AR Colleagues,

I'm about to take the next step in my African hunting career.... It is with great anticipation and excitement that I'm happy to tell you that I have booked my first elephant hunt! In short I was able to take advantage of a cancellation and end of season opportunity and booked a hunt with Greg Butler Safaris in Botswana through Greg Brownlee and Jeff C Neal. As a result of it being a cancellation the hunt is very short notice and Cindy and I leave on 2 September for a 10 day bull elephant hunt in the CH8 region of Botswana. My PH will be Gareth Flemix who I had for my buffalo hunt in the Okavango Delta in 2008 and I am especially happy to hunt with Gareth again. As you know there have been some very nice and heavy bulls taken in Botswana this year and while I try to not over anticipate I'm seeing big tuskers in my dreams these days.

As a result of the short timing of the hunt we have been in "high speed safari preparation mode" for the past week. Travel arrangements have been made through International Journeys/Barbara Wolbrink and we were able to avoid the overnighting and firearms importation hassle of JNB by flying direct out of JFK. The arrival time of the SAA flight allows us to catch the Air Botswana flight to Kasane in an easy connection. This is safari # 5 for us and while we normally add some time on for sightseeing etc this hunt will be a "hunt only" affair with just one night spent on return in Chobe before departing the next day.

I've been to the range nearly every day practicing with the Ruger 416 Rigby and I nearly have my 400 grain Barnes Banned Solids loaded and ready to go. This rifle performed spectacularly in 2008 on buffalo and plans game and should be just the ticket for elephant.

Gear, clothing, boots etc are all being made ready on a daily basis and thanks to this Forum and all the information here and Terry Carr's packing list etc.

Thanks to all the members for the wealth of information and Greg Brownlee for his excellent service. Thanks also to 7kongoni (Tom) who gave me a lot of up to the minute information from his recent hunt. I'll update the forum on our return in late September.

Good hunting,

Paul

Congratulations! I made my first elephant last year and can't wait until I can go again. Good luck and I hope you find one of those Botswana monsters.

Best of luck. I am sure it wil be an incredible trip...

Make sure your baggage is checked straight thru and you should be good to go.

Good Luck to you and Cindy.

Rich

Good luck and update us on your success!

Good luck!!! Take lots of pictures and post a good report when you get in!!!

Brett

Hey Paul,

I had a feeling that it was you who snapped up one of those ele's!! pm on the way

Paul, good for you. You probably owe me one because I had a shot at those eles before it even went public as I was in constant contact with Jeff and Greg about some other matters. Would not work for me but I know the area well and hated to pass. I shot at 63x60 bull there in 2008. It does have some good bulls. A couple of things to plan for if you have not been to Kasane before. Make sure you have a day or so for town and the Chobe lodge for lunch, etc. Judy and Peter Hepburn have a very nice gift shop in town and you could maybe even see Luke or Ronnie Blackbeard and get signed copies of their book The hunting Blackbeards. Unless off hunting, they are usually around. Kasane is actually one of the nicer African towns for tourism and your wife will like it there. The camp in CH8 is also one of the nicest with a waterhole out front that is frequented by buffalo and elephant. Keep your tentflap closed as we had two mature male lions walk right through camp one night.

Best of luck and be sure to post pictures.

Paul, have a great hunt, and post lotsa pics, when you get back!


Mad Dog

Good Luck,
will be waiting to see the pictures when you get back

excellent

Thanks everyone for the comments and information. I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted on pour progress and the outcomes of the hunt.

Idaho-yep that is the plan, baggage all the way through and there is ample time between flights to hopefully prevent any misplaced baggage problems….but knowing how things go on these flights I am going to stay flexible. The fact that we can avoid overnighting is a big plus as far as the hassle factor goes. Also we are going to travel as light as we can on this trip…TuffPak with one rifle and few clothes packed in it and one other suitcase for me. I’m still looking into the postings regarding how SAA and RSA wants the ammunition packed…still getting conflicting information.

Kukhama-sent you a PM, thanks for the input.

Larry (BigBear)…Yes, I owe you BIG time for all the information you gave me in our phone conversation. It really got my blood boiling thinking that I would just go ahead and book for 2011 when this opportunity came along as you suggested they may. We did spend some time in Kasane in 2008 at the Chobe Lodge and had a great time after our buffalo hunt. We have one night there plus about a full day to sightsee etc. Thanks for the tip on the gift shop and the Blackbeards…that would be a treat to get an autographed book from them…it’s on my purchase list anyway. And thanks for the tip on the lions…in 2008 we had them prowling around in camp on two nights…hearing them roar within 20-30 yards of your bed is a sound you will never forget.


Paul

Paul, Best Wishes for a Great Hunt!! Say "hello" to Gareth for me. Tom.

Good luck Paul. Sounds like a wonderful hunt.

Way to go Paul. We are looking forward to hearing the story and seeing the pics in October.

By the way in a few minutes I will be calling Wendell and hopefully we will iron out the last few details and Rena and i will be booked for two ele's in Zim for late October this year.

Keith

Keith,

Good on you, that is great news! Between all of us (Frank, Ed, You, Me, Mike and respective Spousal Units) we should have a wealth of photos, stories and experiences for the 2011 get together. Let’s keep each other posted on our progress.

Paul

Good for you!! Where there any issues booking the airfare a month in advance? How do you think the cost compared if it was booked earlier?

Congratulations on graduating to elephant! You've been to school, now for the post-graduate course.
I did my first (and presumed last) ele hunt a year ago July. I am leaving for the next in March.
First of all, I hope you both have a wonderful experience. Kill a big one while you're at it.

Congrats and good luck... Botswana is a magical place for elephants and elephant hunters! One of the few places you truly stand a chance of connecting with a 100 pounder!

Great to hear Paul, sounds like another wonderful hunt is in store. Isn't it something how this Africa thing gets in your blood! I look fwd to hearing all about it. All the best, Bill