Hi all!
I've spent the last couple of months online doing enough research to find out that I just don't know nearly enough about Africa to plan this trip. I'm hoping some experienced hands on this site can help me out. And, as excited as I am about going, this trip isn't for me. I'm taking my grandfather (Neil), who is 75, has been declared by his doctor to be roughly as healthy as a man in his 20's, and has a mere 70 years of hunting experience in N.A. He has always wanted to go, but could never quite get there. I have a lot of questions, and I sure hope someone can help me out. I would like some advice on outfitters, rifles, etc, but maybe I should start with what game we are after.
1. Kudu. Seems like this is pretty much the ultimate for Neil. Other '1st timer' animals like Impala or Wildebeest or warthog will also be nice, but what he really wants is a nice Kudu. Doesn't have to be record-book or anything, just a nice one! I, on the other hand, and perfectly willing to wait for another trip to get my Kudu. I (in theory) have a lot of years left.
2. Rifles. Since the biggest thing we'll be going after is the Kudu, my biggest question here is in regards to what rifles an outfitter will allow us to bring. We're N/A hunters, and the biggest gun in both our arsenals is the .30-06. Now, I know an 06' with 180g will kill a Kudu. But I have heard varying reports from different folks that the 06' is not a round many outfitters like to have clients bring. I have faith in Neil's shooting ability, but will a bigger rifle make the outfitter happier?
3. Finally, my last question is in regards to the outfitters. This feels like I'm being too specific, and much too picky, but I only get one shot at this. Healthy or not, Neil is 75 and I don't know when or if I'll be able to do this again. I am looking for someone who has fair prices on hunts, as I'm not precisely made of money. I'm also looking for somewhere to go where things are not too tough. We are not the sort of folks who are going to get any sort of kick out of shooting 'semi-tame' critters out of a vehicle or anything of that ilk. ON the other hand, considering age factors, an outfitter who conducts hunts on fairly moderate terrain is pretty much a must for obvious reasons, though I will never, ever, EVER admit to having said that!
I realize I just wrote a book, and I salute anyone who has made it to the end! Thank you very much for reading, and I hope you can help me out!
Rob
I've spent the last couple of months online doing enough research to find out that I just don't know nearly enough about Africa to plan this trip. I'm hoping some experienced hands on this site can help me out. And, as excited as I am about going, this trip isn't for me. I'm taking my grandfather (Neil), who is 75, has been declared by his doctor to be roughly as healthy as a man in his 20's, and has a mere 70 years of hunting experience in N.A. He has always wanted to go, but could never quite get there. I have a lot of questions, and I sure hope someone can help me out. I would like some advice on outfitters, rifles, etc, but maybe I should start with what game we are after.
1. Kudu. Seems like this is pretty much the ultimate for Neil. Other '1st timer' animals like Impala or Wildebeest or warthog will also be nice, but what he really wants is a nice Kudu. Doesn't have to be record-book or anything, just a nice one! I, on the other hand, and perfectly willing to wait for another trip to get my Kudu. I (in theory) have a lot of years left.
2. Rifles. Since the biggest thing we'll be going after is the Kudu, my biggest question here is in regards to what rifles an outfitter will allow us to bring. We're N/A hunters, and the biggest gun in both our arsenals is the .30-06. Now, I know an 06' with 180g will kill a Kudu. But I have heard varying reports from different folks that the 06' is not a round many outfitters like to have clients bring. I have faith in Neil's shooting ability, but will a bigger rifle make the outfitter happier?
3. Finally, my last question is in regards to the outfitters. This feels like I'm being too specific, and much too picky, but I only get one shot at this. Healthy or not, Neil is 75 and I don't know when or if I'll be able to do this again. I am looking for someone who has fair prices on hunts, as I'm not precisely made of money. I'm also looking for somewhere to go where things are not too tough. We are not the sort of folks who are going to get any sort of kick out of shooting 'semi-tame' critters out of a vehicle or anything of that ilk. ON the other hand, considering age factors, an outfitter who conducts hunts on fairly moderate terrain is pretty much a must for obvious reasons, though I will never, ever, EVER admit to having said that!
I realize I just wrote a book, and I salute anyone who has made it to the end! Thank you very much for reading, and I hope you can help me out!
Rob