There are hunting forums... and then there is AfricaHunting.com!!!

[CT Safaris]

I've been reading / participating in various hunting-related internet forums over the years and share some of Peleton's views recently posted on another thread... Thankfully; AfricaHunting.com has become a haven for those who are more than "armchair experts", trolls, a-holes etc, etc...

Over the years I've seen the best and the worst come out in people on these forums... From those with a passion for African hunting, those with a dream to one day hunt Africa, those who have been here before and plan on coming back to those who will probably never get here or don't even plan on getting here in the real world...

I've seen (and have on occasion answered to) the "tire kickers", the "know-it-alls", the "armchair experts"... some asking relevant questions and participate politely in discussions/debates out of genuine interest, some trying to be controversial, some just looking for trouble...

I've seen how folks have gone out of their way to taint the reputation of people they don't know... I've experienced how some would go out of their way to taint the reputation of people they DO know because of their own hidden agendas and I've seen and experienced how others saw this as a marketing opportunity for themselves and jump on the bandwagon to their own benefit...

And considering what I've read on and experienced from the various forums over the years, I can totally understand how people can sometimes get disillusioned as far as African hunting is concerned...

In this regard I want to take a moment to thank Jerome for putting AfricaHunting.com together and for giving us hunters with a real interest in our sport an opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest in a polite and relevant manner. I also want to thank members of this site for their participation and support...

With this I wish all of you a prosperous and happy New Year and may AfricaHunting.com continue growing from strength-to-strength!

Best,

[spike.t]

nicely put chris. i have never bothered with the other ones, as there seems to be too much aggro on them from what i have read on here. have a good one yourself

[35bore]

Well put Chris. Kudo's or (Kudu's) to Jerome and all the fantastic member's of this site.

[Jaco Strauss]

Could not have put it any better, all the members and visitors here share your sentiment........

My best alwyays

[Nyati]

Could not have put it any better, all the members and visitors here share your sentiment........

My best alwyays

Agree 100%

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Thanks Chris.
Wise words from a wise man.

Enjoy the new year and be safe!

[Spiral Horn Safaris]

Well said Chris!

All the best for the new year for everyone.

Best regards
Louis van Bergen

[Cliffy]

As I have said many times in many other threads here on AH- This is the best forum on the net, bar none. We all work well with each other and civility surfaces even when commentary may be taken with real or imagined umbrage. I am just a beginner in Africa, I don't know if I will ever be "experienced" or an "expert" but I know I enjoy it, enjoy helping others to experience it and I like to share my experiences with others (both newbies and old hands). Africa gets under your skin and this is the best place on the net to scratch it!

[Bobpuckett]

As I have said many times in many other threads here on AH- This is the best forum on the net, bar none. We all work well with each other and civility surfaces even when commentary may be taken with real or imagined umbrage. I am just a beginner in Africa, I don't know if I will ever be "experienced" or an "expert" but I know I enjoy it, enjoy helping others to experience it and I like to share my experiences with others (both newbies and old hands). Africa gets under your skin and this is the best place on the net to scratch it!

I could not agree with you more, just a few days on this site and youknow you have thousands of freinds just waiting to be met. Thank you all for having me here with you. Bob

[Peleton]

Chris,
Well said. You were able to put what I felt on other sites into a few simple words. There is absolutely nothing wrong with enthusiasm from guys that have been hunting Africa a couple times. But some ego's see it as their 15 minutes of fame. From what I see on this site, there is newbies who wish to learn and old veterans that wish to teach. If my particular experience can be of help to anyone here, that is the spirt in which internet forums can and will thrive.

I saw some of the newer members get their collective azz's kicked over posting up hunt repots of animals that the forum somehow judged to be inferior. How childish, if you have nothing nice to add. STFU.

Glad to be here.

Steve

[spike.t]

Chris,
Well said. You were able to put what I felt on other sites into a few simple words. There is absolutely nothing wrong with enthusiasm from guys that have been hunting Africa a couple times. But some ego's see it as their 15 minutes of fame. From what I see on this site, there is newbies who wish to learn and old veterans that wish to teach. If my particular experience can be of help to anyone here, that is the spirt in which internet forums can and will thrive.

I saw some of the newer members get their collective azz's kicked over posting up hunt repots of animals that the forum somehow judged to be inferior. How childish, if you have nothing nice to add. STFU.

Glad to be here.

Steve

steve good to see you are sounding a bit more upbeat already

[TOM]

That is what is so great about AH. Everyone here is friendly and confrontation is rare. We all have a mutual interest and respect one another regardless of first impala or tenth elephant.

[Diamondhitch]

I've said it many times, this site and its members are top notch. Happy new year to everyone.

[jpomazi]

Like most I visit alot of sites but as far as Africa goes this is the best. Nothing comes close.

[enysse]

It's a great forum. I have been on here for 4 years. I have learned a lot and met a lot of great people. A friend of mine turned me onto AH, I blown away by how professional it was run....I still am.

[GSTONE]

This is, hands down, the best hunting forum I have ever seen. A wealth of experience is available by the contributors, which makes planning a trip a pleasure for those making their first hunt in Africa. I really enjoy reading reports about their hunts, and the suggestions they make for the rest of us. Keep up the good work... it is a pleasure to be a small part of such a worthwhile forum!

[Buff-Buster]

Great post Chris. I share the feelings of all that have commented. I can truly say visiting this site is the highlight of my day. The respect shown by all is to me, what makes the difference. The love of our sport and the excitement that comes from hunting in Africa comes thru from the veterans and the ones looking forward to their "first". No egos, just guys wanting to help someone share their experience. It may sound "corny", but I feel as though I have a second home to go to with people I trust...just by tapping on a keyboard. Thanks Jerome and all of you that have allowed me to be a part of this great site.....Wes

[TOM]

Well written Buff-Buster. Couldn't agree more.

[Norwegianwoods]

Well written Buff-Buster. Couldn't agree more.

The same goes for me.
I really like this forum very much.

[AfricaHunting.com]

Thank you all! I am overwhelmed by all of your kind words!

Honestly, all of the praise does feel wonderful but it also makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. Don't get me wrong I truly enjoy that AH has become the kind of community that it has, and although I put this forum together and had a vision as to what I wanted it to represent, it is YOU, the members, that have made it great!

All of you have built the ambiance... each time that you warmly welcome a new member, take the time to answer someone's questions, share in another hunters' excitement, post your pictures, videos or a hunt report and generously share your collective wealth of knowledge with care and intention. I may have created the platform, but you guys each brought your experiences, knowledge and special talents to AH and made it a community.

I remember the first time I went to the SCI show in 1997 and I met so many really open, friendly, helpful, entertaining and awesome people in a few short days and I thought this forum should be like that. A bunch of hunters getting together and sharing their love of Africa and hunting, for the purpose of education, camaraderie, enjoyment and entertainment.

I would like to finish by saying that I AM PROUD to be a part of this community of hunters who has built AH into what it is today and I would like to THANK each and every AH member that has helped me to achieve my vision. As I wrote in my welcome on the home page even before there was an AH community. "Our community is a place for seasoned African hunters and those who dream of someday hunting in Africa. I hope that you will find AfricaHunting.com a great place to spend time preparing for or dreaming about your future African hunting safari or reliving your last."