ChrisT
AH enthusiast
Enysse,
NOT true, i do sell cheaper hunts (probably not the cheapest), but still advertise some of the best hunting packages on this forum, and i do run a quite excellent operation if i may say so myself...Smaller Outfitters in my eye's probably has less OVERHEADS to worry about thus advertising better prices...let you think hey...
I myself had to cut down on staff members, i became quite and interesting cook because of economical crisis's around the world, and my freelance PH's has become "yet again" excellent trackers and skinners...thus cutting nearly 4 staff members; and i don't even want to elaborate on all the Cruisers and extra's that some of these outfitters has and DON'T USE...only my 2 cents...
Patrick, please do not see my reply to your post as being critical - I'm genuinely interested to learn more about the "cutting of staff members issue that you've raised...
Are you saying you don't use trackers and skinners anymore and do the cooking yourself?
I for one have a great issue with camps that have more staff than what is necessary. I have hunted from camps that had 14 full time employees where they could have done with 4 and in my opinion this is a total waste - not to mention unpleasant for clients when it gets to tipping time...
However; according to my line of thinking having a tracker, skinner and cook is essential to running a safari outfit. Whilst I believe I am a pretty decent cok myself; I simply do not have the time to cook for my clients. Grilling steaks for them once or twice is one thing - cooking for them every night is a different kettle of fish... Also; I believe that evenings should be spent with my clients around the campfire - not me in the kitchen and them left alone around the fire.
And once an animal has been shot and recovered I feel that it is the client's right to continue hunting as opposed to watching his PH skin his animals (or to be left on his own while the PH is performing this function).
I am keen to hear how you deal with this in your operation.
Thanks,