A Survey Of What Do African Professional Hunters Want You To Bring

So I just want to make sure I'm gathering this info right so I'm not a loser on a safari. I can't wear light colored khaki pants but a PH who is white, can wear shorts? Does that mean you can see his legs from space? And let's not talk about how short those shorts really are! I don't need to be seeing any man goods. Do I have to wear long sleeves to cover up my white arms? Do I have to wear face paint?
 
So I just want to make sure I'm gathering this info right so I'm not a loser on a safari. I can't wear light colored khaki pants but a PH who is white, can wear shorts? Does that mean you can see his legs from space? And let's not talk about how short those shorts really are! I don't need to be seeing any man goods. Do I have to wear long sleeves to cover up my white arms? Do I have to wear face paint?
I've wondered about this as well, but I'm under the impression that white skin is less 'reflective' than a bright white t-shirt. Also exposed arms/legs are much smaller of a surface area than a light coloured shirt. But maybe some of the professionals can weigh in on the matter?
 
Since muzzle brakes took over the thread I have always wondered why more PHs and staff don't use electronic hearing protection. It is hard for me to believe that the brake on say a 300 is louder than the short barreled 500 in his hands. I think it's all somewhere around 135db. Not like they are getting away without loss of hearing just because there is no brake.

Any PHs out there that can weigh in?
The debate isnt about the amount of noise. Its about the direction of the noise, like the ph holding the sticks right beside you.
 
Since muzzle brakes took over the thread I have always wondered why more PHs and staff don't use electronic hearing protection. It is hard for me to believe that the brake on say a 300 is louder than the short barreled 500 in his hands. I think it's all somewhere around 135db. Not like they are getting away without loss of hearing just because there is no brake.

Any PHs out there that can weigh in?
As you noted, the .500 is in his hands.
 
Everyone was given ear plugs and no one complained...
You ever tried to hunt tuskless elephant or stalk cape buffalo with the whole crew wearing earplugs? Trackers, ph, game scout...etc....what a clusterf..k that would be.....

Of course they would not complain because Mr. My money is trying to call the shots so they need to suck it up....
 
Since muzzle brakes took over the thread I have always wondered why more PHs and staff don't use electronic hearing protection. It is hard for me to believe that the brake on say a 300 is louder than the short barreled 500 in his hands. I think it's all somewhere around 135db. Not like they are getting away without loss of hearing just because there is no brake.

Any PHs out there that can weigh in?
The ones that fit inside your ears are cool..but expensive..
The others are too bulky and hot...
You cannot afford to miss certain sounds when closing in...
Not practical....
I can already see the tracker tossing around with ear muffs instead of concentrating on the task at hand....
 
I think the additional problem is that electronic muffs can be outstanding for amplifying sound and actually making it easier to hear whats going on around you (before the shot).. but you lose all sense of direction..

Until you step into the incredibly expensive options ($1K+ in my experience), you dont get "stereo" sound.. you have one mic, that equally sends sound to both ears..

even the sets in the $1K+ range sets that have integrated comms, two mics, and have been deployed by SOF forces, etc arent true stereo.. theyre great for hearing sound over the roar of the humvee, the M240 running cyclic, etc while still blocking the "loudness" that can be harmful to your ears... but not so great at you figuring out which direction those sounds are coming from.. you get left ear and right ear sound.. but figuring out if that sound was generated in front of you or behind you or at 90 or 45 degrees, etc.. when things are quiet is a challenge... when all hell is breaking loose.. good luck..

So you might hear something breaking brush a hundred yards away that no one else hears while wearing typical $70-$250 electronic muffs while on a hunt.. what you wont know is which direction that sound came from..

In the late 90's I had a set of "SWAT Ears" that I used.. basically hearing aid sized inserts that became ear protection any time there was a sound over 24db.. but that amplified sound and provided some very minor directional capability (2 independent units.. one for each ear).. they were awesome on a covert entry where everyone was attempting to stay intentionally quiet.. you could hear a mouse fart in the back of a building... but in a dynamic entry (hit the door and everyone rushes in shouting and shooting) they werent worth the effort or the cost IMO.. really no better than a set of $0.25 ear plugs.. they just muted everything all of the time..
 
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So I just want to make sure I'm gathering this info right so I'm not a loser on a safari. I can't wear light colored khaki pants but a PH who is white, can wear shorts? Does that mean you can see his legs from space? And let's not talk about how short those shorts really are! I don't need to be seeing any man goods. Do I have to wear long sleeves to cover up my white arms? Do I have to wear face paint?

You might have beacon white legs and arms, but if you live here your clothes are basically shorts and tshirts or short sleeved shirts year around...big coat in winter but usually still shorts...so legs and arms tend to be pretty brown....so hope this answers your sarcastic post.... :E Shrug:
 
The ones that fit inside your ears are cool..but expensive..
The others are too bulky and hot...
You cannot afford to miss certain sounds when closing in...
Not practical....
I can already see the tracker tossing around with ear muffs instead of concentrating on the task at hand....

They would also be taken apart in 5 minutes to see what's in them...even the bits that aren't supposed to come apart.....
 
Interesting responses all around. I used Etymotic plugs because I’m terrified of losing my hearing (and thus my job) but was surprised that no one else was using protection of any kind. I can’t imagine being around large caliber weapons for a living and not wearing some kind of earpro.
 
Interesting responses all around. I used Etymotic plugs because I’m terrified of losing my hearing (and thus my job) but was surprised that no one else was using protection of any kind. I can’t imagine being around large caliber weapons for a living and not wearing some kind of earpro.
You are actually making the point exactly. Many of them also can’t make a living around large dangerous animals without unobstructed directional hearing. Clients with muzzle brakes complicate that challenge even more.

Of course they also need the business and will do what is necessary to cater to the guy with the cash while trying to protect themselves.
 
You ever tried to hunt tuskless elephant or stalk cape buffalo with the whole crew wearing earplugs? Trackers, ph, game scout...etc....what a clusterf..k that would be.....

Of course they would not complain because Mr. My money is trying to call the shots so they need to suck it up....
EVER PLAN TO ..I'M 74 WITH BAD SHOULDERS AND 3 STROKES..I ONLY HUNTED PLAINS GAME..nO INTENTIONS OF HUNTING THAT STUFF.I have killed all I need too..
 
Since muzzle brakes took over the thread I have always wondered why more PHs and staff don't use electronic hearing protection. It is hard for me to believe that the brake on say a 300 is louder than the short barreled 500 in his hands. I think it's all somewhere around 135db. Not like they are getting away without loss of hearing just because there is no brake.

Any PHs out there that can weigh in?
You are right and I have seen PH"s on tv with brakes,You don't like ,,,don't use.Those that do like can use what they want...Before i installed a break I went with out and they still stuck fingers in ears...
 
You are right and I have seen PH"s on tv with brakes,You don't like ,,,don't use.Those that do like can use what they want...Before i installed a break I went with out and they still stuck fingers in ears...
You have seen PH's on TV with brakes ....

I have never seen a PH using a rifle with a muzzle brake. Ever. But I think that is irrelevant. For some reason, it seems to make you angry that other members of our forum, many with extensive African experience, frown on the use of muzzle brakes. No one is attacking you. They are simply offering an alternative set of observations based upon their experiences. Some of them fairly extensive.

If you have a medical reason that requires the use of a muzzle brake, then fine. As a courtesy, I simply would make sure your PH is aware so he can prepare the tracker and game scout. Try to remember, depending upon the area, your PG PH may be guiding a buffalo hunter the week after you leave.

Another data point - for whatever its worth. I am fortunate to no longer have to shoot at a public range. I am not sure what I miss the least - the camo and tactical crowd with their ARs and AKs or the muzzle break equipped shooter. Both can make for a miserable range session.

Brakes do indeed reduce recoil. If that is a requirement either due to medical reasons or for accurate shooting then do what you need to do. Just don't assume everyone in the blast area is enjoying it.
 
A Survey Of What Do African Professional Hunters Want You To Bring

During the past years, I have undertaken an intensive survey of African Professional Hunters, (PH’s).

Most PH’s have said that there are only two times they are scared while hunting, (ok, maybe three):
l. When they go to meet a client at the airport that they have never met before. He has no idea what this guy looks like and what kind of shape he is in. He is sometimes not even sure if the client is old or young.
2. When the client opens up his gun case and they head for the range. Lord only knows what the salesman at the local discount store sold this poor guy. This is especially true about African hunts, since odds are that, the salesman hasn’t a clue what the client is going to shoot. To most people, a Kudu is about the same size a Duiker.
Usually the client tells the clerk that he is going to Africa and asks what does he need? The salesman immediately hands him a 300 Loudenstomper-Ultra-Wounderby with a muzzle brake and a great big scope.
The salesman never even asked what he was going to hunt or at what ranges or conditions game might be encountered.
3. The final time he is scared is when the client wounds a Buffalo, Lion or Leopard, because he (the PH) is the guy who must find that animal and finish the job. Moreover, guess who has the best chance of being chewed on?

Below is listed the replies of the PH’s contacted.

What do "most" PH’s want a hunter to bring for guns?
For Plains game: (Including Leopard)
Most important, is that a client bring a gun his familiar with and can shoot the best.

PH’s surveyed would like to see most clients bring the following:
1st choice is 300 Win Mag with 26 votes, if he can shoot it.
2nd choice is 30-06 with 24 votes
3rd choice is 7 mm Mag with 18 votes
4th choice is 338 Win Mag with 9 votes
5th choice is a 270 Winchester 7 votes
6th choice is 7 mm STW or any of the ULTRA Magnums

For “Dangerous” Game (Buffalo, Lion, Elephant, Rhino, or Hippo):
1st. Choice is 375 H with 54 votes
2nd Choice is 416 Rem with 11 votes
3rd Choice is the 458 Win or Lott, and Misc. Double Rifles.

Are many of the scopes hunters bring too big? 48 yes and 5 no

Is there any particular gun or scope that you HATE to see one of your hunters arrive with?
First place went to Weatherby (aka, Wounderby) they got 27 votes. The new ULTRA Calibers and STW’s are not getting any raving reviews so far either.

The reason the most everyone hates the Weatherby's, (and the Ultra’s) is because the recoil is too severe, and the client flinches and then makes a bad shot.

IF a man uses the RIGHT bullets AND can stand the recoil, the Weatherby and Ultra’s are awesome killers.

Scopes were not a major factor, except if a variable power, the client always has it cranked up to max all the time. Better to set it at 4x or 6x and then if needed power up to 9x or 12x.

Do very many hunters bring reloaded ammo? 58 yes. Which is about half of their hunters?

Is there particular factory ammo that you LOVE to see your hunters bring?
Federal Premiums with Nosler Partitions or Trophy Bonded Bear Claws got 61 votes
Remington ammo with Swift A-Frames got 21 votes
PMC or Wby with Barnes X bullets got 14 votes
Winchester Fail Safes got 9 votes

Have you ever experienced any misfires?
Factory misfires. 78 no 5 yes
Reload misfires? 79 no 4 yes
Do you or any of your PH's reload? 17 yes 59 no.

Do you think that the "Super Premium" bullets, like Trophy Bonded, Swift A-Frames, Fail-Safes, and Barnes-X etc are worth the extra cost? 69 yes 14 no

How about Nosler Ballistic Tips and other “plastic tipped” bullets? A simple NO will cover the replies. They are too violent on impact, and seriously lack reasonable penetration.

Should your hunters practice more? 77 yes

Do reloaders tend to be better shots than those that do not reload? 66 yes 2 no

Do you like hunters to bring guns with KDF or Mag Na Ports? 75 no and 0 yes (Better to bring a smaller gun that kicks less.)

If hunting dangerous game, does the client REALLY know what might be in store for him? No way, they watch the Mark Sullivan videos and see TOO MANY charges, (most of those are allegedly staged anyway.) What they really do not realize is that their little soft bodies are not ready for the bush.

They bring Boots that are new, and their feet will hurt an hour after arrival. There is no way they are ready for a long hard hunt on foot or their belly.
Many clients are there only because they feel it is the “IN” thing to do and they must keep up with the “Jones”. They are much wiser the second time around.

PROFILE OF THE FIRST TIME AFRICAN HUNTER
Based on the information received from almost 100 South African, Namibian, Zimbabwe and Tanzania PH's, a profile has emerged.

Most likely, the first time hunter is likely to bring a large Magnum of some sort even though he has a fine 7mm Mag, 30-06, 270 Win or 35 Whelan at home, "somebody", convinced him he needs a new 300 Mag or bigger, just for plains game.

The stock on his rifle will be new and shiny, and has a 50/50 chance of a muzzle brake to reduce recoil and kill his PH's ears.

He will shoot ammo or bullets that are going too fast and are of too light in weight for the caliber, like a 150 gr instead or 180 gr or 200 gr. in the 300 Magnum or 30-06. It seems they believe that FASTER is the magic word. Supposedly, the FASTER it goes, the better "it kills", so they use the 140 gr or 150 gr in the 7 Mag instead of 175 gr. bullets.

Our first time hunter will most likely have a minimum of a 3x-9x scope and most often will have a 3.5x-10x or more on it. It will have a gloss finish, and no matter what the situation, it will be cranked up to the maximum all the time. It will be in High rings with enough space between the scope bell and the barrel to run your finger underneath.

There is a 50/50 chance he will bring reloaded ammo, and thank goodness the odds are, he will have no trouble with it.

IF he has trouble with the functioning of the ammo, it will be that he has got them loaded too hot, and will stick a bolt or blow a primer.

His clothes will be brand new from Cabela's or Bass Pro shop, but will be a nice light colored khaki so the game can see him better. He will have a new "safari" hat with the Zebra trim, which is hot and heavy. On the other hand, at the very least a new “white” baseball cap on that the game can see for miles.

His boots will be new and they will be Gortex lined so his feet sweat, and he can get blisters easier.

He will have a big ammo belt so that he can carry lots of ammo.

If using factory ammo, there is a 50/50 chance he will have brought Nosler Ballistic Tips instead of Nosler Partitions, even though they are both Federal Premiums.

He certainly will bring a lot of luggage along and will buy a bunch of junk and carvings, and now has to figure out how to get them home. The “rule” is, “You bought it, and you carry it”.

PROFILE OF THE SECOND TIME AFRICAN HUNTER
Our second time hunter is much wiser now. Depending on where he will hunt, he will now tailor his gun to the conditions.

If he is hunting in the southern part of South Africa or Namibia, where ranges are "long", he will still take his 300 Mag, but it will be a dull matte finish, in a black fiberglass stock. He will also think twice about a stainless steel gun and scope, because they “shine” too much.

Moreover, it is doubtful if he will ever own a muzzle brake again, since his PH and his trackers are now learning to lip-read.

He may still bring a 3x-9x scope but it to will be in a matte finish.

If he is hunting in the "brush" of the South African Transvaal or in Zimbabwe, he might even just bring his 30-06 with a plain 4x scope, and will shoot 180 gr or heavier PREMIUM bullets, or may even use 220 gr Bullets.

In addition, he will practice MUCH more.

He has a new understanding of just how tough African game is. He will use heavier and tougher bullets next time. Bullet velocity will not be as much of a factor this time. If he is a handloader, he will again bring reloads, coupled as mentioned above, with heavier and tougher bullets.

His nice new light colored safari clothes will now be relegated to sitting around the campfire telling lies.

His hunting clothes will now be a "dark" or darker green and even a little Real Tree or Advantage camo thrown in for good measure. His hat will be of very lightweight and cool material and will again be a dark color.

His boots will be well broken in, and will be plain leather or fabric, with no Gore-Tex or Thinsulate.

His ammo belt will now be for only 5 or 10 shells, because he has practiced shooting offhand, and with his new shooting sticks or bipod.

If using factory ammo, he will still use Federal Premium ammo, but with Trophy Bonded Bear Claws or Barnes TSX bullets now.

His new gun case of last year will look like the devil now. He will have gotten some lightweight luggage bags after the Airlines nipped him for over-weight charges. Those heavy suitcases are history. He will also remember that it is TWO pieces of luggage per passenger, not two bags AND a gun case.

He will also put his ammo in plastic 20 round boxes, and slip them inside the ORGINAL FACTORY box, so he is in compliance. This is because the ones his factory ammo were in, were destroyed in transit, and the Airport X-ray machine showed loose ammo in his luggage and he had to unpack it and fix it all up.

Speaking of ammo, he and his partner will now each carry some of each other’s ammo, because last year the airlines lost his bag with all of his ammo, and he had none for a week and had to use his partner’s guns and ammo.
HOWEVER, he has had so much fun that he just cannot wait to go back again. He will drive the old car a year or two longer, and not put new carpeting in the house.

He will do just about anything he can do to come up with the time and money to go again.


full


full

Well... I recognize the pictures of the checked luggage and the carry-on backpack ... because these are mine... I guess that typically one would reference the source for their material, but this is not an issue, I am happy if these pics have value to the AH community... :)

This, by the way, raises an interesting question: how can this original post be from 2009, knowing that I posted these pictures on August 22, 2019?

Without getting too "academic" it would be really informative to have a little more info on this survey and its methodology.
"100 South African, Namibian, Zimbabwe and Tanzania PH's" seems to imply some form of organized survey. Is/was this part of a Bachelor or Master or Doctoral thesis? If yes, with which university? When was it conducted? How was the surveying list established? Who actually responded: e.g. PH vs. outfitters? Distribution of responses per country? What was the analysis method to draw the typical 1st and 2nd safari profiles, etc. etc. etc. This is NOT a criticism, just aroused curiosity. We lack so much solid data in this field that we are hungry for some :)

As to content and analysis validity - this plunged me back to my own PhD thesis days - I love the quantitative results (x many respondents said xyz) but a few thoughts come to mind about the qualitative analysis (first and second timers profiles):

While a number of clichés about first and second safari hunters resonate - and some seem a little, well... "cliché"... (but may be supported by data?) - if I were on a dissertation committee I would amicably question some of the profiles elements:

--- "Supposedly, the FASTER it goes, the better "it kills", so they use the 140 gr or 150 gr in the 7 Mag instead of 175 gr. bullets." I would argue that a 140 gr TTSX/AFrame is far superior to a traditional cup & core 175 gr because 95% weight retention of 140 gr is 130 gr for penetration while 60% weight retention (or less) of 175 gr is 105 gr (or less) for penetration...

--- "He will also put his ammo in plastic 20 round boxes, and slip them inside the ORGINAL FACTORY box, so he is in compliance." There is no airline or TSA or African countries requirement for original factory box. TSA states: "Small arms ammunition (up to .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge) must be packaged in a fiber (such as cardboard), wood, plastic, or metal box specifically designed to carry ammunition and declared to your airline." Many of us here on AH are transporting ammo in Pelican 1200 cases or similar without original factory boxes completely legally and without any issue...

--- "Speaking of ammo, he and his partner will now each carry some of each other’s ammo." It is illegal in many African countries to import ammo for a caliber other than the one(s) listed in one's temporary import permit. Carrying ammo for a friend's rifle which is of different caliber than one's own rifle(s) is a sure way to get into trouble. Sure, ammo stamps are not always checked, but if they are......................

--- "Many clients are there only because they feel it is the “IN” thing to do and they must keep up with the “Jones”." I would really love to see the underlying data for this, because this is entirely opposite to my own experience speaking with hundredths of clients or prospects at SCI, DSC, Great American Outdoor, etc. shows.

Etc. :)
 
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Well... I recognize the pictures of the checked luggage and the carry-on backpack ... because these are mine... I guess that typically one would reference the source for their material, but this is not an issue, I am happy if these pics have value to the AH community... :)

This by the way raises an interesting question: how can this original post be from 2009, knowing that I posted these pictures on August 27, 2018?

Without getting too "academic" it would be really informative to have a little more info on this survey and its methodology. "100 South African, Namibian, Zimbabwe and Tanzania PH's" seems to imply some form of organized survey. Is this part of a Bachelor or Master or Doctoral thesis? If yes, with which university? When was it conducted? How was the surveying list established? Who actually responded: e.g. PH vs. outfitters? Distribution of responses per country? What was the analysis method to draw the typical 1st and 2nd safari profiles, etc. etc. etc. This is NOT a criticism, just aroused curiosity. We lack so much solid data in this field that we are hungry for some :)

As to content and analysis validity - this plunged me back to my own PhD thesis days - I love the quantitative results (x many respondents said xyz) but a few thoughts come to mind about the qualitative analysis (first and second time profiles). While a number of clichés about first and second safari hunters resonate - and some seem a little, well, ... "cliché" (but may be supported by data?) - were I on a dissertation committee, I would amicably question some of the profile elements:

--- "Supposedly, the FASTER it goes, the better "it kills", so they use the 140 gr or 150 gr in the 7 Mag instead of 175 gr. bullets." I would argue that a 140 gr TTSX/AFrame is far superior to a traditional cup & core 175 gr because 95% weight retention of 140 gr is 130 gr for penetration while 60% weight retention (or less) of 175 gr is 105 gr (or less) for penetration...

--- "He will also put his ammo in plastic 20 round boxes, and slip them inside the ORGINAL FACTORY box, so he is in compliance." There is no airline or TSA or African countries requirement for original factory box. TSA states: "Small arms ammunition (up to .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge) must be packaged in a fiber (such as cardboard), wood, plastic, or metal box specifically designed to carry ammunition and declared to your airline." Many of us here on AH are transporting ammo in Pelican 1200 cases or similar without original factory boxes completely legally and without any issue...

--- "Speaking of ammo, he and his partner will now each carry some of each other’s ammo." It is illegal in many African countries to import ammo for a caliber other than the one(s) listed in one's temporary import permit. Carrying ammo for a friend's rifle which is of different caliber than one's own rifle(s) is a sure way to get into trouble. Sure, ammo stamps are not always checked, but if they are......................

--- "Many clients are there only because they feel it is the “IN” thing to do and they must keep up with the “Jones”." I would really love to see the underlying data for this, because this is entirely opposite to my own experience speaking with hundredths of clients or prospects at SCI, DSC, Great American Outdoor, etc. shows.
:oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:

Someone ripped off your photography?!?!?!

So, I confess to just now reading the OP's original report (another issue caught my attention in the thread). Whatever the methodology, I am indeed struggling with the effort to quantify cliché's.

He used your photography ?!?!??!! Who does that?!
 
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Bah, no big deal, these became pubic domain when they were posted, right... ;)

What I thought is more interesting is the implication on the validity of the study, its methodology, and its conclusions ;)

If liberties are taken for material sourcing, one can speculate about what liberties are taken in the data reported and the analysis performed. Study or personal opinion? Would love to see the raw data from "100 South African, Namibian, Zimbabwe and Tanzania PH's." If it is real, however methodologically flawed it may be, there could still be interesting data...

I, for one, would just advise first timers to Africa to beware some of the inferences made in the "second time" profile...

And I must say, to the credit of "first time" hunters whom I have had the pleasure to deal with and help, that darn few of them, if any, fit the "cliché" profile; that most, if not all, follow closely the recommendations we make in terms of equipment; and that darn few, if any, are naïve enough to show up in camp with brand new unbroken Thinsulate boots, although I too have read about such things in African lore......... As to the "safari" hat with the Zebra trim, I would not even now where to point a client who would want one :E Rofl:
 
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Bah, no big deal, these became pubic domain when they were posted, right... ;)

What I thought is more interesting is the implication on the validity of the study, its methodology, and its conclusions ;)

If liberties are taken for material sourcing, one can speculate about what liberties are taken in the data reported and the analysis performed. Study or opinion? Would love to see the raw data from "100 South African, Namibian, Zimbabwe and Tanzania PH's." If it is real, however methodologically flawed it may be, there could still be interesting data...

I, for one, would just advise first timers to Africa to beware some of the inferences made in the second time profile...
Technically, you are correct with respect to your intellectual property. But having published a few things over the years, using someone's photography without a cite, much less permission, is poor form regardless how it may have been sourced.

The data and methodology would be interesting (along with the specific wording of the questions).

But damn.
 
Well... I recognize the pictures of the checked luggage and the carry-on backpack ... because these are mine... I guess that typically one would reference the source for their material, but this is not an issue, I am happy if these pics have value to the AH community... :)

This, by the way, raises an interesting question: how can this original post be from 2009, knowing that I posted these pictures on August 22, 2019?

Without getting too "academic" it would be really informative to have a little more info on this survey and its methodology.
"100 South African, Namibian, Zimbabwe and Tanzania PH's" seems to imply some form of organized survey. Is/was this part of a Bachelor or Master or Doctoral thesis? If yes, with which university? When was it conducted? How was the surveying list established? Who actually responded: e.g. PH vs. outfitters? Distribution of responses per country? What was the analysis method to draw the typical 1st and 2nd safari profiles, etc. etc. etc. This is NOT a criticism, just aroused curiosity. We lack so much solid data in this field that we are hungry for some :)

As to content and analysis validity - this plunged me back to my own PhD thesis days - I love the quantitative results (x many respondents said xyz) but a few thoughts come to mind about the qualitative analysis (first and second timers profiles):

While a number of clichés about first and second safari hunters resonate - and some seem a little, well... "cliché"... (but may be supported by data?) - if I were on a dissertation committee I would amicably question some of the profiles elements:

--- "Supposedly, the FASTER it goes, the better "it kills", so they use the 140 gr or 150 gr in the 7 Mag instead of 175 gr. bullets." I would argue that a 140 gr TTSX/AFrame is far superior to a traditional cup & core 175 gr because 95% weight retention of 140 gr is 130 gr for penetration while 60% weight retention (or less) of 175 gr is 105 gr (or less) for penetration...

--- "He will also put his ammo in plastic 20 round boxes, and slip them inside the ORGINAL FACTORY box, so he is in compliance." There is no airline or TSA or African countries requirement for original factory box. TSA states: "Small arms ammunition (up to .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge) must be packaged in a fiber (such as cardboard), wood, plastic, or metal box specifically designed to carry ammunition and declared to your airline." Many of us here on AH are transporting ammo in Pelican 1200 cases or similar without original factory boxes completely legally and without any issue...

--- "Speaking of ammo, he and his partner will now each carry some of each other’s ammo." It is illegal in many African countries to import ammo for a caliber other than the one(s) listed in one's temporary import permit. Carrying ammo for a friend's rifle which is of different caliber than one's own rifle(s) is a sure way to get into trouble. Sure, ammo stamps are not always checked, but if they are......................

--- "Many clients are there only because they feel it is the “IN” thing to do and they must keep up with the “Jones”." I would really love to see the underlying data for this, because this is entirely opposite to my own experience speaking with hundredths of clients or prospects at SCI, DSC, Great American Outdoor, etc. shows.

Etc. :)
If I may permit myself @One Day... I could not have imagined anyone else having such an organised kit as yourself :) Down to the last item this is well thought out and structured ;)

Concerning the post from 2009, with pictures of 2019, I remember when reading this thread it originally had over 5 or even 10 pages of replies, I had asked the general question if it would make sense to update this after 10+ years, and if the survey could be done over, and a few days later the original post was updated with these new pictures (coming from you apparently) and many pages missing. So I don't know what went on? Some early spring cleaning in the forum?
 
I have also seen, few older threads, re-published, again, newer dates?
 

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