|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 825
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 825 |
Wear gaiters and don't forget the deet. The pepper ticks will eat your azz up. [img:center]http:// [/img]
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 825
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 825 |
Besides that like said before practice walking, getting out of breath and shooting quickly off of sticks. Also, if you are bringing guns, don't skimp on the gun case. It will get destroyed. Also be willing to trade animals if your PH will allow you to. Sometimes unusual trophies present themselves. [img:center]http:// [/img]
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 11
New Member
|
OP
New Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 11 |
Lots of good info there, thanks for taking the time to put that together!
Are you at Cannon? I think I recognize this story from another website.
No, but I did post something similar on arfcom. Take a good digital camera or teo. Take lots of pictures of everything especially animals. Spend lots of time with your trophy pictures; most PHs are very good with this.
Consider euro mounts and spend more money on hunting and less on taxidermy. Have some of the hides tanned to leather and have products make at home. My first batch of leather went into 3 briefcases and a purse. The second batch is being made into 2 purses a backpack and 3 carry on bags. When the third batch arrives hopefully into boots.
Just my thoughts. That sounds awesome. Do you have any pics of the bags?
Last edited by GAZ32; 02/26/17.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,631 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,631 Likes: 1 |
Sorry I don't they are being right now.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,374 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,374 Likes: 2 |
My first safari .....
I was the only one who bid, so I won by default. Good job! Know that your PH has donated this safari. If you have a first class time, tip him as generously as you can afford and see fit. In other words, scratch his back a little. These donated hunts keep our sporting organizations going. Your PH is hoping you'll have a good hunt and be a good reference. I booked my trip for April 1-10 with my quarry being kudu, gemsbuck, zebra, impala, and blesbuck. Though if I see a trophy bushbuck or waterbuck I'm probably going to shoot. Good time of year, but could get warm in the afternoon. Sunscreen and DEET are in order. Your menu there is outstanding, but I don't see springbok. How can you go to RSA and not get the national symbol?? I'm bringing my mountain rifle. A Tikka T3 lite in 300WM with some hand loaded Nosler ETIPs over H1000. Good choice. It will not let you down. A safari had always been on my bucket list, but only being 27, I was planning on getting some more Western, CONUS hunts in first. But... opportunities like this don't come often. I was that age at the time of my first trip to RSA. Ruined me for life! A dozen trips to Africa including Zambia, Tanz, and Cameroon. Going back to Zambia next year. There is not a day that goes by that I haven't thought of Africa since I first went. It will be a great experience. I have everything lined up as of now... does anyone have any last minute advice?
The guys have told you good stuff. You will do a lot of shooting off of sticks. It works so practice. Take a camera with extra batteries charged. Take a small journal and write down each days experiences. Learn about the country, the people, the history and the land. James Mitchner's The Covenant is required reading. If you have NOT read Horn of the Hunter by Robert Ruark, order it today. It will fire you up. This is one time in your life that it is ok to stretch the budget a bit. Like Ingwe said, take half the clothes and double the cash. Enjoy!
"The Democrat Party looks like Titanic survivors. Partying and celebrating one moment, and huddled in lifeboats freezing the next". Hatari 2017
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." Han Solo
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,631 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,631 Likes: 1 |
Great advice about the journal. I refer to the ones from my hunts with some frequency.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 11
New Member
|
OP
New Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 11 |
Besides that like said before practice walking, getting out of breath and shooting quickly off of sticks. Also, if you are bringing guns, don't skimp on the gun case. It will get destroyed. Also be willing to trade animals if your PH will allow you to. Sometimes unusual trophies present themselves. [img:center]http:// [/img] Beautiful example you have there. I'm bringing a pelican 1750 that's seen it's fair share of airline abuse. I hear they're a little more rough in RSA... I may have to throw in a springbok in there as well. I'll definitely be going back, but I have a few things I want to get to first... Water buffalo in Australia and a Marco Polo/ Mid Asian Ibex combo hunt in Kyrgyzstan to be the most noticeable two. I have read the Ruark book, but picked up The Covenant off of Amazon today!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 360
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 360 |
I hunt, not to kill, but in order not to have played golf....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 360
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 360 |
Where are you going? It is a cheap hunt but you want to have a good hunt. YMMV on hunting concessions in South Africa.
Use a meet and greet like Air 2000 for importing rifles.
Carry a copy of all airline and TSA regs regarding firearms.
Get a Hep A and tetanus vaccine.
Bring a notepad and right about your experiences each day.
Take more pictures. Bring a spare camera.
Research trophy cost while you are still here and semi rational about such things.
Electrical adapters for South Africa.
Warm coat for cool mornings.
I hunt, not to kill, but in order not to have played golf....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 360
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 360 |
This is a copy of my checklist for my wife and I on our last trip to Botswana. I edited it for personal items but it gives you and idea what to take.
Airline Itinerary Passports Copies of both Passports U.S. Customs 4457 Forms Safari Contract Firearms Importation Paperwork Copy of TSA and Airline Regs regarding Carriage of Firearms Travel Cancellation Insurance Folder to Carry Papers All Paperwork/Files transferred to Laptop Credit Cards Credit Card Pin# Money (Bring plenty for tips and extra animals + another $1000) Money Travel Pouches Address, phone number, and e-mail address of Safari Lodge and Afton Guest House Driver’s License Cell Phones and Charger Rifles Ammo Ammo boxes Belted ammo case for 9,3 Rifle Slings Ballistics in Cellphone 2 Gun Socks Cleaning Rod, Patches, Jag Guncase with name in several places Plus Safari info on case (final destination) Extra Locks and Keys Shooting Sticks (check they have some at camp) Torx Wrenches to fit Scope Screws Swiss Army Knife Leatherman Multitool Oily Rag Ear Plugs 2 pair Binoculars 2 Binocular Straps Lenspen 2 Fenix Flashlights Extra Flashlight Batteries 2 Cameras 4 Camera Batteries 2 Camera Chargers 5 SD Cards Computer and Charger 1 Gal Ziploc Bags Fanny Pack 220/110 AC International Adapters Sunglasses and Case Leather Belt Jacket Gloves (yes bring them) Balaclava (that, too) Hat Bandana Gaiters Extra Shoelaces 2 Reading Glasses The Perfect Shot and African Field Guide Drugs both prescription and OTC Cough Drops, Dramamine Cipro, Doxycycline Saline Solution Spray (dry air) Band-Aids Neosporin Moleskin Neck Pillows Chapstick Sunscreen (bring extra) Sunburn Lotion Needle, Heavy Duty Thread, and Safety Pin Wet Ones, Clorox Wipes, Flushable Wipes, Tissues Deet (small) Duct Tape and Masking Tape Envelopes, Notebook, and Pen Expense sheet from Taxidermist so you do not get to excited bringing everything back
This is a quick list of what you should pack BEFORE you leave on your trip (and keep in a safe place while you're traveling): Color copies of your passport. At minimum, one for your luggage (or the hotel safe), and another to leave with a friend back home. Extra passport photos A list of emergency contact phone numbers, since nobody even remembers their parents' number any more A list of international 800 numbers for your bank and credit cards A list of the US Embassies/Consulates (with addresses and phone numbers) in the countries you'll be visiting A cheap second wallet or one of those hidden travel pouches. Split your credit cards, cash, and other IDs between two wallets – one that you carry and one left back at the hotel. A copy of your travel itinerary
Last edited by RAC; 03/01/17.
I hunt, not to kill, but in order not to have played golf....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 11
New Member
|
OP
New Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 11 |
This is a copy of my checklist for my wife and I on our last trip to Botswana. I edited it for personal items but it gives you and idea what to take.
snip
Whoa... That's a lot of stuff. I've packed for a 15+day field op with much less haha. Good, comprehensive list though. I'll be hunting with Theron African Safaris in Limpopo. I decided to make a last minute decision and bring my bow. Mathews Z7 xtreme shooting a 460gr FMJ with a magnus buzzcut BH. Should be good enough for plains game. I always feel the hunt is much more rewarding with a bow.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 197
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 197 |
Wear your hunting boots on the plane and pack a pair of hunting clothes in your carry-on in additions to your camera's and bino's. If the airlines loose your luggage then you can still hunt. Ask me how I know this :>)
Take lots of pics and enjoy. Bring twice the money you "think" you need and half the clothes.
Good luck!
|
|
|
|
589 members (17CalFan, 1badf350, 10gaugeman, 10Glocks, 160user, 01Foreman400, 50 invisible),
2,418
guests, and
1,257
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,194,338
Posts18,526,811
Members74,031
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|