Africa in 2012?

I have plans for 2012. In addition to the long-awaited launch of 'Eating Aliens' and hopefully of my goose book, I've decided that its time to get my butt over to Africa.

There are several projects in Africa that I am considering but the most likely option is to spend at least a month hunting and learning from indigenous hunter-gatherers (preferably the San or the Mbuti). Many anthropologists have spent time with the San or with other tribes but I think that doing this from the perspective of an American hunter learning techniques and tactics from indigenous hunters would be something novel and useful enough to be worthwhile.

Part two of the same trip would be to spend time hunting with the staff or biologists of a large park where some type of culling is necessary. I'd like to learn more about how professional hunters in Africa go about their work and see what happens to all of that meat.

Right now my best leads seem to be in either Gabon or Sierra Leone but I'm open to other countries.

The plan is for this expedition to result in a book, several magazine articles and a documentary film. The major factor in deciding which country to visit will be one of financial support. I have no money at all with which to finance this. The book and the film will be able to help promote eco-tourism in the country that is chosen, so support from a state's government is important. We're going to need help getting around the back country, places to pitch a tent, and some type of air travel for myself and a two-person film crew.

Got a private jet that makes regular stops in Africa? Perhaps you own a cargo ship that we can hop across the Atlantic on? I'm open to novel means of transportation. If any of my readers are in a position to help make this project happen then I would love to hear from you.

I can be reached at jack.landers@gmail.com

[Photo copyright 2011 by Jackson Landers. All rights reserved.]