Preparation a Must for International Hunts

A well-prepared international hunter should have the trip of a lifetime as the author did in Mexico.

Sportsmen like to travel. We take off on journeys across the country to purse a variety fish and game species. But traveling to a foreign land in pursuit of game is a whole other ballgame. To say the least, hunting internationally can be challenging. Foreign rules and regulations, methods of hunting and cultures can be confusing.

I traveled to the Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to hunt Ocellated turkey two years ago. This adventure was certainly one of the best of my life. I attribute the great time had by all to the preparation completed by our group prior to board our plane. Through due diligence, we were certain our outfitter was reputable and our expectations would be met.

To help ensure your international hunting trip is a positive experience, here are ten tips for hunters planning to travel internationally.

1. Utilize Media Resources – Check out the many available resources such as conservation organization member publications, magazines, web sites and television shows dedicated to international hunting.
2. Know Your Interests and Capabilities – Decide up front what kind of hunt you are interested in and capable of doing, and don’t put yourself in a situation you are not mentally or physically prepared for.
3.  Understand the Opportunities – Learn the realities of the hunt you are considering. For example, if you’re interested in desert mule deer hunting, it helps to understand that you will not see large quantities of these deer because they require so much territory just to survive in the kind of habitat where they live.
4.  Research Hunt Operators – Contact outfitters in advance. Ask them to send info. The key is getting familiar with them before meeting them in person.
5.  Shop the Shows – There’s no substitute for speaking face-to-face with guides and outfitters. Sport shows, conventions and expos, and countless others offer such opportunities.
6.  Ask Questions – Ask specific questions and do not accept general responses. If someone tells you their guides are great, what makes them great? If you’re told there’s plenty of game, get the actual numbers, accessibility, shot distances, etc. If they say the terrain is easy, do they mean easy for a fit 30-something or easy for a 70-year-old with two knee replacements?
7.  Get Fair-Chase Details – Make sure you understand the fair chase standards of your hunt. For example, much of the hunting in South Africa is on fenced ranches. Some are very large. Others are not. Some New Zealand operators use a helicopter to hunt tahr and chamois. Others offer foot hunts. Never assume the specifics of a hunt. Always ask for details.
8.  Call References – Get references for the last 3-5 years. If an unsuccessful hunter still recommends an operator, that’s a good sign. Ask specific questions and listen for answers that conflict with info the hunt operator provided.
9.  Background Check – Check to make sure your guide or outfitter is legal. Every year, hundreds of hunters discover they were guided by someone who wasn’t legally permitted. Contact the wildlife department where you plan to hunt and ask how to check on your outfitter’s status. Also ask if there are any complaints on file against your operator.
10.  Hire a Professional – Seriously consider hiring an operator who is a member of the local professional hunters association. All of these groups have stated codes of ethics and conduct by which their members must abide. While these groups may not be able to take legal action against violators, they can provide you with some recourse if something goes wrong.

See you down the trail…

Brandon Butler