I recently lost my job of 24 years at age 50. To make a long story short my passion is hunting and fishing and I have always had a burning desire to become a consultant. Now that I will be starting a new career I have the opportunity to follow my dream however my wife thinks I crazy. Her advice is get a real job and if you want to do this as a hobby great. I know many of you are agents and I would really like to hear your feedback and advice on making this a career choice and where to get started.

Being an agent is very difficult. No painting it another way. You have to be patient, have good people skills, and be honest. This is one place where Bullshitting bites back.

Other than that, people can say a lot of things here sir, at the end it is about bookings. If you know enough hunters to get started, like doing one group as a start. Then you have a good platform to work from, and the most important thing, point of ref. for future clients.

I'm not a booking agent, I'm an outfitter in Africa, but I have dealt with so many agents, that it is not funny.

Some of the go to guys one here for advice is David L Keith, Mark Young and Wendell Reich.
I would suggest contacting them via PM's.

In all it takes a lot of money to advertise and make a name BEFORE you become a succesful hunting CONSULTANT.

To get an outfitter should not be a problem. Getting the right one might be.

David,

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear you lost your job.

All it takes to become an agent/consultant is a phone line, a computer, an internet connection, an hour or two to set up a cheap website and the ability to make promises someone else has to try to keep keep and probably often can't....... but the industry is full of people like that and all they do is cause problems, disappointment and headaches for everyone concerned.

All it takes to become a GOOD agent who's truly worth his salt, is some of the things mentioned above, plus a deep and enduring knowledge of every single aspect of every single area, country, company and individual you're going to be representing. A strict committment to the truth, a refusal to BS and the patience of Job.

I'm not suggesting it's impossible for you to become a good and trustworthy agent, just that it's a slow and very hard process and requires an awful lot of commitment, knowledge and ability.

If you're looking for something that'll give you even a half decent, regular income then your wife has it right.

I have a close friend who was a agent/outfitter and did a very good job he was honest up front with everyone only booked people with Ph's and safari outfitters he had hunted with as a paying client. and still it got to him so bad he quit the business. he said his 10% was not worth all the head aches he had to put up with that he had no control of

Sevebxjt,
Your hit it right on the head. the agents I know are more interested in you having a good hunt than they are in the money. and the good ones are worth every penny they get

quote:

Funny thing, as much as some like to beat up agents around here, doesn't seem like there is much money in it to me. If it is your passion, by all means, it just doesn't seem very lucrative to me in relation to the headaches if you do the job properly. I could certainly be wrong though.

Justin

I could have said it better. Not! A person that doesn't have extensive hunting experience or works with an outfit that does just can't proved what is needed. AND there ain't much money in it.

Mark

If you are doing it for the money you will be disapointed. If it is truly your passion then you have a chance to do well and maybe make some money. Wendell Reich is my go-to guy because he is a no BS guy. He doesn't just make it up as he goes. If you can do that then go for it. Just don't get in a hurry for a pay check as most of us are pretty loyal to "OUR GUY".

quote:

there ain't much money in it.

says the financier of the next lottery