Just thought I would get the views of other readers on the abilities and professionalism of PH's.
2years go myself and my partner booked a trip to SA. My partner had worked in SA about 20 years ago on a work placement as a camp manager for a very reputable company out there. We booked our trip with an ex employee of this company who is now one of the main men in the company we chose. This particular individual has been awarded PH of the year in the past and as he was keen to tell us only hunts for dangerous game now. He of course knew my partner from before and seemed keen for us to go on safari with him. A kudu was my partners main objective and I was there for a couple of cull animals, but mostly the experience..
The first two days were spent wing shooting, we had a really good goose flight and a not bad dove shoot the next day. Our PH seemed really keen, he was shooting as well, something ge doesn't have chance to do much. Then onto the plains game, this is when it started to go down hill.
We did shoot 6 animals with my partner eventually getting his kudu on 11 th hour. But overall the PH was very disappointing, we spent more hours sitting in the truck than on our feet. Some days we didn't even do any walking. He was constantly on his mobile organising richer American clients. We saw plenty of animals, usually disappearing into the bush after being spooked. He had a real dislike for me and wasn't afraid of showing it. Women can't hunt and shouldn't be allowed firearms was his view. He particularly didn't like it when I would see animals before him. He would constantly spook game when trying to get nearer, for no reason, running to animal when it's sat down happily. Not one day did we hunt from dawn till dusk. We saw plenty of cull animals however he would not give me the opportunity to shoot, when asked face to face why he wouldn't give a reason just walk away. We had several problems with vehicles, we lost a whole day hunting due to the truck being broke. We were supposed to transfer camps a three hour drive. After all morning drinking coffee ge eventually decided that the three of us would have to make the journey in the oldest single cab Toyota. With me sitting on the handbrake all the way. I am sure he wouldn't have treated some rich Americans wife the same. I am a gamekeeper myself so I am very used to rough it, but not when you save up all year to go on holiday.
I could go on and on, with some downright rude stories to just laughable moments at the complete uselessness of the PH. We have some nice animals on the wall, however it wasn't the total experience I thought it would be and it has put me of Africa a lot.
Have others had similar experiences, I know there are very good PHs out there, some others in our camp seemed a lot more switched on with hunting. Where as ours seemed more suited to politics. PH of the year?
I would be interested in your thoughts.
izzy
2years go myself and my partner booked a trip to SA. My partner had worked in SA about 20 years ago on a work placement as a camp manager for a very reputable company out there. We booked our trip with an ex employee of this company who is now one of the main men in the company we chose. This particular individual has been awarded PH of the year in the past and as he was keen to tell us only hunts for dangerous game now. He of course knew my partner from before and seemed keen for us to go on safari with him. A kudu was my partners main objective and I was there for a couple of cull animals, but mostly the experience..
The first two days were spent wing shooting, we had a really good goose flight and a not bad dove shoot the next day. Our PH seemed really keen, he was shooting as well, something ge doesn't have chance to do much. Then onto the plains game, this is when it started to go down hill.
We did shoot 6 animals with my partner eventually getting his kudu on 11 th hour. But overall the PH was very disappointing, we spent more hours sitting in the truck than on our feet. Some days we didn't even do any walking. He was constantly on his mobile organising richer American clients. We saw plenty of animals, usually disappearing into the bush after being spooked. He had a real dislike for me and wasn't afraid of showing it. Women can't hunt and shouldn't be allowed firearms was his view. He particularly didn't like it when I would see animals before him. He would constantly spook game when trying to get nearer, for no reason, running to animal when it's sat down happily. Not one day did we hunt from dawn till dusk. We saw plenty of cull animals however he would not give me the opportunity to shoot, when asked face to face why he wouldn't give a reason just walk away. We had several problems with vehicles, we lost a whole day hunting due to the truck being broke. We were supposed to transfer camps a three hour drive. After all morning drinking coffee ge eventually decided that the three of us would have to make the journey in the oldest single cab Toyota. With me sitting on the handbrake all the way. I am sure he wouldn't have treated some rich Americans wife the same. I am a gamekeeper myself so I am very used to rough it, but not when you save up all year to go on holiday.
I could go on and on, with some downright rude stories to just laughable moments at the complete uselessness of the PH. We have some nice animals on the wall, however it wasn't the total experience I thought it would be and it has put me of Africa a lot.
Have others had similar experiences, I know there are very good PHs out there, some others in our camp seemed a lot more switched on with hunting. Where as ours seemed more suited to politics. PH of the year?
I would be interested in your thoughts.
izzy
questions...
