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Post by Markbo on May 9, 2015 8:09:49 GMT -5
I have a couple if initial questions for those that have been through the process. How did you decide where to go? How did you decide when to go? How did you pick a PH? Did you go through a "service" for a package or do all your own arrangements with outfitter, airlines, etc?
I will have more questions, but this is a good start.
Many thanks Mark
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Fowler
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Post by Fowler on May 9, 2015 8:53:48 GMT -5
I have not been but I would think the first step is to decide what your top 2 or 3 animals you want to take are and begin to focus in areas that provide quality hunting for those.
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Post by rgp on May 9, 2015 9:45:01 GMT -5
Go to the Safari Club conventions where they sell a can of soda pop for $8. Plenty of PH's attend those conventions and set up booths for a chance to meet with potential clients and they will be glad to answer all of your questions.
They also have booths for all the higher quality gunmakers who build safari type rifles, like Heym, Mauser, Rigby, etc.
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rgp
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Post by rgp on May 9, 2015 9:54:36 GMT -5
PS, I forgot to mention. Plenty of people don't think about it but it's winter in the southern hemisphere. That means it's hunting season now and I think no conventions for several months.
Also buy a Global Compass from Suunto because most compasses are specific for either the northern or southern hemisphere. Switching from northern to southern hemisphere and back in a 24 hour time period can be pretty disorienting because all the stars are in the wrong place, the sun and moon are in the wrong place, etc. Anybody who doesn't drive on both ends or have to be turned loose by themselves at both ends usually doesn't notice the disorientation but it definitely exists.
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Post by whitworth on May 9, 2015 10:38:05 GMT -5
Yup, determine what it is that you want to hunt first. If you plan on hunting with a handgun, you will be limited with regards to the countries that allow handgun hunting. Probably the easiest country is South Africa -- logistically, and in many cases it's cheaper (depending on the animals), and it is handgun friendly.
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Post by sixshot on May 9, 2015 13:13:33 GMT -5
I would say the first thing to do would be get in touch with as many people in your local area as possible & pick their brain about where they hunted, who they hunted with, what animals they took, how were the accomadations, what were the costs, did they have their mounts done in Africa or back here in the states, did they need to get any medical shots, etc. Then you can start doing follow up questions about guns, ammo, clothing, accessories like shooting sticks (usually privided) costs for a non hunting guest, etc. Going to some of the conventions can be great but you can also get some very different information compared to what you might hear from some of your local Texans or someone like Ken O'Neil in North Carolina who has made many trips to Africa. A good hat that keeps the sun off is important, the sun can be pretty intense. One guy told me as soon as I got off the plane in Joburg to go into the restroom & strap on a handgun, well you probably wouldn't want to do that! Only scoped handguns can be taken into South Africa & only revolvers can be taken, no semi autos, & you can only take 2 although when I went you could take 3 & they didn't have to be scoped at that time. I would talk to as many locals as I could but also hit up a few of the local PH's that hang out in Texas & then compare notes on what everyone told me, preperation is everything when you're making the hunt of a lifetime. Take small gifts or candy, you'll be very well liked in the hunting camps. I still had a lot of basketball shirts left over from doing my high school summer camps, also several hats, the natives love bright colors & I had to be careful when handing them out so no one got left out. Also bags of candy, wow, did those kids love candy! The PH said, don't give them to much at one time you might kill them, some had never had candy before. Good luck on your Safari!
Dick
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Post by nolongcolt on May 9, 2015 14:40:41 GMT -5
Hi Mark, I have been 7 times, starting in 1985. If this is something you want to do, do it soon. Some of the best hunting is being closed in various Africa countries. I would suggest Africahunting.com, a great forum that I frequent, where many deals are offered to members by outfitters and booking agents. There a million things you want to know about and most of your questions can be answered there. I have hunted RSA twice and very much enjoy it, just there last summer with my boy on his first trip anywhere. He did real well. You want to have an idea what animals interest you, they are not all available in the same areas or countries. If cost is a major factor look at RSA or Namibia for a plains game hunt. If you want buffalo, Zimbabwe is probably still your best bet but the country does have its share of problems and they are not getting better and probably wont until Mugabe is planted, which as he is now about 90 years old shouldn't be too long. If money is no object look at Tanzania, where I took my first safari all those years ago, on the cheap. That's not possible anymore and it is now EXPENSIVE but a great place to go and hunt. Botswana is still a good place but most public land hunting is now closed but private land hunting is still there. Having a booking agent can save you lots of hassles and is not a bad idea, and many of them have connections with the proper airlines that are used to handling hunters and their guns. The planning is at least 50 percent of the fun. Enjoy it.
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Post by Ken O'Neill on May 9, 2015 15:02:52 GMT -5
Read about hunting in African countries, and the game to be found there. A lot. It will also be money very well spent to attend several conventions, like the Dallas Safari Club Convention, and the annual International Safari Club Convention in Reno or Las Vegas ( location varies between both locations). Both conventions are held each year in January or February. Pick up brochures from outfitters there, and talk with them. Make notes on their brochures. Study the looks of the various animals, and the costs of hunting them. Try to gauge how you might get along with some of the outfitters/guides.
Live auctions are held at each of these conventions, and once you know what you're doing, it may be possible to win auctions at 50-65% of the regular cost. I've done it, and sometimes at less than that cost ... but don't count on being able to do it every year.
As Dick suggests, talk with friends and acquaintances, look at their pictures and taxidermy mounts, and listen to their comments. Be aware though, that many who return from their first safari think that they've hunted with the "best" guy, and taken the "best" trophies. Maybe so,maybe not.
Time of year? That's pretty easy; as early as April in some countries, and as late as early November in some countries. As a general rule, plains game safaris are cheapest in South Africa and Namibia, but handgun hunting is not permitted in Namibia. Big Five (and 6 and 7) safaris are quite expensive and getting more so every year. I suggest that a person focus on Plains Game for their first several safaris. I wouldn't waste time with a local Travel Agent. Using either Steve Turner or Esplanade to book your flights will save you a bundle, because these outfits book large blocks of flights, then assign the flights to individual customers, according to the customers' needs. Your local Health Department can advise you about shots required or suggested.
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Post by Markbo on May 9, 2015 15:55:18 GMT -5
Thank you all for your input. My reality is that cost is an issue. No big 5 or dangerous game for me so plains game it is. On my must have list is Kudu, Gemsbok, Warthog & Eland. Lesser want for Impala and Springbok. Maybe a baboon for a little svarminting. It will be me and 1 or 2 other friends. No wives, no kids. This is literally a once in a lifetime hunt - IF I can pull it off. I don't know anyone personally so no local brains to pick. Ill have to check on SCI events. Next April-October might be too soon if I cant get to any conventions before January 2016. Handgun is a probably not. I dont know. If I can Id sure try it!. I can scope up to .45 Colt so that would do it. In rifles I have .45-70s & .300mag and several other calibers from 25-06 to 7mag so I dont have to buy a .375. I have a taxidermist and know about about, shots, emergency evac & health plans and basic stuff. I can fine tune questions & equipment and gift list, tips, etc down the line. Ken did you use a service or do you do all your own?
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Post by nolongcolt on May 9, 2015 16:34:01 GMT -5
My opinion on the shows is save your money and use it for your safari. For the animals you listed its RSA or Namibia for sure and there are lots of good outfitters in each. For kudu and eland which are pretty big animals, anything from .30-06 and up is perfect. Its done every year with lesser rounds but you cannot beat an '06 for plains game. If you like your 7mm or .300 and shoot them well, take it. You only need one rifle. A spare scope is a good idea though, already fitted and sighted in to the rifle in its own rings. Ken is right about the first timers. Be especially aware of the guy who has hunted with the same guy in the same country for all his hunts. He has nothing to compare it too and therefore knows very little about it. I have hunted 5 countries in my 7 hunts and only one repeat outfitter, that being RSA. Oh, and your "once in a lifetime" thing. Yeah, heard that one before. Very few guys hunt it only once. The worst part of it is the traveling and now with the new export rules for rifles that is being fine tuned by CBP it will get even more interesting. If you are not hung up on taking your own rifles, its MUCH less BS to go thru if you can borrow or rent rifles when you get there, and most outfitters are set up for this. Its getting to be a royal ass pain to take your own guns, believe me. My last trip was a real PITA and that was before the new rules kicking in now. They have temporarily suspended the new rules but only until they figure out a way to make it a little less onerous. Lets hope so anyway. Take my advice and go to the forum I mentioned above. Lots to learn there.
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Post by sixshot on May 9, 2015 17:02:04 GMT -5
My hunting buddy Fred Smith, owner of Bullberry Barrel Works of Hurricane, Utah & I were fortunate enough to be hunting with the President of the South African Handgunners Association when we went & we had a great Safari. We hunted the bush veld country just a few miles from the border of Botswana & took Zebra, Impala, Waterbuck, Blue Wildebeest Kudu & I also shot 3 Warthogs, all were taken with handguns. We had a great time & 2 groups from my home town have been back twice, sadly the farm has since been sold to a Spaniard. For plains game any of the calibers you mentioned will work with good bullets & placement. As mentioned, just do your homework & go as soon as you can, its changing all the time.
Dick
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Post by nolongcolt on May 9, 2015 17:53:36 GMT -5
Hi Dick, did you have the chance to get up to the Mapungubwe National Park where Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe all come together on the Limpopo River? Its a fantastic beautiful place.
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Post by Stump Buster on May 9, 2015 18:30:34 GMT -5
To get your juices flowing... The story is a little dated (I've been back to RSA a since with another good lodge and different buddy) but here's MY recommendation for an outfitter if you're going on one and only one trip...(Ha Ha Ha...but...Once you go, you'll figure out a way to get back at least one more time. You've been warned.) singleactions.proboards.com/thread/904/finally-africa-reportHave a GREAT Time! Mike
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Post by sixshot on May 9, 2015 22:55:31 GMT -5
We did not, just ran out of time. Africa was so fascinating that I didn't even want to sleep & we were there 17 days! Did spend one day on the Limpopo River, had lunch there on another farm & saw a beautiful Bushbuck on the Botswana side, sure wanted to unlimber the FA 475. The place where we had lunch had a huge Cape Buffalo head wedged into the fork of an old tree, wish I would have taken a photo but I forgot, I kept walking up & down the river looking for a croc (a real croc) or a hippo.
Dick
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Post by nolongcolt on May 9, 2015 23:27:42 GMT -5
Well if you ever go there again, be sure and see that park. While on the lookout, my PH pointed out a big elephant way down below us in the woods. Its one of the neatest places I have seen. The Okavango delta is about the most fantastic place I have been though, just amazing.
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