Fabulous show this year. Couldn't get through much of it in 2.5 days.

Dande N buff are sold out already for this year.

Chewore is being handled by Chifuti, who are also handling Dande N. We can get quota in Chewore.

Mozambique is coming on strong. But book well in advance as quotas are selling out. Good for buff, sable, croc, and Suni. Leopard with dogs only, and Lion are very few and far between.

Lion hunts have gone through the roof. Calitz is getting $92K for 21 day Lion in Bots. Add $5500 plus trophy fees if you want to shoot some PG at the same time.

Lion hunting is alive in RSA, even though captive-bred hunts are now severely restricted. In fact, it's downright reasonable compared to Zambia or Botswana.

There is lots of Elephant hunting available. Zim still best deal by far.

Kudu prices are trending toward $1500 in SA.

Everyone except Namibia and SA are requiring min days for hunts now. Esp. DG hunts.

This may be the last year you can buy a DG hunt at a daily rate of less than $1K. Buffalo-capable vintage double rifles are all in the $15k and up range now. Emphasis on the UP. The modern guns like the Chapuis, Krieghoff etc. are still under that price in the plainer grades.

Ruger's African Express bolt binds badly, when cycled from the shoulder. Ruger is making reamers available so there will be options for the 375 Ruger.

Most amazing thing: bolt action double rifle with monolithic bbls, all Titanium gun. From Fuchs.

Sleeper: Sauer's switch-barrel African Express. Four down, detachable mag. Really nice rifle. They also make it in a varmint/deer scale rifle with a fluted bbl.

Lots of $15,000 custom bolt rifles out there. Wow!

Norma has a new line of African loads, using Woodleighs.

And one final note: Hornady guy told me that Krieghoff, Heym, Rizzini, Searcy and a couple of others I don't recall will be chambering double rifles for 450/400 ctg coming soon! Ammo available in a couple of weeks at the wholesale level, he said, for all the new ctgs. But get this, 9.3x74R price is $80 per box for an interlock bullet soft point!!!! Compare to Sellier and Bellot at about $50.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Gould:

Chewore is being handled by Chifuti, ...

I think you may mean that Chewore North is being booked by Chifuti but is being run by Big 5.

However, Chewore South remains unchanged and is not a Chifuti area as I understand it.

I knew it! Mozambique's going to be the place to go in the future. So Russ, how far in advance to hunt buff in Zim? 2 years? jorge

For buffalo you can still get in Moz this season. But Hippo and Lion, for example are pretty much sold out for 2007, at least in two of the areas where I have contacts.

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
I knew it! Mozambique's going to be the place to go in the future. So Russ, how far in advance to hunt buff in Zim? 2 years? jorge

I know I'm going to regret telling this - I'll get shut out now for sure - but Dirk Rohrmann (Okanduka Seibe) is going to be hunting Moz.

Dave

I predict there is going to be a quite a few disastrous hunts in Mozambique this year ( lots of new outfitters ). Clients should also be warned shipping of trophies out of Mozambique can be outrageous.

Russ Gould; "Ruger's African Express bolt binds badly, when cycled from the shoulder."
Do you know if this applies to their new models chambered for the .375 Ruger? I've seen pics of the 23" barrel African model (wood stock) and the 20" Alaskan model (Syn). Thanks, David

David,

I tried the 375 Ruger (alaskan) and it didn't bind. I think this cal uses the shorter action. It's the longer (lott) action that binds up.

However, my advice would be to buy a 375 Ruger on a comml Mauser action. Those definitely do not bind up, ever. Where? Well funny that you asked. From me!

Lion hunts have gone through the roof. Calitz is getting $92K for 21 day Lion in Bots. Add $5500 plus trophy fees if you want to shoot some PG at the same time.

Lion hunting is alive in RSA, even though captive-bred hunts are now severely restricted. In fact, it's downright reasonable compared to Zambia or Botswana.

There is lots of Elephant hunting available. Zim still best deal by far.

Kudu prices are trending toward $1500 in SA.

Everyone except Namibia and SA are requiring min days for hunts now. Esp. DG hunts.

I was shocked at the increases in prices across the board!