Firebird
AH legend
Things that worked and some that didn’t-
I wish I had packed maybe three more shirts. Another nice one to put on before dinner and to wear around the hotel and at regular people places-touring around town etc. I had one but another would have been nice- a collared golf shirt maybe. Would bring another regular t shirt as well-I had packed enough hunting stuff, needed a bit more of everyday clothing. I wish I had taken some shorts. I have white legs and didn’t take shorts (animals do see white legs unless you are a white lion-somehow works for them) but some days shorts would’ve been nice-the afternoon bow blind for example. There were four really cold nights and cold windy days. It’s the middle of South African winter so layers were important. I was fine but I failed to help my wife pack for this-I know I’ll get blamed anyway but this time I truly should have helped her a bit. Long sleeved t shirt, hoodie, good jacket or in her case a coat. And performance fabrics! Someone commented on Wik in a coat and me in a light t shirt-I’m a big guy and utah winters are really cold so I was fine while some folks would want to have thermals and coat/beanie/maybe gloves. I also wore hiking shoes made by salewa. I was fine, my wife wore her running shoes and never complained. But I hike alot and she wasn’t around for the rough or steep stuff of which there wasn’t alot. It has been worse for other hunters but I never needed more than these shoes (not boots) made specifically for hiking.
The two biggest constant mistakes I believe guys make is not being in shape and not being proficient off sticks. Walking five miles a day was a good start for my wife and myself. I suggest you incorporate stairs and hills into that and that’s a minimum. I am 50 (duuuhh) but also a firefighter and work out alot. Wik didn’t have to slow down for me and at his pace we got alot done in a short time. He knows I like to walk and several times we abandoned the cruiser in favor of stalking on foot just because he and I both like to do it that way. Be comfortable shooting off sticks and that includes being able to find stuff in your scope. I have the luxury of a nearby public shooting range and also take my own rifles so I get lots of practice. Don’t short yourself in this dept! A wounded or lost animal costs you time and money and more time. Ohhh its a very sh@&$tty thing to do that to an animal-so maybe not just proficient but excellent behind the gun. I pracice by shooting milk jugs filled with water off sticks. Set them up at 100 to 300 yards and make each shot count. At 100 yards a gallon jug is too big, downsize accordingly. The 165 tbbc (original, not newer versions) were very good. I wouldn’t try a quartering shot on a kudu with them and the decrease your margin for error. I fully agree to go big for the caliber you regularly hunt deer with. The .375 is wonderful. I had options here and stayed with the smaller 235 grain and it was plenty. But I didn’t try to get fancy with it-broadside for quick kills on big stuff. Smaller boned game quartering was not a problem. I had 300 gr a frames and never used them-I’ll use them when I hunt buffalo someday.
Kuiu brand pants were pleasant for traveling and hunting. I like the plain colors for this-camo when I bow hunt at home. I like the zippered pockets for passports and wallet/keys etc and on days when I got warm, unzip the side vents and carry on. On the cold mornings I stayed comfortable. I use the “attack” model which denotes the weight of the fabric-not the intended purpose. They were perfect for the airplane as well as late July in the east cape.
Money-I wired all mine ahead of time. I also trust the ph and have hunted there before. I carried cash for tips. I screwed up here. I should have had $1 and $5 but failed to have my $20s broken down. So the kid who took our bags on the elevator and to our room either got a $20 or an empty handshake. Some folks got more than they deserve (or less) just because I foolishly neglected to get change before flying. I used my credit card for most things and never had a problem with it. I did pay cash for a book and used the change which was in Rands to tip folks. You know that one that guy that cleans your toilet seat in the airport then stands between it and you with his hands open. Give him a R2 coin and watch him wilt. One of them gave me a “is that all sir” and I told him all he did was squirt water in a toilet seat and if he wanted medals he should have joined the military. Another guy just told jokes with his hands open at the door. He got an angry eye to eye stare and nothing. I knew how Bruce and his team were going to be and had tip money for them all ready in my pocket, but they also never ask or stand there with their hands out-the people who really deserve something extra rarely do.
I hope we were good guests and clients. Some days our trackers had to hack a trail to a dead kudu then pack it back uphill. Those days they really earned their money and taught us something along the way. Other days they had it easy and barley got their hands bloody. Springbok for example where me and Wik would stalk and after the bang and flop they just needed to bring the car and prepare the animal. But then they did it so I didn’t have to. But the kitchen ladies are steady everyday and they even sang happy birthday and presented me with some adoreable (my wife’s words) trinkets. So figuring tips for them was left to the ph-I left him cash and asked him to disperse among those who heroed and to include his wonderful wife as well. We also try to give something personal as well but it is hard to know sizes and things and I’m certain Wik was uncomfortable with me asking what I could bring.
I told my wife to bring stuff for s’mores and I really wish she had. But she was embarrassed to do it and we missed a chance at a whimsical conversation maker there.
Covid was never an issue on our trip. We took masks to be prepared and had QR codes ready and even taped my vax card inside the last cover of my passport but never needed any of it. Thankfully.
I wish I had packed maybe three more shirts. Another nice one to put on before dinner and to wear around the hotel and at regular people places-touring around town etc. I had one but another would have been nice- a collared golf shirt maybe. Would bring another regular t shirt as well-I had packed enough hunting stuff, needed a bit more of everyday clothing. I wish I had taken some shorts. I have white legs and didn’t take shorts (animals do see white legs unless you are a white lion-somehow works for them) but some days shorts would’ve been nice-the afternoon bow blind for example. There were four really cold nights and cold windy days. It’s the middle of South African winter so layers were important. I was fine but I failed to help my wife pack for this-I know I’ll get blamed anyway but this time I truly should have helped her a bit. Long sleeved t shirt, hoodie, good jacket or in her case a coat. And performance fabrics! Someone commented on Wik in a coat and me in a light t shirt-I’m a big guy and utah winters are really cold so I was fine while some folks would want to have thermals and coat/beanie/maybe gloves. I also wore hiking shoes made by salewa. I was fine, my wife wore her running shoes and never complained. But I hike alot and she wasn’t around for the rough or steep stuff of which there wasn’t alot. It has been worse for other hunters but I never needed more than these shoes (not boots) made specifically for hiking.
The two biggest constant mistakes I believe guys make is not being in shape and not being proficient off sticks. Walking five miles a day was a good start for my wife and myself. I suggest you incorporate stairs and hills into that and that’s a minimum. I am 50 (duuuhh) but also a firefighter and work out alot. Wik didn’t have to slow down for me and at his pace we got alot done in a short time. He knows I like to walk and several times we abandoned the cruiser in favor of stalking on foot just because he and I both like to do it that way. Be comfortable shooting off sticks and that includes being able to find stuff in your scope. I have the luxury of a nearby public shooting range and also take my own rifles so I get lots of practice. Don’t short yourself in this dept! A wounded or lost animal costs you time and money and more time. Ohhh its a very sh@&$tty thing to do that to an animal-so maybe not just proficient but excellent behind the gun. I pracice by shooting milk jugs filled with water off sticks. Set them up at 100 to 300 yards and make each shot count. At 100 yards a gallon jug is too big, downsize accordingly. The 165 tbbc (original, not newer versions) were very good. I wouldn’t try a quartering shot on a kudu with them and the decrease your margin for error. I fully agree to go big for the caliber you regularly hunt deer with. The .375 is wonderful. I had options here and stayed with the smaller 235 grain and it was plenty. But I didn’t try to get fancy with it-broadside for quick kills on big stuff. Smaller boned game quartering was not a problem. I had 300 gr a frames and never used them-I’ll use them when I hunt buffalo someday.
Kuiu brand pants were pleasant for traveling and hunting. I like the plain colors for this-camo when I bow hunt at home. I like the zippered pockets for passports and wallet/keys etc and on days when I got warm, unzip the side vents and carry on. On the cold mornings I stayed comfortable. I use the “attack” model which denotes the weight of the fabric-not the intended purpose. They were perfect for the airplane as well as late July in the east cape.
Money-I wired all mine ahead of time. I also trust the ph and have hunted there before. I carried cash for tips. I screwed up here. I should have had $1 and $5 but failed to have my $20s broken down. So the kid who took our bags on the elevator and to our room either got a $20 or an empty handshake. Some folks got more than they deserve (or less) just because I foolishly neglected to get change before flying. I used my credit card for most things and never had a problem with it. I did pay cash for a book and used the change which was in Rands to tip folks. You know that one that guy that cleans your toilet seat in the airport then stands between it and you with his hands open. Give him a R2 coin and watch him wilt. One of them gave me a “is that all sir” and I told him all he did was squirt water in a toilet seat and if he wanted medals he should have joined the military. Another guy just told jokes with his hands open at the door. He got an angry eye to eye stare and nothing. I knew how Bruce and his team were going to be and had tip money for them all ready in my pocket, but they also never ask or stand there with their hands out-the people who really deserve something extra rarely do.
I hope we were good guests and clients. Some days our trackers had to hack a trail to a dead kudu then pack it back uphill. Those days they really earned their money and taught us something along the way. Other days they had it easy and barley got their hands bloody. Springbok for example where me and Wik would stalk and after the bang and flop they just needed to bring the car and prepare the animal. But then they did it so I didn’t have to. But the kitchen ladies are steady everyday and they even sang happy birthday and presented me with some adoreable (my wife’s words) trinkets. So figuring tips for them was left to the ph-I left him cash and asked him to disperse among those who heroed and to include his wonderful wife as well. We also try to give something personal as well but it is hard to know sizes and things and I’m certain Wik was uncomfortable with me asking what I could bring.
I told my wife to bring stuff for s’mores and I really wish she had. But she was embarrassed to do it and we missed a chance at a whimsical conversation maker there.
Covid was never an issue on our trip. We took masks to be prepared and had QR codes ready and even taped my vax card inside the last cover of my passport but never needed any of it. Thankfully.
