Here’s one important question that worries many new hunters before their first international or long-distance hunting trip: should I bother with all the red tape and bring my own rifle, or simply things and rent one from the guide or outfitter? Let’s break down the pros and cons of each option, and give you a set of questions you will need to answer to make the right choice. 

“I take my own rifles on every hunt… the familiarity is worth the extra luggage and paperwork.” — James Reed, Hunter, Author, BookYourHunt.com Director for North America

Reasons for Renting a Gun from Outfitter

Leaving your rifle at home and renting one from the outfitter or guide is indeed a viable option. Its strongest selling point is that it greatly simplifies travel. There’s no airline declaration, no import permit, and no transit pitfalls. And if your tour combines hunting with other activities, be it business, fishing, or sightseeing, you won’t have to worry whether your rifle can be stolen from the hotel while you’re in a meeting or admiring the scenery. 

The rifles that are offered by quality operators are usually a perfect fit for local conditions, game, environments and regulations. This is especially beneficial when specialised tools such as suppressors or night vision sights are called for, which are not allowed where you live or which you don’t plan to own.

Whether you save a lot of money is not certain: the daily rates for rent plus the price of ammunition may come close to what you’ll pay for extra luggage and permit fees. But you’ll sure save a lot of time and nerves. 

“Renting a gun means a lot less stress when travelling… but rented rifles don’t always fit comfortably—left-handed clients especially.” — Peter Ruddle, Hunter, PH, Outfitter, BookYourHunt.com Manager for South Africa

Reasons for Bringing Your Own Gun

There are some who can pick up any gun and shoot it as if they were born with it, but most of us can’t.  Fit and familiarity matter—stock geometry, trigger weight, eye relief, and bolt throw (especially for left-handers) all affect confidence—and for shotguns, the fit of the stock is all the difference between hitting and missing.

The gun you rent is not guaranteed to fit you well. Optics may not match your style; you might prefer a mil-hash reticle and exposed turrets but find yourself with a simple duplex and capped dials. Camp ammo can be limited or pricey. 

Guide rifles lead hard lives; although well-maintained, occasionally a loose base or tired scope reveals itself at the worst time. Or, if you accidentally damage the rifle, you might find yourself having to pay an extra penalty. There’s also a potential personal conflict – not all hunters have the same opinion on what responsible handling of a rifle is. 

“I had a client stuff up one of my rented rifles. He scratched the hell out of it on a rock and would have used it as a walking stick if I had not taken it away from him.” — Peter Ruddle

That split second you spend looking for the safety that’s not where you expect it, or figuring out how much drop this round has at that distance, may be the difference between a successful hunt or not. And last but not least – your own rifle will bring back memories of the hunt each time you hold it. A rented one won’t. 

“Fly direct and not via Europe. One OU had a client turned around in the UK as his client could not bring a .50 cal into the country as it was classified as a military rifle. Transit or not, this is the rule. European airports can be rough on rifles. I had a client arrive this year and they had managed to break the stock on his rifle”  — Peter Ruddle

Making The Right Choice

Not all hunting trips are created equal. In some instances, renting can be the better choice, and sometimes nothing beats your own trusted weapon. Here is what you have to find out to make the right decision. 

For Bringing Your Gun

• Do you already own a weapon that is appropriate for the job? If not, can you, and are you willing to, invest in one, and will you have enough time to familiarize yourself with it?
• Does the country you travel to allow temporary import of sporting firearms? Are any firearm types restricted (e.g., certain semi-autos or handguns), are there minimum caliber or energy rules for species like buffalo or moose?
• How is the permit issued, and which documents you’ll need (e.g. invitation letter or contract, hunting license pre-approval, proof of ownership)? How far in advance will you have to apply for it? 
• What air carriers can fly you to your destinations, and how gun-friendly are they? (Some airlines have a reputation for being extremely problematic for gun owners, while others don’t allow firearms at all) 
• What are the requirements for firearms and ammunition of the airline you’re planning to use? Can ammunition go to registered baggage or must it travel as a separate baggage item? 
• If you have transit through third countries, is travel with your specific weapons allowed? Would you need a special permit?
• If for some reason your rifle and ammo fail to arrive, is there a Plan B to lend/rent you a spare on the spot or obtain the ammo locally?
• Will you go straight from the airport to the hunting grounds and back, or will you be staying in or visiting other places? What are the legal requirements and safety concerns for that?

“Firearm safety is a big issue in South Africa and many African countries will also ask for your paperwork at the strangest of places and at police road blocks. If you go to a National Park, you need to declare your rifle … the Parks staff will put a seal on the trigger and remove it when you depart.”  — Peter Ruddle

For Renting a Gun

• Is the outfitter allowed to rent you a gun? Will it require a special permit, and what documents will you have to provide for it? 
• What is the exact weapon that will be rented to you? Make, model, caliber,  stock dimensions and chokes for shotguns, optic details (magnification, reticle, turret style), ammo brand and bullet weight or shot charge?
• How much will it cost you, including rental, ammunition, and permit (if applicable)?
• Is there a ‘damage clause’ in the rental agreement, who will be responsible for any damage that the gun may suffer in the course of the hunt, and who will decide how much that will be?
• Can you familiarize yourself with a weapon of the same make and model and caliber before the hunt? Will you get a proper range session (at least 10–15 rounds from realistic positions) before hunting? 
• Does the outfitter guarantee you’ll get this specific weapon, and can you get it in writing? Is there a Plan B if the designated weapon is not available or turns out to be defective during the range session? 

Bottom Line: When in Doubt, Bring Your Own

“Renting a rifle might be okay on a plains game hunt where you are normally fairly close and the game isn’t dangerous, but for hunts that could be longer range and definitely for dangerous game I feel you need to have a rifle you know and trust. ” — James Reed

Once you’ve got your homework done, the decision should be straightforward. A direct flight to a gun-friendly country for a responsible mountain or dangerous game hunt, for which you have a trusted, familiar weapon, is a no-brainer for bringing your own. By contrast, if you want to squeeze in a couple of days of deer stalking in the UK while on a trip to Europe that involves passing through several other countries, you have a clear case for renting a rifle. 

It might also help to calculate the total costs of both options: rental price with ammo and possible damage on the one hand, obtaining permits, buying proper case(s) if you don’t have them, and extra luggage fees on the other. Don’t forget the price and time difference that might exist between different flying options. 

But on the balance, most PHs and guides prefer their clients to bring their own trusted weapons. And most experienced hunters recommend flying with your own guns, especially for challenging hunts.  

I prefer a client to bring their own rifle as they are usually more familiar with their own gun. When hunting dangerous game I think it is always better to have your own rifle. — Peter Ruddle

The routine outlined above may sound complicated, but once you’ve gone through that a couple of times, it’s not so difficult. In one of our next Hunting 101 blogs we shall give you a detailed guide on flying with your rifle, including all the documents you may need, steps you need to take, and overall best practices and expert tips. Subscribe to our blog so as not to miss it!

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