Post by: Bob33 on May 15, 2015, 07:45:51 AM
I plan to post a story with photos when we get back.
Post by: jackelope on May 15, 2015, 07:50:11 AM
Post by: HornHoarder on May 15, 2015, 07:50:48 AM
Post by: MLBowhunting on May 15, 2015, 08:05:34 AM
Post by: Netminder01 on May 15, 2015, 08:08:53 AM
Post by: Ridgerunner on May 15, 2015, 08:20:02 AM
Post by: BNAElkhntr on May 15, 2015, 08:28:23 AM
What airline you Flying? If Its SAA better get butt pads and a neck pillows
Have Fun !! its quite a sensory overload !
Post by: Bob33 on May 15, 2015, 08:32:55 AM
We are flying Delta through Atlanta.
I grew up never wanting to go to Africa, but went in 2012 and hoped that I'd be back again some day.
Post by: runningboard on May 15, 2015, 08:51:45 AM
Post by: magnanimous_j on May 15, 2015, 08:57:25 AM
I grew up never wanting to go to Africa, but went in 2012 and hoped that I'd be back again some day.
Same here. I didn’t think I’d ever set foot on the continent, but this March I went to the Seychelles for my honeymoon and just fell in love it. My plan is to do a safari for my 40th birthday.
What made you pick SA over other common safari spots?
Post by: WAcoueshunter on May 15, 2015, 09:23:29 AM
Post by: Ddouble on May 15, 2015, 09:28:06 AM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on May 15, 2015, 09:30:26 AM
Post by: Bob33 on May 15, 2015, 09:30:58 AM
I purchased the hunt at a Safari Club banquet. I can't personally compare South Africa to other hunt destinations, but based on reading and speaking with others I believe the number and diversity of animals that one sees in the African countries has no equal. New Zealand, for example is a beautiful country and has great stag hunting but in South Africa you can see 15 or 20 different species in the same day. They have well established outfitting businesses that cater to hunters.I grew up never wanting to go to Africa, but went in 2012 and hoped that I'd be back again some day.
Same here. I didn’t think I’d ever set foot on the continent, but this March I went to the Seychelles for my honeymoon and just fell in love it. My plan is to do a safari for my 40th birthday.
What made you pick SA over other common safari spots?
If you shop carefully, a hunt in an African country for multiple species can be as cheap or cheaper than a single specie hunt in North America.
Honestly, the challenge to keeping the trip affordable is keeping your finger off the trigger. In North America, we're used to having one tag per year for an animal (deer, elk, etc.) In South Africa, there are no bag limits. If you want to shoot 35 impalas, go right ahead. You just have to pay for each one.
Post by: bearpaw on May 15, 2015, 09:36:25 AM
I'm taking a rifle but not planning to do any hunting myself. I'm there primarily to make sure my son has a good time. He is planning to hunt for kudu, gemsbok, impala, zebra, and possibly some other species depending on what we see and know when there.
We are flying Delta through Atlanta.
I grew up never wanting to go to Africa, but went in 2012 and hoped that I'd be back again some day.
Hope you both have a great trip! :tup:
Post by: grundy53 on May 15, 2015, 09:57:39 AM
Post by: lokidog on May 15, 2015, 12:17:47 PM
Post by: Kuduman on May 15, 2015, 01:03:17 PM
Africa for me is as addictive as heroin..... :chuckle:
I went in 2009 and am meeting with a group next month to plan next years trip. Cant wait
Have a great time.
Kuduman
Post by: bowhunterforever on May 15, 2015, 01:29:37 PM
Sounds like a blast. Hope you and your son have a great time.:yeah: Good luck
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 15, 2015, 02:59:59 PM
Post by: 3nails on May 15, 2015, 06:26:26 PM
Post by: police women of America on May 15, 2015, 06:37:06 PM
Post by: rasbo on May 16, 2015, 03:02:50 AM
Post by: Bean Counter on May 16, 2015, 04:51:07 AM
I purchased the hunt at a Safari Club banquet. I can't personally compare South Africa to other hunt destinations, but based on reading and speaking with others I believe the number and diversity of animals that one sees in the African countries has no equal. New Zealand, for example is a beautiful country and has great stag hunting but in South Africa you can see 15 or 20 different species in the same day. They have well established outfitting businesses that cater to hunters.I grew up never wanting to go to Africa, but went in 2012 and hoped that I'd be back again some day.
Same here. I didn’t think I’d ever set foot on the continent, but this March I went to the Seychelles for my honeymoon and just fell in love it. My plan is to do a safari for my 40th birthday.
What made you pick SA over other common safari spots?
If you shop carefully, a hunt in an African country for multiple species can be as cheap or cheaper than a single specie hunt in North America.
Honestly, the challenge to keeping the trip affordable is keeping your finger off the trigger. In North America, we're used to having one tag per year for an animal (deer, elk, etc.) In South Africa, there are no bag limits. If you want to shoot 35 impalas, go right ahead. You just have to pay for each one.
For me a factor would be the influence of the British crown in the precedents of their legal system. I know crime is rampant in South Africa just as much, if not moreso than other African nations, but I would feel a little bit better about laws and rights without having looked at specifics.
Post by: hunterofelk on May 19, 2015, 06:44:45 AM
Post by: jackmaster on May 19, 2015, 06:55:43 AM
Post by: ribka on May 19, 2015, 07:49:10 AM
Looking forward to your report :tup:
Post by: kukusya on May 19, 2015, 07:51:09 AM
Post by: shootem on May 19, 2015, 09:52:58 PM
Post by: Jarhead Chase on May 19, 2015, 10:20:03 PM
Post by: magnanimous_j on May 20, 2015, 09:02:01 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 28, 2015, 11:38:32 AM
Post by: Bob33 on May 29, 2015, 07:26:04 AM
There are many highlights: my son being able to visit another continent, country, and culture; seeing more animals in a day than you can imagine, the superb treatment by the outfitter, a dark night sky full of stars and constellations, big game hunts, bird hunts, a visit to the local school where my son was treated live a famous athlete (not too many blond kids over 5' there), and more.
I was fortunate to be able to do this with my son. It's an experience we will both always remember and cherish.
I'll post more photos and information when I can. Here are a few.
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 29, 2015, 07:49:17 AM
Post by: Netminder01 on May 29, 2015, 08:06:12 AM
Welcome home Bob and congratulations to Matthew!
Post by: Curly on May 29, 2015, 08:09:25 AM
8)
Post by: BNAElkhntr on May 29, 2015, 08:10:30 AM
He will remember this hunt with you forever!
Post by: SemperFidelis97 on May 29, 2015, 08:28:02 AM
Post by: Bob33 on May 29, 2015, 08:41:14 AM
Memories for a lifetime, Bob. That's a world-class kudu, too. Very nice! Welcome home.The kudu has 57" horns and an interesting history. The PH that guided us said he has been hunting that specific kudu for over five years. He has personally guided at least seven hunters for it. For one reason or another, it eluded them. It actually has a bullet hole in one ear from a near miss. He was a wily old bull, similar in his senses to what a mature bull elk might be like. We heard one day from another PH that the bull had been spotted on property they could hunt, so we went after him. My son was fortunate to get a glimpse of him and made a nice shot.
Post by: grundy53 on May 29, 2015, 08:44:49 AM
Post by: Rob on May 29, 2015, 09:58:28 AM
Post by: Timberstalker on May 29, 2015, 10:11:36 AM
Post by: Ridgerunner on May 29, 2015, 12:10:56 PM
Post by: starbailey on May 29, 2015, 12:23:03 PM
Post by: jackelope on May 29, 2015, 12:35:27 PM
Can't wait for the rest of the pictures.
What rifle was your son shooting?
Post by: Bob33 on May 29, 2015, 12:37:44 PM
Awesome stuff, Bob.My son used a 7mm-08 and 140 grain Barnes TTSX bullets.
Can't wait for the rest of the pictures.
What rifle was your son shooting?
Post by: bobcat on May 29, 2015, 12:40:00 PM
Good to hear that the hunt went well.
Post by: Tbob on May 29, 2015, 04:36:10 PM
Post by: Bob33 on May 30, 2015, 04:54:11 PM
Post by: Bob33 on May 30, 2015, 04:55:44 PM
Post by: Bob33 on May 30, 2015, 04:57:16 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on May 30, 2015, 05:56:23 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on May 30, 2015, 06:42:27 PM
Post by: lokidog on June 01, 2015, 10:28:06 PM
Looks like you guys had a great trip :tup: Some great trophies too
:yeah:
Post by: stew pidasso on June 02, 2015, 06:30:19 AM
Post by: bearpaw on June 02, 2015, 06:59:06 AM
Post by: LeviD1 on June 19, 2015, 12:04:24 PM
Post by: westside Elkhunter on June 20, 2015, 11:01:22 AM
Post by: rasbo on July 30, 2015, 04:11:15 AM
Post by: coachcw on July 30, 2015, 05:41:53 AM
Post by: C-Money on July 30, 2015, 06:47:38 AM
Post by: rtspring on July 30, 2015, 07:06:23 AM
Post by: Gringo31 on July 30, 2015, 09:29:19 AM
Post by: Buckblaster on July 30, 2015, 11:44:10 AM
Post by: Machias on July 31, 2015, 12:44:57 PM
Post by: ribka on August 01, 2015, 09:16:59 AM
looks like your son took some nice anmals :tup:
Post by: Bob33 on August 01, 2015, 12:44:12 PM
I hunted with Kuvhima. http://www.kuvhima.co.za/
I had a very favorable experience with them, would hunt with them again, and would recommend them. I will add that there are literally hundreds of outfitters in South Africa, and most have good reputations. It’s harder to find a poor outfitter than a good one. I’ve hunted with three, and would not recommend one of them because of the pressure they put on me to shoot more animals.
My hunt was purchased at a Safari Club banquet during a live auction. Most of the wildlife conservation organizations (Safari Club, RMEF, Ducks Unlimited, Wild Sheep, etc.) have fund raising banquets annually and some great bargains on foreign hunts can be found. Beware of the fine print with some such as “must bring one full paying partner”.
Here are some of my recommendations for first time hunters to Africa, with emphasis on making it more economical.
1. Set a realistic budget. The largest expense is usually trophy fees. In most places, and for most species you can shoot as many as you want to pay for. For a North American hunter used to having one tag per year, it’s like a kid in a candy shot who hasn’t eaten in a week. You'll probably see more animals in the first morning than you will in a year of hunting in North America.
2. Plan to return. When you start thinking “this is the one and only trip I’ll ever take to Africa” you tend to start shooting and mounting everything you can. You can easily end up spending $10,000 more than you planned because “it’s my only chance”.
3. Plan alternate activities in addition to hunting. Go visit a local village, and see if you can visit a school. Take a camera and spend a few days photographing rather than shooting animals. Go bird hunting or fishing one day.
4. Communicate early, often, and clearly with your outfitter. Talk to your outfitter and be candid. Tell him what your budget is. If he is wise and wants your repeat business and references, he will respect that and not try to talk you into shooting more than you are comfortable. But leave yourself a little wiggle room, because you most likely will shoot more animals than you planned. Be honest about your physical condition and limitations. Be honest about your shooting abilities. Ask for his input. Treat him and his staff with respect, and you will have a better experience.
5. Go easy on the taxidermy. Getting your “once in a lifetime” animals mounted and shipped back can run into thousands of dollars, very easily. Bring a few back, but think about putting together a photo album instead. Remember, you’re going back!
Post by: Rob on August 13, 2015, 10:15:13 AM
Post by: jackmaster on August 13, 2015, 02:06:00 PM
Post by: Bob33 on August 13, 2015, 02:18:41 PM
this may be a dumb question but why shoot something if you cant bring it back? just curious.. is it true that they let you shoot all the baboons you want for free? i would love to someday make a trip there. is it ever not stupid hot there?You can bring back heads, capes, etc. You cannot bring back meat, but I'm not sure you'd want to try. The costs of transporting it would be prohibitive, plus customs/immigration would never allow it. Eat it there while it is fresh, and donate the surplus to the locals who really appreciate it.
I don't know of any outfitter that offers unlimited free baboon shooting.
In the May/June timeframe, temperatures in South Africa typically run between 45-50 at night and 75-80 during the day.
Post by: jackmaster on August 13, 2015, 03:14:46 PM
thanks for the info, did you guys shoot any birds while you were there, it might be argentina that i am thinking of but they have dove shoots that are epic.. did you guys see any baboons? i heard those things are just down right nasty violent, like steal kids from their village violent :dunno:this may be a dumb question but why shoot something if you cant bring it back? just curious.. is it true that they let you shoot all the baboons you want for free? i would love to someday make a trip there. is it ever not stupid hot there?You can bring back heads, capes, etc. You cannot bring back meat, but I'm not sure you'd want to try. The costs of transporting it would be prohibitive, plus customs/immigration would never allow it. Eat it there while it is fresh, and donate the surplus to the locals who really appreciate it.
I don't know of any outfitter that offers unlimited free baboon shooting.
In the May/June timeframe, temperatures in South Africa typically run between 45-50 at night and 75-80 during the day.
Post by: Bob33 on August 13, 2015, 03:21:38 PM
There are lots of baboons. They are nasty little critters, and can be vicious and downright mean. I didn't hunt them, but if I had more time I'd like to. They will great into houses and steal things, and have been known to attack humans.
Post by: Smoke on August 13, 2015, 03:46:14 PM
Post by: h2ofowlr on August 13, 2015, 04:31:48 PM
Post by: JJB11B on August 13, 2015, 08:26:03 PM