“Baby, it won't be long
'Fore I be tyin' on
My flyin' shoes
Flyin' shoes
Till I be tyin' on
My flyin' shoes” – Townes Van Zandt
You’re not here to read about the flights so I’ll spare you the particulars. After a lengthy mechanical delay, the flight from Jackson leaves. In Atlanta, I meet up with my hunting companion. There are, coincidentally, two lawyers from my circuit on the Atlanta to J’burg flight. They are hunting in South Africa with Ken Moody Safaris.
The flight to Johannesburg is long and my time at the airport is a repeat of a past trip – a meal and a bed at City Lodge. The next morning we leave via Airlink to Harare where we are met by our chauffeur, Mike. Mike does a great job of driving us the five hours to Makuti where I meet my PH, Tinie, for the first time.
As far as the hunt goes, nearly everything is on the menu except lion. Lion was an option until July when fellow Alabamian R.M. connected with a beautiful specimen and punched the only tag available to the concession.
My wants for this trip are leopard, buffalo, eland, sable, and waterbuck; however, being a realist, I understand the improbability of getting an opportunity at the majority of this list. I would also shoot a zebra if one was needed for bait.
My booking agent for the trip was Bob Kern of The Hunting Consortium. A typical Makuti leopard hunt is 15 days; however, due to family and work obligations, I couldn’t commit to this length of time. It was agreed upon that I could book a ten-day hunt but the leopard fee would be highly inflated. I figured this was a win-win as if I didn’t connect then I wouldn’t have to pay. The only gamble would be wounding a cat and being unable to find and this would be catastrophic – no pun intended as, like General Zaroff, I never joke when it comes to hunting, particularly when this much money is on the line.
Dinner is roasted chicken and potatoes. It is good as is the conversation among PH’s, clients and cameraman. A quick satellite call home confirms all is well. I am the first to retire although not much sleep due to the excitement of being in Africa and the possibility of a sable, buffalo, etc. tomorrow.