At the outset let me say (for the benefit of admin) that this whole matter has been to court – and the undernoted presented as evidence – it’s therefore the truth, ergo not defamatory.
In January this year I took a three day ‘all inclusive’ boar shooting trip with Mr Michael Roberts’ ‘Countrysports’ agency – this included all trophy fees for boar and also all female deer – but not male deer. During the safety briefing on the first day of the hunt, the head guide, through the interpreter, told us (10 hunters present) that we would not be allowed to shoot either roe or fallow females, but that we would be allowed to shoot red deer stags – at no additional cost. Naturally we were a bit surprised at this and questioned the guide several times, but it was confirmed. Mr Roberts was not present during the first day, having failed to clear his rifle and luggage correctly through UK customs – they never left the UK.
During the day two stags were shot, one by me. To be honest this was in some ways disappointing since I shoot loads of deer and really went there to shoot boar – maybe that’s being churlish? That evening when we went back to the hotel Mr Roberts tells us all ‘What the guide told you was wrong – you’ll have to pay for the stags’. There was a great deal of heated discussion and raised voices at this but nothing resolved.
Long story short – after returning home I received an invoice from Mr Roberts for about £800, disputed this and was taken to court. Mr Roberts didn’t dispute that we had been clearly told what we were – only that the guide had the power to do so in his absence. The Judge said I was ‘Duped’ by the Poles and would need to prove that the guide had the power to change the provisions of Mr Roberts contract – with the strong hint that this would be very difficult – which it is. I am not a lawyer but have studied law and fully realise the very grey areas that surround ostensible authority of agents. I just can’t afford either the energy or further time off work to pursue this matter and it’s not worth getting lawyers involved so I have paid up to be rid of the matter.
I will leave you to make your own conclusions on the above, but would offer the following general observations on agents:-
I have hunted in a few countries (Denmark, Austria, Poland, Zimbabwe and Tanzania) and this is the first and last time I will use an agent. This has certainly put me off boar hunting (for a while anyway!)
Comments?
In January this year I took a three day ‘all inclusive’ boar shooting trip with Mr Michael Roberts’ ‘Countrysports’ agency – this included all trophy fees for boar and also all female deer – but not male deer. During the safety briefing on the first day of the hunt, the head guide, through the interpreter, told us (10 hunters present) that we would not be allowed to shoot either roe or fallow females, but that we would be allowed to shoot red deer stags – at no additional cost. Naturally we were a bit surprised at this and questioned the guide several times, but it was confirmed. Mr Roberts was not present during the first day, having failed to clear his rifle and luggage correctly through UK customs – they never left the UK.
During the day two stags were shot, one by me. To be honest this was in some ways disappointing since I shoot loads of deer and really went there to shoot boar – maybe that’s being churlish? That evening when we went back to the hotel Mr Roberts tells us all ‘What the guide told you was wrong – you’ll have to pay for the stags’. There was a great deal of heated discussion and raised voices at this but nothing resolved.
Long story short – after returning home I received an invoice from Mr Roberts for about £800, disputed this and was taken to court. Mr Roberts didn’t dispute that we had been clearly told what we were – only that the guide had the power to do so in his absence. The Judge said I was ‘Duped’ by the Poles and would need to prove that the guide had the power to change the provisions of Mr Roberts contract – with the strong hint that this would be very difficult – which it is. I am not a lawyer but have studied law and fully realise the very grey areas that surround ostensible authority of agents. I just can’t afford either the energy or further time off work to pursue this matter and it’s not worth getting lawyers involved so I have paid up to be rid of the matter.
I will leave you to make your own conclusions on the above, but would offer the following general observations on agents:-
- If you can possibly avoid using an agent don’t use one.
- If you can’t avoid using an agent (and in some cases, e.g. Poland, you can’t) make sure he’s the only agent and isn’t working through a ‘partner’/sub agent/middleman. If this is the case he will have two masters – you, the punter/lowest form of life, and the person he is buying the hunt from – who he needs to keep sweet to make sure he has hunts to sell in future. If in doubt ask, and if this is the case stay well clear.
- References on a website are totally worthless – you’ve never seen a bad one! The only recommendation that can be worth anything is a personal one from someone you trust who has had experience of the agents handling of a problem – not just a hunt where everything goes according to plan – this is worthless information.
- You will never know the true mettle of anyone until something goes wrong – only then will you discover if your agent is working for you or to put coin in his own pocket or that of his cohorts.
I have hunted in a few countries (Denmark, Austria, Poland, Zimbabwe and Tanzania) and this is the first and last time I will use an agent. This has certainly put me off boar hunting (for a while anyway!)
Comments?