A bit of my background

While I have never hunted Africa , I have been an avid hunter of upland bird and various species in the lower 48 since the mid 50s
I had seriously planned to make at least a buffalo hunt , sadly life and financial commitments did not allow for this to materialize.
Now while I have the time and resources to make a hunt a mix of seriously limiting health issues absolutely preclude me from making it to the pheasant field or deer hunt , let alone Africa
I now at least can enjoy my “ back yard “ rifle range with friends and grandchildren.
I have had many hunts during my life , all fond memories and for that I am grateful.
Africa didn’t happen for me but I was able to sample the experience through all the many well known authors on India and African hunting I have read.
Some years back I went so far as to purchase three (3) CZ 550 Safari Classics Delux (Tripple River Shop) rifles in .375 H&H , .500 Jeffery and .505 Gibbs. They are all in unaltered condition and have only been shot on the range, basically like just out of the box.
I’ve been reluctant to sell them but my wife has been nudging me in that direction . I suppose that will happen sooner than later

I look forward to participating in current and future topics on the forum

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your health conditions. If Africa is something you want to do, there might still be a couple options for you, just be very up front with the outfitters.

While I don’t know your health challenges, I do know there are lots of African outfitters well versed in handling hunters of all ages and medical challenges. Many outfitters keep AED’s on hand due to the avg age of their clients being in their 60’s and 70’s. Both Namibia and South Africa are likely your pest options, and also have some top medical facilities readily available. I personally know three hunters who suffered heart attacks/strokes in the last 12-18mo while hunting in Africa. The toughest part for many is typically the travel.

As an example, there are a few outfitters with tracked wheelchairs for wheelchair bound or mobility impaired hunters. I also know of a Zim Outfitter who made a sedan chair and hired a bunch of locals to carry it and extra PH or two in order to elephant hunt an 80year old hunter who used a walking aid.

Welcome to AH, I’m sure you still have a lot of knowledge to contribute to our group

Welcome to the forum, Im sure you have many hunting adventure to share

Welcome to the forum.


I know PH's in South Africa and Mozambique that have put their 80+ year old clients with health problems on buffalo.

The PH's in Africa are the best in the world. If it can be done, they can do it.

A buffalo hunt in South Africa can be relatively inexpensive. (cheaper that a pronghorn hunt to Wyoming, in some cases)



It sounds like you have some great stories to tell.

I would rather tell my grandchildren the stories of adventure than will them $100K.

They won't even remember $100K, they will remember a grandfather with cool stories of adventure.

Welcome to AH Mooselodge!

Welcome aboard!

Mooselodge said:

I’ve been reluctant to sell them but my wife has been nudging me in that direction . I suppose that will happen sooner than later

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Welcome to the forum!
I hope your health situation will improve to make that African trip!

I must admit, I never sold the rifle in my life, and my inventory just keeps growing.
In any case, if you need to sell, make compromise with you better half.
Sell big ones, keep 375. Amazing caliber.

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Welcome & a great opening post albeit shadowed by your health. What are you / were you using for your upland bird hunts ? I am envious of you shooting with your grandchildren, my daughter in law panics if I show the grandkids pictures of animals that we hunt let alone the idea of taking them shooting !

Look forward to hearing about your upland hunts!

.

Safari Dave said:

Welcome to the forum.


I know PH's in South Africa and Mozambique that have put their 80+ year old clients with health problems on buffalo.

The PH's in Africa are the best in the world. If it can be done, they can do it.

A buffalo hunt in South Africa can be relatively inexpensive. (cheaper that a pronghorn hunt to Wyoming, in some cases)



It sounds like you have some great stories to tell.

I would rather tell my grandchildren the stories of adventure than will them $100K.

They won't even remember $100K, they will remember a grandfather with cool stories of adventure.

Click to expand...

Safari Dave is right on the money with his Grandchildren quote.
My grandchildren never look to ask me about their inheritance but ask me All The Time —- Tell me about the time you were hunting with Big Jim ( my good friend of 76 years )

Charlie64 said:

.

Welcome & a great opening post albeit shadowed by your health. What are you / were you using for your upland bird hunts ? I am envious of you shooting with your grandchildren, my daughter in law panics if I show the grandkids pictures of animals that we hunt let alone the idea of taking them shooting !

Look forward to hearing about your upland hunts!

.

Click to expand...

Charlie64
Charlie, I started shooting .22 at about age 6 under guidance from my neighbor ( my parents weren’t gun folks)
It turned into a life long “hobby” that took me down the road to competitive rifle , hand gun and shotgun and of course hunting in the lower 48.
I always wanted to leave my 7 grandchildren something that money can’t buy. Shooting with Grandpa
I took the common approach of buying a little Savage Rascal , a simple bolt child’s rifle and started training them safety and form (Standing Only) at about age 8
My 3 daughters were a bit leary about that but seeing the kids progress and their pride in success on targets convinced them this was ok.

I am most fortunate in that the kids showed basic interest in sport target shooting and spending the summers at the Mooselodge allowed me to shoot any time they wanted at my own 100 yd range off the back porch deck. Big positive having built that range.!!!! If anyone says “Can we shoot” we just walk out on the back deck.
At this point in time they are required to shoot Standing only at 50 yd steel spinners, tyrannosaurs , Sasquatch, pigs etc . They love the “clink” of the hit
When I had “parental “ concerns over my introducing the kids to Guns , I just said come over to observe from the family room and they did.
The parents got the picture and were Ok with the sport shooting.

mark-hunter said:

Welcome to the forum!
I hope your health situation will improve to make that African trip!

I must admit, I never sold the rifle in my life, and my inventory just keeps growing.
In any case, if you need to sell, make compromise with you better half.
Sell big ones, keep 375. Amazing caliber.

Click to expand...

I have finally come to accept the fact that the .505 Gibbs and .500 Jeffery wil go first
I may offer my scoped .375 to one of my sons in law . That way I can sell it but keep it available to shoot just like the 8x68S, .416 Rigby, .458 Win , .450 and other he has bought from me

Aside from a half dozen medium bores I have this issue of classic vintage shotguns
That is another story. The pic is overflow from the seven wall safes. Addictive personality??? No never!

You may be able to see the white tags.
My Alzheimer’s is progressing to the point of not being able to identify a firearm in the rack unless I take it out and inspect.
Removing the firearm from the rack and fondling it only leads to another one purchased. A death spiral

I’ve had PHs offer to have me use crutches and someone carry my gun, have guys carry me, anything to get the hunt done.

If you’re going to sell the Gibbs and Jeff, do it while you can. That should cover a SA buff hunt. Take the son in law so you have someone familiar and go get it done.

There are many PHs that would love to help you achieve your dream.

As of the past years I have found great satisfaction in Black powder arms both rifles and shotguns. I started shooting Black powder in the early 50s with my first Hopkins and Allen .36 under hammer perc. And am still adding pieces to the rack. I have an absolutely beautiful swivel breech .54 cal I will pick up when I return to Pa in the fall

LimbNoMo said:

I’ve had PHs offer to have me use crutches and someone carry my gun, have guys carry me, anything to get the hunt done.

If you’re going to sell the Gibbs and Jeff, do it while you can. That should cover a SA buff hunt. Take the son in law so you have someone familiar and go get it done.

There are many PHs that would love to help you achieve your dream.

Click to expand...

I appreciate LimbNoMos’s suggestions but unfortunately no PH assistance can be had for brain deterioration. I’m good to go shooting at the lodge which only requires a walk to reset targets.
Each year the progression accelerates but I still enjoy my guns and shooting steel . Soon that will go as well.
This may be my last summer at Mooselodge , dunno. The lodge goes to two of my daughters so it stays in the family.

I gave the Mooselodge to my oldest and youngest daughters as my middle daughter didn’t need another house. Her100 acres borders on my property and she has a lovely home next door.
All the kids childhood summers were spent on the island . Two were married here. They love it as do I .

Welcome to AH! I am sorry to hear of your health struggles. That is no fun. Whether you ever go or not I'd say keep the dream alive! I know prayer and positive thinking can help us all in many ways. Side note: some outfitter like Frontier Safaris have handicapped rooms and accommodate anyone willing to try. The owner is in a wheelchair himself.
Thanks for contributing to AH.