African Hunt Contract Agreement

An African hunt contract agreement and whether to insist on having one, is often a contentious issue among hunters of Africa. There are those who will rely on trust and a gentleman's handshake and those who won't move without a contract drawn up by a lawyer. Some even go as far as trying to stipulate the size of their trophies in the contract. It would be a foolish outfitter that promises in writing (and some do!) that a hunter will collect a 94lb elephant, even if it's in a petting zoo.

"A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on." Samuel Goldwyn

Typically, a straightforward hunt contract or hunt agreement detailing hunt services, facilities and conditions to be expected, is all that is needed. Every reputable outfitter will provide this to the hunter to sign and return before any money changes hands. It really serves as a reminder to both parties and if there is a dispute, it is clear what was agreed, possibly years before when the hunt was booked.

Is it worth the paper it's written on? Yes usually, if the outfitter and client, for that matter, are trustworthy. Most good hunting companies will go out of their way to make suitable reparation if they have failed in any agreed aspect of the hunt. Though they may get a lot of exposure on the Internet, there are actually only a few charlatans in the business who fail their clients badly and vanish into the night. Equally there are a few clients who are career complainers and dishonestly try to accuse their outfitter of all kinds of breaches of service in order to get some money back or free hunting days.

Check list for a hunt contract

This is a comprehensive list of possibilities to include in an agreement and may or may not be applicable to your hunt

Name(s)and address(es) of all hunting client(s)
Exact location of hunt
Dates of arrival & departure in country
Dates of arrival & departure in camp/hunt area
Dates of hunt start and finish
Location where hunt starts and finishes
Number of clients per PH
Number of and name(s) of non-hunter(s)

What the outfitter undertakes to do and provide for your hunt:

Assurance that hunt area is suitable for the species specifically required and that they actually occur there
Assurance that permission is granted to the named hunter that he may hunt a strictly limited quota animal or that a licence exists in his name to hunt a specific animal. This mostly concerns leopard and lion hunters.
Details of camp accommodation and facilities - fridges, freezers, electricity supply, hot water, flush WCs etc
Details on meals per day
Details on drinks (water, soft and alcoholic)
Details on hunting facilities & staff - skinners, trackers, drivers
Named PH
Hunting vehicle details, ie 4x4, plus equipment on board like first aid kit, radio etc
Assurance of payment on behalf of the hunter, for concession fees, hunting licences etc
Check the trophy handling details - what the outfitter is responsible for such as field preparation, dip & pack etc
Air charter booking & payment. Arrival & departure times confirmed if known at the time of writing
Hotel reservations if made on behalf of the client
Arrangement for 'meet & greet' service at airport
Airport/hotel/hunting camp transfer arrangements

What the hunting client may be responsible for:

International/domestic flights or other modes of travel to get to and from the hunting venue (where not arranged by outfitter)
Hotel & transfer costs prior to and after hunt
Payment of hunt costs as per payment schedule before departure from home
Payment of additional cost elements of hunt, ie air charters as per payment schedule before departure from home
Payment of trophy fees and other camp expenses incurred, when and in the currency form that the outfitter stipulates
Acceptance of any surcharge levied on traveller's checks
Optional payment of any staff gratuities or other gratuities while on en route to/from hunt
Payment for all trophy shipping costs, documentation and taxidermy work etc
Acceptance of responsibility in all shipping arrangements and appointment of own shipping agents & taxidermists
Payment of visa fees, airport departure taxes, ammunition tax etc

Remuneration:

Hunt payments and any additional sums should be clearly set out - total cost, deposits, balances, method of payment and final payment due date.

Trophy Fees:

All species available, sex & number allowed (if pertinent) and prices should be clearly set out. It should be indicated that the fees are also payable if an animal is wounded and lost. Again method of payment and currency should be stipulated.

Cancellation Policy:

Clearly worded statement of conditions if either party cancels the hunt.

Other Considerations:

The outfitter may want confirmation that the hunter knows and agrees to other conditions and may list them here. Equally the hunter may want certain facilities made available which the outfitter would like to assure him of providing.

All pages should be signed, dated and retained by both parties.

Sample Contract

With a hunt contract similar to this both parties will know exactly what to expect of each other.