I have never checked PHASA or any other professional hunting organization and probably never will. My hats off to Brickburn and the rest of you that are very detailed. You have my admiration for thoroughness.
In the past most of my hunting with outfitters have been from personal referral from people that I know who have hunted with this outfitter. I also visited with the outfitter and checked references prior to booking.
I have only been a member here for a little over a year and find AH is a valuable tool. This year I have two hunts booked with AH outfitters and a third hunt verbally committed to and it should be finalized in the next month or so.
1. Prior to booking the first hunt (an expensive hunt for me) with an AH member. I checked references, read the hunting reports of this outfitter, read everything the outfitter had posted on AH and had some pm's with other members, called people in the industry that I know and asked them what they knew about the outfitter. Asked outfitters I didn't know at DSC 2013 what their impressions of the outfitter were.(Got some interesting comments here) I also have an acquaintance from prior to joining AH who has hunted with this outfitter twice and had good hunts.
2. The second hunt is booked with an AH member. (low day rates and I'm already in Africa so I don't have airfare costs) I never checked a reference. I have read his posts, and feel comfortable with him and his operation. I am looking forward to a great hunt but can't get burned to bad.
3. This is with an AH member. I know a little about him from AH but met him at DSC this year. He had a US hunt I am interested in at a fair and reasonable price. I never asked for or checked references.
Am I being a little Pollyanna'ish? Possibly
Am I more susceptible to being burned by not checking all the possible facts more closely? Yes
If I get burned and have a bad hunt is it my fault? Yes
Is my definition of a successful hunt a body count total or # of heads in the books? Not at all
I feel the outfitter who is a member of AH has as much or more skin in the game than I do. This is his livelihood. For me it is discretionary money. (Don't get me wrong, I am not rich and money is important.)
So far, I have never been burned or had a bad hunt. Will I always be as fortunate? Possibly not.
Is my way of making a decision the best? Probably not but it has worked for me so far.
In summation, In the past, I have generally based my decision on relationships, visiting with others and a general (gut) feel. You guys on AH are now part of my relationships, friends and decision making. Going forward I see most of my African hunts being booked through members of AH. Is this the best way? I'll let you know the end of the year.
All the best.