One of my dreams is to one day hunt Africa. I have family members who are not only non-hunters, but also discourage the sport(screw them)! Most recently one of them has been ranting about a book called "The HotZone". I assume another attempt to prevent me from enjoying an activity that will bring adventure, excitement, and accomplishment/satisfaction my way. Do any of you guys and gals who go regularly to the dark continent have any idea what this "hotzone" stuff is? I know lots of folks go to Africa without ill effects and have a grand time. Just once I'd like to be able to have the information from the horse's mouth to be able to shut my brother up. He is the oldest child. Naturally the entire family listens to him. More than once over the years I've had to tell him to bugger-off, but this time his ranting is relentless. HELP.
Andy

I'm 65 and learned many years ago to ignore the naysayers who tell you you can't or shouldn't do something that gratifies you. Follow your heart.

You will regret more the things you did not do than the things you did do. Do as jetdrvr said.

...Purchase the book, THE HOT ZONE by Richard Preston. It deals with actual viruses (ebola, and marburg) found in Central Africa.

I assume he is referring to the book about the Ebola outbreaks in the mid 90's. Ask him how many safari hunters died. That is a pathetic arguement, and if he's resorted to that you've already won. By the way, if I remember correctly the book is very interesting. Totally unrelated to your risk of hunting as you won't be skinning/gutting your animals. Let your brother know that if any of the camp staff develop hemorrhagic fever that you'll promptly run away. Rich.

It's an interesting exercise to practice discretion with your personal interests. Sounds strange? For example, I am careful who I talk to about elephant hunting. I pick my words carefully and don't share everything with everyone (including family). My friends and family know of my interests and I talk about it when they bring it up but mostly I don't talk about it. A little bit of that goes a long ways.

That's what this forum is for...to share ideas, dreams and memories with people who generally understand that part of your life better than some of your family and friends will. We also fight like family sometimes.

I read the "Hot Zone" a few years back, enjoyed the book as I recall.

Don't worry about what "could" happen. The worst thing that happened to me was a few fly bites. The best things are the memories I will have forever. Not a day goes by that I do not relive the adventure that is Africa.

Now I remember. I read that when it first came out. A buddy of mine got it from David Crosby when he was layed up in the hospital recovering from his liver transplant.

Some of the medicos here can tell you more about Ebola than I can, but it has been found in Southern Sudan, Angola, and Kenya and usually kills the hosts so quickly that it doesn't have time to spread.

I worked in Kenya and the Sudan and Angola extensively during the late 80's though the middle 90's and I'm still here. I wouldn't give it a thought.

Drew,

Perhaps you ought to get him to re-read the book and make special note of where these outbreaks occur and then tell him which countries you'll be hunting, and then suggest he consult a map or Google Earth....... and then explain that Africa is a very large continent, not a single country.

Alternatively, you could just tell him to mind his own bloody business and you'll go wherever, and do whatever you want.

No matter what you tell or do to greenies they will never back off. The fear that they could have been wrong from day one is just too much too handle.

You have found new family here on AR anyway

Drewhenrytnt,
There will never be a shortage of people that will try to discourage you from doing anything in life. Fortunately the same people will seldom be able to prevent you from following your dreams. Discouragement doesn't hurt, and encouragement doesn't particularly help much. Just do it, and years from now your brother will be introducing you as his brother who hunts Africa. Remember to post your pictures.

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:
Discouragement doesn't hurt, and encouragement doesn't particularly help much. Just do it, and years from now your brother will be introducing you as his brother who hunts Africa.

Interesting statement and I certainly agree with it. I guess that describes my experience as well as anything else.

drewhenrytnt

A hair off topic, but the next time your around them ask if they are vegetarians? and then point out the blatant hypocrisy of having others kill for them when they say "no". It thrills me to no end watching the squirming that ensues after their hypocrisy is pointed out! I'd also point out the success story of the white and soon to be black rhino in South Africa. That's a good and easy to understand example of how hunting positively affected a species in Africa. I'm not advocating defending yourself. Apologize for nothing, but inform those that are willing to listen. It’s hard to find people that know much of anything factual about African wildlife. With schools that teach about endangered elephants and national geographic shows talking about declining leopard populations threatening the species ( ) it’s hard to know what’s really going on unless you inform yourself.

Brett

If you see anyone bleeding out of all orifices don't give them a compassionate hug or lick up the blood and you should be fine.

The hot zone? hell Ebola is the least of the dangers there, would be more concerned about a panga in my spine, and the closest you will get to that area hunting in Africa is about a half world away...

I know he is your brother but surely failed Geography and he is about as uninformed as my new grandson in Corpus, maybe you could bring him over to play with my new grandson...He's 18 months old, they should get along well....

Ray, be nice

The sad truth is a large majority of Americans can't name two states that border on Ohio, much less two countries that border on (you pick) any country in Africa, Saharan or sub-Saharan. Ignorance permeates the anti's and they are blissfully unaware of it.

The book is OK but what is scary is when you realize (like I did) you lived just down the road a piece from the Monkey house that all the crap happened. What's more is when you find out that your dad serviced the Xerox machines there for years and always commented about that funky smell...

Ebola has been around, is around and will be around forever... The source (so far as preston and others surmise) is around Mt Elgon in Uganda. Just stay away from there and if you do go, just don't go in the cave and bump your head on the stalagtites dripping bat guano... you'll be fine...