What do you do for a living?

I think few people will want to talk in detail about themselves and their business.

But in general, anyone can save up for a regular safari if they really set such a goal for themselves. Maybe there won't be any trophy animals in his package, but it will still be a hunt in Africa.
 
Yeah definitely not wanting anyone to air out all their laundry just wondering what sectors people were in to get to where they are. I’m on the younger side so just wanting to make sure I am setting myself up for success to be able to afford some hunts like this as I get older.
Raven said:
I think few people will want to talk in detail about themselves and their business.

But in general, anyone can save up for a regular safari if they really set such a goal for themselves. Maybe there won't be any trophy animals in his package, but it will still be a hunt in Africa.
Click to expand...
 
It’s all about priorities….

I work with guys that own new a new RV, jet boat, snow machines, timeshare in Cabo, and drive a new pickup every 5 years… then ask “how do people afford to hunt in Africa”???
 
A 7 day plains game hunt for 4 or 5 trophies, all-in (including the hunt, lodging, air, tips, and taxidermy) is less expensive than a guided elk or moose hunt in the western US. It isn't cheap, but it's less expensive than most imagine who aren't familiar with such things.

Most of the folks here are upper middle class, with a smattering of 1%-ers.

If you can afford to save maybe $350/month, you'll have the money for a nice hunt in South Africa or Namibia every 3 or 4 years.

The missus and I do very well for senior technical/low-level management. I drive a 13 yo truck, she drives an 11 yo car. We've been steadily plowing as much as we can save into real estate, and I set aside the aforementioned money into a "hunting" account. Other than mortgage, we have no personal debt. We live below our means, quite well below it.
 
Ive bounced around in a couple of different, but related career fields... started life as a soldier.. spent some time in law enforcement.. then progressed into "security contracting"... which ultimately led me to corporate positions in the defense services industry... I now run a mid-market sized defense services firm and have been with my current firm for the last 15 years..

I also sit on a few boards (both for profit and non profit entities).. and my wife and I also own and operate a couple of small businesses...

and I am also the "US Rep" for Bos en Dal Safaris.. (been doing that for the last 5 years +/-)

All of that said, I don't think career field or income level has nearly as much to do with whether or not you can successfully afford to hunt abroad as you might think.. Its really more of a matter of planning and preparation..

Granted not everyone (myself included) can afford or justify the cost of something like a black rhino hunt, or to chase a 100lb tusker..

But I know of NUMEROUS lower income to entry level middle class income folks that have been able to hunt Africa, Europe, South America, etc.. and not negatively impact their ability to pay the mortgage, support their families, etc..

If you plan properly, anyone that can afford to take a week long trip to Disney with their wife and a kid, can also afford to do a basic plains game hunt in South Africa.. the total costs are similar.. You could also do a high volume bird hunt in Argentina for roughly the same amount..

The only difference is some people can afford to do that without thinking twice about the financial side of things and get on a plane tomorrow without worrying about it.. where others might need to save and carefully plan for a year or so..

I'd be happy to walk you through how to make that happen for yourself if interested (with zero sales pitch involved.. just information for you to execute upon later whenever you're ready with any outfitter of your choosing)..
 
mdwest said:
Ive bounced around in a couple of different, but related career fields... started life as a soldier.. spent some time in law enforcement.. then progressed into "security contracting"... which ultimately led me to corporate positions in the defense services industry... I now run a mid-market sized defense services firm and have been with my current firm for the last 15 years..

I also sit on a few boards (both for profit and non profit entities).. and my wife and I also own and operate a couple of small businesses...

and I am also the "US Rep" for Bos en Dal Safaris.. (been doing that for the last 5 years +/-)

All of that said, I don't think career field or income level has nearly as much to do with whether or not you can successfully afford to hunt abroad as you might think.. Its really more of a matter of planning and preparation..

Granted not everyone (myself included) can afford or justify the cost of something like a black rhino hunt, or to chase a 100lb tusker..

But I know of NUMEROUS lower income to entry level middle class income folks that have been able to hunt Africa, Europe, South America, etc.. and not negatively impact their ability to pay the mortgage, support their families, etc..

If you plan properly, anyone that can afford to take a week long trip to Disney with their wife and a kid, can also afford to do a basic plains game hunt in South Africa.. the total costs are similar.. You could also do a high volume bird hunt in Argentina for roughly the same amount..

The only difference is some people can afford to do that without thinking twice about the financial side of things and get on a plane tomorrow without worrying about it.. where others might need to save and carefully plan for a year or so..

I'd be happy to walk you through how to make that happen for yourself if interested (with zero sales pitch involved.. just information for you to execute upon later whenever you're ready with any outfitter of your choosing)..
Click to expand...
Thanks Mdwest. My wife is just starting vet school so it would definitely be a few years before I could even think about a hunting trip internationally but would love to ask you some questions some time. I appreciate it
 
I've been a Firefighter for the last 23 years now. I take every overtime that I can get, and live pretty simply to be able to afford travel/Africa. No toys (boat, motorcycle, ATV etc.), and no vacation property either. This was our choice to live this lifestyle, as we value travelling and experiences over owning a cottage. I've been on two plains game safaris, and have booked my first Buffalo hunt for September.
It isn't all frugal living though, as I just invested in my first "quality" rifle for my upcoming Buff hunt. Priorities!
 
When I got out of highschool joined the Navy - was going to be a Air Traffic Controller - that was til I took a test at AFEEs and then they asked me if I wanted to do something exciting, being 18 and believing myself indestructibleI was asked if I wanted to ride submarines. Heck yes that sounded like fun. Half way through MK101 Fire Control school I was invited / volunteered for special projects. So I was assigned to the USS Seawolf SSN 575. Probably the best part of my carreer in the service. It where I finished growing up. Eventually became an instructor which I sucked at - did not have the patience for dumb. Served on the Michigan Blue Crew SSBN 727. Went to the AS41 USS Mckee. Had enough and the Navy was drawing down so they paid me to leave.
The rest of my life has been in IT. I have been a bunch of geek IT jobs. Currently support Linux / AIX servers for a west coast city. After 30 some years I look forward to retiring in seven years or less. I find it funny, I have slept on warshot torpedos because it was the only flat place I could find at times and yet I lose more sleep over the IT I am responsible. One could say I have mixed up my priorities.
 
jruby said:
When I got out of highschool joined the Navy - was going to be a Air Traffic Controller - that was til I took a test at AFEEs and then they asked me if I wanted to do something exciting, being 18 and believing myself indestructibleI was asked if I wanted to ride submarines. Heck yes that sounded like fun. Half way through MK101 Fire Control school I was invited / volunteered for special projects. So I was assigned to the USS Seawolf SSN 575. Probably the best part of my carreer in the service. It where I finished growing up. Eventually became an instructor which I sucked at - did not have the patience for dumb. Served on the Michigan Blue Crew SSBN 727. Went to the AS41 USS Mckee. Had enough and the Navy was drawing down so they paid me to leave.
The rest of my life has been in IT. I have been a bunch of geek IT jobs. Currently support Linux / AIX servers for a west coast city. After 30 some years I look forward to retiring in seven years or less. I find it funny, I have slept on warshot torpedos because it was the only flat place I could find at times and yet I lose more sleep over the IT I am responsible. One could say I have mixed up my priorities.
Click to expand...
Thank you for sharing
 
Redheadkentuckian said:
Yeah definitely not wanting anyone to air out all their laundry just wondering what sectors people were in to get to where they are. I’m on the younger side so just wanting to make sure I am setting myself up for success to be able to afford some hunts like this as I get older.
Click to expand...
I think you are really asking 2 questions:

1. What do you do for a living (work, skills, experiences, economic sector)?
2. How do you afford your safaris?

Others here have provided good answers on question 2, planning, budget, review, discipline, level of living. Repeat.
I am in that mode.

Regarding question 1, "what do you do for a living?" Rather, what do you do with the knowledge experience gained from working for a living?" What can you learn from those older than you, that have made this transition, to some financial security. Around here, many successful men are low key, drive a 5-year-old Chevy Suburban, live in a modest house.

I listen to those that have taken their experience within a certain field (engineers, finance, IT, medical, culinary product development), and learn how they have gone on to build companies around the expertise gained.

Successful people, from humble backgrounds, are willing to share if you show that you are willing to learn and execute.

Mentorship is much more valuable, than a yearly 10% raise.

Then plan, budget, review, and live within a reasonable level.
Your spouse, partner on board with this is necessary to achieve goals.

Good Luck!
 
cajunchefray said:
I think you are really asking 2 questions:

1. What do you do for a living (work, skills, experiences, economic sector)?
2. How do you afford your safaris?

Others here have provided good answers on question 2, planning, budget, review, discipline, level of living. Repeat.
I am in that mode.

Regarding question 1, "what do you do for a living?" Rather, what do you do with the knowledge experience gained from working for a living?" What can you learn from those older than you, that have made this transition, to some financial security. Around here, many successful men are low key, drive a 5-year-old Chevy Suburban, live in a modest house.

I listen to those that have taken their experience within a certain field (engineers, finance, IT, medical, culinary product development), and learn how they have gone on to build companies around the expertise gained.

Successful people, from humble backgrounds, are willing to share if you show that you are willing to learn and execute.

Mentorship is much more valuable, than a yearly 10% raise.

Then plan, budget, review, and live within a reasonable level.
Your spouse, partner on board with this is necessary to achieve goals.

Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks! You hit the nail on the head. I should have specified more clearly. I completely understand with the right timeline and budget anyone can go to Africa, NZ, Europe and more. I am very interested in those older than me (I am 26 haha) in how they got to where they are and what has driven them to their success as a hunter and professionally. I know that may be personal but I am just wanting to be able to do it my self one day. What sparked this thread was reading one from earlier today where every one was posting all their plans for the year and wow! I saved up for a hunt up north for bears this past year and it was my first foray in big game outside of deer so reading about people taking trips 2-4 times a year, I am just trying to mimic that one day. I know I rambled on but I hope that makes sense.

Cheers
 
I am a retired teacher. I have a good investment advisor. I started investing with my first job in my 20s. The only thing I splurge on is hunting and fishing. Even have a cottage in Eastern Ohio that is a deer hunting camp. If you set goals and have a plan to reach them, you will. I don't have tattoos. I put my money into hunting.
 
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Couple of different careers, both salaried with long hours with long stretches of continuous work. No expensive toys, drove used vehicles and always tried to save money. Retired now. Best advice for being able to do a few personal priority items like occasional travel and hunting/fishing trips, as has been posted by several here… live conservatively.
 
Redheadkentuckian said:
I am very interested in those older than me (I am 26 haha) in how they got to where they are and what has driven them to their success as a hunter and professionally.
Click to expand...

I was 29 when you were born :)

Whats driven me to professional success is a pretty simple equation honestly... Im rarely the smartest guy in the room.. and while I am a very hard and dedicated worker, its rare that I'm the hardest working person in the room..

For me what has worked is strict adherence to just four key things

1) Be forever curious.. be driven to learn something new every single day and be further driven to apply what you've learned.. force yourself to grow.. even when you don't want to..

2) Dont be afraid of failure.. just be prepared to learn from failures quickly and never make the same mistake twice.. being overly cautious and reserved arent qualities senior leaders look for in future senior leaders..

3) Take care of your people... don't just say the words.. no shit mean them.. take care of your people, and your people will take care of your customers.. if your customers are taken care of the bottom line generally takes care of itself..

4) Maintain a laser like focus on the mission, vision, and values of your firm.. if you arent 100% on board with the MVV, you're probably working at the wrong place and you wont have the sort of passion and drive necessary to be successful long term..


as a hunter 1-3 apply, just in a different way..

stay curious and always learning... don't be afraid of failure.. if you hunt long enough and often enough you are absolutely going to fail at some point.. learn from it, and move on.. and when doing guided hunts, always take care of "your people".. be courteous even when things go wrong (they will)... be kind.. be respectful.. and take advantage of #1.. your people will have A LOT of things they can show you, teach you, etc that will expand your horizons and make you a better and more successful hunter.. if you're taking care of them, they will almost always go out of their way to take care of you..
 
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