How many of you subscribe to "The Hunting Report"?

I do, both print and electronic versions.

Les

Do you think it is still worth the subscription price? I am not making a judgement here just looking for feedback.

I get both the print and electronic version as well. I look at it as another resource to get information. I don't take everything printed in it as "Gospel". I still do follow up when warranted. Yes I think it's worth the money, but still do your own homework. Use it as a general guide.

Ray, you're right. I've edited my comment, and will send you an email.

Mike,

I subscribe to both the hard copy and electronic version. I find the monthly hunting reports from subscribers to be very helpful.

Regards,

Mark

I subscribe to both versions also. I agree that it doesn't need to be taken at face value - you still need to do more research, but it does give you some ideas.

MIke416,
When you make a statement like someone on this board is being examined on the hunting report, it puts ALL of us in the trade who post here, as suspect, so please either don't do it or give the persons name would be my suggestion...That person would then have an opertunity to explain his side of the arguement since he posts here...Believe it or not I suspect some people that complain to the Hunting Report are folks that no one could satisfy...Every story has two sides.

That's the problem I have with the Hunting Report, sometimes its false, sometimes its a witchhunt, and sometimes he is correct...but it can get pretty gossipy IMO..I recall last year the Hunting Report went berserk on something that was totally false and got a pretty good thrashing on this forum and others, he was simple and totally off base....

I personally have never been mentioned in the hunting report one way or the other that I know off so figure I can make a unprejudist appraisal on it from an industry side, maybe!! ...

Ray, I did read one negative comment on you in the Hunting Report. Somebody complained that your spelling was atrocious. Here�s an opertunity for you to tell your side of the story.

Without mentioning the names involved - a hunter booked an elephant hunt with a well known PH. Upon arrival, the hunter stated �I must have a minimum of 70 lbs, but I only have 7 days to hunt�. (He booked a 14 day hunt.) The PH�s response was, "this will be very difficult even if we had 21 days and the limitations on time will only compound the problem".



On the morning of the 7th day, still no 70 pound ele. Late in the day, a 50 lbs +/- ele presented himself. The PH said, that is not a 70 lbs ele. The client said I want to take him. Once the ele was on the ground everybody was happy. Client paid the bill and returned home.



Upon arrival of the tusks, the PH gets a call from happy client accusing the PH of �stealing� his 70 lbs tusks and substituting them with 50 lbs tusks. The PH backups his side of the story with a payment from the client for a 50 lbs ele. There is no way in hell a PH will sell a 70 lbs ele for the 50 lbs price.



The client in order to save face with his hunting buddies attempts to disparage the PH everywhere he can - still to this day.



Some hunting reports are about as reliable as gossip in my opinion. There are a few folks who have expectations far beyond reality who will never be happy no matter what. Then there are others who are fed peanut butter sandwiches who call it caviar. Be careful what you read and believe...

I have subscribed to THC for years. I find it helpful and informative, and a good source from which to start a search for a hunt. With that said, I don't put full faith in everthing I read in it, or for that matter, Petersens, AH, HT, or anything else. They are just tools to help make the final decision.

Forrest,
Yer rit, kan't spell, its a lazy thing with me...My give a sh--er pretty much stays in neutral!!

I subscribe to the printed, but can't justify the electronic cost. I consider the "report" a valuable tool, but only a tool and only one of many. I do not take everything said there as gospel. I booked a hunt that I found advertised in the "report" because it was more economical than any others I had found (not Africa). Later, seems that Causey had a falling out with this guy and lots of bad press was given. I was fairly concerned about maybeso I had screwed up, but was committed, so went. Hunt and everything went perfectly, very well handled with no problems. I did file a report with Causey to that effect. Point being, he ain't gospel, but a good tool.

I subscribe to both versions, based on the advice of those here. I look over te hard copy, but I agree, the electronic one is a waste of money. I think I only paid another $10 bucks or something, so it's a relatively small waste of moeny as far as wasting money tends to go with me. It's useful, but I agree you still need to do the research and ask the right questions.

I view The Hunting Report as the National Enquirer for sportsmen. It is always entertaining, sometimes useful, and on rare occasion serves as a purveyor of fact. That said, and as sometimes may be seen in the newsletter, the publisher seems to be in rather tight with John J. Jackson III. This is a man I hold in very high regard.

JMHO,

JohnTheGreek

Mike,

I have subscribed to THR for years, and I know Don Causey (we were introdiuced by a mutual friend who had worked with him at Outdoor Life in a previous life). I think the material provided is worth the cost, and I do get the electronic version.

Don sometimes gets things out there more quickly than I would, but it at least is an early warning that something is wrong (or at least not right).

Also his research and copy service is useful: for example I once ordered copies of all Cape buff hunt reports when I was researching an article.

jim

Information is information. My expectations do run high when I book a hunt. Remember as consumers, we are sold a hunt. It isn't a give away. When I spend my money I ask what I get for it. I expect the truth and an accurate assessment of the hunt and the prospects for success. In my opinion too many outfitters/booking agents/etc. are more than willing to overstate the prospects in order to sell a hunt and when a client is unhappy blame it on the vagaries of the hunt or as Ray has often said the consumers that complain are "likely folks that no one could satisfy."