Editorial: Homework is essential for a successful hunt
When planning your next safari – PLEASE do your homework.
Up to now, I have been reluctant to speak out with words of caution – but I have too much invested in this industry not to do so. Hunting needs to face up to the challenges, and I will talk about this in the upcoming editorial of the print edition out for the conventions. But this month’s digital message is about doing your homework as the hunter.
Hunting forums are quick to post one side of a story, seldom allowing the other side of a story to be published, which is why I have a personal aversion to forums. The media can do too much damage, especially when facts are ignored and some parties are not given a chance to absolve themselves, before posting comments.
Therefore, the following is not about naming names (which I could); it is a factual list of some of the actual incidents that I have dealt with this year. Some of these have caused problems for the hunter – disappointment, dissatisfaction, loss of money, and some are downright wrong. Dishonest.
For starters, what about:
Outfitters allowing hunters to shoot an animal when those outfitters knew there was zero chance of shipping it out. Why? Because there were no permits in place, or the trophy cannot be exported to the hunter’s host country.
Or the outfitter who made some wishy-washy promise that the permit would be applied for as the client flew back home.
Or the hunter who was offered a lioness when arriving in South Africa instead of the hyena she was promised when booking the hunt.
Or the hunter who was told “Just export it as a blesbok,” when it was actually a bontebok.
Or the outfitter who did not have the skinned correctly on the farm – a full mount was wanted, but it was skinned for flat skin rug.
Or the feet were chopped off when the front legs were needed for a half mount.
Or how about an outfitter in SA offering an American client an elephant darting safari, which is illegal, yet both the outfitter in SA selling the hunt and the outfitter in Zimbabwe both telling me in writing that it was legal!
Or when little care was taken with the hunter’s monster civet at the time of salting in the field and the skin fell apart with hair slip.
Or the booking agent who was unaware that the South African outfitter they sold to a hunting client for a bargain hunt in the Eastern Cape came with the proviso that they had to use the outfitter’s in-house taxidermist, and the taxidermist would not allow the trophies to go elsewhere without the hunter paying a dip and pack fee (yes, that is correct) to move the trophies to an alternate taxidermist.
Or the hunter who arrived in Joburg en route to Mozambique for his bargain safari, only to find out his outfitter was not wanted in Mozambique (aka no license there) and was languishing in the Kalahari!
I could go on.
The continent is opening with opportunities and there is a complete range of safaris on offer. In today’s world, information is available. You just need to know where to look for it.
What I can commit to is offering impartial input. Advice where I can. There are 500-plus outfitters in Africa, but they are not all completely above board. But if you know who the African Dawn Outfitters are, you will have peace of mind when you book a hunt directly with any one of them. You will have assistance with your trophies after the hunt, via our unique TTS (Taxidermy & Trophy Solutions) Service and you can be hosted on your way in or out of Joburg at Afton.
Have a wonderful Christmas, enjoy some downtime, and we look forward to hosting you all on this incredible continent of Africa that we call home.
All the best,
