One of the good things about doing the PH school is, it wasn't ALL about just hunting and game. It also covered a lot of the business end of it as well. I simply want to offer this up for what it is - not trying to make the shows "good" or "bad", just reality checks:
1. I agree with Test above regarding going to some of the "Big Shows", As he says, you'll get to talk to a lot of operators face to face and ask a lot of questions etc. You may find some really good hunt deals as well. Will also see a LOT of really cool new firearms and other kit and can attend some "seminars", meet a lot of like minded people and have a great time - no question about it, 100%
2. You have to realize the business end of this from the operators/outfitters/booking agent side too. ONLY the big players can afford to attend these. They are usually expected to "donate" a hunt for auctions AND pay for the floor space for their booth. They have the transportation not just for themselves but their booth displays, food, lodging etc, to cover while there. A lot of these guys stay in the US for several weeks and attend several "Big Shows" in the US and maybe even Canada and Europe. Some of these operators rack up some pretty significant advertising expenses. They don't actually pay that, just like any business, those expenses are passed along to the consumer (us clients). This is one reason why there are such HUGE differences in daily rates. Most of these operations have to run "open camps" and turn as many clients as possible during the season. They have to contract for LARGE concessions to accommodate all the anticipated clients. Because they don't own the property, just a lease, they have to construct "the camp" and all it's facilities. This also causes their operating costs to increase like hiring more staff, more PH's either directly on staff or temp freelance, more support vehicles, etc. Then sorting out who is going with what PH and where on the property you and yours will hunt that day so you don't bump into (shoot) another party. You may be hunting the same area today that someone else stomped thru the previous day etc. etc. When you start shopping around, you're going to see HUGE variations in daily rates, especially in RSA. PG daily rates from $450 to $750 p/p/d (per person, per day). DG from $750 to $1500 p/p/d. Not to mention if you want to hunt with one of the TV celebrities like Jeff Rand, that will add an extra $1K per day ON TOP of his normal crazy high staff PH DG daily rate.
3. Smaller family owned private land and family run operations actually don't mind these big operations. The fees the big guys charge actually allows them to charge a little more and still stay well under the rates of the "big guys". The smaller operators, don't have the high advertising overhead, have permanent guest facilities and don't have the concession lease payments etc. and therefore can charge lower daily rates. For example, I know of a situation of two nearby operations. Both are private land and owned by the operators. One goes to the "Big Shows" and one doesn't. The one who doesn't has about 50k acres of low fence land only needs to book a few clients a year and has permanent bungalow for lodging and can only accommodate 2-4 clients at a time. Low pressure on the game and closed camp. The other guy (good guy/runs a good operation too) owns about 10k acres, has accommodations for 12+ clients at a time but needs to also contract access to other properties too. There is a $200 p/p/d difference in the 1x1 PG daily rate and TF are a little higher as well because he has to pay the other landowners for the game shot on their land. He has to run an open camp.
So.....I guess what I'm getting at is, for us, the clients, it is a great vacation experience but, never forget this is actually a business for the operators. Yes, if you haven't attended one of the "Big Shows", by all means go. Yes, you'll have a chance to talk to a lot of different operators and you might find a good fit for what you are looking for. You might find an operator that is offering a discounted "show special" that could be an honest, very good deal but, as always, the devil is in the details. Ask a LOT of questions. If nothing else, you'll have a good time and learn a lot that you can think thru and apply to your "quest".
