Safari countdown to the Selous

14 July 2006, 04:42

Friends,

The final countdown is at hand...9 days till the Selous...All clothes laid out, ammo accounted for both rifles 450#2 and 375H&H...
Bug repellant, tomorrow I spray clothes with the permethone to kill ticks and other critters...Cameras with gig sticks, video cam,
cuddie back scope covers soft cases for tuff pak...AR folding white hunter knife...ammmo belts...
Walked six miles today carrying my 10 lb. dumbell...Getting used to mosquitoes...Here in Pa. we had flooding and now heat ...the end result lots of big aggressive biting skeeters...High humidlty and heat and will keep pushing the walking and will be ready for Africa...
The menu for my hunt is 2 buf, zebra, impala, warthog, sable, nyasa wildebeaste, hartebeaste, waterbuck...This is what I won and upgraded the 16 day hunt to 21 days and added leopard, lion, hippo, croc, and ele to my license...
To all of my friends here this started last June 16 2005 and now it is nine days away...Excitement is an understatement for my wife and myself..
To my friends who went to the range and shoot those big guns we had a great time and learned alot by shooting with fellow AR members... I even impressed myself at times... But it was good fun...

Mike

14 July 2006, 05:04

jorgie

Mike isn't the pre hunt trip excitement a bitch? In a way you want it to elapse quickly in another you want it to linger.
Your days are short while mine are at 42.
I've lurked around your prior threads since you won this trip (you lucky bastard) and for the record I am glad Saeed found fit to give it to someone like yourself that appreciates the gift.
Shoot straight and enjoy "Mayor Mike", I might run into you again at the range in Lehigh Co.if not maybe at an SCI meeting this fall.

14 July 2006, 05:15

Widowmaker416

quote:
To my friends who went to the range and shoot those big guns we had a great time and learned alot by shooting with fellow AR members... I even impressed myself at times... But it was good fun...

Yea! And I got the "I even impressed myself" on video! Keep up the great shooting Mike! I'll give you a yell very soon!

You know, the getting rady and the "pre-hunt" excitment is all part of the big show!! Is't it great!!!!

Good luck Mike, shoot like you did at the range, and most of all "Safe journey"

14 July 2006, 06:55

SBT

I can tell your pumped Mike. This is going to be a great trip. You're going to live this safari for all us AR junkies. Thanks once again to Saeed and Pierre for making it happen.

14 July 2006, 07:03

lee440

Hell, I'm excited for ya!

14 July 2006, 07:45

Bill C

Good luck Mike, I hope you get lots of cool trophies and most of all have tons of fun! We'll talk towards the end of Aug.

Does not look good for Mac though, may be time to unpack!

14 July 2006, 08:12

MacD37

Go gett-um Mike, the only person in the world I'd rather see on the trip is the second place winner!

Get some good trophies, and simply wear that double out on some good animals! Take a lot of film, and get some good video, because I want to see the action! Good luck friend!

14 July 2006, 16:09

tonto

Mike
Good luck. Enjoy your hunt and fill up all those tags! When you get back I have to ride my hog down your way and have a drink and listen to the stories.
Dean

14 July 2006, 17:39

Rich Elliott

Now, get some sleep!

Rich Elliott

14 July 2006, 17:46

mstarling

Man ... I am beginning to feel your pain! I have 34 days before the leaving on a short buf hunt in Tanzania. I'm slowly gettin' stoked too.

I can just about imagine what your going through. Hang in there ... and Have a Wonderful Trip!

14 July 2006, 17:46

bwanamrm

Good luck and shoot straight... but more importantly, have a good time!

On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling

Life grows grim without senseless indulgence.

14 July 2006, 18:16

rigbyman

I enjoyed the day on the range also. Looking forward for another encounter, maybe in the fall. I feel your excitement, and I wish you lots of luck on your safari. Take lots of pictures. Once I get my situation squared away, I can start to look at some overdue hunting trips.

14 July 2006, 18:29

GMaxson

After the previous fiasco's with giving/winning hunts on AR, it is good to see someone win that is truely excited about going and is going to have a great time.

14 July 2006, 20:56

oh58

I am just a few days behind you. I leave on the 28th for 16 days in the Selous

14 July 2006, 23:06

Blacktailer

GO GET UM MIKE!

Tie down a sable for me.
Russ

14 July 2006, 23:19

Donato

Have a good hunt Mike.

15 July 2006, 00:33

577NitroExpress

Does anyone else think that Mike's a little excited???

Go get em partner!

15 July 2006, 00:56

Use Enough Gun

Nah, he's as calm as a midsummer's morning!

15 July 2006, 01:46

Lewis50

Mike,
I hope you get every animal on your list, and the bigger the better. Say hey to Pierr'e for me and tell him I'm almost as excited as you are about hunting with him this year (I don't think anyone can match your level of enthusiasm). Only 65 days for me.

15 July 2006, 07:57

Doc52

Mike,
We sure have had alot of fun over the last 4 months or so at the range! We have had several AR members join in with us, and made, hopefully new friends!
Mike, I wish you and your Wife, The very best in your upcoming adventure! Remember 8X10, my friend!
Looking forward to getting together when you return!
Gods speed!

15 July 2006, 17:29

hamdeni

Mike,

Good luck and you have a very goog time.

Hamdeni

15 July 2006, 18:25

Frank Martinez

Thanks you for the updates and continued enthusiasm. I greatly appreciate your allowing us the pleasure of your preperation and excitement.
Frank

15 July 2006, 20:52

Rusty

Have a great time Mike!

Say, if you'd like, I'll trade you my spot at the DRSS hunt Aug.11-13 at Camp Cooley Ranch.

Hate for you to run off to Africa without showing off your double to the guys!

Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”

15 July 2006, 21:22

BigFiveJack

Dear Mr. Mike,

You are the man who first afforded to me, the opportunity to shoot a DR.

And what a DR it is - 450#2 by Champlin FAMARS.

What a great day!

(Soon thereafter 577NE and DOC52 gave me the chance to shoot the mighty 500NE MERKLE - again, a wonder filled day!)

I hope you and the MRS. have the greatest safari that anyone has ever had Mike!

15 July 2006, 21:39

Michael Robinson

Mike, go get 'em! Best of luck for an exciting and enjoyable time!

15 July 2006, 22:38

MikeyB

Wow, that hunt sounds like a dream come true! Best of luck and be safe! And we're all expecting pictures of those trophies!

15 July 2006, 23:23

retreever

Gentleman,

Final trip to the range this morning, with the 450#2 and 375...I came back smiling...8 shots at 50 yds...All within a 8 inch circle off hand..The light rifle 375 at 100yds off hand a vertical line of five shots off hand no more then two inch at its widest and maybe 5 inches high...All would have been heart lung shots or one hell of a headache...For awhile thought I was in the jungle the humidity was aroun 99%...Shooting glasses fogging but I made the shots...

Just finished spraying clothes with permathone to kill ticks and skeeters and maybe tsetse flies... I hope!!!

Mike

7 days till the Selous

15 July 2006, 23:27

577NitroExpress

One question for you, Mike:

How many hours, minutes and seconds until wheels up?

15 July 2006, 23:32

retreever

169 hrs...27min 30 sec...

Mike

15 July 2006, 23:34

retreever

169 hrs 25 min 15secs...

15 July 2006, 23:43

577NitroExpress

NICE!

Best of luck - I can't wait to see LOTS of pictures!

16 July 2006, 00:07

Use Enough Gun

Ditto on the pics. LOTS OF 'EM!

16 July 2006, 00:13

Dulcinea

Steady now, take it easy. You know the second and third place guys are watching you.

Dulcinea

17 July 2006, 05:55

retreever

Well it is 5 days now till safari. I am now walking 3 miles a day, but taking it easy so I don't get hurt.

Mike

17 July 2006, 06:20

SBT

Mike,

Now the fear begins. Don't drive as you might get in a car wreck. Don't eat out as you might get food posioning. Don't go to work as you might get sick. Best thing to do is take go to bed and don't get out for 5 days. Be careful man, we are living life through your safari!

17 July 2006, 11:30

NitroX

Good luck.

A 16 day safari for elephant, lion, leopard, plus
buffalo and assorted plains game.

Should be great fun!

17 July 2006, 23:00

eyedoc

Good luck and good hunting! I too am feeling the pinch with 26 days now till I head out.

Got to get a spare battery for my camera, ughh , and my range finder.Where was it I left my .........

17 July 2006, 23:25

retreever

Well friends, down to five days till, and tying up loose ends...Got all insurance papers in order...You never know...Copies of passports immunization card, 4457, credit card photocopies... Emailed itin to friends and family...Talked to neighbors, house sitter, and dog sitters...Filled out luggage tags, layed out all electronics, labeled all wire charger plugs, usb cable, charging batteries, stopped mail and newspaper...Cleaned guns and checked out all screws...Cleaned glass lenses on scopes, cameras, binos ...
Checked NWA flight schedule for the ninety fifth time, read Terry Carr's and Mims Reed's safari list for the umpteenth time...separating
clothes and everything else into where to pack sorting piles...
Watch Buzz's video nightly on ele hunting..
Waking early and walking for 3 miles daily..We are getting fried with heat and melted with humidity...92 in the shade...
Thinking constantly of my AR friends and thanking all who have made this possible..
Question Would you like to hear about the safari while we are there??? If I am able to send info to my daughter to post for me... Or wait till I return...

Mike & Cherie

17 July 2006, 23:46

577NitroExpress

Eh, no need to send info or write up a trip report. None of us will read it anyway

Mike, this is your trip. You make the most of it and enjoy it while it lasts. If you can send a STATREP from time to time, great. If not, don't fret; we all know you'll fill us in with every detail upon your return.