After 2 days at the convention I need to give my feet and my wallet a rest. Here is a recap ala Masterdcard commercial style:

Books (Nyati and Geoff Brooms "A Life on Safari": $125

3 year renewal of African Hunter: $180

Red Oxx duffel, backpack,etc: $485

Lion cuff links, misc jewelry and curios: $500

Commiting to your first buff hunt: PRICELESS (actually pricey!!)

Having to wait until May 06: PAINFUL!!!!!!!!!!!



What a great time. Enjoyed visiting with the likes of Johan Calitz, Norman Crooks, Geoff Broom and Craig Boddington. Also had the opportunity to have dinner with Dene Bird, a PH with Balla Balla Safaris..first class guy. I will try to post a few pictures once I figure how. Already looking forward to new years show.

WTG! Congrats!

I met Dene Bird too. Nice guy, and what I beautiful mountain ranch!

I enjoyed talking to Dene Bird and also to Jo-Anne Bezuidenhout with Balla-Balla. Both are first class folks.

Hog Killer

Valued Guests

To those whom took the time out to visit with my nephew [ Dene Bird & girlfriend Joanne ] at the show, thank you kindly. Seems like the Houston Convention was a blast and all had a good time.

Just thought I might mention a short note of sadness and courage.

Last August we were fortunate to host Butch Winter from Dixiegunworks in TN at our Dendro Park Ranch Zambia. Butch took a very nice cape buff and a Kudu as well with his Blackpowder Pedersoli Double rifle.

The very sad touch is Butch passed away less than two months after returnining home following the hunt. Unknown to us all at Balla-Balla Safaris Butch had a serious illess prior to hunting with us BUT even with the obvious pain he was experiencing he had the will and fortitude and pushed himself to fulfill his Africa Dream that a lot of hunters have.

On a note of courage, his dear daughter Apryl drove 12hrs straight from Tennessee to Houston to be at the show and meet with Dene & Joanne on the Saturday. Apryl was able to sit down and talk about her father with Dene and his experiences of the hunt. Apryl was also able to talk to Dene and caption the photos which her father had taken both on route to Africa and in the bush.

The love of a daughter for her father has no limits, what a wonderful lady. All our thoughts are with her and the family.

Take care and have a wonderful 2005 and beyond

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Originally posted by Balla Balla:
Valued Guests

To those whom took the time out to visit with my nephew [ Dene Bird & girlfriend Joanne ] at the show, thank you kindly. Seems like the Houston Convention was a blast and all had a good time.

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Peter, I talked to Dene at the Dallas show, and told him to tell you hello. He and I agree you need to come to the Dallas show next year! We had a ball this year, with all the guys from AR, and those of us "Double Rifle Shooter's Society (DRSS) members in attendance! Looking forward to seeing you here next year!

Sad note about Butch Winter, but one thing for sure he had "been to see the elephant" so to speak, before he passed! That is more than most can log down in their lives. Therough (spl) said, "It is a tragedy to lie on your death bed, and realize, you have not lived at all" He was spared that realization! Do you know what caliber his Pedersoli double was?

Mac

I must certainly try to get to the show in the future, problem is I dont know if at my age 61, I could handle all the [wild characters] from the AR Forums, they seem to party toooooooo much (-:

My other problem is I want to try to ALSO get to Africa for their FULL hunting season ( April - October ) and the budget will not stretch toooooo far, but lets see how 2005 pans out.

Butch useed a Pedersoli double 45/70 .... BOTH he and Dene agreed it is a fime rifle for cape buff as long as one can get up close [ which of cource is what ALL buff hunter ) aim to do in any event, at least those with the nerves of steel.

I believe Butch got his ammo for the hunt from

> Lee Hawes The Buff Hunter
> Hawes Ranch Outfitters
>
> Vice-president Kansas Outfitters Assn

Take care

Regards, Peter

Wow!
What a great story. Way to go, Butch Winter. You really got to admire a guy who'll use his last legs to chase a buff down. With a BP 45/70 hammer gun no less.

R.I.P. Butch

Hmmmm...
45/70 BP Hammer gun...
He must have waived it around in the air and SCARED THAT BUFF TO DEATH

Elmo

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Originally posted by Balla Balla:
Mac

I must certainly try to get to the show in the future, problem is I dont know if at my age 61, I could handle all the [wild characters] from the AR Forums, they seem to party toooooooo much (-:

Take care

Regards, Peter

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Well, Peter I'm 68, and Ray is 70 so you would fit right in, as a young kid in the crowd!

I'm hopeing to get to hunt with Dene, in the future!

quote:

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Well, Peter I'm 68, and Ray is 70 so you would fit right in, as a young kid in the crowd!

I'm hopeing to get to hunt with Dene, in the future!

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Mac wow,

Ray is now officially 70, the dogone old dog still has some spirit left in him then from all the stories I have heard.

Is it possible he can make another trip to Africa or do we need to chaperone him once he arrives there. Knowing Ray I am sure we could bring him around to being the TOUR LEADER or master of ceremonies for the group.

Maybe we can do a ( SPECIAL AR OLD MANS ) REUNION hunt in South Africa sometime .... Nobody UNDER 60 ....

Maybe I can sweet talk my brother [ Dene's father ] into an old mans special plains game hunt, with a lot of watching sunsets the moon and braai's and less hunting ???

We have very nice facilities for those less fleet of foot and more inclined to CAMPFIRES and the good life.

I personally want to go to Africa this season if humanly possible, for 6 months minimum, I must therfore start a new thread to EXPLAIN my proposed plan as it might have a spin off for someone with a NZ interest.

Peter