In Askew's view, the biggest mistake that hunting clients are making is to book safaris based on "preconceived images" or on price. "The best client strategy" he says, "is to decide on an individual professional hunter, tell him what you want to do and then listen to what he says. He is the professional on the ground, and at the end of the day the person that will have the most influence on the success of your hunt. Forget about the big names, forget thinking that the price of a safari corresponds with success, and forget about all the politics."
Askew says that an experienced, reputable freelance PH knows how and where to find great hunting opportunities all over Africa, and that Tanzania, even with its current issues, is no different. "I have based my career on this concept and have built great relationships all over Africa& I have worked with many different concession holders and in many different countries with great results for my hunters. The hunting community has failed to place enough stress on the PH. A good PH can get the job done in basically any area. No company can own the best of everything, but a good PH can take you anywhere and look after your interest."
I asked Askew what he was doing in light of the current upheaval over the block allocations in Tanzania. He responded, "I have the opportunity to hunt the same areas in Tanzania in 2012 that I had in 2011. In 2013, I will move on to explore some new areas,........(continued)
