Editorial {Bulletin – September 2013}

This September, the hunting industry should be celebrating.
 

Not just because it is spring, or the hunting season is in top gear. But because a buffalo bull, with horns of over 50 inches was sold at an auction in South Africa for US $4m.
 

Crazy as that may seem – and whether you are for or against the breeding of wildlife – the value of large-horned beasts for breeding, the willingness of the wealthy to invest in the industry and, ultimately, how this all points back to the value of hunting, could not have got a more clear signal. Yet, despite some people’s apparently insatiable desire to hunt – and hunt trophy beasts – the hunting industry across Africa does not work together. Nor does it promote the benefit of hunting as an industry anywhere near to what it could. It simply misses opportunities to tell a really good story.
 

This month was one such opportunity.
 

We hope you enjoy the news and information in this month’s bulletin.
 

– Richard Lendrum

 

Marketing tip of the Month {Bulletin – September 2013}

Differentiate or Die, was the name of a book I bought about 10 years ago. It got my attention that’s for sure. Since then there have been several more that all revolve around a central theme: If you cannot distinguish yourself from your competition, you risk dying – or perhaps less dramatic, going out of business.

While the offer of a safari in Africa may seem hard to differentiate, if you stop and think of all the elements of the experience, there are many opportunities to do this, and you need take a good look at your operation, and see exactly where or what they are. If it is your values – are you a serious, quiet type; big party animal; devoted Christian; family man; no-children man; military man? You name it, these are all ways to describe you personally. Your lodge experience: Is it formal, modern, rustic, chic, luxurious, homely, a castle, a mansion, a farm-house, or sharing-your-home-like?

I have been to various photographic lodges and recall some interesting little points. One was of elephant dung that had been crushed and spread down the path between rooms to make the walk between rooms silent. Try walking on a path of dried mopane leaves and see the difference. I’ll never forget it.

From the moment clients arrive in camp, the little touches, the attention to detail with their accommodation or catering, are so important.

I recently worked with an operator who happens to be the longest-running safari operator in his country. Yet, hidden in small text, unlikely to be noticed, was this hugely differentiating fact. There is only one company that can claim this, and if you are it – well then make sure everyone knows it!

More often than not, the hunters say that it’s everything up to and around the actual last pulling of the trigger that they factor into their safari experience and remember you for. The more pointers you can identify and use to differentiate yourself, the better.

So, look for your differences, your ‘unique selling propositions’, as they refer to this in marketingspeak. Then my best suggestion is to tell the world about those differences in order that you stand out.
– Richard Lendrum

 

New Equipment & Accessories {Bulletin – September 2013}

Bestseller Book: African Dangerous Game Cartridges

The currently definitive book on African rifles and cartridges, African Dangerous Game Cartridges is in its 2nd printing and available again in the USA, Africa, Australia and the UK. The 460-page, full colour, large format hardcover book covers everything the international hunter needs to know about rifles and cartridges for African dangerous game. It contains chapters on bullet performance and selection, terminal ballistics, suitable rifle actions, recoil management, optics, big bore handloading and detailed discussions on the 48 most popular African dangerous game cartridges starting with the 9,3x62mm Mauser and terminating with the mighty .600 NE. Each cartridge is discussed in detail under topics such as history, technical specifications, characteristics, performance and application and handloading. The book contains the most comprehensive handloading data ever published on big bores, with several thousand loads for powders including Accurate, ADI, Alliant, Hodgdon, IMR, Norma, Rottweil, Somchem, Tubal-Vectan, Vihtavuori and Winchester are included. The book costs ±US$ 85.00 and can be ordered from:
USA – Outdoor Visions:
www.outdoorvisions.com
Africa – Pathfinder Publications:
www.pathfinder-publications.com
Australia – Bunduki Books:
www.bundukibooks.com
UK – David Grayling Books:
www.davidgraylingbooks.com

Rifle of the Month {Bulletin – September 2013}

New Ruger American

Ruger in the USA recently introduced a new budget-class entry-level rifle called the ‘American’ that will retail for under US$ 430 in the USA. In Africa it should be able to compete pricewise with the Howa and the Remington M-710.
The American comes in a Standard and a Compact model. Overall length of the Standard model is 42” (±107 cm) and that of the Compact 36.75” (±93 cm). The respective average weights for the two rifles are 6-lb (2,72 kg) and 6¼-lb (2,83 kg).
The American is a three-lug push feed design with a 70° bolt throw. The stocks are made of a black composite and are equipped with aluminium bedding blocks that Ruger has branded its ‘Power-Bedding-System’. The rifle also comes with an adjustable trigger. In looks, the trigger is reminiscent of the Savage accutrigger. According to Ruger it is adjustable to 5 lb (2,27 kg). The American sports a very convenient tang safety, which last appeared on the very first 1968 Ruger M-77 rifles. Left-handed hunters will like this.
The hammer-forged barrels on the American are 18” (±460 mm) long on the Compact models and 22” (±560 mm) on Standard models. Compact models are chambered for the .243 Winchester, 7mm-08 and .308 Winchester cartridges. The Standard models come in two action lengths. The Short Action Standard model is chambered for the same cartridges as the Compact model, except that it is also offered in .22-250 Remington. The Long Action Standard model is only chambered for the .270 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield cartridges.
Ruger American rifles are not equipped with iron sights, but are furnished standard with bases for riflescope installation. The bases are in the Warne/Weaver style and should accept a wide range of rings.