The Countdown Begins

[Catahoula]

I paid my deposit this morning with Paw Print for a plains game hunt in November of 2016. My future wife will accompany me as an observer. I have zebra, wildebeest and warthog on the menu and am considering adding kudu or one of the other antelope species. I'll be taking my trusted 30-06 along with the 8mm Rem Mag I just purchased on the classifieds here, assuming it shoots as good as it looks. I've got 200 grain partitions for both. Thoughts on these? We are super excited to take this long awaited trip! Any input from those that have been? Things you would have done differently or wished you would have done on your first safari?

 

[BRICKBURN]

Have a great time and enjoy yourself.

Take more pictures than you think you should. Never stop.
Take notes for the hunt report.

Take less cloths and pack lighter.

 

[CAustin]

Catahoula, hold onto your hat......your going to have a great hunt with Paw Print Safaris. The rifles and rounds you are taking will get the job done for sure. Brickburn's suggestions are spot on. Take lots of pictures!

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

+1 on BRICKBURN's advices.

Congratulations on pulling the trigger on this long awaited first safari! Communication with your PH is very important, don't be afraid to ask questions, relay your desires, set priorities, ask for what you want… and if you are able, try to slow down the time as it just flies by to quickly… Enjoy every moment of your time in Africa, Pieter will certainly help you create memories to last a lifetime!

 

[Royal27]

Great choice on the outfit!

You are in for an experience. You will he back. Leaving yourself open and deciding what you are taking after you get there isn't a bad option for a lot of the common animals. There might just be something you see that you didn't think you'd want to take.

Enjoy the rest of the planning !

 

[tarbe]

Excited for you!

My unsolicited $0.02? You are traveling halfway around the world. Hunt like you don't know if you'll ever get back.

You will not regret taking that extra animal or three in the years to come. You may very well regret not doing it, some day.

 

[ActionBob]

Lots of good advise from all. Follow it all. On our first trip over we did a lot of touring so packed heavier... Could have lightened up even with those extra 11 days. The guns and Ammo sound fine, in fact no reason to take anything more than the 30-06 unless you really want to.

How many days are you hunting? The Wart hog could be tough that time of year, but it is completely conceivable that the other two are on the ground the first day... If you have more than 3 days booked, you need a big extra critter fund!

If your tight on money, I would get Pieter's full price list and pick out all the cheapest stuff just to have more to hunt. Then ask him about the logistics, or jut ask Pieter to make suggestions for lots of cheaper critters that will work for the areas he has planned to take you. You'll have just as much fun hunting a duiker as a kudu... Well maybe not quite

Duiker, Steenbuck, blesbuck, baboon, etc. Ask about bushbuck, tons of fun and can be a challenge. See if you can get Pieter to call in a jackal!

 

[Catahoula]

Thanks for the input. Lots of pictures, pack light, have fun. Seems easy enough!

Lots of good advise from all. Follow it all. On our first trip over we did a lot of touring so packed heavier... Could have lightened up even with those extra 11 days. The guns and Ammo sound fine, in fact no reason to take anything more than the 30-06 unless you really want to.

How many days are you hunting? The Wart hog could be tough that time of year, but it is completely conceivable that the other two are on the ground the first day... If you have more than 3 days booked, you need a big extra critter fund!

If your tight on money, I would get Pieter's full price list and pick out all the cheapest stuff just to have more to hunt. Then ask him about the logistics, or jut ask Pieter to make suggestions for lots of cheaper critters that will work for the areas he has planned to take you. You'll have just as much fun hunting a duiker as a kudu... Well maybe not quite

Duiker, Steenbuck, blesbuck, baboon, etc. Ask about bushbuck, tons of fun and can be a challenge. See if you can get Pieter to call in a jackal!

I know the 06 is plenty, but I've been enamored with the 8mm magnum since they were introduced. I've never owned one until now, so it's got to come along. I've got 5 days booked, so I'm sure I'll add a couple of animals. Budget is not a big concern, but I also don't want to go crazy. We are planning a tour in the game park and perhaps some other activities, so some of the days will not be used for hunting.

I was considering the buffalo cow hunt that Pieter offered with the option of adding some plains game. Buffalo has been a 30 year dream, but I think the plains game hunt gives more bang for the buck.

 

[ActionBob]

Well getting the rest of the story, you're absolutely correct, that 8mm has to go with!

If a buffalo cow hunt satisfies your 30 year dream, I strongly suggest you implement the Nike Rule.... "Just Do It!" I'm sure Pieter will borrow you a gun. Alternatively I believe the 416 rem mag is based on the 8mm rem mag.... Just sayin'.

If you want a striking trophy for the wall, go for a greater kudu... Do your research and know what a good trophy is...

However if you are primarily in it for the experience, by all means go for the buffalo! Nothing compares for the cost. I have not hunted leopard yet but I would have to say the most fun and exciting hunts for the big 5 are elephant and buffalo. I don't know what can compare to stalking into a herd of cape buffalo in the bush....

And if anyway possible, stay in Africa more than 5 days.

 

[johnnyblues]

Best of luck!

 

[Catahoula]

@ActionBob, you are killing me! Now you've got me considering buffalo again. I could do a cow hunt and through in a couple of the antelope species for only a little more than the plains game I had planned. I have been eying a Ruger in 450/400 for a while now.

 

[ActionBob]

I'm told a cow buff hunt is every bit as exciting as a bull. And possibly more as it will likely be in a herd so all the more challenging!

I would not have believed just how much more exciting a buffalo hunt is than PG hunts until I experienced it. Don't let anyone tell you how it is like shooting a dairy cow... Absolute BS. I don't know how big my eyes were but my heart rate was up whenever close to buffalo... There is a reason so many of us are addicted to hunting them. I just love the pungent cattle smell and when you know it is buffalo, that is enough to raise your pulse. Then you know they are there but can't see them yet.... Especially late season when you are planning to go... Get just a little rain and things green up quickly... You end up with buffalo flushing like quail,,,, well maybe not exactly like quail

 

[edward]

they dont fly as fast!

 

[Catahoula]

I'm told a cow buff hunt is every bit as exciting as a bull. And possibly more as it will likely be in a herd so all the more challenging!

I would not have believed just how much more exciting a buffalo hunt is than PG hunts until I experienced it. Don't let anyone tell you how it is like shooting a dairy cow... Absolute BS. I don't know how big my eyes were but my heart rate was up whenever close to buffalo... There is a reason so many of us are addicted to hunting them. I just love the pungent cattle smell and when you know it is buffalo, that is enough to raise your pulse. Then you know they are there but can't see them yet.... Especially late season when you are planning to go... Get just a little rain and things green up quickly... You end up with buffalo flushing like quail,,,, well maybe not exactly like quail

You're not doing much to talk me out of this. Let's see....another $1000 or so to do the cow hunt with a couple of other animals tossed in, another $1000 or so for a new rifle (I have this thing about hunting with my own guns) and a few hundred more for practice ammo. Since it was your idea @ActionBob, the way I see it is you should kick in $2500 towards my hunt!

 

[CAustin]

You're not doing much to talk me out of this. Let's see....another $1000 or so to do the cow hunt with a couple of other animals tossed in, another $1000 or so for a new rifle (I have this thing about hunting with my own guns) and a few hundred more for practice ammo. Since it was your idea @ActionBob, the way I see it is you should kick in $2500 towards my hunt!

Ok you are already suffering from safari fever. This condition can become very dangerous to your home life, work and bank account. You see the symptoms are wanting to add animals to the safari and wanting more guns. Then the sick begin asking others to help with the expense.
You got it bad Catahoula.

 

[tarbe]

Ok you are already suffering from safari fever. This condition can become very dangerous to your home life, work and bank account. You see the symptoms are wanting to add animals to the safari and wanting more guns. Then the sick begin asking others to help with the expense.
You got it bad Catahoula.

Haha! Look who's talking!

The pot calling the kettle black, for sure!!

You got it bad, brother CAustin!


Tim

 

[edward]

i had to get a job as a greeter at wal-mart to help with my addiction.

 

[Petrus Geldenhuys]

Best of luck on your Safari. The advice from the top is spot on. I would suggest only taking your 30-06 loaded with 180 gr bullets. just less of a mission if you have one rifle.

 

[Catahoula]

Well, I've changed things up. Buffalo it is. contacted Pieter last night and made the change. I'll be adding some plains game, but there is plenty of time to sort that out. Now, time to rifle shop!

 

[tarbe]

Well, I've changed things up. Buffalo it is. contacted Pieter last night and made the change. I'll be adding some plains game, but there is plenty of time to sort that out. Now, time to rifle shop!

Bob, I think Peter needs to give you a commission on that one! lol