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I love Rinellas show, but think he would be a difficult personality to enjoy. I think I would really enjoy Jim Shockey in camp, as long as he wasnt "on the job". From what I have read, I think I would have really enjoyed Fred Bears company, and probably Skeeter Skeltons (both of course writers...

Great choice! Expect chaos, rainy weather and few opportunities...but the fishing and hunting was great only a week ago!

I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to go on a fair number of guided hunting trips, pretty modest by alot of folks standards. Locally here in NY I hunt whitetail most every week of the season. I have to be out there, but I dont have to shoot anything (but really miss the venison...

I will never forget ...first, the shock on my dads face when I brought home the first deer I shot at 16, then his ...exasperation with butchering it! It was the first deer taken in my family. Many, many more followed. I thoroughly enjoy butchering them, but will happily drop it off at my meat...

This is Billie! She is now five months old, A Rottie. She is trying to fill her aunts very large shoes, after her passing last summer. She is trying, but currently she is too busy chewing on shoes to fill them. She is a very gentle little girl though, and wants to be friends with everyone. We...

Booking earlier is the best guarantee of getting the seats/ flight you want....after that it is a crap shoot.

It is my most treasured possession. When dad got it, the bolt was droppe and the barrel turned down to remove the steps. A Williams aperture and Herters front ramp and birdseye maple stock was all the sporterizing he did....a very typical 1950s home sporterizing job.Over many years, I brought it...

European by descent...My favorite rifle is dads 1933 Oberndorf banner 98, which still has its perfectly adequate original barrel. I shot my first deer (and many more) and moose with it, and it just feels ....right. I have had a scad of other rifles and calibers, but honestly dont think anything...

Keeping it realistic to our means and home.... We were lucky to go once, would love to go back. I would likely want to go to SA again, largely because I feel there is alot there we would still like to do and see...and steer the trip more to my wife. We would like to spend more down time in the...

Needing a new pair of light hiking shoes before my Africa trip, I bought a ankle high pair of full leather goretex (only because what I liked came in them) boots, Rockports if I recall. I spent about 150 bucks, and they did all I wanted. I certainly could have gotten by with one of my other...

I loved GHOA, and will re-read it. That said, after reading Ruarks Horn of the Hunter, by far I enjoyed Ruark more. I think I would have enjoyed Ruarks company, not Hemingways so much.

My time in the woods /fields, etc. is my "mental toileting". Simply being quiet, enjoying all the creations and what HE sends to me to see, hear and feel. Enjoying and helping me to understand the circle of life.

We went to the Eastern Cape of SA spring of 22. From the airport on arrival to departure, we felt totally safe at all times. We were greeted in the airport by our hosts (Afton House), assisted with our luggage and delivered to and from Afton to the airport, and assisted to our departure lines...

You mention an "old K98"..., which of course, they all are. Be sure to have your rifle checked out by a gunsmith before shooting...

On our only trip to SA, we stayed at Afton house both coming and going...on our return, with short notice due to airline problems. We felt very at home immediately. Meals were great, very hospitable. Of course they met us at the airport and delivered us as needed on leaving, with assistance...

Memorable depends too much on what it means to you, and what you get out of it. I loved Africa, it was all I hoped, but I am called to the north....I am drawn back to the northern western peninsula of Newfoundland....wild, like the earth was new after the glaciers passed...the same for northern...

My brother in law wondered how we could go to Africa (granted, a rather modest 10 day hunt, 1/2 wife stuff, 1/2 hunting), he owning his own succesful business , has a modern McMansion and every toy concieved...and also goes on at least two or three cruises/vacations a year..... I told him...we...

Crazy lengths, I dont think so, but I sold quite a few firearms that were not being used. Lucky for me, it was during the Covid years, and I probably got historic high prices for them...I I keep close track as far as firearm values (not that I am a collector or trader), and was actually...

For lack of a floor area large enough (and puppy not perfectly housetrained), we are planning on hanging our zebra rug on the wall. It is backed with a single layer of felt. What suggestions do you have as to how best to do so? It will be going on a painted sheet rock wall. The rug itself is...

We went to Africa last year for our first time. We knew it was a major expense for our lifestyle, but worth every dime, but realized we would likely not get back. We chose our trophies by our :"must haves", and space. Kudu was my dream plains game, and I knew an impala was a must...a minor, but...

The 98 Mauser is one of the finest actions ever created, but not all are suitable for sporterization. Millions were made, so if you want to convert it...up to you . History wont be changed. My own 98 over a very long period of time was upgraded to modern standards with a modern trigger/safety...

I was mildly bummed when I was in SA that it wasnt available where we were (wanting to drink in the tracks of Hemingway, Ruark, etc). I happily settled for the African Black Label, which was a fine beer, and Gin and Tonics.

When we realized our Africa trip would be a reality, there was no hesitation for Kudu being on the top of the list. I had always thought they were the most beautiful of all the plains game. When I asked the wife if there was something she wanted me to get, she didnt hesitate to tell me "I want a...

That is a Buster of a black bear! Where taken?

I have actually been quite surprised by folks who bring it up. I quickly point out the desolation seen on "tribal lands"{, vs managed lands and how "if it dont pay, it dont stay" works. As well, they are surpised when I point out how every animal is immediatly professonally butchered and...

I was shocked when my outfitter and I were talking about the rampant theft through the mail, and limited opportunities to buy outdoors gear. Knowing that, I would happily have tossed in some "retired", but still good gear that I am sure could have been put to good use by him. NOT as part of a...

Last April when we were in SA, rolling blackouts were well established. The times are planned out, so no real hardships through the outfitters. We made sure our electronic stuff was plugged to charge, and had spare energy cells. Evenings were always spent on a veranda enjoying the sunsets...

Our trip last spring was our first time traveling internationally. We stayed at the Afton and were delighted with the service (pick up at the airport, assist with baggage,) great meal and overall great experience. On top of that, my wife was delighted with the limited but excellent assortment of...

Hah! I have the exact same photo!

So how was your hunt? I guess we were lucky...or just a different neighborhood...Between our two overnights in Jburg and our ten days in the Eastern Cape, we never encountered law enforcement. We were very glad to have spent the money for Travel Express though...Three days before departure home...

It was very eye opening for us when we were in the Eastern Cape last spring (via Johannesburg). Jburg felt like a Mad Max movie, and the miles of abandoned rail equpment was very sady, knowing that at one time SA was recognized for its rail service. All our guides/hosts were very depressed over...

I have a lean to the traditional.... Mauser bolt action in 8x57. 30-06, .270s and a ton more came from it, havent improved much. .270 Winchester. Bolt action of your choice (but preferably Mauser style). Lever action 30-30 of your choice. .357 Magnum Smith and Wesson.. Colt 1911 in .45 acp. .22...

I have been lucky enough to go once, and I have to say I was very lucky my wife wanted to go. While she is a non hunter, she knew she would see more critters tagging along with us than just lounging, and she had a great time (we did break it up....10 days mixed with non hunting vs hunting...

And to this day, few nations in the world hold a closer relationship than the U.S. and Great Britain.

What was the name of the outfitter?

My opinion is if it is kept outside, it is not a pet. I totally understand the farms that have them to help with rodent control, but they are devastating on the small wildlife. We have considerably fewer feral cats around now though since coyotes/ fishers, foxes etc. have increased in number.

Also consider any non hunting activities, add on animals and taxidermy, gifts etc. just airport meals....100.00 in Newark for freaking cheeseburgers, fries and a drink apiece! Parking...350 bucks for ten days, travel agent, trip insurance....Our base package for ten days with one non hunter...

I was speechless when I started finding out how many hunters didnt tip at all. I wish I could have tipped much better than I did, when I realized how important to the locals it was (Africa). Even in Canada, as hard working our guides were, they were horribly paid and only the tips made it...

I was delighted to try so many different game meats...every day something. I would have loved to have brought home a bunch of different game sausages from the butcher, but it isnt allowed. I think my favorites would be Ostrich and kudu biltong. I would have loved to have tried zebra, but didnt...

Before qualifying "best", prioritize what you are looking for...qty or quality of animals, hunting/non hunting experiences, level of luxury for accomodations, if you want to be in a setting with other parties or by yourself...all add up to your experiences.

Absolutely positively ask and get a list of US based clients(not just one or two...it is usually easy to get literally a dozen or more). Contact them...Try email first, mentioning the outfitter in the subject line so hopefully it doesnt get trashed/spamed immediatly, ask for permission to call...

Ten days in Africa with an Nyala...for 800 bucks? There is the bargain right there, no matter how you look...Even if you only pick a few of the lower cost critters....Impala, warthog or Zebra...In my opinion you would be still way ahead on the cost.

Request a list of US located references, and call them. They should be more than happy to provide them. In my experience, references usually are also more than happy to be contacted. I usually start with an Email with the outfitters name stated in the subject., asking if I can call/contact them.

I love the .308. For decades it has been my go to for northern whitetails, but would also be perfectly happy using it for eastern black bear or moose. My go to round is 165 grain Speer spitzer, which you can get in the grand slam at the same ballistic co-efficient, as I recall. I use 748. Use...

Unless you simply need the space, you probably are just as well off keeping them, as everyone else is mentioning....sad, but reality of life.

The only competitive shooting I do is patched ball black powder. I am a member of a local black powder club, and we shoot April to October every monday. We are strictly open sights, patched round ball at 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards. It is a very mellow good natured shoot and club with a lot of...

Here is the carved warthog skull...It will be mounted on a pedestal/plaque for the wall. The Nyala is a work in progress, hopefully have it and the rest of my critters (Zebra rug, the Nyala, Impala shoulder and Kudu ) for the end of march/april.

Last spring I went on our first (and likely only ) safari to SA. Similarly, due to budget and space, we had a limited list: Kudu, Impala, Zebra, Warthog, and added an Nyala. Originally we were only planning on mounts for the Kudu, with european for the impala, and a rug for the zebra. Once we...

Last year I was helping an acquaintance clean up his guns, and he had an identical rifle, right down to the round. I fell in love. He would have happily sold it to me, but at the time I wouldn't have been able to offer him what I knew it was worth. He probably still has it......

The thread is getting a bit old, but.... I am 61, on my feet a fair bit, but way too much time at the desk. That said, I try to keep the weight off. Before my trip to SA for ten days (spot and stalk plains game), I made a point about six months ahead of time to do the stairs at work (eighteen...