Just hearing the comments on this thread, there were some interesting data inputs.
In the 1950s there were $699 rhino hunts. Ignoring present scarcity, and ignoring the increased costs to the consumer from regulation, its actually cheaper today than ever.
Let's take that $699 rhino hunt and make it an elephant hunt instead. Exportability, CITES permits, Dip/Pack shouldn't be calculated in because those are costs carried by the consumer due to government intervention.
Let's compare:
In 1952 the elephant hunt would be as follows:
1.) $699 safari fee and licenses.
2.) Flights and ships for that adventure would have been around $1800.
3.) Two rifle safari in 1952 would have cost you $2000 for two rifles and their ammunition for dangerous game using mid-level rifles. (Sedgley, Griffin & Howe, Langerke, etc.)
4.) In addition to the custom of giving your PH your rifle at the end of the hunt, there would have been about $100 in gratuities expected.
5.) Incidental costs for clothing, footwear, and other equipment would have cost you $250.
$4849 in 1952 all-in for your 21-day elephant hunt to include sable or buffalo as well.
In today's dollars, that is $46,760 adjusting for CPI.
That is certainly more you would pay for that hunt today if you ignore exportability (government impacts on secondary behaviors). Today you'd get there in 3 days or less, rather than taking 10-20 days to arrive and depart via inefficient travel. You wouldn't be obligated/expected to give your rifle to the PH.
In 1952 the average wage in the USA was $2,799.16 per year. In 2019 the average wage in the USA is $46,800.
So the hunt in 1952 cost DOUBLE the average person's salary in the USA, that same hunt today costs LESS than one year's salary, a reduction of more than 50%.
It has been and continues to be a question of priorities in one's own budget. Some people bounce checks and state they can't afford to have a burger out for lunch, yet they spend $250 a month on cable TV. Some people say Africa is too expensive but they have new vehicles every 3 years. Some people say a $46,000 hunt is too expensive but they live in $800,000 homes while making $200,000 per year. It is about priorities.
You have to decide, do you want the muscle car, or the hunt? Do you want the fishing boat, or the hunt? Do you want cable TV every month or a hunt every 7 years?
I know a multi-millionaire that is a terrible hunter. He dabbles while claiming he's into hunting. He's never shot a buck. He refuses to spend more than $75 on an optic and $200 on a gun, or practice, or hire an outfitter, or travel for prime hunting grounds, or enter big game drawings for access to better grounds. He just sits obstinately pinching pennies bewildered at his own failures. He does have a $100,000 vintage corvette, a $1.5m home, and drives a $90,000 truck. People make choices.
In the 1950s there were $699 rhino hunts. Ignoring present scarcity, and ignoring the increased costs to the consumer from regulation, its actually cheaper today than ever.
Let's take that $699 rhino hunt and make it an elephant hunt instead. Exportability, CITES permits, Dip/Pack shouldn't be calculated in because those are costs carried by the consumer due to government intervention.
Let's compare:
In 1952 the elephant hunt would be as follows:
1.) $699 safari fee and licenses.
2.) Flights and ships for that adventure would have been around $1800.
3.) Two rifle safari in 1952 would have cost you $2000 for two rifles and their ammunition for dangerous game using mid-level rifles. (Sedgley, Griffin & Howe, Langerke, etc.)
4.) In addition to the custom of giving your PH your rifle at the end of the hunt, there would have been about $100 in gratuities expected.
5.) Incidental costs for clothing, footwear, and other equipment would have cost you $250.
$4849 in 1952 all-in for your 21-day elephant hunt to include sable or buffalo as well.
In today's dollars, that is $46,760 adjusting for CPI.
That is certainly more you would pay for that hunt today if you ignore exportability (government impacts on secondary behaviors). Today you'd get there in 3 days or less, rather than taking 10-20 days to arrive and depart via inefficient travel. You wouldn't be obligated/expected to give your rifle to the PH.
In 1952 the average wage in the USA was $2,799.16 per year. In 2019 the average wage in the USA is $46,800.
So the hunt in 1952 cost DOUBLE the average person's salary in the USA, that same hunt today costs LESS than one year's salary, a reduction of more than 50%.
It has been and continues to be a question of priorities in one's own budget. Some people bounce checks and state they can't afford to have a burger out for lunch, yet they spend $250 a month on cable TV. Some people say Africa is too expensive but they have new vehicles every 3 years. Some people say a $46,000 hunt is too expensive but they live in $800,000 homes while making $200,000 per year. It is about priorities.
You have to decide, do you want the muscle car, or the hunt? Do you want the fishing boat, or the hunt? Do you want cable TV every month or a hunt every 7 years?
I know a multi-millionaire that is a terrible hunter. He dabbles while claiming he's into hunting. He's never shot a buck. He refuses to spend more than $75 on an optic and $200 on a gun, or practice, or hire an outfitter, or travel for prime hunting grounds, or enter big game drawings for access to better grounds. He just sits obstinately pinching pennies bewildered at his own failures. He does have a $100,000 vintage corvette, a $1.5m home, and drives a $90,000 truck. People make choices.
