BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[Charl]

How big is wing shooting in the US, and how do the shooting rights work? Are the guys and girls members of clubs, and do they regulate the shooting rights? How much does it cost average Joe to go shooting for a day?
What type of birds do you go after?

I have mostly hunted with English clients when it comes to birds, but strange enough, no American interest. It seems if you guys are only interested in the bigger stuff?

Look forward to you replies.

[Don Fischer]

Wing shooting is huge here. From waterfowl to upland game. Not hunting a lot of waterfowl anymore, I confine my comment's to upland bird's. We've got a slew of them. Phesants, several different types of grouse, different types of quail, chukar partridge, hungarian partridge, woodcock and probally more I've missed.

We've an embarrassment of riches! I doubt that many people would go to Africa with what it cost's to hunt birds, which we have. Rather they hunt the animals we don't have. Well we do have some have some in Texas and New Mexico on game ranches. But you got to admit, hunting Aferican animals in Texas, where we can drive to, is not as romantic as hunting them in Africa.

As many people that go to Mexico and South America bird hunting, it just could be that birds ane not promoted in Africa. Only thing I've ever seen on bird hunting there was years ago on "American Sportsmen" TV. Bing Crosby was hunting some kind of grouse there over a water hole. Your post here is only the second time in my life I've seen or read reference to bird hunting in Africa.

So tell us, what do you have? Do you use dog's? What kind?

[Charl]

Thanks for the reply Don. Bird shooting in SA, as a commercial option to Outfitters, only recently took of the ground. There are a few guys doing it as a "fill-in" on a plainsgame safari. Our outfit is one of the few that market exclusive bird hunting Safaris. Of course there is always the option to "bolt on" a few plains game from the price list, while they are over there.

We have interesting birds over here. Upland birds are Geunie Fowl, few francolin species and partridge. We have about 6 different species we over. Waterfowl are plentifull, with huge geese and ordinary ducks. Again about six different species. Then of course the shoulder bruising stuff. Three species of doves, and one pigeon. Expect to shoot hundreds of rounds in a day when we go pigeon bashing!

Hunting methods. Upland- driven and over Pointers. Waterfowl gets decoyed. The doves and pigeons we shoot over sunflower, and there are millions of them.
Never shoot an African animal in Texas PLEASE. I think its true what you say, half of the fun lies in the adventure of going on an AFRICAN SAFARI !

I look forward to you reply.

[Don Fischer]

No, I don't think I'll shoot an African animal in Texas. Sound's like you have enough birds to entice hunter's. Iwas just reading where some guy's were getting ready for a dove hunt in South America. Hunter's spend money.

What kind of pointers are you using? I assume your using labs also?

[Charl]

German Short hair pointers. Good for pointing and retrieving birds, and we use them and Jack Russels to find wounded game. The Jacks are great, because they don't get caught out by wounded animals and they also keep the other dogs at bay. It is just a nightmare to train them up!

Had a LAb, but a Mamba got her :cry: . Good bitch she was. That's Africa. Just one thing, I read something about Americans being scared to come and hunt in SA because of snakes?? We do most of the hunting in Winter, and the buggers hibernate!

I don't know where to start marketing in the US for this, because we just secured more land to shoot over :thumbsup1: , and our current British clientele won't fill up the spots. I think we will try with our PG clients to spread the word. What did you think about the cost of such a trip, Don?

[Charl]

Just got a kick up the backside from Big Brother :D about putting cost in there. The idea was not to advertise guys, sorry! :oops: I was just trying to figure out what you guys pay for bird shooting.......

Well, the moderator said that you are welcome to PM me, and then I can give you the prices, for those interested.. It will be interesting for me, in any case to see what you guys are willing (or not) to spend on such a trip.

Still waiting for some more input on the subject. If it goes on like this, I probably won't get more!

[moderator]

Charl,

We welcome your input and discussion about hunting in Africa, however as I stated in the PM, any posts that are ads must be posted in the classified section of this forum.

Please review the forum rules.

Thank you!

[Charl]

Your statement is noted and respected. Sorry for the hassle!

[redrider]

German Shorthairs were my favorite dog to hunt behind.