I am organizing a second South African plains game hunt for the Mannlicher Collectors Association membership. The first one in 2004 was a great success, and the leadership of the association asked me to set up another one for 2007. If anyone here is interested, you are invited to join the MCA and sign up for this hunt. The dates are 3-12 May 2007.

The hunt will be conducted exclusively in the Northern (Limpopo) Province of South Africa and operated by Bush Africa Safaris. Hunting will be mostly on its home ranch of 10,000 acres, which is near Ellisras/Lephalale, close to the border with Botswana's Tuli Block. Schalk van Heerden, proprietor and PH, is offering discounted daily rates and trophy fees that are equal to or better than his 2005 rates for this special hunt.

Typical trophy game available are: impala, warthog, blesbok, gemsbok, kudu, zebra, blue wildebeest, eland, bushbuck, and waterbuck. Schalk has recently added nyala to his property as well, and if the entire party agrees, a side trip to hunt springbok can be arranged. In addition, for the budget-conscious, you can also shoot certain cull animals at reduced rates.

We are looking for at least four hunters, preferably six or more, and down payments will be due at either the Houston or Reno SCI conventions, where Schalk will have a booth, or by wire transfer. First come, first served, and of course, first deposits are what count.

You can see Bush Africa Safaris' web site at: http://www.bushafricasafaris.co.za

If you are interested, please contact me directly by e-mail or PM for details. And no, you don't have to use a Mannlicher-Schoenauer or Steyr-Mannlicher rifle if you come along on this hunt.

I checked on the trophy fees .. Very interesting. I made my first South African African safari in late June of 1977. (Seems like a million years ago) This was before the country became game fenced .. My zebra cost $100 .. as did my wildebeest. The kudus were $250 .. and of the three animals listed - I shot two kudus. I had extra money but only took one zebra and one wildebeest. My leopard was $650 .. and the lion that I didn't get cost $1,500. When I came back three years later the game fences were going up .. the lion (which I did get !!! Yahoo !!! was now $2,000 plus an extra $100 for some kind of license) The daily rates were $200 U.S. 2x1 .. I was supposed to go to Kenya but a few months earlier the country was shut down .. That trip would have been $150 a day 2x1 .. for a 15 day buffalo hunt with trophy fees cheaper than South Africa even back then. I make more money now, obviously. But thinking of the old days is better than going outside right now and walking around at - 25 C ... Good luck on the hunt !

Yeah, prices do seem to be going up faster, which is why Schalk's willingness to hold prices at 2005 levels or better for us is quite the deal, in my opinion.

When I started driving gas was .28 cents a gallon!!

What sort of downpayment is required?
Thanks,
Marc

MarcF:
PM sent. Thanks.

Eric,
Is joining the MCA a requsite to go on the hunt?
If so, can you provide information on joining?
Thanks,
Marc

ps. I guess I can look them up on the internet myself.

MarcF:

Yes, membership in the MCA is required, but that's no problem. Go to their website at http://www.mannlicher.org and click on the "Join" link to get the application. I'd be glad to be your sponsor.