Beware AH.com PMs

I've been contemplating this website over the last few weeks and have once again realized that not everything is what it seems. I usually get on this website and I think that the offers on here are legitimate and great deals. I have met and spoke with many members and come to consider the owner a very honest and sincere guy. However Ive recently realized that no matter how great I think this site is that theres always going to be people trying to scam us even on this site.

For example, brickburn has talked with me many times. I've never got a bad report on him and I've grown to trust him. The same holds true for spiral horn, hartzview, johnny viever, and several other people. My problem is that I have checked into many of these peoples offers so much that I relaxed my guard. I started assuming that everything on AH was from good people.

What changed my mind was when I printed off several of my PM's from ah. I took these with me to sci reno and asked not one, or two, outfitters but many outfitters about the people in those pm's. Some of the offers in my pm were good honest offers. However about 60% were found to be scams. 3 such guys had been arrested for poaching in the last few years and half were selling hunts where the animals didn't exist. Booth after booth the answers were the same from every single outfitter. I finally came to the conclusion that these guys on ah aren't to be trusted. From what I've seen the people who post on public forums and make public offers are usually legitimate people with good offers. However if you receive offers via a pm please check up on it. Verify that it is a legitimate offer and make sure you are not taken advantage of . Just because your pm was on africahunting.com does not mean its a valid offer. It many times means they are bad offers which is why its in your pm box. If those guys aren't willing to post it in the public forums and they are only offering you their offer via pm then there may be a very good reason for it. Please check into it.

I can say that I have checked extensively into the pm's from spiral horn and hartzview offers and can honestly say they have never offered me a shady deal via pm. So there are good people but please be aware of pm's and check them with other outfitters before you act on them.

thanks for the heads up tap

Thanks Tap thats good advice. I would also like to know who these guys are so I can watch out for them even if you just want to pm it to me. Bob

Hi All,
There is a responsabilty on several fronts. It is our duty to do as much due dilligence as possible. There are various review sites. I myself write and have written various reviews for Grey's. I know they are subscription based but many others are free. If you find a bad actor you need to post it here and everywhere. If you do your diligence and wind up on a nightmare trip you need to warn others. Last year I booked a trip with Motsomi safaris and it was one of the best hunts i have ever had (with a bow) I have rebooked with them in June. I am lookig to go somewhere else in April for a different but wonderful experience. I will before I make my mind up ,try to do my dilligence. Part of that process will be to vet the deal here.

thanks -Jerry

Tony, Thank you for bringing this up.

As much as I would like to control and filter out things like this, it is impossible for me to do so... It is NOT because it is posted on AH or a pm received through this site that it's legitimate or on the up and up. I have no way to control all of this but I would say that if you or any AH member are receiving this kind of private message to make me aware of it and I will look into it as I really do not want to expose members or visitors here to shady outfitters nor allow them to benefit by using this site in this way.

I would be interested if you are willing to tell me, even by pm, who has sent you such messages. I got rid of a couple of outfitters recently... and have no problem eliminating anyone who is offering questionable hunts.

Don't just assume that because an agent, outfitter or PH is on here that's enough to go by, you always need to do your due diligence which is exactly what Tony did and recommend that everyone else do... At the end of the day you need to do your part and look into anybody that you are thinking hunting with anywhere in the world.

BTW, I can understand why people don't expose bad outfitters, PH's or taxidermists because it ends up costing them lots of money. I did one time years back...it was a expensive lesson.

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Originally Posted by AfricaHunting.com

Tony, Thank you for bringing this up.

As much as I would like to control and filter out things like this, it is impossible for me to do so... It is NOT because it is posted on AH or a pm received through this site that it's legitimate or on the up and up. I have no way to control all of this but I would say that if you or any AH member are receiving this kind of private message to make me aware of it and I will look into it as I really do not want to expose members or visitors here to shady outfitters nor allow them to benefit by using this site in this way.

I would be interested if you are willing to tell me, even by pm, who has sent you such messages. I got rid of a couple of outfitters recently... and have no problem eliminating anyone who is offering questionable hunts.

Don't just assume that because an agent, outfitter or PH is on here that's enough to go by, you always need to do your due diligence which is exactly what Tony did and recommend that everyone else do... At the end of the day you need to do your part and look into anybody that you are thinking hunting with anywhere in the world.

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Like :thumb:

I also have received PM for potential safari offerings... That is not counting the E mails offers that i receive...

One thing i always do is do a internet search on the outfitter of company making the offer.

I appears that if you have gone before you are fair game.

I have the time to take the DSC and SCI bid books and look up any safari that i could be interested in and make my notes prior to going or bidding on line. We all have to make informed decision on where to spend our money. While some have more than others everyone wants to be prudent and spend wisely.

Tony, my apology too you if the recommendation for Animal Artistry for you to look into was an issue.

Unfortunately the bad apples will always be there ! It is actually a very important point you are raising . It is true that you can easily get comfortable and believe all to be legit offers .... There is always one golden rule .... You only get what you pay for .

Great post T.

The exact power and benefit of this site, as exhibited by the incredible growth, is what also makes it susceptible to abuse or misuse.



As Tony said, PUBLIC offers can be screened to some extent. You still have to do your research.

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Originally Posted by AfricaHunting.com

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Don't just assume that because an agent, outfitter or PH is on here that's enough to go by, you always need to do your due diligence which is exactly what Tony did and recommend that everyone else do... At the end of the day you need to do your part and look into anybody that you are thinking hunting with anywhere in the world.

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PM's are private messages and YOU have to screen the offers thoroughly.
THEY ARE NOT SCREENED by the site!

I volunteered to try and help further and Jerome accepted my offer. Hence the "super moderator" status.

Members, Please report abuse.

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Originally Posted by tap

..........For example, brickburn has talked with me many times. I've never got a bad report on him and I've grown to trust him. .....

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Thanks for the compliment Tony.
It is simple to be trustworthy when your goal is to help people reach their goals.
I also don't offer anything but hard won experience, information and advice.

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Originally Posted by enysse

BTW, I can understand why people don't expose bad outfitters, PH's or taxidermists because it ends up costing them lots of money. I did one time years back...it was a expensive lesson.

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Elaborate please, my memory fails me E.

Ok,
I am looking at Koedoeberg safari's. Tell me all. The good the bad and the ugly. I have written many reviews about outfitters(mostly N American and S American.) Not to experienced in Africa but I am working on it.

thanks-Jerry

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Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

Elaborate please, my memory fails me E.

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I'll send you a pm sometime, I have a advanced anatomy test tomorrow. Working towards a new career.

if you need help I aced anatomy!

Thanks zenbear, I just need some time to study.
Koedoeberg safari is great place...I've heard nothing but excellent things.

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Originally Posted by enysse

Thanks zenbear, I just need some time to study.
Koedoeberg safari is great place...I've heard nothing but excellent things.

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Hey Enysse I don't know about anatomy but I am an Official FBI ( female body inspector)heh heh bud light and Black Velvet they work good together.

I am a glenlivet guy with a black light
:)

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Originally Posted by Bobpuckett

Hey Enysse I don't know about anatomy but I am an Official FBI ( female body inspector)heh heh bud light and Black Velvet they work good together.

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Homework for you Bob...look up vestibular gland...female anatomy.

PM sent Tap..........JUST KIDDING.

I have never been PM'd with a hunt offer. I don't know if they only focus on the "newbies" or what. Regardless, if it's not posted on the site and you can't find much on them through some due diligence (google search at the least) then I would STEER CLEAR.

oddly enough my first here I recieved a flurry of them.