Hi Cuz, I'll try to answer your initial question about middlemen. And, I'll use myself as an example.

I book hunts in S America, S Africa and sometimes in the US. Sera R, a former client, decided I got paid too much. So he recently booked direct with the outfitter. His cost? $4,000. Because I send a group once a week, my cost for the same trip is significantly lower. In this case $850 for the hunt, $800 to my flight consolidator and about $1000 for shells. I do not upcharge for my service. And, If something goes awry, who has the most leverage? Me (read middleman) who spends hundreds of thousands or the individual who spends $4K?

Just a thought.

Maybe it pays to use a good middleman.

David