Who belongs on the Mount Rushmore of active PHs?

Guav Johnson
Mike Fell
Buzz Charlton
Peter Chipman
Jeff Rann
Jason Russo
Duckworth brothers


These gentlemen all come to mind. Having never hunted with any of them myself, it would be impossible for me to say which 4 it should be. I would love to hunt with each of them.
 
BJH65 said:
I think Buzz Charlton as far as currently active PH’s. Honestly, if we’re talking Mount Rushmore, to me that’s reserved for those who’ve already hunted an entire career and have retired, Barrie Duckworth comes to mind for those still living.
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On those lines I'd like to have hunted with Jim Corbett.

Never hunted with any, but from feedback ,you tube videous and some other sources like talking to a friend of mine that has taken dozens of buffalo, lions elephants they are -

Jeff Rann
Buzz Charlton
Charl Rooyen (met him in person)
Ivan Carter
 
Killo said:
Active
Peter Wood
Thierry Labat
Michael Fell
Buzz Charlton
York

Not Active
Andre Lecoc
Kevin Robertson
Roger Whittall
Barrie Duckworth
Click to expand...
Great list!

I hunted with D&Y last year and was guided by Johnny Russell, who I would categorize as a very talented younger up-and-comer; I think he is building an amazing career based on my time hunting with him. I had the opportunity to meet and interact with York Mare while in camp and found him very personable and entertaining. And I can tell you that Johnny and the other PHs and Appys spoke of him with great respect for his skills and judgment. Comments to the effect of "It's not luck with that guy; he's amazing."

I'm scheduled for an elephant hunt with Buzz in a little over a month now, and I can promise you I'm very excited about the opportunity to hunt with him and learn from him.

And Kevin Robertson has become a good friend and highly appreciated teacher; his contributions are well known to many and I appreciate seeing him mentioned here! He is a contributor on this forum as @doctari505 and always adds wisdom to the conversation.
 
.

I thought that Ivan Carter had stopped hunting & become a full time conservationist. Would not class him as an active & current PH.

.
 
Garciamarquez1918 said:
Peter Chipman should for sure be on the mountain
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I agree, I have always thought he would amazing to hunt with. He seems so laid back yet professional at the same time.

He is of course ,a legend in zambia, but now he has partnered in TZ and is he is helping run a great big block in Selous that hasnt been hunted in quite some time. Im glad its in his hand now.
 
Interesting thread…
Perhaps the most surprising one to me is a few mentioned Ivan Carter.
That’s actually shocking to me…he for sure doesn’t belong for numerous reasons
The hardest part is limiting to 4
Not surprising….
Old school guys we still have with us
John Sharp…(legendary figure in Zim hunting)
Robin Hurt…(length, breadth, and depth of storied career)
Barrie Duckworth… long and storied career and legacy (and his sons mentioned who are indeed top top PHs currently active) Barrie is second probably to a Richard only in terms of living men and numbers of Elephant (although hunted as members of Parks not as PHs…also why Richard cannot be in this group)
Not mentioned….Luke Samaras perhaps too in this Octogenarian (or close) group above

Younger but highly ranked…and duly noted
Jeff Rann
Buzz
Mike Fell
Johan I’m afraid drank his way out of it
I see Peter Chapman but not a Johnny Duplooy… you’d have to mention him in this breath

Michael Matheakis?
Harpreet?
Several top names in TZ

Lots of honorable mentions but the old guys we still have with us are a bridge between our modern times but go way back to the 1960s and 70s and times gone by…

Very hard to pick 4
 
kpoynter said:
Interesting thread…
Perhaps the most surprising one to me is a few mentioned Ivan Carter.
That’s actually shocking to me…he for sure doesn’t belong for numerous reasons
The hardest part is limiting to 4
Not surprising….
Old school guys we still have with us
John Sharp…(legendary figure in Zim hunting)
Robin Hurt…(length, breadth, and depth of storied career)
Barrie Duckworth… long and storied career and legacy (and his sons mentioned who are indeed top top PHs currently active) Barrie is second probably to a Richard only in terms of living men and numbers of Elephant (although hunted as members of Parks not as PHs…also why Richard cannot be in this group)
Not mentioned….Luke Samaras perhaps too in this Octogenarian (or close) group above

Younger but highly ranked…and duly noted
Jeff Rann
Buzz
Mike Fell
Johan I’m afraid drank his way out of it
I see Peter Chapman but not a Johnny Duplooy… you’d have to mention him in this breath

Michael Matheakis?
Harpreet?
Several top names in TZ

Lots of honorable mentions but the old guys we still have with us are a bridge between our modern times but go way back to the 1960s and 70s and times gone by…

Very hard to pick 4
Click to expand...


Hunted With Johny, Great PH and Amazing Person
 
I’ll put forth Tinie Kok, he is up there with the best in hunting and partying!!! Great man and I had the best time with him!!!
 
thriller said:
I’ll put forth Tinie Kok, he is up there with the best in hunting and partying!!! Great man and I had the best time with him!!!
Click to expand...
Well if it was the Mount Rushmore of greatest names….he’s a shoe in lol
He is indeed famous for his good humor etc and fun nature.. I guess he had to be
 
towserthemouser said:
Great list!

I hunted with D&Y last year and was guided by Johnny Russell, who I would categorize as a very talented younger up-and-comer; I think he is building an amazing career based on my time hunting with him. I had the opportunity to meet and interact with York Mare while in camp and found him very personable and entertaining. And I can tell you that Johnny and the other PHs and Appys spoke of him with great respect for his skills and judgment. Comments to the effect of "It's not luck with that guy; he's amazing."

I'm scheduled for an elephant hunt with Buzz
Click to expand...

I think one would need a sample set of 20 or more PH's to provide a qualified answer. That's not me now or probably ever but here's my opinion...

Johnny Russell who guided me to my tuskless in 2025 is Outstanding! I could not ask for more. He is young compared to most but he knows his shxt! When it concerns a service or product which I pay a premium price for, I am an anal S.O.B. Johnny met and mostly exceeded every standard I have. Comparing Johnny to young Marine Corps lieutenants and seasoned NCO's with whom I served, he was like that one in a thousand who was not only technically proficient but repeatedly demonstrated natural leadership abilities.

I haven't hunted with Buzz Charlton but I converse with him at DSC and SCI. Buzz told me he thinks Johnny Russell is the best PH in the outfit he works for. Give it 20 years and I think Johnny Russell will be at the top of many persons' list!

PS, A certain PH and also a videographer gave the highest praise to York Mare as a PH who knows exactly how to hunt every species of game.

1788949548861.jpeg


 
I’d have a hard time recommending guys I don’t know, that said, I also think the Gary and Neil Duckworth are viable candidates.

Even though Mark Sullivan is a polarizing figure (much like Trump), hard to argue he didn’t have a huge role in making videos in the 90’s and early 2000’s that changed the safari industry from books to dreams on the tv screen.
 
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