Does any one have any regrets

15 September 2011, 13:36

quote:
Originally posted by xausa:
I have just been diagnosed with "central retinal vein occlusion", a condition which will probably cost me the sight of my right eye. Unless I can make some accomodation, most of my beloved guns will just be memories to fondle, no longer something I can use.

Don't put off your dreams. You never know what may happen to prevent their coming true.

I have seen some of your rifles so I know that you have some cool stuff. I feel kind of silly offering you advice(after all you have taken so of the great game no longer available in Africa), but I would recommend that you sell the rifles that don't hold too many memories and buy a LH Ruger in 375 and do some more hunting.

I would think that retraining yourself at 72 would be like starting all over again(which might be pretty fun).

Jason

"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________

Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.

Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.

-Jason Brown

15 September 2011, 14:11

Patricio Gaudiano

whatever you need to get rid off I and my agent will take and take care of untill you are readdy to let go off.... they will be in mexico however... my agent is an ffl...... and we will figure import later

15 September 2011, 14:13

Patricio Gaudiano

if you need to leave some stuff on loan i will take it and pay for it, you dont ever want to sell it...

15 September 2011, 17:42

tendrams

Almost everything--all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure--these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

- Steve Jobs

I just turned 40 years old two weeks ago. For various reasons not unrelated to the above quotation, I started hunting in Africa at the age of 30, eventually moved to the continent, and very recently in Namibia met a very nice couple in their 60s who were just concluding their first trip. We all exchanged stories about hunting and life over a few campfires and every look in their eye when I spoke about my experiences said, "Damn I wish we had started when you did". These were very nice, responsible, and respectable people....so I guess I must be doing something right. No regrets.

15 September 2011, 19:00

Frostbit

quote:
Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
I think I would have spent my money a litte more wisely and made it go a little further.

Mark

Can you be more specific about spending it wisely?

______________________
DRSS
______________________
Hunt Reports

2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112
2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012
DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191
Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771
Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141
Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141

15 September 2011, 20:20

MARK H. YOUNG

Jim,

I jumped into a couple of very expensive hunts early on expecting that a very high profile operation would of course net me a super experience. Both hunts had some superb moments and neither outfit provided less than what they agreed to. In hindsight though I know I could have taken my desired trophies less expensively if I had known what I know now. Hey! Live and learn.

Mark

MARK H. YOUNG
MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES
7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110
Office 702-848-1693
Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED
E-mail markttc@msn.com
Website: myexclusiveadventures.com
Skype: markhyhunter
Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716

15 September 2011, 20:24

PWN375

I spent too much too early in life on hunts I thought would disappear before I could get to them. I should have saved the money for my daughter's education and then hunted Africa later in life. I thought Zimbabwe would be closed by now so I plunked down the money with the thought I could sound like the old Kenya guys one day.

Perry

15 September 2011, 20:26

xausa

quote:
Originally posted by JBrown:
I feel kind of silly offering you advice(after all you have taken so of the great game no longer available in Africa), but I would recommend that you sell the rifles that don't hold too many memories and buy a LH Ruger in 375 and do some more hunting.

It turns out that a solution to my problem may be at hand. Since a number of my rifles are equipped with Griffin & Howe side mounts, it occurred to me that by using the top part of the mount intended for the M1 Garand rifle, I could mount a scope offset to the left.

I tried this on a G&H .30-'06 Springfield, and had no difficulty sighting it in at 100 yards using my left eye, so I don't have to resort to the southpaw solution for at least eleven of my rifles so equipped.

I was amazed that I was able to distinguish the scoring rings on a target at 100 yards, using a little 1.5-5X Leupold Vari-X III set at 5X. I had not been able to do that with my right eye for some time.

Also, I can now use a stripper clip with my Springfield, should I feel the need to do so!

Since the calibers of my G&H scope mount equipped rifles range from .243 Winchester to .458 WM, I still have a fairly wide choice.

15 September 2011, 22:04

GunsCore

quote:
Originally posted by tendrams:
Almost everything--all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure--these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

- Steve Jobs

I just turned 40 years old two weeks ago. For various reasons not unrelated to the above quotation, I started hunting in Africa at the age of 30, eventually moved to the continent, and very recently in Namibia met a very nice couple in their 60s who were just concluding their first trip. We all exchanged stories about hunting and life over a few campfires and every look in their eye when I spoke about my experiences said, "Damn I wish we had started when you did". These were very nice, responsible, and respectable people....so I guess I must be doing something right. No regrets.

tendrams,

I would like to hear more about your experiences of moving to Africa. From where? How did you make a living? Would you do it over again? etc, etc.

Mike

16 September 2011, 03:32

kevin henderson

I told a friend the other day that one of the best things I ever did was buy a donated 2/1 hunt for me and a long-time hunting buddy. We both fulfilled dreams held since childhood. Looking back, I might do taxidermy differently but I certainly don't regret the two trips I've made with family and close friends.

16 September 2011, 04:31

Molepolole

xausa,

That is a vey nice rifle and scope set-up you have there. It looks like it will work just great for you! Good luck with it!

Reminds me of this quote. "Necessity, who is the mother of invention." Plato, Greek author and philosopher (427 BC - 347 BC)

16 September 2011, 05:15

els

Life is too short to drink cheap scotch or only hunt in tree stands. And I would add blinds.

21 September 2011, 03:46

almostacowboy

There are a few things I would do differently if I had it to do over. My 5 trips to southern and central Africa are not among them. I have been too blessed in this life, thank you, Lord.

21 September 2011, 07:31

Indy

How could anyone regret having hunted in Africa?

21 September 2011, 16:24

Die Ou Jagter

The only time I regret African hunting is in an African airport putting up with the BS of the "Officials" and sometimes the TSA! I didn't hunt Africa until I was 61 - that was 10 safaris ago. My kids were educated, I had 0 debt. I appreciate all who pay into the federal government ponzi scheme "Social Security" as my SS check goes into my hunting kitty. God willing I will never retire until "Digger" gets my shell to dispose of, eh.

To help ease the pain of not being in Africa in the fall (went July/August) I am driving down to the eastern shore today for the Vintage Cup.

21 September 2011, 17:38

Ghubert

quote:
Originally posted by Scriptus:
Mine, only that I was born too late for early 20th C and missed the Lado, the Sudan, East Africa in their hey-day.
Ah well. Got an order to fill next Saturday, four warthogs for a spit-roast. I suppose someone has to do it.

I didn't know you played soccer?

21 September 2011, 19:30

Scriptus

quote:
Originally posted by Ghubert:
quote:
Originally posted by Scriptus:
Mine, only that I was born too late for early 20th C and missed the Lado, the Sudan, East Africa in their hey-day.
Ah well. Got an order to fill next Saturday, four warthogs for a spit-roast. I suppose someone has to do it.

I didn't know you played soccer?

Say what ? What am I missing.

21 September 2011, 22:16

Brain1

I wished I had not spent so much on taxidermy. I could go on a few hunts for what I've paid the taxidermy man.

24 September 2011, 20:05

BOWHUNR

quote:
Originally posted by els:
Does any one regret the money that they spent hunting in Africa. Years later or right away did you think " I wish I had saved that money" or "spent it on something more practical" ?

Three trips...zero regrets. My wife and I have no children so my goal is to die broke!

Number four coming up in 2012.

Mike

25 September 2011, 08:05

Spring

Glad I went when I did...Two hunts were the 21-day safaris and my current schedule wouldn't allow for such, so I'm glad I went when I could slip out for that long.

27 September 2011, 01:45

hunt99

I would certainly concur with the advice given to spend more on hunting and less on taxidermy. It is definitely a tough call as looking at each animal mounted brings back memories and stories much better than pictures but it does get old dealing with ruined capes and demands for payment with no clue as to when or if anything will be completed and knowing that you have bills that might come due on top of planned hunts, etc.

On 3 out of 4 hunts to Africa I have no regrets at all. But I could definitely have done without a completely miserable hunt to a communal lands area along Lake Kariba last year with a bad attitude, sick and used up PH of limited ability resulting in no shot opportunities in 14 days. I just chalked that up to bad luck and bad outfitting and had a wonderful experience in the Chirisa concession in 2011 to make up for it.