Greetings, my last Post was a while back describing a rifle build. This time around I'd like to hear from anyone who uses the power wheelchair to get around, who has made the long trek to hunt South Africa. I've been a passionate hunter for 60 years, the last 30 as a quad, the result of a 1994 dirtbike accident. We have to drag an inordinate amount of "Stuff" with us whether it's a short or long trip and I'd like to hear how you managed. I searched this site and found several encouraging outfit posts but they were dated 2006. Peter V and Shakari haven't posted in years. Russell Caldecott, a well respected PH, sadly passed in 2014. Leonardia Safaris was referenced in 2006 as a wheelchair knowledgeable Outfitter and they still seem to be going strong. If you have managed to survive the long flights and ground transportation in order to pursue your dream… you are a warrior at heart and please give a shout out. Thank you in advance to all who combined to make this a very special site. I'm glad to be part of it!

Howdy,

All you have to do is shoot. Almost any reputable safari operator will be able to accommodate you. You don't really need to walk at all.

One of my guys took a hunter that uses a wheelchair into a leopard blind in a wheelbarrow as the ground was too rough for the wheelchair. Another one was physically carried into the blind. One of my operators has a wheelchair client that has shot the BIG 4 with him. Plains game is much easier.

I'd love to set something up for you. I have a blind hunter that killed a big black bear with one of my operators and now wants an elk so you being wheelchair bound is easy for me to arrange.

Mark

Thank you Mark. From past time spent here and research I've done, you were on my shortlist of people to call. I can shoot. I will post pictures in a bit of my set up. One of the benefits of being a wheelchair hunter here in Wyoming is that private landowners, more often than not, have graciously permitted me to hunt elk, deer, antelope, and turkeys. My properly equipped rifle and I have been able to cleanly take game at extended ranges. The combination of private land, game animals that are relatively comfortable with vehicles at distance, and my shooting set up have worked well over the past 14 years or so. My primary concerns are twofold. First, my power chair weighs 417 pounds and I travel with a "back up" manual chair. My concern is getting those items from here to there in one piece. Secondly, when it's time to go afield it will take manpower to get me and my chair up into the back of the vehicle and secured properly. Mark, thank you for reaching out. At this point I am in the very preliminary stage of feeling things out and hope to hear from someone who has done this before (traveled and hunted with a heavy power chair). I have been reassured time and time again that PHs are the cream of the crop when it comes to making their clients comfortable and doing whatever it takes to create a memorable South African experience. I'm looking forward to making this happen and to meeting all the great folks along the way… starting with the folks right here.