In light of some of the posts on some recent topics, I have taken a long look at hunting in Africa. Especialy Dangerous Game. I consider myself blessed to have been able to have made a dozen hunts in as many years to either RSA or Zimbabwe. I hope I have many more trips left. This is probably the only time in history that an average person could experiance the awsome beauty of Africa.

With some of the recent accidents, I have been reminded of my duties as a client. Not only for myself, but for everyone in the hunting party. I need to be in the best phisical condition I can be in. I also need to be reasonably proficent with the fire arms I bring with me.
I also believe I should not try to intentionaly over extend my capabilities or the capabilities of my equiptment.

I was surprised and frankly dissapointed, to see the contempt that some of the PH's have for some clients. I always thought most PH's chose this profession because it was what they loved. It appears now that many are profrssional hunters because it is one of the few jobs available to them. I would guess that a large number, if not a majority of clients who come to hunt from America, like me are pushing 60 years of age or older. My eyes, my waist, and my stamina are not what it was when I was 40. I would hope these shortcommings would not prevent me from being allowed to hunt dangerous game.

I would not want to hunt with a PH who has this negative attitude toward me as a client. In the future I will ask more questions about my PH when booking, and will listen closer to the answers I receive. I know there will come a time when I am no longer fit enough to hunt dangerous game. I hope I will have the vision to recognize it, and the strength to accknowledge it.

Great post! Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by chuck375:
Great post! Thanks!

+1 !!!

My PH hunts inside of my capabilities, and I really respect him for that. I will be 60 this September, and I forsee many African hunts ahead of me with Mike Payne. We have become true friends in the past 5 years.
Mangwana

I expect that most PHs meet their new clients with an open mind, and should any contempt arise, it is the result of the client's behavior, attitude, or actions ... even as in so many other cases, there arises a mutual respect.

On my first safari my PH was only 26 yrs old and I was 45 yrs old. We bumped a herd of buffalo,in the upper lupande, who took off at a slow trot toward the South Luangwa Ntl park. The PH ask if I was up to a jog, to which I replied, you go as fast as you need to go, and I'll jog at my pace but I'm not having a heart attack for a buffalo! If I can get there in time I will. If not, so be it, Ill just miss it. I made it and took my bull, but was far behind the PH. Today I'm 76 yrs old, and I wouldn't even attempt a jog that far, and the PH would simply have to accept that fact.

The one thing I can't tolerate is a PH or guide that wants to show me how strong he is, and how old I am! Fortunately I've never run into that in Africa, but have a couple times in Canada!

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Last year my PH asked me what I wanted and how I wanted to do it. He told me that he only hunted mature animals, old animals and those past their prime and if I did not like it then he was not my guy. I immediately knew he was the one for me. I physically have bad knees and cannot go 100 miles an hour but I can get there and to make up for it, knock on wood, I handle myself with a rifle at lots of distance including longer than most would want or be wiling to shoot but I have to make up for my physical short comings. I am very honest and up front with the outfitter that I am not the fittest guy in camp and don't need the biggest animal as score is insignificant in the end and I want a mature animal and a great time.