I just came home from six weeks in Northern Namibia where I did some hunting and helped set up a hunting camp for myself and an amigo from British Columbia . (I'd make a really lousy construction foreman so don't even ask ... !!!!) I hunted Felseneck two summers ago with Bill Hanlon from British Columbia and we killed a couple of leopards on the trip .. At the end of my recent trip I contacted Helgaard and Christine van der Vyver and sort of invited myself back for a couple of days to visit .. The nicest of people, they took us on a game drive .. fed us like kings .. and took us to the airport the next day ... While in Okahandja Christine got a copy of the latest Safari magazine that had a story of these leopards ... plus the one that George Roberts whacked... None of this is anything especially interesting .. except for the fact that these cats were not taken over bait .. And amazingly ... in the past two years 11 leopards have been taken on that place .. none over baits .. Now, no one can expect to go hunting leopards and have any luck at all in that manner ... but lightning sure has struck often there ... for some reason ... (I'm not complaining !!!) On the game drive we saw lots of gemsbok, kudu, giraffe, sebra etc... The country is a bit more open than further north where I was hunting this July/August.If a person was interested in a great plainsgame hunt with top notch guide/accomodations/cuisine ... and (if the planets line up properly ???!!!!) also be in top notch leopard country ... (they don't come much into baits ..???? I don't know why ???!!!) but if you are there ... perhaps a person might get lucky ... The chap that came after Geoerge also shot a leopard off a kopje !!! Anyways .. the Safari magazine article gave the address but not the e mail of Felseneck ... So here it is ..

fels-eck@iway.na

Their rate in 2004 was/is 154 euros a day .. and the trophy fees seem about average .. leopard is 1,750 euros .. I think... Great people ... great area ... I recommend them without reservation !!!

Richard, I need to give you a call, got you're message and am really glad to see you back in the country. Tyrell and I hoped things were well with you after discussing the tradgedy's that have occured there recently. Anyway, I'm moving to Red Deer sunday so am busy. This has been compounded by the fact some slime ball broke into my moving van and stole a bunch of stuff last night. Anyone want to camp out in a U Haul with a big bore for the next couple of nights? It's kind of like sitting over a bait. Isn't it?



I'll also say that after meeting and talking with Helgaard and Christine that they are first class folks, and the videos suggest a first class outfit. Also, it is apparent they aren't fussy about who hunts with them .



Chuck

Chuck ... sorry to hear that you are moving .... My wife got a moose tag for F300 and was sort of hoping that you would draw us a map of where you guys have been hiding the varmints between drawing tags !!! Ha! Ha! Luckily for me. these African folks have not been asking for character references ... If so, I'd have to live vicariously .. and that is not a good thing as a permanent happening !!!

Richard, welcome back. Helgaard told me you were going to visit. What's this about a tragedy over there?
Thnak you for not mentioning that I went for Leopard but didn't get one. Not for want of trying however.
Peter.

Bob Fontana, specifically.

Chuck

Peter,

My amigo just finished two THREE months stints in Northern Namibia .. plus two earlier trips ... and still has not bagged a leopard. He has now made use of 14 different baits that he can remember using .. No luck yet !!! Occasionally they will eat once .. but not come back ... Near the end of my six weeks he was starting to look at me speculatively ... but I'm a lot harder to persuade than some hapless baboon, goat, or impala !!!