Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa african hunt with JJHACK

Could anyone help me with references good or bad for a plains game hunt. I am 98% positive that I will be going to africa in 2007. Any help would be very well received. My e-mail is [email]boatammomsn.com.[/email] Thank You Brad

I think you need to talk to JJ himself .... he has a book entitled "Africa, The First Time".

Since your hunting with him, makes sense you should read his book! Hell, I thought he'd make it required reading for a first time client to the Dark Continent <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If you are going with JJ there are several posters here and on AR who have hunted with him. I have a copy of JJ's book, it's pretty good. I'll find out how good in 2007.

What I was asking about was referencs about JJHACK. I have not picked an outfit. I wanted to hear from people that have hunted with Jim

Hopefully the survivors will check in. :-)
T

Good call, boatammo, on asking for references.

I have yet to hunt with JJ, but I suspect that the references you get will be good ones.

I'm sorry .... I thought you were looking for references regarding hunting Africa with JJ for the first time.

I hunted with Jim Hackewicizitsxyz (get an easier last name, dammit! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />) "JJ", in May of 2000. My wife and I went over on a 10 day, 10 animal safari with me hunting and her as an observer.

Jim personally met us at Johannesburg airport, he had previously supplied us with baseball caps with his logo so he would recognize us. Before the trip he kept in touch and gave us good advice about what to pack, how to bug proof our clothes and other good advice about forms to have already filled out and such. His book is an excellent buy for the first timer.

Yuo hear a lot about the crime in Johannesburg but I wouldn't know about that as he escorted our party right out to the van for the trip up to the lodge. The lodge itself was very nicely appointed, primitive luxury one might say, with thatch roofs (common in Africa) but the rooms were well appointed. Bathrooms, showers in each room, lots of animal skin decorations and the main dining room was very nicely appointed. Not a Holiday Inn, you are out in the bush many kilometers from the nearest town, but very comfortable. You can't hardly get up to get your own cold drink, the staff is right there asking if you'd like more wine or another helping of food or another Coke.

As to hunting - it's up to you how hard or how easy you want to make it. Up bright and early, a quick breakfast, out hunting all morning, back to the lodge for lunch, hunt all afternoon, back to the lodge for a great dinner, and then out at night to spot caracal cats or whatever if you want. You can ride, walk, sit in a blind, whatever is best for your level of fitness and marksmanship. Those animals don't sit around with "shoot me" signs on them. There is plenty of game around but you definitely have to hunt them.

Without making this too long - basically he works really hard to make sure you get good animals and have a good experience. Jim is kind of intense but very professional as were all of the PH's I met. He really wants you to get the best animals he can find for you and he works his butt off to do so. But it is a hunt, not a shoot. We had rain the first two or three days and the animals were holding up in the bush and very difficult to find.

Bottom line - I would recommend JJ to anyone without reservation. Now I've only been once so I don't know how he compares to other outfits, but I had a grand and glorious time as did my wife.

Also - this may sound funny but learn to shoot. In the area we hunted, the bush of northern South Africa, forget the target turrets and fancy scopes and stuff. Use whatever rifle you shoot best but learn to aim and shoot and hit what you're aiming at in 5 sconds or under. Shots don't need to be more than 200 yards and that is a rare shot indeed. Most game I took was between 20 and 150 yards away. But don't expect to have lots of time, those animals don't sit around. See - aim - shoot well, shoot quickly, shoot straight and RELOAD RIGHT AWAY - don't admire the shot. Practice that about 300-400 times before you go and you'll do okay.

If you have a .30-06 and 180 grain bullets, or a .270 with 150 grainers or a .338 you're good to go. I bought and used a .375 H&H and it clobbers'em but I also put between 50 and 80 rounds down range every weekend for 6 weeks before going - I could and did hit ground squirrels at 200 yars with that rifle. mainly, be honest with yourself - use "enough" gun but don't overgun yourself. Don't make that dude mistake of showing up with an ultra-kicker magnum that you aren't comfortable with. The guides and the animals don't laugh at old guns shot well, they don't particularly appreciate brand new guns that you can't shoot. I used my .30-06 with 180 Nosler Partitions for 5 animals just to say I used it and it worked great. The PH I hunted with for a while, Peter, liked my .30-06 a lot and opined that he wished most American hunters would show up with a well used '06 rather than the brand new .300 Win. Magnums that most showed up with.

Thought of more stuff. Jim can tailor your hunt to be what you want, but he can make it sort of a vacation as well. If you don't think you're hunting unless you suffer more than a Marine at boot camp then, AFAIK, this probably isn't for you. Oh, you can walk your butt off if you wish - rather - those PH's can sure walk your butt off. And you might see a black mamba, they are definitely around there. But the lodge is geared toward a more comfortable experience. Believe me, you'll appreciate a gourmet meal, hot shower, comfortable bed and an insect free night's sleep ( and sans mambas crawling in your bed with you <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ) when you're on the go for 10 days straight.

But I can't speak for him, you really should call him and talk to him and tell him what you want and what you'd expect. I believe he has several contacts in Africa - he is a great businessman among his many other accomplishments - and can probably find something to suit whatever experience you're looking for.

Jim in Idaho. This is what I was asking for although I'm sure I didn"t ask the question correctly. Thank You very much.

boatammo
There are many excellant outfitters in Africa.The best advise that I can give you is to check prices for animals taken.Pay close attention to the package deals and wether those packages match the animals you want to take.And check outfitters referencs --- very carefully.
Ask lots of questions
ie, if your going to be spending alot of time in a truck wether hunting or just moving in and out of your hunting area.What condition are there trucks in?Late model?A malfunctioning truck can mess you up bigtime.Ive been on more than one hunt where not being as moblie as I would have liked because of a blown truck.transporation is important.
have fun
dave

boatammo,

I hunted with JJ last year and can only repeat what Jim has already said.


I would had the lodge also has a small swimming pool with a nice BBQ area next to it...It made for a very pleasant sun downer after the evening dinner...

One other thing...the food was truely excellent! In my 10 days there, every dish seemed to be better than the last...The only problem was that I think each of us at the lodge put around 10lbs on during our stay.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

All in all we had a fantastic time, and I would not hesitate to hunt with JJ in the future...

regards,

Pete

Pete thanks for the reply Brad

My wife and I hunted with Jim in '04, 10 day trip with 10 animals. (ended up with 11!) While it was our first African trip we have hunted with outfitters in many states and in Canada and can say that Jim is the consumant host and hunter. As others have said he will hunt as hard or as easy as you like but always with your pleasure and/or success in mind. You could do much worse in my opinion. Hope you have a grand time and whomever you choose just do it!!

Jim in Idaho and la4wd54 Thank You for your replys. I have talked to Jim and like him on the phone and what i'm hearing about him. I'm certain that I will send him a deposit soon. If you would like to tell me about what animals you got or didn;t please email me or phone. boatammo@msn.com . 5039103341 la4wdd54 what does that stand for Thanks again Brad

I Just ordered JJ's Book " Africa The First Time " I have read numerous posts from him and like how he cuts right to the chase on things. I am going in October and look forward to reading his book many times.

I like what Jim in Idaho said about the correct gun. I picked the .30-06 because of it's effectiveness AND it's moderate recoil. Unlike some bigger guns I have shot, th .30-06 doesn't make me flinch. I guess all that stuff about the premium being on accuracy versus power is right. I am going for plains game and it kills me to hear some say, "You are going to Africa with JUST a .30-06."

Hi Brad,

I hunted with Jim in 2002, and enjoyed myself so much that I booked with him again this year, coming up at the end of May.

The accomodations, as mentioned earlier, are great, the food is great, the staff are great, the animal selection and hunting are fantastic. . . all in all, a great African experience.

Jim is a great guy to deal with, he'll answer any questions you have and won't lace the conversation with BS, you can trust what he tells you. I don't believe that there is another outfitter/PH out there that will work as hard as Jim does in seeing to it that you have the absolute time of your life while in Africa.

For the record, I harvested Kudu (x2), Warthog (x2), Zebra, Blesbok and Impala.

I hope that this helps you with your decision,
-Mr Mike

Brad,

Heres a few pictures and a outline of my hunt with Jim...

RSA Hunt

I would have liked to have taken a Bushbuck and a Nyala, but things didn't quite work out that way...we saw both animals during the trip, but the gods decided it just wasn't to be! In particular there was one *very* lucky Nyala that didn't quite give me a clear/safe shot...But thats why its "hunting" and not "shooting"..Plus its a good reason to go back! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If you go i would say have a list of animals in mind that you would like to hunt, but be flexible and make the most of the chances offered...Whether you realise it or not, this won't be your only trip to Africa and you can "specialize" on later trips...

Regards,

Pete

Here are some past interesting threads on the operation I have in RSA. A couple are long well written posts which I'm proud to have been part of.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads...true#Post170219

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads...true#Post172402

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads...true#Post161482

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads...true#Post415802

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads...true#Post297627

I won't say much as it has already been said. You can't go wrong with a first safari with Jim. For that matter, a 2nd through 100th. I had the best time of my life and I am counting the days when I can go back. Landelani was incredible and every day was a new adventure. The only downside of the whole operation is the terrible depression you will get on the afternoon of the last day. I did not want to go home. If fact, I felt as if I was home while I was there