This is my .02 and I STRONGLY disagree with that. This is where I think communication and understanding the clients wishes is key. It’s also where I think the goals of Tracks Across Africa and the Meat Eater videos diverge.
IMO if the PH or Outfitter is/was afraid of the backlash from taking a legal lone male lion on film he/they shouldn’t have and wouldn’t have booked/sold the hunt. The only exception is unless he/they didn’t expect to get a legal male lion on bait without a pride. I DO NOT think that is or was a thought of the Morgan’s and I AM NOT accusing him of RHS of that. I honestly and truly believe Morgan has a very unique and idealistic view on the role of hunting within the sphere of conservation and game management. For certain clients that’s great but they need to completely understand.
I forget if I heard it in the meat eater podcast or video, but at one point I vaguely recall hearing “you need to be prepared to go home with nothing”. It’s possible that was my interpretation of what he was telling Rinella because of Rinella’s preconceived notions on what hunting in Africa was. I think Morgan is/was the perfect PH for a hunter like Rinella and the Meat Eater Series. I think he’d be great for a Dan Cabela type of conservationist, an Allen Bolen or Daniel Welker who specifically target Boone and Crockett animals and pass anything else.
Morgan was IMO the best PH for the Meat Eater series because so many non hunters, and non trophy hunters watch it. I believe it might’ve been one of the best things for hunting in Africa and is a great tool to show it in a positive light and how it aids conservation. It’s exactly the opposite of the High Fence South African Trophy Hunting image most think about when they hear hunting in Africa. Conversely Tracks Across Africa, Dark and Dangerous, Safari Classics, and any other shows focused on Africa are marketed to the hunter who’s at least familiar with hunting in Africa, who has a desire or maybe even a curiosity to go. As a viewer of these shows, I want to see wild places, wild situations, charges, and big animals hunted and killed (that exceed my budget). I do think because of modern times and political correctness that attitude in production is softening and they’re trying to show more of the benefits hunting in Africa has as well. I could be incredibly wrong, but that’s my perception.
I do however stand by if a PH has any fear of reprisal or repercussions from hunting any legal animal they’re in the wrong line of work.
