July 2015 Safari with Hartzview

Glad to here everything went well bwh

My trip has now reached it's next milestone. I have now purchased the flights for my dad and I for our safari. I have been watching flights now twice a day since late May. I was almost about to give up hope and pay the $2,000 price tag airfare seemed to be hovering at for months. Yesterday, finally the persistence payed off. Dad and I now have flights for $1,400 each from Chicago. We will be going through Germany. 27 hours there and 24 hours back. Not exactly optimal, but doable for the price. $600 is worth taking another sleeping pill in my estimation any day. Now it is time to replenish the bank account with officiating money from football and wrestling this fall and winter. Just took up football officiating this fall because of this trip, and after my third game I have to say it is actually pretty fun. Maybe the yelling coaches and fans will prepare me better if dangerous game are nearby in Africa.

Congratulations! You're one step closer to being there. Exciting times. Good luck to you!

Patience and persistence pay off

What critters are you planning to take Mitch?

Warthog, impala, springbok, and kudu are at the top of my list. If I am able to save enough money, gemsbok may be on the table as well. What I'm really wrestling with right now is how to have them prepared. Right now I'm tossing around the idea of tanning the hides of the impala and springbok, and putting the skull mount in the center of the hides on the wall, and then putting the warthog tusk or skull mount between them. The kudu a shoulder or front leg shoulder mount.
Phoenix Phil, are you happy with your mounts from Moredou? Anybody else had work done there that can comment on their work?

MichElk said:

Warthog, impala, springbok, and kudu are at the top of my list. If I am able to save enough money, gemsbok may be on the table as well. What I'm really wrestling with right now is how to have them prepared. Right now I'm tossing around the idea of tanning the hides of the impala and springbok, and putting the skull mount in the center of the hides on the wall, and then putting the warthog tusk or skull mount between them. The kudu a shoulder or front leg shoulder mount.
Phoenix Phil, are you happy with your mounts from Moredou? Anybody else had work done there that can comment on their work?

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Overall yes. I've had better, but I paid much more for it too. But I would use them again.

Mich;
Congrats on "going to Africa!" Love the photo from the auction.

Do the Kudu shoulder mount.. Or at least thoroughly check prices... A half mount can run about 70% of full body mount. Save the backskin of the kudu and have it tanned (that is cheap). I like your thoughts on the others, unique and economical. If you get a Gemsbok, wait to see how good it is before deciding on a mount. They are beautiful and make great shoulder mounts (turn the kudu 1/4 turn one way, Gemsbok the other and hang as a pair?) But a gemsbok can also make a great Euro mount and the hide could make a stunning rug or flat skin.

If you are bit of a handyman, think about simply getting skulls cleaned and doing your own mounts.. Or look into skullhooker.com .... Compare prices. And get good photos.... Get the PH to bring a gallon or two of water and an old rag to was the blood off to make some good pictures your wife will enjoy.

You look young enough to find a way to get back to Africa again... Your going to want to do that! So you may have more critters to mount in the future.

Too bad your wife and mother are not going with. Great you get to take your father through!

The kids will grow up just fine without Disney. We've been fortunate to take ours to Disney as well as to places like the Black Hills, Grand Canyon and Yosemite... The best memories are the simple things, like just hopping across a mountain stream on the stones..... Disney is all about make believe, I never hear our kids talk about their trips to Disney. There is enough make believe in our kids' lives with all the computer games. As they grow up, they will have much greater appreciation for time just spent with you at the simpler, more personal things... And if you do get to central Florida, cut out a Disney day and take in Cape Canaveral and NASA.

Great ideas Action Bob! I checked out skullhooker and looks like a great product. Who doesn't like powder coated steel? It is really getting hard to shut my mind off at night and I have so long to wait still.

By the way, is it feasible to buy a rough diamond while in S.A.? I know the little lady at home would be ecstatic if I had something significant for her when I got back.

MichElk said:

Great ideas Action Bob! I checked out skullhooker and looks like a great product. Who doesn't like powder coated steel? It is really getting hard to shut my mind off at night and I have so long to wait still.

By the way, is it feasible to buy a rough diamond while in S.A.? I know the little lady at home would be ecstatic if I had something significant for her when I got back.

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You think it is hard to shut your mind off now, wait until you've been back a week!

Royal27 said:

You think it is hard to shut your mind off now, wait until you've been back a week!

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The voice of experience!

I have no idea about the diamond. Perhaps someone else will chip in.

As for shutting your mind off? You are so screwed!

It is my understanding that diamonds are just like cameras, computers and other goods. You just need to declare them and pay the duty. Not sure how they calculate the duty. Given that "I read on the internet that..." is pretty much worthless in this situation, perhaps a phone call to the US customs office is in order.

VanderLaan said:

It is my understanding that diamonds are just like cameras, computers and other goods. You just need to declare them and pay the duty. Not sure how they calculate the duty. Given that "I read on the internet that..." is pretty much worthless in this situation, perhaps a phone call to the US customs office is in order.

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Every country has different rules on import duty and tax on gemstones and I believe that there is no duty or tax for importing LOOSE gemstones into the United States of America. Many countries do have import tax, including most European countries and Canada. Here is more from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection:
- Importing diamonds, jewelry, stones, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, pearls, jade, etc.: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...es,-rubies,-sapphires,-emeralds,-pearls,-jade,

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Now my wife is planning a girls trip to New York so now the heat to buy an expensive diamond May or May not happen. I guess it depends on if a deal is to be had.

A good friend of my wife and I asked if we would like to go on a pheasant hunt at Moi Grande in Michigan. What a great couples weekend. The weekend before the trip, we got my father's 20 gauge shotgun in her hand to shot trap. She did better then myself and the other couple. The trip was a blast and my wife's first hunting experience was a success. She shot several birds and even survived when a bird she shot came crashing toward her. That was actually what I was worried about because she is terrified of birds, but she was a trooper and kept on keeping on. Maybe I may still make a hunter out of her. Baby steps!

MichElk said:

Great ideas Action Bob! I checked out skullhooker and looks like a great product. Who doesn't like powder coated steel? It is really getting hard to shut my mind off at night and I have so long to wait still.

By the way, is it feasible to buy a rough diamond while in S.A.? I know the little lady at home would be ecstatic if I had something significant for her when I got back.

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gday michelk
if your looking into diamonds ,while in Africa.
have a squiz at tanzanite,mate .
my wife had her hart set on a diamond in july when we were there , and once she seen the tanzanite
well that was it ,there was a good deal struck with the little hottie ,and the result was one happy wife ,and 25% still in my pocket .
good deal .
she was most happy with swapping one for the other .

Time is creeping closer my friend.... !!!! Looking forward on having you guys in camp!

Shot the rifle yesterday. 2 inch group off a backpack at 100 yards. I felt good about it except that me friend shot a similar group at 100 yards with his crossbow.