SOUTH AFRICA: Pawprint Safaris Sable & Crocodile Hunt

Ridgewalker

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PawPrints Safaris 2018
May 10-23, 2018
Booked airport shuttle service door-to-door. Costs a lot less than driving and parking.
Delta flight DL1547 to Atlanta leaving at 11:40 am. Almost a 4 hour layover, then DL0200 to OR Tambo (premium economy seat 30F), Joberg, RSA arriving May 11 at 5:35 pm.
Travel Express did their usual fine job of booking me.
RiflePermits did the SAPS paperwork on my gun again. I think this is definitely worth the money for me!

Everything loaded, checked and re-checked ahead of departure. Bought a neck pillow to see if that helps on the flight and replaced my 30+ year old Camelbak with a new 5.11 Rush. I can get more into it.

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Weather forecast for Joberg looks perfect! Mid 60s days and mid 40s nights. The 15th is the dark of the moon. There is some rain on several days in the forecast, so I put in my camo hooded rain jacket.

My hopes are a nice sable which I believe are the most beautiful of Africa’s antelope and a crocodile. I’m a little nervous with everything I’ve read about hunting crocs. It seems, being reptiles, you can lose them no matter how perfect a shot. I’m in hopes of a spine shot behind the smile so I can have a nice euro skull.

Made myself a target and have practiced from prone off a pack and Harris bipod. Still at 100m I’m not as good as off a bench. Hope I can pull it off.

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Man did I get a ton of “honey-dos” this week! You’d think I’m going to leave for 6 months (wouldn’t that be a grand hunt!) I think I’m up to date on everything finally!

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Delta’s red signed Special line went really fast. The lady knew exactly what to do about a gun. Hooray for Delta improving the training! 5 zigzags and I was through TSA security. Very smooth, just long.
Of course they did change the gate. But just a bit longer of a walk. No big thing.
 

johnnyblues

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Good luck my brother!
 

peras

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Looking forward to seeing you again sir!
 

TRAVEL EXPRESS

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Ridgewalker - Hope you have a great trip, safe travels!
 

BRICKBURN

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Have fun.
 

375 Ruger Fan

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Have a good one! Look forward to the reports and photos.
 

jasyblood

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Good luck and safe travels @Ridgewalker ! Can't wait to hear all about it!!
 

Vanguard2279

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Ridgewalker: Good luck on your hunt and be safe. I look forward to seeing the complete hunt report.
 

cpr0312

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Best of luck! Look forward to the report
 

gillettehunter

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Safe travels. Hope all goes smoothly and the critters co-operate for you.
Bruce
 

billc

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enjoy the trip and good luck on your wish list. Wish you could have made the group hunt but at least your hunting.
 

Ridgewalker

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Atlanta, CAustin I know you told me Blantons, but I’m on a Jim Beam budget:D! Just kidding! I did get a Blantons, but there may not be any left for you guys when I head home! I plan to celebrate my trophies with this.

Ugh...and now for the wait!
 

cagkt3

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Safe travels!!
 

CAustin

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View attachment 228224 View attachment 228225 Atlanta, CAustin I know you told me Blantons, but I’m on a Jim Beam budget:D! Just kidding! I did get a Blantons, but there may not be any left for you guys when I head home! I plan to celebrate my trophies with this.

Ugh...and now for the wait!

May the flight go faster than you think and the hunt be the best ever.
 

AZDAVE

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Safe travels and good luck
 

Lee M

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Nice. That feeling of it’s finally here!
 

Ironhorse375

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Phill,
Looks like all is working out well.
Can’t wait to hear about your hunt. Keep us posted.
 

Hunting Sailor

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Looking forward to the reports with anticipation. Safe travels, enjoy the hunting and all the best.

//Gus
 

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