Hi All, Have had an itch to hunt Impala for a long while and an curious as to your thought as to the best place. I know there is Impala hunting in the US and have looked at several sites in Texas but most of animals I see taken look somewhat different than African Impala. Is there a big difference between the African Impala and the exotics raised in this country?

Most of the sites I see are talking 7,000.00 US to hunt Impala in the lower 48. Is an African hunt he only serious option and what is your experience as to the price to hunt Impala in Africa?

I do not have a great deal of interest in hunting other plains game the Nyala looks interesting but I don't have an itch for hunting them.

Thanks for any response.

Bob

For $7000 I could put a 10 day hunt in South Africa together for you with about as many impalas as you want to shoot! That is a crazy price, typical price for trophy impala is around $450.

I have never looked into chasing them in the US, but I would have to assume you'd be looking at a high fence, possibly canned hunt in Texas. At 7 grand, I'd just as soon buy plane tickets to Africa and shoot a whole schitload of other critters while I am at it. I have no idea if they're any different in the US vs Africa, but for 7 grand they better run from that feeder right to you and be trained to suck dick for a few minutes before they get shot.

Impala are the whitetail of southern Africa....they're everywhere. Pretty much all safari operations in RSA and Namibia and elsewhere have impala on the menu and as mentioned above, significantly cheaper than what you're looking at.

Haha oh shiit I'm crying!!

This. We did a family trip in 2012, three hunting sons and a non-hunting wife and had a great time.

*New* South Africa Hunt Special for 2018:
This hunt is offered for groups or solo hunters. I am one of the US Agents for Kei River Hunting Safaris, owned by Andrew Renton. The price quoted here includes all taxes, food, lodging, guide fees, area transfers, drinks, catering, laundry/maid services etc.
Not Included: Airfares from US to East London, RSA, taxidermy fees, shipping fees, airport meet and greet in Jo-berg, tips or excess baggage fees.

Hunt Special $2950 USD per person
5 days of hunting 6 nights (1x1)
1 Gemsbok or Wildebeest
1 Impala
1 Blesbuck
1 Springbok (Common)
1 warthog
Non-hunter $180 per day
This is not a culling/management safari.
I have enjoyed many hunts with Andrew and his family over the years, as have many of my clients. I am happy to answer any questions you have and/or provide references. *Custom Packages also offered* Andrew is also active and responsive on AR. Good Hunting all and Happy 2018

Cross Hair Consulting
PO Box 864
Oakley, Ca. 94561
925-437-8644 (Mobile)
925-679-9232 (Office)
www.crosshairconsulting.com

Exactly correct.
I arrowed one in Zim and two in SA. Was on plaines game hunt and don’t recall the trophy fee but believe it was $400 each.

PM JJHACK - For that kind of money and a plane ticket you could have a life enriching adventure rater than just a hunt. you'get more than an impala while your at it.

Scottishkat,
Don't listen to these guys. Once you go to Africa you'll be hooked. HOOKED I tell you! You will forever dream of going back. You will build a trophy room in your house. You will drool over double rifles and buy every Africa hunting book you can find. Don't start. Impala are the gateway drug!

Good one and true!

Never had the urge to do a safari, th commander wants to go see Africa, so I might as well make it a hunting trip. Thinkin sable and kudu would be cool.

A small package in Africa could easily be done for that and the experience would be infinitely better than shooting one in Texas. There are allot more expenses involved but it could be done turn key for $7k if you don't go crazy with the taxidermy. Plus you would be hunting some additional animals. The quote by EdM is a good example of what can be had under your budget. Impala were $275 in Africa when I went 2 years ago and were just about everywhere. The PH also did game capture and said they usually sold for about $20-40. I had to show him websites of ranches in Tx for him to believe what they cost here.

I do suggest you call Wade Derby as I have noted above.

Looked for anything impala related for the wife at safari conventions -- reminder in jewelry/ear-ring form of her own success.
It became clear that the cultural equivalent in Texas would be to hang something chicken related around your neck. Impala are food.

Go to Africa! Hunting paradise. Animals of every variety in countless numbers. Realistically I saw 200-400 Impala every day. Shoot to your budgets limit. Drinks around the fire at night. You could shoot a lot of impala on a $7k trip. Highly recommend Kudu hunting. Closest thing to elk I've found. Damn things can really hide in the bush.

Also don't be afraid to bring your wife/girl friend or whatever. Africa offers some very "civilized" hunts especially in SA. Mrs Blacktailer was very impressed with one of the lodges we stayed in that had an all marble bathroom. Of course, you can also get to the other end of the spectrum if you wish like the camp we stayed in that had an upside down elephant jaw to sit on for the privy.

+1 for Wade Derby at Crosshair Consulting and for Andrew Renton at Kei River.

Thanks for all the info Guy's. They must be feeding the Impala in Texas with gold plated corn flakes or something I guess. This is just what I needed to know.

Good luck and shoot straight.

Bob

Some quick math, you could hunt for 5 days @$450/day ($2250), shoot an Impala ($350), Springbok ($450), Kudu ($2400), and a Gemsbok ($1750) all for $6900. Of course there's tips and airline tickets, but the point is hunting in Africa is really a pretty good deal. If you REALLY like Impala, you could shoot six more Impalas instead of the Kudu! Good luck whatever you choose!

The Impala were rutting when I was there.
That was fun. They are much spookier, therefore more challenging, than a whitetail.
Plus there are other animals around, like bushbuck, that alarm them.
It was a hoot!

I am with you on impala. Beautiful animals that make beautiful trophies. If I ever get to Africa, my main goal will be to get a matched pair.

Go and shoot a couple of impalas, a springbok and a warthog. All these scream “South Africa” to me and should fall within your budget.

Or, splurge a bit and try for something like an impala, bushbuck, kudu, zebra and nyala. This is what I would do.

Funny, when I went, Impala was the one animal I really wanted (besides a big buffalo). I shot a nice one on our first hunting day. Brought it back and wouldn't you know it, it was the one animal where the cape got ruined by Jonas Bros. I never was sure if Jonas' tanners did it, if it was messed up in Africa, or if someone stole it at the tannery and then told us it was ruined.

In any case, to the OP: Go to Africa and get a real one in its native range. You'll be glad you did.

Anyone who pays $7000 to shoot a TX impala needs serious professional help....

I have sold several capes of various animals that I did Euro mounts on and also bought a few when mine got messed up in shipping. Didn't Jonas brothers offer to get a replacement cape for you?

Sorry, Blacktailer, I just saw your question.

Unfortunately, no, Jonas did not offer anything in way of compensation or even any help. It seemed to be a pattern with them, though, since my Dad also lost a full caribou hide with them a few years before. My suspicions are that if something nice comes across their tanner's counter that they can use/sell/etc. they take it and then tell Jonas it was messed up. Typically, they tell you it was prepped improperly and the hair slipped. But, of course, you have no way of knowing what the truth is. The impala was back in 2007 and the caribou was in 2005, I think. I quit taking things to them at that point. They do nice work once the taxidermists get everything back from the tannery, but twice in a few years when other hides were sent at the same time and were prepped the same way leads me to believe something fishy was going on. Now, it's been quite a while since that happened so maybe they are better about things these days. But, I found a decent tannery myself that I can trust and some other quality taxidermists, so all is good now.

Here's a package similar to what we did on our family did with Kei River Safaris in 2012. We hunted seven days and had kudu as well.

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/832100588/m/6941099732

I'm new on the site but if you're still open to ideas visit with Ryan Wilson, he has hunted Africa 20+ times and offers a service to help folks get set up. His favorite outfitter is Milkycreek Safaris, he can introduce you to them if you want. You can reach Martin Booysen at Milkycreek Safaris on the web or get with Ryan at milkycreeksafariswilsoncombat.com.