What do you do for a living?

[mdwest]

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I work for a non-profit ministry that puts chaplains in businesses to care for employees and their families.

Marketplace Chaplains or Corporate Chaplains?

Both are great organizations…

 

[Redheadkentuckian]

Did 14 years of school after high school graduation. Traded my 20s and most of my 30s for a medical degree & surgical training. Did not hunt for 10 of those years. Now, I screw together broken things inside of people. At this point, I think working equally hard at business might have been financially better. Not having a real job until age 35 has you playing catch-up for a long time.

That’s a good point. Congrats on following through and successfully becoming a surgeon

 

[Hunt anything]

That’s some great info, I was fortunate to get my MBA and get to a point where I can help get my wife through vet school, I’m in the part of my life of daydreaming and hard work I presume haha.

I’m assuming your wife is going to the Auburn vet school. Congratulations to her it is super competitive to gain admission to!!

 

[MntMan82]

I work as a Paramedic. Dreamt of going to Africa and spoke of it so much that my wife finally gut checked me one night about 4 years back and said figure out how to do it and go. Having young kids at home I thought this would be all but impossible. But as others have said, prioritize, plan and save. I picked up every overtime shift I could stomach and stashed that money back. Found a great PH on here and went and had an amazing plains game hunt a little over a year after making the decision to do it. Came home repeated the process the following year taking the wife along this time. (I did use my credit card to purchase the airline tickets that time though.) Nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it. I’m in my 40s and while I thought I would always wait till retirement, I’ve seen enough people work and save and live to retire just to spend all their savings on medical bills because once they finally stopped working, their body finally broke down. My wife pointed out would I enjoy chasing animals in Africa more at 40 something or at 60 something? I know how much different 40 feels from 20 so I elected to go now. Keep dreaming, make a plan and execute.

 

[BJH65]

Right out of high school did a 4 year stint in the USMC, another 4 years in the USMCR and a 25 year career in law enforcement (California). No inheritance, no financial aid, just saved up enough and also incurred some debt to go on our first Safari in Mozambique almost 28 years ago at age 32 with my brother and also another Safari to SA.

Then took a hiatus from hunting Africa, concentrating on my career, obtaining my degree while working full time as a cop, marriage, divorce, remarriage, demanding career like many other AH members here. Mostly concentrated on North American hunts, mainly do it yourself hunts and a few guided hunts. I retired almost 8 years ago at age 52.

Went back to African last year after 27 years and had a wonderful hunt. This has reignited the Africa hunting bug again and we go back in 2026 and hopefully many more. I have a good pension and did okay on some real estate. The wife still works so my job is to take care of the property and animals. My goal is well you can’t take it with you after you die, so after insuring family is taken care of, the goal is to enjoy life, which for me is hunting and collecting the occasional high quality rifle.

Really great advice from various members here. It’s mostly about priorities. Start a separate African hunt account. Lastly, take care of yourself with a healthy lifestyle, good diet and exercise so you can take care of your family and yourself for what will hopefully be many African hunts to come.

 

[GuggaOn]

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

Work at a warehouse and am in college currently, im 22 and saved like a mad man for my first hunt which is in may. The hunt is gonna run me 25k in total which thankful for amazing parents allowing me to live with them but the trip is all on me. Which I like its taught me so many lessons already on saving and if you really want something you can do it. My family isn't wealthy either we do good but my father is a plumber and mom stay at home. My father will be going with me I'm very lucky to have such great parents that have taught me a lot. Still have a lot of time left just trying to figure everything out and what I want to do.

 

[Rockwall205]

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

Hi Red

I’ve always had a desire since I was a kid to be independent make my own decisions and provide for myself and those I love and care for .
I had my first paper route when I was 11. Enjoyed the income and having money to buy odds and ends that I wanted . Having a paper route was like owning your own small business. Delivered a product collected payments and paid the newspaper. What was left was yours if you didn’t collect on accounts you didn’t make money.
Through my school years I worked for small businesses but always had my own business going as well . Mowing lawns and painting houses.
I went to Texas A&M thinking I get a degree find a job in management and I’m good to go . Got the degree hired on with a company I interned for and started my “career” . But now I had a real boss and was required to do things they felt was important. But worse I had to manage others to do things I really didn’t enjoy . I worked for a coffee company a property management company and finally a tobacco company, the last as an accountant manager. Money was ok but not great .
I had built some good relationships with my customers and quizzed them on what made them successful. Saw what they were making and realized to gain the independence and income I wanted I needed to start my own business and work for myself. I had learned the retail business while working for the tobacco company and it was time to put it to practice.

I opened my first store using cash advances on credit cards . Risky yes but I knew I could count on me my only and best employee. I ran it did well and added staff . I now had the model and started adding locations . I brought in a friend and we expanded further. As usually happens with partnerships we decided to split them off and do our own thing . I sold my interest in the retail tobacco stores and started a new venture child care .
Being in tobacco sales always bothered me a bit joked I was a legal drug dealer. So was happy to dive into forming young minds.
Bought my first center and like the tobacco business worked hard for a year or so until I fully understood the business. I was the director, learned a lot . Then I added another center. My brother wanted in so I agreed and have since added another 6 Child care facilities. Could I grow and purchase or open more locations, yes but I’m making great money and I can leave at any time go wherever I want and am still making money wether I am there or not .

So my advice to you and anyone who wants freedom and financial independence is to find a business model where you can make money even when you’re on a Dangerous game safari somewhere in Africa.
Hire and support quality people who care as much or more than you do about your business.

Hoping the best for you !

Scott

 

[Redheadkentuckian]

I’m assuming your wife is going to the Auburn vet school. Congratulations to her it is super competitive to gain admission to!!

Thank you! I am very proud of her

 

[Redheadkentuckian]

Hi Red

I’ve always had a desire since I was a kid to be independent make my own decisions and provide for myself and those I love and care for .
I had my first paper route when I was 11. Enjoyed the income and having money to buy odds and ends that I wanted . Having a paper route was like owning your own small business. Delivered a product collected payments and paid the newspaper. What was left was yours if you didn’t collect on accounts you didn’t make money.
Through my school years I worked for small businesses but always had my own business going as well . Mowing lawns and painting houses.
I went to Texas A&M thinking I get a degree find a job in management and I’m good to go . Got the degree hired on with a company I interned for and started my “career” . But now I had a real boss and was required to do things they felt was important. But worse I had to manage others to do things I really didn’t enjoy . I worked for a coffee company a property management company and finally a tobacco company, the last as an accountant manager. Money was ok but not great .
I had built some good relationships with my customers and quizzed them on what made them successful. Saw what they were making and realized to gain the independence and income I wanted I needed to start my own business and work for myself. I had learned the retail business while working for the tobacco company and it was time to put it to practice.

I opened my first store using cash advances on credit cards . Risky yes but I knew I could count on me my only and best employee. I ran it did well and added staff . I now had the model and started adding locations . I brought in a friend and we expanded further. As usually happens with partnerships we decided to split them off and do our own thing . I sold my interest in the retail tobacco stores and started a new venture child care .
Being in tobacco sales always bothered me a bit joked I was a legal drug dealer. So was happy to dive into forming young minds.
Bought my first center and like the tobacco business worked hard for a year or so until I fully understood the business. I was the director, learned a lot . Then I added another center. My brother wanted in so I agreed and have since added another 6 Child care facilities. Could I grow and purchase or open more locations, yes but I’m making great money and I can leave at any time go wherever I want and am still making money wether I am there or not .

So my advice to you and anyone who wants freedom and financial independence is to find a business model where you can make money even when you’re on a Dangerous game safari somewhere in Africa.
Hire and support quality people who care as much or more than you do about your business.

Hoping the best for you !

Scott

Thank you for sharing Scott! That is an inspiring story!

 

[TheGrayRider]

Unemployed Indy Car Driver here at almost 57 yoa.

The State also tells me that I have a law license and been involved with residential rentals for over 30 years.

Hope to keep at work, traveling, and big game hunting another 30 years. Don’t let the old man in!

See you on the mountain, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

 

[Nicaburns]

Marketplace Chaplains or Corporate Chaplains?

Both are great organizations…

Marketplace Chaplains… I worked for CCA for three years before getting to know MChap and starting here… been here 8yrs. I’m on the development side of the house, meaning I just brag on what God does when a Chaplain shows up in a workplace. The chaplains themselves are the real heroes… they walk with people through some of the toughest times they face at work/home/family.
(My prior work was pastor then missionary then COO of a company.)

*Hopefully taking my first trip to Africa in 2026 at 58 thanks in part to the kindness of others and learning a hobby that lets me squirrel away some travel money ;-)

 

[uplander01]

Been an independent sales rep for 30 years, the last 18 in the firearms and accessories market. Lots of ups and downs, some great years some bad years, met and work with lots of interesting people. But the key to being able to hunt is as previously mentioned, avoid bad debt, don’t live beyond your means, and prioritize saving for the things you want to do,…just don’t expect to be doing them every year, maybe every couple 2-3 years.

 

[leslie hetrick]

my trips to africa started because of a very good friends son who married a african women, who ask me if i would like to go. we hunted mostly privite farms, but also three upper crust outfits and all were super. two times to boswanta(same time as south africa) and six times to south africa. i would go back to africa, not to hunt so to much, but to say goodby to the many friends i made there. we had several of them come over to the states, they were impressed by the snow and i told them they could take as much of it back with them for free. the one thing they realy liked was the trips to the shooting range to get to fire many firearms, and they got to shoot several of my friends machine guns and after wards we ate and drank the nights away.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

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Auburn!

Roll Tide!

I’m a former NBA player with a mean fade-away jumper…

HH

 

[HankBuck]

Right out of high school did a 4 year stint in the USMC, another 4 years in the USMCR and a 25 year career in law enforcement (California). No inheritance, no financial aid, just saved up enough and also incurred some debt to go on our first Safari in Mozambique almost 28 years ago at age 32 with my brother and also another Safari to SA.

Then took a hiatus from hunting Africa, concentrating on my career, obtaining my degree while working full time as a cop, marriage, divorce, remarriage, demanding career like many other AH members here. Mostly concentrated on North American hunts, mainly do it yourself hunts and a few guided hunts. I retired almost 8 years ago at age 52.

Went back to African last year after 27 years and had a wonderful hunt. This has reignited the Africa hunting bug again and we go back in 2026 and hopefully many more. I have a good pension and did okay on some real estate. The wife still works so my job is to take care of the property and animals. My goal is well you can’t take it with you after you die, so after insuring family is taken care of, the goal is to enjoy life, which for me is hunting and collecting the occasional high quality rifle.

Really great advice from various members here. It’s mostly about priorities. Start a separate African hunt account. Lastly, take care of yourself with a healthy lifestyle, good diet and exercise so you can take care of your family and yourself for what will hopefully be many African hunts to come.

@BJH65 - I can relate to a lot that you wrote (not the divorce part) but your thoughts on spending ie: “you can’t take it with you”, its about priorities, take care of your Family 1st, and stay-in-shape plus Healthy Lifestyle. For my Wife and I a “unique experience” like an African Safari means more then a New Car every 4 years. We aren’t rich but live well. I’m lucky, because even though my Wife does Not hunt - she appreciates the outdoors & travel. I hunted Africa once 18 years ago w/my Son and now retired - planning another Safari for Elephant with my Wife (Observer). This safari will be different and more focus on the overall experience & Luxuary accommodations for her comfort & enjoyment and “hopefully” an Elephant to “comfort me”. Having my Wife by my side this trip is much more important than getting an elephant — she’s my trophy and I look forward to having her by my side and seeing Africa together. We’re looking into Zimbabwe now and stability & safety are a bit of a concern, may also look into Namibia or TZ —- price for elephant hunt is also a factor….have to get luxuary type accommodations and Management bull for decent price - might be a challenge

 

[HookMeUpII]

I am in wealth management. Being a dad and husband supersedes all these days, though.

 

[mdwest]

Marketplace Chaplains… I worked for CCA for three years before getting to know MChap and starting here… been here 8yrs. I’m on the development side of the house, meaning I just brag on what God does when a Chaplain shows up in a workplace. The chaplains themselves are the real heroes… they walk with people through some of the toughest times they face at work/home/family.
(My prior work was pastor then missionary then COO of a company.)

*Hopefully taking my first trip to Africa in 2026 at 58 thanks in part to the kindness of others and learning a hobby that lets me squirrel away some travel money ;-)

My firm used to work with MPC for years.. we moved to CCA during COVID for a variety of reasons.. but Ive found both organizations to be wonderful institutions.. more businesses should consider a chaplain service.. there's a whole lot of value in it for whats truly a negligible cost all things considered..

Ive been a C12 member for close to 7 years.. there's a great relationship between C12 and MPC as well... Im sure C12 being San Antonio based and MPC being HQ'd in the DFW area has helped a lot in fostering that relationship..

 

[randallhebert]

Supervisor in a LNG plant is my main income for housing, vehicle, kids college, local hunts, entertainment and toys.
Work as nuisance alligators hunter and hunt alligators during our commercial season. All this goes into the hunt africa, abroad trips every 2 years for my wife and i.

 

[coreydb]

Occupation is secondary. I had to get my kids out of college before I could afford my safaris. In retrospect, I could have started earlier if only I did serious searches, looked at the "first time hunts to Africa" packages and crunched the numbers. Squeeze the nickel till the bull shits if you're serious.

 

[Tom Leoni]

Been an independent sales rep for 30 years, the last 18 in the firearms and accessories market. Lots of ups and downs, some great years some bad years, met and work with lots of interesting people. But the key to being able to hunt is as previously mentioned, avoid bad debt, don’t live beyond your means, and prioritize saving for the things you want to do,…just don’t expect to be doing them every year, maybe every couple 2-3 years.

...And you are a damned good independent sales rep. You are an amazing partner to your customers and a veritable encyclopedia of firearms knowledge, handloading and hunting, not to mention an entertaining storyteller and a fun drinking companion. I am proud to work with you, as is the rest of your team.

As most here know, I am a product manager in the firearms industry. Most relevantly to this forum, I manage the brand Chapuis from St. Bonnet-Le-Château, France.