Safari Information
A Typical Hunt Day
Something to remember about an African hunting day is that it is your day. The PH will suggest, advise and lead but it is your choice on what species you require.
Every hunting area has its own challenges and every day will be a new adventure with variations.
Your African hunting day will probably begin at first light. There is not much merit in getting up too early unless you have along way to drive to get to the area where a specific animals are located. You might have left a herd of buffalo the day before at the other end of the concession but if it is still dark, you may miss something closer to home. Too early and it will be too dark to see tracks and most animals will still be bedded down.
Once up, you will have a light breakfast in camp (coffee, rusks, cereals and toast). Lunch packs for eating out in the bush and a cooler box with all refreshments will be provided. Your PH will also have briefed the hunting crew with the plan for the next day and 4x4 vehicle will be loaded with all equipment depending on the agenda.
Your tracker may often offer and assist you to load your rifle and hunting bag. Be sure to check and pack ammunition, magazines, binoculars, flashlight, knife and a warm jacket in your hunting bag.
Once in the hunting area, you will need this equipment with you. You might be after a specific animal or any animal that crosses your path. Once you see spoor or are in the likely area or see the animal you want, you will get out of the truck and start off on foot. You can spend up to 6 or 8 hours walking especially if you are hunting elephant, buffalo or lion.
Towards the end of the morning the temperatures will be getting quite high so you'll either make your way back to camp for lunch and a rest or find a thick shady tree to picnic under and have a snooze. If you take an animal in the morning and are fairly close to camp, you can drop it off at the skinning shed.
Depending on the heat, you may not start hunting again until about 2-3 pm. Do not worry about feeling you are wasting too much time, the mid-day hours are generally unprofitable for hunting as the animals are usually laid up in the shade as-well.
Hunting, with few exceptions, ends at sundown and you can expect to be very hot, very thirsty and very scruffy as you drive back. If you were successful in the afternoon, your trophies will be unloaded at the skinning shed. Feel free to visit the skinners to watch them at work. If you are interested in your bullet performance, the skinner will bring you the bullet(s) if and when he finds it.
At the end of your African hunting day, back in camp, it’s time to kick back and relax, shower, have a drink, eat dinner and shoot the breeze around the campfire.
If you are hunting Leopard or Bushpig the African hunting day may be different. Assuming you have got some bait animals (Bushpig or Leopard), you may spend some hours baiting in several likely locations. If you don't want to be involved in this and consider that it takes time away from actual hunting, you could use another team to do this and to build the blinds. Preferably this should be organised before the hunt so you know the costs and the outfitter can have another PH and staff on hand to do it. They can check the all baits for you so you can continue hunting in another location. When you get a strike on a bait, all you need do is get in the blind and wait.
If your hunt is going well, you may like to take some time off to relax in camp or go out for a sight-seeing trip if possible. See “Activities” in main menu. It's often not a bad idea to take sometime off, even just a morning, especially when you are doing a long hunt because they can get stressful and exhausting.
Hunt Etiquette
African hunt etiquette or how to conduct oneself is of some concern especially for first time hunters and probably ought to before some veteran African hunters.
"A happy camp is a successful camp. You can help maintain the magic." - Craig Boddington.
Increasingly, hunters arrive in Africa expecting the same standards as they have at home and so are well prepared to find fault with everything, ready to blame and figure out ways to get money back or with dogged determination to get every trophy on their shopping list like they are visiting a home or office furnishing store. Fewer hunters, these days, come to Africa armed with the right attitude of actually having fun and enjoying themselves and their surroundings. Most outfitters and PH will move heaven and earth to get things right for you but a little understanding from the hunter will not come amiss if he can't have an ice bucket in his leopard blind.
Perhaps, of course there may be days for some, when things go wrong - delays, logistical problems and other screw-ups. Nobody has deliberately gone out of their way to sabotage your hunt, so these hitches should be viewed philosophically and as veteran hunter, Peter Lang says, 'TAB' - That's Africa, Bwana. There will probably be days when you make mistakes like missing a shot or wounding and losing an animal. Sickening as it is, try to get over it quickly and keep smiling.
As with most other sporting activities, there are a few points to keep in mind in conducting yourself on an African hunt. It is your hunt but a degree of gentlemanly behaviour makes for a pleasant and safe hunt.
Be safe with your firearms.
Arrive with a modicum of shooting skill, which is having done some practice.
Arrive with some level of fitness - if not; do not be surprised if your hunt is not as successful as it could be.
Treat all the staff with respect and courtesy.
Do not treat your PH as a servant.
Offer to lend a hand and join in - it's always welcome.
Be honest about your hunting abilities.
Enjoy yourself and your surroundings.
Try not to hunt religiously for the tape measure.
If you do want measurements, have the respect not to measure before the animal is dead.
Don't try to be an instant expert on African hunting.
In the field, listen to your PH. There are times when he may need you to act quickly for your own safety, which you may not realise at the time.
When out stalking, talk minimally and quietly and avoid waving your arms around.
Stay close and behind your PH when following up a wounded animal.
Don't go wandering off or get too close to the tracker, thereby obliterating spoor.
Keep quiet and composed until your animal is found and declared definitely dead by the PH.
Only then should the back-slapping start!
Always approach a 'dead' animal from the rear. If it does come back to life, it will usually run in the direction it is facing and not into you.
Be aware of your immediate surroundings.
Watch where you put your feet and hands.
Smokers only - don't throw your butts into the bush. Extinguish cigarette and put the butt in your pocket. Take care when lighting up in a moving hunting vehicle as its not great getting hot ash in your eye or anyone else's eye.
Trophy Expectations
Most hunters African trophy expectations go as far as taking a fully mature animal which is near the end of its useful breeding life. They are prepared to hunt hard and be selective to achieve this.
Some hunters actually don't have any trophy expectations - they don't know what a mature male of any animal looks like. They are totally reliant on their PH calling the shots and if they have a good PH, will come away with a decent set of trophies.
It is always a good idea to do some homework about the animals you want to hunt and have some knowledge of what constitutes a desirable trophy. For example, taking a Cape buffalo which may have a good spread but a soft boss - given a few more years, he could be a truly great trophy. Some hunters particularly enjoy hunting animals with abnormal horn formations or only one horn. Such animals are usually found by chance but a few collectors may ask about obtaining these trophies.
At the other end of the spectrum are the serious record book hunters. With these hunters, high African trophy expectations are the be all and end all of their hunting experience.
Some hunters start their hunt enquiries with specific requests for a certain size trophies. No harm in that but a sensible outfitter or PH should not make any firm promises. The only thing he should commit to is, that there are possibly animals in that size range present and working his socks off to try to get you up on one.
Once in the field and looking at the possible record book animal, these same hunters are liable to pressure their PH into committing to the size of the trophy, to the exact fraction of the inch….or else they won’t pay the trophy fee. The sensible PH will only give his experienced estimate. It’s up to the hunter to shoot or not, if indeed, the animal is still standing there, after the debate.
Generally if a hunter selects the right hunting company and clearly communicates his trophy expectations to the outfitter and PH, he will go home very satisfied. If he has set his standards extremely high for a particular animal, he must be prepared to go home empty-handed or compromise with a slightly smaller trophy.
Strangely it is often the hunter who is diligently plodding along not looking for anything special, who suddenly gets the chance to shoot an outstanding trophy animal. Good hunters make their own luck.
Professional Hunters
Professional Hunters are qualified and licensed to guide paying overseas clients on their hunting safari. In most African countries it is a legal requirement for a foreign hunter to be accompanied by a PH.
It is important that you mesh with your PH and are more or less of the same mind and have similar hunting style or hunting desires.
Find out what species your PH enjoys hunting and excels at, especially if you are after a particular dangerous game species.
The relationship between PH and hunting client is a complex business. Occasionally, well-matched hunters and PHs become lifelong friends and after several hunts together, the PH can, to a certain extent, let him run his own hunt. New hunting clients will be watched like hawks for not only on how they handle their firearms but how they are coping physically with the hunt. A good PH should manage the hunt according to the client's physical capabilities.
There are not many jobs which demand that you are on call 24 hours for 7 to 21 days non-stop so a hunter that does not expect to be entertained 100% of the time and gives his PH some personal time, is appreciated.
Remember that your Professional Hunter is a professional. He's there to keep you safe, conduct your safari, inform you and sometimes entertain you, but he is not a servant. If you want that kind of thing, bring your butler.
It is very important that you discuss your expectations and hunting priorities with your PH from the start.
Also discuss the subject of back-up shots. The definition of a ' back-up' shot is a shot fired by the PH with a client or on report of the client's shot, or very soon thereafter, to assist the client to achieve a kill. This may occur under the circumstances of the client requesting help possibly because he feels a little nervous on a dangerous game shot or because the animal is close to an ' out-of-bounds' area. This can be seen as sound judgment by a client hunter who is honest about his abilities.
However, there may be some occasions where your PH might put in a shot whether you like it or not. This will happen only on occasions such as if the PH feels that by not shooting, he may be endangering human life or safety - it is his legal duty. If you are in the minority school of hunters who object to that, probably the best thing you can do is learn to shoot straight in the first place. There is a lot of talk from this certain kind of hunter where they say things such as, if the PH shoots, I won't pay the trophy fee. A comprehensive hunt indemnity should spell this out - a client will be required to pay the game fee on an animal, if the PH puts in a shot that he deems necessary in defense of life and limb.
Trackers and Camp Staff
African hunting staff is the often unseen and unsung people that keep your African hunt working. The hunting camp staff cooks and serves your meals, wash your dirty laundry, build the fires and tidy up. The hunting crew spot and track your game, drive the hunting vehicle, carry your rifle (if necessary) and bags and skin your trophies.
Hunting Camps
In the kitchen there will usually be a head cook with maybe a couple of other staff to assist with cooking and cleaning in this area.
Your room will be cleaned and laundry will be done daily, probably by another couple of staff.
There will probably be another person collecting firewood and attending to outside maintenance.
African hunting staff will generally consist of just one tracker.
PHs in southern Africa generally drive their own hunt vehicles and there is rarely a designated driver. In the skinning shed there will be usually one head skinner and probably an assistant or two.
Fly Camps
There will be considerably more African hunting staff running these camps. This is because the camps are so remote that they must be self-sufficient in every eventuality. Some members of staff can multi-task, stepping in for each other’s jobs if necessary, should one fall ill or go on leave.
There will be a camp manager who oversees the day-to-day running of the camp and liaises with the PH regarding supplies etc.
In the kitchen will be a senior chef, an assistant chef and a staff chef. The head chef is usually a professionally trained cook.
There will be a waiter to serve meals and drinks. If the hunting party is large there may be an assistant waiter.
There will be a person to clean the tents daily and do the laundry.
There will be a person to collect water, treat it and refill the tent tanks.
Hunting staff will consist usually of 1 trackers and sometimes a driver.
A senior skinner will run the skinning shed with an assistant or two.
A Government Game Scout will be present out on the hunt. He or she is not a member of staff but a separate entity employed by the wildlife department to ensure the hunting laws are not infringed. A Game Scout generally does as he pleases and it is a bonus when he joins in and becomes a member of the hunt team.
Hunt Payment
The first thing to remember about African hunt payments is that, the hunt is not booked until the first deposit payment is made. The outfitter is at liberty to sell the hunt dates that you want to anyone else who comes up with the deposit first.
So when you have made your choice and told the outfitter you definitely want to hunt with him, act quickly and decisively. Complete and return your hunt agreement and other documentation and make arrangements to transfer money. A good outfitter would consider the hunt taken on receipt of your signed agreement and will not sell the dates to anyone else while your deposit is in transit.
Hunt payments typically are divided into a confirming deposit and a final payment. Deposits vary in percentage amounts but are usually 50% (20% DEPOSIT REQUIRED BY ALLAN SCHENK SAFARIS FOR A PLAINS GAME HUNT AND 50% DEPOSIT FOR DANGEROUS GAME) of the total hunt cost.
ALLAN SCHENK SAFARIS FINAL HUNT PAYMENT IS DUE 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE SAFARI DATE. When the hunt is a last minute booking within the hunting company's final payment period, the hunt cost in full will usually be payable.
ALLAN SCHENK REQUIRES ALL OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS TO BE SETTLED IN FULL AFTER EACH HUNT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.
When you make your hunt deposit transfer arrangements, ensure that the correct and agreed amount is sent (EACH CLIENT WILL BE EMAILED AN INVOICE FROM ALLAN SCHENK SAFARIS – DEPOSIT & FINAL INVOICE) and that means you take care of all the associated bank charges. It is often the case with monies coming from the USA that an extra small charge (only about US$12) is deducted from the amount unbeknown to the hunter. This is probably because money sent overseas from the US or other countries, goes through a central clearing bank who lop off this fee. No outfitter is going to worry if the hunt payment is a few dollars short and it will be included in your final account.
It is often the hunter's option also whether to transfer an amount to cover some trophy fees, ahead of the hunt. The outfitter may agree to this so you do not have to carry around large sums of cash. However check with him first because he will incur bank charges to move the money which will usually be passed on to you. Increasingly a trophy fee deposit made prior to the hunt is actually being requested by outfitters.
There are specific animals that will require payment in full and your outfitter will notify clients of these requirements.
Gratituities
African hunt tipping is subject of great confusion and is a never-ending topic of debate among hunters.
"The tipping custom originated in England when small sums were dropped into a box marked T.I.P.S. -- TO INSURE PROMPT SERVICE" Anon.
To most, tipping was, and still is, an optional gift given in return for excellent service.
Tipping
Somehow tipping has become mandatory not only in hunting but in many service industries. -
Some hunters are at least bemused or downright vitriolic about the African hunt tipping business where safari companies publicize their tipping suggestions' for their PHs and staff and it has become a norm and accepted additional expense to the hunt. Some hunters resent, having paid all their hunt costs, they are then expected to shell out not inconsiderable amounts to supplement the wages of the PH and staff, which are heavily relied upon. On the other hand, some don’t want to appear too mean and genuinely don’t know what the ‘correct amount’ to tip is or even how to judge ‘good level of hunt service’ – often gauging this just on hunt results.
Some hunters actually take exception to tipping staff that they rarely or actually don't see during the hunt equating this with not tipping the guy taking the garbage out in the restaurant at home. Thus, the laundry person, chef and night security guard and the other workers, there to make sure the wheels don't fall off your hunt, are not worthy of some recognition for their work.
Having said this, tipping African hunting staff is traditional and the tip is a fairly important part of their wages. So going from here, it is advised to budget for this expense in your early hunt planning and indeed, if you feel that it is an expense you can ill afford, tailor your hunt down to where you can afford to give an average tip for good work done.
Estimate a range of tips or gratuities on the advice of your PH, based on the highest level of service you expect to receive, affordability, the length of hunt and whether dangerous game is involved. This will give you the scope to tip more if you feel it is warranted or less if things were not as you hoped. Bear in mind this is hunting and not shopping and you play a large part in your own success, so lack of trophy results is not usually due to lack of effort by the staff. So don't reward gut-busting effort with low tips - it's insulting. Indeed, if there is a paucity of game going into the salt, your hunt staff will work even harder to make things come right for you.
Take advice from the PH about the staff hierarchy regarding individual tip amounts. The senior personnel like the hunting crew, skinner and chef would generally receive more than the invisible personnel who still work more than 14 hours a day. Increasingly, hunters cannot be bothered with all this and would rather throw a wad of money at the PH and tell him to sort it. This is rather bad-mannered and the least you should do is genuinely thank someone for their efforts face to face.
The only person who should be tipped privately is the Government Game Scout if you have one and feel he is worthy of a tip. As a Government servant, only there to observe for game law infringements, he should not be seen to be receiving a reward. However some Game Scouts are extremely helpful and practical in the field and rewarding this may be appropriate.
Make sure your tips or gratuities are in the appropriate currency. US$ or GBP are fine in most places in the world. Small denomination notes are best and ensure that any US$ or GBP are the new version with a large-headed President, as the older notes are not acceptable in banks or shops in many African countries. Certainly, traveler’s cheques are not appropriate for tipping staff - they will have the devil's own job trying to cash these.
Gifts
Fun items like T-shirts and caps are very much appreciated by staff. A little forethought is required before bringing any more expensive gifts and expecting this to replace cash, wholly or partially. While not wishing to poor cold water on ' useful gifts' like knives, duct tape, cheap binoculars and other hunting paraphernalia donated with the best intentions, to trackers and skinners, there is a hint of the ' beads and mirrors' mentality. A popular tracker will have half a dozen of these items by the end of a season and quite frankly, will probably sell them. He, like you, has a family to keep, school fees and medical bills to pay, so generally a cash tip is more welcome.
Some hunters like to donate their hunt clothes and other items that they have bought with them, going home considerably lighter than they arrived. Most hunting staff view this with concealed amusement but thank the ‘bwana’ most profoundly!
Tipping your PH
Tip according to how you feel about the job he has done for you, what you can afford, length and type of hunt.
There is some chariness among some hunters about tips or gratuities for a PH who actually owns the hunting company based on him getting a huge slice of the profits anyway, and as such, does not merit a tip. As a hunting company owner, there is not a huge amount of profit in any hunt and if he is acting in his capacity as PH for the duration of the hunt, so why his efforts should not be rewarded should you feel they merit it?
It is commonly proposed that you should tip your PH a percentage of the daily rate per day. This means with some hunts, priced on an all-in basis, you'll actually have to figure out the daily rate isolated from all the Government taxes and fees.
Giving your PH a useful hunting gift, as with the other staff, can be a hollow gesture, even though well-intentioned, unless you know him very well. Choice of hunting equipment is a personal matter, besides which how many good pairs of binoculars or knives can the guy need? If you know your PH from previous hunts or get to know him in the hunt booking process, it might be appropriate to ask him if he needs anything that you could bring over.
When a Hunter and Observer book a package together or a daily rate together they can tip the staff from the couple not individually. If hunters book a 1:1 or a 2:1 hunting packages it is etiquette for each hunter to tip the staff.
IN MOST PARTS OF THE WORLD A 10% TIPPING RATE ON THE TOTAL OF YOUR BILL IS A NORM NOT TO SAY THAT THIS IS WHAT MUST BE DONE.
HUNTERS MUST TIP STAFF WHAT THEY CAN AFFORD TO.
A TIP IS A GESTURE OF APPRECIATION FOR THE HARD WORK DONE BY STAFF FOR THE SUCCESS OF YOUR SAFARI.
Guideline to Tipping
Below is a list of staff employed in Allan Schenk Safaris Hunting Camp and is a simple guideline to tipping:
1. Professional Hunter
(Remember for a 2:1 Hunt, the PH AND TRACKER have to do double the amount of work as compared to a 1:1 hunt, so it is etiquette for each hunter to tip the PH and Tracker individually).
A guideline to tipping your PH is between $60.00 and $ 100.00 per day.
($ 60.00 per hunting day for Plains Game Safari)
($ 100 per hunting day for a Dangerous Game Safari)
It is advisable to tip your PH and all staff at the end of the Safari.
2. Trackers
These guys are looking after your trophies from day one until the end of your safari. The main duties of your tracker is not only to track and spot game but to cape your trophies and to make sure they are treated, salted and tagged correctly.
A guideline to tipping the assistant skinner/game scout is between $ 10.00 and $ 15.00 per day.
It is advisable to tip your tracker at the end of the Safari.
3. Assistant Skinners and Game Scouts
These are guys who assist while hunting in the field at various properties. They usually spend allot of time in the bush and often know where to find good quality trophies.
There is normally one of these who assist on the various properties or concessions on a daily basis..
It is a good idea to carry loose change/small change $ with you to tip these guys after the days hunting as sometimes you will not return to this concession during your hunt.
A guideline to tipping the assistant skinner/game scout is between $ 5.00 and $ 10.00 per day.
4. Carrying out teams
Keep a few Rands on hand to tip staff when hunting on various properties or concessions. If you shoot a large animal in a really bad place the "farm workers" often help in carrying it out. There are normally 6 of these farm workers carrying out on a large animal.
A guideline to tipping the carrying out team is R20.00 or $ 2.00 per person/day when needed.
5. Chef
A guideline to tipping the chef is between $ 10.00 and $ 15.00 per day.
It is advisable to tip your chef at the end of the Safari.
6. Cleaning Lady
A guideline to tipping the cleaning lady is between $ 5.00 and $ 10.00 per day.
It is advisable to tip the cleaning lady at the end of the Safari.
7. Laundry Lady
A guideline to tipping the Laundry is between $ 5.00 and $ 10.00 per day.
It is advisable to tip the laundry lady at the end of the Safari.
8. Camp Boy
A guideline to tipping the camp boy is $ 2.00 per day.
It is advisable to tip the camp boy at the end of the Safari.
9. African Dancers
Often Allan Schenk Safaris will organize African dancers. They will put on a display that you will remember as a highlight of your African Safari. There are normally 4 to 6 dancers at one time. I would recommend tipping dancers as a group. Best is to pool the tip between the hunters and then you should present it to the leader of the dance group, who will split it up equally between all dancers.
A guideline to tipping dancers is $ 10.00 per dancer.
It is advisable to tip the dancers at the end of the dance.
HUNTERS MUST TIP STAFF WHAT THEY CAN AFFORD TO. A TIP IS A GESTURE OF APPRECIATION FOR THE HARD WORK DONE BY STAFF FOR THE SUCCESS OF YOUR SAFARI.
Safari Transportation
Hunting Vehicles
The most popular African hunting vehicles are 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers.
The vehicle will be equipped with a hunting seat. The most common configuration is a bench seat, though some trucks have single seats. In some hunting countries like Tanzania, the PH rides with the hunting client(s) on the back and a designated driver always drives. In southern Africa, it is not uncommon for the PH to drive. With most hunting vehicle rigs, the gun racks will be directly in front of you with room for at least 3 rifles. These should be padded or at least wrapped so your rifle is not moving against metal.
Some African hunting vehicles will have a shooting rest. These are mostly seen in South Africa where in some provinces, it is not illegal to shoot from the vehicle.
Other hunting vehicle equipment should include spare tyres, high-lift jack, fire-extinguisher, tool boxes, winch, spade, extra fuel jerry can. In spite of using the best quality tyres, the roads in Africa are usually so bad; don't be surprised to get at least one puncture on your hunt.
The vehicle will also be carrying a first aid kit, a cool box with drinks and lunch, shooting sticks, an extra water container and soap for hand-washing, ropes, wire, plastic sheeting, drag sail and often 2-way radios. Vehicles carry collapsible chairs and table for comfortable eating out.
Travel On A Hunting Vehicle
Always wear your sunglasses or regular glasses when you are travelling on your hunt vehicle when it is moving. They will prevent the collision of a big flying insect and your eye. A small fly in the eye is a nuisance but a large one can really mess up, possibly, your shooting eye.
It's always tempting, but try and avoid grabbing at grass as you go past or through any.....some tall grasses can be sharp and cut your hand.
Keep your limbs inside the vehicle or at least watch out for branches before sticking your arm out to point at something.
In thick bush, watch out for low overhanging and adjacent branches. When driving through branches, don't hold on to them or ping them so they slap someone sitting behind. Just push them away with a flat hand.
If you smoke, take care when lighting up a cigarette in a moving hunting vehicle as it is not pleasant getting hot ash in your eye. Don't throw either lit or dead cigarette butts out of the vehicle.
Air Charters
If an air charter is necessary for your hunt, it will be organised by the outfitter and either included in your overall hunt cost or itemised as an extra.
The cost usually is based on the size of the aircraft necessary for the hunter(s) and the distance to be flown. The cost should be per aircraft not per passenger. Double check with your outfitter if you are given the air charter cost as per person.
There are minimal surcharges for departure tax, navigation, safety and landing fees. These are charged per passenger and usually added to the hunt costs to avoid the inconvenience of payment at the airport.
To reduce air charter costs, the outfitter may often run a 'schedule' of flights at regular intervals to match hunt lengths so an incoming hunter will tie in with an outgoing hunter. If your hunt dates don't fit this schedule or you decide to fly out early, it may be necessary to pay extra for a separate flight.
Luggage Limitations
It is important to travel as light as possible and use soft-sided luggage when you are going to be using an air charter.
Decant your firearms into soft-sided gun cases for the flight. You can leave your big hard-sided gun case at your hotel (if you are returning there) or at the charter office.
You may also leave any hard-sided suitcases at the hotel or charter office - transferring your hunting necessities into a soft bag.
If there are especially big or bulky items (fishing rods, special camera equipment, etc.) that you need to take on board, it is important to give the charter company advance notice.
It is also important that you inform your outfitter in advance, if your and/or others in your party, are above average weight and height. Despite everyone's best efforts, an extra-large person may not fit the reserved aircraft size, so alternative arrangements will have to be made.
Taxidermy Information
Mounting Of Trophies
Herewith a short explanation of the taxidermy process and procedures taken to successfully process your order from the time the Taxidermist receives your trophies until they are delivered to your residence.
We will give reference and recommendation to a couple of Taxidermists we deal within our direct area. As a client you may choose any of these recommendations. Your PH will usually take you past the taxidermy studio before or during the course of the safari.
The taxidermist will usually also visit Allan Schenk Safaris on the last evening of your hunt. He will complete all registers and documentation as per your mounting instructions and requirements.
The taxidermist will collect your trophies at our preparation facility and they will be booked into the Taxidermy Logistic System.
As soon as your order has been captured, a taxidermy administrator will confirm documentation and mounting instructions of your trophies with you. Clients must confirm a Taxidermy order by providing all necessary instructions and putting down a 50% deposit. Trophies will then be put into production.
Please note that your delivery date will be calculated from the time they receive both your instructions and the deposit. Methods of payments are as follow: Electronic Wire Transfer or Cash.
Trophies are usually completed in around 8 to 10 months after receipt of your deposit.
The client will receive regular progress updates by email from the taxidermist communication staff member to keep you informed about the progress of your order.
Once the order is completed you will need to settle the outstanding balance in full. Shipping quotes will be provided before delivered to the shippers warehouse of your choice.
Dipping And Packing Of Trophies
Dip and Pack is the minimum process required by government regulations to sterilize animal parts before an export permit can be issued. It is therefore a requirement for all taxidermy work that will be exported. Only selected veterinarian-approved Taxidermy facilities my perform dip & pack services.
Due to the nature of this service, Dip & Pack can be very time-consuming in terms of the required administrative processes involved in order for the relevant permits to be issued by the government departments in addition to the required outputs in the processing of the trophies. This part of the taxidermy process is unfortunately unavoidable and you can expect to be subjected to a fee per animal for the dip & pack service.
Shipping Of Trophies
Upon the completion of the hunt, the Outfitter or PH will ensure that the Hunters trophies are delivered to the Taxidermy or alternatively the Taxidermy will collect theHunters trophies direct from the farm, for processing, mounting and crating.
Upon the completion of the Taxidermy work, the shipping agent will immediately be notified and will ensure that the shipment together with all the relevant export documentation that will accompany the shipment, is collected and brought to its warehouse without delay.
Upon arrival and the checking in of the shipment into the warehouse system, one of the supervisors shall be in direct contact with the Hunter within a period of 48 hours in order to furnish the Hunter with a detailed quotation, complete with a breakdown of all the export costs.
This quotation will include the cost of optional marine Insurance which will cover the shipment fo loss or damages from date of collection from the Taxidermy up until delivery at the designated address.
Where fumigation or phytosanitary certification is required, the cost of these processes will also form part of the quotation.
At this stage the Hunters nominated, or our suggested, Import Customs Clearance Agent closest to the final destination who has a clear understanding of the importation and handling of Hunting Trophies will be advised of the shipment and from then on the Hunter will be able to communicate directly with this agent regarding compliance with import requirements and clearance charges.
Upon the successful procurement of all the required documentation and upon receipt of fees the shipping agent will immediately apply for a space allocation with the relevant Airline or Shipping Line. Final Customs and Nature Conservation Export clearances shall be attended to and the shipment shall be tendered to the appropriate Airline or Shipping Line. Copies of the flight or sailing information including waybills and all attested documentation will be forwarded to all the relevant parties for their records.
After dispatching the cargo the shipping agent will - “track and trace” - and keep all parties informed on the status of the shipment by way of a formal pre-alert complete with the flight or sailing details as well as any further reports on the progress of the client’s consignment, until arrival at final destination.
Upon arrival of the shipment the Agent at destination will attend to all the mandatory formalities such as Customs,Veterinary, CITES, and any other inspections, etc. before arranging for the delivery of the consignment to either an approved processing establishment or directly to the client.
Firearm Hire
General Requirements And Terms & Conditions For Firearm Hire:
Sober and responsible habits.
No Alcohol allowed during hunting time.
Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an Adult.
Necessary training & skills in handling of a firearm as well as safety.
Foreign citizens must provide a certificate of good conduct from their home country.
Rented firearms may not be handed over to another person.
Client will be responsible for the replacement of any damages to the firearm, including the rifle stock & optics.
Payment for Rifle Hire must be done in cash
- FIREARM RENTAL PRICE PER DAY $ 30.00 USD
- AMMUNITION PER ROUND $ 4.00 USD (6.5MM TO 30CAL)
- AMMUNITION PER ROUND FOR CALIBRES LARGER THAN .30 (CONSULT YOUR PH)
- BOLTS & BROADHEADS (CHARGED ACCORDINGLY)
Note: This agreement will be signed before commencing the safari.
