What is the craziest lengths you have went to in order to pay for a hunt?

[uplander01]

Read about it and dream about it, work your ass off and believe you can accomplish whatever you want in life. I personally believe everything good starts with drive and visualizing what you want your life to be. We still live in a world where it’s ok to dream and then try and make it happen. Further your education, master a trade, find a better job. Remember that sacrifice is a big part of life, ….sometimes you gotta relocate, break up with a girlfriend, take a jump toward the unfamiliar and take some risks. Money for us working folks isn’t easy to come by, but if you have the drive and desire, go get some, it’s there for the taking. Also keep in mind a guys 20’s and probably even 30’s nowadays is when it’s easiest to make those moves, you can’t expect it to happen overnight, and if you have big dreams it’s important to remember that as soon as you get married and start having pups your life is no longer your own for about 20 years.

 

[Daveboone]

Crazy lengths, I dont think so, but I sold quite a few firearms that were not being used. Lucky for me, it was during the Covid years, and I probably got historic high prices for them...I
I keep close track as far as firearm values (not that I am a collector or trader), and was actually embarassed what I got through a well known reputable auction house in CNY.

 

[Backyardsniper]

Ok kind of off topic but the craziest thing I did was hunt during Covid. Never believed in the seriousness of Covid. Got the shot early as I am a fireman and offered and we have three nursing homes in town with multiple false alarms. But my two sons and a daughter got it and were done in a day, same house etc. you get the point. Early 2020 a favorite ph says if I can get over the price is unreal. Was on the second plane that arrives in Namibia the day it opened. Sept 28th, 2020. Had to drive 5 hours to dc fly to Ethiopia (14 hours) layover, 9 hours to Windhoek and then no internal flights, drive 13 hours to caprivi. All one atraight shot with no stopping. The reward was an elephant, hippo, buffalo, sable, lechwe, and 6 other plains games for price I will not mention. It was 49 hours straight on forged Covid tests coming and going. And I would do it again in a heartbeat.

That's what I'm talking about right there! Sometimes you just got to do what you got to do to get it done!

 

[cpr0312]

Nothing too crazy here. Similar to a few other posts on here, I don't have a truck payment, I don't buy what I cant afford, and I live in a much smaller house than many people my age and have a low monthly payment. All my disposable income funds my international hunting addiction, my golf problem, and my bourbon cabinet

 

[Daveboone]

Had a guy at the gun club ask me how I can afford to go to Africa. Told him I don't have your $80k Mercedes SUV millstone around my financial neck. Opportunity cost is lost on most people.

My brother in law wondered how we could go to Africa (granted, a rather modest 10 day hunt, 1/2 wife stuff, 1/2 hunting), he owning his own succesful business , has a modern McMansion and every toy concieved...and also goes on at least two or three cruises/vacations a year.....
I told him...we saved. Selling four grand worth of firearms I didnt need helped, we just prioritized.

 

[PARA45]

When I set my mind to doing something, I'm all in. So, for this last trip, I literally saved for several years, while paying off all credit cards. I took advantages of some COVID specials, and luckily, I had the funds to pull the trigger.

I will continue to go to Africa to hunt PG, and I may never be able to hunt an ele, or a leopard. I'm fine with that, but will continue to enjoy chasing PG. Oh, and like other have stated, no more shoulder mounts for me, it's euromounts from now on, or just pictures.

 

[Backyardsniper]

When I set my mind to doing something, I'm all in. So, for this last trip, I literally saved for several years, while paying off all credit cards. I took advantages of some COVID specials, and luckily, I had the funds to pull the trigger.

I will continue to go to Africa to hunt PG, and I may never be able to hunt an ele, or a leopard. I'm fine with that, but will continue to enjoy chasing PG. Oh, and like other have stated, no more shoulder mounts for me, it's euromounts from now on, or just pictures.

I agree I am getting shoulder mounts on the stuff I killed this time. First trip so I'm going to give myself that one, its hard to not mount your first buff, kudu, and Eland, and maybe even that Hyena but he will probably get put on the back burner as I have got my sights on a trophy bull hunt. That's the beauty of elephant hunts, I don't have to worry about the taxidermy. I want to get me a nice set of replica tusks made and that will be fine.

 

[CJW]

I agree I am getting shoulder mounts on the stuff I killed this time. First trip so I'm going to give myself that one, its hard to not mount your first buff, kudu, and Eland, and maybe even that Hyena but he will probably get put on the back burner as I have got my sights on a trophy bull hunt. That's the beauty of elephant hunts, I don't have to worry about the taxidermy. I want to get me a nice set of replica tusks made and that will be fine.

The hyena would actually be first on my list of things to mount. Actually I want a full body hyena and warthog facing off. Hyena rugs are awesome too though.

 

[migrabill]

I am retired Army, so definitely not a wealthy guy. But I have booked a 10 day Safari in South Africa for June of 2024. How will I pay for it? I have a job as a contractor back to the Army. I travel overseas 4 or 5 times a year to train foreign ally helicopter pilots how their radars work in their helicopters. I am saving all my travel money that I make on my trips for my trophy fees, taxidermy, and shipping.

 

[Mekaniks]

AND HUNTING IN AFRICA

 

[Seavas]

I am in my 30s and returned a couple months ago from my second safari. All self funded, I do not come from money. I learned from an early age the value of hard work and wise spending. I currently work two jobs, drive a paid off truck, and most of our groceries we grow, raise, catch, or kill ourselves. I do most vehicle and home maintenance myself to save a few bucks. Calling out a plumber, electrician, etc for every little thing or paying for each oil change or tune up will add up. A couple times a year we sell off anything that we don't need or are not using. Keeping up with the Joneses can also hurt you financially and for no good reason.

Where there is a will there is a way. Sometimes the hard part is learning to cut the unnecessary BS out.

All that said the real secret to being able to afford a safari is don't have kids!

 

[Backyardsniper]

I am in my 30s and returned a couple months ago from my second safari. All self funded, I do not come from money. I learned from an early age the value of hard work and wise spending. I currently work two jobs, drive a paid off truck, and most of our groceries we grow, raise, catch, or kill ourselves. I do most vehicle and home maintenance myself to save a few bucks. Calling out a plumber, electrician, etc for every little thing or paying for each oil change or tune up will add up. A couple times a year we sell off anything that we don't need or are not using. Keeping up with the Joneses can also hurt you financially and for no good reason.

Where there is a will there is a way. Sometimes the hard part is learning to cut the unnecessary BS out.

All that said the real secret to being able to afford a safari is don't have kids!

That os 100% true

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I used my father's vaccination card one trip since we share the same name .... no one thought to check the DOB.

I've done several hunts, am in my mid 30's. Both my vehicles are older and paid off. I don't have a wife or kids, have a pretty low mortgage payment (albeit looking at upgrading because of taxidermy) and aside from women, guns, and bourbon don't have too many other addictions.

 

[WAB]

I used my father's vaccination card one trip since we share the same name .... no one thought to check the DOB.

I've done several hunts, am in my mid 30's. Both my vehicles are older and paid off. I don't have a wife or kids, have a pretty low mortgage payment (albeit looking at upgrading because of taxidermy) and aside from women, guns, and bourbon don't have too many other addictions.

Hmmm, hunting, women, guns & bourbon, I’d say you have a pretty full suite of addictions! Well done!

 

[WAB]

I used my father's vaccination card one trip since we share the same name .... no one thought to check the DOB.

I've done several hunts, am in my mid 30's. Both my vehicles are older and paid off. I don't have a wife or kids, have a pretty low mortgage payment (albeit looking at upgrading because of taxidermy) and aside from women, guns, and bourbon don't have too many other addictions.

Hmmm, hunting, women, guns & bourbon, I’d say you have a pretty full suite of addictions! Well done!

 

[Inline6]

Hmmm, hunting, women, guns & bourbon, I’d say you have a pretty full suite of addictions! Well done!

He left out cars, hahaha

 

[Mark R]

I thought my Africa days were done after trip #4 in 2018. That was until Marius @ KMG found me an ele hunt deal I couldn’t refuse. Sold off 3 of my bolt guns which paid nearly half. Saved my arse off for the rest….

 

[Sideshow]

I agree I am getting shoulder mounts on the stuff I killed this time. First trip so I'm going to give myself that one, its hard to not mount your first buff, kudu, and Eland, and maybe even that Hyena but he will probably get put on the back burner as I have got my sights on a trophy bull hunt. That's the beauty of elephant hunts, I don't have to worry about the taxidermy. I want to get me a nice set of replica tusks made and that will be fine.

Act that Hyena you should mount! I’d do it in full attack security mode…..then have it set up in a hidden box in the wall in my front entrance then when kids come or shit hits the fan hit the button solves all problems no?

 

[Backyardsniper]

Act that Hyena you should mount! I’d do it in full attack security mode…..then have it set up in a hidden box in the wall in my front entrance then when kids come or shit hits the fan hit the button solves all problems no?

I really want to do a full body mount, and I probably will, but man! It's like $4500 to get a full body mount done

 

[PARA45]

He left out cars, hahaha

Oh, and Cigars, what a perfect combination.