Gryphon,

I guess that this season is my 41st. I still get excited knowing that I'm going out there "amongst them" and always look forward to the challenge. The group that I work for here in Alaska is headed by a registered guide that is upfront with all of his clients and tells all of the prospective clients just how very difficult the hunt is going to be; no gimmes here. Clients are flown in to a very remote area and it's by shanks mare from there. They cover anywhere from 6 to 14 miles a day. This is true hunting at its best and I'm very proud to be a part of this.
As far as Africa goes, I grew up reading all of the great writings on the subject of BG hunting there. I dreamed of it for years. But now with high fences, "Pirelli Safaris", and "Club Med Safaris", I found my options limited. I, too believe, there is more collecting(shooting) going on than actual hunting as it should be done. If one wants to settle for that, it's his dime, I hope he enjoys it. I looked at numerous "hunting opportunities" in Africa for a long while. I did it on my dime and not through an agent. I didn't use an agent as I have the time and the knowledge of the industry to do it on my own. It didn't take too long to narrow my choices down to TWO PHs that were frank about what they could provide and didn't say, "Oh, I think we have just what you need". Sometimes I felt I was talking to a used car dealer. I chose between the two(really tough choice) and I'm booked for April 04 for plains game in a bush camp where we'll hunt like I know how:
No fences, no shooting around or from a vehicle, and I don't need to be waited on hand and foot. I really don't care if others feel I have a "holier than thou attitude" because I don't hunt behind fences and personally find it lacking. I'm very secure with my abilities and, as long as there are wild places to hunt, I will continue to be excited whenever I take to the bush with my rifle in my hand and my pack on my back. To each their own and, while I may not agree with it, I'll happily fight for their right to do it as long as it's on the up and up.

Gryphon, this is a thought provoking subject you have brought up and it's good to see people thinking about where our great sport is headed. I truly hope that one day you can come North and experience the Brooks Range here in Alaska. To me, it's the last great place. You're welcome here at my little cabin on the river anytime.

Joe