It's november in the Whitetail woods and the rut is on. Mature bucks that havent shown there faces in daylight for two months are running around in the middle of the day looking for a lady friend.
The clock reads 4:50 am and i am laying in bed waiting for the alarm to go off. What thoughts are floating through my head?
Should i take the 30-06 along or just shoot everything with the .375 H&H.
If a buff charges head on, can i make the shot?
What solids should i try handloading first?
The list goes on and on, august is still a long way off. I just cant get africa off my mind.

quote:

August is still a long way off. I just cant get africa off my mind.

It will even be worse next September.

You think it's bad now? When you do finally get to Africa, you will lay awake at night not wanting the experience to end and trying to figure out what you have to do to get back asap before you ever leave.

quote:

Originally posted by pagosawingnut:
You think it's bad now? When you do finally get to Africa, you will lay awake at night not wanting the experience to end and trying to figure out what you have to do to get back asap before you ever leave.

+2

quote:

Originally posted by pagosawingnut:
You think it's bad now? When you do finally get to Africa, you will lay awake at night not wanting the experience to end and trying to figure out what you have to do to get back asap before you ever leave.

Ain't that the truth. I was already mentally booking next years cat hunt while on a Buff hunt in 2010. Just gave my wife a three day 2:1 private lesson at Gunsite with Darrin Nelson for her birthday to get her ultimately hooked so she can perhaps hunt the next go round instead of observe.

quote:

Originally posted by KMG Hunting Safaris:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by pagosawingnut:
You think it's bad now? When you do finally get to Africa, you will lay awake at night not wanting the experience to end and trying to figure out what you have to do to get back asap before you ever leave.

I managed to make it through the actual hunting part of my first safari. Sitting on the plane in JNB i looked back. There were no lions roaring in the distance, no hyenas cackling in the night and no elephants to look out for. Right then it dawned on me i would be back.

It's true. Africa has been the only place I ever missed before I actually left...

She is my mistress. Beckoning me back.

Mike

My first safari was August last year and, like you all, I was thinking on how I could get back. I am going back this coming August and I can't wait!

I asked, very politely I might add, my wife for an allowance so I could start saving for my next trip. And would you believe it? She said no. I guess I will have to sell some guns or something. I even asked her to get a second job to support my habit. You can guess what THAT answer was. I have to start saving for another buffalo hunt and try for leopard this time. Maybe I'll hit the lottery or a rich relative will leave me money. Wait, I don't have a rich relative. Poor, poor me.

quote:

Originally posted by pagosawingnut:
I asked, very politely I might add, my wife for an allowance so I could start saving for my next trip. And would you believe it? She said no. I guess I will have to sell some guns or something. I even asked her to get a second job to support my habit. You can guess what THAT answer was. I have to start saving for another buffalo hunt and try for leopard this time. Maybe I'll hit the lottery or a rich relative will leave me money. Wait, I don't have a rich relative. Poor, poor me.

May I suggest you ask her to accompany you? Worked wonders for me.

BTW if you're in Pagosa Springs, well....I would say you're a lucky man, beautiful place.

Africa is the strongest dope I've ever taken.....and the only addiction I don't want to give up!

Africa is the only dope I've ever taken and five trips in 5 years has only made it 5 time worse.

7MMnut,
You are absolutely correct. I do live in a different kind of paradise. I have elk, deer, bear and the odd mountain lion on my little piece of property at various times through the year. But no buffalo, warthogs, impala and the biggest difference is that here, I have to work. Also I have not ever seen it -18f and that's what it is right now.
By the way, she has gone with me twice out of 5 trips and MIGHT go again but who knows when.