What is your gear?

I thought it might be interesting to have a post from those of us who have a trip or ten(depending on our experience) to the dark continent to list what, on any day when we are hunting in Africa, we are wearing/using. There are plenty of new folks stopping by and seeing what all of us use might provide a mosaic of gear.
I know that this will be diverse, as per everyone's preferences, and that is great Trust me, 20 years of being told "here is your gear everyone, make it work" makes me appreciate that! Since this is my bit of eccentricity, I'll start from the ground up:

Boots: Danner Pronghorns (non insulated)
Why: I'm fond of Danners and they fit me well.

Socks: Cabelas wool mid weight
Why: Affordable and moisture controlling

Pants: Duluth Trading Company Firehose Work Pants
Why: Dark color, tons of pockets, loads of belt loops and almost bulletproof (or mostly thornproof!)

Belt: Army surplus tan riggers belt
Why: Simple, strong, and wide

Undershirt: Army surplus tan
Why: They wick sweat well and I have about 50 of them!

Overshirt: 5.11 tactical or Cabelas Serengeti
Why: 5.11; strong and good air circulation doesn't have those stupid epaulets on the shoulders, Serengeti; lots of pockets, strong material (note: the green is LIGHT had to dye the green darker at home)

Hat: Tilley Airflo
Why: Broad brimmed for pale me, packs well and looks pretty cool!

Knife: Kershaw Eris
Why: Great belly on the blade, cheap enough to lose or give away to a Skinner without regret.

Rifle: Winchester Mod 70 Safari Express, .375 H&H
Why: A good rifle in the "shoot anything in Africa" caliber, and for the folks who met me, I had to!

Optic: Zeiss Victory 2x8x42 on Warne QD rings
Why: Good glass is worth every cent...and I got a heck of a deal!

Binos: Zeiss Terra Ed
Why: Good glass again

Well there it is I hope some of my compatriots and those seasoned veterans will join in on the topic.

wow that is a pretty specific list, cant say I have one that specific but here goes:

Boots full leather asolo with wool socks and wicking liner socks
why I want my feet and ankles protected!

pants probably some kind of drab green zip off hiking pants don't care about brand the cheaper the better tear em up and throw em away.
why so I can zip them off and go to shorts when its hot

Shirt a long sleeve Colombia upf or whatever sun blockers kind with ventilation panels
don't want a sun burn

***All my clothing I treat with premerethin termite stuff myself before each trip*** Bugs wont come within a mile of me!

Hat Columbia flats fishing hat
blocks sun good

Knife none that aint my job man skinners etc for that.

Rifle: Custom depends on what I am hunting DG or PG

Scopes Swarovski, S&B, Leica, leupold depends on the gun.

Binos Swarovski or Leica

So in essence I wear cheap functional clothing that I can tear the hell out of and throw away and use nothing but the best custom guns and optics. I put my money in guns and optics not clothing. but to each his own some guys are clothes horses like women and a special camo for everything. I have found stay still don't give them your wind and you don't need all that fancy shit clothes. But I like my fancy guns

Hat:
Sturdy green canvas fedora (from tourist shop on Hawaii, many years ago $20.us).
It's all sweat stained and tattered, like me.

Undershirts:
Green cotton (military surplus $3.)

Outer Shirts:
Green cotton two pocket "Game Warden or Park Ranger style" long sleeve (2nd hand store $6.)
Although I do have one Cabela's brand "Serengeti" long sleeve as well (was 30 or 40 bucks new I guess?)

Long Pants:
Green cotton loose fitting, for hunting (also from 2nd hand store $6.)
But due to sometimes laying over in London, when traveling to Africa, I wear green "Docker" brand cotton slacks and gray tweed sport coat, over my best green T-Shirt - LOL.
I think the Dockers were about 30 to 40 dollars new, and the tweed jacket was around $15. in the 2nd hand store.

Belt:
Bianchi brand stout light brown leather, well tarnished brass buckle (doesn't shine), also from 2nd hand store, I think $10? many years ago.

Socks:
Green color cotton, (Local sporting goods store) $5. to $10. a pair, depending on brand.

Boots:
Courteney "safari" model ankle high, non-insulated (made in Zimbabwe, $150. about 13 or 14 years ago).
I wear these for my traveling shoes as well as for hunting in them.
I bring dull color lug sole "cross trainer" type tennis shoes in my checked luggage, for around camp and in case my boots ever failed in some way.

Binoculars:
Swarovski 10x42 EL model, carried with old fashioned over one shoulder strap (tried the latest chest harness type but didn't like it).
These binos were a gift from my wife and I know they were spendy but they're the very best I have tried.

Rifle:
This time (5th safari is booked) Bruno model 602 .375 H&H (renting from PH this trip), but I have one like it and I believe I paid just under $1,000. for it 2nd hand, several years ago.

Scope:
I believe the PH said Schmidt & Bender? or Kahles ?, variable power 4.5 to 10 ? (can't remember those details at the moment).
I have the exact mirror of that rifle but mine wears a Zeiss fixed 4x scope, so I've been practicing here at home with the same type rifle I will be hunting with.
(I'm tired of the stress related to lugging firearms through international airports.
Otherwise I'd bring my own trusty Brno this time.)

Cartridge carrier:
Leather loops to hold 10 rounds, worn on right hip always, so no sparkle toward animals that I'm stalking, but yet 2nd nature to reach for handy reload if ever needed.

Knife:
Small sheath knife from custom maker here in Anchorage, worn on opposite hip so as not to interfere with spare cartridges (custom left handed sheath of heavy leather so that, only a tiny bit of the handle sticks up, pretty much negating chance of knife falling out.)

I only use it for cutting biltong and fruit so, that's why I prefer either a small sheath knife or small to medium sized folding knife for Africa.
The only game meat it has cut over there is when slicing off a scorched morsel from the braai at the cooks invite, to try a bite or two before dinner.

@Velo Dog you're booked to go back?!?!? That's great! Do tell.... not to hijack....

This is indeed a detailed list and very specific. Don't know that I can be so detailed but would suggest to most folks going over for the first time that most of your deer hunting equipment is fine. No orange needed. LOL
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes/boots, socks and shirts. Take a rifle that you shoot well and that you are comfortable with. A good belt with a cartridge wallet is helpful.

BWH said:

@Velo Dog you're booked to go back?!?!? That's great! Do tell.... not to hijack....

Click to expand...

Yes, finally !
Been a long wait since I can't remember when.
Likewise, so as not to hijack this thread too far, at some stage I will post something more comprehensive under an appropriate heading.
But in a nut shell, deposits sent to our fellow member - Philip Hennings, Manager and part owner of Khomas Highland Hunting Safaris, located more or less in central Namibia (within the massive Khomas Hochland Concervancy).
No game fences this time.

Most recently:

Clothes: Kuiu pants, shorts, and shirts as well as TAG Safari clothes all clothes treated with permethrin spray before trip.

Boots: Russell Moccasin custom make with Kangaroo leather

Socks: Icebreaker Merino- any Super Wash fine wool socks will do but not all are the same so be careful. Even in Caprivi in and out of water each day no rubbing or blisters of any kind!

Hat: ball cap

Rifle: .375 Ruger with McMillian stock, 2-12 Leupold VX6 with red dot

Binos: Swarovski "Africa" limited edition compact 10X with Rick Young Outdoors Bino Harness the best on the market

Misc: Small Kuiu belt pouch for cap light, cough drops, handkerchief etc. Murray Leather shell holders 2X, Boyt slip on canvas gaiters

Knife: New Havalon Evolve multi tool. Its a bit heavy but has razor blade knife for caping and multiple screw driver heads you can interchange for what fits scope etc.

Awesome! I'm just looking to provide a view of what those of us who have gone hunting use. Thanks for playing along!

Boots - Danner Agitators
Why? Been wearing them all over the globe since 2004. Super comfortable, durable as hell, and reasonably priced..

Socks - Smartwool Outdoor Lights
Why? Comfortable, plenty of support, reasonably priced

Undershirt - under amour tactical, brown
Why? I got a bunch of them in Iraq at the PX in 2007 for $5 each.. they havent worn out yet.. so I keep wearing them

Shirt - Tru-Spec Camp shirt (brown)
Why? $50 shirt that I found on clearance a couple of years ago for $13 each. I bought several.. they havent worn out yet.. so I keep wearing them

Pants - 5.11 tactical (olive drab)
Why? Was issued several pair in Iraq in 2010.. they havent worn out yet.. so I keep wearing them

Belt - Black riggers belt, unknown manufacture
Why? Was issued in 2010.. hasnt worn out yet.. so I keep wearing it

Rifle - Winchester 70 Classic Stainless .375 H&H
Why? Buddy sold it to me cheap, .375 H&H just seems "right" for africa..

Optic - Zeiss 3-9x40 Terra
Why? Its what was on the rifle when I bought it.. it hasnt worn out yet.. so I keep shooting it

Hat - Ball cap.. whichever one I grab 15 minutes before I walk out the door.. I've probably got a half dozen that I wear hunting...

Loin cloth, knife.

This is a picture of me on my last trip to the Congo.

Boots: Rocky SV2 Boots
Why: They're the boots I wear everyday in uniform, proven on countless ruck marches and multiple deployments. Super comfortable, very durable, great tread for arid climates.

Socks: Foxriver Military
Why: comfortable, ample cushion, moisture control.

Pants: Carharrt Canvas Khaki Relaxed Fit
Why: very durable, comfortable, thick enough to not be bothered by any thorn bushes along the way

Belt: Army tan belt
Why: Simple, strong, and wide

Shirt: Carhartt Force Mandan Short Sleeve
Why: Great air circulation, light, long for easy tucking in, muted natural colors

Extra Layer: Fleece Vest
Why: When its chilly in the morning, the extra layer is appreciated. Quick and easy to remove.

Jacket: Kryptek Highlander Dalibor Jacket
Why: Not too heavy, good wind resistance, excellent camouflage in arid environments

Hat: AH.com hat
Why: I didn't realize other hat choices even existed???

Knife: BnB Drop Point Damascus Hunter
Why: Nice knife, fits well in the hand, not that I ever used it. Gave it to my PH as a gift.

Rifle: Fierce Edge 7mm Rem Mag + Silencerco Omega Suppressor
Why: Very accurate long range rifle with loaded with reliable Barnes ammo. It doesn't miss unless the shooter misses. Suppressor works great even with magnum rounds, so no ear protection needed.

Optic: Nightforce SHV 4-14x54
Why: Great glass- just as good as the Nightforce scopes that cost 3x as much. Great military discount too!

Binos: Vortex Talon 10x42
Why: Great binos, pretty light, even better military discount!

5.11 Tactical shirts and pants.
Irish Setter Soft Paw boots
Red Wing smart wool socks
Carhartt jacket (which I usually give to a tracker at the end of the hunt)
American Express Card, MasterCard and a bunch of crisp, new, $100 bills.
Rent a rifle from the PH and I'm good to go.

@Mike70560 did you stop working out? LOL

Boots:Russell Moc's Minimalist Thula Thula with Texas Hunt Co. gators. Socks- midweight wool with a liner sock.

Pants: drab cargo shorts with buttons on pockets, never velcro which makes noise at the worst times. Cargo pants for travel.
Web belt to hold my 5 cartridge Texas Hunt Co. cartridge carrier just in case I need a second shot.

Knife: a Case pocket knife in my pocket and a Leatherman Wave multitool in my pack. I have taken a belt knife of my making, didn't get used much.

Shirts: 2 drab t-shirts and my olive Cabelas canvas long sleeved shirt. Add a light jacket and layering possibilites is complete.

Hat: A brown linen ivy cap.

Gun: T/C Encore 30-06 with a Leupold 3-9X 33mm ultralight scope for most game.

Binocs: Vortex Razor 12X50.

Platypus water bottle, full in the morning not in the evening.

Mike70560 said:

Loin cloth, knife.

This is a picture of me on my last trip to the Congo.

Click to expand...

Mike, after seeing your report for your Congo trip I wouldn't be surprised at you feeling like that after a couple of days.

Just got an email from African Sporting creations. Gear I've just got to have.

Advertising a "culling belt" in .500 NE!!!! I'm going to get one. I figure I'm good for at least 40 or 50 rounds of .500 NE before I should start worrying.

Hank2211 said:

Just got an email from African Sporting creations. Gear I've just got to have.

Advertising a "culling belt" in .500 NE!!!! I'm going to get one. I figure I'm good for at least 40 or 50 rounds of .500 NE before I should start worrying.

Click to expand...

I suspect your shoulder might be a bit bruised after 50 x .500 NE!

Velo:
Fun and informative as always. BTW is your screen name any reference to the 5.5 velo dog cartridge?

Buckdog: A great list and great priorities. Have the best gear that does the work. Thanks for sharing.