African Safari 2012 - The update thread

[Rob]

Stop rubbing it in Ferdi!

I do have a tendency to go a bit overboard on my hobbies...

[Rob]

13 months to go!

I got an e-mail from my dad on Monday.  He said that he had been out at the deer lease (he lives in Texas) stocking a feeder, and decided to try to chrony his 416 Rigby.  It was 106 degrees out and he was hot and in a bit of a rush due to the heat.  He set up the chrony, and then used his quad as a rifle rest.  He was leaned over the quad when he took the shot.

POW!

You guessed it!  His rifle bit him!  It smacked him good.  He said there was blood everywhere.  On the gun, on his clothes, on the quad, on the chorny, etc.  Everytime his heart would beat, it would shoot an arch of blood from his forehead and cover whatever was in front of him, then continue to run down his nose.  He was able to tie a bandana around his head to stop the bleeding. 

Snicker

About this time, the land owner came by.  They carried on a conversation and did not talke about the blood that was everywhere, but I am sure that the land owner was now more than a little nervouse about having “this guy” shooting around his cattle!

He got home and Mom thought he should go in for stitches (he of course refused) and she threatened to take his hunting rights away (kidding of course).  They went to Church the next day and she was sure people would ask him about it.  He said he would just tell anyone who asked that she had hit him again…

Anyway, he walked over to a bunch of his buddies.  They looked at him and said:
“Scope bite?”

He said:
“Yep”
End of conversation.

[Rob]

Oh, I forgot...

I am starting to feel the call of the hippo...  I wonder if they have any on the Savuli consession and if so, if any are available on quota...  I think I'll check this out.

[LittleJohn]

Missed this thread!! I live in Libby, 2 miles from the ringe you were shooting at. I shoot there twice a week at least.
Looked like a good time. And yes Libby is a great place to live.
If you are ever in the area again I will show ya around the Cabinets

[Rob]

Libby is a great place.  I am ready to move there! 

Jay put on a good event.  Well thought out, creative, lots of fun, and very safe. 

I love your range too.  having 500 yards is a real treat.

I'll ping you next time I head out.  Would love to see more of the cabinets

[jordanramos_79]

I have heard that there are also costs involved with shipping firearms for the hunt, is this true?  Do you use firearms or archery gear for your hunts?  Do you know if there is also a cost involved with shipping archery gear?

[h20hunter]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Rob is a firearms guy for his hunts....something in the thread...what was it....he mentioned a gun or two.

[Rob]

Correct!  We are using firearms!  Specifically I plan to take Monique and Bethany on this one.  Tori and Heather will need to stay home this time around.

You cannot ship firearms in advance, you have to bring them with you on the plane.  There are some costs, but minimal.

I went through a permit expeditor last time.  I think it was around 100 dollars-might be more now- and they took care of all the import paperwork.  http://www.riflepermits.com/

I plan to use them, or a service like them, again.  They were GREAT.  We also were encouraged to "pay" one of the South African permit inspectors at one point on the way home to.  That was 20 bucks.  We had to do some US side paperwork in advance of our departure, but that was just a side trip to Customs, no costs involved other than the years taken off my life in dealing with more government agencies.

When I went through in 2007, the bow folks were going through the same paperwork and permit system we were.  At least that is what it seemed like.  Not sure if their permits were any different.

If you are planning a bow hunt, I know folks who can answer that question for you.

[Rob]

I guess I shoudl say you cannot easily ship firearms...  I am usre if you jump through enough hoops and are not in any particular hurry, you can ship them in advance.

[Rob]

I was refreshing my memory on riflepermits.com.  looks like it is still just 90 dollars to use their services.

I found these instructions especially amusing:

[jordanramos_79]

great thanks for the info and next time i will take the time to read the whole thread before posting so I wont ask questions that have already been answered hahaha.

[Rob]

Modification to my plans:

I mentioned above that I was getting an urge to go hunt hippo.  I found out that on the Savuli consession, Hippo are not really the best option.  To do this would require a 4 day extention at 700 per day, plus a move to a different camp where hippos are more common.  Then the trophy fee on top of that.

BUT

I found out that I can add Crocodile to my package for just the trophy fee, and Bait (I think I need to shoot bait, that might be included).

So, I committed today to add Croc to my package. 

With that option, I will cull some of the other animals I had on my list.  The new list is:

First Priority:
Buffalo Bull

Second Priority:
Croc

Third Priority:
Waterbuck
Giraffe

Fourth Priority:
Bushbuck.

If I fill all those tags, I'll be a very happy camper.

Croc is considered the most difficult shot in Africa as the target (brain) is about the size of a golf ball, and the angles are odd.  Also, if you don't anchor them on the bank with your first shot, then the chances of loosing the animal are nearly 100%. 

I'll do some research, but I believe the best practice is to shoot brain first, take a second shot ASAP into the neck, and then do a third shot into the hips.

I was told to expect lizards in the 11 foot range in this area.  that is a medium sized croc so no monsters, but good enough for me.

very excited about this change in direction.

[h20hunter]

How much will the boots set you back when you have them made? Ever since I saw "Jewel of the Nile" as a boy I wanted a set of boots made from a gator I killed.

[Rob]

Ha!  not sure.

If I am lucky enought ot connect and kill one, then I'll probalby do the following:
1.  European on the skull
2.  wall mount, coming out of the wall at a 45 degree angle with one front leg showing on one side, and just behind the head on the other side.  (molds made of the teeth so I can have the skull mount.
3.  Rest of the hide tanned so I can do something with it... Boots would be cool, as would a rifle case.  Perhpas a floor rug.

[h20hunter]

 Croc skin thong.