PH retirement age?

[rifletuner]

I realise this is a relative question for both the PH and the clients hunting with a PH of their choosing. And individual circumstances will vary greatly. But what is the working life of a PH? I mean Jeff Rann is still working at 70, also Mark Sullivan at 74/75. Harry Selby retired at 75, and Tony Sánchez-Ariño was into his 80 before he retired as a PH. All of these guys have significant experience with dangerous game and guys like Rann seem to do the majority of their work guiding on DG. Its great to be motivated to keep doing what they enjoy, and I would probably feel the same way to be honest. I dont think something arbitrary like an age limit should apply, but at what point should a PH stop working? Maybe Im asking an unanswerable question.

 

[Mark458]

As long as they are mentally and physically in good condition and still have the drive and desire to do it then keep on going. That's my opinion

 

[Rare Breed]

Lou Hallamore who I hunted with the last two years is 83 and still going strong

 

[Hogpatrol]

Experience over youthful exuberance, every day.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

It’s not an age as much as it has to pass my eyes test. If the PH still looks good to me then it’s a go.
As for the Hunter you need to be physically fit and handle your rifle…anything less and it’s time to hang Africa up.

HH

 

[375Fox]

I think it’s a question we shouldn’t be telling anyone. I wouldn’t want someone telling me to quit hunting one day, but I do think that outside judgement is probably the most objective. There are older PHs that probably shouldn’t be hunting anymore. They unfortunately have to because they aren’t in a good financial situation. The ones that keep hunting because they love it, I hope they get some help from a good apprentice or jr PH or hunt some less taxing areas. Their eyes, reflexes, and stamina just isn’t what it once was. Leopard, elephant, sitatunga, would be a physically taxing hunt to any of us. Continuing after a wounded buffalo or wounded elephant for days is mentally taxing as well. I wouldn’t want to tell a PH he needs to hang it up, but there are hunts I wouldn’t book certain PHs. They need to leave it to the younger PHs and take a new role in the hunt or in camp.

 

[BryceM]

Well, most PHs, even the old ones, are in considerably better shape than most of their clients.

When it comes to surgeons, youthful ones have the best eyesight, stamina, and manual dexterity. They also have little experience and their judgement isn’t always perfect.

In their 40s, eyesight and stamina drop just a bit, but experience and judgement improve. In their 50s, most are in their sweet spot. There is a bit of dexterity and eyesight loss, but it isn’t significant and their depth of experience more than makes up for it. In their 60s most are still OK, but somewhere around the mid to late 60s the formula starts to reverse.

This is just an average. Some in their 70s are much better than others in their prime. Some should hang it up early. It depends lot on how well they take care of themselves and quite a bit on the genetic lottery.

With PHs, pilots, surgeons, carpenters, truck drivers, time eventually takes its toll.

 

[High Country Hunts]

I have noticed safari outfitters in Australia and South Africa - on their web sites have photos of themselves considerably younger looking - and when you meet them it’s obvious some of their favourite photos of themselves are probably 20 years old - just an amusing observation that nearly all PH’s do this
Funny old blokes

 

[AfricaRob]

I have noticed safari outfitters in Australia and South Africa - on their web sites have photos of themselves considerably younger looking - and when you meet them it’s obvious some of their favourite photos of themselves are probably 20 years old - just an amusing observation that nearly all PH’s do this
Funny old blokes

Not just PHs....... Some of my profile pics are not the most up to date