usually forbid the hunters or others to take any part of the animal and by the time they get there, it's buggered.

My thanks to Medicman for referring you to our website and we hope you'll find ALL the answers you need there to research your future safari.

Thanks for that additional input, Since this was a South Africa kinda thread, I never considered the other countries procedures. As usual for you good information to share!

Always a pleasure buddy!

Starting off with a ranch hunt in Limpopo is a good way to get your feet wet. There are dozens of safari companies in many different countries hunting a wide variety of game, some at economical rates, some at celestial prices. Most guys say, "I'll just do one trip." Warning: if you get Africa in your blood, as many of us have, you'll be doing anything you can to get back as often as you can. And remember these words: Cape buffalo. They'll come up in future conversations.

Ingwe

Ain't that the damn truth!

I started with a great hunt with Jim's group last year for plains game in the Limpopo. Am off next week to Zimbabwe for buffalo and am planning a third trip for 2011. (Have to skip 2010 'cause I can't afford the divorce.)

Still need nyala, sable, leopard, big warthog, ... (and a new house to have a place for all of them. - all on a working man's budget.)

I am going to respectfully disagree with your first destination. My first African adventure was 10 days in the Selous. There is nothing like a tented camp in the Selous. Lions carrying on all night, elephants wandering through camp, and crocs splashing in the river. I remember every detail of the trip, and can't wait to get back.

I have hunted in SA, it was a good trip, nice trophy's and accommodations were first class, reminding me of a nice resort. Other than the game, was not unlike a first class ranch hunt in the states.

Another part of the Safari is hunting with my own weapons. I have worked up all loads with premium components. Having to use a rental weapon, while maybe necessary do to unforeseen circumstances, would take away from my hunt.

On last point, if possible give yourself time to see whatever country you hunt. While some consider downtown Dar a pit, I spent the best part of a day checking it out, buying some Tanzanite, a great lunch, and buying some wine. My outfitter arranged for the "tour" headed up by Donald who greeted me at the airport. Lunch was past the pavement, but the lobster was excellent.

My outfitter in SA arranged for a tour of Bloemfontein. Some great museums there. He arranged for a reporter from Sky News to be our guide, the restaurant he picked for dinner was excellent. Very interesting gentleman.

The point I am trying to make is while the hunt is the reason for the trip, take time to make it a total adventure. You will be glad you did.