Originally published on bwanamoja.com Sept. 14, 2010

Top 10 Most Powerful People in Safari Hunting
By Marc Watts

I've been wanting to see a list like this for so many years. A list of the current movers and shakers in the safari hunting industry. We are a society that loves rankings and lists, and this is a list that no doubt changes from year to year. Those with influence and power in the industry back in the 60's are no longer the big dawgs in 2010.
I thought that for certain, back in the day, someone had compiled such a list like this, but nowhere on the Internet or within the safari writings could I find a list of the safari world's top 10. When I started researching all the possibilities of who to include, I perhaps realized why no one has ever attempted this. It's HARD to quantify the true power brokers in the safari industry, but the difficulty factor has never been something that has deterred me from taking a shot, so here it it is.
My criteria was not money, it's was influence. To me power is influence and every one of these men on the 2010 list are do gooders and architects of the current state of the safari industry. When they speak about the safari world, people listen. They can attract a crowd. They all mean well and are passionate about safari hunting. They are game changers and are helping all of us shape, craft and re-shape the industry to be the best it can be. Their hands are all over their respective fields in the industry; publishing, legislative, safari operators, media, government, advocacy and some a combination of all of the above.
I apologize in advance if I step on the toes of any of my friends within our industry, but there's always next year. Two months ago I began this project, and I'm confident now with my top ten. Here we go. Bwana Moja's top ten most powerful people in the safari world, starting from the bottom of the list.

10) Richard Lendrum: Africa Hunting Gazette Publisher and Hunting Show Organizer

9) Ludo Wurfbain: Safari Press Publisher & Hunter

8) Ben Carter: Dallas Safari Club Executive Director

7) Jeff Rann: Professional Hunter based in Botswana

6) Johan Calitz: Professional Hunter based in Botswana

5) Jim Shockey: Author, TV Show Host, Professional Hunter,

4) Peter Flack: Author, Writer, Editor, Businessman, Lawyer, Hunter

3) Wayne LaPierre: NRA Executive Vice President

2) Craig Boddington: Author, Writer, Editor, TV Show Host, Hunter

1) Larry Rudolph: Safari Club International President

Thank you for the start of an interesting beginning of what I am sure will be an even more interesting discussion. As others have suggested, Criteria, reasoning and history of these gentlemen as leaders of the world industry would certainly be in order.

Although I have heard of most of these gentlemen I would like more information on how they are directing the Safari Industry.
What is it they do that has convinced you to take this stance.
How have they done what sets them apart as leaders of an industry as diverse as the international Safari field?.

Frank

Hmm???

I would have thought I would see more of a list of the companies or people who control the hunting blocks in various countries.

.

Interesting list Marc,
I am not familiar with a few names on list but feel Johan Calitz should be further up on the ranking. Johan has a lot more influence in modern Africa than many folks realize. He is an incredible business man and had done wonders for promoting ethical and sustainable safari hunting in many of the southern African countries. I also am not sure Wane LaPierre warrants the number 3 spot on a Safari Hunting list. Don’t see him as a Safari guy, but more of a Gun rights guy. Truth is I personally don’t consider him to be much of a hunter….once again just my perception.

Interesting list though…..should be quite the discussion driver.

not a true list - you left off walter

This web site , Accurate Reloading - The African Hunting Forum, is one of the most influential international source on African Safari hunting ! !

SAEED BELONGS ON THE THAT LIST; WITHOUT HIM THIS SITE WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.

What about "Uncle Bob"?

Rich

quote:

Originally posted by boltshooter:
This web site , Accurate Reloading - The African Hunting Forum, is one of the most influential international source on African Safari hunting ! !

SAEED BELONGS ON THE THAT LIST; WITHOUT HIM THIS SITE WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.

He has a good point here! While not a huge financial force, it is a huge information force.

Hmmm - interesting - if nothing else we may just began yet another bestseler here on AR.

Thanks for puting it up - I didn't have a clue about the guys that are moving some of the stuff I love - excuse me for coming from one of the remotest places on this planet (bit retarded I know) - still if I may comment on that:

10 - never heard of
9 - first note was a foreword in Ian Nyschens book - that I've first heard of here on AR
8 - never heard of
7 - came to my knowledge when Will posted a link to his video - it was here on AR
6 - I've heard about but forgot - may be just here on AR
5 - never heard of
4 - sorry no clue
3 - sorry again
2 - Ow - he is an AR member - right?
1 - Damn - missed that one too...

My list would be

1. AR (with all of you guys)
...

Sorry my bad!

Bwana Moja,
Great list and I commend you for putting it on here. Just one comment and I am NOT trying to be funny, but it seems that our dearly beloved Mark Sullivan has had more influence than some of the people on your list, and there is a guy named Marc Watts that is fairly influential also. We will look forward to your top ten of all time list.

Interesting idea and of course the result is thought provoking!

Since your list is regarding "power" , not "popularity" I do think that Robert Mugabe warrants a spot, however. It would seem to me that his actions have had more of an influence on the safari industry, albeit negatively and only in Zimbabwe, than most of the others.

Just my .02 cents

Regards,
Scott

hmmm....

no 1. that is the lawyer for ooA right ?

All of those named here rank high on the E.F. Hutton scale - When they talk, people listen.

It is hard to be influential when no one listens to you. These men, whether you like them or not and regardless of whether you agree with what they say, certainly have a large audience of listeners and followers.

I would likely downgrade the PHs mentioned here - Rann and Calitz - due to the fact that their access to the global 24 hour news cycle is inferior to that enjoyed by the heads of NRA, SCI, and DSC. Rann and Calitz, while on TV regularly, do not have the latitude of the named publishers who can make their own press. Shockey, obviously, can present whatever he wants via TV and internet anywhere in the world and this merits a high ranking.

My $.02.

To address on a general basis the comments so far...Every other name and personality mentioned was considered. Saeed's influence and this site received heavy consideration. There was lotsa discussion on making him one of the Top 10. Mark Sullivan, no doubt wields considerable influence as well. Is he powerful? Absolutely yes. Thanks Will for your vote. Yours truly did come up as an influential person, in many people's eyes, but to include myself on this list would be terribly self-serving. Besides I don't hold a candle to these fine men on the list.

There's not enough time in the day for me to explain the influence and power that each man has, (in response to Frank Martinez.) Just because you haven't heard of some of the guys, doesn't mean they're not powerful. It was a not a "who's more popular contest", a "who's more well-known contest" or a "who do I like more contest". Personally, I have met every person in my Top 10, but that was not a necessity for consideration or inclusion to the Top 10 list.

It came down to thee ten most powerful people in the safari hunting world as of today, right now. All of these men are making major major contributions to our industry...that means preserving our rights to safari hunt, paving the way for the industry to run smoothly, standing up for our freedoms in the face of tremendous adversity, bridging the gap between Africa and the rest of the safari world, educating the hunters and non-hunters about true conservation, opening doors to safari destinations that have been closed off in the past and fighting to keep safari doors open that the antis want to close. This is what it's all about. Are there others who are doing this? Absolutely yes! But these are the Top 10.

I encourage everyone to google them and read up on them, if you're unaware of them. Learn for yourself what they've done and what they're doing. I spoke literally to hundreds of people in compiling this list, verifying truths (and untruths) about each individual. I was educated along the way as well, in that I found out major contributions many of these guys had made, that I knew nothing about. Although I personally spoke to some of my Top 10 about their accomplishments and current projects, I told them nothing about the list I was working on. I didn't want my opinion to be weighted unfairly to one person over another.

I will try to make it an annual list.

I think Robert Peterson has a tremendous impact on the safari scene. I know he is dead, but he created the dream for the masses when he started HUNTING magazine. Your number 2 guy on the list owes him a lot and has stated that in the past. My own safari dreams started with an article published in HUNTING magazine.

I think you could also consider Klineburger and Atcheson as well - they created the business model of the hunting booking agent.

The biggest influence on the safari industry, and the one that is changing everything about the way information is passed along, is the internet - so maybe we should include Al Gore?

Of course, it's all a matter of opinion, perspective and which of several possible meanings one chooses to apply to the word powerful.

And with no offence intended to anyone.........

From my perspective (etc) with the possible exception of CB, none of that list would come even close to my top 10 most powerful.

To me, the really powerful people are the (African) Heads of State & Heads of Game Depts because they're the only ones who have the real power to change things one way or the other for African safari hunting.

CB & Johan Calitz would be the only ones on my list out of the 10.

Bwana Moja,

You didn't think that you could create a list without 95% of the posters disagreeing with you did you?

There were a few names on that list that I had not thought of. You certainly put some thought into it.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:

quote:

Originally posted by boltshooter:
This web site , Accurate Reloading - The African Hunting Forum, is one of the most influential international source on African Safari hunting ! !

SAEED BELONGS ON THE THAT LIST; WITHOUT HIM THIS SITE WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.

He has a good point here! While not a huge financial force, it is a huge information force.

I met Garby in Zambia in 2008, I had at that point been on 16 different African safaris and had NEVER heard of AR. Whilst I do enjoy the forum and find it valuable, I would reckon 10-15 percent of the people in attendance in say....Reno have ever heard of it.

Steve

quote:

Originally posted by peterdk:
hmmm....

no 1. that is the lawyer for ooA right ?

No that is Anderson, President Elect & currently VP & had of Ethics Committee I think.

The most influential or powerful people in the safari industry may be the clients. Without our cash there wouldn't be an industry. The flip side of the coin would be that without the industry there would not be anywhere for us to hunt. Seems like a symbiotic relationship. Perhaps one spot should belong the the collective body of hunters known as clients.

Dutch

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
I think Robert Peterson has a tremendous impact on the safari scene. I know he is dead, but he created the dream for the masses when he started HUNTING magazine. Your number 2 guy on the list owes him a lot and has stated that in the past. My own safari dreams started with an article published in HUNTING magazine.

I think you could also consider Klineburger and Atcheson as well - they created the business model of the hunting booking agent.

The biggest influence on the safari industry, and the one that is changing everything about the way information is passed along, is the internet - so maybe we should include Al Gore?

Was Atcheson working as a booking agent before Safari Oufitters?

Fred Webb is huge too.

quote:

Originally posted by Nganga:

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:

quote:

Originally posted by boltshooter:
This web site , Accurate Reloading - The African Hunting Forum, is one of the most influential international source on African Safari hunting ! !

SAEED BELONGS ON THE THAT LIST; WITHOUT HIM THIS SITE WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.

He has a good point here! While not a huge financial force, it is a huge information force.

I met Garby in Zambia in 2008, I had at that point been on 16 different African safaris and had NEVER heard of AR. Whilst I do enjoy the forum and find it valuable, I would reckon 10-15 percent of the people in attendance in say....Reno have ever heard of it.

Steve

I have been a AR member since it started and everytime I have lost my acount through a update or a change, I have come back to it.

I would agree with this statement, but think that 50-80% of the folks in attendance at any hunting show haven't heard of it.

Safari Club show may be the big dog, but there are a lot of hunting shows.

What does LaPierre have to do with the safari industry?

Mike

I usually find that the more true power and influence a person has, the less he or she cares about ratings. Even if AR could get this list correct despite its purely subjective nature, what good would it do? Help you plan a hunt? Choose a PH? Elect one country over another to be the place for your next hunt?

Load some ammo, carefully; or take your bird dog out into the field; or take a kid hunting or teach him to shoot. Get on with life.


With malice toward none,

Maybe its the use of the word "industry" and "powerful" but I find the concept of this list distasteful. Makes me think people view the safari industry like show business or politics or that safaris are now competitions where scores are kept.

Yes, some people have turned it into show business and certainly politics impacts safaris and people make a living out of safaris so it is an industry but something just doesn't sound right.

My sense is if you told somebody like a Craig Boddington he was one of the most powerful people in the safari industry he would cringe.

He would say I am just Craig and I am fortunate to be able to make a living at hunting and writing if I can provide enjoyment to others than I am even happier.

I am sure there are others on the list that would be thrilled to be thought of as powerful people in the safari industry.

My feeling is I would rather be in camp with the former and not the latter.

Marc,

I'd think John Jackson might have rated a very high place in your Top 10.

Mark

quote:

Maybe its the use of the word "industry" and "powerful" but I find the concept of this list distasteful. Makes me think people view the safari industry like show business or politics or that safaris are now competitions where scores are kept.

Yes, some people have turned it into show business and certainly politics impacts safaris and people make a living out of safaris so it is an industry but something just doesn't sound right.

My sense is if you told somebody like a Craig Boddington he was one of the most powerful people in the safari industry he would cringe.

He would say I am just Craig and I am fortunate to be able to make a living at hunting and writing if I can provide enjoyment to others than I am even happier.

I am sure there are others on the list that would be thrilled to be thought of as powerful people in the safari industry.

My feeling is I would rather be in camp with the former and not the latter.

Mike

Mike,

I wish I had said that. "Most powerful people" just gives me a funny feeling when used in the context of safari hunting.

Mark

If he doesn't make the top 10.....Mr. Ivan Carter has to be slightly ahead of number 11! He's got to be one of the best elephant PH's to be found....love the way he hunts Jumbo.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

quote:

Originally posted by retreever:
What does LaPierre have to do with the safari industry?

Not much

I haven't posted in a while, so I will choose this one to break back into it!!!

Moja, I think you're a pretty cool guy, you walked by me a few times at the Silver legacy last SCI show, seen a few of your vids, so please take NO offense to the rest of this post.

My thoughts on the original post!

WHO GIVES A CRAP!

What do you think these top 10 people can do? walk on water??? they are just hunters and owner/operators...they are just people. There are some organizations that have a hell of a lot more pull, power, control, of wild lands than any one person by themselves on this list!

Absolute rubbish!

We all know who is really number 1:

Walter Hogg, creative genius and supreme safari mover and shaker. It is widely rumored that Elephants don't take a dump without checking with Walter first.

His intentional exclusion reflects the extreme jealousy and feline-like cattiness of those that whose intentional sleight is an attempt to reduce his renouned stature to their lowly stations in life.

Shameful!

IMHO
what are the criteria. I agree with posters above when they say that certain heads of African States could have more influence over the African Safari Industry with only the click of a finger......if the list has anyone on it with political influence, then I dont beleive they should be on it. I admire your thought and perseverance with the list and maybe the AR members can suggest a set of criteria and then we all conduct a poll to see who comes out TOPS........I have a feeling I know who 90% of AR members will nominate.

The top ten most "powerful people" in the hunting industry are not PHs, writers, clients, or even hunting block "owners". Anyone who has ever lived or worked in Africa or the developing world generally will tell you that the most powerful people are most often the mid level government bureaucrats who have the ability to push an agenda to their boss or, if not properly compensated or treated with kid gloves in some other way, make activities stop on a dime for absolutely no reason. They may not be glamorous or rich or make the covers of magazines, but in terms of power and influence, these guys make any first world gun writer or lawyer or booking agent look like amateur hour.

quote:

Originally posted by tendrams:
The top ten most "powerful people" in the hunting industry are not PHs, writers, clients, or even hunting block "owners". Anyone who has ever lived or worked in Africa or the developing world generally will tell you that the most powerful people are most often the mid level government bureaucrats who have the ability to push an agenda to their boss or, if not properly compensated or treated with kid gloves in some other way, make activities stop on a dime for absolutely no reason. They may not be glamorous or rich or make the covers of magazines, but in terms of power and influence, these guys make any first world gun writer or lawyer or booking agent look like amateur hour.

Dead right. Their names and faces would only usually be known by a very few people in the industry and virtually no-one else but there's no doubt at all that they and their bosses are the guys with ALL the power and influence.

Saeed and AR are at the TOP of my list. Good hunting. Jack

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:

quote:

Originally posted by tendrams:
The top ten most "powerful people" in the hunting industry are not PHs, writers, clients, or even hunting block "owners". Anyone who has ever lived or worked in Africa or the developing world generally will tell you that the most powerful people are most often the mid level government bureaucrats who have the ability to push an agenda to their boss or, if not properly compensated or treated with kid gloves in some other way, make activities stop on a dime for absolutely no reason. They may not be glamorous or rich or make the covers of magazines, but in terms of power and influence, these guys make any first world gun writer or lawyer or booking agent look like amateur hour.

Dead right. Their names and faces would only usually be known by a very few people in the industry and virtually no-one else but there's no doubt at all that they and their bosses are the guys with ALL the power and influence.

Steve and Tendrams -

you guys are spot on, i couldnt agree more.

Shockey...? You have a rather strange sense of humor.

I watched about six minutes of one of his shows. "Hi, I am world famous, but incredibly humble, urbane and witty at the same time JS, and I am here in ____________ with my ___________________(17 item list of sponsors), to hunt____.

He is worse than listening to a NASCAR driver rattle off his list of enablers.

Rich

Silly posts deserve silly responses so here's mine:

It seems no one disputes the posts that place Accurate Reloading / Saeed as number ONE.

Therefor.....

it stands to reason that the person covered most on AR topics should be number TWO....

.........

.........


..........


Mark Sulivan