From: Jarhead
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I've just never once let a sleeping dog lie... with that - get yourself to Africa.
Fellas - if you've ever thought about hunting in Africa... but just passed it off as "out of my price range..." you're probably wrong.
If you're retired - and can be a "price taker" there's all sorts of deals to be had... cancelations are opportunities that working folks usually can't take advantage of. Hunts can be cheap if you "can be here next week..."
Even if you're not looking to fall in on a cancelation hunt - it's not that expensive.
It's a grand for the flight... and then many of the animals are VERY cheap to take. As long as you don't go over there and go crazy - no reason you couldn't take 2-5 plains animals for a reasonable price.
Next cost is taxidermy... if you shoulder mount it - it can be expensive... but not every animal looks "best" shoulder mounted. Maybe you just get a euro and a rug. Or maybe you just eat it and take a pic.
Last thing - as I'm advocating for my retirees... it CAN be a physically easy hunt. It CAN be grueling... but if you'd like an easier style hunt - you can be accommodated.
Get a few buddies together... find an outfitter and talk with him about what you CAN do and what you can't. They'll figure it out. Do yourself a favor... just crunch the numbers and tell me you can't swing it. YOU CAN! Don't take it with you - figure out a way. You won't regret it.
After having been to the Dark Continent many times... I'd hate to think about my life without ever having been there.
Go read a Capstick book... and just kick it around fellas. - Jar
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From: George D. Stout
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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No offense meant but I couldn't care less about hunting in Africa. I'm not into game mounts and you can't bring the meat back, so there is no attraction for me, retired or no. I know lots of guys drool over the thought though, I guess I'm the odd guy in the living room. I'd much sooner go to Washington and shoot some stumps with Fred Anderson, if I had my druthers. ;)
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From: aromakr
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Don't know when you were last in Africa, however point me in the direction of $1000 air to Africa. My last tip in 2008 was over 2x that.
Bob
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From: JusPassin
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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If I lived there, I'd hunt there. I hunt where I live, and wish everyone else did too.
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From: Fritz
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Can’t see hunting something that I can’t bring back home to eat.
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From: BigHorn
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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african plains game is probably the greatest value there is in hunting trips. for the cost of a decent guided elk hunt you can hunt 5-6 species. plus africa is amazing! it might not be for everybody but if you ever wanted to do it you certainly should
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From: osage
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Leaving tomorrow for JoBurg at 06:00.
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From: Pineyhunter
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Every hunt should be treated like an adventure. Whether it’s in your backyard, a different state, or a different continent. As long as you enjoy the experience that’s what the essence of bow hunting is all about. However, a huge drawback to Africa is the inability to bring back the game meat For many people. The trade off are the beautiful amount that you will bring back if successful. It’s an adventure for sure, maybe just not for everybody.
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From: BigHorn
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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have a great trip osage
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From: Scoop
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I don't know where to start. I went 20 years ago or so and it was only made possible by an accidental meeting of the Wensel brothers at a trad expo in the Boise area. They were chatting and the fire started burning. I could or would never have gone if not for those two.
I'm not well heeled and it would be one of two vacations taken in over 40 years of work. I put off needing a new work truck, took some retirement savings, and grabbed my 18- year-old non-hunting daughter to go with me. We had a ball.
It was not the hunt so much--which was in Zimbabwe and South Africa over three weeks. It was so much more about the thousands of pictures in black and white and color, the culture and talks of African politics late into the night with outfitters and professional hunters and trackers and cooks. And who would believe the best tracker I saw was a deaf tracker. Unbelievable.
There is not a sunset like an African one. We ate what was shot and the meat left over was sold in the markets and made into biltong or jerky for sale to pay expenses of the camps. We never hunted over bait, but set up in passes, still hunted, and of course had blinds and pits over water.
For me it was never about the trophies or kills so much. My mounts have been given to sons and daughters. What I remember is my daughter bungy-jumping Victoria Falls; a concert in the bush; two male baboons fighting right behind the blind; stalking a pair of klipspringers for several early mornings, only to finally get within 30 yards and get "busted" with them standing right in front of me with an arrow on the string and not even seeing them.
Africa is finding out they have the worst coffee and milk imaginable. And some of the best cuts of meat I've ever eaten. It is finding telephone wire snares on the walk back to camp; knowing that every morning about 10 a.m. "the poachers" would start fires near our pit blinds in Zimbabwe and there was always the chance of having to hoof it out of there.
It was seeing "game rangers" carrying FNs and patrolling the chain link fence around 130,000 acres of the hunting preserve and knowing their job included more than seeing the wildlife were kept in. And of course, there was the ostrich chasing the daughter while on her morning run, the smell of a probable rock python denned up, and the track of a leopard at daylight walking the trail in.
My apologies for the long diatribe. The short of it is, Africa is a special place and much more than just the hunt. Will I go back? Probably not at 70. I have the money, but I'm still working and enjoying that life, too. I'm like a few of the writers above--I can have a delightful time on a half-day hunt anywhere in 30 minutes for ruffed grouse, elk, mulies, ground squirrels, or even those plain old stumps! But my daughter and I will always remember Africa.
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From: Heitz
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Death in the tall grass was an awesome read.
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From: osage
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I do have an Impala and warthog as part of the package, then whatever else shows up. Will be using a 64" recurve, Surewood DF shafts and RMS single bevels.
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From: Jon Simoneau
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I love Africa. I could go back and hunt nothing but warthogs and bushbuck and be in heaven.
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From: Bushytail
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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If I ever go to Africa to hunt, which I know I won't, it would be for a warthog.
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From: Krag
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Have read Capstick and Teddy Roosevelt and have always had a fascination for Africa but will never get to see it. If I could Scoop's experience - minus the bungy jumping and sitting over waterholes - would pretty much describe it.
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From: SJR Bows
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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We go in 4.5 weeks. Been a 40 year dream for me to see that country. For us round trip Plane ticket was 2250.00 Comfort plus seats before I got our discounts. Total trip for two 10 grand 8 animals total.
If you ever thought about going, now is the time it will not always be there for us due to the political affairs both here and there
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From: fourfletch
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Scoop I'm in your corner and had the same experience. Went in '07 and continually marveled at the variety of game and and the wariness of all the animals .... and which ones were the sentinels at the water holes - baboons - and , according to the guides and outfitters, which had the best nose to detect danger - the warthog! Great experience - and wonderful memories - the opportunity of a lifetime! Thanks for rekindling the memory - just got out my pics and notes from the trip! :)
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From: stykman
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Plan on trekking there in 2021 if everything goes according to plan. A friend just got back and all he could say is, "It's incredible". It's not all about the hunt but everything that goes with it as stated by others here.
If just stump shooting is your thing, then Africa definitely isn't for you. I prefer to broaden my horizons while I can still broaden them. I'm not wealthy by any measure, but as I age the old adage "You can't take it with you" takes on a new meaning. Can't wait but I guess I'll have to.
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From: BigHorn
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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dont forget to enjoy the southern cross. and you can walk up game there. but listen to your ph
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From: TrapperKayak
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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aromkr, I went on British Air to RSA two years ago, fare was $1050, and only a 2 hr layover at Heathrow.
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From: TrapperKayak
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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I had a great time in SA, only took two animals Impala and Wildebeest, but saw a lot of others including a brown hyena while on watch at night from a blind, over gutpiles. That thing was like a werewolf!! Saw through night vision goggles. Unreal. Heard a lion roar a few times. Jackels yipping, owls, and bugs. It was a surreal experience. Not just hunting, it was all just a real new and unique experience. Baboons trying to raid the camp, so the PA shot one big male. It went bananas when hit. It was a great experience, and the next time I go I want to take one of the big kudu bulls like the ones I saw there. It is a mystical, old world unlike anything we have here in America. You should go once just to experience the third world.
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From: oletrapper
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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I took a trip to Africa back in 2002. It was incredible. I was fortunate enough to connect on many plains game. My old man had always admired the works of livingstone and the great white hunters. We were lucky to get to pursue his dream with him. I will go back when the time is right (young children at the moment). Maybe one day i can take my boy with me. We have some good buddies in Africa. If you are ever looking to head into the wilderness (Tanzanian wild game) then look up Piet Stein with Safari Enjima. He is a family friend and an incredible PH. My family has taken many dangerous game with him, as well as plenty of plains game. My older brother was his apprentice at one time. Most preach it, but this guy lives it. He will make your experience unforgettable.
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From: Babysaph
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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I can sure tell lots of guys havnt been there. Lol. The cats are hunted over baits a lot. I love it and now I'm retired am going back and stay longer. I have hunted over waterholes. Piece of cake. Lol
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From: Jarhead
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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If it's not you're thing - no problem... I'd just say "ask the question" before you mark it off as "out of my price range."
Jar
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From: RymanCat
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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I've always wanted to go to Africa to get a sable and kudu and Impala maybe a bongo and def. zebra but it all just a dream for me. i doubt I could take the plane ride and then get the shots now that out for me with this autoimmune disease.
Oh well Sinara.
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From: Buhbuh73
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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I had the pleasure of spending a year in guinea west Africa . Didn’t have any hunting opportunities but the people and cultures where life changing . Don’t know if I would go back but Africa will always be with me in my hart and memories.
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From: stykman
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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One can stump shoot here in the states any old time. Africa is a once in a lifetime experience. As jarhead said, don't discount the trip until researching and finding out how expensive or inexpensive, depending on one's viewpoint, the hunt would be.
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From: babysaph
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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It is not all about bowhunting. The culture and seeing how other people live is an experience. I have killed all of the plains game but a zebra eludes me. It is funny how people say "how can you shoot a tame horse". They are one of the most wary plains game animals.
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From: Scoop
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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Babysaph, I had to laugh. I was in South Africa and the first or second evening they had me up a tree stand overlooking three trails. Sure enough a zebra stallion and two mares walked up the trail and stopped broadside at 30 yards. I passed.
That night I told Barry Wensel the story. He looked at me kind of funny and asked why I didn’t shoot. I told him the stallion looked too much like a colt I broke out as a kid and gave my father. It turned out to be one of the best ranch horses we ever had.
Barry started cussing and then explained how hard it was to get a zebra and he had been trying for several hunts and so on and so forth and never got a shot and I had one at 30 yards broadside and was taking pictures! Later in the hunt, he did get his striped horse after some incredible tracking efforts. I got my pictures.
And I told him that was the first time I had ever been in a tree stand and didn’t know they were suppose to be in the very top of a spindly tree where they blew back and forth with no seatbelt, or safety strap, but did come with a puke bag. I think he said that was only the first or second stand the South African ph had ever hung and there was a bit to learn yet.
That evening I slept with an old zebra rug on my bed over the covers. I could hear him whinnying most of the night...
I hope you get yours!
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From: Scoop
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Date: 01-Aug-19 |
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Correction—It was Gene, not Barry. Gene doesn’t turn his hat sideways and always said he was the better looking of the two twins!
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From: Babysaph
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Date: 01-Aug-19 |
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I hunted with Barry years,ago in Africa. He knows.
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From: Jon Simoneau
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Date: 01-Aug-19 |
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Zebra are tough. In nearly 40 days of hunting in Africa I never had a shot at one. Guess I need to go back.
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From: Jon Simoneau
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Date: 01-Aug-19 |
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Zebra are tough. In nearly 40 days of hunting in Africa I never had a shot at one. Guess I need to go back.
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From: larryhatfield
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Date: 01-Aug-19 |
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Was offered a free trip more than once when I was in the industry. When I asked if I could just do a photog safari the offers always went away, so I never did go. Would like to have spent some time there with a camera. Have no problem with trophy hunting, just not my thing.
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From: TrapperKayak
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Date: 01-Aug-19 |
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I'd have loved to bring meat home, but I ate enough of it, and a big variety of it while there to overcome my desire to bring it back. It was worth every penny just to be there and experience it, meat or no meat brought home. The cooks really knew what they were doing. The best was the eland steaks - melt in your mouth. The richest and most robust and flavorful was the cape buff. Open grill wood fire, and seasonings, they knew what they were doing. It was all superb.
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From: Jarhead
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Date: 01-Aug-19 |
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Mr. Hatfield - there's almost no such thing as trophy hunting in Africa. YOU personally may not eat all of the kudu... but sleep well knowing every last bit of him is going in a hungry mouth.
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From: larryhatfield
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Date: 01-Aug-19 |
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Yes, I know that. Just can't think of an animal I want to kill there, and couldn't back then. Until this year, I went to Cambodia every year for, it seems like forever, and disarmed mines and lived off the land most of the time. Know I would have loved Africa and taking pictures. Glad to see so many have enjoyed trips there!!
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From: TrapperKayak
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Date: 01-Aug-19 |
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Larry, that's a unique and special experience and way to live, not many can claim to have done that. Honorable!
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From: BigHorn
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Date: 01-Aug-19 |
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every trip ive been on there i was asked to shoot animals for meat for the camp and staff. this was no cost to me they just wanted more meat. nothing gets wasted there!
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From: Franklin
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Date: 02-Aug-19 |
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Trapper....is that your Impala? That thing is huge....I never seen mass on a Impala like that.
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From: BigHorn
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Date: 02-Aug-19 |
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that thing is thick!!
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From: NY Yankee
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Date: 02-Aug-19 |
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Too hot for me.
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From: BigHorn
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Date: 02-Aug-19 |
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southern africa in our summer their winter is cold in the night time and 70s in the day. its great weather
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From: Witherstick
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Date: 02-Aug-19 |
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Ok. You got wife and I talking about it. Never really considered it. We have been doing some looking into it. Just curious about what kind of setups some of you have used on your South African hunts. I would only be interested if there was enough opportunities for her as well as myself. Regulations on equipment sure seem a little much in some places.
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From: TrapperKayak
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Date: 02-Aug-19 |
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Franklin, yeah, it's mine. I am still waiting to get it (euro) shipped along with my wildebeest euro and skins. There was a snafu with the taxi going bankrupt and they transferred it to another service. I finally got word it is ready to ship, sent payment last week. Chomping at the bit to get it finally.
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From: TrapperKayak
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Date: 02-Aug-19 |
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It wasn't hot there (Middelburg, Mpumalanga). Went third week Sept., their first of spring. Leaves were barely budding and it was chilly at night, 70 day...just enough to bring some flies out during the sunny mid day, esp near gutpiles.
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From: two4hooking
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Date: 03-Aug-19 |
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There are a couple in the background of that kill pic?
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From: Babbling Bob
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Date: 03-Aug-19 |
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Go there on business for a few days walking sod farms once a year, but never hunt there and won't. Cost too much for me.
Did see the Big Five (black rhino, lion , leopard, cape buffalo, and elephant) in less than 2.5 days (plus hippos and lots of other animals) with a guide when we took a side trip to Planesburg National Park late this winter. This lion was walking just outside our lodge electric fence in easy bow range. Also had a few wild dogs close to the fence later, which are vicious animals in a pack.
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