The Accurate Reloading Forums
P.S.D. - How long?
04 July 2005, 20:28
<BWN300MAG>P.S.D. - How long?
I was wondering how long (typically) does post-safari depression last? I have been back from Zim since the 29th of May and it seems to be getting worse on a daily basis. I really do love the USA and Green Country (where I live), but it seems like something is missing. Any ideas, suggestions, help!
Thanks,
Brian.
Addictive, isn't it

Start plans and savings for your next trip, best cure I know of.
- mike
*********************
The rifle is a noble weapon... It entices its bearer into primeval forests, into mountains and deserts untenanted by man. - Horace Kephart
04 July 2005, 20:45
JohnTheGreekquote:
Originally posted by BWN300MAG:
seems like something is missing. Any ideas, suggestions, help!
You could always clandestinely plant some Kudu in Oklahoma. This would work until the wildlife department figures out your plan.

Short of this rather extreme option, I would start saving plane fare for another trip over.
Best,
JohnTheGreek
04 July 2005, 21:12
MacD37A year's preperation for another African Safari will take up a lot of time, and be the meds you need to cure your depression. After you have done the pre hunt ground work, then book, the next few months will be easy as you will have the hunt to look forward to!

The only complete cure is to keep returning to Africa, nothing else works!

....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1
DRSS Charter member
"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982
Hands of Old Elmer Keith
04 July 2005, 21:17
<allen day>Brian, get to work and plan another safari, and when you have one booked, get to work on the rifles and gear you plan to take next time. Read all the books you can on Africa, hand out with us here at AR, etc. That's the only set of remedies that I can think of!
AD
04 July 2005, 21:21
AtkinsonTrust me, you'll get over it and this too shall come to pass..usually takes about 50 Safaris or at least it has in my case, so there you have it, your problem saving booking agent to the rescue once again! Anything else I can do for you?

Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
04 July 2005, 22:23
N E 450 No2Brian
There is NO cure for PSD.
You can however put it into slight remission by booking you next Safari.
Other "domestic" hunts also help some.
We need to do another DRSS Hunt.
DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
What Allen and 450#2 said. I'm already negotiating for my next one and I just got back. It's the ONLY cure. jorge
USN (ret)
DRSS Verney-Carron 450NE
Cogswell & Harrison 375 Fl NE
Sabatti Big Five 375 FL Magnum NE
DSC Life Member
NRA Life Member
My wife and I went to Namibia three years ago and I'm still not over PSD!
I want to go back for leopard and buff . . .
sniff . . . whimper . . .
JDS
And so if you meet a hunter who has been to Africa, and he tells you what he has seen and done, watch his eyes as he talks. For they will not see you. They will see sunrises and sunsets such as you cannot imagine, and a land and a way of life that is fast vanishing. And always he will will tell you how he plans to go back. (author: David Petzer)
04 July 2005, 23:23
PalmerStart paying for your taxidermy and shipping bill. That will give you depression of a different type.
ALLEN W. JOHNSON - DRSS
Into my heart on air that kills
From yon far country blows:
What are those blue remembered hills,
What spires, what farms are those?
That is the land of lost content,
I see it shining plain,
The happy highways where I went
And cannot come again.
A. E. Housman
Seems that there´s always a way -never thought I´d make it to Africa for a hunt and now I´ve been on three! The PSD becomes chronic but can be dulled by staring at pics, at trophies, at ...whatever.
Some people actually only go on one hunt and never want to go again!
Strange ain´t it?
04 July 2005, 23:52
D. NelsonI'm sure you guys don't do this, but as a woman hunter, I actually CRY when I'm leaving camp. And, exactly as the other above have said, the depression doesn't stop until you book the next safari and start the excitement of prehunt planning. (

Forgive me, but I call it hunting foreplay!!!)
I'm about 50 days from Mozambique!
Regards, D. Nelson
05 July 2005, 00:42
MuletrainIf you are talking about the utter and profound sadness you feel after leaving Africa and returning to your real life, it should start tapering off by now.
If you are talking about the monkey you now have on your back, well, get used to it.
Elephant Hunter,
Double Rifle Shooter Society,
NRA Lifetime Member,
Ten Safaris, in RSA, Namibia, Zimbabwe
Muletrain: What do you mean "real life"?
D. Nelson: What´s wrong with crying...or foreplay?
05 July 2005, 06:14
NitroX 'Methadone' Plan for PSD
by NitroXHello, my name is NitroX. I am addicted to safaris .....Stroke your safari rifles. Work the actions.
Watch safari videos. Hold your rifle while you do. Sight at the animals and practice shooting them.
Look at your old trophies. Remember those safaris.
Get really angry when dealing with taxidermists, shippers, and other assorted con men fleecing you of you needed funds for your next safari when shipping trophies home from the last one.
Look and admire your new trophies, skins and bits and pieces when they arrive.
Stroke your firearms again.
Read up on prices etc of safaris on AR, the web, magazines, and imagine you could go on a late season hunt, or even the next year again.
Get addicted to AR and other hunting forums and irritate everyone else with your PSD. If your suffering so can they.

Drink some red wine and get drunk. Smoke cigars and watch more safari videos.
Stroke your rifles again (when sober).
Kill something else big and mean closer to home.
Practice by killing lots of ferals with big calibre rifles. Imagine they are buffalo or elephants or even dik diks.
BOOK THE NEXT HUNT.
PLAN THE NEXT HUNT.
GO ON THE NEXT HUNT.
It all starts again.
***
Hello, my name is NitroX. I am addicted to safaris .....05 July 2005, 06:20
retreever Brian, you are totally infected with that Africa bug...What a wonderful thing...
Mike 
Michael Podwika... DRSS bigbores and hunting
www.pvt.co.za " MAKE THE SHOT " 450#2 Famars
05 July 2005, 06:21
Michael RobinsonThe bad news: There is no cure.
The symptoms may be treated and their severity lessened by putting down a non-refundable deposit on your next safari.
The symptoms will disappear when you next set foot in Africa.
The symptoms will recur and may only be treated by more of the above.
The good news: It's not fatal, and it's the best illness that money can buy.

Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
05 July 2005, 06:27
Widowmaker416Yep! your done! you are infected! and there's no cure except to start planning the next one!
When I talk about my safari to any myself or anybody, I get my stomach all knotted up, get sick to my stomach even!!!
It's a great sickness to have!!
Isn't it!!!!!!!!!

"America's Meat - - - SPAM"
As always, Good Hunting!!!
Widowmaker416
I have been up and down with my mood swings. I finally got my video 99% completed and every time I watch it it is almost like being there. Most nights my dreams are about hunting in Africa. I never realized how much this would change my life. I wish I could hunt every year but I am going back in 3 or 4.
I hunt, not to kill, but in order not to have played golf....
DRSS
05 July 2005, 08:46
JudgeGThere is only one cure and that's flying SAA back and forth to RSA about three times on the frapping AirBus. But, dying would be cheaper and easier and accomplish the same thing. But then there is KLM... I'm trying that this time.
JudgeG ... just counting time 'til I am again finding balm in Gilead chilled out somewhere in the Selous.
05 July 2005, 22:06
Terry Blauwkampquote:
Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Brian
There is NO cure for PSD.
You can however put it into slight remission by booking you next Safari.
"Remission", is about the best you can hope for.
Remember, forgivness is easier to get than permission.
05 July 2005, 22:33
GAVaughnBWN, where in Green Country do you live? I'm originally from Wister, but now live just north of Dallas. I have had PSD for 6 years now. Listen to the advice here, start looking at your pictures. I like to stroke my rifles too. Glen
Glen A. Vaughn
05 July 2005, 22:57
almostacowboyI'm forming a 12-step group for AHA (African Hunters Anonymous) in my area.
Step 1. We have admited we were powerless over African Hunting - that our gun collections had become unmanageable.

With 77 days to go to TZ I've done all the stuff you guys said- even started planning next year's hunt in Namibia. The wife said send the deposit (she wants to go too!) Maybe I'll go get some more shots or sumthin'!
Dave
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value."
-Thomas Paine, "American Crisis"
At least a year! We left a year ago this Friday. Only consolation is that my gemsbok mount arrived and I need to get it on the wall this week. Bob
06 July 2005, 00:45
Jeff WemmerThe only cure is to get some hair off of the dog that bit you, so to speak!
I'm just back in and am already chasing that ole-dog as I'm writing this.
Jeff
quote:
Originally posted by JudgeG:
There is only one cure and that's flying SAA back and forth to RSA about three times on the frapping AirBus. But, dying would be cheaper and easier and accomplish the same thing. But then there is KLM... I'm trying that this time.
As much as I hated it, I said after I arrived in ATL that I would IMMEDIATELY hop back on that cattle car and go back to JNB if I could have extended my hunt.
I hunt, not to kill, but in order not to have played golf....
DRSS
06 July 2005, 07:14
<BWN300MAG>Gentlemen, thank you for the advice. Perry, thank you for the VICE!!!

I have already started planning the next "hop across the pond". Damn elephants - Tony, you were right, elephant hunting is very addictive!
I went to a small family reunion last weekend, it is amazing how many people are ignorant to the wonder and amazement that is Africa. I guess that unless you are in the company of others who have made the journey, there is just no good way to explain how it feels to be there or how much you miss it when you are gone. I have all but given up talking to anyone who has not been. Sad isn't it? seriously though, the last person who said to me, "I just do not know if I could shoot an elephant", got the response, "Then don't go F*ing elephant hunting!". Guess I need to work on my people skills. But damn why don't they understand!Thanks to all. Anybody need a gun-bearer for their upcoming safari?
