What do you do for a living?

[aminkus]

BY day i am a high school history teacher in the suburbs of Chicago. I afford my hunting by starting my own educational consulting and tutoring company. I work two full time jobs that afford me the opportunity to pursue my deepest passion of African Safari hunting

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

“Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water; after enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.”

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

“Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water; after enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.”

@NIGHTHAWK
Before enlightenment chip wood withaxe and block buster.
After enlightenment use chainsaw and hydraulic log splitter
After more enlightenment get someone else to do the job, charge more for the product work less and still make money.
Bob

 

[Turner12971]

Hello everyone,

Haven’t posted in a while but just curious. What do you all do for a living to afford your hunts?
Definitely jealous of all of your safaris but living vicariously through your posts!


Thanks
Red

I’m a Construction Foreman by no means wealthy I add everything up for my trip. Tips, airfare, hotel in joberg, flight to PE, day rates, dip/pack or taxidermy there etc… then I figure out how much to save a paycheck or by month whatever works then go. All else fails make you an OnlyFans page and sell that bootie

 

[Kharn]

Sole trader owner, operator of high precision automated manufacturing facility specializing in mass production to conceptual prototyping for clients such as the government, defense, medical, mining, etc etc etc

And caretaker (I live here in the facility, I don't have a wife or children).

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Hello everyone,

Haven’t posted in a while but just curious. What do you all do for a living to afford your hunts?
Definitely jealous of all of your safaris but living vicariously through your posts!


Thanks
Red

My wife and I both worked and she was told that she would never have children so I went to Africa. Two years later she got pregnant. It took me 39 years of working in the prison system and paying off our house to make another safari after I retired.

It's mostly a matter of deciding that you want to do it, and then not pissing away your income on unnecessary "extras." Gambling, excessive drinking (or drugs), a new vehicle every other year, etc. cuts into your ability to finance a safari. So does having chikdren. When I went on my first safari, a friend asked me how I could do it. I pointed out yo him that he had just bought a new ski boat for about the same amount of money. Now you have to ask your self, "What do I care about?"

 

[Betterinthebush]

Until recently (four weeks ago) I had a herd of cattle worked as an assistant guide in Alaska and own a custom slaughter micro plant. Price of cattle have never been better, so I sold the herd and kept the plant. The plant makes money. The price of cattle could crash tomorrow or a disease could wipe out my life’s work.
I’m getting older and don’t have the back to hump moose parts through the bush for clients anymore, so I’ll just hunt for myself in Alaska now.

The combination of three businesses centered around the outdoors were the legs of my financial stool when I was young and supporting a family. Now, with the boys grown and gone (one an off shore skipper and one a newly minted MD finally finished with his residency) and owning everything around me and owing nothing, I find that my love of the Lord and his creation, my wife and family is really everything I need. Everything else is blessings with gravy on top.

After years of listening to clients stories of Africa it’s my turn. Patience, persistence and perseverance pays dividends. It will for the young OP as well.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Until recently (four weeks ago) I had a herd of cattle worked as an assistant guide in Alaska and own a custom slaughter micro plant. Price of cattle have never been better, so I sold the herd and kept the plant. The plant makes money. The price of cattle could crash tomorrow or a disease could wipe out my life’s work.
I’m getting older and don’t have the back to hump moose parts through the bush for clients anymore, so I’ll just hunt for myself in Alaska now.

The combination of three businesses centered around the outdoors were the legs of my financial stool when I was young and supporting a family. Now, with the boys grown and gone (one an off shore skipper and one a newly minted MD finally finished with his residency) and owning everything around me and owing nothing, I find that my love of the Lord and his creation, my wife and family is really everything I need. Everything else is blessings with gravy on top.

After years of listening to clients stories of Africa it’s my turn. Patience, persistence and perseverance pays dividends. It will for the young OP as well.

Great reply, have you decided where in Africa you plan to hunt? With as much time as you have in the Alaska bush I'd suggest something a little more uninhabited like Zim, Moz, or Zambia. I'm sure you'd enjoy South Africa but I think you'd get more out of your first Africa hunt by avoiding game farms/ranches and hunting a more wild area.

 

[Betterinthebush]

@Mtn_Infantry like everything else I have ever done, I’m making myself pay my dues. I’ve contracted with Anton and Wanda Esterhuizen with Estreux Safaris and I couldn’t be happier so far. His references were excellent, his attention to detail and response to my (and my wife’s) wishes and expectations was a level of consideration and professionalism of which I’ve never encountered in the business.

It’s a proper walking safari on a vast unfenced concession for 7 days and 7 days touring Etosha, Damaraland, The Skeleton Coast, Namib Desert, and Swakopmund.

We’re pretty stoked. Bought it on a lark after I committed the cows and heifers to the consignment auction when my wife (not) jokingly said “Let’s get the hell out of here and go to Namibia like you’ve been wanting to for the last 20 years after the cows are sold”. So, a friend (old client) vouched for Anton. After a little digging, BAM! Leaving on June 30.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

@Mtn_Infantry like everything else I have ever done, I’m making myself pay my dues. I’ve contracted with Anton and Wanda Esterhuizen with Estreux Safaris and I couldn’t be happier so far. His references were excellent, his attention to detail and response to my (and my wife’s) wishes and expectations was a level of consideration and professionalism of which I’ve never encountered in the business.

It’s a proper walking safari on a vast unfenced concession for 7 days and 7 days touring Etosha, Damaraland, The Skeleton Coast, Namib Desert, and Swakopmund.

We’re pretty stoked. Bought it on a lark after I committed the cows and heifers to the consignment auction when my wife (not) jokingly said “Let’s get the hell out of here and go to Namibia like you’ve been wanting to for the last 20 years after the cows are sold”. So, a friend (old client) vouched for Anton. After a little digging, BAM! Leaving on June 30.

Good Luck! Namibia is a great mix of both. I’ve only hunted it once but I really enjoyed it. Glad you’re getting to see some sights too

 

[Redheadkentuckian]

@Mtn_Infantry like everything else I have ever done, I’m making myself pay my dues. I’ve contracted with Anton and Wanda Esterhuizen with Estreux Safaris and I couldn’t be happier so far. His references were excellent, his attention to detail and response to my (and my wife’s) wishes and expectations was a level of consideration and professionalism of which I’ve never encountered in the business.

It’s a proper walking safari on a vast unfenced concession for 7 days and 7 days touring Etosha, Damaraland, The Skeleton Coast, Namib Desert, and Swakopmund.

We’re pretty stoked. Bought it on a lark after I committed the cows and heifers to the consignment auction when my wife (not) jokingly said “Let’s get the hell out of here and go to Namibia like you’ve been wanting to for the last 20 years after the cows are sold”. So, a friend (old client) vouched for Anton. After a little digging, BAM! Leaving on June 30.

I’m really considering Namibia for my first safari too. (I was looking at South Africa but I want to bring my wife and was told Namibia is safer.) I am looking at Khomas and Ozondaje. I look forward to reading your report after your trip! What animals are on your list?

 

[Betterinthebush]

@Redheadkentuckian the only thing on my list to get is experience. I’ve not set a toe on the continent yet, but I know this won’t be my last hunt there. I’m working up toward a goal and just want to get wet first.

And it’s also important for my wife to be with me doing it.