Here’s a question. In his several documentaries about African hunting (elephant, rhino, lion, plains game, etc.), Peter Capstick and the other professional hunters all wear short pants. In one of the documentaries, Capstick explains why: because shorts are much more quiet in the bush than long pants, he says. (And of course they’re cooler than long pants.) But all the trackers, game rangers, and other black members of each hunting party wear long pants and they travel immediately next to the hunters. If quietness were all that important, as explained by Capstick, the trackers too would be wearing shorts. How come they’re not? Is Capstick’s explanation about the ability to stalk closer with minimum noise in the bush correct?

I like shorts because of the heat. And I think thats the primary reason. For example, on a couple of cool mornings - call it 70* - I was comfortable in shorts but the trackers were bundled up like I would have been if it was 50*.

When it got warm - 90*+ - the trackers were comfortable in coveralls and I was sweating in shorts. Even at 100*+ the trackers were comfortable in shorts while I just wasn't going to be comfortable until it cooled off in the evening.

My thoughts,

JPK

I noticed the same thing you mention and I watched my trackers trying to figure out how come they never get caught in the thorns. It appears they have a natural way or have learned to kinda glide around the thorns without getting caught. I guess it comes from spending 6 to 8 months a year in the bush, they learn to read the terrain and avoid the thorns, but on hunters shorts are for sure quieter.........JJ

While I am not as experienced as some of the other forum members, I have hunted Zim a number of times and I've always worn shorts and short-sleeve shirts in Africa.

Mostly, I find it far more comfortable than long pants and sleeves. Most PHs dress the same way and they are the experts on this subject.

I am not sure if the noise factor is that big a deal as most safari style clothing uses fairly 'soft' materials that do not make much noise, anyway. Of course, if you were wearing some of the man-made fibres then the noise may become a problem.

I think that another problem is getting caught up in the thorns with long pants and sleeves. Wearing short pants and sleeves eleviates most of this problem but, of course, it also means that you get scratched arms and legs - but that is just par for the course.

As to the skinners and trackers wearing long clothing? I have noticed the same thing but think that their choice of clothing is more a case of what they can get and afford, rather than what is best to hunt in. And it is not as critical for them because, during the final stalk, only the PH and hunter move forward and the game scouts, trackers and skinners hang back to reduce the amount of noise and movement that might spook the game.

The tracker's coveralls are the standard uniform and they are plenty hot. They are not sweating in them because they are cool.

In the early mornings the crew was always cold with blankets around their shoulders. I always wear shorts and loose fitting short sleeve shirts.

Most comfortable.

I prefer trousers. They are better for thorns,ticks, mozzies,etc.
L

are the thorns in Africa worse than So. Tx.? I don't go into the brush here in shorts. Kurt.

Kurt,
I think the same way..
First time in Africa I use some shorts and after some thorns scratches and ticks walking up I decided to use what I normally use at home, I don't think trousers are so noisy that you can't stalk to rifle distance from your target with confidence. During my second hunting trip there I use my ol' military trousers
L

I wear shorts mostly in Africa and Oz, but a good compromise is to take a pair of overalls, eg light boiler suit with sleeves cut off. Austra;ian troops have overalls that are a very light material (cool) and in Auscam cammo. If you get cold or are getting cut to pieces you can pull the overalls on over your boots and clothes in a few seconds.

We do the same thing in summer when motorcycling in Oz, leaters over shorts and tee shirt so we can pull the leathers off/down when having a break - New Years day in Sydney this year was 44 degrees Celsius (over 110 F) in the shade.

Some hunters swear by track suit pants with gathered cuffs as they are quiet, cheap and can be "cammo'ed" with spray pain and some leaves etc to give the pattern.

mike

The simple answer is that Capstick was as full of shit about this subject as he was about much of African hunting in general, and, in particular, about his own experiences doing it.

But then again, that was Capstick's charm, and I don't condemn him for it. Still, the naive must beware. In reading Capstick, as in reading much of what many others write on this and many other subjects, one must have one's bullshit detector set on "high."

We grow up wearing shorts in the bush, thorns, snakes whatever, we all do fine....In fact as kinds wera shorts to school until our teens (except some winter days) and lamented their loss in high school!

Might wear longs on cold mornings/nights for sure but otherwise its shorts.

I also lose the big boots. Trail runners, approach shoes or decent sandals are great.

Look at hunting pix, most often the PH/Locals are in shorts (and often sandals) and the client is in full longs, high boots and all the trimmings....more than you need and not very comfortable.

Black Africans deal well with heat and hence don't mind longs or even sweaters/beanies in summer!

Shorst are far better in my opinion, more comfortable, quite and just feel better, why cover yourself as much as possible- enjoy nature. Shit, Locals often hunt shirstless on warm winter days ...why not?

If you are worried about beasties - open your eyes In fact, I have had more ticks embed in me due to longs than shorts. They can sit on you for hours undetected as you cannot see them as they move up your leg and sit down for a meal!!!

I do cover up when flyfishing for yellows with Capestorm SPF shirts etc...that because you in the sun for hours and skin cancer aint cool!

Next time you are over, look how many locals wear longs in the bush (except on cold days)...

I wear shorts in Africa because they are cooler, lighter and allow me to move more easily. The thorns and stuff are not a big deal except for the well-pampered. Heck, even Will wears shorts.

I also wear shorts most of the time as well as they're a lot quieter....although nowadays I also wear ankle gaiters and when I have a long leopard crawl, I'll pull them up over my knees. - I learnt this was a good idea a few years ago when I ended up taking all the skin off my knees during a long crawl in the Selous........ looked like I was making a leopard drag with my own blood - and it hurt like hell....

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:
The simple answer is that Capstick was as full of shit about this subject as he was about much of African hunting in general, and, in particular, about his own experiences doing it.

But then again, that was Capstick's charm, and I don't condemn him for it. Still, the naive must beware. In reading Capstick, as in reading much of what many others write on this and many other subjects, one must have one's bullshit detector set on "high."

Mr L., I sure hope that Capstick knew what he was talking about in these documentaries because I am sure that alot of viewers took his words as gospel. But I have the distinct impression that the BS needle may have been above half full while he talked. He wore a beret during these hunts and explained it away as protection for his head. Maybe, but I wore one for a long time a third of a century ago and I can tell you that they don't keep the sun out of your eyes or the rain off the back of your neck. The other PHs all wore either baseball caps or broad brimmed hats.

Capstick simply repeats the advice/opinion of WDM Bell nearly word for word on the shorts. Skin is quieter than cloth and less likely to catch and as Bell points out, the SCARS make it even better over time.

Shorts for me, even though like Shakari says, the knees can take a beating (and they did) while crawling around smeaking up on M'Bogo. I tried long trousers-once- and they were hot and when I started to sweat, they tended to stick to your skin, hampering movement. 5" length shorts are the way to go. jorge

Shakari,

Great idea on pulling up the gaiters. So simple and yet it never occurred to me! I will definitely remember your idea for this fall and the futrue.

JPK

There's no point in getting older if you don't get craftier - I learned the gaiter lesson the hard way!

"...But then again, that was Capstick's charm, and I don't condemn him for it. Still, the naive must beware. In reading Capstick, as in reading much of what many others write on this and many other subjects, one must have one's bullshit detector set on "high..."

Well said! Most books and articles would be frightfully boring without the writer's creativeness. That said I'm afraid too many readers don't recognize this! Alexander Lake said it best (although he was equally full of it! ) in his book, sub-titled "the truth about animals who lie in wait and writers who lie in print."

quote:

Originally posted by Clifton Clowers:
Here’s a question. In his several documentaries about African hunting (elephant, rhino, lion, plains game, etc.), Peter Capstick and the other professional hunters all wear short pants. In one of the documentaries, Capstick explains why: because shorts are much more quiet in the bush than long pants, he says. (And of course they’re cooler than long pants.) But all the trackers, game rangers, and other black members of each hunting party wear long pants and they travel immediately next to the hunters. If quietness were all that important, as explained by Capstick, the trackers too would be wearing shorts. How come they’re not? Is Capstick’s explanation about the ability to stalk closer with minimum noise in the bush correct?

This from the same guy who suggests you wear a monocle for tracking.....

until we have been where they have been and seen what they have seen, and done what they have done, it is best to reserve judgment on others.

Here's a thought, evenm though the PH/client relationship is usually tighter than that of client/council, i suspect someone here either first-hand or at most intimate second hand, knows how PHC really was inperson. if so, a few comments would be welcome and not from conjecture.

re: short pants... if PHC was really full of shit, then I guess Ronnie blackbeard, cundhill, hissey, rann, johnson or nearly anyone else in his videos/books was also full of shit.. go figure, a bunch of folks most of us would trade places with are really full of shit afterall...

My MAMA let me wear long britches when I was about 5 years old. I've never been back.
To me, nothing looks as silly as some fat old fart running around in Africa trying to look like a macho White Hunter.
Short pants on a man looks like a maumau on a fat woman, not pretty.
It's the macho thing.
Look how tough I am. I look just like a "REAL" White Hunter.

TJ, Wear what you want, but since I qualify as an old fart, and at 5' 15" at 230 lbs, I am not trying to "look" like anything.

I can't believe the comments as of late. IMHO, we should lighten up a tad

I don't know about anybody else, but I wear shorts all year round, every day except at work. In Africa, The throns tore the hell out of my arms, not my legs! I guess, it's east to step around them, than to thry and weave through them....plus, the trunk-base is usually free of thorns, and the higher branches and shrubbery loaded with them.

Not sure why its so fashionable to bash Capstick.

With references to his remarks about hats for instance, he actually recommends ballcaps in dull colours which is hardly a controversal comment. True he talked of wearing a sun visor or a berret, but I suspect those are nothing more than personal eccentricities of his..

If you read Capsticks packing list in "Safari", or his thoughts on rifles and sights, I don't think he is too far from main stream on any of his advice even though his book is perhaps a little dated these days...

Regards,

Pete

I have taken shorts on safari twice with the full intent on wearing them but just can't. I hate shorts. Don't really find them that much cooler. The men in my family never wore shorts and I just never took them up. I wear the work pants like Carhartt or the lighter fabric ones made by Dickies. I wore these in the 100 degree heat of Zimbabwe the last week of Oct. and did fine. I just can't ever get used to shorts. Kind of like hunting in tennis shoes and T-shirts.

I wear shorts most of the time in Africa. Yeah, my legs look like I just left Mistress Lash's domination salon for about a month after I return.

quote:

Short pants on a man looks like a maumau on a fat woman, not pretty.
It's the macho thing.

What crap!
Thats an american thing I hazard to guess, Africans, Aussies I know, guys I worked with in S America etc all wear shorts in the bush unless it's cold. Why get so hung up about looks...you out hunting or trying to score?

quote:

Originally posted by kayaker:

quote:

Short pants on a man looks like a maumau on a fat woman, not pretty.
It's the macho thing.

What crap!
Thats an american thing I hazard to guess...

Actually, quite a few Americans wear them, so maybe it is a personal preference thing. I wore both depending on the weather and the agenda for the hunt. It seemed much cooler to me wearing shorts while stalking.

quote:

Originally posted by kayaker:
guys I worked with in S America etc all wear shorts in the bush unless it's cold.

Is not common in SAmerica to wear shorts in the bush, the mozzies will eat you up in minutes, not saying that once in a time you can't see someone in shorts but is not a traditional thing as in Africa. No shorts in SAmerica.....

L

Hi Lorenzo,

I was too broad there, my expereince being limited to Ecuador and bit in Peru, adventure guiding...

We never had mozzie issue, but man, those sandflies......

Cheers

Magnum hunter One, other guys who never wear shorts,

Guys who do wear shorts,

Out of curiosity, where you all from? I wonder if the shorts thing is limited to those of us who spend, or spent some time at the beaches or in really warm weather.

Corrally to the above, I wonder where the longs wearers are from. Mid America, Northern Latitudes?

Its odd to wear long pants when engaged in a outdoor activity in summertime around here.

JPK

Wow! Can't believe how testy people have gotten over something so simple. While I agree that some visitors wear shorts in Africa because they are "trying to look the part" but most I'm sure wear them because they like to - nothing more or less! As for me, it's a rare ocassion when I wear shorts - ever. I typically hunt in what I typically do everything else in - jeans. As for being cooler, etc. I think this to has to do with what you're used to. Personally I don't get much relief from short pants but can't seem to get used to long sleeves in summer (to deter sunburn/skin cancer). I know a lot of Mennonites who dress in a way that'd cook me but they don't seem to mind, likewise most black Africans as mentioned above. Wear what you like! Geez, may have been less controversal to ask what's the best caliber.

I didnt hunted Africa yet but i hunted several countries included USA and i almost daily guide here even in summer when sometimes we hunt buffalos in the swamps and jungles of the north ,i remeber that one time two clients asked me if i was crazy using shorts with the danger of being bitten by a deathly vivora de la cruz ,very common there ,that was at the morning ,at midday after all the day following a buffalo with both of the horns broke both of them were in shorths ,because the heat was nearly insoportable ,to make thing worse i forgotten the water in the truck so they were a little ungry with me .Juan

On each of my 3 hunts I've worn long pants, but next time I'm going to steal an idea from my PH, sweatpants over shorts in the morning, by 9:30 strip off the sweats and put them back on for the ride back after dark. I'm also going to steal the gaiter idea.

TerryR

kayaker:
I must have hit a nerve? Which one I'm not sure.
No, it's not an American thing. Fat fart American men also wear shorts. How about if I rephrase my comment. Instead of "not pretty", if I said "silly", would that be better?
I don't want anymore scars from thorns on my legs, or bug bites. I'll wear long britches and gaitors, thank you.
You wear your short britches, I couldn't care less.
If short britches are better, why don't the black guys cut off the legs of their britches?

quote:

If short britches are better, why don't the black guys cut off the legs of their britches?

Bingo.

I've taken the Cabela's zip-off pants/shorts on two trips to Africa & will continue to. It let's you choose on the fly, pants or shorts. Takes up less room than packign both. They are soft cotton & very quiet, come in good bush colors & are cheap enogh to leave behind if your PH is about your size. Saved me quite a beating in Moz, from the mossies & tsi.

Guys,

The reason most blacks wear longs in most parts of Africa is culture rather than comfort. In most black African cultures, boys wear shorts and men wear longs........They would be demeaning themselves by wearing childrens clothes.

Just because they don't have a great deal of education or money doesn't mean they don't have a culture of their own - nor does it mean they're not very proud of that culture.......

Nor should we from the western world ever make the mistake of thinking ours is the only or most important or relevent culture.

Extending that, us "whities" often look at something the indiginous guys are doing and think, why T F are they doing that? - but believe me, there's always a reason and usually a very good reason.......