African Hunting Gazette – July 2019

8 http://www.africanhuntinggazette.com

News & Letters

Richard,

Thank you for such an amazing magazine.

Through AHG and your other work you

are an extremely impactful advocate for

hunting in Africa. I have read your Spring

2019 editorial several times as it has

really resonated with what has become a

passion for me - promoting and introducing

fellow hunters and wildlife enthusiasts to

the incredible experience of being on the

ground, in the bush, of Africa. In 2014 a

good friend, Jim Rice, introduced me to

South Africa by inviting me on a hunting

safari. That trip was literally life-changing

and I am forever grateful. I returned to

South Africa the following year by myself

mainly to hunt a lioness in the Southern

Kalahari as it seemed certain that import

restrictions would be implemented by US

Fish and Wildlife. That did happen, but not

before my trophy was in the states and at the

taxidermist. In my reflection on these two

safaris, I vowed to only return Africa if I was

taking one or more first-time visitors.

Well, it is easier said than done, as being

a strong evangelist for Africa does take

effort and persistence. Regardless, on my

third hunting safari I was accompanied

by my son Scott (his first time in Africa)

and we are both planning our next safari

in 2020 which will include at least one

first-time hunter and one first-time non-

hunter. I have also taken a business trip to

Africa where I included first-time visitors

and we also took a photo safari to Kruger.

I truly believe that if we hunters vowed

to take at least one first-time attendee on

each and every trip to Africa, eventually

we will increase the level of recreational

and hunting safari participants. Many of

these folks will in turn become evangelists

for the Dark Continent, and this will

continue to improve the revenue realized

by the hosting companies and the general

economic standing of the people in the the

towns and villages that work supporting

the hunting industry.

Richard, sometimes I struggle with what

we as hunters can do to have a significant

impact on assuring a future for hunting

in the US and abroad. I do believe we

can make a difference and this will

happen one person at a time. My advice

to hunters is go to Africa and go often.

And, when you go, introduce someone

new to this amazing place. Perhaps it will

be life-changing for them as well. Thank

you again for all you do to support the

hunting industry in Africa. By the way,

I recently signed up as a Life Member of

AHG and I am pretty excited.

Lavon

Lavon Winkler

West Brookfield, MA

Richard - Thanks for a truly wonderful

magazine! I would like to commend you

and your staff on providing us with a

magazine that represents the reality of

hunting and travel in Africa. Having

the opportunity to hunt and overland in

Africa on three occasions I have found

your magazine valuable.

On every trip I used the Afton Guest

House as my meet and greet/bed &

breakfast accommodation. The location,

service and accommodations were great

• every trip. Wonderful and caring staff.
  Keep up the good work.
  I would also like to compliment you
  on the staff and African Oasis Shop
  in Dillon, Montana. During my re-

subscribing process almost two years ago

I took advantage of the two-year deal

with the added books. However the cost

of shipping to Canada was outrageous so

I opted to just stop by and pick them up

as we do travel to Arizona.

Well life happens and trips got cancelled

until last February when I just dropped

in to see if I could pick up those books.

I was truly surprised will Dillon and the

African Oasis Shop. My wife and I had a

bit of a flashback with all the décor and

mounts as we enjoyed a coffee with your

staff.

I explained the subscription/book issue

and the young lady was very helpful and

quickly gathered up the two books for

me. Dillon and the shop are on my must

stop/travel break itinerary for future trips.

I would encourage anyone travelling

through that area to take the time to

explore the town and take a break in the

African Oasis shop.

I am taking advantage of a re-

subscription plan - and perhaps sometime

in the future will be able to shake hands

with you. Keep up the great work. Again,

my compliments on the great magazine,

African Oasis Shop and staff!

Kelly Drolet

Hunter, Overland Traveler

Alberta, Canada

Dear Kelly,

Thank you for a tremendous letter. It’s a

team effort, and copied in are the folk that

work hard to make it all happen.

If everyone could visit the store, visit Afton

and African three times and then spread the

word like this to their circle of friends, we’d

be rocking and rolling and so would African

hunting.

One step at a time and so for now, a big

thank you for the wonderful feedback.

Regards

Richard