OK, I am going to come right out and say it. Why on earth do some guys want to take their wives/girlfriends on a hunt? Unless the woman is a bona fide hunter (some go through the motions but aren't really into it, and most don't hunt at all), leave her home to take care of the kiddies or send her off to her parents or on a holiday of her own. Here are good reasons NOT to bring your wife:

1. It's a long uncomfortable trip down there.
2. It's hot and it can be buggy, difference is these bugs can make you very sick or even kill you.
3. There are snakes and scorpions around. They can also make you very sick or kill you.
4. It's dusty and the men all smell.
5. There is no shopping in the bush and not much to do in camp.
6. If she insists on going along on the hunt, she will get sweaty, smelly, dusty, scratched up by thorns, and have to pee behind a bush.
7. The "facilities" are often a short walk from the sleeping arrangements, many times have no roof, and sometimes not even a door.
8. Men like to talk about man stuff around the campfire. The presence of ladies can be uncomfortable.
9. Airfares are expensive, and "observer rates" aren't cheap, why waste the $ if it's not really fun?
10. You will feel obligated to stay in camp some of the time, hunt from the truck some of the time, get back to camp before it gets dark most of the time, and do some touristy things before or after. In other words, your mind will be on your wife/gf sitting in camp and not focused on having fun hunting.


I am sure you guys can add to this list.

And I am sure some women posters will trash me for being sexist or whatever.

Let the fun begin.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Gould:

Let the fun begin.

Yeap, it is about to be on!!

And if that's not enough, read Hemingway's problems with the two emotionally retarded wives he took to Africa. (Pauline in Green Hills of Africa and Mary in Under Kilimanjaro.)

I guess it depends on the woman. My wife does complain a bit when we are on safari. She complains for instance, if we are in the vehicle too much, as apposed to being out in the bush on foot. She complains if lunch time is too extended, as apposed to being out in the bush. She likes snakes. Bugs dont bug her. She has taken a bunch of game with both rifle and bow. She does hate the plane ride though.

1. It's a long uncomfortable trip down there. We flew First Class and it was quite enjoyable.
2. It's hot and it can be buggy, difference is these bugs can make you very sick or even kill you. We were in Botswana in the middle of the winter and it was quite pleasant - a whole lot better than July in Houston.
3. There are snakes and scorpions around. They can also make you very sick or kill you. We have snakes and scorpions at home too.
4. It's dusty and the men all smell. The Okavango Delta wasn't particulary dusty for us. Everyone had hot showers every day.
5. There is no shopping in the bush and not much to do in camp. The girls who weren't hunting went on a horseback photo tour and visited the Elephant Back Safari camp and played with the tame elephants.
6. If she insists on going along on the hunt, she will get sweaty, smelly, dusty, scratched up by thorns, and have to pee behind a bush. Some of our wives (not mine) were enthusiastic hunters.
7. The "facilities" are often a short walk from the sleeping arrangements, many times have no roof, and sometimes not even a door. Everyone had ensuite showers and flush toilets.
8. Men like to talk about man stuff around the campfire. The presence of ladies can be uncomfortable. Dinners were long and entertaining, then the men retired to the campfire to smoke cigars and do some "male bonding".
9. Airfares are expensive, and "observer rates" aren't cheap, why waste the $ if it's not really fun? It can be cheaper than leaving them at home.
10. You will feel obligated to stay in camp some of the time, hunt from the truck some of the time, get back to camp before it gets dark most of the time, and do some touristy things before or after. In other words, your mind will be on your wife/gf sitting in camp and not focused on having fun hunting.[/quote] Everyone on our trip had a ball. Capetown and Vic Falls are a wonderful diversion.

My wife now understands why I love Africa and why sometimes its better for me to go without her. I have hundreds of photos that I would have not taken on my own. My wife knows the names of each of my trophies and defends hunting (though she's not a hunter) because she's seen the economic impact it has on the local communities. I've found taking my wife to Africa (under the right conditions) to have been one of the better investments I've ever made.

South Africa or Namibia may be ok but for any place else leave them home. It's one less thing to worry about.

Russ,

I couldn't disagree with you more. I think anybody who has a wife, husband or significant other that is willing to go on safari should encourage their paticipation. Safari for me has produced some of the most memorable experiences of my life and I can't imagine a better person to share that with than Sadie my partner of 25 years.

There are some people that would not enjoy safari or any outdoor activity and for them it would be better to stay home. For anybody else with even an ounce of adventure in their bones safari is a grand experience not to be missed.

I've only seen one wife in camp that was not having fun and I truly believe she would have suffered anywhere other than her kitchen at home. She was by far the exception.

Mark

I did my best to convince my wife to go to Africa, but after this description she said "told you so" and not no, but "hell no."

ForrestB I think we married different women, although mine tries not to be a redneck she really is!

RUSS, you got more brass than a Rhino with an arrow in his nuts! Though I agree with you where some women are concerned, the "broad brush" approch is likely to get you a good dose of doing without for a while!

first ill have to get a wife before ill can go on a safari to Africa, is Nicole Kidman still single or a certain gunwriters and ex USMC Brigadier Genarals daughter, and then can i involve myself in the quarraling. BTW, has anybody who has read Ruarks "Horn of the hunter" remebered how outburst his wife somtimes had?

It may make your wife or girlfriend less reluctant to let you go hunting if you take them with you. I fell in love with my wife and married her so we could share everything together from begining to end and everything in between.

Here are my ten reasons why I should take my wife on safari with me.

1. I love her and want to share everything with her.
2. I won't have to tell her a story about the hunt because she will be there with me to see,hear,taste,smell and feel the whole experience.
3. She won't have to worry about me as much if I get hurt or killed because she will be there with me.
4. She will see how important hunting is to me and without pressure from me may become interested in hunting.
5. She will get to travel some. We love to travel but don't get to do that much.
6. She will get to see unusual animals and cultures.
7. She will get to see first hand how important hunting is as a management tool and how it helps local economies.
8. She will get to make out in the bush the wild way with her husbands taxidermist
9. Extra plane ticket $2800.00. Observer fee $1100.00.Spending time together in a exotic location priceless.
10. I may get to kill more animals because she thinks they are pretty

Steve

I found that wildlife artist is allready correct with reason #10. My wife has been looking at a lot of web sites on safari outfits now. At first she wanted only pictures on the wall but know she has admited that she has a short list that she would like to take her self and maybe even put the mount on the wall.

All that progress in only 2 months of planing!!And I am not even there yet. What a wife I have! By the time I get back from Africa she may be fully corrupted.

Thanks for the inputs on both sides of the fence

Semper Fi

Russ,

And they say that the Masai are brave . . .

For what is worth, after twenty-five years of marital bliss, I will vote with your list. Maybe to add an eleventh item to the list, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Mike

Russ, I did not even think of going to Africa without my wife...She is anxioulsy awaiting our third safari... This one to Tanzania and the Selous...19 days but whose counting...

Mike

Forrest: You DO have a penchant for prose and I might add PERFECT LOGIC. I would however like to add to your superb exegesis: My wife doesn't hunt and she loved the whole africa experience, so much so she wants to go back. But most importantly; I got "some" any night I wanted... jorge

My wife accompanied me to Namibia last fall. It was my second trip to Africa and her first. She has been talking about going back since the flight home. Best investment we ever made and she loved every second of it.

458Lottfan

God bless your wife!

Tell her I will give her a special discount just for her on taxidermy so she can put more heads on the wall.

Steve

I agree with Mark in that if its the right woman the safari will be much better. My wife and I have been on four and will be going on the fifth in August. Ive never heard any complaints, she loves to fly, and I know things go much better in camp as all the staff are trying to please her. On the days she chooses not to go out she doesnt need to be entertained as she can entertain herself. All of our camps have been in remote dangerous game areas and thats what we like most. It would be hard for me to justify the expense if I couldnt share the trip. Also when you get that back to africa feeling you have someone to share it with.

quote:

It's hot and it can be buggy,

Unless your wife is Canadian, in that case, she will appreciate the decent weather and lack of bugs for a change

LaRita just read this...and then said to be sure we don't ever book a hunt with Russ Gould at BigfiveHQ.com.

I can probably think of more than ten reasons to take your wife or girlfriend, if they really enjoy it.

My wife did not go on my first trip in 2004, but had me use the $2000 savings for 4 more animals. Good idea, but she forgot to mention she and my hunting partner's wife had booked a Carribean cruise to occupy them while I was gone! She is going next spring on our next trip with son/daughter-in-law, and grand-daughter, and decided if Chui gets to me or David on one of the dog races, she is a lot better medically qualified than others to get us back in reasonable shape. She packs as much first aid stuff as a MASH unit, and heavens knows, we have had occassion to use a lot of it on numerous people in our camps, over the years.

She enjoys hunting as much as I do, but relishes comfort time also. Just the bird watching in Africa would thrill her, and she spots game great. Just finished 3 days of hot, dusty, buggy, snakey tent camping in the mountains. Her basic philosophy in snake country is "If it isn't serving a purpose, and is dangerous, it dies". Things like that don't bother her, and she knows how to use bug spray. She insisted on a shower after the trip; spit baths work fine during the experience, but there is a limit for any woman! My girl is definately not high maintenance.

As for hunting, shooting, walking, etc. - she has a bigger bull elk than me (I do have more tho), her best buck might be wider - but mine scores more, I have a sheep, but she has a mountain goat that she took at 12,000 feet, while hunting with a heart condition. Doesn't like antelope, as they stink (haven't mentioned I will shoot a waterbuck ). She watches every new DVD I bring home, and can judge horns better than most men.

If men are uncomfortable or self-conscious with women around camp, it is probably because they can see thru the macho bullshit. They usually don't have anything to prove, and make much better pupils for PH's to take hunting. I have never had a woman take a bad shot, because they were trying to impress me!!!!!!!!!

The number one reason to leave the woman at home.

So when I tell my hairy chested he man hunting stories at the campfire there isn't anybody there to say "well that's not exactley how it happened dear."

Number two reason(s).

So I don't have somebody there to help remind me not to drink too much, watch my language and don't pick my nose, fart or brag about my cool shootin irons in public.


Now go and do the dishes or put on some make up or something while I reload some .470's and sharpen my knife, woman..

Although my wife is more than willing to go into the woods in search of game, or even catching and banding wild owls [see pictures], she prefers shopping and the sun...but God bless the redheads, there is simply nothing like them anywhere!

Will leave mid-September for my 7th safari, for buffalo and elephant. Can't wait. Oh, and my wife is going along on this one. Just as she has on the previous 6, and the two we've bought for '07 and '08.

She had never hunted before we went to Africa. Went as an observer the first time. Then took her new 270 the next trip. After that one, began borrowing my 338 (and I miss it!).

Has hunted leopard once (no joy) and will do so again in September. Took a nice eland and good waterbuck, neither of which I have. And this will be her third time to have her own PH.

In short, the sharing of this adventure together has been a joy we wouldn't have missed for anything. Indeed, there's something about Africa that speaks to her soul just as it does mine. Different words, I'm sure, but just as persuasive.

Oh yeah, she was already "forty ten" the first time we went.

Moral: Generalizations will maneuver the speaker into a box every time.

If the woman on safari is a city girl who has seen Out of Africa too often and is expecting romance and having alot of attention paid to her it can get boring for her.

Because her man has gone to the lion blind at 3 am and is coming home after dark. That reduces her to 21 days of reading novels. Better to drop her off in Paris with the credit card.

But if she is an outdoor girl and likes the whole adventure there is no problem.

My wife had such a good time, she's a non hunter,
that I can never go again without her!

Africa is an experience that is best shared!

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Richards:
I guess it depends on the woman. My wife does complain a bit when we are on safari. She complains for instance, if we are in the vehicle too much, as apposed to being out in the bush on foot. She complains if lunch time is too extended, as apposed to being out in the bush. She likes snakes. Bugs dont bug her. She has taken a bunch of game with both rifle and bow. She does hate the plane ride though.

Mine is like yours, except that mine doesn't even hate the plane ride. Go figure. I guess we are really lucky, aren't we.

I can't think of ONE reason NOT to take my wife on every hunt. What a ridiculous post, Makes me think about who I don't want to book any hunts with!

Going with out my wife is not even an option. End of story.

The only problem is that she does hunt and now everything is double.

And it is usually me saying "okay dear that is enough of the whiskey, it is 4 in the morning lets just go to bed."

But there are worse problems.

My #1 reason for not taking the ball 'n chain is she'd find out how much I actually spend on a trip

I have gone both ways. I have taken my wife and I have gone with another hunting partner. I enjoy having her go and seeing her experience the sights and sounds of Africa. This last trip she took a giraffe, after having never hunted before. Needless to say, she now has her own 30-06 and we are headed back in August. As some before me have stated, I guess it just depends on the woman and your relationship. I have found that the more she understands you and your "hobbies" the easier it becomes to enjoy your hobby too. I have a friend who actually has to sign a written contract with his wife to go hunting. In the contract she gets certain financial and other things and he gets to hunt a couple of times a year. Go figure out that one!! Not for me! By the way, I met Mr. Boddington's daughter on her first hunt to Africa. She was there with her Dad and with her best girlfriend. We rode the plane back to the states together and she was very enthusiastic about her Namibian hunt and trophies. She has since "blossomed" into quite a hunter and is even more attractive than when I met and talked with her and her Dad on her first hunt. She has marketed herself quite well.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Gould:
OK, I am going to come right out and say it. Why on earth do some guys want to take their wives/girlfriends on a hunt? Unless the woman is a bona fide hunter (some go through the motions but aren't really into it, and most don't hunt at all), leave her home to take care of the kiddies or send her off to her parents or on a holiday of her own. Here are good reasons NOT to bring your wife:

1. It's a long uncomfortable trip down there.
2. It's hot and it can be buggy, difference is these bugs can make you very sick or even kill you.
3. There are snakes and scorpions around. They can also make you very sick or kill you.
4. It's dusty and the men all smell.
5. There is no shopping in the bush and not much to do in camp.
6. If she insists on going along on the hunt, she will get sweaty, smelly, dusty, scratched up by thorns, and have to pee behind a bush.
7. The "facilities" are often a short walk from the sleeping arrangements, many times have no roof, and sometimes not even a door.
8. Men like to talk about man stuff around the campfire. The presence of ladies can be uncomfortable.
9. Airfares are expensive, and "observer rates" aren't cheap, why waste the $ if it's not really fun?
10. You will feel obligated to stay in camp some of the time, hunt from the truck some of the time, get back to camp before it gets dark most of the time, and do some touristy things before or after. In other words, your mind will be on your wife/gf sitting in camp and not focused on having fun hunting.


I am sure you guys can add to this list.

And I am sure some women posters will trash me for being sexist or whatever.

Let the fun begin.

Granted, I am blessed with a wife who has enjoyed herself while enduring more hardship in Africa than probably 99% of the males who post here, but even so, I still find it hard to believe that a great number of other posters wives would fit the list you made. I have yet to meet a hunters wife in Africa who wasn't enjoying herself. Some did so by being active and following along with the hunters, some were hunters themselves, some took sidetrips to do a bit of photosafari picture taking, and then some simply enjoyed staying in camp and relaxing with a good book. None I have met have complained that I am aware of, and all have been in good spirits.

I guess Russ has been hanging around with the wrong kind of women!

On our two trips, my wife and daughter worked in an AIDS clinic in RSA (she is a nurse) and toured parks and Port Elizabeth. In Zim, she hunted every day with someone different each day.

Overall, I would not think of going without her as she has a good time doing whatever we are doing. She had a ball on a croc hunt with my youngest.

Next trip, she hopes to work in a mission in Tanz with orphans or AIDS patients while I hunt.

Each woman is different and special - take her if at all possible is my advice as the shared experience will be fun to talk about for years to come.

Speaking of Hemmmingway, remember Francis MaComber? If that isn't a good reason to leave her home, I don't know what is.

Because she may outdo you!! (I've gone with her once and without once. Now I have to take wife AND kids next time.) Guess it depends on how well matched you are. I'm quite pleased.

My wife has traveled all around the world. She went to Africa with me and said it was the best trip she has ever been on.

I have been to Africa with her and without her. She always has the option to come if she wants.

And she will always be welcome.

My wife and I had a five week honeymoon in Zimbabwe including a seven day plains game hunting safari.

My wife cant travel anymore do to health. On the one hand I am dissapointed.. then there is the peace and quiet.

I have made 12 African safaris. My wife has been with me on 11 of them. Those have been the best ones. She doesn't hunt but enjoys the safari experience. I have two more African safaris coming up in the next 10 months. She will be with me on both of them.

Not take my wife? You have got it completely backwards.

She loves it so much that I am concerned SHE might go without ME!

My wife, who is not a hunter, has stalked lion and elephant with me for day after day after day.

She has followed along with me for many tense hours tracking an angry pride of lions as I tried to close with the big male. They growled, grunted and menaced us constantly, but she even stuck it out when the lionesses turned the tables and began stalking US!

She has come along with me for days of tracking and stalking to within spitting distance of herd after herd of elephant through thorn bush and foot swallowing sand in 120-130 degree Fahrenheit temperatures. She has stood her ground and faced more than one bluff elephant charge right by my side.

As I told another poster here recently in another context, if either of us ever gives up first, it will be me and not her, I am sure! I don't guess I am lucky, I know it, especially when one considers what she has to put up with.

But of course, we also love each other and truly enjoy each other's company, which is pretty much the sine qua non.