I've gone once without a gun. It worked out OK, but I really like having my own guns in my hands. Even though I have over 70 guns, I only hunt with 3 of them, I like to know what to expect when it's time to make that kill.

If my firearms don't go, I don't go. Simple. I work up loads for all my firearms and that is just part of the hunt.

I have lots of guns, but not one has an ounce of sentimental value to me. I feel the same about them as I do my shovels, saws, axes and other tools. They're nice to own, but I wouldn't hesitate to borrow or rent one if if it was more convenient to do so.

Bill Quimby

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:

i sure hope he does because i intend to use one to kill an ele in the Caprivi with him in Oct. last 5 safaris- 1 buff, 2 crocs, 1 leopard( shotgun), 1 kudu, 1 sable, 1 hippo, 1 gemsbok, 1 mountain reedbuck, 1 bush pig, 1 suni( shotgun), 1 red duiker, 1 jackal, 1 rusa stag( New Caledonia), 1 springbok, 1 bushbuck, 1 common reedbuck- no misfires, no wild misses, no airline hassles/fees, and NO PROBLEMS!

And NO lasting memories of your hunts associated with YOUR weapons and ammo you researched, developed, and loaded yourself.

That's just a huge part of it for me. Trophies, pictures, and weapons used remind me of the hunt. Example, I have a M700 in 7mm Rem. Mag I purchased (in my father's name) when I was 14 years old. I worked all summer mowing lawns to pay for it and the scope. I used that rifle to take my first big game animal ever on October 1, 1976, a Pronghorn Antelope, and my first deer on November 14,1976. Whenever I hold, use, or just look at that rifle, I remember those hunts. I'll pass that rifle on to one of my boys in time. It won't mean the same to them, but I hope it will be special to them in their own way.

I'm just not into borrowing weapons.

i have never loaded any ammo and don't intend to start this late in the game. and i think the videos, pictures, and taxidermy mounts in my trophy room will suffice for memories. to me a rifle is just a tool like anything else i use to get a job done. nothing more- nothing less. the "NO lasting memories of your hunts" comment beggars belief and is insulting. it's a hunt, not a target/bench rest session.

JD,

I certainly didn't mean to insult you. The entire statement was "no lasting memories of your hunts ASSOCIATED with YOUR weapons and ammo you researched, developed, and loaded yourself". Was not meant as "NO lasting memories of your hunt". The entire sentence goes together, not to be taken out of context.

From the multitude of responses to this thread, it is obvious that some folks have sentimental interest in their weapons and the process of preparing them for the hunt, and others do not, as they view the weapons used simply as tools to get the job done. Neither view has any value as right or wrong. Just that some folks view it differently.

Again, no intent to insult was intended and if you were, I apologize to you.

Todd

no problems, and thanks for that. i hunt with whatever is at hand and prefer to simplfy my trips as much as possible. too old and too lazy to do otherwise. i have taken taken a few hunting trips where i never pulled a trigger and had the time of my life. i NEVER judge the quality of a hunt by what i shoot- only by the overall experience and the fine people i meet. whatever gun is in my hands is just a minor detail.

JD,

I agree totally that the experience is what counts. I've never entered an animal in the books. Probably never will.

I am having this discussion with myself these days.
I am a bit of a gun nut, but I don't feel any special affection to any of my guns.

I really prefer to use my own rifles.
I know how to handle and shoot them well and I know they are accurate and in good condition.
When it comes to shotguns, I just don't care and use whatever there is.

This year I am going on a 12 days PG hunt in SA and I will focus on hunting with my bow.
I will only bring a rifle for using the last days of my hunt if there is an animal I really want and am willing to get with a gun.

If it was a rifle hunt, I would without a doubt bring my own rifle, but now I am strongly considering to use a camp gun instead to make things easier.

Personally I have firearms to actually use them hunting and much prefer having my own, my own ammo etc. Firearms I am used to and familiar with.

I think borrowing the camp rifles is a bit of a lucky dip.

I only use camp rifles when my rifles go missing on the way over.

We give all the paperwork for Rifle importation but the trent to hire is definately on the Rise.
We had a good 40% of last years clients hire rifles as they didnt want to go through the importation Hassle

I took my rifle with me
only on one hunt and had 2 hunts with camp guns. My next trip supposed to be with my own rifle.

As a "gun guy" the thought of hunting with someone elses rifle gives me a chill. EVERY time that I open the door of my safe, I see my double and instantly remember my elephant hunt. I shoulder that rifle and have relived the shot a hundred times. My guns (and longbow) are a constant and priceless reminder of the adventures I have taken.

I've tried borrowed firearms twice, once in africa and again in New Zealand. Both were disasters.

Case #1:

I was doing back to back PG & DG hunts in RSA and Moz, so took my .300wm PG rifle and .416Rem for DG. Could have taken my 12ga. pump gun for Blue Duiker but didn't want the hassle of a 3rd firearm and was assured there would be one available to me. I had the option of an old double or a pump 870 knock-off. Took the pump and fired some range shots with it to confirm function. When I finally got an opportunity at a Blue Duiker, it mis-fired - using my ammo brought for the hunt - the round went bang when I tried it again after saying some really bad words. The gun was also having ejection problems I discovered. Essentially it was a POS likely made in China, with no identifying marks. Switched to the double and got my Blue Duiker a day later.

Case #2:

Combined driving vacation/hunt through both North and South Islands and didn't want to drag rifle around to all the B&Bs. This was a custom (well known U.S. gunmaker) Remington 700 in .300wm. The bolt release/stop fell off and the bolt came out as I chambered a round on a Red Stag. Used another hunters rifle - he had just come into the same area we were by pure chance - and killed the Stag.

Do I think using outfitters firearms is a good idea? Not at all; it never worked well for me.

There was a book by ,I think a PH called something like 'With a Gun in Good Country' and that kinda says it all to me. I can't imagine anyone who hunts that cares nothing about his guns. I'm sure there probably are but they would be alien to me and I doubt would make good friends. To me the thought of Africa was never about killing ANYTHING and quite truthfully I really could have cared less if I didn't kill anything. It was about being in AFRICA --- WITH A GUN. Without a gun it would be just another sightseeing trip to a different place. And it would not be the same if the gun was not mine. I cannot imagine why anyone with no interst in guns would be the least interested in African Hunting or any hunting for that matter. There was just something about standing on a hill in Africa with a bigbore rifle in my hands that just actually gave me goose bumps. I'm really sorry everyone cannot experience this rush.

quote:

Originally posted by zimbabwe:
There was a book by ,I think a PH called something like 'With a Gun in Good Country' and that kinda says it all to me. I can't imagine anyone who hunts that cares nothing about his guns. I'm sure there probably are but they would be alien to me and I doubt would make good friends. To me the thought of Africa was never about killing ANYTHING and quite truthfully I really could have cared less if I didn't kill anything. It was about being in AFRICA --- WITH A GUN. Without a gun it would be just another sightseeing trip to a different place. And it would not be the same if the gun was not mine. I cannot imagine why anyone with no interst in guns would be the least interested in African Hunting or any hunting for that matter. There was just something about standing on a hill in Africa with a bigbore rifle in my hands that just actually gave me goose bumps. I'm really sorry everyone cannot experience this rush.

Sorry we can't be friends, but our views are far apart. To me, a gun is nothing but a chunk of metal and wood (or plastic, today). It is a tool I use to take possession of and touch a wild animal in my obsession to hunt.

I hunt because I must, and it doesn't matter whether the tool is borrowed, rented or mine.

After firing 50-100 center-fire rounds per week in the 100-500 meter offhand silhouette leagues in Mexico for a couple of summers in the 1960s, shooting and handling firearms interest me not at all.

The hunt itself -- and the opportunity to be with friends doing what man the hunter has always done -- is what does.

Bill Quimby

What Bill said...

quote:

Part of my logic - if Boddington shoots whichever is sponsering his efforts and Shockey shoots a single shot muzzle loader - what real difference does it make if I shoot my favorite old Model 70? I can work all of them just fine, so why not go gun-less?

the straight answer is, "You don't know what is waiting for you on the other side" Things happen, like. "The new 375 that shoots 1" groups was dropped in the river by a client last week!" Or some other horrible thing. And then you wind up with Ol' Betsy. Not that its bad, but may not be up to your standards.

Have done it a few times, will probably do it again. Yes you can work them, they are normal old bolt actions, I am not too picky. I will shoot anything you hand me and let's go hunting!

Have borrowed some good guns in New Zealand, Argentina, Tanzania & Zambia. Have borrowed bad guns in the rest of the places I hunt

Trigger pull is a big variable on some of these rentals.

I have borrowed everything from a Dakota to an old "sumpthin" 308 that was missing the objective glass from the scope. Apparently that part isn't needed in Africa. It was a CRF and you had to cycle the bolt fast or it would jam.

Have borrowed a .375 with no safety. Had to put the bolt in the upright position to be safe. That one almost cost me an Eland. It was my fault, but the mistake would not have happened with my own 375. Plus the 4" group didn't make me very comfortable.

One gun that is rented out to a few on this forum will fire if you let the bolt close on it's own. You have to hold the bolt and ease it down.

Let's see ... a 375 in Zim with a LOP of about 11" and a scope that was mounted way too far back. Cut my nose open every single time I pulled the trigger! I finally made an extended recoil pad with pieces of cardboard and duct tape. Still cut me, just not too bad. Try Shooting a Leopard when you know your nose is about to receive a cut in the exact place it cut you this morning, and yesterday ... mind over matter is the only way I got through that one.

A 458. had a big chunk of recoil pad missing. the front blade tended to drift back and forth. You had to watch it before you shot.

Not being critical. Africans can't just go down to the store and plop $750 on the counter and pick up a new mod 70 (or 700 ).

Their options are a bit limited. They make do.

Point is, if you want to rent a gun, make sure you know what it is. Wouldn't hurt to talk to a reference who has shot it too.

Mr. Quimby, Sorry you have no feelings about those pieces of wood and metal since you have participated for several years in an industry that owes all to those items. Unless you want to do it with sticks and stones or bows and arrows you will have to use those odds and ends of wood and metal to participate in any hunting endeavor. You have your views and I ,of course - I hope although I sometimes doubt - am permitted mine. I'm sorry you would not be my friend since we live in the same vicinity. You might notice I said 'good' friends and I actually do mean that as we would be limited in those activities we have in common.

quote:

Originally posted by billrquimby:

quote:

Originally posted by zimbabwe:
There was a book by ,I think a PH called something like 'With a Gun in Good Country' and that kinda says it all to me. I can't imagine anyone who hunts that cares nothing about his guns. I'm sure there probably are but they would be alien to me and I doubt would make good friends. To me the thought of Africa was never about killing ANYTHING and quite truthfully I really could have cared less if I didn't kill anything. It was about being in AFRICA --- WITH A GUN. Without a gun it would be just another sightseeing trip to a different place. And it would not be the same if the gun was not mine. I cannot imagine why anyone with no interst in guns would be the least interested in African Hunting or any hunting for that matter. There was just something about standing on a hill in Africa with a bigbore rifle in my hands that just actually gave me goose bumps. I'm really sorry everyone cannot experience this rush.

Sorry we can't be friends, but our views are far apart. To me, a gun is nothing but a chunk of metal and wood (or plastic, today). It is a tool I use to take possession of and touch a wild animal in my obsession to hunt.

I hunt because I must, and it doesn't matter whether the tool is borrowed, rented or mine.

After firing 50-100 center-fire rounds per week in the 100-500 meter offhand silhouette leagues in Mexico for a couple of summers in the 1960s, shooting and handling firearms interest me not at all.

The hunt itself -- and the opportunity to be with friends doing what man the hunter has always done -- is what does.

Bill Quimby

I am truly sorry for you-

SSR

As a term of my Booking Agreement, I require that the Safari Company provides a high-quality double rifle in .470 or larger caliber. For my next hunt, CM Safaris is in the process of acquiring a new Heym PH .500NE, which will be provided to subsequent hunters as a courtesy rifle. If the new Heym does not arrive prior to my hunt, CM Safaris has offered me the use of their stateside PR Representative's Heym .500, which is a very generous offer.



Failing this, I plan to use my trusty Ruger .458 Lott. I enjoy carrying her in Africa, just as I prefer my old boots, cartridge belt, gaiters, cap, etc. This being said, traveling with firearms can be a hassle, especially when traveling solo. I would hunt with a dull axe if I had to, and for me not being able to use my rifle is not a make or break issue.

In Cameroon, I used a camp rifle for my Lord Derby, and by the end of the trip I was sorry to leave her behind. If/when circumstances dictate, I will happily hunt with a loaner rifle again. In fact, I think Myles has a Ruger in .458 Lott….hummmm.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:
If the new Heym does not arrive prior to my hunt, CM Safaris has offered me the use of their stateside PR Representative's Heym .500, which is a very generous offer.

I was fired after the mankini post.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:

quote:

Part of my logic - if Boddington shoots whichever is sponsering his efforts and Shockey shoots a single shot muzzle loader - what real difference does it make if I shoot my favorite old Model 70? I can work all of them just fine, so why not go gun-less?

the straight answer is, "You don't know what is waiting for you on the other side" Things happen, like. "The new 375 that shoots 1" groups was dropped in the river by a client last week!" Or some other horrible thing. And then you wind up with Ol' Betsy. Not that its bad, but may not be up to your standards.

Have done it a few times, will probably do it again. Yes you can work them, they are normal old bolt actions, I am not too picky. I will shoot anything you hand me and let's go hunting!

Have borrowed some good guns in New Zealand, Argentina, Tanzania & Zambia. Have borrowed bad guns in the rest of the places I hunt

Trigger pull is a big variable on some of these rentals.

I have borrowed everything from a Dakota to an old "sumpthin" 308 that was missing the objective glass from the scope. Apparently that part isn't needed in Africa. It was a CRF and you had to cycle the bolt fast or it would jam.

Have borrowed a .375 with no safety. Had to put the bolt in the upright position to be safe. That one almost cost me an Eland. It was my fault, but the mistake would not have happened with my own 375. Plus the 4" group didn't make me very comfortable.

One gun that is rented out to a few on this forum will fire if you let the bolt close on it's own. You have to hold the bolt and ease it down.

Let's see ... a 375 in Zim with a LOP of about 11" and a scope that was mounted way too far back. Cut my nose open every single time I pulled the trigger! I finally made an extended recoil pad with pieces of cardboard and duct tape. Still cut me, just not too bad. Try Shooting a Leopard when you know your nose is about to receive a cut in the exact place it cut you this morning, and yesterday ... mind over matter is the only way I got through that one.

A 458. had a big chunk of recoil pad missing. the front blade tended to drift back and forth. You had to watch it before you shot.

Not being critical. Africans can't just go down to the store and plop $750 on the counter and pick up a new mod 70 (or 700 ).

Their options are a bit limited. They make do.

Point is, if you want to rent a gun, make sure you know what it is. Wouldn't hurt to talk to a reference who has shot it too.

if you are hunting with outfitters that have this kind of garbage- well, as a booking agent, there seems to be a disconnect/problem.

quote:

Originally posted by zimbabwe:
There was a book by ,I think a PH called something like 'With a Gun in Good Country' and that kinda says it all to me. I can't imagine anyone who hunts that cares nothing about his guns. I'm sure there probably are but they would be alien to me and I doubt would make good friends. To me the thought of Africa was never about killing ANYTHING and quite truthfully I really could have cared less if I didn't kill anything. It was about being in AFRICA --- WITH A GUN. Without a gun it would be just another sightseeing trip to a different place. And it would not be the same if the gun was not mine. I cannot imagine why anyone with no interst in guns would be the least interested in African Hunting or any hunting for that matter. There was just something about standing on a hill in Africa with a bigbore rifle in my hands that just actually gave me goose bumps. I'm really sorry everyone cannot experience this rush.

Well said. The author was Ian Manning.

One of the things I find valuable about these types of forums is the difference of opinions and the opportunity to learn from those differences. After all, if we all had the same ideas, our depth of knowledge would be very shallow and the discussions would be boring to say the least.

I have to say however, that this thread really surprises me. More so than any other I've read here. I really had no idea that folks could be completely dedicated hunters, without any real attachment to or interest in their guns (excluding the archery guys of course). For me, the gun and the hunt are so interconnected that it is impossible to separate the two. A special hunt automatically attaches a sentimental value to the gun I used on the hunt and vice versa! Always!

My father gave me his Belgium made Browning Auto-5 12g about 10 years ago. I don't hunt with it much but I take it out of the safe and handle it quite often. Each time I have that gun in my hands, I remember being a young fellow, waiting for Dad to get home from work so we could walk up to the pond and have a short Dove hunt before dark. I would think about the afternoon's hunt all day at school and have everything ready to go by the time he got home. Later in the year, he would use that same shotgun on our weekend Duck Hunts. I remember having the decoys ready and the boat loaded with everything we needed on Friday afternoon. We'd pull out of the driveway at 3:30 the next morning in total darkness on our way to the lake. Yeah, that gun most certainly means something to me and I'll pass it along to one of my 2 boys one day. It will never be sold out of our family, at least not by me. My Dad is still with us but is 88 years old and starting to really show his age. Those hunts are some of the major reasons I'm so obsessed with hunting and that gun is a major part of those memories and will always remind me of my father, both now and once he is no longer with us.

I have similar attachments to most of the guns in my safe for one reason or another. A good example is the M700 Classic in 243 that both of my son's took their first deer with. I never hunt with that rifle but BOTH OF MY SONS SHOT THEIR 1ST DEER WITH IT! I could never part with that gun! Are you kidding me?

I suppose there is something that makes the time spent hunting special for those who place no sentimental value on their weapons. Otherwise they wouldn't continue to do it. But I do agree with Mr. Zimbabwe for once in that I'm truly sorry for you guys, and gals, that view a gun simply as a tool. Again, I'm not trying to imply my opinion is right and others are wrong. I'm just saying this thread really surprises me.

I did not expect this much response to this thread.

A couple of thoughts -
1. My guns have been stolen twice. Any sentiment went with the thieves so I have no "cherished" items.

2. As a result, I learned to cherish memories not "things".

3. I have been gunless a couple of times to Africa and will do so again twice this year. I did follow advice and checked on the guns to be supplied. They will be fine.

4. On a couple of occasions, I have amassed a collection of 20 or more guns. Most of which I hunted with at one time or another. I tend to buy the gun that fits the trip so I have no "favorite". I am not a handloader so I have no affinity for a bullet either.

5. I am a golfer. I have used the same clubs for 25 years, especially the putter. If they disappeared today, I would go get another set and play on. My shots or scores are the memory, not the clubs.

6. I appreciated everyone's love of the gun. I think that is great. It is just not for me.

I did buy a nice Dakota a few years ago with the thought of it being my "go to" rifle for Africa. I took it out, shot it, then worried about it gettiing stolen or lost or badly dinged. I just decided to not let the gun "own" me and hence lost interest in sentimental guns.

Being "owned" by stuff is a trap for me and I prefer to live a bit more less encumbered by stuff.

Thanks for the opinions..

quote:

Being "owned" by stuff is a trap for me and I prefer to live a bit more less encumbered by stuff.

Too true.

i will never ever use a camps rifles i nearly had my last safarie ruined because the ph had 6 year old ammo that had been sitting out in the sun that woudlnt shoot worth a shit and a equaly and shit rifle i went back to using my guns with no problems since then i have always used my owen rifles and never ever trust some other personas equipment expecialy when traveling around the world and with the amount of money spent.

If I knew what was on "the other side" as Wendell said and knew that it would work I'd consider not bringing my guns. Gawd! It would make it easier. The thing is that camp guns as others have said are often ill maintained POS.

I rented guns in Tanzania one time. Both actually were pretty decent. A Browning A-bolt in 300 WM and a Pre 64 M70 in 375. Both had new 1.75x6 Leupolds on them. That all sounds good and I was initially pleased. Here is where I found out how important it was to be used to the guns you hunt with. The A-Bolt had a tang safety and about a 7 lb plus trigger. I shot one zebra with it and put it away for the duration. It was just hard for me to use. The 375 was much better with about a 5 lb trigger but nobody had cleaned it or put a drop of oil on any moving part in years. Luckily I had brought my own cleaning stuff and after a couple of days it worked pretty well and I shot a load of stuff with it including my biggest leopard and a bushbuck at 300 yards.

So I guess my recommendation is generally no on renting guns but only because of the usability issues you might run into. If I knew my PH had a well maintained mauser clone 375 with a good scope and 3 lb trigger I'd probably leave my guns home. I like my guns but have come to see them as tools only and not precious possessions.

Mark

I borrowed a PF Model 70 in 375 in 1999 when my luggage and rifles went missing. I shot several baits, a couple of warthogs and a really big eland, no problems. However, the scope was not adequate for hunting leopards at night and it cost me an opportunity at a big leopard on the first night in the blind (I did, however, get the leopard 7 days later).

Fast forward to 2011 and I use the same rifle to kill 2 big buffalo, my biggest kudu, and some other stuff, again, no problems whatsoever.

So, I guess it boils down to what you are hunting and whether specialized equipment is required. For low light or super long distance shooting, the camp gun is likely inferior to your own equipment. For up close elephant and buff with your double gun, you are better off with your personal big bore. However, for general hunting at moderate ranges in the broad daylight, you can expect reasonable performance and reasonable success with a camp gun.

Have been showing up as a "tourist" the last 3 hunts. Allthough I would prefer to have my own weapons, a tool is a tool and only as good as the fellow behind it. It certainly makes my life easier traveling without the firearms. One has to think though am I giving in to the antis by doing so? I have mixed emotions.

It is simple as this. There are hunters and there are gun nuts. Most people have some of both characteristics. I fall into the latter. I cannot conceive of hunting with a borrowed rifle and factory ammo.

quote:

There are hunters and there are gun nuts.

I own a lot of guns, including several flintlocks that I built from parts years ago as well as a couple of center-fires I stocked myself with walnut a friend and I cut in Texas.
I've reloaded virtually every round fired from my rifles since I began reloading close to 60 years ago, and I have more than a smattering of knowledge about ballistics. I've also sold a few articles to gun magazines.

I do not pull my guns out of the safe and fondle them, nor do I proudly show them to visitors. In no way do I consider myself a gun nut.

There are 60 or so mounts of big game animals (no two of the same type) from six continents on the walls of our home and cabin, but it would tough for me to tell you which rifle I used to shoot each of them. That part of the hunt was never important to me.

I can tell you where I was and what the animal was doing when I first saw it, what kind of day it was, and who was with me, though. That's what important, not the tool I used.

You may not believe me, but three of the Weatherby Award winners (guys who hunted more than 200 different types of animals in 50 or more countries) whose memoirs I wrote felt exactly the same way about their guns.

Bill Quimby

RAC: I am both, not one or the other, AND I can tell you what animal was shot with which rifle. (And I have well over 70 mounts in my home, with others being taxidermied even as we speak) Shooting my own rifles in hunting is just as important to me and my hunt as hunting the animal itself. Sorry Bill, no offense.

I've only made 8 safari's and they were all to Zimbabwe. I have killed almost all the game animals Zimbabwe has to offer including some Elephants. I have in my home only 2 zebra rugs (which were gifts from my PH) and the tusks from my last Elephant which was also my last safari and I wanted a trophy elephant. I could probably tell you not only what rifle I used to kill each animal but exactly where I was when the shot was fired. Almost my entire life and I am nearing 78 I have hunted absolutely alone except for the PH and trackers in Africa. To me it has always been a solitary event in my life. I have not actually hunted since my last safari which was several years ago and quite probably never will again. I also shoot very little other than 22lr and some handgun. But I am sitting here within reach of at least 5 guns and I look at and fiddle with some gun everyday of my life. I also care about my cameras about the same. I have never had any compulsive urge to hunt and I absolutely do not have to have hunted to have lived. It's just something I once did I think because it gave me an excuse to carry a rifle in the field. I think all boys have this feeling at one time or another. I was raised reading books by Osa Martin Johnson,Earnest Hemingway and Robert Rourke and such writers and was enthralled with romantic images of the White Hunter. Everyone is entitled to their own reasons for living their life as they choose and I hope theirs is as satisfying as mine has been.

mm

Zimbabwe:

Different strokes for different folks. I hunt because I must, and I will hunt until I can't. Unfortunately, with my health problems, that may come much sooner than I want.

Much of my hunting in North America also was unguided, but I seldom camped without companions. A friend will accompany me if I draw another Arizona elk permit. (I shot a cow twenty minutes from our cabin last year one month before my 75th birthday. It was my 12th or 13th unguided Arizona elk.) If he draws a tag, I'll go with him.

If I can't hunt elk this year, I'll hunt mule deer, call coyotes, and shoot a few doves and quail. There have been no years since age 10 that I didn't hunt something.

Not that it matters, my African experience includes five countries and 22 trips, including a couple when I hunted antelope and warthogs on private property owned by friends in South Africa and Botswana's Tuli Block without a PH or an outfitter. I got to know the place in South Africa so well I'd take the baakie and go out by myself when my friend had business elsewhere. It's a shame, but foreigner hunters no longer can do that in South Africa.

I was raised on the same books you mentioned, and a lot more, but I outgrew whatever fascination I had with guns early on.

Interesting that you mention your cameras. Part of my job as a newspaper outdoor editor was to take the photos for my outdoors page, and it was a task I hated. When I retired from that job in 1994, I gave away three Nikon bodies and a collection of expensive lenses and vowed to never take another photo.

It's a promise to myself that I've kept.

Bill Quimby

.

quote:

I do not pull my guns out of the safe and fondle them, nor do I proudly show them to visitors. In no way do I consider myself a gun nut.

You mean you don't own a double rifle?

Nope.

Bill Quimby