AH MEMBER HUNT - HOST OUTFITTER?

[BRICKBURN]

Since this has been on a lot of peoples minds I would like to find out if there is an AH MEMBER OUTFITTER that would be interested in HOSTING an AH MEMBER HUNT.
Too bloody late for a proper organization this year but, next. 2016.

Let's start with a simple ordinal measurement of yes or no.

Then we can move on to perhaps discussing a PLAINS GAME GROUP and/or DANGEROUS GAME GROUP or ????.

This is a brain storming thread. So share your ideas.

 

[billc]

Yeah had some wanting to but had somethings to work out with Jerome and james to make it happen. When you say outfitter do you mean sponsoring outfitter of the site to host it.

 

[BRICKBURN]

No idea specifically.
See if anyone chimes in on the idea.

 

[billc]

Ok ask Jerome or james about the idea we gave them and see what you think. I myself think if it some kind of ah hunt it should be hosted by a sponsor unless none want to do it. They help support the site so that seem to make the must sense to me.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Anyone can chime in and let their thoughts be known.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

I have been wanting and thinking about doing an AH group hunt way before anyone approached me and have not yet decided with who nor have I sorted out all of the details. Yes it will be with one of the sponsoring outfitters of AH and there are a couple who have already come to me. I have been very busy lately so it has been pushed to the back burner but I hope to be able to put it out there in the next couple of months.

I would certainly like to hear from the members, and as BRICKBURN said… Anyone can chime in and let their thoughts be known… I really want to do this right as it will be organized through AH.

 

[gillettehunter]

Sounds like fun. Had a great time talking to AH members at the bar the other night. Be a fun hunt if it can be figured out. Bruce

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Brickburn and Jerome,
I'm keen. Let's talk.

 

[Buff-Buster]

1) Buy in from AH Sponsors

• Are they willing to set one up? Depending on the interest, multiple sponsers could set up a block of "like dates". This would allow (US) members to gather at Atlanta/Washington to travel together as this is probably the biggest "fear factor" for first timers.
• Once a block of dates are set by the sponsors, these will be the dates. (If not, it will drive the sponsers crazy trying to adjust for individual schedules)
• Number of hunters at one time will be set by the sponsor. Could be set up as a "guys only" or a "couples hunt" Maybe dates for both depending on response? I would suggest minimum and maximum numbers based on their individual infrastructures.
• We have great outfitter/sponsors across Namibia, SA, Zim, Moz and Zambia with diverse terrain and species indignant to their area's. Namibia with mountain zebra, Damara dik-dik, 40" gemsbok. SA with huge kudu in the Limpopo, East Cape with species like Vaahl reedbuck, bontebok, blue duiker and Kwa-zulu Natal with Nyala and bushbuck. Point is we have great outfitters that specialize in all of these areas.
• Basic packages could be developed to target the special species for these areas with the option to add once there. The options for 1 x 1 or 2 x 1 could be determined at booking. Knowing our sponsors, I would expect some great deals on these AH hunts.
• If dates could be coordinated between outfitters, we could probably get Lauri to handle all flights for each hunt and possibly get discount airfares since all US hunters could meet in Atlanta/Washington and take the same flight as a group. (That flight would be rocking with 30-40 AH members!) Each group would either be picked up in Joberg or catch a connecting flight to PE, Durban, Maun, Lusaka or Windhoek (main locations) Most returns could be coordinated for most to meet up for the trip back also.
• Air 2000 or similar services might offer group discounts for this large of a group also.
• I am pretty confident I could also negotiate a % discount on taxidermy from Bullseye with Craig for those wanting their taxidermy done in SA.
• The same could probably done with Zingela and Charlene and possibly Robert and SSI.

The only way this would work is for the outfitters to set firm dates together. Dates would not be flexible. If you were booked and something came up, there could actually be a AH waiting list set up for other members to take that spot by reimbursing the deposit to the member that cancelled. Everyone wins. With the amount of members and users of AH I feel this is actually very "doable"! It sounds more complicated than it actually is. I honestly think this is a fantastic way to make peoples dreams come true. Isn't that why a lot of us love this site?

 

[BRICKBURN]

Thanks Wes.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Per your request @BRICKBURN:

A few rambling thoughts from me:
1. I think this could be done and it could be a great way to introduce the first timer. Having someone to travel with and take them through the travel aspect would be great. It is a bit intimidating, particularly to someone who hasn't before, to travel internationally. Doing so with a rifle just adds to that stress level.

2. I once hunted quail with someone I didn't know. He was what I would call a competitive hunter, and extremely so at that. I absolutely hate that crap. Additionally, he was a very unsafe hunter and damn near shot me. I would never want to spend another day with that clown much less multiple days stuck in camp with him. Lesson learned, be very careful whom you decide to hunt and/or share a camp with. That said, with respect to a group hunt, lay down ground rules firmly that this is about fun and not a big d!$* contest. It only takes one asshat to ruin time around the boma or out in the field and thus having the opposite effect of what is intended.

3. Careful consideration should be given as to how large this group will be. Smaller concessions should mean a smaller group and vice versa. Criss crossing each other during the day would not go well.

4. I think allowing for some flexibility would be wise. One guy may want to do a 5 day hunt and another a 10 day hunt. Traveling together on the way out and then some or one leaving early shouldn't be too big of a deal.

Probably enough ramblings for now.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Thanks Phil.

 

[sierraone]

I can't give any recommendations since I have never hunted anywhere in Africa, but intend to do so with my son in 2016. So this idea could conceivably make it easier. BUT I have flown across the Atlantic 62 times since 1998, usually out of Atlanta, but never with firearms. So I am looking forward to see how this idea progresses during the next months or year. Good luck to all of us that are interested!

 

[peras]

I will.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I can't give any recommendations since I have never hunted anywhere in Africa, but intend to do so with my son in 2016. So this idea could conceivably make it easier. BUT I have flown across the Atlantic 62 times since 1998, usually out of Atlanta, but never with firearms. So I am looking forward to see how this idea progresses during the next months or year. Good luck to all of us that are interested!

That is one of the concepts that this type of organized hunt is meant to do. Help introduce new hunters and also facilitate some camaraderie among AH members.

There must be an ass print in that airline seat!

 

[sierraone]

That is one of the concepts that this type of organized hunt is meant to do. Help introduce new hunters and also facilitate some camaraderie among AH members.

There must be an ass print in that airline seat!

You are probably right. Only two of those trips were in business class! And to complicate matters, the older I get, the wider I get, at the very same time the seats have gotten smaller.

 

[gizmo]

I would be glad to put on an AH dove hunt in Texas I'd thow in some fishing for good measure

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I would be glad to put on an AH dove hunt in Texas I'd thow in some fishing for good measure

Likewise for Africa. Will be happy to organize a deepsea fishing trip during the hunting days just to mix it up. We could also throw in some wing shooting.

 

[BRICKBURN]

What do you think the optimum size group for this adventure would be?

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

What do you think the optimum size group for this adventure would be?

I reckon about 6. It will still keep it nice and personal.