Who is going where this year? Lets hear about all the fun trips planned so far

I'm headed out at the end of May to hunt with Tholo Safaris in Botswana. My elder father in law will be joining me but only as an observer.

Gemsbok and eland are the two primary species I'll be focusing on. After that who knows what might cross our path. I'm a firm believer that if your PH says take him and you have ANY interest at all in the species then you should be on the ground and giving chase. Therefore it should be an interesting trip. I've heard very good things about Tholo and the areas they hunt.

I've made a few posts here and there on AH but never formally introduced myself. My name is Bobby and I hail from the southeastern US. I have hunted big and small game since I was quite young, as do most born in the south. As far as Africa goes I am pretty much a rookie with only three trips behind me. As long as I am physically able I will return as often as time and finances allow.

On another note I see many first timers or even people just considering a trip posting questions. I have been hesitant to chime in because of my short tenure in the community however it has occurred to me that the mistakes, confusion, and general apprehension of being in their shoes is still fresh in my mind. I will still probably lurk in the shadows on many of those questions but please feel free to reach out to me directly if you'd like. I think I've done pretty well at avoiding mishaps.

Best regards, and I'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes in May.

Bobby

GA Hunter said:

I've made a few posts here and there on AH but never formally introduced myself. My name is Bobby and I hail from the southeastern US

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Welcome aboard officially Bobby! Looking forward to the hunt report!

Bobby how big was that Nyala! It looks huge!

Thanks for the welcome guys. I've been enjoying AH for a couple of months now and it's been quite interesting.

With regards to the Nyala he was 29.5 to a side. I took him on my first trip and Nyala wasn't really on my radar or "list" for the trip. That's when I decided that it was best for me to forget list making, pick a couple of target species, and enjoy whatever else comes my way.

I'm looking forward to sharing my next trip with everyone.

BD

That is a great nyala and on the list or not just one of those you need to take if you can afford to at the time.

Looking forward to your report on your next hunt.

Patton63 said:

This is the year that I start taking my son on some trips. We are hunting hogs in West Virginia in the spring, going to RSA for plains game in the summer, and hunting free range aoudad in West Texas at the end of the year. He's hunted dove, pheasant, and whitetail with me, but these will be the first of a lifetime of hunting adventures together.

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I attended a regional SCI banquet last night and, despite telling myself to keep my hands in my pocket, I somehow walked out with a three day Argentine dove hunt for two hunters. Oh well, you only live once. Can't wait for the hunting this year to begin.

Philip Glass said:

I am a sucker for punishment and will make a third attempt at a leopard in June. After 32 days spent looking for Mr. Spots in 2016 I am off to the Matobo area to hunt again with Martin Pieters Safaris. Martin has a hound hunt set up for me where the big cattle killing leopards live.
Wish me luck because I will need it!
Regards,
Philip

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Philip,

I wish you safety and excellent luck with your planned hunt.
Somehow I just know that you will bag a large tom this time for sure.
Martin Pieters Safaris has an awesome reputation and so, you have that factor covered.
Now it will be up to the dog's and cat's moves to determine your final success.

Regards,
Paul.

I have confirmed a leopard hunt for this May in Zimbabwe! I will be hunting with Lin Stanton @Mbalabala Safaris !

Crossing my fingers now to draw some tags in New Mexico. Put in for pronghorn and elk and hoping for at least one of the tags.

looking forward to hearing your report. I have booked with tholo for April 2018 with Kudu and Eland my target. interested in hearing whats there.

I'm doing Turkey in New Mexico in a few weeks with my Dad and 2 oldest kids. Hunting with Limcroma in Limpopo is Sept (First time to Africa, SUPER excited!!), Whitetail deer this fall at a friends ranch in east Texas and then next March I'm going to Argentina with TGB outfitters to hunt red stag and water buffalo with my Dad! Crazy 12 months! I've never hunted outside the US and never done anything guided before (elk, deer, bird, etc in Texas, NM and South Dakota, but never with a outfitter). So I'm am very excited for the next 12 months!!!

375 Ruger Fan said:

Laststand: It's March 1st and you've been back from Cameroon for a couple weeks now. We all want to hear about the LDE experience, so how about a hunt report.

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You must have missed it, I submitted a report back in Feb. Hope you can search back and find it. I got a beautiful LDE and Roan.

Heading back to the east cape in June with Crusader and then I'm going to see about a buffalo cancellation hunt in Balule

Late to the party but myself and my wife are going to be in Africa for the first time this year! It will also be her first hunt ever so we are hoping to make it a good one. We will be in South Africa hunting plains game with @Lianga Safaris about mid August and we can't wait! Well...I can't wait, she is more interested in visiting Britain on the way there. Ah well!

Eventually_Africa said:

Late to the party but myself and my wife are going to be in Africa for the first time this year! It will also be her first hunt ever so we are hoping to make it a good one. We will be in South Africa hunting plains game with @Lianga Safaris about mid August and we can't wait! Well...I can't wait, she is more interested in visiting Britain on the way there. Ah well!

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Not sure if you plan on taking your own firearms or not. If so make sure you check into the laws/rules for passing through Britain. I don't have any personal experience there but I do know the Brits are pretty up tight about firearms in general. I'm sure there are others here that can offer sound guidance.

Congrats and good luck.

Eventually_Africa said:

Late to the party but myself and my wife are going to be in Africa for the first time this year! It will also be her first hunt ever so we are hoping to make it a good one. We will be in South Africa hunting plains game with @Lianga Safaris about mid August and we can't wait! Well...I can't wait, she is more interested in visiting Britain on the way there. Ah well!

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Congrats on your upcoming trip!

Can't help but ask, but do you plan to change your name after the trip? Haha....sorry, lame humor!

GA Hunter said:

Not sure if you plan on taking your own firearms or not. If so make sure you check into the laws/rules for passing through Britain. I don't have any personal experience there but I do know the Brits are pretty up tight about firearms in general. I'm sure there are others here that can offer sound guidance.

Congrats and good luck.

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What ever you do have your rifles put all the way through, if you are stopping in Britain you probably can't do this, you maybe able to store them at the airport, but it will cost. I have been told that if your airline doesn't transfer the rifles you need a bonded carrier to do it. It needs to be pre arranged and cost about $1200. Don't take this as gospel I was told this by a travel agent about 3 years ago.

Time needs to move is all I know as I am ready to go. Seeing this picture from the place I am going to in Namibia for oryx and mtn zebra has me pumped up. A giant 40" bull oryx and look at the bases on him.

You got some interesting Photoshop skills there @billc! But seriously, I can see why you are so excited for a chance at an oryx like that!

Spooksar said:

What ever you do have your rifles put all the way through, if you are stopping in Britain you probably can't do this, you maybe able to store them at the airport, but it will cost. I have been told that if your airline doesn't transfer the rifles you need a bonded carrier to do it. It needs to be pre arranged and cost about $1200. Don't take this as gospel I was told this by a travel agent about 3 years ago.

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Hello! Yes, our rifles will go all the way through, no checking out required. This was a big concern for us so we made sure of it!