I can't predict the future. If I could, I'd be rich.
I intend to keep going as long as money and legs permit.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Africa was a rich man's game until after WWII.

It is slowly working its way back to that.

I agree with Rich

After my one and only trip with my wife in 2014 the final cost was close to 2X what we thought it would be.....but we enjoyed every minute

OK....not every minute. The travel/airports/customs and long drives were not enjoyable

The back side of the safari cost.....D/P/S was the biggest shocker

If I had it to do all over again I would use Dennis of The Artistry of Wildlife to handle my D/P/S and not use the African outfitters "guy"

But....truth be told of why a future trip won't happen for years.....

I need a new truck worse than I need to go back.

All one really needs to do is look at what hunting has evolved to in Europe.

It is not a recent evolution either, hunting in Europe has been controlled by the nobility for centuries.

America is approaching that point, hunting here is slowly but steadily becoming an Upper Class situation.

Don't think so, just look at Texas. Little or No Public Land over most of the state, hunters being willing to pay for access to a property, that has escalated over the past 40 years or so to the point that locals in many areas no longer have a place to hunt, and it is NOT just happening in Texas, other states are experiencing the same thing.

quote:

America is approaching that point, hunting here is slowly but steadily becoming an Upper Class situation.

It already is. It is funded by expendable income. Factor in what time in hours spent hunting versus the value of that labor on the market and the fact becomes even more apparent. This in a purely monetary sense of course because there are other corollary benefits to hunting and its habits that are not monetarily accountable - nor should they be.

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
All one really needs to do is look at what hunting has evolved to in Europe.

It is not a recent evolution either, hunting in Europe has been controlled by the nobility for centuries.

America is approaching that point, hunting here is slowly but steadily becoming an Upper Class situation.

Don't think so, just look at Texas. Little or No Public Land over most of the state, hunters being willing to pay for access to a property, that has escalated over the past 40 years or so to the point that locals in many areas no longer have a place to hunt, and it is NOT just happening in Texas, other states are experiencing the same thing.

That is an interesting take on things and I'd agree but interestingly, much of Europe offers some of the most reasonable non-resident hunting going. I'd rate it the best value in international hunting today.

Yes. The sky is falling, and I am not going to live forever either.

So as long as I am able, physically and financially, I will continue to do what I love so much.

I have been on quite a number of safaris, I enjoyed my first safari 34 years ago.

I enjoyed my last safari a year ago.

And I enjoyed every single one in between.

We will be there in less than 3 weeks time, and I hope some of you will join us here on AR for our LIVE REPORT.

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
All one really needs to do is look at what hunting has evolved to in Europe.

It is not a recent evolution either, hunting in Europe has been controlled by the nobility for centuries.

America is approaching that point, hunting here is slowly but steadily becoming an Upper Class situation.

Don't think so, just look at Texas. Little or No Public Land over most of the state, hunters being willing to pay for access to a property, that has escalated over the past 40 years or so to the point that locals in many areas no longer have a place to hunt, and it is NOT just happening in Texas, other states are experiencing the same thing.

I respectfully disagree Randall
Europe is some of the better bargains in hunting besides Africa and cheaper then guided hunts here in US overall
Then again, it's in the eye of the beholder
I love Africa and will go again as long as there is some money...

Zambia looks to be fully booked for next year and beyond. I am taking bookings for 2018 and majority of these are Americans. The cats are pretty much sold out and these are still high cost safaris.

This continent offers safaris suited for all pockets and there are still many bargains to be had. However safaris in wild Africa have always been expensive and I doubt nothing will change here.

Rural communities need to be more involved and seen to be actively protecting their assets.

For the first time ever, I am hooked more than a year in advance. Interestingly , I am told all of their elephant quota is sold in spite of the US ban on import . What does this mean? Who knows but it doesn't sound like the end of the world to me.

What it means is that US hunters are worried that the Clinton Foundation will soon be in control of USF&WS.

The fate of Big 5 hunting sans buffalo for US hunters...will be sorted on Tuesday 11-8-2016.

quote:

I respectfully disagree Randall
Europe is some of the better bargains in hunting besides Africa and cheaper then guided hunts here in US overall
Then again, it's in the eye of the beholder
I love Africa and will go again as long as there is some money...

Perhaps I put things in too simplistic terms.

Hunting in Europe has been under the control of the wealthy/nobility for centuries. As the world has progressed so has thinking concerning game management.

Europeans/English/Scots have been managing the wildlife on their properties and realized early on that Americans and other people that could AFFORD to were interested and willing to pay for the privilege of hunting those properties.

How much actual hunting do the common/working class people do or get to do in the various European countries, including England/Scotland?

I imagine it is not all that different than say here in Texas where it has came down to basically a "Pay To Play" concept.

Lora and I have been kicking around the idea of going to Ireland to meet our oldest daughter's husband's family. I already looked at one estate where I can book a stag hunt cheaper than what many deer hunts here in Texas cost.

With things the way they are in the various African countries, even a complete lifting of AL the bans imposed by USF&WS, may not save African hunting for Non-Africans.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Zambia looks to be fully booked for next year and beyond. I am taking bookings for 2018 and majority of these are Americans. The cats are pretty much sold out and these are still high cost safaris.

This continent offers safaris suited for all pockets and there are still many bargains to be had. However safaris in wild Africa have always been expensive and I doubt nothing will change here.

Rural communities need to be more involved and seen to be actively protecting their assets.

Good Morning Andrew.

You may be fully booked but a quick look over in the discounted hunt forum shows The duPlooy's have 5 buffalo hunts between Chifunda and Chanjuzi and three Sitatunga left this year for Tondwa.

I my be incorrect, but that seems out of the ordinary for Tondwa especially.

Tondwa is in my top 2 or 3 favorite hunting GMA's in all of Africa.

Mike Jines may have a point in that old blood moves on, new blood comes in.

I was discussing this with my Taxidermist a week or so ago. He told me he see's the "African clients" move through 10-12 years cycles. They move into other stuff and will eventually come back with more and re-newed enthusiasm.

I will also agree with you on the values to be had all over Africa. One can go hunt a plethora of PG down in RSA or Namibia and only spend a few thousand dollars.

Zambia definately having a good year coming out of the gate. You would be suprised, I follow some sites in Moz and they are having a decent year despite the recent incident in C10.

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
Zambia definately having a good year coming out of the gate. You would be suprised, I follow some sites in Moz and they are having a decent year despite the recent incident in C10.

My booking agent has told me Zambia is taking many booking from Zimbabwe. Zambia pricing has remained stable, Zim has lost its mind. Tanzania, well, what can you say.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
Zambia definately having a good year coming out of the gate. You would be suprised, I follow some sites in Moz and they are having a decent year despite the recent incident in C10.

My booking agent has told me Zambia is taking many booking from Zimbabwe. Zambia pricing has remained stable, Zim has lost its mind. Tanzania, well, what can you say.

That is only normal.Hunters go hunting to shoot something not to go fishing and sightseeing and get F..over.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
Zambia definately having a good year coming out of the gate. You would be suprised, I follow some sites in Moz and they are having a decent year despite the recent incident in C10.

My booking agent has told me Zambia is taking many booking from Zimbabwe. Zambia pricing has remained stable, Zim has lost its mind. Tanzania, well, what can you say.

That is only normal.Hunters go hunting to shoot something not to go fishing and sightseeing.

Nice that you appointed yourself spokesman for all "hunters". If hunting were simply about shooting something than most african hunters would book a RSA high fenced low priced affair.

Joyce and I hunt for many reasons. Yes it usually involves shooting something but not always. I've passed on game I knew would be near impossible to retrieve while hunting for the freezer. Still enjoyed every minute.

We've hunted Africa five times in in four different countries. We shot things but our talk of the memories include misty mornings on the Kafue river, the lighting of brush fires, time spent around the campfire.

Flat tires, doves calling, red sunsets.

I can regularly shoot things in Alaska and I do. That often includes a lot of work and I love that Joyce and I can still do the work ourselves.

George, hunting is way more than shooting things.

Cheers
Jim

Actually, all of the hunting comes before the shooting. The shooting is such a tiny part of the entire experience.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
Zambia definately having a good year coming out of the gate. You would be suprised, I follow some sites in Moz and they are having a decent year despite the recent incident in C10.

My booking agent has told me Zambia is taking many booking from Zimbabwe. Zambia pricing has remained stable, Zim has lost its mind. Tanzania, well, what can you say.

That is only normal.Hunters go hunting to shoot something not to go fishing and sightseeing.

Nice that you appointed yourself spokesman for all "hunters". If hunting were simply about shooting something than most african hunters would book a RSA high fenced low priced affair.

Joyce and I hunt for many reasons. Yes it usually involves shooting something but not always. I've passed on game I knew would be near impossible to retrieve while hunting for the freezer. Still enjoyed every minute.

We've hunted Africa five times in in four different countries. We shot things but our talk of the memories include misty mornings on the Kafue river, the lighting of brush fires, time spent around the campfire.

Flat tires, doves calling, red sunsets.

I can regularly shoot things in Alaska and I do. That often includes a lot of work and I love that Joyce and I can still do the work ourselves.

George, hunting is way more than shooting things.

Cheers
Jim

I was speaking for hunters.I don't consider you a hunter but something else-I don't know the exact term would be.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
Zambia definately having a good year coming out of the gate. You would be suprised, I follow some sites in Moz and they are having a decent year despite the recent incident in C10.

My booking agent has told me Zambia is taking many booking from Zimbabwe. Zambia pricing has remained stable, Zim has lost its mind. Tanzania, well, what can you say.

That is only normal.Hunters go hunting to shoot something not to go fishing and sightseeing.

Nice that you appointed yourself spokesman for all "hunters". If hunting were simply about shooting something than most african hunters would book a RSA high fenced low priced affair.

Joyce and I hunt for many reasons. Yes it usually involves shooting something but not always. I've passed on game I knew would be near impossible to retrieve while hunting for the freezer. Still enjoyed every minute.

We've hunted Africa five times in in four different countries. We shot things but our talk of the memories include misty mornings on the Kafue river, the lighting of brush fires, time spent around the campfire.

Flat tires, doves calling, red sunsets.

I can regularly shoot things in Alaska and I do. That often includes a lot of work and I love that Joyce and I can still do the work ourselves.

George, hunting is way more than shooting things.

Cheers
Jim

I don't consider you a hunter but something else-I don't know the exact term would be.

Thank you George. Considering your limited definition of hunter I'll accept that I am not one.

Carry on Troll.

Cheers
Jim

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Actually, all of the hunting comes before the shooting. The shooting is such a tiny part of the entire experience.

Larry ...where are you headed? Sango or Zambezi valley I don't remember.

The Valley.

Looks like I am headed back your way before year end .

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
All one really needs to do is look at what hunting has evolved to in Europe.

It is not a recent evolution either, hunting in Europe has been controlled by the nobility for centuries.

America is approaching that point, hunting here is slowly but steadily becoming an Upper Class situation.

Don't think so, just look at Texas. Little or No Public Land over most of the state, hunters being willing to pay for access to a property, that has escalated over the past 40 years or so to the point that locals in many areas no longer have a place to hunt, and it is NOT just happening in Texas, other states are experiencing the same thing.

Randall, maybe you should consider moving to New York then?

I can see the Empire State Building from my front porch yet if I drive just 15 minutes north I can bowhunt deer for FREE. NY has thousands of acres of state owned hunting/fishing land scattered throughout the state that anyone with a license can access for FREE.

In addition, the land surrounding NYC's water supply can be accessed with an additional permit.

I never paid one cent to kill a deer in my entire life and I killed LOTS of them...usually 2 or 3 a year just with the bow.

Sorry to hear about your situation

Well gentlemen this has been a real interesting thread, and very informative as well.

The fact is in times past it was quite easy to go on a 7 or 14 day cape buffalo safari for anyone who had a job that paid him in the neighborhood of 40 to 50K per year. Sadly that day has passed, and for those who retired from that 50k job along with advancing age and declining health the door has been closed and locked, as far as they are concerned and like myself must get my Africa fix watching Saeeds films.

With advancing age one must guard what money they have as expenses compound greatly for living and care in old age.

I happen to be in that situation with my wife being quite a bit younger than I, but in fairly fragile health. Though my retirement is more than adequate and I have no debt I must think of the future care that my wife may need after I'm a jug of ashes. Being in my 80th year of life that could be tomorrow.

So for everyone in the above category Africa is already closed no less than if the countries simply outlawed hunting,for all practical purposes.

..................................................................

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
The Valley.

Looks like I am headed back your way before year end .

Sounds good.. Well get together.. Good luck!

quote:

Am I wrong or is the wind out of the sails of hunting in Africa ?
Even AR has very little new or exciting stories.
News is far and few between , mostly silent except for the odd story from Namibia and South Africa.
Guns , hunting , club news , are all but absent from media platforms , all the old hunting friends are not hunting in Africa and even facebook feeds carry very little hunting news.
Some of the die hards are still active but across the board from Mozambique to Tanzania the silence is there.
The anti hunters are winning because their fight is all emotive. Lets hope Trump will blow in a new wind of hope for outdoor sportsman and hope for conservation and wildlife.

No, people are simply learning not to post their hunts online.
Cecil has actually helped us in this respect, getting people to think twice before posting crap online.

From what I can see there are more hunters in Africa than ever before, they are simply refraining from beating their chests.

I have just today heard that Botswana is starting to look at hunting again. They are having communities ripped to shreds by cats and Elephant .
Not a Joubert or any other anti hunting idiot in sight trying to help either. Give it a few years and we will be back in Bots.

I think I paid something like $28,000 for a full 21 day safari in Zimbabwe in 1982.

Shot an elephant, two buffalo and all the plains game offered.

Saeed sad but true I think that those days are done

Hope so

quote:

Originally posted by Venture South:

quote:

Am I wrong or is the wind out of the sails of hunting in Africa ?
Even AR has very little new or exciting stories.
News is far and few between , mostly silent except for the odd story from Namibia and South Africa.
Guns , hunting , club news , are all but absent from media platforms , all the old hunting friends are not hunting in Africa and even facebook feeds carry very little hunting news.
Some of the die hards are still active but across the board from Mozambique to Tanzania the silence is there.
The anti hunters are winning because their fight is all emotive. Lets hope Trump will blow in a new wind of hope for outdoor sportsman and hope for conservation and wildlife.

No, people are simply learning not to post their hunts online.
Cecil has actually helped us in this respect, getting people to think twice before posting crap online.

From what I can see there are more hunters in Africa than ever before, they are simply refraining from beating their chests.

I have just today heard that Botswana is starting to look at hunting again. They are having communities ripped to shreds by cats and Elephant .
Not a Joubert or any other anti hunting idiot in sight trying to help either. Give it a few years and we will be back in Bots.

quote:

Originally posted by sheephunterab:

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by DuggaBoye:

quote:

Originally posted by sheephunterab:

Likely not a lot more if you calculate the value of the dollar then and now. $20,464 in 2002 would be worth about $33,000 in 2016 dollars. It's all relative.

Might also depend on who your relatives are--

Using US cpi calculator I am getting $26-$27k as 2015/2016 equivalent. The price inflation in dg hunting has been pretty high in an over all low inflation world.

Mike

The calculator I used came up with 32,900....either way, you can't look at what something cost 14 years ago without calculating it at today's dollar value. Even at a modest 3% rate of interest, my $20k investment in 2002 would be over $30K today.

Fully agree you have to look at capital allocations adjusted for inflation.

Since 2010 when I started hunting Africa - the all in costs of hunts has gone up significantly more than any measure of inflation or even the cost of other discretionary activities. Only prices that have come in are airfare.

Given all the unsold quota I am betting we have started to reached a point of some demand destruction.

Lets see what the price list look at DSC but my expectation is there will be a rule of thumb annual $50-$100 increase in daily rates.

I dont collect or save anything - I wish I had saved all the price list from 2010 on.

Also in todays market if you can generate 3% with very low risk you are doing great - US 30 year bond is at 2.4% and you have massive duration risk to earn that return.

Mike

I went to RSA in 2014. Went with my friend, took my 3 sons and dad. Went in 2011 as well (just me and my wife). After getting lied to, ripped off by Dip and Pack (still have animals there sitting in a crate that I paid for).

Dip and pack tried to pass off animals that were not mine. Then, after I sent proof of there lies, they were miraculously found. Now they are sitting in a crate, with my friends trophies. They will not ship them until my friend receives his "permits". So, I am held hostage!

Sorry for the rant, but this type of fraud and corruption is the reason I will not return. In addition, the ever increasing costs factor in as well. The price does not = the value.

There are some great, great people in South Africa. Its too bad that I had to run into some of the crooks!

I took my wife and son to Puerta Vallarta last summer. Great time, great food, and great fishing. 3 people for about $3,500! Sure it was not like hunting. However, I will stick with hunting stateside for now and save the $$$.

Shootaway was right, it's just not worth the stress!

Been to Africa 14 times on safari I nave not always harvested my main animal each time .Took me 5 times to get a leopard and got him on the day after the last scheduled day took me 2 times to get an elephant on day after last day . Non the less I have enjoyed each and every Safari except 1.

Yes it is always better to harvest the animal you are after but I have have great memories of all my travels to Africa

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Yes. The sky is falling, and I am not going to live forever either.

So as long as I am able, physically and financially, I will continue to do what I love so much.

I have been on quite a number of safaris, I enjoyed my first safari 34 years ago.

I enjoyed my last safari a year ago.

And I enjoyed every single one in between.

We will be there in less than 3 weeks time, and I hope some of you will join us here on AR for our LIVE REPORT.

quote:

Originally posted by Jason P:
I went to RSA in 2014. Went with my friend, took my 3 sons and dad. Went in 2011 as well (just me and my wife). After getting lied to, ripped off by Dip and Pack (still have animals there sitting in a crate that I paid for).

Dip and pack tried to pass off animals that were not mine. Then, after I sent proof of there lies, they were miraculously found. Now they are sitting in a crate, with my friends trophies. They will not ship them until my friend receives his "permits". So, I am held hostage!

Sorry for the rant, but this type of fraud and corruption is the reason I will not return. In addition, the ever increasing costs factor in as well. The price does not = the value.

There are some great, great people in South Africa. Its too bad that I had to run into some of the crooks!

I took my wife and son to Puerta Vallarta last summer. Great time, great food, and great fishing. 3 people for about $3,500! Sure it was not like hunting. However, I will stick with hunting stateside for now and save the $$$.

Shootaway was right, it's just not worth the stress!

Highly inflated DIP and Pack and other charges after the hunt are a pure scam. They get you as a hostage after you have paid up for the hunt.

If you are fine leaving trophies behind they are some great cancelled hunts offered recently on AR. Skip the dip and pack and taxidermy and take some pictures. Its a trade off.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
Zambia definately having a good year coming out of the gate. You would be suprised, I follow some sites in Moz and they are having a decent year despite the recent incident in C10.

My booking agent has told me Zambia is taking many booking from Zimbabwe. Zambia pricing has remained stable, Zim has lost its mind. Tanzania, well, what can you say.

That is only normal.Hunters go hunting to shoot something not to go fishing and sightseeing.

Nice that you appointed yourself spokesman for all "hunters". If hunting were simply about shooting something than most african hunters would book a RSA high fenced low priced affair.

Joyce and I hunt for many reasons. Yes it usually involves shooting something but not always. I've passed on game I knew would be near impossible to retrieve while hunting for the freezer. Still enjoyed every minute.

We've hunted Africa five times in in four different countries. We shot things but our talk of the memories include misty mornings on the Kafue river, the lighting of brush fires, time spent around the campfire.

Flat tires, doves calling, red sunsets.

I can regularly shoot things in Alaska and I do. That often includes a lot of work and I love that Joyce and I can still do the work ourselves.

George, hunting is way more than shooting things.

Cheers
Jim

I don't consider you a hunter but something else-I don't know the exact term would be.

Thank you George. Considering your limited definition of hunter I'll accept that I am not one.

Carry on Troll.

Cheers
Jim

Consider the source, Jim. Stupid is as stupid does. I skipped Africa this year and have booked a trip for next year fishing in Brazil in Nov( with you, Joyce and Steve). I have never booked a safari more than 9 months in advance. Will I ever go back to Africa(13 previous safaris)? Maybe....The attraction is fading though as the BS factor increases.

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by Jason P:
I went to RSA in 2014. Went with my friend, took my 3 sons and dad. Went in 2011 as well (just me and my wife). After getting lied to, ripped off by Dip and Pack (still have animals there sitting in a crate that I paid for).

Dip and pack tried to pass off animals that were not mine. Then, after I sent proof of there lies, they were miraculously found. Now they are sitting in a crate, with my friends trophies. They will not ship them until my friend receives his "permits". So, I am held hostage!

Sorry for the rant, but this type of fraud and corruption is the reason I will not return. In addition, the ever increasing costs factor in as well. The price does not = the value.

There are some great, great people in South Africa. Its too bad that I had to run into some of the crooks!

I took my wife and son to Puerta Vallarta last summer. Great time, great food, and great fishing. 3 people for about $3,500! Sure it was not like hunting. However, I will stick with hunting stateside for now and save the $$$.

Shootaway was right, it's just not worth the stress!

Highly inflated DIP and Pack and other charges after the hunt are a pure scam. They get you as a hostage after you have paid up for the hunt.

If you are fine leaving trophies behind they are some great cancelled hunts offered recently on AR. Skip the dip and pack and taxidermy and take some pictures. Its a trade off.

Mike

Mike:

Absolutely, great advice! If I do have a change of heart, this is exactly
what I'll do. I could have went on another safari for what I've paid and have
been scammed from Dip and Pack. It's hard to believe that the owners of these companies
can sleep at night!!

I think if you play it smart you can have a decent and memorable time hunting in Africa.My father always used to tell me when I was young not to be a maniac about something.By that he meant never want something too much.He used the saying a lot when I was thinking of buying something.

We need to find a way to make more money.Then not only will we have a good hunt but we will have sexy women along too.

Costs have gone up disproportionately.

They do not come down when the $ exchange rate is good. They do not come down when the oil price is down.

About 10+ years ago I worked with a guy here in NZ who used to be a game guide in South Africa. He told me that he could arrange PG hunting as well as cheetah and leopard for very reasonable local rate - this was 2005 or even earlier. I remember him saying that one shoot wart hogs for $10 as they were just pests.

Now you see most operators offering wart hog for $500 and some are as high $750!

If I had discovered AR 20 years ago I would have done a Buffalo / PG Safari right then.

Now it is beyond me to fork out $20k for a buffalo PG hunt in wild Africa - including flights.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
Zambia definately having a good year coming out of the gate. You would be suprised, I follow some sites in Moz and they are having a decent year despite the recent incident in C10.

My booking agent has told me Zambia is taking many booking from Zimbabwe. Zambia pricing has remained stable, Zim has lost its mind. Tanzania, well, what can you say.

That is only normal.Hunters go hunting to shoot something not to go fishing and sightseeing.

Nice that you appointed yourself spokesman for all "hunters". If hunting were simply about shooting something than most african hunters would book a RSA high fenced low priced affair.

Joyce and I hunt for many reasons. Yes it usually involves shooting something but not always. I've passed on game I knew would be near impossible to retrieve while hunting for the freezer. Still enjoyed every minute.

We've hunted Africa five times in in four different countries. We shot things but our talk of the memories include misty mornings on the Kafue river, the lighting of brush fires, time spent around the campfire.

Flat tires, doves calling, red sunsets.

I can regularly shoot things in Alaska and I do. That often includes a lot of work and I love that Joyce and I can still do the work ourselves.

George, hunting is way more than shooting things.

Cheers
Jim

I don't consider you a hunter but something else-I don't know the exact term would be.

Thank you George. Considering your limited definition of hunter I'll accept that I am not one.

Carry on Troll.

Cheers
Jim

Jim,

looks like you paid attention during your psychiatry block. Well handled sir.

I am SO glad to have gone when I could. Perhaps we get to go one more time before the picture changes. Having said that, it was inevitable for safari hunting to price itself out of range for the average Joe. We've had our run of us guys who read all about it in Outdoor Life, etc. and found ourselves fortunate enough to afford to go at whatever level we could.

Dip & pack, trophy fees and governmental taxation/fees are doing to safari hunters what has happened with hunting whitetail deer in Texas. When guns are taken away (Yes, I know about you and your cold, dead hands) it will be back to the rich man's province.

Heaven comes later, but soon there will be hell to pay...

I look at all my trips combined as a journey that lasted a number of years with their ups and downs.I hope that journey will continue as I like no place better to be than in the bush with my rifle under the African sun.