Would you or have you hunted with an outfitter because of a “Hunting Celebrity” or Influencer?

[Handcannons]

I have a friend, James, who has been to Africa 6 or 7 times. He recommended Dirk de Bod very highly, then we both went to the last DSC show held in Dallas and we found Craig Boddington and told him what I wanted (Plains Game Safari) and what James had said about Dirk. He very strongly verified what James had said. So I contracted Dirk and had the absolute best Hunting Vacation I ever had.

That's what is great about Craig Boddington...He gives you his actual opinion. You can ask him anything. I've hunted with him and enjoyed his company and all the conversation we shared along with his advice when needed. I do agree that most TV and video celebrity's endorsements aren't worth anything. When they hunt they're totaly catered to, not the same if anyone else would show up.

 

[TerryBlauwkamp]

No, me either.

 

[45-70guy]

If it was someone I knew personally and trusted yes.
If it was because Brad Pitt went with them, NO.

 

[Safari Dave]

With the exception of Boddington, No. (I wouldn't pay more to hunt with him, but I respect him and would certainly listen to what he had to say)

I would actually pay less to hunt with a celebrity than to hunt with people I know and trust, so I'll never win a "celebrity" hunt at a SCI auction.

If a trusted "influencer" recommended them, I wouldn't discount their endorsement, but I'd rather have input from the folks on this forum, rather than someone from YouTube.

 

[Hunt anything]

Do our “local” AH hunting celebrities count?

If yes I’m guilty as charged

There’s a lot of people on this forum that I would love to share a camp with, way too many to mention individually.

In a former profession I knew and became friends with a bunch of really famous people. But many turned I out to be pure assholes. So beware, you may be really disappointed.

 

[Beck]

no

 

[Ridge Runner]

Having watched several TV and YouTube videos of a particular celebrity (a couple of episodes with his son), hunting several species of African DG and PG; curiosity and research followed by several emails and after finding this site. I checked an African safari off my bucket list.

I went with one of the celebrity's South African outfitters for a lot of reasons, one reason was not because of his endorsement for the particular outfitter, but the outfitter met my full criteria as a first timer. Okay, I also got a nice deal on a package PG hunt, and he has an American booking agent.

I had an excellent first, second, third, and fourth safaris, with plans for a fifth safari with this same outfitter.

Have I hunted with an outfitter because of a "Hunting Celebrity"?

He provoked my curiosity into researching, and provided me the insight to hunt Africa.

Have I hunted with an outfitter because of an "influencer"?

AH is full of influencers, ah...excuse me, enablers...and sponsors. LOL. Been on four trips to Africa; two different countries, 3 different provinces/ states in South Africa. Been on safaris with five different outfitters; Planning a fifth trip, hunting with a previous outfitter and a sixth different outfitter.

Answer to the OP's question is: ~Yes and ~Yes.

 

[gcbailey]

An influencer might actually affect my decision NOT to go. I enjoy watching hunting videos, but prefer those on YouTube or other places that is a hunter just either filming their hunt or someone filming for them. In my admittedly somewhat limited experience, influencers bring drama and can't be relied on for accurate information as their hunt may be paid for by a sponsor or they may receive some form of compensation in the form of money or gear for glowing reviews.

 

[Sabre]

The bot revived the zombie thread.

Sort of funny timing though, because I recently experienced another "celebrity" coming into camp shortly after me.

What I found/find funny is that generally when I talk to guides who mention celebrities they have guided for they often don't have nice things to say. And if you are in camp shortly before one of them comes, the guides and owners bring up they are coming. When you ask what they think of it, their response is typically something like "I don't care that they are famous, they will get the same treatment as everyone else".

Then the hunt comes up and you see a ton of postings from that outfitter on social media about the celebrity/influencer hunter being in camp. Extra videos of their hunts, extra special meals or cakes to celebrate things, and oddly convenient, the celebrity/influencer ends up having quick success on an "animal of a lifetime". Even when the celebrity/influencer was not a good guest and a pain in the ass.

I get it's all business. I would want my business to look positive on a show or social media as well. But there is a bit of hypocrisy behind the scenes with it all. I'm sure that's a surprise to no one.

 

[TheGrayRider]

Hell no and hell no!

 

[Dudders]

Billy Molls. But it may be its just the area and the animals he hunts that interests me .

 

[Tdruck]

No, it doesn't influence my decision. But, you shouldn't automatically exclude an outfitter because a celebrity was there either.

I can hardly stand to watch any of that TV stuff. Particularly those that follow the same format - loud music, fake southern accent, the same beard, whispering from the whitetail stand and telling us how to hunt, the tin clad broadcasting booth, optics advertisements with more loud music. And now they all have to have the hunt babes.

I have been in camp with a woman tv hunter and she is the real deal and does as much or more than any man would do on a guided hunt. She does all the planning, prep and editing for her shows and is a really good shot. I particularly dislike tv shows when a woman has everything set up for her and she just pulls the trigger.

Maybe the outfitter worked hard and does a great job in a good area. And that's is why the TV guy chose to go there. Is the outfitter supposed to turn down the customer because it might hurt his reputation with guys like us?

I have hunted with an outfitter out west for 20+ years, who has had all the regular tv celebs and sponsored hunt women go thru as well as professional athletes and others. He did not pursue them. They came to him. I generally go when they aren't there but I don't care if they are. I'm just as good of a hunter as they are. I've met some interesting people as well as some real jerks that way.

You sure can tell if there is a guy in camp who came just because the tv guys went there. They are usually not a very tolerable kind of person and a full of $--t.

If there is someone in the "industry" that you like and respect. I bet they are easier to contact than you might think and willing to share.

TD

 

[ElevenBravo]

Never attended because of one. There's a couple of places that I've turned away from because of who is endorsing them.

 

[ElevenBravo]

As I lay dying of the flu and C19 back in 2023, I binged on safari videos and shooting channels. I watched a video from Backfire where Jim took his family on safari. In a fever induced haze, I decided to email him and see who he used. I was amazed that I had a well written reply less than 12 hours later. Jim told me not to use the outfitter that he used. He listed the reasons why and suggested I contact an agent. I was skeptical, but the Nyquil had her hooks in me. Within 2 hours, the agent had texted me and we arranged a phone call. He asked a lot of questions, which is good. We talked for two hours getting everything out that I looked for and what my budget was. The outfitter he put me in touch with was perfect, and he only charged me $100 for his services. The safari couldn't have gone better and I go back in 5 weeks. I don't know if this matches the criteria for the question, but it was a great experience. Now, where's that Nyquil....

Jim's a good guy. Mostly a breathless fanboy but he's sincere and enthusiastic.

 

[ElevenBravo]

I honestly dont know what makes a hunting celebrity. And I dont watch much tv.
So probably not. Reality tv shows always seem scripted.

These shows on the Outdoor channel... oh man. I really can't watch them anymore. The cameramen seem to be drunk as the currently style of the time seems to be staggering in and out in front of the host, who is trying to be irreverent and funny while failing miserably. And some of the shots they take. My wife still finds Pigman entertaining but I gave up on him a long time ago. Waddell is a bit better. But those two are pretty much how they're more "entertainer" than hunter.

Since SCI's show about Africa was taken out of rotation, the only thing I watch on Outdoor now is anything with Jess Pryles in it.