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Well I am learning a very valuable lesson. Don't come to Africa until you can control your nerves and shoot comfortably off sticks. #2 Hunt with a PH that has the patience of the Gods. Mine does thankfully or I would be crawled up crying under the bedsheets by now. #3 Go and try again. And still I am having a fabulous time and enjoying the scenery, the weather, the sights and sounds and most of all the company of people that are from a storybook about kindness and gentleness and love of all the things I hold dear to my heart. Frank | ||
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Frank, That is the spirit my friend. Enjoy all that Africa has to offer, including the scew ups, as you will get plenty of these. Years from now you will look back and still enjoy the memories. | |||
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Patience, I am sure that the shooting will catch up with the balance of the wonderful experience you are having. Mike | |||
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 Good for you Frank!  | |||
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Keep making memories. Your time there will be over all too soon.Also, don't forget to take lots of pictures. We seldom get to choose But I've seen them go both ways And I would rather go out in a blaze of glory Than to slowly rot away! | |||
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Good on ya, Frank. Appreciate the things that go well, learn from the things that don't, keep a sense of humor and you'll have a great time. Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | |||
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I've heard this many times. I'm going to get a set of bipod shooting sticks to start practicing with, a takedown model that I can take with me. NRA CRPA DRSS | |||
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Keep the positive attitude Frank, things have a way of evening out. Enjoy the experience and you will end up enjoying the hunt. TerryR | |||
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Just relax and enjoy the hunt. Don't rush your shots. Every African hunter has an outbreak of nerves every so often, even the very best. | |||
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Very wise observations. My first shot off sticks was a total miss high on an exceptional Waterbuck. For this upcoming trip, I have been practicing off homemade sticks & am more comfortable. Still, shooting w/ 2-4 people watching can be a little nerve racking. I have yet to meet a PH that wasn't patient & by some of the stories, if you are only missing once or twice, you are an exceptional shooter.  LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT! | |||
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Saeed: ...Enjoy all that Africa has to offer, including the scew ups, as you will get plenty of these... QUOTE] Yes, enjoy EVERYTHING and years from now the "screw ups" will likely be some of the best rememeries and you'll tell over and over and laugh about! It's what makes it real. The part you never see on TV or in some edited video. Enjoy it. An old man sleeps with his conscience, a young man sleeps with his dreams. | |||
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Howdy, I too understand exactly. Reason I bought my own set of "Bog Pods", practiced like crazy and took them with me. Best thing to do is "get back on the horse" and don't give up. Adios Sport | |||
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Don't feel bad. I just returned from my ninth safari. In Zambia I made some perfect shots, but for two days I couldn't hit a barn from the inside. I felt worse than terrible. My PH is now considered a friend, after 7 or 8 hunts together. Imagine how I felt before him, missing puku at 30 and 40 yards? I did some serious self-analysis to find the reason, did some practice dry firing, and got control of the nerves, doing as I have practiced. I'm sure it happens to better shots than I. | |||
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Frank, I had no doubt you would be well taken care of. My friends are some of the finest people you will ever meet; hunting or otherwise. It's just the heebee jeebee's. They will go away once you stop rushing yourself. Pick a spot, then pick a hair. The rest falls into place. You'll be fine. Enjoy the rest of your safari. I want to see pics!!! Cheers, David Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333 Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com NRA Benefactor DSC Professional Member SCI Member RMEF Life Member NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor NAHC Life Member Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262 Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142 Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007 http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more: http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409 Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941 10 days in the Stormberg Mountains http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322 Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232 "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running...... "If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you." | |||
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Don't give up. In the end it will be part of a wonderful memory. Jeff No people in history have ever survived who thought they could protect their freedom by making themselves inoffensive to their enemies. | |||
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Frank, Don't worry I missed also on my first safari...Go and make the shot... You know how.... Just like practice... Mike | |||
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Frank, I don't know how to tell you this, but I have a $650.00 Kudu rock on my bookcase at home. You aren't the first and you ain't gonna be the last one to miss! Go have a great time. Enjoy a wonderful hunt! You most certainly deserve it! Rusty We Band of Brothers! DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member "I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends." ----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836 "I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841 "for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.” | |||
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Thank you all for the super encouragement. Today was much kinder and I had the fortune to take a black wildebeast on the plains which run forever near East London. What a tough guy. We are taking photos and I have been allowed to stop and shoot film on occasion. I will post photos when I return as I am on a borrowed dialup and it cannot handle the load. Frank | |||
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Best wishes for continued success! JPK  Free 500grains | |||
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Good luck Frank. My only advise is not to judge the trip by one or two bad days, instead wait for the last day when it all comes together and you will understand why people keep comming back to Africa. Regard Johann Veldsman Shona Hunting Adventures www.facebook.com/shonahunting www.AfricanHuntingNamibia.com www.conservation-hunting.com Mobile: +264 81 128 3105 P.o. Box 564 Outjo Namibia Africa | |||
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Go get them Frank. Can't wait to see the pictures. | |||
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Frank, congrats on the BW. There are some super trophy class bulls in that area, that will make you a happy Hunter! And yes, they are one tough critter. Continued success, David Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333 Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com NRA Benefactor DSC Professional Member SCI Member RMEF Life Member NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor NAHC Life Member Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262 Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142 Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007 http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more: http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409 Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941 10 days in the Stormberg Mountains http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322 Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232 "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running...... "If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you." | |||
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It's all mental. Forget about who's watching, forget about how the trophy will look, forget about the reception you'll get at camp if you score, forget about what you consider the PH's opinion of you is or will be. Concentrate upon nothing but the shot. The shot is all there is. Nothing else matters. Next year, they'll be guiding someoine else and may have already forgotten about you. You're there to make the shot. Concentrate on breathing, sight alignment and trigger squeeze. That's all there really is to it. Everything else is superfluous. | |||
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You are all correct. I am getting better. Hold the sticks and not the rifle. A key. I took a super E. Cape Kudu. I don't measure but they keep records here and I guess 48 inches is worth note. I also took a very stout Gemsbok yesterday and we are off today for Blue Wildebeast. I will connect again soon. If you are looking to book a great hunt in a great location you better hurry. We are tlaking about a couple of back to back 10 day hunts for next year. My wife and son will love it. If you are interested, contact L.David Keith who posted above. Frank | |||
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Glad to hear things are looking up! ------------------------------- Some Pictures from Namibia Some Pictures from Zimbabwe An Elephant Story | |||
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Frank: Remember, there are those that miss most of the time, some who miss a little of the time, and those who don't miss at all who are damn liars all the time.  .395 Family Member DRSS, po' boy member Political correctness is nothing but liberal enforced censorship | |||
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You got it Frank... Way to go!!! Mike | |||
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It has been a fantastic week. A slow start with the missing of the Lynx and my first impala but I did take a super Impala later. We took a bush duiker and a steenbuck yesterday and capped the week off with a Very, large Warthog. Wait till you see. I am feeling great and will be back in March or April for a different look at this great hunting. I am heading out for Zimbabwe and Buffalo, Hippo and maybe something else. This is going to be interesting. Frank | |||
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Best of luck Frank on your Zim hunt. Can't wait to see your pics. Rob emailed me to compliment what a super guy you were. Said you were one of the nicest guys he'd ever met, and coming from him that is the highest of compliments. Continued good hunting, David Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333 Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com NRA Benefactor DSC Professional Member SCI Member RMEF Life Member NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor NAHC Life Member Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262 Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142 Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007 http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more: http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409 Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941 10 days in the Stormberg Mountains http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322 Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232 "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running...... "If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you." | |||
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I am finally back and yet it feels like It was only a few days ago that I was enjoying my first African sunrise and pinching myself that I was really there. I enjoyed a tremendous time an met only the best of people. I usied to think that those who stated they were too worn out to type a few lines were simply excusing themselves but after 30 hours of flying and driving back home I find myself in the same boat. Here at least is one of the great prizes of my trip. I will post all I can and write up the total adventure including my luck of helping to recover a wounded 60 lb bull. At the moment, this is how I feel I must look. Thank you all and I promise more soon. Frank  | |||
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Nice hawg Frank! Well done. I can't wait to see your pics. Welcome home, glad you had a great trip. Don't forget we need to arrange getting all your trophies home. I've got the ball rolling for hunt #1. David Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333 Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com NRA Benefactor DSC Professional Member SCI Member RMEF Life Member NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor NAHC Life Member Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262 Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142 Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007 http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more: http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409 Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941 10 days in the Stormberg Mountains http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322 Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232 "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running...... "If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you." | |||
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Frank, Congratulations on a job well done! Very nice pig you got here! In good hunting. Andrew McLaren Andrew McLaren Professional Hunter and Hunting Outfitter since 1974. http://www.mclarensafaris.com The home page to go to for custom planning of ethical and affordable hunting of plains game in South Africa! Enquire about any South African hunting directly from andrew@mclarensafaris.com After a few years of participation on forums, I have learned that: One can cure: Lack of knowledge – by instruction. Lack of skills – by practice. Lack of experience – by time doing it. One cannot cure: Stupidity – nothing helps! Anti hunting sentiments – nothing helps! Put-‘n-Take Outfitters – money rules! My very long ago ancestors needed and loved to eat meat. Today I still hunt! | |||
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If you can shoot off a bipod, African tripods are simple. They're simple, anyway. Bipods are nowhere nearly as stable. Very nice pig, Frank. | |||
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Awesome trophy and another one of your great pictures! Congratulations! Rusty We Band of Brothers! DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member "I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends." ----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836 "I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841 "for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.” | |||
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Welcome home. ------------------------------- Some Pictures from Namibia Some Pictures from Zimbabwe An Elephant Story | |||
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Can't wait to hear the rest of the story and see the pics. | |||
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Welcome home. Nice wartie. I'm looking forward to you full report. | |||
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Very nice pig! | |||
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