Round The Fire With Kingsview Safaris

The breeding of animals, the crossing of DNA, the choosing of certain characteristics and tinkering with specific traits, is a complex task. It's like trying to make the perfect meal, while following an extremely difficult recipe. A little too much of this, means you have to take away some of this, and not getting the right balance between all the ingredients could ruin the whole meal.   In this episode, I talk about these complexities, my background and all be it very limited knowledge in the breeding of animals, as well as my concerns with how the intensive game breeding operations within South Africa, may be doing more harm to a species than good!   I hope you enjoy this episode, if you did then please take a few minutes to rate and review the podcast.   Cheers

Rob McCanna recently took over the hot seat at the DSC organization and to say he hit the ground the running and was instantly met with an array of challenges would be under statement.   I was intrigued about Rob's leadership qualities when I listened to a podcast he did with Robbie Kroger from Blood Origins. I appreciated his acceptance of the negatives and his willingness to make things right and drive the organization forward. But I wanted to find out more about the man himself, and I enjoyed hearing from Rob about his earlier days hunting and his love for the outdoors.   I hope you enjoy this episode, and if you did then please take 2 minutes to leave a review and rating.   Jono 

A very brief episode this week, but one I feel holds a level of importance that many of us will find interesting. I share my thoughts and opinions on the arrival of the 49 South African refugees that landed in the United States on Monday 12th May.   REMEMBER TO RATE AND REVIEW THE PODCAST

Something slightly different, but equally entertaining. Today's episode is one I borrowed from a fellow South African podcast called Conscious Caracal hosted by Ernst van Zyl.   This episode may not specifically be about hunting game in Africa but it still revolves around some form of hunting in Africa. I hope you enjoy it.   Thank you to Ernst van Zyl, the host of the Conscious Caracal podcast, for giving me permission to use his content. Below are links to Ernst's podcast socials, I highly recommend you follow them.   Conscious Caracal Links Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple  Watch on YouTube  

** Rant Warning!** Hunting in Africa is not meant to be easy, it's not meant to be a "holiday", it's not an all you can shoot buffet. Hunting in Africa is a privilege and an experience like no other. You should come away from your hunting trip a better hunter, better person and have a greater understanding of what the word "Trophy" really means to you.   Take this episode as your reminder that while you are out on your safari in Africa, that it is not meant to be a walk in the park, you will be challenged, you will fail or you will overcome. Give Africa your best when she challenges you, and in return you will be rewarded in many different ways.   Enjoy!

Well, after 10 rounds of our inaugural Africa Hunting Quiz, the time has come to crown a champion.   Firstly, thank you to all of those that took part in the quiz. Most stuck it out till the very end, some gave up after round 4 and 5 but for the most part it was encouraging to see how many people knew about the various aspects of hunting in Africa.   If anyone has some interesting hunting stories about Africa that they would like to share, then feel free to reach out to me via email and we will organize to get you on the podcast. Contact me at: jonomchugh@gmail.com

In this episode I had a really cool and interesting chat with Joey LeBlanc from Louisiana. Joey went on his first African safari back in 2024 and decided to opt for the unconventional way of hunting by taking his handgun on the trip.   Although not new to the industry, handgun hunting in South Africa is still relatively uncommon amongst first time hunters to Africa. Joey is a really cool guy and he shared everything about his adventure from setting up the correct loads for his gun, too practicing on the range and finally putting it all to the test in Africa.   Below is the link to Joey's article where you can learn a little more about his adventure to the Dark Continent.   Joeys Article ----> https://handgunhuntingafield.blog/2024/09/26/the-stars-align-by-joey-leblanc/   If you are enjoying these episodes, do me a favor and leave a Review & Rating on Apple Podcast and Spotify.   Cheers    

Happy Friday hunters! That time of the week again, the next set of questions for the Africa Hunting Quiz.   Listen to Round 10 of the quiz, put your answers down in an email, and send it through to me: Jonomchugh@gmail.com There is a prize to be won for the person who gets the most correct answers after 10 rounds, so don't miss out on this cool opportunity.

Robbie Kroger, founder of Blood Origins, is on the front lines when it comes to defending the practice of hunting, counteracting misinformation proposed by ARA's, and in my opinion leading the way in portraying the real meaning behind what it means to be a hunter and the benefits hunting can provide to the greater community.   Join Robbie and myself as we discuss his latest projects with Blood Origins and how the hunting community is fighting back against those who wish to see it banished.   I highly suggest you follow Blood Origins and as a hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman, you throw your full support behind him.   Blood Origins: bloodorigins.org/our-roots/ RATE & REVIEW......Thanks!  

Happy Friday hunters! That time of the week again, the next set of questions for the Africa Hunting Quiz.   Listen to Round 9 of the quiz, put your answers down in an email, and send it through to me: Jonomchugh@gmail.com There is a prize to be won for the person who gets the most correct answers after 10 rounds, so don't miss out on this cool opportunity.  

Cameron Mitchell is a great guy, and I honestly could have made this episode 3 hours long. He has been on some cool hunting adventures and bow hunted on all 5 continents.   Cameron and I chatted about his fascination with double rifles, his love for Africa, his work with the Sheep Foundation, and the Grand Slam Club/Ovis. It was a cool episode and an honor to have him on as a guest.   If you have any stories about your time in Africa that you would like to share, then contact me via email, and we will arrange a time to record an episode. Hunters Welcome!!   Jonomchugh@gmail.com   RATE, REVIEW & SHARE ON PLATFORMS........THANKS!

Happy Friday hunters! That time of the week again, the next set of questions for the Africa Hunting Quiz.   Listen to Round 8 of the quiz, put your answers down in an email, and send it through to me: Jonomchugh@gmail.com There is a prize to be won for the person who gets the most correct answers after 10 rounds, so don't miss out on this cool opportunity.  

Here is probably my main advice for those guys considering a hunting safari to Africa and who aren't quite sure where to start. Here it is, talk with other hunters that have been to Africa and ask a lot of questions.   I have a returning guest from episode 12 back on the podcast, Bill Davis. Bill has a real passion for hunting in Africa and he is always open with his time and willing to answer any questions and help out with those planning their first trip. Bill and I discuss an array of topics, including what it takes to be an admin of one of Facebook's largest Hunt South Africa groups.   Enjoy and remember to leave a rating and review, because if you do not, you'll probably get an ear infection and you will miss out on hearing from this podcast again, and no one wants that.   Enjoy!

**Edit: At 01:08:10 I mention "6 females de-horned, 6 males hunted." I meant 3 females and 6 males hunted. The income generated from 9 rhinos.   The Rhino poaching pandemic rages on and seems to be a losing battle. Those on the frontlines and fighting every day for the survival of these incredible animals are heroes and everyday warriors who deserve the utmost support and praise.   But the battle is being lost and seeing that to be true with how many rhinos are being poached on an almost daily basis.   In this episode, I provide my solution to solve the poaching crisis and as long as we hunters band together and apply the principles of sustainable hunting....then we can save this incredible animals.    RATE & REVIEW this episode, share it far and wide, send in your thoughts and ideas, and let's see if we can get this initiative off the ground.   email: Jonomchugh@gmail.com

Happy Friday hunters! That time of the week again, the next set of questions for the Africa Hunting Quiz.   Listen to Round 7 of the quiz, put your answers down in an email, and send it through to me: Jonomchugh@gmail.com There is a prize to be won for the person who gets the most correct answers after 10 rounds, so don't miss out on this cool opportunity.  

You're going to enjoy this episode!   My guest for episode 75 is Jesse VanKoughnett from Ontario, Canada. This is a great episode as Jesse shares his experiences of his hunting safari in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. We talk about the importance of forming a good bond with your PH, how going after buffalo cows can be just as dangerous as bulls, enjoying the smaller simpler moments of the trip, and his future plans for his next hunting trip.   Jesse's socials so you can follow along on his next adventure: @jvankoughnett90 jvankoughnett1990@hotmail.com   If you would like to be a guest on the show and share your experiences, then send me an email and we can arrange a time to hit record.  jonomchugh@gmail.com   REMEMBER TO RATE & REVIEW

Happy Friday hunters! That time of the week again, the next set of questions for the Africa Hunting Quiz.   Listen to Round 6 of the quiz, put your answers down in an email, and send it through to me: Jonomchugh@gmail.com There is a prize to be won for the person who gets the most correct answers after 10 rounds, so don't miss out on this cool opportunity.  

We have all heard the saying "Take What Africa Gives You?", in essence, it really means do not pass up on a great opportunity to hunt an animal you didn't consider before. Well, in this episode I have put together a list of the trophies you simply CANNOT pass on and shouldn't pass while hunting in South Africa.   Enjoy! Remember to RAte & Review

Happy Late-Friday hunters! That time of the week again, the next set of questions for the Africa Hunting Quiz.   Listen to Round 5 of the quiz, put your answers down in an email, and send it through to me: Jonomchugh@gmail.com There is a prize to be won for the person who gets the most correct answers after 10 rounds, so don't miss out on this cool opportunity.  

To start, yes I know the audio on my side sucks once again and I promise to fix it and buy a decent mic....so again, I apologize.   My guest on today's episode is Colonel Chris Wyatt who is a wealth of knowledge and analysis when it comes to politics on the African continent. Colonel Wyatt's YouTube channel (Link Below) is very popular amongst South Africans and Americans who all have a keen interest in the chaos that is South African politics. I have been following Colonel Wyatt for a while now and was extremely excited when he accepted my invitation to be a guest on Round The Fire and I hope you enjoy his insights and enthusiasm about the political landscape in South Africa.   Colonel Chris Wyatt YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ColonelChrisWyatt

Happy Friday hunters! That time of the week again, the next set of questions for the Africa Hunting Quiz.   Listen to Round 4 of the quiz, put your answers down in an email, and send it through to me: Jonomchugh@gmail.com There is a prize to be won for the person who gets the most correct answers after 10 rounds, so don't miss out on this cool opportunity.  

Opening that crate full of your African trophies is like Christmas for hunters. A flood of memories of good times and happiness comes rushing in. But that could all be blown away instantly when you find your trophies bald, patchy, peeling, and cracked because they were not handled correctly after you hunted them. Whose fault is it? Who is going to repay you for the trophies? Why are they like this? Unfortunately, these are the questions you never get the answers to.  In today's episode, I will give you a few tips and pieces of advice to ensure you never have to experience this type of heartache over your cherished trophies.   Remember to Rate & Review.... do it, or else your hunting buddies will never stop teasing you about having a 6.5 Creedmore.

Happy Friday hunters! That time of the week again, the next set of questions for the Africa Hunting Quiz.   Listen to Round 3 of the quiz, put your answers down in an email, and send it through to me: Jonomchugh@gmail.com There is a prize to be won for the person who gets the most correct answers after 10 rounds, so don't miss out on this cool opportunity.   Good luck!

It's not rocket science figuring out what most African hunting outfitters have on offer, you simply go on their website, maybe visit their social media pages, or even visit them at the shows and have a look at the hunting packages they have on offer. Simple.   You pick a package that has the animals you want to hunt, the number of days and a price that works within your budget, again simple! But don't start sending deposits just yet, because I have a few things to say about how to read a hunting package and ensure it's the best choice for you.   Enjoy the episode and if you did, then leave a review. Cheers  

Happy Friday hunters! That time of the week again, the next set of questions for the Africa Hunting Quiz.   Listen to Round 2 of the quiz, put your answers down in an email, and send it through to me: Jonomchugh@gmail.com There is a prize to be won for the person who gets the most correct answers after 10 rounds, so don't miss out on this cool opportunity.   Good luck!

One of South Africa's biggest draw cards is its diversity in landscape, vegetation, and especially game species. What is interesting about each species is its adaptability to its surroundings, especially the areas where it naturally occurs. By hunting animals in their natural environments, makes the hunt even more exciting and challenging.  Today's episode I go over which animals you should be focusing on and in which areas of South Africa they should be hunted.

I promised a few new features to the podcast for 2025, and here is the first one: an Africa Hunting Quiz to test the mental skills of the Round The Fire listeners. Here is how it's going to work: - Each week, 10 questions will be released (most likely on a Friday) - Respond via email with your answers to the 10 questions - There will be 10 rounds of questions, so 100 questions in total for the year - At the end of the year, the listener with the most correct answers, Wins A Prize! (It's not a free Safari, so chill)   Send your answers to the following e-mail: Jonomchugh@gmail.com   Good luck!

Always a hot topic. Labor Unions, you're either a supporter or do everything you can to avoid them.   Currently, there are no registered Unions in South Africa that directly represent Professional Hunters. Should there be? And will they be beneficial to PHs and the industry? Or will they simply cause division amongst Outfitters and those they rely on to guide their clients.   In today's topic, I try to answer those questions. Enjoy!   RATE & REVIEW or else you won't get that Kudu bull you have been dreaming of, it's a fact!

Firstly, I apologize for the poor audio quality on my side. It seems I forgot to change some settings, but hey, this is what you get from a PH trying to be a Podcaster.   Last year, John Richardson emailed me for a hunting outfitter recommendation. I passed him on to my good friend in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. A few months later, John, along with his brother-in-law, was on a plane heading to South Africa. I invited John onto the podcast to share his experience and now you get to hear it too. I hope you enjoy!   Remember to Rate & Review   John's Contact Details www.onlygunsandmoney.com jppr9954@gmail.com

There is a dilemma facing the general hunting industry in South Africa. The first is the large number of young, experienced PHs being churned out by schools, and the industry is not able to accommodate them. The second is the dwindling farms and properties available to the everyday South African citizen hunter who is simply looking to fill their freezer for the year. Well, I may have a solution to these two issues....and maybe others.   Enjoy the episode and remember to Rate & Review.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I can honestly say that one of the things I am most grateful for is being a hunter and the incredible community that comes with it. As hunters we all share a connection and love for the outdoors and an appreciation for one another, we enjoy swapping stories, meeting new hunters, seeing trophy photos and sitting round a fire talking absolute rubbish with a few cold ones. When Alan contacted me to say he was enjoying the Podcast and that his hunting lease was just down the road from the ranch I work on, I asked him if he wanted to record an episode to share his experience of hunting in South Africa, and he said, "Sure!" That's why I am thankful for being a hunter.   Remember to Rate & Review the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you would like to share your stories on the podcast, then reach out to me by email: Jonomchugh@gmail.com  

It takes a lot of planning when putting together your dream African hunting safari, and as much as we all like to believe that we have the bases covered, there will still be those unforeseen surprises that will throw a spanner in the works.   In this episode, I discuss a few surprises that you may not have accounted for, and hopefully, they will help you with the planning of your trip.   If you are interested in hunting the beautiful region of the Eastern Cape in South Africa, then send me an email and I will put you in contact with a very good friend of mine that runs a top-notch hunting safari operation. Send your query to: Jonomchugh@gmail.com   RATE & REVIEW ON APPLE PODCAST

Oh boy is this a tough discussion to have around the fire, when your dream animal ends up with a few unwanted bullet holes in it! No one enjoys going after wounded animals, its every hunter's nightmare and when on a paid hunting safari it can certainly increase the pressure levels. But who actually gets the final shot on a wounded animal? The hunter or the PH?   Remember to Rate & Review, plus share your hunting stories with me via email: Jonomchugh@gmail.com.

It's all said in jest fellas so let's not take it too personally, however, should you tick many of the boxes that show you to be a Sh**ty client, then I suggest you go book another African Safari hunting trip and do better! ;)    I hope you all enjoy the latest episode! Jono

Today's episode is a little different from the usual content that I post on this podcast, but it is still one that I know will make for interesting listening.   If you have any thoughts on the podcast, opinions or suggestions, then feel free to reach out to me via email: Jonomchugh@gmail.com   It would also be great if you could take a few seconds to leave a Review & Rating of the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.   Enjoy! Jono

This was an interview I really enjoyed recording. I was joined by Aaron Lassila, who recently picked up an African Hunting trip through an auction at a local Ducks Unlimited banquet. Aaron and I discussed the process he is going through for planning the trip, his expectations and the preparations to ensure he has a great time. I am sure many of you listening that have been to Africa can relate to what Aaron has to say and for those who are in his shoes may learn a thing or two. If you would like to contact Aaron to discuss his trip and get some advice you can contact me and I will pass on his email address.   Enjoy and please Rate & Review. Jono

The growth of the Hunting Industry in South Africa is fantastic, it generates a good income, creates jobs, adds towards conservation and everyone benefits in the long run.....or do they? I have a different take on the future of small outfitters within the hunting industry of South Africa and it does not look good! Do you agree with my points of view in the podcast? If you are on Spotify, you can comment below or email me at Jonomchugh@gmail.com with your thoughts, solutions, or counterarguments. REMEMBER TO RATE AND REVIEW........Thank you! Jono  

A PH has a lot to consider when setting their client up for a shot. From the species they are targeting, setting the sticks up correctly, how will the animal react after the shot? Is the client looking at the right bull? How many animals are in the herd and what is unique about the animal to tell it apart from the herd? For the client, the train of thought of simple is simple, focus on the animal that the PH points out, steady the scope and squeeze the trigger. In this episode I talk about what went through my mind when setting the client up for a shot.   Enjoy and remember to Rate & Review   Happy Hunting Jono  

A Professional Hunter is the glue between you and a successful safari. No matter how fancy the lodge, how big your budget is, or how many quality animals are on display, if you have a sh**ty PH.....then you will have a sh**ty time. Thankfully, in this episode I will highlight a few signs to look for that may help you determine whether or not you got paired with a sh**ty PH.   ANNOUNCEMENT: If you have any hunting stories, whether they are funny stories, horror stories, or amazing adventure stories to share but you don't want to record an episode on the podcast, then send me an email and I'll read out your story at the beginning of the latest episode.  Email: jonomchugh@gmail.com   Please take a few seconds to Rate & Review the podcast on Apple Podcast & Spotify.   Thanks Jono

I was recently a guest on the Saltlick Outdoors (Saltlick Worldwide) Podcast and had a great chat with the guys. We initially wanted to discuss the role that AI could play in the hunting industry, but the conversation flowed so nicely that we ended up covering all aspects of the industry.   Enjoy the episode and remember to rate and review. Thanks!! Saltlick Outdoors: Website: https://www.saltlickoutdoors.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaltlickOutdoors YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saltlickoutdoorsworldwide/featured   Note: There are one or two places in the episode where the audio drops in quality, unfortunately that was out of our control. The quality does come back.

In this episode, I had a great chat with David from Canada who shared his experience of hunting in Namibia and his enjoyment of reading and sharing the literature of the legend that is Peter Hathaway Capstick.   If you have any interesting hunting stories from Africa that you would like to share, then get in touch via email Jonomchugh@gmail.com and we can record an episode.   Don't forget to RATE & REVIEW on Apple Podcast and Spotify.   Jono

Words like conservation, preservation and restoration have been popular marketing gimics and get thrown around without anyone truly understanding what they mean and what it entails to uphold them. This is especially true when it comes to the debate of hunting vs photographic safaris and which contributes more to conservation. The real backbone to conservation however, is the economics and in this episode I breakdown why that is the case.   If you have enjoyed this episode, please take the time to leave a review and rating. If you have any thoughts on this topics or would like to share your hunting stories, then reach out to me via email: Jonomchugh@gmail.com

Don't let the record books provide you with a cold hard definition of what a trophy is, it isn't all about the inches and everyone has different perceptions of what a "trophy" means to them. But what if the Outfitter pushes you into taking their definition of a trophy? Is it fair? Is it acceptable? And are you in a way to blame for it? I do my best to tackle these questions in the latest episode of Round The Fire.   If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review on either Spotify or Apple Podcast.   Happy hunting Jono

In the final episode of the book, I go over the final chapters. Chapter 12 Mental Strength and Chapter 13 Life After PH-ing & Out Of Season Work.   If you would like a copy of this book in PDF (it is 100% free, all I ask in return is for a positive review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts) then send an email to Jonomchugh@gmail.com and I will forward you a copy.

I still find it somewhat bizarre that in 2024 with all the information and resources we have available to us, literally at our finger tips, that we still see reports of hunters having the most horrific safaris with some real sh**ty outfitters.   In this episode I try to bring up a few points that may help you decide on whether or not you have booked with a sh**ty outfitter.   If you enjoyed this episode and you have just a couple of seconds, please consider leaving a positive review on Apple podcast and Spotify to help increase the reach of this podcast.   Much appreciated Jono 

Carrying on from the previous episode, I'll go through Chapter 11: Creating Your Own Personal PH Brand and, we hear the responses to the Outfitter questionnaire from Fred Burchell of Frontier Safaris.   If you would like a copy of this book in PDF (it is 100% free, all I ask in return is for a positive review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts) then send an email to Jonomchugh@gmail.com and I will forward you a copy.

Taking a break from the book, I wanted to do an episode on a topic that has always been on my mind. What are the toughest animals to spot and stalk bow hunt in South Africa? I am not talking about the biggest, strongest, or thickest skinned but those species that can only be hunted by the most skillful bow hunters.   If you enjoy this podcast, then please take a second to leave a positive review on Apple Podcast and Spotify. Much appreciated Jono

Carrying on from the previous episode, I'll go through Chapter 10: Hospitality; Dinner & Fireplace Etiquette and, we hear the responses to the Outfitter questionnaire from Jono McHugh of Kingsview Safaris.   If you would like a copy of this book in PDF (it is 100% free, all I ask in return is for a positive review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts) then send an email to Jonomchugh@gmail.com and I will forward you a copy.

Carrying on from the previous episode, I'll go through Chapter 9: The Ethics Of Hunting & Why It Is So Important and, we hear the responses to the Outfitter questionnaire from Wayne Dell of African Brothers Safaris.   If you would like a copy of this book in PDF (it is 100% free, all I ask in return is for a positive review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts) then send an email to Jonomchugh@gmail.com and I will forward you a copy.

Carrying on from the previous episode, I'll go through Chapter 8: Realities Of Getting A Foot In The Door and, we hear the responses to the Outfitter questionnaire from Pieter Potgieter of Motsomi Safaris.   If you would like a copy of this book in PDF (it is 100% free, all I ask in return is for a positive review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts) then send an email to Jonomchugh@gmail.com and I will forward you a copy.

I wanted to take a break from my book episodes to bring you something a little different.   In this episode, I was fortunate enough to chat with Kendal-Ray Kaschula, Zimbabwe's only female houndsman.   Kendal shared her passion for hounds, living in Zimbabwe, what it takes to run a pack recovery hounds, and how her and her team go about recovering a wounded leopard.   If you enjoyed this episode, then go ahead and leave a positive review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts it would greatly help me in growing this pod and getting the voice of hunters out to a larger audience.