It just got real

[breatheandsqueeze]

Wheels up April 1st flight 200 out of Atlanta direct to Jburg Taking my 300 WM with 180 grain nosler partitions. Planning on taking the following wish list.
Have done a ton of reading but always appreciate the opinions of the experts here.

Hyena
Gemsbok
Warthog
Impala
wildebeest

Ideas, suggestions, ?
Thanks in advance,
John

 

[BRICKBURN]

Have fun!

 

[Red Leg]

Stash away a couple of extra bucks for that unplanned kudu, zebra, whatever the hunt turns up. Enjoy!

 

[siml]

@BRICKBURN , the wisest words I have read....

 

[Desperatezulu]

Practice a little bit more with your rifle/load combo and test yourself from different shooting positions. Better to first try using sticks when you don't have the PH's hot breath in your ear and your first African animal poised to bolt

And enjoy the building excitement! It's going to be great!

 

[petrusg]

Make sure to shoot some shots off of sticks..... Enjoy your hunt and give us some feedback

 

[cpr0312]

Have fun.

Take chapstick and sunscreen

Have a few extra bucks in case something not on your list pops up on a deal!

 

[Ridgewalker]

You got great info already...extra money for what ever shows up, chapstick, sunscreen, practice on sticks, etc.
Oh and take pictures for us!
I'm so jealous!
Enjoy!

 

[Shootist43]

Consider using http://riflepermits.com/ to avoid any hassles getting your rifle into or out of SA. I know that using such a service may not be "required" but it sure will give you piece of mind. My sons and I used Henry's services last August 9th. the day after Delta's computers went down world wide. We arrived in JoBurg with the clothes on our backs and our carry on luggage. Henry's people helped us clear through SAPS etc. When our guns arrived the next day Henry's people got them cleared as well and saw to it that they were shipped along with our luggage to the outfitters lodge some 5 hours by car away from the airport. I've heard stories of SAPS giving "individuals" trouble, which usually requires a bribe to straighten out. Henry is a lawyer that knows the laws dealing with rifle importation and exportation. SAPS personnel don't screw with Henry's clients.

Get ready to have the "time of your life."

 

[Adrian]

When I first went or at least planned my first trip I had a list of animals I wanted to hunt firmly in my mind.
I quickly learnt that was a mistake.
Sure, it's good to have an idea but don't get hung up on it.
Throw the shopping list away.
Take what comes your way, don't let your preconceived ideas stop your enjoyment of the hunt.
Relax, enjoy yourself, don't put pressure on yourself or your PH and you will have a far better experience.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

When I first went or at least planned my first trip I had a list of animals I wanted to hunt firmly in my mind.
I quickly learnt that was a mistake.
Sure, it's good to have an idea but don't get hung up on it.
Throw the shopping list away.
Take what comes your way, don't let your preconceived ideas stop your enjoyment of the hunt.
Relax, enjoy yourself, don't put pressure on yourself or your PH and you will have a far better experience.

Totally agree with this. You likely have a budget in mind and I don't advocate blowing your budget, but letting the hunt come to you and not getting into a mode of "I have to get that this or that else it will be disappointing hunt" is good advice.

For some reason it seems some critters come easier to some hunters and not others. My current nemesis is steenbok. I've seen hundreds of them, but not a shooter. On my last hunt another group of 3 arrived in camp about the same time as my wife and I. We like them did the sight in at the range and then a couple of hours of hunting. One of the members of the other party shot a dandy steenbok that afternoon, having just arrived a few hours before, so go figure.

On the other hand the first time I had eland on my mind, I got a nice one. I know of others who have multiple times for the big beasts and haven't put one down yet.

So I advocate going with the hunt and take what comes, while of course staying within your budget.

 

[Royal27]

Great advice!

Take notes in a journal. And take pictures of everything , I mean everything. Some of my favorite pictures are some that were totally random.

And if your ph starts drooling, shoot. Read here enough and there are a ton of regrets about the "one I should have shot."

Enjoy! It's AFRICA!!!!

 

[CAustin]

Take lots of pictures and have a blast. I look forward to you sharing your hunt report.

 

[Divernhunter]

Plan to shoot what you think you want. I did. Then take money for the ones you decide on once you get there. Which I also did.
Keep a journal. Take a ton of photos. You can always delete ones you do not like. I only deleted a dozen out of 1800+.
If your PH get excited shot the damn animal. I am glad I did. I hesitated on the 1st animal and never got to see another Caracal. Learned my lesson. Ended up with a fantastic Waterbuck and the SCI Gold #48 Cape Impala.
Bring hard candies for the tracker and staff(also the PH).
Learn to shoot off sticks.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

One property I hunted, the main one, I was told there were about thirty eland present. I saw tracks, but not a single one in a week.
My one and only trip to SA had the warthog being the most elusive target. I saw several great shooters, but each time the safety clicked they high tailed it away. On the flip side, I had no intention of seeking a waterbuck. There was one on the farm, but he's a mean ass. Seven months hunters tried to get him. We happened upon him one day. I made the deal with my PH to take him instead of the remaining animals, and quickly found out why no one tagged him yet. He's quick!

Moral of my story? I totally agree that your list needs to be flexible. Happy hunting!

 

[Nyati]

Be flexible and enjoy !

 

[mrpoindexter]

Keep your eyes open for opportunities and take what Africa gives you.

 

[Upton O. Good]

I accompanied a friend on his plains game trip to SA, I was going bird hunting.

Right.

Six plains game trophies later, I was planning my next plains game trip back.

Bird hunting? The pigeon hunting was mediocre due to cold rainy day but the weather played well for geese.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Congratulations. I saw somemone mention a journal. Write something short every night. You can fill the entire story in later.
At the end you wan't be able to recall everything.

Enjoy the trip.
Take Care,
Marius Goosen

 

[mrpoindexter]

I wrote in my journal every night and when I got home, I took the journal and photos I shot and made a nice coffee table book for myself and gave a copy to the PH, my local archery pro shop, my local sporting goods store and a few friends. I think the books were such a hit that I plan on doing one on every hunt.

 

[WildRose]

Consider using http://riflepermits.com/ to avoid any hassles getting your rifle into or out of SA. I know that using such a service may not be "required" but it sure will give you piece of mind. My sons and I used Henry's services last August 9th. the day after Delta's computers went down world wide. We arrived in JoBurg with the clothes on our backs and our carry on luggage. Henry's people helped us clear through SAPS etc. When our guns arrived the next day Henry's people got them cleared as well and saw to it that they were shipped along with our luggage to the outfitters lodge some 5 hours by car away from the airport. I've heard stories of SAPS giving "individuals" trouble, which usually requires a bribe to straighten out. Henry is a lawyer that knows the laws dealing with rifle importation and exportation. SAPS personnel don't screw with Henry's clients.

Get ready to have the "time of your life."

Great advice. The SAPS agent that I had to deal with coming into the country was clueless as to her job and Francois ended up having to walk her through it line by line and when she got a little snotty about it offered to let her talk to the head of the unit there at Joberg whom he happened to have on speed dial.

On the way out, one of the gals's openly tried to hit me up for a bribe over taking the same ammunition (and empties) I flew in with back out. Same result with the offer to call her boss.