When I read the blog of another member, complaining about the cost of day fees, I knew that I had to respond.
The fee for accommodation in a hotel and day fees for hunting is as far removed from each other as is heaven and earth. In a hotel/resort you purely pay for the "privilege" to sleep in a clean bed, in a clean and serviced room/suite. Day fees for hunting goes way beyond that. Apart from the services you receive in a hotel/resort, the animals you hunt is loaded, your trophy is prepared, and other services are rendered to you. Apart from all this, your PH is risking his life every time he goes out with you. Hunting is a dangerous game, whether you are hunting plains game or dangerous game. Not the least dangerous of all is the client. Many PH's have been shot by clients, although by accident, and some of them never lived to tell the story.
Africa's game is mostly different to game in other parts of the world, with the exception of a few. All African game are dangerous when wounded, some more than others, and some are just plain dangerous. In 2007 one outfitter lost 3 PH's in one year to plains game. One PH was killed by a wounded nyala bull when it stuck its horns into his heart. Another lost a leg when a wounded bushbuck ram attacked him. And a third was out for 9 months after an attack by a wounded warthog, making the PH loose all interest in hunting. Something as small as a duiker could be lethal when wounded.
When it comes to the Dangerous 6 (elephant, buffalo, hippo, rhino, lion & leopard) you immediately know that your life could be in danger, wounded animal or not. Most of the dangerous game will sometimes, without prior warning, charge to kill. You never know when that unprovoked charge will come. PH's in South Africa cannot obtain life insurence due to the danger of their jobs. Day fees help to provide should the unthinkable happen.
Next time you have to pay the day fees, think of your PH, and the dangers he faces when he does all in his power to make your hunt a successful and memorable one. Then pay those fees with a smile
