Just a heads up to people that have always wanted to book an international hunting trip but thought they couldn't afford it. The one silver lining I see that COVID has created is cheap international hunting trips during 2021. Many Africa and South American outfitters are offering very discounted deals to get revenue back flowing, and airfare, which is always a major piece of the overall expense, is running 50% less than pre-COVID rates. Example.. I just looked at flights into Jobergh for right at a grand. And flights in Buenos Aries for $750. With some research you could probably find better deals than that. If you ever wanted to do it, this is the time to go. Just my I don't outfit anymore, so I got no dog in this hunt. But you can bet I'll be looking to take advantage if I can.

Argentina has not officially opened its borders yet FYI

Really? Flying out the 28th of Feb and the outfitter hasn't said a word about that.

I'd love to snag a trip to Namibia or Botswana this fall. Argentina would be a blast too, but that seems to be much more of a group trip, which is much harder to put together.

Yeah you need to check on that. I have a hunt scheduled for March in Santa Rosa and our outfitter has advised against even buying airline tickets yet.

May want to give your outfitter a ring.


As of my convo last week with my outfitter, they are expecting things to open up at the end of the month but as of now, they are still closed

I'll be checking on it tonight. Thanks.

Speaking of which.......RSA just shut down travel again until February 15th......

Argentina

https://eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar/en/covid-19-travelling-argentina

https://ar.usembassy.gov/covid-19/

COVID cost me a 21 day hunt of a lifetime last year in B.C. I probably won’t be able to do it now for logistical reasons. I do know some Canadians got some damn good deals on some great Canadian hunts.

I’m sure now is a great time to book international hunts, but the wind is kind of out of my sails right now. I’m going to hunt in the Lower 48 for the next year or two until everything gets back to normal.

what were you going to hunt?

I've got a Argentine hunt and a Canadian Hunt right now and don't know if I'll make either of them this year.....Lower 48 hunts are packed now that people are not able to hunt internationally.


If I can't do Canada, I'll book a Mule Deer hunt....hopefully

Stone? Or dall/moose/caribou? I’m about to put down deposit on a trio with ARR, been waiting to see if Grizz will get opened back up

Sorry to hear it. That truly suxs.

California Bighorn sheep was the main animal. Moose and wolf were opportunity targets.

I’m going to do a WY elk hunt if I can draw the tag. About 50/50 odds. One good thing about having lots of points is that I can usually get a hunt with a good outfitter in without having to book years in advance. Many have limited draw areas and only book after the tags are drawn.

Sorry about the Bighorn truly, I know that’s a really hard dream to swallow.

Yep

Surprisingly it didn’t bum me out as much as I thought it would. Probably because there are people who were a lot more impacted than me due to the pandemic. My issue was a classic first world problem. My biggest regret is missing out on 3 straight weeks out in some beautiful country since we were going to be on the move the entire time. I doubt I’ll have that opportunity again.

I do need a bighorn to complete the slam. Plus I would just love to hunt them. With 20 points, I should draw in WY someday if the Good Lord lets me stay around a while longer.

what are the restrictions on getting into and out of various countries? That would be my concern

Many are simply not allowing U.S. travelers in period. This included the vast majority of developed countries a few months ago. I haven’t kept up with it but a quick Google search would show where it stands now. I’m assuming it’s not much different.

Things will be in a flux for the next several months. I'd be sure to book only with airlines and outfitters that allow for a COVID related refund or reschedule. But that said... if you believe (like I do) that wide spread vaccinations will get international travel back to normal by this summer, then bargains can be had. Just a bit of a gamble (or flexibility?) on the timing.

I think it’s a good opportunity and that’s really good advice. Most outfitters have been very good about doing the right thing, but there have also been some significant issues with some.

Man that’s tough luck bud.

What state was the California bighorn?


If you need someone to smuggle you into Mexico for a desert, I can get you booked pretty cheap on their return trip....

Haha thanks but I got that one covered a few years back when I won the sheep lottery drawing an AZ desert tag. I still put in for deserts in several states and lots of raffles though.

The California bighorn hunt was in British Columbia, but the border has been shut down for a while.

Hope you get to do a mule deer hunt let me know all about it. The border being closed means I haven’t gotten mine back from the Alberta taxidermist yet. I could pay a big expediting fee but when the border opens he can just drive it across the border and ship it from there for a couple hundred bucks.

Talked with our outfitter, going to punt this year. He'll honor the deposit (paid them at the beginning of 20' as we were supposed to go Sept 20') and American has been great to deal with on flights, got a PILE of credits to use at this point with them. I'm hoping 22' for Botswana doesn't get ruined.

What is rsa?

Republic of South Africa

Still holding out hope for argentina but may be a bust this year.....Canada is next on the chopping block