Hello everyone, I am currently enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in a special operations unit and have for the last few years. When my time here is up ( 19 odd months ) I want to make being a Professional Hunter my career. I understand that the first big step is making the right connections. I am most thankful for any input or advice

Best wishes,
Jake

Jake,

First off, thank you for your service.

Second, Beat Navy.

I have hunted with two American PHs. One was quite good, the other not so, although I didn't know it at the time.

The biggest thing you lack unless you have spent a lot of time at DLI, is that you do not speak the native language of trackers. That is the hard part; I think anyone can judge animals - Wendell Reich is a better judge of animals than many PHs. But if you can't communicate with the staff, it is sort of like a 2LT who can't get recommendations and advice from the squad leaders or Plt Sgt...good luck with that one!

Have you ever hunted in Africa? You might see what the lifestyle is like. I don't envy it all; I think a PH earns every penny he or she makes, and it doesn't appear to be a lot. But they do it because they enjoy it, which I am guessing is a common motivation.

PM me and I will put you in touch with one of the American PH's I know. Be forewarned, I don't think he is hunting Africa anymore.

Contact Shakari and read his book.
Its the best advice and pathway to getting there.

Then go and spend time in Africa, there are a few guys who will be happy to have you work in their camps for board and lodging.
Experience is what you need more than anything, the rest you can figure out as you go.
PM me if you want a few people to try and get in contact with.
Good luck and keep kicking ass over there.
HQ

quote:

Originally posted by African Hunters Quest:
Contact Shakari and read his book.
Its the best advice and pathway to getting there.

Thanks for those kind words and the book is available here: http://www.lulu.com/product/ha...r-in-africa/15222583

Also available in e-book and kindle and details are in my signature.

I'm a bit limited for internet access right now but feel free to PM or email me with any questions.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:

quote:

Originally posted by African Hunters Quest:
Contact Shakari and read his book.
Its the best advice and pathway to getting there.

Thanks for those kind words and the book is available here: http://www.lulu.com/product/ha...r-in-africa/15222583

Also available in e-book and kindle and details are in my signature.

I'm a bit limited for internet access right now but feel free to PM or email me with any questions.

Never mind the damn drivel, clear out ya bloody mailbox, ya git!

It's now clear... sorry about that!

AZWriter, I absolutely agree with you about the language barrier and lack of experience. I've been to Africa on a few different occasions but not the places most of us would like to go and under circumstances that probly all of us wouldn’t want to be in. Things are ran different where ever you go but I have been a fishing/ duck hunting guide in South Texas, worked on a couple game ranches in the same region, and I own a small ranch in North Texas where I used to take a small amounts of hunts each year. I got away from game ranches due to the fact that my personal idea of hunting and theirs were different. I don't have a single feeder or tree stand on my place. All of my hunting is on the ground, on foot, and by the animal’s rules.

AHQ, thank you for referring Mr. Robinson's book and I will be messaging you in the near future.

Steve, I've seen your book on line a couple of different times and it's one I would more than love to have... problem is I do not own a Kindle or the like and I move around so much these days if I were to order it in hard back I would still have to wait several months before I got my hands on it. If you don't mind I will be shooting you an e-mail or two as time goes on with the understanding that you also have limited access to the internet. Matter of fact the only reason I'm on here at the moment is I'm nursing a little injury so as soon as I'm “back on my feet", I'll be much more difficult to reach.

Thank all of you gentlemen for taking the time to post on here with wonderful advice, kind words, and offers to help.

Cheers,
Jake

No problem Jake
Good luck and get well soon.
Looking forward to hearing from you
Regards
HQ

AHQ, is huntersquest.com your website ?

Jake, as an American who has a PH license in Tanzania myself, I say go for it man, and good luck to ya!

The only issues you need to concern yourself with, are where you want to hunt, and getting the knowledge/experience necessary to pass the test, and be a qualified and successful PH. most places that will allow an alien to get a PH license, like TZ for example, is a widely English speaking country, even in the bush. If you appie for someone, likely you will pick up the local tongue pretty easily.

Focus on where you want to hunt/work, then work towards an appie job. All the other stuff will come as you do your apprenticeship. Experience man, most important thing you can get!!

Good luck!!!

Aaron,
I sure am glad to hear from you. Tanzania is the place I want to be, sure I would not mind hunting other places down the line but that is where I want to call home. My old lady intends on doing some work there herself so if that tells you anything. How difficult is it to find a good hunter that will take an apprentice? I thank you for taking your time to shoot me that message and I'd love to get deeper into this conversation and subject if you ever find the time. Thanks again.

Good luck to you son, and thank you for your service to our country.

You are more than welcome sir and its my pleasure... thank you for the warm words.

Jake

Offer to be a white slave for a good outfitter for a couple of years, working for poshu alone, building huts, fences, driving, fixing landcruisers, etc.

Vehical mechanical repair skills would be a plus.

And while doing it, learn the local languages, pick up tips and experience.

Friends, acquaintances, contacts, as usual the key to anything. If you don't have them, you need to make them.

You DEFINIELY won't learn what is needed to be learned out of a book ...

Red River Jake - You gotta start contacting outfitters in TZ first, looking for an appie position. Second, and most important is, TZ is starting to require new PH's to not only have an apprenticeship, but also take the 9-month college course, from the Mweka College in Arusha, along with the apprenticeship.

You need to contact Mike Angeliedese (spelling), at Tanzania Pro Hunters Assoc (TPHA). Mike is a very nice guy, and he can tell you what's going on at the moment. Each year, the test usually takes place in early June, and rarely do they give more than a 2-3 week advance notice. If you know what you're doing, the test is fairly easy. Its generally a 2-day test, first day is a written exam and a practical exam, the 2nd day are the oral board exams. Out of 22 guys taking the test in 2010 when I took it, I scored #2. You can do it, you just gotta devote the time/effort needed.

Without lots of previous African Hunting experience, especially DG experience, you must get signed onto a 2-3 yr appie job. Then you will be qualified, experienced enough, and ready for the test, and ready to lead hunters into the field.

My email is globalhunts@aol.com From now until Dec. 20th, I am constantly guiding hunts here in Colorado, so the beginning of the year will be the best time to reach me.

Good luck, and go get em!

Hey John, I look forward to the poshu.

Aaron, I'll start slowly but surely on contacting some folks. Best of luck on your hunts and I'll be talking to you.

Regards,

Jake J.