To the poors-I salute you!

@TheRookie, Do you see a theme here in the comments?

If you can spare a " family beach vacation" away from the family farm, you can spend that same amount of money to hunt Africa; solo or with the family. Check AH sponsored outfitters, ask the AH community which other non AH sponsored outfitters they have hunted with. 10K all in is a lot of money for some people that could be more practically spent for other more important life's experiences.

Do a web search:

Pick an outfitter, any outfitter, as baseline. Then start comparing what that outfitter offers against other outfitters.

Search airlines for costs of flights and compare rates with other airlines for the best price

Do you want to have all, some, or none of your animals mounted? Check taxidermist prices here in the US vs having your animals mounted in Africa. Check dip and ship vs completely mounted shipping costs. You can get some good guesstimates here on the forum

You can get a good idea what your total trip will costs.

FYI: figure in an additional 20%, TIA! Expect the unexpected. Better to over budget and return home with money not spent than worry about under budgeting. Should of, Would of, Could of, sort of think.

SCHUNTER73 said:

Not to be corny, but I love everything about this forum. People from different locations, different backgrounds, different family types, different occupations and different life experiences all coming together over a love of hunting.

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This! Well said.

TheRookie said:

Figured I’d throw a shout out to all the guys on here who fly cattle class, don’t have a family ranch, and who will never drop a 100k on a hunt. We may not be rich, but we’re fun.

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Spirit of the post is that just because not all of us can doesn’t mean we aren’t all connected and excited for one another’s opportunities and experiences whatever they are. This place is good people.

I have learned and gained much more than I have given. I have had less money and more at other times. Regardless, I know when I should be grateful, count my blessings and try and give back. This community has been fantastic for me and a big reason is because there is so little BS about wealth. Sure there is the odd quiet brag here and there but I have nothing but to be thankful for the kind men and women on here that share of their experiences, their wisdom, their humor.

Thank you all from me.

dchum said:

What’s the point of this post? Even in your introduction post you bring up your financials.

Do you plan on hunting in Africa? Or just here to post stuff like this?

Not many of us drop 100k on a hunt….

Btw I fly cattle class….
I also was raised to not worry or talk about others financials, or my own.
Such a boring topic.

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Well at first it was a light hearted post because really no one here is planning a trip to Africa to get meat to feed their families…so the term ‘poors’ was meant to be both ironic and humorously acknowledge the fact that just because someone isn’t posting pictures posing with their $100k double rifle over an elephant trophy doesn’t mean there isn’t an entire crowd here on the same level. I love that people here work hard for their priorities regardless of where they came from and that so many are willing to share their knowledge and bond over a shared interest. I also love the lecture on how you were raised and that my introductory post saying “I ain’t rich but I ain’t dead either” lives rent free in your head.

If anyone on this forum would like the rights to that first post and own some real estate in dchum’s head, I will gladly sell it for a midgrade bottle of bourbon. I really love that real estate and know what I’ve got, so please no low ball offers for just a clear liquor. (dchum this is also a joke that I hope some people find funny, including you.)

Hedge774 said:

Just to be fair, guys. I totally understand the meaning of this post and respect it, but anyone who can fly to a foreign country for leisure is not poor. Most of the people I confide in call me rich for being able to drop $10K on a safari. Come to think of it, in many, many ways, I am very rich. Thanks for all you guys bring to my table!

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You’re extra good people. Men have spent a king’s ransom to become far less good people than you.

SCHUNTER73 said:

Not to be corny, but I love everything about this forum. People from different locations, different backgrounds, different family types, different occupations and different life experiences all coming together over a love of hunting.

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My wife the wonderful Mrs Rare Breed is always amazed at my worldwide group of good friends I have met and share with on AH. I am truly blessed!!!

Hornedfrogbbq said:

I have learned and gained much more than I have given. I have had less money and more at other times. Regardless, I know when I should be grateful, count my blessings and try and give back. This community has been fantastic for me and a big reason is because there is so little BS about wealth. Sure there is the odd quiet brag here and there but I have nothing but to be thankful for the kind men and women on here that share of their experiences, their wisdom, their humor.

Thank you all from me.

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I love the OPs post and the following ones as well! An already spoken theme from everyone is where do you put your money. As many others I choose a very modest simple home and always drive 12-15 year old vehicles, always fly cattle class choosing to put my money in my rifles and my hunts which bring me happiness.

Id ride with the luggage if it meant I could go back sooner. One of the folks on our hunts wife upgraded his seat for a hundred dollars day of the flight. He jokingly apologized for us getting bumped by the stewardess taking him snacks. Made for a great laugh.

I joined here many years ago with the dream of going to Africa and questions about my 375. Decided foolishly it wasn’t in the cards to go then sold the rifle. Several years later joined some family and friends on a plains game hunt and before I got back was working on planning the next one. This community is excellent and helpful. Plus reading others reports and memories they share helps scratch the itch in the meantime.

TheRookie said:

Figured I’d throw a shout out to all the guys on here who fly cattle class, don’t have a family ranch, and who will never drop a 100k on a hunt. We may not be rich, but we’re fun.

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Screen name seems to fit.

Rare Breed said:

I love the OPs post and the following ones as well! An already spoken theme from everyone is where do you put your money. As many others I choose a very modest simple home and always drive 12-15 year old vehicles, always fly cattle class choosing to put my money in my rifles and my hunts which bring me happiness.

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I agree. And an extra $100-$200 for leg room on the long flights is worth it.

I can see where some of the younger crowd gets frustrated regarding the level of financial commitment it takes to be able to do the things many on this site have done. Per capita there are less 20 and 30 year olds that can afford to buy a house now than ever before, much less take a 10-15k base level plains game safari. That modern struggle is real, watching my 20 something step daughter go through it now. It took me a long time before I was able to go to Africa the first time, like I worked toward it for 15+ years and there was no shortage of people around me that had no understanding of why I would even want to do it, and probably thought I was a little crazy. That's the beauty of this forum, we should at every opportunity give good advice and encouragement to the up and comers....they are the future of this passion and they may have to fight a lot harder for it than we did, (by we I mean the 50 and 60 year old guys on here that have been on safari 5-10-15 times. Part of the struggle for the working man is getting there, makes it that much more sweet when you do. I'm not into pigeon holing anyone in general....but I do tend to have more respect for guys that came from nothing, were never given anything, and made their own fortune at whatever level.....those are people worth listening too.

Couple of things.
First, it’s possible to go hunt in Africa on a budget. But the tip should always be in line with or higher than suggested by the outfitter.

The flight and the taxidermy can also be planned and budgeted for. As a tall person, I will sit cattle class or if possible pay for extra leg room. But standing up and walking a lap every couple of hours makes it doable.

Finally, do it NOW. the memories and the taxidermy you will have will last a lifetime. The sooner you start the more time you have to enjoy the experience, pay off the extra splurges, and reminisce about it with others. Africa is a special place. Even if you don’t hunt. Take the time to go on an adventure.

Mtn_Infantry said:

This forum holds a lot of different people from a lot of different backgrounds and a lot of different experiences. I’ve learned many things from some of the forums wealthy members, some of which I’ve been fortunate enough to incorporate into my own life. I’m far from the wealthiest person on AH but have been very blessed in what I’ve done and accomplished thus far in life.

I’ve come a long way from hunting and picking up roadkills to help feed the family while growing up. A lot of people have speculated or told me that I must be rich because of all the places/things I’ve hunted, and guns I’ve owned. Reality is, it’s because of hard work, prioritization of what’s important to me, and sacrifice. I realized very young that not everyone is lucky enough to see tomorrow, and we shouldn’t wait to have experiences, go places, and do the things we dream of. Earlier this week a coworker told me I must be rich and getting paid way more to have hunted Africa twice this year already, but in the same breath immediately started talking about the 38’ offshore boat they’d just bought and showed pictures of wahoo, tuna, and marlin from trips earlier this month. A paid off 2003 model truck with high mileage, no kids, and never having been married/divorced leaves a good bit of disposable income. A pension/retirement from career #1 + working well over 80 hours a week in career #2 makes it a bit easier. Coworker on PTO goes dark, I work 25-30/wk while on PTO in Africa hunting. Some people don’t settle for what life gives them and always strive for more. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, it’s up to each of us to decide how to use each of them, and what’s important to us. If you want to take a $100k trip it’s possible you just need to evaluate what’s important to you and get comfortable with being uncomfortable and work your ass off.

To all those who’ve been to Africa, and those who dream of going I salute you and wish you the best.

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Very well said sir, I agree 100%

Mtn_Infantry said:

This forum holds a lot of different people from a lot of different backgrounds and a lot of different experiences. I’ve learned many things from some of the forums wealthy members, some of which I’ve been fortunate enough to incorporate into my own life. I’m far from the wealthiest person on AH but have been very blessed in what I’ve done and accomplished thus far in life.

I’ve come a long way from hunting and picking up roadkills to help feed the family while growing up. A lot of people have speculated or told me that I must be rich because of all the places/things I’ve hunted, and guns I’ve owned. Reality is, it’s because of hard work, prioritization of what’s important to me, and sacrifice. I realized very young that not everyone is lucky enough to see tomorrow, and we shouldn’t wait to have experiences, go places, and do the things we dream of. Earlier this week a coworker told me I must be rich and getting paid way more to have hunted Africa twice this year already, but in the same breath immediately started talking about the 38’ offshore boat they’d just bought and showed pictures of wahoo, tuna, and marlin from trips earlier this month. A paid off 2003 model truck with high mileage, no kids, and never having been married/divorced leaves a good bit of disposable income. A pension/retirement from career #1 + working well over 80 hours a week in career #2 makes it a bit easier. Coworker on PTO goes dark, I work 25-30/wk while on PTO in Africa hunting. Some people don’t settle for what life gives them and always strive for more. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, it’s up to each of us to decide how to use each of them, and what’s important to us. If you want to take a $100k trip it’s possible you just need to evaluate what’s important to you and get comfortable with being uncomfortable and work your ass off.

To all those who’ve been to Africa, and those who dream of going I salute you and wish you the best.

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Well said about priorities!

Just before Covid hit I lost the best paying and longest tenured job of my career and within a month had four close friends and family die.

So I decided to do the most unAmerican thing I could do…..

I took a two month long vacation in Australia and I’m glad I got to see it before Covid and returned home shortly before the Covid lockdowns.

People ask me how I can afford to buy land or travel/hunt; and I point out that the vehicle I’m driving is only the second one I’ve owned since I graduated high school in 2002.

I’ve found that Americans(especially Texans) spend money on distractions like deer leases and boats slips vs travel and hunting because many will not leave their comfort zone of traveling internationally……. Other than direct flights to tourist trap beach vacations.

This forum has taught me so much about Africa and the weapons used. I have asked a lot of questions and received mountains of great responses. Never once thinking of someone’s balance sheet. Our common thread is hunting and adventure. Thanks folks for being a part of the greatest forum on earth!

My own thoughts are being "poor" is a state of mind that isn't easy to overcome. Simply because some believe it is who they are.
Being wealthy is also a state of mind. If some would appreciate what they have instead of what they don't, maybe people would start to believe that they are truly wealthy.
I've been broke a few times, but never poor.

My 2¢ for the day...

Rare Breed said:

I love the OPs post and the following ones as well! An already spoken theme from everyone is where do you put your money. As many others I choose a very modest simple home and always drive 12-15 year old vehicles, always fly cattle class choosing to put my money in my rifles and my hunts which bring me happiness.

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This is me as well ... except I don't put much money into guns. Collecting is a fine hobby but it can become an obsession. My vehicle was twenty years old when I bought it two years ago (to replace a 1988 Jimmy that whacked a deer). I can afford to shop for Ferraris but chose instead an older vehicle in good shape. Paid for in cash, no expensive collision insurance, and I'm capable of fixing almost anything up to and including changing drivetrains. My shop time is $0.00/hr. I see no point in supporting the insurance companies' expensive collision coverage. If I totaled my rig in an accident tomorrow I would maybe be out a couple months' payments and insurance for a new truck. My vehicle is to get me to point B. That's ALL. I don't need to be seen driving something glamorous just to be admired ... or worry over. Same with my home. 800 sq ft main floor and furnished basement on a quiet street one block long. No fabulous view out the back yard but my 100 yr old house has all the upgrades and it's very well built. Insurance is cheap, taxes not bad, and I don't have to spend half my life on a lawn mower grooming the back forty or driving in to town for groceries and gas. I can leave the back door open at night and not worry about intruders or mosquitoes.

My life was about wandering with many careers/jobs on both sides of the border. Always had a plan B in my back pocket! My family stayed rooted here which for most would have been domestically terminal. But my late wife was exceptional. A bloody hero. Then our family was destroyed almost instantly with the tragic loss of her and my son fifteen years ago. After that I had to stop working. Hunting in my home state of Montana with great dogs and my brother every fall got me through the tough times. In 2019 I discovered Africa through a chance meeting with another AH contributor. North American hunting is generally speaking going downhill fast so I decided to try a safari. It worked even though I expected it wouldn't. Going back for my fifth safari this summer.

Hunting Africa is not inaccessible for a working man. Family can make it more difficult but I would NEVER discourage anyone from changing diapers or tucking in the kids with a bedtime story in exchange for African safaris. The thing is, like family, hunting Africa should be about the experience, not the accomplishments. My two surviving grown daughters are not great success stories but they are good people and great examples for their kids. Those are the "experiences" that count, not the number of wall mounts or diplomas.

I once flew first class (at the airline's expense). Didn't sleep any better than business class ( = poorly) and I did not care for the passengers, or rather they didn't care for me (plastic Casio watch and worn out hiking boots don't mix well with Rolex and silk suits). I prefer to stick with the unwashed masses. It's a better place to be. Always has been for me anyway.

M70375! said:

When I was in the planning stages of my first safari, I did not even have a safari rifle(elephant gun) and I was having trouble at the time finding what I wanted . One of our wonderful members actually offered to borrow me his 375 for my first hunt. Some real fine guys here on this forum .

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I hunted Transylvania last fall. Prior to my trip, I was conversing with another member who happened to live in Romania, and had experience hunting there @gcbailey and I met in Sibiu at a cafe in an ancient medieval square. We had never met in person. We stopped talking about 14 hours later. I was with one of my closest friends, btw, someone who was my college roommate. At the end of the visit, my buddy asked him how long I had known that guy. I told him that I had just met him, in person, after corresponding with him on this great hunting website. GC had some trophies to ship back to the States, and I tried to get them shipped in my crate so I could clear them through customs, and then drive them for a few hours to his parents, as he was about to be transferred to a place where he could not easily take possession of his trophies.

I share my story because I suspect that so many other people have similar stories due to this website. What are the odds that two grown men who have never met in person meet in a foreign country and have so much in common - and not just a love of hunting and firearms?

Years ago, I got a Blaser R8 largely on the recommendation of members, especially @Red Leg. I bought the rifle without handling it, and have since added two more barrels, a Grade 9 wood stock, and so forth.

I suspect we all feel the same way about the value of the site, and that we have all had these experiences with each other that defy the traditional belief that it is hard to make friends as we get older, or to find common ground with others. Anyway, I blabbered a bit here, but your post about the rifle brought this memory to mind.

1. If you don’t like the context or question of a post-simply do not respond.

2. It’s always about the money.

3. I’ll never fly cattle class again in my life. I’ll wait another year to pay for the “luxuries!”

Ontario Hunter said:

I once flew first class (at the airline's expense). Didn't sleep any better than business class ( = poorly) and I did not care for the passengers, or rather they didn't care for me (plastic Casio watch and worn out hiking boots don't mix well with Rolex and silk suits).

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Was this in the 50s? Uniform of the day seems to be leisurewear in business and first class nowadays. I think the last time I saw people in suits at First Class was a Pan Am flight when I was a teen.