Well, I don't expect anybody to head to Africa for a 1 day hunt, but most people have some vacation time they can take. I am also an executive, but I will hunt Africa over Texas every chance I get. Eventually I will get to Texas for something, but there isn't much allure to me there.
You’re missing the point of my ellipses … I guess my hints of sarcasm weren’t conveyed.
To better explain; I personally know multiple people who’ve shot large exotic animals in Texas with the intention of leading everyone to believe they went on an extraordinary safari in Africa, a remote back country hunt, or epic international trip. I’ve actually met one person who showed me photos and told me the “story” of their Elk Hunt and where it was. I played dumb and inquired as to how long they’d been applying for that once in a lifetime tag (which they didn’t know) or when they bought that governors tag, why the terrain in the photos looked so different than it does in real life. At first they doubled down but eventually came clean. The excuse I got was they didn’t have the time to hunt like that due to their busy work schedule, couldn’t wait to draw the tag, and none of their friends were the wiser. Not saying that’s everyone but there are some out there who just want that animal to look cooler than everyone else in their circle and don’t care how they get it or what it costs.
Hunting in Africa is a little different than here in North America but similar in someways. You can’t shoot 350-400” bull elk, or 180” deer anywhere for the same cost as a spike (there are exceptions). The best duck hunting land is locked up and gets passed down after death. To get a crack at trophy animals you’re going to pay for the opportunity (high fence or landowner vouchers) IF you don’t want to wait years to try and draw a tag. The best hunting experience is often remote and isolated (like in Africa) and comes at an additional cost. Extra logistics and long travel costs help contribute to this. Wild, remote, free range areas typically see less pressure and that too adds an extra cost to generate similar levels of income. The better the trophy quality (in free range areas) the higher the demand and the lower the number of animals hunted to maintain that quality. Again this adds cost.
I have nothing against hunting in South Africa. I’ve done it many times and will do it in the future, however I have certain requirements I like to meet and each hunt further refines them. South Africa and hunting as described in that video is an excellent gateway drug into African Hunting. It has its place, and offers the adventure for all price ranges and budgets. What I disagree with is the outfitters that lie or try to hide the fact that they’re supplementing their game herds via breeding operations. I have nothing against anyone who wants to hunt a put and take operation, I won’t judge them, but I can assure you their experience will be different than if they’d hunted somewhere like Blaaukrantz (referenced in video), CV Safaris, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, or Zambia.
