To the poors-I salute you!

I fly "cattle class" as well.

My mom made zippers & and my dad sold tractor parts.


I do own a ranch large enough to support 2 cows.

I've been a "Civil Servant" since I graduated college 35 years ago. (Same year I married my wife, who still tolerates me)



Somehow, I've been blessed with several opportunities to go on some fantastic hunts.
 
Rimbaud said:
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.
Click to expand...
@Rimbaud. Yes sir, that was a great time and under unusual circumstances. I hope you are doing well!
 
Ontario Hunter said:
I'm curious what gives away the big spenders vs earned status 1st class passengers? Their choice of cologne or manicure? Or maybe Walmart Wrangler attire vs Abercrombie & Fitch?

Fortunately, when I was a teen I was bucking bales in a barn to buy shotgun shells for duck hunting. Both did much more for character development than sitting on my mommy's lap flying first class. In fact, my first commercial flight was from Butte, MT to basic training at Ft Ord, CA in December 1971. And the Army didn't fly us first class. :D Okay ... technically still a teen then but just barely.
Click to expand...
My kids would do anything for more shells lol
 
gcbailey said:
@Rimbaud. Yes sir, that was a great time and under unusual circumstances. I hope you are doing well!
Click to expand...
Likewise, Sir. I hope you are settled in new assignment, and that our paths cross soon. BTW, my CITES permit for bear was issued but with such a short time frame that we felt it might expire before clearing customs. Waiting for Romania to reissue permit. The key word in previous sentence is waiting.
 
Very interesting thread. I guess most of us agree, the common bond is hunting and who cares about your financial status. If you hunt, you have something to share here. All are welcome, etc..

FWIW, since others have shared. I travel both cattle class and business. One "trick" I have been utilizing is that I travel business for work, to Africa and other places. When I take a business trip I always research hunting opportunities. So far that has resulted in hunting in Italy (x2), Romania, Slovakia and Namibia (x3) and counting. Like most of us, I can suffer through just about the worst flights if the reward is worth it. But, if the opportunity presents itself to somehow fly business you better believe I jump on it.

Also, I deliberately took a career path that would afford me to see the world. That was the plan the whole time. Just a tip if you are a younger guy and want to get out there. Do it on someone else's dime if you can. I do and also spend my own money on it as well. My wife, son and I are headed to NZ in June 2027 on my dime. Starting to figure out the flights now. Cheers
 
Throwback said:
Very interesting thread. I guess most of us agree, the common bond is hunting and who cares about your financial status. If you hunt, you have something to share here. All are welcome, etc..

FWIW, since others have shared. I travel both cattle class and business. One "trick" I have been utilizing is that I travel business for work, to Africa and other places. When I take a business trip I always research hunting opportunities. So far that has resulted in hunting in Italy (x2), Romania, Slovakia and Namibia (x3) and counting. Like most of us, I can suffer through just about the worst flights if the reward is worth it. But, if the opportunity presents itself to somehow fly business you better believe I jump on it.

Also, I deliberately took a career path that would afford me to see the world. That was the plan the whole time. Just a tip if you are a younger guy and want to get out there. Do it on someone else's dime if you can. I do and also spend my own money on it as well. My wife, son and I are headed to NZ in June 2027 on my dime. Starting to figure out the flights now. Cheers
Click to expand...
Now that is a smart idea. I’d love to hear what you do that takes you to Africa. Oil?
 
Throwback said:
Very interesting thread. I guess most of us agree, the common bond is hunting and who cares about your financial status. If you hunt, you have something to share here. All are welcome, etc..

FWIW, since others have shared. I travel both cattle class and business. One "trick" I have been utilizing is that I travel business for work, to Africa and other places. When I take a business trip I always research hunting opportunities. So far that has resulted in hunting in Italy (x2), Romania, Slovakia and Namibia (x3) and counting. Like most of us, I can suffer through just about the worst flights if the reward is worth it. But, if the opportunity presents itself to somehow fly business you better believe I jump on it.

Also, I deliberately took a career path that would afford me to see the world. That was the plan the whole time. Just a tip if you are a younger guy and want to get out there. Do it on someone else's dime if you can. I do and also spend my own money on it as well. My wife, son and I are headed to NZ in June 2027 on my dime. Starting to figure out the flights now. Cheers
Click to expand...
I agree with that. I bank about half a million miles a year between my flights and business expenses I put on my American credit card. Make me ok with paying for a business class seat to Africa because I’m saving so much money ooh other flights with miles. Last 18 months I’ve booked 5 business class and 2 coach tickets (for others attending my wedding) to Europe for no cost other than miles. Add up what those would have cost even in coach and it’s well over what I paid for business to Africa.
 
TheRookie said:
Now that is a smart idea. I’d love to hear what you do that takes you to Africa. Oil?
Click to expand...
In a word, Oil.

I went to law school after undergraduate, and after 4 years in the Marine Corps, enlisted, used the GI Bill for school. During some career presentation by some fiftyish year old lawyers working for companies in the oilfield they explained how they had traveled the world negotiating deals, etc... for their companies. I thought, sign me up! My family for many generations had always worked in the oilfield in some capacity,(not lawyers), so it also fit in that way. The first BS job that opened up with a major oilfield service company in their legal dept. that was in town I took. Started working while still in law school actually.

Fast forward, 25 years, I have lived in Venezuela (married a local) and Australia and been to like 65 countries or something and counting. Also, I have never been to court in my life. Not that kind of lawyer. Not bragging, just answering your question and pointing out that we all have to do something in life, think it through a little bit and go for what you want. Life is too short. Cheers
 
Russ16 said:
I agree with that. I bank about half a million miles a year between my flights and business expenses I put on my American credit card.
Click to expand...
I do the same. For various projects we have to buy a lot of equipment and when possible I put it on a credit card. Usually I average a couple of business class seats for Africa, Europe etc..

Throwback said:
Also, I have never been to court in my life. Not that kind of lawyer.
Click to expand...
My daughter is a M&A lawyer, the only time she went to court was to get sworn into NY bar and that was it.
 
For me, "financial status" has had hardly anything to do with my ability to go on some great hunting trips.



My first African safari cost me $375 at a SCI dinner and included 2 trophy fees.

Making friends and fostering, real person-to-person relationships with people have afforded me many opportunities to go on fantastic hunts.
 
LivingTheDream said:
Thats the same with me, I think I have gone to Africa 6 times and flown business on most and have only had to pay for 1 leg.
Click to expand...
X3
I bank about 300k miles a year flying for work, and another 50k on the card from work related expenses if they’re not booking flights/hotels for me. Being in Texas, American is the most convenient to fly, but I’ve been flying Delta a lot to Africa so have switched most of my card use to their card to build points there.

I’ve used AA miles for hunting trips several times, as well as flying my girlfriend and parents. I’ve used miles for upgrades when available and when not available I’ll use global upgrades to move from Economy to Business if that’s an option. The earned status also always gets me moved from Economy to Premium Economy at zero cost, and gets me lounge access in London and Qatar.

Utilizing an Airline or Travel Rewards Card is a great way to help take a portion of the expense out of your Safari. If you don’t travel a lot, or own a business it might take a while to build enough points but it’s an option.
 
SFRanger7GP said:
I am rich. There, I said it. I am rich! Living and working in third world countries most of my life has given me a much different perspective on wealth. I woke up this morning and ground some of the best coffee beans in the world (cupping score and international awards support my claim) to make fresh coffee. I can see the farm that grew the coffee from my balcony. I walked down to the market where I was warmly greeted by dozens of people and bought a few things for Mama to make a big pot of beans. I will be grilling pork ribs to go with it and no doubt the smell will attract one or more of our Colombian friends. :LOL:

Not counting some "great military moments", I have never been hungry. I survived successful military and civilian careers, cancer and a few long term ICU stays. We own our condos and vehicles and we owe nobody. We have been to Africa 4 times, staying about a month each time. We set goals, establish priorities and like the Grupo Origen hit, I look at myself in the mirror and say "Cabrón, yo puedo". Through all the hard work and blessings, we are rich.....and thankful. I am sure that despite the differences in financial status of the members here, majority of us are "rich".

View attachment 777951
View from our balcony yesterday evening

View attachment 777952

View of the town from our balcony yesterday evening

View attachment 777955

And thanks to technology, I can see what is happening on the deer lease.
How can I not say I am rich?

Safe hunting!
Click to expand...
You are among the top .001% of the world. Well done, Sir.
 
TOBY458 said:
To the OP.

I nearly spit out my Pappy Van Winkle and almost wrecked my Rolls Royce when I read your original post my good sir. Now chop chop! Be gone peasant! LOL!
Click to expand...
I actually did spit out my Pappy, and dinged my G-wagon when I read your post. I just want to assure you that two cases of Pappy are inbound to you in beautiful Madison, Ga., so as to spare you the risk of developing PTSD.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

... and 1164 more.
Total: 280,716 (members: 1,214, guests: 279,502)

Forum statistics

Threads
69,353
Messages
1,545,737
Members
161,247
Latest member
Sisneros
 

 

 

Proudly sponsored by

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

N
Nomosendero wrote on gregrn43's profile.
Between Blak Rock and Pocahontas, I did not want to say that on the forum. That's a nice Cat!
•••
curt672
curt672 wrote on WoodencrossIII's profile.
just making sure my message went threw
•••
30-06Ken
30-06Ken wrote on ftothfadd's profile.
I'll take the Vortex scope cover you have listed in the Pay it Forward thread.

Ken [redacted]
•••
Scott CWO
Scott CWO wrote on mark-hunter's profile.
Hi Mark. My email is [redacted]
•••
T
TheRookie
Selling real estate in dchum’s head
•••

Share this page

 
Top