SCI convention

[dlmac]

I was told that as long as I wear it, I'll never miss.....

Now I really have to find one....Can't miss got love that!

 

[greyfox]

Didn’t book any hunts at SCI but got some good leads on a few for the future in New Zealand and wild boar in Europe and Turkey. I did buy an auction hunt online last weekend at the NWTF show, a muzzleloader whitetail hunt for 2 people this December in Illinois, plan to take my son along like we did in Iowa last year. Maybe I can hit that 160” number in Illinois!
Purchases at SCI were more gear focused. I bought an AGM thermal monocular to play around with after using my PHs monocular in Spain last fall. Also finally broke down and bit the bullet with buying my first suppressor. Got a Banish Backcountry 30 cal to put on my Browning X Bolt Hells Canyon Speed 300 WinMag. I also have the exact same gun in 28 Nosler so I can swap it between the two guns. They are already threaded and have muzzle brakes which work great on recoil but will make you go deaf. Since I only use these guns in MT in open country hunts not worried about the increased barrel length catching on brush so much and they are synthetic stocks and cerekoted barrels. Can’t bear the thought of sticking a suppressor on my blued steel and walnut yet rifles yet!
Last purchase was a nice John Banovich giclee artist proof print of elephants with Kilimanjaro in the background, will put it into the trophy room in place of doing an ele hunt

Really interested in how much that quiets the 300 WM; if it'll protect or not harm what little hearing I have left.

 

[Philip Glass]

It is killing me not to be there. I know it isearly but 2 days are down already. Anyone have first impressions? Who booked with? Guns purchased?

I booked some of the ibex hunts I have been wishing for. Greece for Kri Kri and Pakistan for Sind Ibex. I got to visit briefly with York Mare and Johnny Russell with @DALTON & YORK SAFARIS
It appears we have broken ALL of the records once again! I am sad to be packing to go home.

 

[Philip Glass]

I also spent some time talking with one of the guys that does the 4-day SAAM Safari Training. I’ve been through similar training, but was specifically interested in the large bore dangerous game target training. I need to run through some drills and practice with my 450 prior to my next hunt. This course seems pretty extensive, but also expensive for 4 days.

Jury is still out on this one… 450 Dakota ammo is expensive. But, getting run through by a buff or stomped by an Ele due to lack of practice or being unprepared has me thinking more about it. It’s just a value consideration.

**Ok, I realize my example of being unprepared is a little extreme… My concerns are for making a good first shot and being prepared to make effective follow up shots. This requires practice off sticks at a minimum.

FTW Ranch Great Hunting and World Class Training

The FTW SAAM team is a dedicated group of professionals with backgrounds in US Military Special Operations & World Wide Hunting. We are focused on wildlife conservation.

ftwsaam.com

SAAM is expensive but no one has a DG set up like they do.

 

[Russ16]

I finally found a Kyrgyzstan outfitter for Marco Polo and Ibex. Got it from a reliable source who has recently hunted with them.

I’m very excited about this hunt for 2027! Just got the dates today. Be glad to use my .300 RUM again…

Mind sharing which outfitter? I’m looking for similar.

 

[Philip Glass]

I checked in with the outfitters and PHs for the trips I have planned and helped a couple clients do some bookings.

Well, then, I think I got a great deal at the Ryman auction tonight. Earlier, I had placed an online bid for the Tanzania 21-day safari in the Selous with Peter Chipman. The safari includes everything except trophy fees. I’ve always wanted to hunt with Peter someday. Before the auction, I talked to Peter and most of the hunters that hunted there with him last year and they were very happy and said the game numbers were very good. Peter said last year was even better than he could have imagined. Last year was Peter’s first year there and the brand new camp is super nice. Since it was the first year, nobody hunted a lion but they did hunt leopards, elephant, buffalo and plains game. A 60 pound elephant, a 62” kudu, three 40”+ buffalo and some very nice leopards were taken, among other good animals. Two nice lions were seen but not hunted.

The listed price in his brochure shows $133k plus trophy fees for a full bag. I put in a minimum bid and then also a max online bid of $40k and figured there was no way I would be successful during the live auction. I figured I had nothing to lose but everything to gain. At the live auction, just two other people placed bids and my max bid of $40k was successful! I still can’t believe it. My parents, wife and friends were incredulous. I’m not sure if I will split the safari with a family member or friend yet or not. I’m still in shock.

Excellent! The Max bid feature works well.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Mind sharing which outfitter? I’m looking for similar.

I will after I’m completely booked and deposit is made. I have 2 options on dates. It’s a process. I’ll DM you my contact info…

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I got another copy of this:

I loaned out my original autographed copy. I’ll bring this with me and have Boseveld autograph it when I hunt with Riaan and Henk in October. I’ve been fortunate to spend time in camp as well as dinner in town with Boseveld. He is an amazing and accomplished man, very kind, and such a pleasure to talk to and be around.

I highly recommend this book…

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

SAAM is expensive but no one has a DG set up like they do.

Giving it serious consideration.

 

[tinktink12]

@skydiver386 and I are leaving Nashville after a wonderful weekend with SCI folks. I want to say that I have now attended the largest and best hunting convention in the world!

 

[Green Chile]

I got another copy of this:

View attachment 747809


I loaned out my original autographed copy. I’ll bring this with me and have Boseveld autograph it when I hunt with Riaan and Henk in October. I’ve been fortunate to spend time in camp as well as dinner in town with Boseveld. He is an amazing and accomplished man, very kind, and such a pleasure to talk to and be around.

I highly recommend this book…

Interesting. I thought I had all of the good leopard books. Sounds like I'm missing one.

 

[Rare Breed]

lol, me too!!! Buying a copy now!

 

[Rare Breed]

Wow can’t find a copy anywhere. Anyone interested in selling Soul of The Leopard?

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Riaan is in Nashville. Likely has copies. He can mail you one

 

[Adipose]

Spent the four days with my wife and 2 daughters. What a great show and everyone I spoke to had more bookings than anywhere else this year. The outfitter I was with at the Saturday night dinner took more actual deposits than any other event in 25 years.

We completed the details for a couple plains game hunts this year in Limpopo and the Eastern cape. 3 different whitetail hunts for this fall and a Hawaii Axis hunt for next Spring. We are still finalizing the details for a couple other hunts in 2027, but we booked a Plains game hunt, and an Elephant and leopard combo hunt for sept of 2028.

We were impressed with the show and It certainly is getting better every year. It was also really cool to check out an Earthroamer. a 900K 4x4 overlanding hunting dream home.. very sweet

 

[Adipose]

Last thing: Our flight for today is cancelled and the soonest flight back is Wednesday. so it looks like we are hanging around Nashville for a few more days.

 

[Doug3006]

I’ve had a great experience so far. I like the location and set up.

Reached several milestones:

1. Booked Ele, Buff, Tiny 10, PG, small cats hunt for Bots, Moz, and SA for Oct 2026.

2. Got good quote and dates for Spain for Ibex, Chamois, Mouflon, Roe Deer, Iberian Red Deer, Wild Boar, and possibly a Fallow… Then extend my stay to take in a F1 Race and finish with 3 days of fishing on Canary Islands. Talked my Girlfriend into going too…

3. Got a good quote and dates for BC Moose, Whitetail, and Lynx plus a wolf tag. 12 Days in Nov 2027.

4. Got a good quote and dates for Scotland for December this year for 5 days hunting Red Stag and Roe Deer. Then I’ll stay another 5 days to see the sites and pay my respects. My grandfather was named William Wallace, so it’s time I made the pilgrimage.

5. Got a good quote and dates for a 2027 Caribou hunt. Still need to sort that out.

6. Meeting an outfitter early tomorrow for breakfast to talk about Yukon Moose Hunt.

7. Got fitted for Kenetrek (Mountain Extreme 400) boots and will likely order those tomorrow.

8. Talked to Ty at MOA Rifles and spec’d out a custom Left Hand 7MM REM MAG, but likely go with a 7 PRC Extreme MTNR with 22” barrel and a pretty small, but effective can. Although Ty is trying to talk me into a 20” barrel…

9. Getting a quote from Gracy for my Africa flights with Emirates through Dubai to get to Joberg in the morning. Then catch my next flight to Moz.

10. Stopped at Heym to discuss time frame and options on a LH Double in 500 NE. 2 Years timeframe…

11. Spent some time with my NZ outfitter. He was eager to show me how many of my videos made it in his promo. They actually came out pretty good considering they were filmed on an iPhone through a spotting scope.

12. Got a quote and dates from a Saskatchewan outfitter for ducks and geese for 2027. For a group of 10 people.

13. Tried on some Arctic Parkas. Expensive!

14. Talked to SWIFT about some 450 bullets. May pick up a box of each A-Frame Heavy and Break-Away Solids. Prices are going up, again!

Tomorrow will be locking in contracts and paying out more deposits. Then dinner with some of AH’s finest!

In the outfitters break room, there’s a portrait of you. With the caption that says: our benefactor! I’m envious!

 

[Betterinthebush]

Last thing: Our flight for today is cancelled and the soonest flight back is Wednesday. so it looks like we are hanging around Nashville for a few more days.

No doubt. No one is getting in or out of the NE for at least three days. There are worse places to be stuck. Nashville is a great city.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

In the outfitters break room, there’s a portrait of you. With the caption that says: our benefactor! I’m envious!

Oh. Nice. I had no clue…

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

In the outfitters break room, there’s a portrait of you. With the caption that says: our benefactor! I’m envious!

Can’t say enough about AH and its members! I get far more than I give. If I hadn’t found Africa Hunting, and lurked for years, I wouldn’t have had the knowledge and information to do most of the hunting I do now!