A .470 cartridge dwarfed by a fresh bull track. It was Ruark who said that a man only needs one lion, but he will always hunt buffalo. And his view has evolved to become a “principle”. For hunters who hunt Africa frequently, if a safari license entitles taking a buffalo, most elect to hunt one regardless of having taken one or more buffalo before. Who can blame them? To hunt buffalo on a remote safari is to live the true meaning of safari. That principle has proved to be prophetic on a personal level. Despite hunting them on several previous safaris, I had wanted a different buffalo challenge. The thought of hunting them on foot in the mountains struck a compelling chord. The plan took shape when I started discussing safari options with a good friend and client, Ron. He is solid to the core; a no-frills and true hunter who relishes anything out-of-the-ordinary to give meaning to whatever he does. He spent his much of his life hunting and flyfishing but had worked with his hands. That gave him a certain quality of ruggedness and desire to probe the unknown for adventure. He was a competitive cyclist and participated in various Iron Man competitions. He’s a hunter-athlete by any definition and remains a beast who looks after his health religiously. Ron savoring a gourmet bush lunch. He's game for anything that is unusually challenging. That’s exactly the mindset needed for this type of safari and Ron jumped at the chance to hunt buffalo by the old school method – on foot. This was going to be a kick-ass, portered backpack safari in the same fashion that the old ivory hunter-explorers had hunted and feel like the classic safaris of the old Kenya days. The Luangwa River. Legendary safariland. One destination was obvious; the high forested hills above the Luangwa River in Zambia. This would be my 5th trip to the Luangwa Valley. It always feels like home thanks to the universally wonderful Zambian people and the professional hunters I have worked with for many years. PH Derick Van Staden, Zambia’s most senior experienced PH, had discussed doing this safari with me years ago and rekindling that flame with him was easy. He jumped at the chance to pull the game plan together with Ron intent on taking two buffalo and I taking one after Ron filled out. Accompanying us was Derick’s son, Mayer. He is an apprentice PH with the skills and human attributes that will make him an outstanding PH and safari companion. He’s the do-anything resourceful type that can figure anything out. He would get his chance to guide his first buffalo hunt. We needed a good team, a virtual human pack train that could carry food, water, camp equipment, and hunting gear for a 14-day sortie. So, Derick assembled 20 good men, some of whom had hunted with him for 30 years. Lean and strong, their strength and stamina were outsized compared to their body weights. It was encouraging to hear and actually feel how enthusiastic the team was. This was more than a job to make a few bucks; it was a resume builder for each with bragging rights that they helped outfit a classic foot safari high and deep into the mountains. Getting Ready The King Air was comfortable and fast. We chartered into West Petauki and spent a full day staging the walk-in. Tents and provisions were laid out in base camp so that the items could be packed together logically and with equally distributed weight in each man’s backpack. We joked about organized chaos, but there was a method to the madness as packs filled up and assignments were given. It was fun to watch, and we could feel the excitement building. Meanwhile, Ron and I pared our gear down to the bare essentials. Will we have enough? As one would expect, a safari beginning in late September came with hot temperatures of 95+F. We planned to carry plenty of water in hope of being able to top-up our supply at springs and streams high in the hills. It takes a lot of kit to support 20 guys in remote country. We assembled the next morning for a final check and posed for a picture at our launching point. We set out in a column without any real idea of how the journey would unfold. Despite having a pre-sent plan to camp each night until we reached our final spike camp, we sensed that like any plan, it could become an artifact of history the moment we took the first few steps into the bush. It didn’t matter. We had all signed up for adventure. The Trek No sooner had we launched onto one of the trails, it became clear that we would need to kill the buffalo with our feet. I don’t want to over-dramatize the effort because we got what we paid for – a classic old school walk about with no guarantees of anything beyond sweat and probing into the unknown. We were intent on finding Kakuli bulls – the old dagga boys who hang out solo or in small bachelor groups. If we tripped onto a wide, deeply hooked, hard-bossed bull – great. But “trophy” was to be defined much more by age and cantankerous behavior. Overnight stopping point. On Day 3, we reached our intended destination and set up camp again next to a small stream. The plan was to set out in different direction daily and eventually cover an extensive 360° arc of territory. Sam the Man. He attended to our tents, chalets and laundry. Need to find some wild honey? Dial 1-800-Sam. The real thing - wild honey. But despite the water at our fly camp, it was evident that the Spring rains had stopped too early. Where we had anticipated water was bone dry. The buffalo had also figured out there were better places to hang out and the tracks we followed went into the abyss. On the march. Miles and miles but worth it. It wasn’t until we reached a high valley that we found swamps with green grass and water. The good news was the green grass and water. The bad news was the green grass and water; the buffalo were wandering aimlessly and could find water everywhere they decided to go. Some lions got into the act the night before and scattered the buffalo into no man's land. This cat and mouse chase was consuming precious time. How the red ants made it inside remains a mystery. Derick’s instinct was to move camp back toward the Luangwa River. Little did we know it at the time but after breaking camp, a major early thunderstorm washed out the camp and would have made a mess of the hunt strategy if we had stayed. Part of our team was stuck in camp there and finally got out soaked to the core. Rest time along the track in what shade we could find. The shift in strategy and location paid off quickly. We spotted a good bull on our way to a new camp and returned aftyer the heat subsided to pick up his track. He was running with another bull that we could not see but one track was big and fresh enough to find out what was standing in it. The tracking was intense and a veteran like Abraham could follow them over cement if he had to. But his real power was showcased using God-given instinct. He coulld sense where the buffalo was headed and when we were near. Ron was on high alert as he edged into to bush. When Abraham spotted the buff, Ron put a 350-grain TSX from his Gunworks .375 H&H through the heart. It did not need a follow-up shot but a couple of finishers provided extra insurance that he wasn’t going to get up. Kakuli No. 1. What we came for. Derick's son, Meyer, was on point for his first buffalo taken during his PH apprenticeship. The old bull had all the character of a survivor and a nobleman. His boss and horns had worn by time fighting lions. He was the poster child for grand old Kakuli bulls, and he was taken fair and square. With the bull down the mind's contemplative replay of the event takes over. With the first Kakuli down, a wee dram of single malt was in order that night. The skies that betrayed us with rain a few days before dropped more on us. This was still September and we would typically not be tracking in the rain in this timeframe. But the wet ground yielded a massive fresh track that we picked up immediately in the deluge. We eventually bumped a small herd but stayed with them until they stopped. Ron approached the bull and downed him with another clean shot. That bull, likely a bit younger, had a good boss and spread. Ron shot his second bull cleanly, proving yet again that a well-place shot from a .375 delivers. Ron and Abraham with the "shoty gun" and a guineafowl for the pot. Keeping with the “old school” theme, I carried a refined custom 1917 Enfield in .458 Lott crafted by Gil Van Horn. He was a former stocker for Roy Weatherby before handing out his own shingle. Custom rifle maker, Ryan Breeding, refers to him as his mentor. There are many similarities between Van Horn’s big bores and Breeding’s. But Breeding has taken the craft he learned from Gil to a whole new level. Gil Van Horn Custom 1917 Enfield .458 Lott When the time came, the .458 Lott dumped a good buffalo in the tall grass. He was with a lesser bull and disappeared at the shot. The Buffalo Bore load using 450 gran Barnes TSX bullets tore the heart apart and we saw him flip hooves-up just 30 yards from where he was shot. Kakuli taken in the tall grass with Bwana Derick. Our attention shifted to plains game and Ron took signature species of the Luangwa bush – the Puku and stunningly beautiful Chobe bushbuck. The bulls were docile. The cows were not. And so typical of the riverine bush close along the Luangwa, elephants showed their dismay at our incursion. A fierce, determined, long distance charge by a nasty cow that caused Derick to shoulder his Rigby .470 double. A fallen tree was the only thing that prevented her from covering the final 15 feet, except for the .470, if needed. It was one of the closest charges I had witnessed in Zambia. And the severity of the situation was brough home with the story of a teammate who was killed riding his bicycle on the track just a few weeks earlier. The value of protein cannot be underestimated in Africa. I had taken hippo before but wanted another skull for my trophy room. A brain shot dropped him late one morning. The rest of the day was spent retrieving and butchering it on the beach. In the end, the real reason to hunt them was to gift the meat to the team for their hard work. Jolo - a pastor and one helluva a good man. Felix - our chef with many talents to make things look and taste good. We were accompanied by an AK-47-toting female Game Scout that was the equal of the men, and we also tipped our hats to her in respect for her valor and contribution. Georgina, our Game Scout, as nice and as tough as they come. That AK never left her hand. Bula - He always knew what to do and had a sixth sense of what was about to happen on the track. Sylvester - don't let his lean profile fool you. He always jumped in with both feet and is as strong as an ox. Abraham - Derick's main tracker and right hand for 30 years. A highly skilled talent who has seen and done it all. Alick - Professionally trained to work in the hospitality industry, he tended to our table wherever we were camped in 5-Star fashion. This his was close to the end of the season, and the team now had a significant amount of meat to take back to their families. Ron also gifted the entire team with new boots. It was a big hit and his generosity overwhelmed them. They were a deserving group of humanity. Elias - He worked tirelessly in the background and led the hippo extraction. Totally dependable and born with the strength of a wild beast. Alek - Driver and multi-functional team player with years of experience. He grew up in the very bushveld where we were trekking. Derick - Registered gun nut and master of the hunting craft trying to cool off. Would we do it again? In a heartbeat. After hunting buffalo that way, a buffalo by any other hunt strategy will be short on emotional fulfillment. Quite a baobab! With any luck, Ron will be back to hunt leopard next year. Dating back to my first safari to Zambia in 1988, I always regard the Luangwa as “cat city”. It upheld its reputation again in 2026 with Derick taking six chunk leopards and in one case two in one day. But for the moment, we are simply grateful for a uniquely classic experience supported by incredibly good people in a remote part of Africa. It likely will be the safari that defines safari hunting and that we speak of most for years to come. A burning sunset. A fitting farewell to friends and a great experience. There were many other team members involved in our safari and we thank those not called out by name in this post. We thank you and will never forget you. You are real men, the best of the best, who have earned a place at hunting's altar of honor.

An outstanding team that walked high and deep into the mountains in search of old loner bulls. A team of 20 real men and a stalwart female game scout were gifted all the meat from this bull hippo for their hard work. We had trekked high into the mountains for days in search of outcast loner Kakuli bulls, reaching our intended destination by morning on Day 3. They wore heavy packs on their backs filled with tents, food, and gear like they would wear a badge of honor. Any young kid from the suburbs or inner city who could do what they do for just two weeks (assuming they could last beyond 2 days) would mature into a well-grounded adult filled with grit and determination. They would know responsibility and sacrifice for the sake of the mission. For the critics of hunting who rely on meat processors and grocery stores for their food, play pay close attention to the photos. Well over 3,500 pounds of hippo lay on the beach. The following photo shows what was left from the gutting and skinning process - a blood spot in the sand and the grass that was in the hippo's stomach. The rest of the carcass, in totality, was butchered on site and transported back to their camp. Even the meat among the bones in the feet, intestines, organs, and stomach lining will provide valuable protein for their deserving families. And while we were hunting, our presence in the hunting block made it less vulnerable to poaching. Think about it.

Gobi Desert, September 2026. The ram second from right gave us the slip for two days, leading his 4 askaris over the mountain range at speed, before being taken by a single 500-yard shot. Almost 40 years ago to the day and 10 trips in between, I was back in Mongolia hunting with a highly valued friend and hunting client. Since the inaugural trip in 1986 I have witnessed an evolution of trophy hunting and culture, much of it unfolding in real-time compared to the pace of change in the past and having a more distinct bearing on the future of hunting. Broomed back 48x42. Massive bases and loads of character on this noble ram. As a curator and advisor of fair chase hunting experiences, I can say that picture overall is still positive. But hunting success and overall hunter satisfaction today requires trophy size expectations to be set realistically according to current conditions, greater due diligence in selecting the right areas and outfitting partners, and detailed operational know-how. I have a strong personal handle on it, but I am more vigilant and investigative than ever. There is no room for hype when presenting facts and insights informed by continuous field experience. THE STATE OF THE MONGOLIAN HUNTING INDUSTRY Mongolia’s hunting system is a hybrid of national quotas, provincial permit allocations, and community‑based wildlife management. It’s fragile and fraught with challenges, politics, extreme competition, and favors. There often are bad actors at the auction table driving up prices to secure the best permits or simply to deny their competitors a fair chance at a reasonable cost. Ironically, the demand for permits by hunters is the principle driver of higher hunting costs. With demand increasing year over year and quotas either remaining flat or declining, it’s obvious that the upward cost trajectory will not reverse itself. The permit auctions are always volatile and unpredictable, and the bidding has a direct bearing on hunt costs. In 1986, the cost of a Gobi Argali hunt was $7,500 and a High Altai cost was $12,000. Today, those hunts cost begin at $95,000 and $155,000 respectively for standard trophy area permits and up to 40-50% more for premium area permits that could possibly produce an out-sized trophy. This Airbus 130 saved a 14-hour drive into the Gobi. Are the Argali worth it at those prices? They are indeed “expensive” in many contexts, but I remain bullish that they are not commodities; they are priceless. No disrespect intended here, but when the better Dall Sheep hunts range up to $70,000 all up, all in, and Stone Sheep hunts span the $100,000 to $125,000 range, or Rocky Mountain Bighorn in Alberta at the $120,000 level that may have been attempted twice or more before scoring, I’ll take the cultural immerdsion and massive horns of the Argali. TROPHY EXPECTATIONS Forty years ago, the Altai, Hangai, and Gobi rams were heavier — not just in horn, but in presence. Old warriors that had never seen a human silhouette, never heard the echo of a rifle shot, never learned the geometry of avoidance. The rams grew old because the world moved slowly. The ibex grew heavy because the mountains were quiet. The anters of many Maral topped-out in crowns. Five back-to-back severe winters have taken a toll on the grand older rams on the High and North Altai zones. And with domestic sheep and goat herds producing the primary ecological pressure, pasture degradation reduces horn growth potential resulting in lower average trophy size across all regions. Fewer animals are reaching full maturity in recent years. Fragmentation also affected trophy potential. Roads, mining, and settlement expansion break up habitat resulting in reduced gene flow, smaller and more isolated populations, and more variability between hunting concessions. Back in 1986, a 58‑inch Altai ram was not a miracle — it was a realistic possibility. Heavy rams of 60+ inches were still the exception, but some were taken annually. A 60‑inch ram is a survivor, a real outlier now. Today, more Altai and North Altai rams fall in the 50–55" class, with 57–58" considered exceptional, and 60+ possible but more of a one-off if taken at all. The Gobi and Hangai Argali have fared better than the High Altai or North Altai rams. Gobi Argali of 48’ and a few specimens taping out at 50” inches plus have been taken recently, but a more realistic top-end goal is 44-46”. Good Hangai rams are being taken in the 50-53” range, and some even bigger in the premium areas. A 50‑inch Altai Ibex was not a legend back then — it was a reward for climbing one more ridge. Billies of 44-48 inches were more common. Billies remain plentiful but 40-44 is the current average. This Gobi Ibex took lots of climbing and glassing before we got him. Gobi Ibex populations remain strong but are pressured in some parts of their range. Forty years ago, 36-40” billies were common and a decent number reached 42-44”. Today, 40-42 is considered particularly good. A heavy 12‑ or 14-point Maral was not a rarity in the 80s. Today, these species still stand like kings, but they are kings ruling smaller kingdoms. We hunt specific “pockets” now. The trophies are still magnificent — but magnificence now requires more luck, more patience, more respect for the fragility of the system that produces them. The indispensable motorcycle used by scouts. The giants still exist. The mountains still hold their secrets. But the margin for error — biologically and operationally — is narrower than it once was. THE OUTLOOK Today, Mongolia is still wild, vast, and capable of humbling a hunter in a single gust of wind. But it is a different wildness. The rams are still magnificent — the largest wild sheep on earth — but they are no longer the unobserved giants of a forgotten frontier. They are creatures navigating a landscape shaped by mining roads, expanding ger districts, and the long shadow of the cashmere economy. Home for a couple of weeks and the beasts - Land Crusiers. If I were hunting Argali all over again, I would initially concentrate on Gobi and Hangai and give the High Altai and North Altai rams time to recover. There is already evidence of some recovery but giving the High and North Altai rams more time will pay off. Shooter. Heavy. Aware. Captured on our hunt by Imtiaz Ahmad with his super lens. Mongolia is a relationship‑based country. Experience and local networks are everything. Reliability depends heavily on the outfitting partner. The outfitter and the territory they hunt determines the hunt’s success more than any other factor. Imtiaz working at his craft and state of the art equipment. The hunt is still an expedition, but it is no longer an expedition into the unknown.It is an expedition into a land negotiating its future. Where once the hunt was shaped by the state, now it is shaped by the market — by demand, by access, by the delicate balance between conservation and opportunity. White-tailed Gazelle. Plentiful and located about a 3-hour drive southwest of Ulaanbaatar. What has changed is not the soul of the hunt. What has changed is the world around it. Hunts demand awareness — not just of terrain and distance, but of context. For those who come with respect, patience, and the willingness to climb until the sky thins and the world falls away — Mongolia still offers something no other place can. By 2030, the gap between well‑run concessions and poorly managed ones will be wider than the gap in quality between hunting blocks. The moral is to go now. Experience teaches to never wait for anything in hunting. And don’t forget that Mongolia’s other game is worth considering. You can experience this mystical land by hunting Maral Stag, Gobi Ibex, and Altai Ibex for far less than most North American hunts.

Abercrombie & Fitch, founded in 1892, evolved to be the social center of American sporting and safari gun culture. “I’m going to Tanganyika for lion, buffalo, and plains game.” “You’ll need a .30‑06, a .375 H&H, and a .470 double. Let’s begin.” A&F was importing sporting guns and rifles from Holland & Holland, Westley Richards, Rigby, Purdey, Boss, Francotte, Krieghoff, and Merkel among others. But A&F didn’t just sell safari rifles — they booked hunts, arranged travel, and outfitted expeditions. It famously outfitted Teddy Roosevelt’s landmark safari, the Smithsonian Expedition, between 1909 and 1910. A&F’S GAME CHANGING STRATEGY – THE PURCHASE OF GRIFFIN & HOWE In 1930, Abercrombie & Fitch purchased Griffin & Howe, which became the gunroom inside America’s most famous outfitter for the next 45 years. The Abercrombie & Fitch–Era of 1930–1976 was the period when G&H becomes the gunroom for America’s elite. Griffin & Howe was the American expression of the London Best ethos, and A&F was the stage on which that ethos was displayed. The acquisition was a very strategic move. A&F's Flagship Store in New York City. Griffin & Howe was the gunroom. This era marked one of the richest chapters in American sporting history, and it sits inside a much larger ecosystem of elite retailers who were importing, commissioning, and selling the finest firearms in the world. This was the golden age of the American sporting emporium — a time when a gentleman could walk into a Manhattan or Chicago showroom and order a Rigby .275, a Westley Richards .318, a G&H Springfield, a Fox HE Super, and a full safari kit in one afternoon. Griffin & Howe blended old‑world craftsmanship with American innovation. Presidents, generals, writers, and the great safari hunters of the 20th century carried their rifles. Origins (1910–1922): Seymour Griffin, the Cabinetmaker Who Started It All · 1910: Seymour Griffin, a New York City cabinetmaker, reads Theodore Roosevelt’s African Game Trails and becomes fascinated with the Springfield rifle Roosevelt used on safari. · Dissatisfied with the military stock on his own M1903 Springfield, he buys a $5 French walnut blank from Von Lengerke & Detmold and restocks the rifle himself. · The result is so good that a friend buys it immediately — and Griffin begins building custom Springfield sporters in his spare time. · His distinctive stocks (Schnabel fore-ends, hand checkering, and a unique angled cut near the bolt port) have become well known among affluent hunters. The Partnership (1921–1923): Griffin Meets James V. Howe · Col. Townsend Whelen, then commanding Frankford Arsenal and a major figure in American rifle making, hears of Griffin’s work. · Whelen introduces Griffin to James Virgil Howe, the foreman of the Frankford Arsenal machine shop and a master metalworker. · Howe had just collaborated with Whelen on the creation of the .35 Whelen cartridge. · The three men meet with financiers in April 1923 and secure backing for a new custom gun making firm. · June 1, 1923: Griffin & Howe officially opens in New York City. · Howe leaves later that year for Hoffman Arms, but his name remains on the marque. 1920s–1930s: Innovation and Expansion · .350 G&H Magnum — a proprietary cartridge developed by the firm. Long forgotten but one of the best medium-bore cartridges ever made. · 1927 G&H Side Mount — a detachable side‑lever scope mount allowing removal and replacement without loss of zero. This becomes one of the most influential American scope mounts ever designed. Business Growth Griffin assembles a team of American and European master gunsmiths. The company becomes known for: o Custom Springfield sporters o Custom Mauser sporters o High‑grade bolt rifles and shotguns o Outfitting services (optics, tents, clothing) The Great Depression · Sales collapse in 1929, but the firm survives by seeking new financial backing. · Financial stability accelerates when G&H is acquired by A&F in 1930. Mid‑Century Prestige Jack O’Connor famously called G&H “the Holland & Holland of the United States.” Griffin & Howe becomes the premier American custom rifle shop, building rifles for: · Ernest Hemingway · Robert Ruark · Dwight D. Eisenhower · Norman Schwarzkopf · Clark Gable · Gary Cooper The most collectible Griffin & Howe rifles were early Springfield sporters (1923–1930, Pre–A&F Acquisition). These are the crown jewels because they were built when Seymour Griffin himself was shaping stocks by hand, James V. Howe’s metalwork influence was still visible. And extremely low production numbers. Overall, they defined pure “American Classic” lines before the Abercrombie & Fitch era standardized the style. The single most collectible G&H rifle, in terms of pure collector gravity was Hemingway’s Griffin & Howe Springfield. It is the American equivalent of a Rigby .275 owned by Bell or a .318 owned by Selous — a rifle tied to a mythic figure who shaped the safari narrative. When A&F purchased Griffin & Howe in 1930, they didn’t just buy a gunmaker — they bought prestige, craftsmanship, and a ready-made clientele of wealthy sportsmen. A&F was already the premier outfitter for expeditions, safaris, and big‑game travel. G&H became the crown jewel of their gunroom. What defined the A&F–G&H Era is the company was fully integrated outfitter. It was a one-stop safari concierge. OTHER HIGH-END RETAILERS OF THE ERA To understand G&H’s place, you must see the full landscape of great importers, gunrooms, and outfitters of the 1920s–1960s. These major players formed the pillars of American high‑grade gun culture. · Von Lengerke & Detmold (New York) was the most important competitor to A&F before the merger, they imported Mauser, Sauer, Merkel, Greifelt, and other German makers. They sold high-grade doubles and drillings. A&F acquired VL&D in 1929, absorbing their inventory and clientele · Von Lengerke & Antoine (Chicago) was a sister company to VL&D. They, too, were a major importer of German and Belgian guns. Their Chicago gunroom was the Midwest’s premier sporting shop. A&F acquired them as well. · Stoeger Arms (New York) was not as elite as A&F, but hugely influential. They produced the catalog that defined American gun importing. They published the famous “Shooter’s Bible.” · Sloan’s Sporting Goods (Ridgefield, CT & NYC) was the East Coast boutique importer of high-grade English and Continental guns. They sold custom rifles and shotguns. They were known for personal service and elite clientele and where serious collectors shopped quietly. · Pachmayr Gun Works (Los Angeles) was the West Coast powerhouse in the gun business. If A&F was the East Coast temple, Pachmayr was the West Coast cathedral. They became a cultural hub for Hollywood hunters. They built custom rifles and shotguns and were capable of high-end gunsmithing. They were also importing European sporting arms. · Holland & Holland (New York Agency) maintained a U.S. presence and sold Royal doubles, best bolt rifles, and bespoke shotguns. They were the only British maker with a consistent American foothold. · A.H. Fox, Parker, and Winchester Custom Shop (Domestic Elite), while not retailers in the same sense, their custom shops competed directly with G&H for wealthy American sportsmen. These were the American “best guns” of the era - the Fox HE Super Fox, Parker A1 Special, Winchester Model 21 Custom Shop, and Winchester Model 70 Super Grade. A&F's End and a New Beginning for G&H The Abercrombie & Fitch era of Griffin & Howe hadn't been just business arrangement — it was the moment when American gun making, British best-gun tradition, and the safari culture of the 20th century fused into a single ecosystem. No other American retailer ever matched that level of integrated expertise. But the original A&F collapsed financially in the mid‑1970s due to a long, grinding decline. Its assets—name, mailing list, and residual goodwill—were then sold off in bankruptcy. By the 1960s–70s, middle‑class outdoor retailers (REI, L.L. Bean, Eddie Bauer) undercut A&F with cheaper catalog distribution and lower overhead. A&F’s elite, high‑inventory model no longer made economic sense. The Madison Avenue flagship became a financial anchor. The 12‑story flagship—with shooting range, fly‑casting pools, trophy rooms, and the gunroom—was incredibly expensive to operate. As sales softened, the building’s overhead became unsustainable. Americans shifted toward suburban shopping, mass‑market sporting goods, discount retail, and simpler, fashion‑driven outdoor wear while A&F stayed committed to its old identity—elite, clubby, expensive—while the market moved on. The 1970s recession finished the job. High inflation reduced discretionary spending, and a shrinking luxury‑outdoors market pushed A&F into insolvency. They filed for Chapter 11 in 1976, and the Madison Avenue store closed in 1977. After bankruptcy, Oshman’s Sporting Goods bought the A&F name, the mailing list, and residual brand assets. Griffin & Howe and Abercrombie & Fitch formally disconnected when A&F went bankrupt. The bankruptcy legally dissolved the relationship. In 1977, Griffin & Howe was sold off as an independent entity. After that point, G&H was no longer part of the A&F corporate structure, gunroom, or brand identity. Looking back and comparing present day outfitting culture and options, the A&F flagship store was a place like no other. It was a world in itself that defined outfitting a time when safari hunting was glamorized and attracting industrialists and professionals who wanted to be equipped with the right stuff. Image the Griffin & Howe gunroom as the nerve center. Yes, you can visit a British gun maker or have a safari rifle built by one of our skilled American Custom Gunmakers Guild members. But totally integrated outfitting is behind us. The pure romantic theater of gun buying and outfitting still exists on a micro scale at Griffin & Howe. Having celebrated its 100th birthday in 2023, Griffin & Howe lives on today under good managerial leadership that refuses to let its heritage wane. It still retains the exclusivity of the golden age of the sporting life in America. And the guns still retain the lines that Seymour Griffin codified as "classic". And should you visit a mall and see today’s A&F store, don’t look too hard and keep walking. The contrast with the origins of this iconic brand stands as a painful example of how a valued brand can be repurposed and its equity built over years can be shattered.

Massive Gobi Argali lays still after a proper 500-yard shot A hunting strategy that played out between the tail end of August and mid-September 2026 marked the 40th anniversary of studying, personal hunting, and professional hunt consulting in Mongolia. The process began a year in advance to mitigate uncertainty and ensure success. Despite a most intensive effort applied to preparation, nothing is ever certain in Mongolia. But saying "that's hunting" can never be allowed to be an excuse for failure. So, we pulled out all the stops associated with the pre-hunt planning phase of the adventure: area selection, permit acquisition at auction, local outfitter vetting, hunt timing, logistics, scouting, and extra resourcing of one of our own experienced professional mountain hunting guides. Measurements are but one attribute of trophy quality and too much emphasis is placed on score. For the curious, the massive left horn signified the character of a noble warrior, broken and broomed to a little over 41", marking him as a fighter and a survivor. The right horn on this grand Gobi Argali was broomed back to 48.5". Bases went 18.5". The hunt bgan in the Altai region for GSCO's recently minted North Altai Argali. Their boundary begins east of the Tsengel Khairkhan–Khoton/Khurgan ridge, inhabiting the rugged alpine basins, glaciated valleys, high plateaus, tundra steppe, and the mountain systems surrounding Lake Uureg Nuur, extending north to the Russian border and southeast into the uplands of western Uvs. North Altai Argali, one of over 500 rams seen over three days. Many of the North Altai rams taken over the last few years lead us to believe that they are a slightly smaller variant of the High Altai Argali. However, 5 back-to-back years of harsh winters have taken a toll on both. Many older rams didn't survive the deep snows that nature unleashed. So, we need to temper trophy quality expectations in hope of the herd recovering. There was a time when a 58‑inch High Altai ram was not a miracle — it was a realistic possibility 10 years ago. Rams of 60-62+ inches were taken annually. Today a 60‑inch High Altai ram is a true survivor, and the hunting area is so vast that there are some roaming around. But more rams fall in the 52–55" class, with 56–60 or greater possible but very less frequent. But there's a point where we should not care as much about size as we do and simply immerse in the elite nature of a mature Argali. Any ram taken in the size range that is more realistically predicable today is still a priceless trophy. This High Altai ram may prove to be the most colossal taken in 2026. It proves that the big ones are still out there if you know exactly where to hunt and put the effort into pre-hunt scouting. Organizing helicopter charters into and out of camps are getting more common despite cost ranging from $2500-$3500 per hour. We used one to get to our camp in the Gobi Desert, a few clicks north of the China border. Endless rolling hills and craggy rock require constant long-distance glassing. Tools used to penetrate vast ancient terrain. The indefatigable Land Cruiser and the Chinese-made, go-anywhere motorbikes used by the scouts. 1986 It takes a village. Gobi Ibex. Never underestimate their cunning and desire for refuge among vertical high-country rocks. A never-give-up and do-what-it-takes team of local guides. The trophies are as much theirs as ours. Despite this up-and-down terrain, it was no match for the Land Cruisers. We could cover ground and get to promising glassing positions where we often spent hours looking for sheep and ibex to emerge from the ridges and canyons that we could not see. Hyper-busy and modern Ulaanbaatar stands in stark contrast with ageless rural culture. Of Mongolia's 3.7 million inhabitants, 1.7 million have settled into Ulaanbaatar. The traffic and countless construction projects are proof of an evolving society. The cultural atmosphere of the 80s was influenced strongly by Soviet culture, education, and public life. Social life centered on state institutions, theaters, and parks. Today, Ulaanbaatar is a hybrid of global capitalism, revived Mongol identity and post‑Soviet nostalgia. Ulaanbaatar is now the meeting point — and collision point — of Mongolia’s two identities. In the hunting camps, the locals still perform like traditional hunters, only with more ambition, method, and tools. So, a hunter will experience something both unmistakingly ethnic and classic. The few words spoken in English by the locals will be uttered genuinely but poorly. But your interpreter will carry the water when it comes to dialog. Yes, hunting Argali has become expensive but at the same time priceless. But Mongolia’s other major game animals (Maral Stag, Gobi Ibex, and Altai Ibex) are worth the trip. You can experience this mystical land and hunt these iconic species for far less than most North American hunts. This hunt finished the "Argali Slam of Mongolia" for a dear friend and client. He has now taken all fours of the country's Argali and is set to add Severtzov Argali from Uzbekistan next year. So, it was rather special to be part of this adventurous quest -- some 40 years after my first trip to this marvelous country.

The hunter that took this great Gobi Argali also took the big High Altai ram posted recently. Amazing. The big ones are out there if you know where to look. Rams like this are exceptional, and it takes much more than "hunter's luck" to find and take one of this class. Expert teams that are committed to area selection and year-round scouting make the difference. So, hats off to my Caprinae Safari colleagues and our local outfitting operation for taking one of the best Gobi Argali in recent years.

A trophy well-earned and never to be forgotten. Heavy rains do what they do everywhere in the world – produce lush green grass. The unusual spring 2026 deluge that hit Lugenda, Mozambique was no exception; it had a turbo effect on the bush. We are hosting a wonderful father and son team from Montana who have ventured to Africa for the first time, and they are still hunting as this post goes to press. They jumped into the deep end with buffalo on their multi-species docket. The grass was still head high and thick as rebar on their arrival July 18th. Prior attempts at burning proved futile; the bush was so wet that it burned itself out soon after every match hit the ground. There was no choice but to find and follow a track into the maze even though the line of sight barely extended beyond 10-15 feet. The buff pictured here fell to a .375 after a very long day and countess cautious steps into the deep. I look at this buff and marvel at the achievement. No trophy is better than the one a hunter properly hunts and kills under the uncontrollable conditions dished out by nature.

Europe's Alpine Ibex has been regarded as royal big‑game trophy not because of its physical stature and attributes, but because European monarchies deliberately turned it into a symbol of privilege, exclusivity, and conservation power. The “royal” status is historical, political, and cultural — and it’s unusually well‑documented in its 200-year renaissance. One of Europe’s oldest continuous dynasties, The House of Savoy (Italy), made ibex hunting a privilege reserved for monarchs and their guests, protected the species through royal game laws, and created exclusive mountain reserves where only the crown could hunt. These royal protections saved the ibex from extinction, and every modern Alpine ibex population across Europe descends from animals once guarded in Savoy’s royal preserves. By the early 1800s, ibex were nearly extinct across the Alps. In 1821, the Piedmontese government forbade ibex hunting but poaching continued. Between 1850–1856, King Vittorio Emanuele II established the Royal Hunting Reserve of Gran Paradiso, a vast alpine domain where only the king and his invited nobles could hunt. Gran Paradiso is in northwestern Italy, entirely within the Aosta Valley region, forming part of the Graian Alps. It sits inside Gran Paradiso National Park, roughly between the towns of Valsavarenche, Cogne, and Rhemes. This exclusivity made the ibex a symbol of royal authority — a creature protected for the king’s personal sport. The king’s reserve saved the species from extinction. Every Alpine ibex alive today descends from the Gran Paradiso royal herd. This gives the ibex a unique status: it is not just a game animal, but a living legacy of royal conservation. Mythic and Heraldic Symbolism The ibex became a heraldic emblem in several Alpine regions (e.g., Graubünden). Its massive, backward‑curving horns — up to a meter long and weighing up to 33 pounds (15 kg) reinforce its image as the “King of the Alps.” Royal animal in royal terrain, Ibex live at 5,000-11,000 feet (1,600–3,200 meters). Ibex terrain is breathtakingly beautiful and varies in difficulty to hunt. Fitness and skilled local guides. This difficulty elevates the trophy’s prestige. Modern Continuation of the Royal Legacy The royal branding “King of the Alps” persists today. The Alpine ibex is one of the few big‑game animals whose “trophy status” is inseparable from monarchy itself. We hunt them primarily in Austria today from August through mid-November. Permits are few and hunt prices reflect this, but for many hunters on the Capra quest or just wanting to experience the royalty of the species, the hunt is priceless.

Professional Hunters made the most of what they had in their day. From the age of porters and oxen to the roar of the Land Cruiser, safari vehicles have mirrored the evolution of hunt mastery itself. Each wheel turned not merely on earth, but upon the axis of ambition — from ivory caravans to conservation frontiers. A century-long progression dominated by Ford, Chevrolet, Land Rover, Jeep, Mercedes, Toyota, and Nissan, resulted in very passionate preferences among PHs emerging in each era. Most materially, the Land Rover carried the Empire’s nostalgia; the Cruiser carries endurance. In their dust trails lie the echoes of courage, folly, and the eternal pursuit of the wild. Here's a look back from the beginning. THE PRE‑MOTOR ERA (1850–1910) Transport Types: Shanks’s pony (on foot) — the default for explorers and ivory hunters; porters carried loads. Locally bred horses, camels, mules — used where terrain allowed; European breeds died quickly from tsetse fly. Ox‑carts — slow but reliable for heavy loads. Steamers, trains, canoes — used for long approaches into East Africa. Philip Percival, Bror Blixen, W.D.M. Bell — relied on porters and pack animals; no motor vehicles yet. Roosevelt’s 1909 safari — still camel, horse, steamer, train; no dedicated safari vehicles. EARLY MOTOR ERA (1910–1939). Motor vehicles begin appearing in the 1920s. The Ford Model T played a legendary role in early African safaris, serving as the ultimate rugged, reliable vehicle that pioneered motorized travel across the continent. In the 1910s and 1920s, before purpose-built 4x4 vehicles existed, wealthy adventurers, hunters, and filmmakers relied on the "Tin Lizzie" to explore the farthest reaches of the bushveld. The Model T on Safari High Ground Clearance: Its tall wheels easily cleared rocks, deep ruts, and tall brush. Flexible Suspension: The transverse leaf springs allowed the chassis to twist without snapping over uneven terrain. Lightweight Frame: Made with strong vanadium steel, it was light enough to be pushed out of thick mud. Simple Mechanics: It could be repaired in the bush with basic tools, wire, and sheer ingenuity. Famous Historical Expeditions The Trans-African Pioneers: In the early 1920s, explorers like Stella Court Treatt and her husband majorly utilized modified light vehicles, cementing the viability of cars in Africa. The Martin and Osa Johnson Safaris: Famous American photographers and filmmakers packed modified Model Ts with heavy camera gear to document wildlife in Kenya and Uganda. The Uganda Museum Car: To this day, a preserved vintage Model T remains a featured piece of history at the Uganda Museum in Kampala. PH Preferences Early white hunters (Percival, Blixen, Akeley’s contemporaries) used whatever vehicles clients or safari companies could procure — often Ford (or Chevrolet) sedans modified with racks and reinforced springs. GOLDEN AGE OF SAFARI (1940S–1970S). This is the era of organized safari companies — Ker & Downey, Safariland, Hunters Africa, White Hunters Ltd. It is also the era when professional hunters developed strong vehicle loyalties. DOMINANT BRANDS Land Rover (Series I, II, IIA, III) The defining safari vehicle of the 20th century. Introduced late 1940s; became ubiquitous by the 1950s. Rugged ladder frame, simple mechanics, excellent off‑road capability. Safari companies used long‑wheelbase versions with custom racks, shooting rails, and open bodies. PH Preferences: Near-universal among East African PHs — Ker & Downey, Safariland, Hunters Africa. PHs valued: Fixability in the bush Light weight Good approach angles Ability to run with minimal fuel quality JEEP (CJ SERIES) Entered safari use post‑WWII. More common in Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, less so in Kenya/Tanzania. PHs liked its agility but criticized its smaller load capacity compared to Land Rover. CHEVROLET & FORD TRUCKS (1940S–1960S) Used for supply trucks, not primary hunting vehicles. Safari companies often ran: Ford F‑series for camp logistics Chevrolet 1‑ton trucks for porters, tents, food, and trophies PHs rarely used them for hunting due to weight and poor off‑road performance. SAFARI COMPANY VEHICLE CULTURE Ker & Downey (1940s–1970s) — Land Rovers as the backbone of their fleet. Hunters Africa — Land Rover + occasional Jeep hybrids. White Hunters Ltd. — Land Rover long‑wheelbase trucks with custom coachwork. Safariland — Mixed fleets but Land Rover dominant. PH Preferences (Golden Age) Harry Selby — Land Rover Series trucks. David Ommanney — Land Rover long‑wheelbase. Tony Dyer — Land Rover; occasionally Jeep for light scouting. Eric Rundgren — Land Rover for buffalo and lion hunts. Bill Ryan — Land Rover for elephant tracking. TRANSITION ERA (1970S–1990S) As Japanese reliability surged, PHs began shifting. DOMINANT BRANDS Toyota Land Cruiser (40, 60, 70 Series) The vehicle that dethroned Land Rover. 40 Series (1970s–80s): legendary toughness. 60 Series (1980s): more comfort, still rugged. 70 Series (1984–present): the modern PH’s workhorse. PH Preferences: East Africa: Land Cruiser 70 Series becomes standard for lion, buffalo, elephant. Southern Africa: Land Cruiser + Hilux for plains game and dangerous game. Reasons PHs switched: Better reliability under heavy loads Stronger axles Superior cooling systems Longer engine life Easier parts availability Nissan Patrol Popular in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe. PHs liked its torque and durability but parts availability lagged behind Toyota. Land Rover Defender (110/130) Still used by traditionalists. PHs appreciated: Superb articulation Excellent visibility But reliability issues and parts scarcity reduced its dominance. MODERN ERA (2000s–Present) Dominant Brands Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series (pickup & wagon) - The modern safari standard across Africa. Used by PHs in Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana. Customizations: Shooting rails High seats Reinforced leaf springs Dual battery systems Winches & snorkels Heavy-duty bull bars Toyota Hilux Common for plains game, scouting, and client transport. PHs value its reliability and lighter footprint. Nissan Patrol (Y61) Still respected in Namibia and parts of Botswana. Land Rover Defender (legacy fleets) Used by nostalgic operators and photographic safari companies. At a Glance: Professional Hunter Vehicle Preferences Era Dominant Vehicles PH Preference Rationale 1850–1910 Feet, porters, horses, ox‑carts Terrain, disease resistance, manpower efficiency 1910–1939 Ford Model T, coach-built sedans First motor access; speed over pack animals 1940–1970 Land Rover Series, Jeep Fixability, off‑road capability, safari-company standard 1970–1990 Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, Defender Reliability, cooling, load capacity 1990–Present Land Cruiser 70 Series, Hilux, Patrol Unmatched durability, parts availability, PH consensus At one point, the most pronounced debate was Land Rover vs. Land Cruiser. The debate raged loud and fierce and PHs defended the brand that had served them well. But as the Japanese marketing machine became more entrenched across Africa, it met a highly effective branding campaign intent on showcasing Land Rover's endurance and image -- The Camel Trophy! The Camel Trophy competition began with Jeep‑based Ford U50s in 1980, then switched almost entirely to Land Rovers for the next 18 years. And what viewers were able to see and read about was nothing short of adventure. Human agency and grit played a big part in what teams won. But the competition functioned as a living billboard to showcase Land Rovers overcoming the most vicious driving tests on the planet. If you ask PHs across Africa what the best safari vehicle is right now, the answer is nearly unanimous: Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series (pickup) — the modern professional hunter’s benchmark. It is the only vehicle that consistently survives: Mopane roots Black cotton soil 110°F Sahel heat Remote bush mechanics LAND ROVER vs. LAND CRUISER Field‑Use Comparison Attribute Land Rover Series (1948–1970s) Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series (1984–Present) Mechanical Virtue Simple mechanics, light chassis, easy field repair Overbuilt drivetrain, superior cooling, high torque Failure Modes Axle fatigue, electrical corrosion, overheating Leaf‑spring fracture under overload, injector wear PH Preference Nostalgic, ideal for short‑range classic safaris Dominant modern choice for reliability and payload Operational Doctrine “Fix it with a hammer” ethos “Run it forever” ethos Cultural Symbolism Colonial endurance and romance Post‑colonial pragmatism and sovereignty I have some lontime friends, both now experienced Profrssional Hunters, who were instructors for the South African Camel Trophy Teams. In the safari off-season, I will ask them to tell the backstory to this international competition in great deatil for you.

The Cape buffalo inhabiting Kruger are distinguished by typical heavy bosses. The herd is healthy and large, and hunting them in what is otherwise a no-hunting zone just opened up. We have access with a top-performing PH who we have worked and hunting with since 1990. Not all buffalo safaris are created equal in South Africa. In recent years, Cape buffalo have become an attractive add-on to the species portfolio of several game ranches. And to be certain, some of those ranches are big and thick enough to provide a real hunt. Others do not and uninformed hunters who have been attracted by some very "cheap" prices often miss out on real buffalo hunting. And too many immature bullas have been taken on these less-than perfect safaris. This is an authentic buffalo hunt in every respect. $21,800 including trophy fee. Some flexible dates beginning in mid-August. Call us for more information.

A grand High Altai Argali from Western Mongolia, July 2026. Rams like this are not found everywhere across the Mongolian steppe. Thinking back around 5-6 years ago when back-to-back severe winters took their toll on mature rams across the ecosystem in the west, this ram shows how well nature rebounds and survives. In the end though, it's the scouting makes the difference. Assessing game conditions and pattering herd behaviors year-round enables a surgical hunt strategies. Our experienced teammates at Caprinae Safaris led the process of identifying the area and local guides that produced this big horse of a ram. In case you're wondering, he went 57"x 58" with 21" bases -- the class of ram that elevates it to world's greates trophy status. I'll be back in Mongoilia again in late August with Northern Argail, Gobi Argali, Gobi Ibex , and White-tailed gazelle on the radar. We will be filming the entire adventure, and there will be many clips and photos to share. Stay tuned for post around mid-September.

The choice of when to hunt Tajikistan's Marco Polo Argali is often determined by hunt dates that "fit" personal and business schedules. Many default to the thinking that the rut is prime time (mid-November through mid-December). But the season begins before the rut and extends well beyond it. This post provides factual insight into the how the post-rut hunts (January and February) differ from those conducted during the rut. Generally speaking, the months of January and February offer distinct advantages for Marco Polo Argali hunting. They are tactical related to hunt strategy rather than behavioral. and regardless of hunt timing, our guides adapt their hunt strategies for each period of the season. While the post‑rut period is not as dramatic as the November–December peak, the period of January–February creates a different kind of opportunity: more predictable animals, more stable weather windows, and often better trophy selection for the disciplined hunter.