This is an open invitation for anyone who can travel to join us at my shop as follows:

Where: Feather & Fly, Sporting Traditions
2401 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN 37408
423-774-5544 cell Mike Stewart
mike@featherandfly.com

What: Presentation by Thierry Labat, licensed
PH for Zambezi Hunters, Zimbabwe.
Thierry will be speaking and using video
clips during his presentation.

We will have an "Open House" format,
with BBQ and both soft drinks and adult
beverages. We are expecting a nice
crowd with fun and fellowship amongst
hunters.

For those interested in Double Rifles,
we will have a DR shoot before the Open
House. Merkel DR's in the following
calibers will be available to shoot:
.500NE, .470NE, .450/.400, 8x75RS, 7x65R

When: Thursday, January 20th. Double Rifle
Shoot from 1pm-5pm at my range. Meet at
my shop around 12noon, PM me if you want
to participate. Contributions for ammo
will be appreciated.

Open House from 6pm-9pm at Feather & Fly
2401 Broad St., Chattanooga. PM is you
think you can attend. Let me know if
you need accomodations; we canrecommend.


Thierry Labat is being hosted by Safari-Lawyer, who will also be attending. Below is some info on Thierry and Zambezi Hunters:

Thierry Labat was born and raised on a ranch in the south east lowveld of Zimbabwe . He shot his first animal, a duiker, at the age of 5 and he accompanied his dad elephant and buffalo hunting when he was only 7. After completing a degree in Conservation and Wildlife Management in England , Thierry came back to Zimbabwe and got his full Professional Hunters license in 2002. Thierry has done a few seasons hunting in Central African Republic as well as eight full seasons in Zimbabwe , spending more than 200 days per year in the bush. Thierry is known as a leopard hunting specialist, though he also hunts many buffalo and elephant each year as well as the occasional lion, crocodile, or hippo.





Zambezi Hunters mixes the old and the new. Established in 1969 by Ian Piercy as one of the first registered safari operators in Zimbabwe , the company has a proud and respected tradition of providing exceptional big game hunting. Zambezi Hunters is now owned by Jonathan Hulme and Alistair Pole. Both are committed to developing the company into one of the premier safari operators in Africa . This is done with a lot of enthusiasm and it is an exciting time to be involved with Zambezi Hunters as any of their clients will attest to.



Zambezi Hunters have the exclusive rights to three of the best hunting areas in Zimbabwe . The Sango and Hammond/Arda concessions are both within the world famous Save Valley Conservancy. Mahenye borders the Gonarezhou National Park and is part of the ambitious Gaza Land Trans Frontier Park (GLTFP) which also includes Kruger National Park in South Africa and Limpopo National Park in Mozambique .

Thanks Mike. Thierry and I both look forward to it. I already have a commit or two from AR guys that plan to attend.

GOD willing I'll be there.

Unless you have changed your mind about the invite.


See you there!

quote:

Originally posted by Nemo .450:
GOD willing I'll be there.

Unless you have changed your mind about the invite.


See you there!

Come on, look forward to seeing you. Mike

Wish I could be there. Thierry is a good friend.
Thierry at seven-----

Thierry and his Dad in 2009-----

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
Thanks Mike. Thierry and I both look forward to it. I already have a commit or two from AR guys that plan to attend.

I think you should do a presentation in Montana on your way to Reno!

I hope to make it up for the presentation... and possibly the shoot.

Andy

quote:

Originally posted by ghostbird:
I hope to make it up for the presentation... and possibly the shoot.

Andy

Look forward to seeing you. You can always show up a little late and still get some shooting in. The shoot will be from 1pm-5pm.

Mike

The Great White Hunter.

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
The Great White Hunter.

Great pic, is that you or Thierry? Mike

Are those snake proof skivvies?

Mike: The pic is Thierry. We were taking a break after following a herd of buffalo for several hours. We'd bumped the herd twice and decided to give them 30 minutes to settle down.

Bill: Be careful starting a skivvies discussion. Remember the boxers v. briefs v. commando debate last winter? Don't want to go there again!

I had a great time at the event, as I'm sure everyone did. Got to meet several AR Members. Thanks Mike for being a great host... it was a blast !
Andy

Here are some photos...

I sure had a alot of fun. Great guns, great folks and great food!

I really enjoyed meeting all of y'all!

Thanks Mr. Andy for sharing the pics!


Thanks also to Mr. Stewart for hosting the event and giving us a great time!

Andy, thanks for the great pictures. I had more fun than the law should allow. It was great meeting you and everyone else.

We threw alot of lead downrange, had some great fellowship, and got to try out a wide range of calibers.

Here's my take away from the event:

1) Shooting double rifles together brings out the best in everyone; civility, fellowship, alot of laughs and smiles, and sharing of wonderful stories.

2) The .450/400 is a pussycat in a 10.2lb gun; the .470 is very managable in an 11.2lb gun, and the .500 is not too bad in a 10.9lb gun.

If I were a PH, I'd definitely have the .500 (lighter to carry and a beast).

The .470 would be my personal choice for the biggest stuff.

However, I'm going with the .450/400; I'll use it for North American game as well as when I get to Africa.

3) Thierry Labat is one heck of a nice guy, an obvious accomplished PH, and a great shot with that .500 Merkel. I want him backing me up, for sure.

4) Nemo450 is a really nice young man, well-mannered, and what we need to see more of in our young folks. It is great to see such a young man enthralled with double rifles instead of rap music.

5) I met some really super AR folks who I know I can now call my friends.

Will (BoltTrash)Parks, Andy (Ghostbird) Cobb, Joshua (Nemo450), Wes Chapman from Accurate Innovations, Paul (PSmith) Smith, Levi and Don from Huntsville,
Alan Bunn, and Mark from Chattanooga Shooter's supply.

6) I have a great staff, loyal and fun folks to be around. Thanks Dan, Austin, Don Boutz, Michelle, and Chris.

7) I love Merkel double rifles. I think that the favorites were the 140-1 in 7x65R and the 160-1.2 in 8x75R. They are the sweetest handling rifles.

8) Paul Smith, I can't get your rifle out of my mind; it haunts me. PSmith's Merkel 160-2.2 in .500 is gorgeous. It is my dream gun.


I'm sure I have left something out. I'll leave it up to the rest to add their thoughts.

Mike