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Three years ago I started frequenting this site. I was planning a plains game hunt (maybe a couple of hunts in my lifetime) to South Africa for 2008. I read about all the recommended: calibers, boots, tipping hints, air travel, meet & greet and the whole nine yards. I also read that this hunting is addictive. Well after two hunts, 2008 & 2010, I am here to say that AFRICAN HUNTING IS NOT ADDICITIVE. IT IS DAMN, UNCURABLY TERMINAL. IT IS AN OVERLOAD OF FUN & ADVENTURE. It is constantly seeking a better load, maybe a bigger caliber, ways to efficiently negotiate thru airports with the TSA. Hey, I am old fellow. How bad is it? I'm going to buy a pair of Courteneys - not that I need them but doggone if they ain't one of the coolest looking safari things going (I know - opinions will vary on that one). Next year the almighty cape buff is in my sights. So, new guys don't believe that bullsh__ that African Hunting is addicitive; it aint! ITS UNCURABLE - ONCE EXPOSED YOU HAVE THIS DISEASE FOR LIFE. By the way, Thanks to all the contributors on AR. | ||
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Baloney. I've been ten times, and can quit whenever I so desire. | |||
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Yep, As i was unpacking from my first safari i took the little bit of cash i had left over to the safe. I opened it up and stood there looking at the envelope containing the corvette fund. I took the money out threw the envelope in the trash and put the money in the african fund. I had not even been home a whole day and i was already scheming on how to get back. I have walked in the foot prints of the elephant, listened to lion roar and met the buffalo on his turf. I shall never be the same. | |||
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It's no big deal, I'm going to quit...right after my next hunt. | |||
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Yeah! I plan on quitting as soon as I get a nice Eland, and a wide horned Kudu, and the Triple-play on Blesbok, and that nice Zebra rug for the living room, and a Leopard, and a few other things. By time I reach seventy I plan to be completely cured... Rich DRSS | |||
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I'm so ate up with it, I find myself trying to check out the bosses on the bulls, and then I remember they are angus cattle, not buffalo. Caleb | |||
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I call BS! I have quit going to Africa four times already-- and after my next hunt in 2011- I am sure I will quit again!  nothin sweeter than the smell of fresh blood on your hunting boots | |||
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boltshooter I once read a bar room ditty posted over the bar in old Panama City (PA) that read : "The spell of the tropics - it gets you worse than rum - you get away and you swear you'll stay -but she calls and back you come". Africa has you (as she does me and I'm nearly 20 years away) | |||
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I'll drink to that!!!!! | |||
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AAron:  | |||
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Caleb: You're still OK so long as you were not trying to measure on a live Angus! (Whether American bull or African Cape buffalo. I never noticed that trying to measure anything on a bull was a good reason to approach that close! And you guys are raising the beef I eat here in NY? | |||
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My name is Dan and I'm not addicted to Africa, because I went there and got it out of my system. I'm pretty sure it's not addictive and your family and friends will never know. They will never notice the far away look in your eyes, the empty cartridges that look like artillery shells around the house, the African books, the time you waste on Accurate Reloading, or the number of times Africa comes up in conversation. My ten year old Grandaughter just got me a monkey bank for my birthday, so I could save for my next safari. Maybe she picked up on my problem, but I don't think anybody else has noticed. Bfly Work hard and be nice, you never have enough time or friends. | |||
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Yep, I'll quit on Africa the day they pat my face with the shovel. I do often wonder how different things would have been had I gone to Africa for the first time when I was 24 rather than when I was 48. Paul Smith SCI Life Member NRA Life Member DSC Member Life Member of the "I Can't Wait to Get Back to Africa" Club DRSS I had the privilege to fire E. Hemingway's WR .577NE, E. Keith's WR .470NE, & F. Jamieson's WJJ .500 Jeffery I strongly recommend avoidance of "The Zambezi Safari & Travel Co., Ltd." and "Pisces Sportfishing-Cabo San Lucas" "A failed policy of national defense is its own punishment" Otto von Bismarck | |||
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Rich, I'm 73 and I assure you there is no cure that I've been able to locate!  ....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1 DRSS Charter member "If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982 Hands of Old Elmer Keith  | |||
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This is beginning to resemble an AA meeting. Hi. My name is [YOUR NAME HERE] and I'm an Africaholic.  I've been clean and sober six months since my last safari. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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I've only been once and didn't get addicted (and I don't like good cigars, single malt or good looking women). JudgeG ... just counting time 'til I am again finding balm in Gilead chilled out somewhere in the Selous. | |||
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leave on my 11th trip in Aug. My first one was in 03  but I am not addicted really I am not NRA LIFE MEMBER DU DIAMOND SPONSOR IN PERPETUITY DALLAS SAFARI CLUB LIFE MEMBER SCI FOUNDATION MEMBER | |||
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Hi, my name is Mike and I am an Africaholic. I've been clean and sober for five months since my last safari, but I am planning to fall off the wagon big time and binge like a mad man in a month . . . Mike | |||
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I'm only going back because they have Castle beer. Elton Rambin Mail/Ship: 1802 Horse Hollow Rd. Barksdale, Texas 78828 Phone: 479 461 3656 Ranch: 830-234-4366 Check our Hunt & Class Schedule at www.ftwoutfitters.com 4 Rules of Gun Safety 1/ Treat all guns as though they are loaded. 2/ Never point the muzzle at anything you do not want to shoot. 3/ Do not put your finger on trigger until your sights are on target and you are ready to shoot. 4/ Be sure of your target and safe background. | |||
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I am not a trophy hunter by any means. But, there is one trophy I would REALLY, REALLY like to have. I have been trying to get one every year for so long, I am sure I am close to getting my heart's desire. As soon as I have done that, I will give up hunting in Africa. The trophy I am after is a Tyrannosaurus Rex. I am promise you, as soon as I get one. I will stopp hunting for ever! | |||
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I have been on 5 safaris and really have no desire to go back. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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Saeed. I know the Museum Of Natural History will soon be in delevery of your T R photos and you will be able to retire your SxS. But untill then, please do not fail to persue your altruistic duty. Go often as to hasten the fulfillment of your life and heart's desire. Have you seen any tracks? Elton Rambin Mail/Ship: 1802 Horse Hollow Rd. Barksdale, Texas 78828 Phone: 479 461 3656 Ranch: 830-234-4366 Check our Hunt & Class Schedule at www.ftwoutfitters.com 4 Rules of Gun Safety 1/ Treat all guns as though they are loaded. 2/ Never point the muzzle at anything you do not want to shoot. 3/ Do not put your finger on trigger until your sights are on target and you are ready to shoot. 4/ Be sure of your target and safe background. | |||
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My 401's toast. Damn buffalo, anyway! | |||
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I have been 4 times since 2005. My first trip was supposed to be the "once in a lifetime hunt". By day 3 I was already planning how I would get back. I thought the buff hunt last September would cure me. It did, for about 6 months. I want to stop for awhile and hunt North American game but Africa keeps calling. It really is an addiction. I hunt, not to kill, but in order not to have played golf.... DRSS | |||
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Hi. My name is Richard an I'm an Africaholic. I've been four times but I've been clean and sober now for about seven months. I don't have a hunt booked right now but I bought one of those life size buffalo targets which I'm shooting up with my .375 H&H reloads in a Merkel double. At 72 I figure the only thing that will save me from this addiction is creeping physical incapacity, bankruptcy or a buffalo charge that can't be stopped with a little .375. | |||
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HA! I knew you were hooked 1 day into your first hunt, and so did Jim! | |||
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I have been exceptionally fortunate enough to have been to Africa 4 times now. The last trip in particular was truly the trip of a lifetime, and exactly all I've ever dreamed of as it relates to hunting in Africa and with very good friends and professional hunters. I honestly count my blessings daily. I know that Africa is still in my future, although I have no immediate plans. My 40th b-day was only few months back, so I'd been thinking I have lots of time. A few niggling health issues (which hopefully stay niggling) have me wanting to start planning again though (its as good an excuse as any for the wife anyway!). | |||
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Makes perfect sense to me, my sentimemts precisely: 
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Saeed, no need to go back so far in your time machine. These will do nicely!   I hunt, not to kill, but in order not to have played golf.... DRSS | |||
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Amen Skip Nantz | |||
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To all of the above: Coming up on trip no. 8 in July and no cure in sight. | |||
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This thread has me worried. I think I may be in a tad bit of trouble. It started a little over a year ago when, thanks to the ever easy internet, I thought I could harmlessly look at a few safari web-sites. BIG MISTAKE!!! Within about two days I had talked Pat(wife) into going to Africa on a bow hunting/photo safari. Four months later we booked a ten day hunt in Namibia! Daughter #1 (Angie) and Daughter #2 (Kelly) are home from college for Christmas. Daughters #1 & #2 - "Can we come?" Me - "Good idea." Daughter #1 - "Why don't we do a tour of Namibia for a week or so pre-hunt? It will probably be the only chance we will ever get to go to Africa." Me - "Good idea" Daughter #2 - "I'd like to go to Capetown. I've heard its one of the most beautiful cities on the planet!" Me - "Good idea, then we'll travel up the coast into Namibia." Pat - "I've heard that Victoria Falls is wonderful, it's one of the 7 wonders of the world. Why don't we zip over there for a few days?" Me - "Good idea." So this is where it stands so far. Our 10 day holiday has mushroomed to about a month. I don't even want to think of the cost. (Pat may have to get an evening job) To top it off, I've started planning safari #2 for buffalo as a retirment gift to myself. I really can't afford it either but what the hell, maybe Pat can work a few weekends here and there!! I think I'm addicted and I haven't even been there yet. Do I need to seek professional help? Bill Betker (by the way, this is my first post) | |||
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DON'T seek professional help. It will just cost you MORE money and IT WON'T HELP! | |||
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I have hunted for nearly 20 years in Africa. There is always a way, always another "short" trip after an elusive Quarry. I thought I had it beat , then some bloke invented a compound Bow and I had to start all over again. The worst part of the whole thing is most of you fellas live outside Africa and it has captivated you......Hell I have lived here all my life and its still got me and will always have me, in its grip. Castle Beer, Mopane Fires, hippos haw hawing , Lions roaring.........Its hell in Africa.....Glad ya all like my home | |||
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[QUOTE] The trophy I am after is a Tyrannosaurus Rex. QUOTE] What rifle would you use, the T-Rex | |||
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Any money spent on professional help would be better spent on trophy fees. Life size buff targets (unless used to improve shooting proficiency for an upcoming hunt) are our version of methadone. | |||
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You are 100% right my friend! I often wake up at night in a cold sweat wondering how I can pay for another trip back to Africa.Sometimes its like the movie with Robin Williams in it,every time i think of Africa i start to hear drums  | |||
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Thats the only reason I stick it out here in Africa.  Go hunting 4 or 5 times a year  Just got back from Postmasburg in the Kalahari shot lots of springbuck, Ostrich, Duiker, Steenbuck, Impala ..... In 2 weeks we off to Vivo for Zebra and Eland Then to Eastern cape for that Kudu Makes putting up with "Africa" worth it | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting The Falsehood That African Hunting Is Addictive
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