One reads all sorts of interesting things on the Interwebs but what is the worst personal advice you have received in regards to hunting in Africa?


Mine was preparing for my first buffalo hunt in 1994. I had to make sure that I had a proper buffalo rifle that was chambered in a 458 win mag or 460 Weatherby with a shortened length of pull for faster shouldering with a barrell length of no more than 20 inches as it is easy to get your barrel hung up on things. Thankfully I didn't follow this advice.

Then there are all the clothing and equipment recommendations - high calf snake proof boots, shooting jackets, folding chairs, muzzle brakes, laser range finders, anemometers, Batman utility belts, etc etc.

You must use a telescopic sight.

Shoot!, Shoot! when it's a 48" kudu!

Free range in Africa is the same thing as free range here in Texas, or the US for that matter.

Get married.
Cal

checking zero at 25 yards,

don't shoot him again... he's down....you hit him hard....

Use ONLY solids for buffalo.

250-grain bullet in the 375 H&H is way too light for buffalo.

You hit him hard. He's done for.

quote:

Originally posted by sheephunterab:
250-grain bullet in the 375 H&H is way too light for buffalo.

Agree.

I was a bit hesitant to use a 260 gr. Accubond for the Central Savanna Buffalo in CAR. Te results were impressive to say the least. I wouldn't hesitate to use them now.

I probably put more emphasis on making a really quality shot, knowing the bullets were so light.

quote:

Originally posted by JGRaider:
Free range in Africa is the same thing as free range here in Texas, or the US for that matter.

What's the difference?

I always check the zero of my guns off the sticks.

Use something bigger than .375 HH for buff or lion.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Get married.
Cal

Roger that

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Get married.
Cal

Gold!!

My God. Your back is a mess. I've NEVER seen an Xray like this. Trust me. You need surgery. Now.

Or......

They offered you how much? I can get you three times as much. Sign here.

"The PH is always right". Never mind that they don't agree with each other.

One bit of advice I wasn't given but wish I had been...

Drink only the bottled water from the second shelf of the fridge and be sure you hear and feel the cap tear loose from the 1st time use position

I grabbed a bottle from the bottom shelf and got a bug that tore through me like wild fire.

It seems these bottles were re-used and filled with well water

Don't worry, there is toilet paper in the truck.

The host is just as important as the show...

"Don't take your binoculars to Africa".

Actually a PH had me shoot a rather mediocre buffalo with a nice boss, when there was one more to my liking for the taking (better droop to the horns and wider spread).

When I expressed my dissatisfaction with the buff, he said "Well you should have shot the other one."

Live and learn, I guess.

BH63

"Go once and get it out f your system..."

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Get married.
Cal

lol!

What ted thorn said.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Get married.
Cal

The only thing that stands between a man and his dreams is a woman.

Go to South Africa for your first African hunt.

It takes me several years to save up for hunting trips to Africa. I would far rather have spent the time and money I did on that first trip going to Zimbabwe, or even another free-range hunt in Namibia. I don't plan to go to RSA ever again. Not enough "bang" for my buck.

You can't hunt Cape buffalo on your first safari (I ignored that advice).

Do a plains-game hunt before you go for buff. I did a buff and plains-game combo. First day of hunting resulted in a first day buff kill.

Don't kiss that girl, you'll start a fire you can't ever put out!
Damn, wish I had now!! OR even had the same offer now!!
George

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Get married.
Cal

Geeting married and having kids is the best thing that has ever happened to me

You just picked the wrong woman Cal!

Sorry about that.

Worst thing happened to me was meeting Walter!

I have been suffering him for almost 40 years now!

quote:

Do a plains-game hunt before you go for buff.

That was my worst advise......


.

1. Two Water Safari is a good hunting operation.

2. Trophex is an honest Taxidermist. They are Christians!

..."whatever you do, DON'T take larium. (Mefloquine) It'll make you have hallucinations, and all sorts of BAD stuff."

Never bothered me, and I've used larium for periods of 18 to 52 days in Zimbabwe and Zambia and never had a hiccup.

"The snakes are so abundant, you need to hire a local to walk ahead of you and fend them off". And "Your feet will sweat so much you need to wear two pairs of socks." Turns out both warnings were from the same guy who had been to the RSA on one trip. His advice was like going fishing in Florida and giving you advice on what to wear to wear on an elk hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by R. Gunn:
Turns out both warnings were from the same guy who had been to the RSA on one trip.

Some of that goes on most forums. Guys that have been once or maybe twice dispense advice like they have been there 20 times using terms like "I always" or "every time I....." I am sure I did it myself years ago.

I really never received bad advice about hunting in Africa, at least none that I heeded.

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
"Go once and get it out f your system..."

Ha!

I know some booking agents have used that line before! Not me! I do at least have the decency to inform them of the addictive potential of "just one trip".

I booked you with only an hour layover at Dulles for the SAA flight to Joburg, so you won't have to hang around the terminal.

I am not interested in inches.