I bit the bullet and paid a deposit for a future African hunt. Dates have not been confirmed. I still need to get ALL my ducks in a row ...

Went to the range today and tried the new VX3 1.5-5x 30mm scope on my 416 Rigby.

Good on you. When do you go and where to.

Congratulations! Now, don't get "too" obsessed with planning, and practice, practice, practice!

If you don't already have a set of shooting sticks, either make them or speak to Jim Morando at African Sporting Creations and buy a set. Practice with them until getting up on the sticks is second nature. Also practice shooting offhand and sitting. You will find these things to be very worthwhile investments in the end.

Good for you Naki. Hope it turns out as great as you've dreamed it to be.
PRACTICE OFF THE STICKS!! A LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't take too many clothes, they do your laundry everyday.
Zambezi Hunters has a great packing list on their web-site.
Now, who are you hunting with, when & what are your primary animals?

Thanks guys. I am going to make up a set of shooting sticks. I have a few diagrams for one. Yes I plan to do off hand practice at 50 meters.

I shoot really well off hand with my 9.3X62. I first need to make sure that my 416 Rigby groups ok.

I have been corresponding with 4 people - Andrew MacLaren in South Africa for PG & small game, Andrew Bardley in Zambia for a group hunt, Buzz Charlton & Martin Pieters in Zim.

In the end I have decided on Martin Pieters. Don't ask me why - I just did it! Thanks to all of them for their help, support & encouragement. All of them have been great people to interact with & I am sure they would have all given me a great experience.

The reason I did not go with my SA plan was that my wife pulled out & I wanted to do a buffalo hunt.

quote:

I bit the bullet and paid a deposit for a future African hunt

I really hope you have a great hunt Naki. Just don't discuss politics with your PH and you should have a wonderful time...

congratulations! You are going to have the time of your life. Nothing is better than the first one. The planning is half of the fun and the retelling is also great so don't forget to enjoy the hunt.

LOL - I have that as the top of my list mate! My love for the wilderness and wildlife far surpasses my fleeting interest in politics and intellectual debate!

I have to start getting books to read so that I can identify birds, plants, trees, etc. I want the total experience. And old broken horn bull would be great. I'll do an Euro mount.

A friend of mine who is an accomplished photographer with publications in National Geographic now wants to join me! He has done a great documentary on the former dictator of Liberia. So my safari video will be free!

I really hope you have a great hunt Naki. Just don't discuss politics with your PH and you should have a wonderful time...[/QUOTE]

quote:

Originally posted by Jason P:
[QUOTE]I bit the bullet and paid a deposit for a future African hunt

The bird "identification" never even crossed my mind before I went. However, I did take a lot of bird pic's after I arrived and am glad I did.

Sounds like you are really doing your homework. Absolutely a great idea!

The safari video will be great too. Sounds like you are in it as much or more for the experience, as you are for the trophies. I agree 100%!

Thanks Jason. The only trophy I have mounted is my colour phase black bear from BC. I had not done my home work & ended up spending $3k on taxidermy, freight etc. which was way more than I had planned! I swore then that I would never fall for it again. I have had very few skins done as throw overs.

I have been planning for an African hunt for many years and have a complex spreadsheet with hunts ranging from 5 day PG to 31 day Tanzanian full bag (if I struck Lotto!). When I factor in the travel, taxidermy, hotels, tips etc. the final cost is 30% to 50% more than just the hunt & trophies.

Andrew Bardly (Fairgame) advised me to do Euro mounts & spend the money on hunting. That is one of the best pieces of advice for a person on a tight budget.

If my friend Ryan comes along, the photography will be world class and that will preserve memories for life.

Naki, have fun and do it. I can't wait to go back. If you can, save money and hunt more. Mr. Pieters seems to be a great choice. I'm envious. Enjoy and shoot straight.

Go gett 'em naki!

.

Naki,

Martin Pieters has an end of the season hunt now in the Hunts and Outfitters section. It is a super deal!

Have a great hunt, you will never be the same after hunting Africa.

Enjoy yourself. Take lots of pictures, make lots of memories.

quote:

Originally posted by JTEX:
Go gett 'em naki!

.

+1

I have been checking flights and it is not easy or cheap!

Cheapest return flight is $2427 & it takes 43 hours one way & 36 hours back! One option is to fly Emirates with a stop over at Lusake! No Way!

There is one cheap flight with just a stop in Sydney & one in Dubai - that might be the best - unless I decide to spend another $800 on the flight and cuts 19 hours of airport time!

The best is still a 24 hour journey! I have done several trips to India that were up to 31 hours total!

I am definitely going next year. Too hurried for this year.

I have been planning & preparing.

Got the various lists from the usual sites suggested by fellow AR members.

I have 2 of John Taylor's books. Also got 2 of Bodiongton's videos & I am really enjoying them. The buffalo video was good but the one on safari planning etc. is just brilliant. Most of that info can be collected from different sources. But it is great to get that full 2 part video.

Yes, I will take a spare pair of spectacle!

I have started watching Saeed's 14 volume DVDs! They are a full safari documentary and viewing them is a study & not entertainment. My mindset is so different now that I am planning for my safari. Very impressed with Saeed's control of rifle muzzle. Mostly pointed up & therefore no risk of spanning across the PH in front (unlike the "other" post!).

I also notice the distance that Saeed maintains from the PH with whom he has hunted for decades.

I now need to get some real rubber soled shoes! They seem to have gone out of fashion!

having hunted with Martin's outfit in the Omay, i can assure you- you are in for a memorable experience. there is NOTHING like your first safari!

Well done , hunting is a drug and elephant hunting the heroin of hunting. Martin Pieters is a first class guy and PH and you will have a fantastic adventure , remember the journey is as important as the destination. You can never ask enough questions and you can never over prepare. Your adventure will be as great as you make it !

Great choice. I'll be hunting at Martin's Ume camp one month from now. Martin sets a high standard and there are no loose ends, you'll be well taken care of. I'm sure you'll find as I did it's about a lot more than the animals.

Omay is a good hard hunt, get into shape.

Nakihunter...best wishes and planning and preparation is half the FUN

Roland

Best of luck on your safari. I put a deposit last october on a plains game hunt in S.A. for 2015, and it will be my first African hunt, I know exactly how you feel.

I have started my training. On Sunday I went on a trek with friends (a couple) & my 14 year old boy.

Up Mount Taranaki from the North Egmont car park on the Jacob's ladder loop track - Total 8kms - up hill & then down. I did it in 3 hrs & 10 min. Normal first timers do it in around 3 hours. We went up about 2000 feet in elevation.



My friend robin has climbed the mountain summit over 270 times! He is 67 years old.

I have also started hitting a gym. I did a good workout yesterday though my legs / knees were sore & I was hobbling around.

My goal is to loose 7 to 10 kgs weight & be fit to walk 15 km a day by September!

Had my annual blood test for diabetes today & I am sure I will be fine .....

quote:

Omay is a good hard hunt, get into shape

October/November are extremely hot months in the Omay.

Martin Peters is first class all the way.

Great going, Arjun, planning and preparation is half the fun

Arrived in the mail today! I also got a few other African hunting books.

Went to the range yesterday & shot the 416 Rigby!

Some good reading there Naki and I see you posted elsewhere you have just finished reading the 'African Bible', John Taylor's classic AR&C.

Have you read J A Hunter's book "Hunter"? It is another recognised classic of African hunting. I have a spare copy if you would like it. PM me address and I'll send up if you haven't got it.

naki I am not long back from a hunt with Martin. Bull Bff and Tuskless cow Ele. Boyhood dream come true. Yep it gets hot Iwas there in early October. 40 to 45C every day, in the shade. Get a hold of Woodleigh SPRN and Hydro statics. I used a 416 Rigby all Hydros. 1 to drop the buff, 1 to drop the Ele and an insurance shoot into the Ele. Buff heart shot, Ele brain shoot.

Like you I have a CZ550 in 416 Rigby. Dont need anything bigger. It shoots the Hydros and Woody SPRN to same POI using 98grains of AR2209.

We walked 78km in 7 days, 16km on first day. I keept my scope on the lowest power 1.25. I used a Trijacon with a post picket reticle.

Eagle, Yes I first read Hunter by Hunter when I was about 13 or 14. I got one copy 15 years later and a friend decided to "keep" it! I got another one a few years ago & I have read it 3 or 4 times since!

I also have Pondoro which I am now reading & a few Capstick & Ruark books I bought here on AR & which arrived in the mail recently.

The best reading for me is Brian Herne's book on White Hunters. It is a great summary of the history of classic African hunting with great stories about the characters and the game. He doesn't mention Capstick thought!

Naki I meant to add in my last post that a very good DVD to get and study IMHO is Kevin "Doctari" Robinsons " The Perfect Shot". Appologies if you have already listed this as one you have.

Cheers
Greg

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:
Eagle, Yes I first read Hunter by Hunter when I was about 13 or 14. I got one copy 15 years later and a friend decided to "keep" it! I got another one a few years ago & I have read it 3 or 4 times since!

I also have Pondoro which I am now reading & a few Capstick & Ruark books I bought here on AR & which arrived in the mail recently.

The best reading for me is Brian Herne's book on White Hunters. It is a great summary of the history of classic African hunting with great stories about the characters and the game. He doesn't mention Capstick thought!

Great then you should be a very learned hunter when you get to Africa

I am sure you will acquit yourself well over there, you damn well better not disgrace us Kiwis hunters

I suppose the only advice I would be so bold to give and it is one that has stood me in good stead over all my years of hunting is that despite all that may have gone before, I like to leave the range that final time before a hunt having shot a group of 3 to the exact POI I have sighted my rifle for, and I am perfectly happy that this is a tight little group at 50m. I know then that my ammo and rifle set up are up to the task with no nagging doubts. All that is required for success is for me to do my bit. Nothing worse to come away from a range not 110% sure or happy with either the rifle, scope or ammo.

I'm sure you know and practice this but Africa will be no different than any other hunt you will have done in terms of you, your rifle and your ammo ------other than if you miss and get eaten

My CEB bullets arrived today. 416 - 325 HP noncons (Safari Raptors) & 350 gr #13 solids. Also 9.3 cal - 255 gr HP Safari raptors with 25 talon tips to use for longer rangers & 280 gr solids.

Now to load them & see how they shoot.

Naki!

Congrats and its great to see someone who will arrive fully prepared- mentally and physically. You will have a great hunt- keep us posted! Cheers Buzz

Congrats, enjoy every moment.

Enjoy the hunt!

Enjoy the load development!
416 from the bench is going to be fun :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:
I have started my training. On Sunday I went on a trek with friends (a couple) & my 14 year old boy.

Up Mount Taranaki from the North Egmont car park on the Jacob's ladder loop track - Total 8kms - up hill & then down. I did it in 3 hrs & 10 min. Normal first timers do it in around 3 hours. We went up about 2000 feet in elevation.



My friend robin has climbed the mountain summit over 270 times! He is 67 years old.

I have also started hitting a gym. I did a good workout yesterday though my legs / knees were sore & I was hobbling around.

My goal is to loose 7 to 10 kgs weight & be fit to walk 15 km a day by September!

Had my annual blood test for diabetes today & I am sure I will be fine .....

Great start and good luck.

I never got sick of seeing Mt Taranaki. Worked there a little while and could see it out the kitchen window.

Best wishes, Chris

Finally .... (breaths sigh of relief). Well done.