Post by: Muleyslyr on November 06, 2007, 10:50:39 AM
I spent two and a half weeks back there with my father-in-law who has been there several times, but for me it was my first. Have to say that if anyone has ever thought about going back there it is a must. So hard to try and explain to someone until they actually do it. I was no different. But now that I've been, it was unbelievable what an experience it was.
I won't bore you guys with a bunch of stories, but if anyone is at all interested in going over there I'd be more than willing to help out. The outfit I went with was awesome. Did anything and everything to make sure we had a good trip. Would highly recommend them to anyone.
Anyway....here's some pics in order of when I got em.....
Female Gemsbok. Felt good to just get that first one under my belt. Was a little surreal seeing that in my scope when your used to seeing Deer or Elk.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv421%2FMuleyslyr%2FIMG_2686.jpg&hash=88c59ebcdd37825f5bce786f1f403ae7be574b91)
Kudu....In my opinion the most beatiful animal over there. I called them the African version of a bull Elk. Very majestic animal.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv421%2FMuleyslyr%2FIMG_2703.jpg&hash=d6602c179e94a491f288b9500cf21a54caa04216)
Male Gemsbok. If you notice the horns on the Males are generally shorter than on females, but are noticably thicker. This was a good Male. He'll go on a pedestal.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv421%2FMuleyslyr%2FLeifsAfricaTrip004.jpg&hash=e013df3abbc277f7a856990deb855cace1921bac)
Then we took a three hour drive and spent 3 days over in the Kalahari Desert. What an unbelievable place that is. Nothing like I expected. Better.
First animal I got over there was this Springbuck. Much like "our" Antelope over here. Very elusive critter.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv421%2FMuleyslyr%2FIMG_2750.jpg&hash=66f9cce6e66ed403082245d166ad2df4a96a1b5b)
Blesbuck. Also a very elusive critter. Probably one of the harder ones to hunt.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv421%2FMuleyslyr%2FLeifsAfricaTrip028.jpg&hash=85f4c3a7e2ed5f681cc4d6eaa3d4157f701d1f64)
Black Wildebeest. They call this the poor man's Cape Buffalo. It's got horns like a Cape, but obviously is a cousin to the Blue Wildebeest.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv421%2FMuleyslyr%2FLeifsAfricaTrip021.jpg&hash=894a6b1bfec93cf9ace650eb464f86fc92a03f04)
Blue Wildebeest. Tough animal. Not really the smartest critter walkin' the Desert, but they get in herds and can be pretty difficult at times to get close to em' with all those eyes.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv421%2FMuleyslyr%2FLeifsAfricaTrip026.jpg&hash=8dc33387e2ce543b3847dd39340d11ae4ccee865)
Then came back and hunted the area we orginally started. I was pretty much done with all the larger game animals I was gonna get so I took out the .22 Hornet. Was hoping to get a Jackel which is their version of the Coyote but you usually only catch flashes of em' as they're flying across a dryed up river bed or something.
Anyway I did get this Steenbok. Cute little things. I would see quite a few of them, but they're usually bouncing through the thorn bushes and trees. I'm actually gettin' a full body mount on this dude. That'll look cool.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv421%2FMuleyslyr%2FIMG_2769.jpg&hash=d85f148208bda28e635b09afc4835299ec32e2c0)
So I didn't exactly get everything I was going for, but that's a good thing. Leaves me something to go back for. I'm hoping to go back in 09'. Only a couple weeks earlier so I don't miss deer season over here. ;)
Like I said.....Awesome trip and would say if you have the slightest chance or have the slightest urge to go.....do it!
Post by: jackelope on November 06, 2007, 10:54:47 AM
a friend of my step dad just came back from somewhere over there...he got a sable antelope and a cape buffalo. i'm waiting for the pics.
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on November 06, 2007, 11:02:31 AM
Post by: saylean on November 06, 2007, 11:11:54 AM
Post by: huntingnut on November 06, 2007, 11:18:29 AM
Post by: Cascade on November 06, 2007, 11:40:02 AM
Post by: arrowflinger on November 06, 2007, 11:43:02 AM
Post by: addicted on November 06, 2007, 12:48:42 PM
Post by: Muleyslyr on November 06, 2007, 02:04:39 PM
saylean....addicted....it really isn't as expensive as some might think. All things relative of course. But for my animals it was right around $4000 in trophy fees. You figure that's maybe a decent Elk hunt....maybe. That's for ONE animal. But, it was roughly another $1900 in daily rates. So you can figure on a good hunt for 10 days you can easily do for around $6000. That's like the average cost of a guided hunt to WY. or somewhere. Of course it all depends on what and how many animals you want to hunt too.
Then of course you gotta pay for airfare. Gotta be honest not sure what that was, Father-in-law took care of that back in March. :) But figure anywhere between $1000-1500. It costs me at least half, if not three quarters that much in fuel when I drive from here to Eastern MT. or WY. and back every year. So for a little more your in another Country hunting critters you only see in magazines and T.V. It's worth the little bit of extra money if you ask me.
Just like any other vacation or hunt, gotta save for it.
Post by: bucklucky on November 06, 2007, 03:10:53 PM
Nice job and great pics.
Post by: Slider on November 06, 2007, 06:16:34 PM
Post by: addicted on November 06, 2007, 08:52:58 PM
Post by: cohoho on November 06, 2007, 09:40:40 PM
Post by: GoldTip on November 07, 2007, 09:51:47 AM
Post by: hogsniper on November 07, 2007, 12:38:26 PM
Post by: Muleyslyr on November 07, 2007, 03:11:37 PM
Looks like your taxidermy bill will be about as much as the whole safari! :o
Nice job and great pics.
No doubt!! Haven't tallied it yet. My wife's mounts should be here within a week or so from her trip last year. I would like to get some of mine done to off-set hers.
Awesome Animals!!! I'm going next June to RSA!!! Bowhunting with Teshepe. I figure with 6 animals about $14,000. Gulp LOL
Now that sounds like a blast! You must be goin' after things like Eland, Sable, Cape Buffalo, etc.....to rack up that kinda bill. ;)
Thanks again for all the kudos guys..... :IBCOOL:
Post by: Slider on November 07, 2007, 03:44:15 PM
Post by: Idabooner on November 07, 2007, 06:51:33 PM
Post by: WAmuleyHunter on November 07, 2007, 07:06:39 PM
Post by: Muleyslyr on November 08, 2007, 09:54:00 AM
Oh and the addition on his house for his african trophy room.:)
I hear ya there! I just got my Moose back last week....still in a crate in the garage. We got 8 heads due here within a week or so from my wife's trip last year. Now I got 8 more coming plus a deer. We're already thinking addition. :) Those are the kindsa problems I like. ;)
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on November 08, 2007, 10:50:19 AM
African animals are quite a bit harder to mount. Their realy short hair makes it alot harder to hide stiches. I love getting in animals with manes. Those are a LOT easier when it comes to hiding stiches! It's a challenge and I love it!
Post by: Slider on November 08, 2007, 05:28:07 PM
Post by: couesbitten on November 13, 2007, 09:44:40 AM
Couple of questions for you. What caliber rifle did you shoot your bigger animals with, and what was the name of the outfit that you hunte with? Thanks, Scott
Post by: Muleyslyr on November 13, 2007, 12:07:31 PM
Post by: Intruder on November 13, 2007, 12:43:11 PM
I'm working on a trip to SA August 08.
Where did you hunt?
You doing your heads over there or in the states.... any particular reason you chose to do it here/there?
Would be interested in pickin your brain sometime on the whole experience.
Again.... very nice critters!
Post by: Hunting Cowboy on February 01, 2008, 05:14:25 PM
Post by: actionshooter on February 01, 2008, 06:35:04 PM
I do have to warn some people who are thinking about it. My buddy had a great trip, outfitter was great and everything else while he was there. He had the taxidermy done there to be shipped to him. They contacted him with pictures of his mounts and ....... they weren't his. He had a 60" kudu that shrunk to 48" and so on. He is working with the outfitter to figure out some resolution. I would be PISSED :bash:
Post by: Smokepole on February 01, 2008, 06:37:28 PM
Post by: hunterofelk on February 02, 2008, 08:08:48 AM
Post by: WDFW-SUX on February 02, 2008, 08:35:56 AM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 02, 2008, 10:55:06 AM
The care a lot of these guys in Africa take on animals absolutely SUX! Most look like they have been skinned out with a hatchet or a machete. I've seen capes come in that had no eye's, lips completely cut off, tails missing. The skin's have either been flint dryed, air dryed or had rock salt put on them. Basicly they use what ever is or is not lying around to dry your skins for shipment. I've seen a lot where they don't even split the ears, turn the nose, turn the lips, or flesh them. I've also seen hides come in with big bald spots on them from improper field care causing slippage.
If you go to Africa find a GOOD outfitter. Get referals and ask for referances. Whats the point of going if what you get back isn't yours or is absolutly unmountable?
Post by: actionshooter on February 02, 2008, 04:39:26 PM
It really doesn't matter if you have the taxidermy work done over their or have the hides just shipped to the States. Either way their is plenty of opportunity for hides, capes, and horns to be stolen or swapped out for less appealing specimens.
That could be but when your here and the critters are overseas you can't do anything about it. At the same time I have heard of some really good taxis in Africa, guess you have to do as much research on that as the outfitter.
Post by: Muleyslyr on February 15, 2008, 12:19:43 PM
When I original posted this, we were waiting for my wifes heads to come back from her trip last year. As seems like always the case, there was some confusion on when they were actually completed and payment actually recieved.....so here it is middle of Feb. and we haven't gotten them back yet. Spoke with them directly last week and supposedly they have been shipped. We'll see. Really makes me nervous about my stuff.
I will post pics....good or bad.....of my wife's heads when we get em' back and hung up.
Post by: Hunting Cowboy on February 15, 2008, 12:53:05 PM
I can't speak to your particular situation or taxidermist and such, and I don't pretend to know anything at all here, but it often seems like it is usually the case when dealing with shippments, taxidermy, tanning and the like. I always get a little nervous too as time marchess on especially when it seems like it is taking longer than it should. Give some time though, I'm sure everything is fine.
Post by: Buckshot Bill on February 15, 2008, 01:03:18 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 15, 2008, 01:13:30 PM
It really doesn't matter if you have the taxidermy work done over their or have the hides just shipped to the States. Either way their is plenty of opportunity for hides, capes, and horns to be stolen or swapped out for less appealing specimens.
That could be but when your here and the critters are overseas you can't do anything about it. At the same time I have heard of some really good taxis in Africa, guess you have to do as much research on that as the outfitter.
They don't just ship your hides to the states over night it can take months! I'm talking 4 months and longer. They haved to go through a process befor they can even enter the U.S.A.
I am sure their are good taxidermists over their like any where else.
I do know this that African capes are some of the worst capes. Ears tore off. Eyes cut out, no lip skin, Shoulder Capes instead of Life Size Capes, slippage, Flint dried, etc. You have to realy do your home work.
Post by: Muleyslyr on February 15, 2008, 02:45:21 PM
Buckshot.....as far as the Rowland Ward goes, I honestly don't know. I know they have Bronze, Silver, and Gold standards for scoring and I did have all mine scored in which I think 5 were Gold, two Silvers, and I believe my Springbok was a Bronze.