How my first African Safari ended an abusive relationship..

[Betterinthebush]

..metaphorically speaking, of course.

In my limited, yet varied, hunting career, I’ve been trapped in a love/hate relationship. Voluntarily, I admit it..I signed up for it. There’s no one to blame but me.

The former love interest’s name is “Alaska”. But I’ll just call her by her new name. “That Bitch”.

For years I tried to understand, accommodate, adapt to and be a solid partner with her. In return she made me fear to go to sleep at night without a light on. Oh, I tried to reconcile and reason with her. But That Bitch always had it in for me. I’d kill a moose and she’d send a plane that had an engine failure on take-off..with me in it. I’d have a client take a 65” moose and she’d send me 18” of beaver dam bursting rain without warning downriver to me. I’d see brown bear everywhere around camp for days, reporting as much to my master guide, so as to reassure the incoming client that I’m on top of things. And what did That Bitch do? Sent a freak inland gale from the coast right on top of me for three days. Then another three days of fog down to the deck. When the client arrived I had four days to produce. That Bitch... oh! There’s more! But, you get the idea.

Then she walks into my life. Africa. Sexy, dark, mysterious, full of life. (Sigh) I was weak. I went to her. And I shall never be the same.

I’ve a Namibia hunting report I’ll file, but (as you can read), I’ve got some issues I have to resolve first.

 

[Green Chile]

As someone who lived in Alaska for years and worked all over the Bush...I will just say you will often see me writing about Africa and very little about Alaska hunting. Let's just say I know what you mean...

 

[Betterinthebush]

@Green Chile, yup. Thanks for understanding. Never know how writing will be received. I love Alaska, always will. She’s just…

 

[Wooster]

I'm about to head north to go out with your ex. Thanks for the warning. Good to know in advance that she's crazy.

 

[AZDAVE]

Alaska is a fickle mistress on a good day and a stone cold wench in league with Mr Murphy on others.

But Africa and Alaska are the two places on this planet when I set foot in them the earth says "WELCOME HOME"

 

[Green Chile]

Well said Dave. Both are home to me and very special. There is no place like Africa or Alaska for those who love the outdoors.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

..metaphorically speaking, of course.

In my limited, yet varied, hunting career, I’ve been trapped in a love/hate relationship. Voluntarily, I admit it..I signed up for it. There’s no one to blame but me.

The former love interest’s name is “Alaska”. But I’ll just call her by her new name. “That Bitch”.

For years I tried to understand, accommodate, adapt to and be a solid partner with her. In return she made me fear to go to sleep at night without a light on. Oh, I tried to reconcile and reason with her. But That Bitch always had it in for me. I’d kill a moose and she’d send a plane that had an engine failure on take-off..with me in it. I’d have a client take a 65” moose and she’d send me 18” of beaver dam bursting rain without warning downriver to me. I’d see brown bear everywhere around camp for days, reporting as much to my master guide, so as to reassure the incoming client that I’m on top of things. And what did That Bitch do? Sent a freak inland gale from the coast right on top of me for three days. Then another three days of fog down to the deck. When the client arrived I had four days to produce. That Bitch... oh! There’s more! But, you get the idea.

Then she walks into my life. Africa. Sexy, dark, mysterious, full of life. (Sigh) I was weak. I went to her. And I shall never be the same.

I’ve a Namibia hunting report I’ll file, but (as you can read), I’ve got some issues I have to resolve first.

You must like big butts. Most of the gals I see at Joberg airport would cover 2.5 bar stools.

 

[Fatback]

I had a brief fling with Alaska in 2008 and 2010. Was able to get a nice bear and moose on those “dates”

I’ve spent most of my time with Africa since then, but as is often the case, the passage of time often mutes the difficulties of being fogged in town for a week of a 10 day hunt, sleeping on the ground, freeze dried food and spending the day in a one man tent listening to the rain. So, I’ve decided to give her another try 15 years after out last “date”.

I’ll be up there in September looking for a Mountain Goat to relocate to South Georgia. Hopefully, I haven’t lost my mind.

 

[Paul K]

This reminds me of the saying, Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you. I have to admit, there are times when I just get tired of always being on the menu.

 

[Hooked Now]

Never been to Alaska before for leisure or a hunt, but about 3 days into my first Africa trip I was heard to utter the words "I will never pay another dollar to hunt in the US again". Fishing and quail, yes, but deer no thank you. Africa has a pull, for sure.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I love the feeling of being dropped in the middle of nowhere. At least two flights out of Anchorage. I don’t need to kill another moose but would love to go on another 14 day drop camp hunt.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Never been to Alaska before for leisure or a hunt, but about 3 days into my first Africa trip I was heard to utter the words "I will never pay another dollar to hunt in the US again". Fishing and quail, yes, but deer no thank you. Africa has a pull, for sure.

I prefer solo hunting so Africa, great as it is, will always be second place to hunting birds and deer in Montana. Can't hunt solo in Africa. Sigh.

 

[Surgeon1]

Alaska has been my love for more than a half Century, I was introduced to her as a teenager at age 16 by my dad who warned me she would suck the life from me but when I was tired of her or became too old to to tolerate her cruel ways even though I would love her, it would be time to Explore “The Dark Continent” and that I’m doing at every opportunity once or twice a year!
Saying all that I’m soon headed back to Alaska to fish for Reds & Silvers and get another house bought in a place so dear to me! Then Back to Africa in February for near a month
Alaska is the love of my life and Africa lives in my heart every day! I love Wyoming but Africa & Alaska feel like home yet so opposite in their personalities

 

[Altitude sickness]

Unfortunately Africa no longer has the vast remoteness that Alaska provides.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I guess I'm - what's the word: polyamory? - because I am still in relationships with both of them. With zero plans to change that status.

And I will thank you to not speak so harshly of Lady Alaska. Keep calling her a bitch and I might have to ask you to step outside. (though she can be frosty, merciless, and always insists on getting her way)

 

[Tundra Tiger]

You must like big butts. Most of the gals I see at Joberg airport would cover 2.5 bar stools.

Point of fact...

When my PH asked what type of horns I fancied I told him I like my horns like I like my women: short, thick, and tight. True story - you can ask him.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I love the feeling of being dropped in the middle of nowhere. At least two flights out of Anchorage. I don’t need to kill another moose but would love to go on another 14 day drop camp hunt.

I don't need as many steps as you but I know the feeling brother. I have never felt more alive than hunting and camping in remote Alaska.

 

[smokepole]

I don't need as many steps as you but I know the feeling brother. I have never felt more alive than hunting and camping in remote Alaska.

I lived in ak for 11 years 1970-80. Rough and tough but nothing like, but start early in life and finish up in Africa. Never got to hunt in Ak with my son but we had a few good trips to Africa Been a great life.