I've always carried my own rifle, but then I've never been to Africa. The indiginious folks were always in front of me if they carried weapons.
I'd feel a bit undressed without a rifle in my hands, like my zipper was down while speaking at the Baptist Ladies Bourbon and Poker circle.
Would it make the workers feel out of sorts I kept my rifle in my hands.
Maybe it the PH that would feel uncomfortable?
Maybe give my back up rifle to the gun bearer?
Could some one explain the protocols involved here, please.
Jim

It is your safari and you can do as you please. To date I have always carried my own. You never know when a little action may pop up and you need to get with the program in a hurry.
If you are feeling punk or something then hand it off for awhile...you will not be a first.

Just pick it up and go. Otherwise, the eager fellows will grab it up for you and take off ahead of you.

The only times I've had a problem were when I was slow on the uptake and the tracker beat me to the grab!

Even then, a gentle "Bunduki?" with an outstretched hand, follwed by an "Asante" gets the piece back (at least in Tanzania).

Like most of these questions, it just depends. Having the gunbearer carry your rifle when hunting DG is not a good idea. Since you never know what is going to happen or when, it is a good idea to carry it yourself, regardless of DG or otherwise.

But life will not end as we know it if you don't.

The first safari I only took one rifle and it was in my hands all the time. The second time I carried one and left the other in camp. Stoooopid! This time, I will carry the heavy and hand the light to whichever tracker seems to be the No. 1 guy . . . unless the PH or outfitter says differently. That way I always am prepared for the worst but can switch in a moment. As Terry Wieland once wrote, ". . . when in elephant country, carry an elephant rifle." (emphasis mine)

For a couple of reasons I like carrying my own rifle.
First, you just never know. Things can happen really quickly and I like being ready for action.
Second, if your trackers are really trackers, you don't want them tied to your side, you want them out in front tracking. If your potential gunbearer is someone just tagging along for a hike, I prefer them at the back of the line out of the way. In either case, it just doesn't suit me to have someone else carry my rifle.

After a blown stalk, or a missed shot though it is nice to hand off that 100 lb rifle and have someone else carry it on the long walk back to the truck. Even then, I want to stay within arm's lenth of my rifle.

On both my safaris (plainsgame) I had two rifles and a shotgun on board. I kept the .30-06 with me at all times while my .338 Win. Mag. and 12 guage OU were in soft cases hanging in the back with the trackers.



Whenever we stopped upon seeing an animal, typically I would use my 06 but if I wanted either of the other two I would pat on the soft case as I got out of the vehicle. One of the trackers would hand me down whatever one I motioned for. When we were done they would return it to the soft case.



That was the only time anybody handled my weapons. While in the field and to and from the vehicles, I carried my own gun. There is just too much that can happen to be without your weapon in hand.

I would not even dream of letting anyone carry my rifle.

As soon as we stop the truck, I chamber a round, put the safety on, and follow my PH.

It can be a few yard's stalk, or it can be a 13 hour tracking of an elephant.

Saeed,

But what you have failed to mention is that the gunbearer is carrying you with your rifle!

Our tracker and camp staff is good about offering to pack your rifle and they consider it an honor and it gives them prestige in the camp...so I allow them to pack my rifle a little bit each day or I will bring another scoped rifle for them to carry, and I carry my double....

It makes little diference to me who carries the rifle until we get into the herd or near the game...

I've wanted to hunt Africa since I was a kid and part of that dream was, someday, being able to say "Boy! Gun!" and having some native guy run up with my rifle. These days, though, I can see all sorts of racial problems with this ("Who you callin' 'BOY?!'" arguments)... and my only defense would be that "I saw it in the movies." Also, being the wise sage that I am at 46 (*cough*), I wouldn't dream of going after dangerous game with someone else toting my smokepole.

Russ

Russ,
I don't think you'll find the staff all that sensitive, only in America, you can even use the "N" word in Tanzania and most African countries...just don't call them a bloody Kafir, that is an insult..... When in Rome and all that stuff!

You will find our staff a bunch of clowns and they can take a joke as well as the next guy, they were initiated by Walter....

A happy camp and staff is the hunt of a lifetime, a grumpy unhappy camp staff is the ruination of many a Safari, something a lot of PHs just cannot get through their thick skulls...

Just a little note. Be aware that to some of the camp staff a rifle as just another piece of hunting equipment. Five years ago while hunting buffalo and tuskless I had brought along my .500 double and a scoped .416 Rigby. Since we were repeatedly jumping the buffalo at 85+ yards I decided to carry the .416 and gave the double to one of the trackers to carry. We never got a good shot and when we got back to the vehicle I was shocked to find that the double looked as though it had been dragged behind the tracker. There were all manner of scratches and dings on the stock and scratches on the barrel bluing. Apparently the tracker carried the gun across his shoulders and made no effort to avoid brush or twigs. The repairs cost me over $1000. Needless to say I ALWAYS carry my own gun anymore.

Geronimo

If you are going to have a tracker carry a gun, have him carry it in a gun case. Then make him walk in front of you.