Top Ten List: Things I Have Learned Hunting Dangerous Game

25 October 2010, 06:59

1. Start young. Borrow money, make the time, avoid making excuses to put off going.
2. Doing it with a double is at least twice as fun as doing it with a bolt gun.
3. "Git as close as y' can, laddie -- an' then git ten yards closer." Killing a buffalo at 100 yards is well . . . killing a buffalo. Killing a buffalo in the jesse at 25 yards is . . . hunting.
4. With apologies to the taxidermists, skip the fancy taxidermy and use the money on trophy fees.
5. Once you have decided that a particular caliber is "adequate", go up a caliber or two before the hunt.
6. Corollary of #5: Shot placement is great, but shooting something that will knock something on its tail . . . priceless.
7. Relax and enjoy the experience. Don't fret the small stuff, learn a few words of the local language, remember to laugh, don't leave your sense of humor at home, enjoy a sunrise [sunset], take a Polaroid camera . . . .
8. Get in shape, the more you can do the more you will enjoy the hunt.
9. Video tape your hunt. Pictures are wonderful, but a video is a whole different experience and way to relive a hunt.
10. Make sure your professional hunter has a Snomaster fridge installed in the Cruiser.

25 October 2010, 07:03

larryshores

There is a lot of truth to what you say Mike. If I had all of my hunts to do over again, I would film them all and do a lot less taxidermy.

25 October 2010, 07:27

GunsCore

All good points, but if I were to start over again I would have just kept my $ 800 375 H&H and not spent all that money on being a gun whore.

25 October 2010, 07:32

MikeBurke

Excellent list, as usual you are spot on.

I started at 45 and have been on three DG hunts in three years and plan to make it four next year. If I die penniless a friend has promised to bury me.

Another item on the list for me was to get my wife involved. Katherine has been with me 2 of the three trips and now she is hunting. She understands why I enjoy it so much because she loves Africa also.

25 October 2010, 07:46

Brant

As I count the months/days to my first safari, I am reminded why I've been reading on AR for so long - topics like this one. I look forward to continuing my education.

25 October 2010, 07:50

rhromm

I pray to be blessed with a two-three month position this summer. I would be at the rightful age of 20-21, and hope to learn the ranks.

I am hoping to get a greater appreciation for life and its bountiful blessings. We often take them for granted, and that is not something we should do.

26 October 2010, 03:09

safari-lawyer

Amen for starting young. At 23, my first trip to Africa changed my life forever.

26 October 2010, 04:39

bwanamrm

quote:
Borrow money,

I know why I like you MJ... that warms the cockles of my cold banker heart!!! Might I add:

11. Be prepared to become hooked and/or addicted to the dejection that comes with hours of stalking only to be betrayed by the wind, to never really looking at plainsgame and deer hunting the same way again, the adrenaline rush of closing in for the final shot and the sheer exhilaration of success!

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.

26 October 2010, 20:12

MARK H. YOUNG

quote:
1. Start young. Borrow money, make the time, avoid making excuses to put off going.
4. With apologies to the taxidermists, skip the fancy taxidermy and use the money on trophy fees.
7. Relax and enjoy the experience. Don't fret the small stuff, learn a few words of the local language, remember to laugh, don't leave your sense of humor at home, enjoy a sunrise [sunset], take a Polaroid camera . . . .
8. Get in shape, the more you can do the more you will enjoy the hunt.
10. Make sure your professional hunter has a Snomaster fridge installed in the Cruiser.

Mike,

I picked out the numbers from your list that I really think need to be stressed.

1. You could not be more correct. The earlier you can start hunting Africa the better. And yes borrow money if you have to. That's how I got there early on. If you wait around until you can afford it as well as your present lifestyle you'll probably never get there.

4. I think people particularly on their first safaris spend far too much money on elaborate taxidermy. I have some mounts from my first safari that I look at and say "Why did I do that".

7. This probably is the most important of all. Have fun! Don't miss the safari because you got focused on a goal.

8. Particularly if your embarking on some type of a tracking hunt. You owe it to yourself to be able to walk.

10. That fridge in the Cruiser is just so nice. When you've walked for hours you've never tasted anything as good as an ice cold Coke.

Mark

26 October 2010, 21:13

MJines

quote:
Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
. . . you've never tasted anything as good as an ice cold Coke.

. . . other than an ice cold Castle.

26 October 2010, 22:39

matt u

quote:
Originally posted by MJines:
quote:
Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
. . . you've never tasted anything as good as an ice cold Coke.

. . . other than an ice cold Castle.

Mike..I like your style

26 October 2010, 22:40

ledvm

I agree with 9 out of 10. And...each to his own so this is my personal quirkiness...but...I would rather have a whoopin' than have a camera man following me around in the bush.

Still pics of the before and aftermath are good enough for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
J. Lane Easter, DVM

A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House

No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991.

26 October 2010, 22:43

ledvm

quote:
I know why I like you MJ... that warms the cockles of my cold banker heart!!! Might I add:

Russell,
You and Dee think just alike!

Except Dee is too tight to borrow the money!!!

26 October 2010, 22:50

muygrande

Lane, on the cameraman. It is important to have one IMHO but most of all have one that "you never remember" what he has filmed. Mine did just that and when I saw the edited version I had no idea that he had even taken 95% of the footage.

Next, I learned that w/o a tracker (excellent as most are) no matter how good the hunter/PH are it is going to be a looooooong day.

26 October 2010, 22:56

Greg Brownlee

quote:
Originally posted by MJines:
1. Start young. Borrow money, make the time, avoid making excuses to put off going.
2. Doing it with a double is at least twice as fun as doing it with a bolt gun.
3. "Git as close as y' can, laddie -- an' then git ten yards closer." Killing a buffalo at 100 yards is well . . . killing a buffalo. Killing a buffalo in the jesse at 25 yards is . . . hunting.
4. With apologies to the taxidermists, skip the fancy taxidermy and use the money on trophy fees.
5. Once you have decided that a particular caliber is "adequate", go up a caliber or two before the hunt.
6. Corollary of #5: Shot placement is great, but shooting something that will knock something on its tail . . . priceless.
7. Relax and enjoy the experience. Don't fret the small stuff, learn a few words of the local language, remember to laugh, don't leave your sense of humor at home, enjoy a sunrise [sunset], take a Polaroid camera . . . .
8. Get in shape, the more you can do the more you will enjoy the hunt.
9. Video tape your hunt. Pictures are wonderful, but a video is a whole different experience and way to relive a hunt.
10. Make sure your professional hunter has a Snomaster fridge installed in the Cruiser.

Very well put Mike. I'm off to a good start. Young, 5 safaris under my belt and only a few African animals made it to my wall.

Things like leopard and ele will make it home, but how many gemsbok and kudu does one need in their house?

The cameraman comment is spot on as well.

26 October 2010, 22:59

bwanamrm

quote:
Russell,
You and Dee think just alike!

Lane,
You can't wash it off of us... even with lye soap and hot water!

26 October 2010, 23:23

ledvm

quote:
Next, I learned that w/o a tracker (excellent as most are) no matter how good the hunter/PH are it is going to be a looooooong day.

Depends on the PH. I actually did a whole hunt with out one...just me and the PH.

26 October 2010, 23:39

Bwana Bunduki

quote:
Originally posted by larryshores:
There is a lot of truth to what you say Mike. If I had all of my hunts to do over again, I would film them all and do a lot less taxidermy.

True here, just the trophy room alone I had to build to house the mounts would have paid for a half dozen full bag 21 day hunts.

Jeff

27 October 2010, 00:00

Equinsu Ocha

Trying my best Mike, to keep up with your list..

Started young (22).. now with 7 safaris at age 32.

Got a couple of hunts in now with the double.. you're right, it DOES add to the hunt in a special way!

Taxidermy is covered.. cuz I know a damn good one (ME!)

Having fun is what it's all about while on safari.. Without that, it would not be worth going.

Staying in shape is a passion of mine..

I've only had a couple of hunts filmed.. I found it distracting.. I'll stick with the stills.

Cold beer on the back of the Cruiser after a hot walkabout is a must!

27 October 2010, 00:44

LionHunter

You should never even know the cameraman is there, so it cannot be distracting if he knows what he's about. Most of mine have been licensed PH's themselves, so know how to stay out of the way, while getting great video.

I would add Rourk's comment: "Use enough gun!"

27 October 2010, 04:39

MJines

quote:
Originally posted by LionHunter:
I would add Rourk's comment: "Use enough gun!"

You could actually condense #5 and #6 into that one and leave room for another.

27 October 2010, 07:43

Sevens

I was flipping through an old SCI magazine from 2005. Cabela's had cape buffalo hunts advertised at $6,900. They're almost double that now on their website. Sure wish my stock portfolio grew at that rate.

27 October 2010, 09:01

Russ Gould

If there is only one thing that I try to impress on clients, it's the following:

"TWO GREEN LIGHTS". Meaning, before pulling the trigger, you must be OK taking the shot, and the PH must be OK with it.

Many a hunt has been ruined because the PH said "SHOOT" and the client shot, but wasn't comfortable taking the shot, or felt pressured and shot too hastily. That then leads to a rather quiet campfire.

All the other stuff is secondary. If you remember this one thing, you will avoid a costly mistake.