Editorial
Farewell to 2022
For those who take the time to read these messages, love Africa and were perhaps fortunate to come across and visit our continent this year – a sincere thank you.
The reason we do this, is for you – the visiting international hunter.
As the year ends, it gives us a chance to reflect, and if I may, I’d like to do just this in the space below. I’d like to see where we could learn, find out what to appreciate more, and, hopefully, next year, what to do more constructively.
Professional Hunting Industry’s infighting, bravado statements of hunting rights, and publicly trashing the fanatic antis gets us nowhere. It consumes energy, depletes us, and is anything but professional.
Appreciate and promote the magic I say. Heaven knows there’s a lot in Africa to appreciate. Before the 100-plus species to hunt, there are the migrating butterflies, birds, whales, world-class fishing, photographic tourism attractions of wilderness and natural wonders – which, together with these 100-plus species, makes for a unique combination not offered elsewhere on the planet!
So don’t wait. If you have the health, which we all need to know is not with us forever, and you have the means… then get on over here. Seeing 80-year-olds coming out on safari and just loving it is a real inspiration for me and there’s a great message in there.
Then I hear – so many times actually – “ What’s the future of hunting in Africa?’’ You know I feel extremely positive for a variety of reasons, but here is my game-changer idea. Biased, in my opinion, I confess, but I’m one who shares ideas instead of keeping them locked up. Why? Well, maybe someone reading this is ready to help realize this vision. Nonetheless, my personal mission is to set up a program to get teenagers over here.
Teenagers who do not necessarily hunt but could become hunters. They come here on an Africa wilderness program, for a week. They learn about African wildlife and her conservation. They leave as ambassadors, back to their families, friends, schools, each having also reached their thousands of Instagram and TikTok followers. It is the multiplier effect that will revolutionize African hunting and conservation and it’s my dream.
Sorry, I digress.
And so, to wrap up the year, I hope you can take some time over this festive season to read through our monthly newsletter, the magazine if you subscribe, past stories on the web; talk to a few Africa Dawn members if you’re planning your next safari. I was with my great friends and our Conservation contributor Dr John Ledger this week and while he was on the brink, he is back, getting stronger, and so wanted to share this news. It is a huge relief.
The AHG team wishes you all the most wonderful year end and Christmas, and we hope to see you at the Dallas and Nashville shows in 2023.
Richard Lendrum
