Guided Hunt Stigma.

It has been my experience that a guided hunt is exactly what you make of it. Some you can sit on your ass, drive around and just shoot stuff, but you can also get out and see what's over that hill, up that canyon, or along that river trail, it's up to you. Other hunts you have to take every step your guide takes and work just as hard as he does in order to be successful. It will be whatever you make of it.
 
Purple shoulder said:
I hope it didn't sound like I was knocking it. If so I did a poor job of explaining myself.
I suppose I could afford to do 3 or 4 animals in Africa (most on here could), but it would take a priority shift.
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It wasn't meant for you at all, just a general statement. Plenty of people could do less knocking and more trying. Then they might know what they are talking about.
 
Very interesting thread! I have done DIY hunts away from home, hunts in my back forty as well as guided hunts in Africa, Argentina and other places around the world, both as the guide and as the hunter. I remember DIY hunts that I thought would be long and hard that ended on Day 1 and guided hunts that I though would be easy that damn near broke me. The point is each hunt has memories that you make regardless of the way in which we hunt and that is all I think about when I look back at my hunting trips to be honest. Is there a stigma in a guided hunt? Not for me ...only the excitement of planning the next hunting adventure, regardless of how I get there!
 
When the choices are "Guided" and "Not at all" I don't know why someone would chose "Not at all". However; if they want to do nothing, it's up to them. Heck, there's millions of things to not do. You would never have to "not do" the same thing twice. ;)
 
Dogleg said:
When the choices are "Guided" and "Not at all" I don't know why someone would chose "Not at all". However; if they want to do nothing, it's up to them. Heck, there's millions of things to not do. You would never have to "not do" the same thing twice. ;)
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I agree. "Not at all" is a pretty ####ty decision to make unless you have no other option.
 
If you want to go on a guided hunt, go. If you don, then don’t.

I sure wouldn’t concern myself about the opinions of faceless Internet forum members on the topic.
 
p.s..........Getting eaten probably isn't a huge concern, however there are some countries I have hunted over there that personal safety most certainly can be a great concern. In these countries I pack a handgun, generally concealed, as well as a rifle. I like my stainless steel Coonan 357 for these situations, loaded with a very warm load of Win 296 and 140 gn HPs.
Given these situations it usually works out to be an "every man for himself" scenario. I certainly wouldn't expect my guide to sacrifice himself for the likes of me in an armed human/human conflict, therefore I must be prepared to take care of myself. My only expectation from my guide/PH would be to make sure I was aware of the possibility and to alert me to the situation if it arises. Considering the fact I speak nothing but English and a bit of French, it is hard to "threat assess" a conversation being spoken in a foreign tongue.
As far as being eaten, I really don't give a rat's ass what happens to my flesh and bones after my demise......one way or the other we all get eaten. Unless of course one is cremated, which is my wish, but we'll have to see how it all works out.
 
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I agree there does seem to be a stigma associated with guided hunts, but I don't judge one way or the other. I don't imagine I will ever go on a guided hunt, but this has nothing to do with the stigma and everything to do with the fact that I am perfectly happy hunting in the province I live in and I have more important things to spend my money on.

Having said that, if I ever find myself with a pile of money that I have nothing better to do with, I'll be flying to New Zealand to hunt all sorts of tasty creatures.
 
Mik123 said:
What are the steps to bringing a pistol to Africa? Any additional steps compared to a rifle?
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It has been quite a while since I have done it and I suspect things aren't quite as simple as they were when SA was under white rule. Zim the same, they both treated a firearm as a firearm period. When I landed in Jo'berg they issued me a permit for concealed carry right at the airport where they checked my firearms through. However when I tried to enter Namibia with my Coonan they seized it......I got it back upon exiting the country, but it did take some doing and about 4 hours.
Last trip to Congo, I arranged to have a handgun made available. It was a Beretta 92 (I think) in stainless 9mm......not my choice but beggars can't be choosers, as they say. No threat in the bush in the Congo but the check stops along the way can get a little tense, my Beretta pretty much lived in the glove box. The only time I packed it was when we went to the little village to get some fuel and grub. We left the truck across the river and took a water taxi over to the village so we were on foot.
I had more problems and grief getting back into Canada than anywhere in Africa......despite the fact I had all the correct paperwork. Canada Customs was absolutely flabbergasted and incensed that I had the audacity to travel with a handgun...It was one of those "who the phuck do you think you are" moments.
 
I have guided some real entitled D-Bags. Maybe that's where the stigma comes from.

Also guided some great, tough as hell dudes who were excellent.

But they all fully expect to be shown game to kill. And that's the difference. Especially with sheep hunters. They don't pay big bucks for hiking/photography trips .
 
play.soccer said:
Maybe KMG could elaborate.
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I can’t speak for most countries, but in South Africa handguns are not allowed to be brought in for self defence. You can bring in a handgun for hunting but it must be designed for hunting and they do check when you arrive. So your 9mm browning hi power isn’t getting in. This being said the area we hunt “East Cape” is not like other areas in Africa and is safe. I’ve been there the last seven years in a row and never been in any trouble including travelling on our own. It’s like anywhere, avoid the bad spots and you will be just fine. Here is where guided hunts are important... a good guide keeps you away from any troubled areas.
 
KMG Canada said:
I can’t speak for most countries, but in South Africa handguns are not allowed to be brought in for self defence. You can bring in a handgun for hunting but it must be designed for hunting and they do check when you arrive. So your 9mm browning hi power isn’t getting in. This being said the area we hunt “East Cape” is not like other areas in Africa and is safe. I’ve been there the last seven years in a row and never been in any trouble including travelling on our own. It’s like anywhere, avoid the bad spots and you will be just fine. Here is where guided hunts are important... a good guide keeps you away from any troubled areas.
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That's good to hear!
 
KMG Canada said:
I can’t speak for most countries, but in South Africa handguns are not allowed to be brought in for self defence. You can bring in a handgun for hunting but it must be designed for hunting and they do check when you arrive. So your 9mm browning hi power isn’t getting in. This being said the area we hunt “East Cape” is not like other areas in Africa and is safe. I’ve been there the last seven years in a row and never been in any trouble including travelling on our own. It’s like anywhere, avoid the bad spots and you will be just fine. Here is where guided hunts are important... a good guide keeps you away from any troubled areas.
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That is a good point, and in some cases it can be as simple as across the street.......one just doesn't know if one does not live there or uses the services of a PH/guide. Hell I hired a guide in Rome, Cairo and Beijing........ they wouldn't let me have a handgun in any of these places.:(:(:(
Had my family with me and didn't want to get on the wrong side of any of these places, and we got to see everything we wanted with zero hassles.
 
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