Why are you here?

[Ray B]

In reading some posts, particularly the classified ads it appears there are different reasons that people will frequent this site. Some only seem to post when they have something for sale, so their interest is primarily commercial Others have friends that they have contacted in person and maintain communication via the site. Others just enjoy visiting with like-minded hunters and conservationists (in the actual meaning of the word).

My reason. a few years ago I had no interest in hunting in Africa- it seemed an unobtainable goal so for years I considered it an activity of "rich" people. I frequented the site to obtain loading data and reviews of cartridges such as 404 Jeffery. but a funny thing happened on the way to the forum- I learned that safari pricing was such that "regular" people with a bit of planning and saving could afford such trips. A world has been opened to me through this site.

Another aspect has been what on another thread is big bore addiction. I have gained new insight and respect for cartridges of which the 375 H&H is considered minimum (Previously I considered it a maximum).

For me the site has been the opening of a door to an unseen world of friends, opportunities and knowledge for which I am grateful. Thanks Jerome, the support staff and all the members. I really appreciate it.

 

[WebleyGreene455]

I came here mostly for similar reasons as you. I wanted information about the firearms and ammunition that are/were used in African hunting so I could have my own battery of retro hunting guns even if I never used them, and I was hoping to find stories, articles, pictures, all that stuff about hunting in the last 140 years or so. I never really planned on going hunting overseas. Now I do plan to, though whether it'll happen I don't know yet. And I like sticking around because I'll miss out on something good if I don't.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Why? I love Africa and hunting in Africa.

 

[kdenn]

I'm here to gather information on hunting in Africa, South Africa more specifically. Never really considered a hunting safari until this past year but now determined to go at least by 2023. I've enjoyed reading many of the posts and archived articles.

 

[Rare Breed]

In reading some posts, particularly the classified ads it appears there are different reasons that people will frequent this site. Some only seem to post when they have something for sale, so their interest is primarily commercial Others have friends that they have contacted in person and maintain communication via the site. Others just enjoy visiting with like-minded hunters and conservationists (in the actual meaning of the word).

My reason. a few years ago I had no interest in hunting in Africa- it seemed an unobtainable goal so for years I considered it an activity of "rich" people. I frequented the site to obtain loading data and reviews of cartridges such as 404 Jeffery. but a funny thing happened on the way to the forum- I learned that safari pricing was such that "regular" people with a bit of planning and saving could afford such trips. A world has been opened to me through this site.

Another aspect has been what on another thread is big bore addiction. I have gained new insight and respect for cartridges of which the 375 H&H is considered minimum (Previously I considered it a maximum).

For me the site has been the opening of a door to an unseen world of friends, opportunities and knowledge for which I am grateful. Thanks Jerome, the support staff and all the members. I really appreciate it.

I came for my hunger to hunt Africa. Robert Ruark and others are my hero’s. Since then I have bought a series of rifles with my newest last week my first double in 470 NE. I will be on my second hunt this July 21 and my third already booked July 22 both for DG

 

[Nyati]

I had already done three Safaris before joining AH, so to me this is the place to meet Africa hunting enthusiasts, gather and share all type of useful information on hunting, guns, cartridges and other equipment.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I am a bit of a virtualist. I am sure we all are to some extent, and the imagination is a fertile place. I manage to get in a few hunts a year and hope to do a lot more, but inbetween I safari in my head. This site feeds that, you can get enthused by someone else's new gun they just bought, or their planning for a trip. I also enjoy sharing things around the periphery of the actual hunt, like stuff people like or collect.

 

[CAustin]

Here for many reasons that center around hunting big game. Being here opened up so many windows and introduced new friends.

 

[WebleyGreene455]

I am a bit of a virtualist. [...] inbetween I safari in my head.

Funnily enough, that's why I was curious about the guns etc. I was rereading the Allan Quatermain stories and was thinking "Okay if I was going along with them to find King Solomon's Mines, or going to find Hamunaptra in the 1910s-1920s, or off obtaining rare antiquities in South America, what would I have worn/carried with me?" It kind of snowballed from there, haha.

 

[Whacker]

I joined the site after reading articles for quite some time and I realized that this forum is different than any I have seen before...also a reason you don’t see me on other forums or any other social media for that matter. The people here make this an inviting environment where everyone shows respect for one another...it really is more like a family here and I like that. There is also an enormous amount of knowledge to be found here and if it isn’t already posted there are many great people willing to help a guy out with their knowledge and that’s something I can definitely use from time to time as well. I really appreciate all the work that has gone into this forum in general and also the friendliness of the members present. I look forward to the friendships created here and am also here if others need help themselves. Merry Christmas Everyone!!

 

[TOBY458]

I sold @CAustin a Merkel Double rifle, and we became friends. This led to my first safari with Charlie, @Shootist43, and @Art Lambart II. Once our safari was said and done, I corresponded with many others on the site. Through the sale of a few more guns, I met some other guys and also ended up doing my second safari with @Ridgewalker.
Then came DSC last year and many more friends were made. @Bullthrower338 picked me up at the airport and introduced me to many of the members.
So....as you can tell, we have a great community here. I look forward to meeting many others!

 

[CBH Australia]

I think I came here by accident, yes I was like others I figured international hunting was out of reach on an average wage/lifestyle.

Some bright spark here said Africa is not as expensive as you might think. I asked for quotes and confirmed a booking about 3 months later.

I’ve made new friends online and met one member in person spoken to a couple on the phone and could meet others when travel permits.

Like it’s the curios and paraphernalia that go with my guns that interest me.

I bought a Von Gruff knife designed around my input.

I may try hunt New Zealand or even America. Just ticking boxes and each country would be a different experience.

 

[BeeMaa]

My wife and I were looking to book a trip to Africa.
We have a divide and conquer technique to accomplish goals.
She saves money, budgets money, allocates money and saves more money.
I do research and SPEND money (with her permission of course).

Most of the research was done on this site.
Thank you to all the members who have helped us along the way.
And it continues to be a good place for new ideas...or even bad ones.
Too many members to thank individually, but you know who you are.
Big thanks to Jerome (@AfricaHunting.com) for getting this site started.

 

[dailordasailor]

We saw a South African outfitter at a gun show and I was enlightened to the fact I could reasonably afford to hunt Africa in a couple years. This really sparked my interest and in my research I found this forum.

I’ve since hunted on another members property who’ve I’ve never met in person. Hunted Antelope and mule deer with another member and his son who I met upon arrival in Wyoming. Last year I went to Alaska with two members who I met at the airport for first time. This forum has created more opportunities to meet great people then I would have ever imagined.

just realized this forum is how I ended up in London for my honeymoon as well. Crazy

 

[mdwest]

I found AH after hearing someone mention it at a DSC monthly meeting when I asked about a place to do a bit of research on some outfitters and industry vendors...

I’m here now because it’s a great way to stay in touch with several friends that I’ve made along the way...

And well... the gun porn and hunt stories are pretty cool too...

 

[sestoppelman]

Everybody gotta be someplace!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I’m here because I enjoy it. I guess I enjoy it because the members are so nice, and so willing to help with anything. I have learned so much since joining.

 

[Alistair]

I originally stumbled across the site because I'd done a safari shooting course in the uk and become interested in sourcing a .375H&H. I came looking for load and rifle recomendations and Google threw this place up as a search result.

I've stuck around because there's some interesting content on here, some good discussion on topics I'm interested in and a decent group of like minded folks to talk hunting and shooting with.

I'm sure one day I will do some shooting in Africa, but it's not gonna be this year, or indeed likely this decade. Still good to learn new things though and in the interim I can discuss general hunting stuff, meet some people and also pick up some wisdom on Africa shooting and kit to keep the dream alive.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

It started at a sportsman show in Calgary Alberta in 2010 I think. I was looking at a muskox hunt but I thought that it was over priced. As I walked past a South African Safari booth this young attractive lady said, why don't you come to Africa? I replied with, Geeze I can't even afford to hunt in my own country. How could I afford Africa? Well she was right when she said that I might be surprised and I was wrong. When I started doing research I stumbled on this site. I has been a gold mine of information to me. If you're waiting to hunt Africa or just curious about the sport you've come to the right place. Just don't wait too long to go on safari. Time waits for no man.

 

[Shootist43]

Back in 2015 we had already booked a hunt for the following year. My oldest son Art Lambart II found this site and told me about it. After about twenty minutes perusing the site I knew I had to join up. Damn glad I did.