What are the possibilities of an American helping a PH as an assistant/camp helper for a year? For example, someone who would help entertain clients, shoot bait animals, help scout for animals, and help around camp doing various other tasks.

The reason I'm pondering this is the economy is in the pits and the job market is terribly slow. A few people I've talked to have decided to spend a year abroadto see if the economy picks up during that time. I like hunting, I like Africa, so I though maybe there is a way I can assist a PH for a year in exchange for shooting a couple animals while I'm there. It would probably be the closest thing I'd get to going on a safari for awhile and, not to mention, a great lifetime experience.

Do you guys think there is any possibility of doing this?

Thanks,

Can't help you there, but you ought to buy a copy of "The Last Safari." A gent does a bit of what you propose.

Great idea. I think I'll make such and application with Vaughan Fulton. I'd be willing to perform all the duties you mentioned in exchange for Tafel and scotch.

REad the Last Safari by vanBuskirk and get a real view of your idea. It is not the "heaven" you might think.

The book is ordered and on its way!

Please forgive the bubble bursting. (Tequila is involved.)

Helping around the camp, as an inexperienced fellow, (sorry, but N. American hunting don't cut it), you are asking to jump ahead of an appy, and that is not in the cards. Shooting and the like is called fun, sitting aorund the campfire and shooting the bull is called fun, and that is not something a PH is looking for.

He, or she for that matter, is looking for a fellow or lady who can replace a clutch while standed in a swamp, holdomg yur breath while you turn the bolt and all, who can be counted on to survive through a bout of malaria and still do most of his/her job, who can get the other employees to work their asses off, who can deal with the gendarmes when they get stopped at an impromptu road block, and can deal with the critters and all sorts of what ifs.

It is a noble goal, but it has its pitfalls. It can be a dream job, but be prepared for the nightmares.

I'm sure I could help set something up for you, if you are serious. Drop me a line - hulmour@yahoo.com

Like Nkonka says, it certainly won't all be fun in the sun - more like seriously hard graft most of the time. But it would be a great experience, and there would be a fair amount of fun in the sun between fixing broken clutches in the swamp!

Dave

Sevens

I have done it so i say go for it. Email David Hulme as soon as you can.

I went out to Zimbabwe in 2005 to work for Roger Whittall Safaris and Charlton McCallum Safaris. I spent 6 months over there doing all sorts. Setting up camp at the start of the season, cutting new roads, meeting and greeting clients at the airport, taking supplies to camps, picking up game scouts and lots of other things. I also filmed a lot of hunts and i got to shoot some game. Nothing much, Impala and Monkeys.

It was the best experiance of my life. It is hard work but go for it.

PM me if you want anymore info.

Mike