What's the big draw? Why do we do it? Africa I mean.

Why do we get so wound up in African hunting? Why do we think day and night about returning to the Dark Continent? What's your big draw?
For us (my wife and me), it's the fact that you never know what's around the next corner.
As my tag line says-
IF YOU GO ONCE-YOU WILL RETURN-DEAL WITH IT!

Don't know quite how to answer, but, here goes.
More like, while sitting here typeing a response to your question, Africa is in my head saying "why did you leave, you belong here" hard too explain, but have had this sensation since we left. Feels like a big part of me is still there. My biggest draw is that I have been to Canada, 27 states in the US (only Wyoming gave me this feeling), France, Mexico, and Costa Rica, all of which were beautiful and fantastic in their own way. Non of which touched me the way Bots, Zambia and SA did. I am certain I will be back many more times, and if I end up staying some day, all the better for me. I think you are asking an unanswerable question, for it is to deep in the emotions and in the mind for anyone to fully explain. Iv'e tried...

Best I can do is say, Africa is now in my soul, or maybe, I'm in her's. Scott.

Thats exactly right, no two days are the same. Plus the sheer variety of game is mind boggling.

Originally Posted by Diamondhitch

Thats exactly right, no two days are the same. Plus the sheer variety of game is mind boggling.

Didn't any one tell you? NOT to drink the water

You're ok Cliffy, don't worry.

It all started with those stories I was told when I was young.
Being woken at 8PM, well past my bed time, to go and see the game hanging in the garage and the entire family gathered to view it and listen to the stories.
Seeing antlers stored above the garage door at your grandparents house every time you visited.

Seeing animals and birds everywhere and being amazed by them.
Getting wildlife identification and tracking books for every birthday.
Then Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom" played every Saturday morning. Never missed it.
I watched those incredible National Geographic segments of Cheetahs tearing across the savannah after a Thompsons' Gazelle and then being replayed in slow motion.
The Lion prides guttural grunting as they fed. Hyenas....
The Great Migrations on the Serengeti. Crocs taking Wildebeest in the Mara River.
Documentaries of "Pygmy" tribes in elementary school social studies.
Kalahari Bushmen, (San)
Baobab, Mopane, Acacia
Every National Geographic I ever looked at with stunning photographs of African animals.
Every photography book on Africa and its people and animals.

This all combined to create the mystique.
All culminating in a decision that I had to see it for myself!

After learning the current realities and still feeling the mystique and appreciating it and then finding a way to learn and enjoy the countries, the people, the geography and the wildlife in combination with participating in one of my favourite activities; Hunting.

Hearing all the birds and smelling the scents seeing all those TV and picture book animals first hand.
All worth the wait.

I enjoy the passion of the people for their countries, their lifestyles, their land and their wildlife.

You sure can't get it done in one visit. Lots more to see and hunt.

When I was a kid there were two programs I lived for and was totally mesmerized by. The first was Curt Gowdy's American Sportsman. Growing up in the Washington D.C. suburbs, which actually back then was quite small and getting out into the country was a matter of minutes, Wyoming where many of the episodes were filmed just sucked me right in. And I was bit by the hunting bug in a big way, though it took many years before I got started.

The second show that I always watched was Marlin Perkins on Wild Kingdom. I don't know that Marlin was ever a hunter, kind of doubt it, but his love for animals was obvious and I felt a kinship with the man. Sort of looked at him as a grandfather.

Combine these two shows and I just knew one day I would hunt Africa.

The hunting seed was planted by my father and fertilized by my uncle. Who knows what direction my interest would have lead if not for this introduction and nurturing. And now it seems that the AH members keep adding "miracle grow" to my passion. The adventure is planned, now I am patiently waiting for the day to arrive.

Hard to explain, it s a feeling !

just love being in the bush, the noises, sounds and sights. not too keen on the daily "civilized worlds" procedure. apparently people who know me at home, but have been to the african bush with me say i am a lot nicer and relaxed when i am there.

Spike- I've had folks who have gone to Africa with me say exactly the same thing. I'm different when I'm there. Could I make a move to live there at least part of the year? Don't know, it would have to be out in the bush, but I do "relax" when I'm there. One reason I live in a small remote town is that I don't like the big city noise. Like Brickburn added- you can tell you're in Africa just by closing your eyes and listening to the sounds of the bush. Totally different than anything else anywhere in the world.

As the sun sets in the west and the sky turns from blue to black, the stars emerge to start their nightly dance around the Southern Cross and so comes the end of another African Safari. For those who have - the hook is set and the pull begins to once again return to the Dark Continent. For those who have not, they can not even imagine.

Africa screams adventure like no other place on earth. It's indescribable to a person who hasn't been there. It's unforgettable if you have been so lucky. For me, I enjoy being in a place where I'm potentially just part of the food chain. Every day there is magical and anything can happen. Quite frequently it does.

The truth is once you have experianced it it changes you. last trip I spent 21 days hunting Ill never be the same.

So here is a question for all of you who have been. My wife and I are going for our first time in 16 days!! Being from the US and having two teenagers plus a ten year old we go go go! On my past hunts for elk and caribou we ran and ran with almost a sense of urgency. How do you slow down and enjoy the experience as well as the hunt?!?
Hoping for some insight from more experienced hunters.

I think Africa, signals a sense that anything can happen as a hunter and wildlife viewer. I always feel of hope and better things ahead when I'm there. It's a wildlife paradise! The foods great and so are the people. IF YOU LIKE HUNTING AND SEEING LOTS OF DIFFERENT ANIMALS....AFRICA, IS THE PLACE TO CALL HOME!

Originally Posted by Message

So here is a question for all of you who have been. My wife and I are going for our first time in 16 days!! Being from the US and having two teenagers plus a ten year old we go go go! On my past hunts for elk and caribou we ran and ran with almost a sense of urgency. How do you slow down and enjoy the experience as well as the hunt?!?
Hoping for some insight from more experienced hunters.

In many areas of NA game can be scarce and success is never a sure thing. In Africa there literally is an animal behind every bush, well not quite but there is no shortage and excellent success is gauranteed - not neccesarily for every animal desired but as a whole it will be successful beyond your dreams. Understanding that a missed opportunity is simply another opporunity for another hunt and stalk is key. Dont worry about success and it will seek you out, I gaurantee it!

A blown Kudu stalk will net you a Warthog. A day with no shooting action and poor game movement will be followed by a 3 animal day. Chill out, relax and take whatever comes your way.

Originally Posted by Diamondhitch

In Africa there literally is an animal behind every bush Understanding that a missed opportunity is simply another opporunity for another hunt and stalk is key. Dont worry about success and it will seek you out, I gaurantee it!
A blown Kudu stalk will net you a Warthog. A day with no shooting action and poor game movement will be followed by a 3 animal day. Chill out, relax and take whatever comes your way.

Diamondhitch - Your making me salivate and shake with anticipation.

Thanks for the advice. My friend says put the tape measure away, listen to your ph and save some animals for your next hunt bc you WILL be going back!

Originally Posted by Message

save some animals for your next hunt

With 44 huntable species in SA alone I dont think you will have a problem with that!

I agree with most of the above; although if/when the laws change so that I can bring my game meat back home (USA); I'd go more often...IT still bothers me on some levels to kill and not consume. And I don't mean the backstraps from some hunter 2 weeks before me. I can & do eat some (but c'mon overall its a smidgen) of the game I kill in Africa, but I cherish the steaks more than hides & horns. Plus, so many "ranches" sell the carcass outright to restaurants/butchers, & the workers get to dry gut segments on their fences. Many of us know & have seen it.

Originally Posted by joester

I agree with most of the above; although if/when the laws change so that I can bring my game meat back home (USA); I'd go more often...IT still bothers me on some levels to kill and not consume. And I don't mean the backstraps from some hunter 2 weeks before me. I can & do eat some (but c'mon overall its a smidgen) of the game I kill in Africa, but I cherish the steaks more than hides & horns. Plus, so many "ranches" sell the carcass outright to restaurants/butchers, & the workers get to dry gut segments on their fences. Many of us know & have seen it.

i guarantee you that not one scrap of anything edible from an animals carcass is wasted in a hunting camp by the staff. what they dont eat there and then is dried and saved for themselves, or sent/kept for their families. this is of course is if the animal isnt used for bait, or a percentage is given to the local community as part of the hunting deal for the area. on ranches the meat is the property of the owners and they are within their rights if they want to sell to butcherys or restaurants.