quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:
I wish I had spent money I did not think I could afford to spend before the market proved me wrong.

Ain't that the truth!

Never have anything to do with any South African PH or outfitter in Zimbabwe

Don't use Winchester factory softpoints on Buff (at least not the 70s version)

MJines: You are just to smart to have me day dreaming like this.
1. I would have started earlier. I had the dough but my boys were young so we bird hunted.
2. I would have cut down on taxidermy unless it was a top 10 animal and hunted more countries.
3. I would have hunted bigger. Now that I've done it, I enjoy buffalo and elephant hunting more than anything else. I would have done more of it when it was cheaper and I would have done it in more places.
4. I would have met Duane at 30 so I would have had all the safari rifles I needed by 35. Then I could have tried to wear them out by 60.

Wish I had not been as trusting of a particular booking agent and the company that he represents -- I wasted a good chunk of change learning who not to trust.
G

quote:

Originally posted by Woodmnctry:
Wish I had not been as trusting of a particular booking agent and the company that he represents -- I wasted a good chunk of change learning who not to trust.
G

Some agents and outfitters will tell you anything to sell a hunt. I've hunted four African countries with only one poor experience in Tanzania where I took a discounted hunt and the outfitter said "sorry but you can't expect a quality hunt when it is discounted. You got what you paid for." Other than, that I have had wonderful experiences.

I have not mounted much(or shipped much back) because I knew I would go on more hunts with the money saved. I take nice photos of my memories and put many of them in a frame for each hunt. I have one set in my office and another in my reloading room. Those are my real trophies.

I have enjoyed the African plains game experience and have been thrilled with my DG hunts. I like mixing them up.

I chose a .416rem M70 as my main rifle and have taken everything from Bushbuck to elephant with it. Works well for me and others have called it my "lucky rifle".

I carry a pocket digital camera with me at ALL times so I am prepared for photos when I need it. I have had a pocket camera every day hunting since I started guiding hunters in Wyo 33 years ago. I have albums stacked high with clients animals and my own kills. Helps bring back memories back.

Don't bring as many clothes! Two sets will do since they get washed every day Each trip I weed down my clothes.

Carry on the clothing and equipment you need to get by with. I've had my bags lost from 3 days to 20 days by the airlines. I was very happy I had my shorts, shirt, sox/underwear, binos, camera, boots/gaitors, toothbrush, etc. Now I plan on not having my box arrive when I get to my destination!

Take the good opportunities when they present themselves. Don't pass them by or you might kick yourself later.

I am in the same boat as the rest of the group that says no to expensive taxibermy and yes to more hunting.

Good thread - thanks Mike!

Should never have gone to that sh--hole-Ethiophia.

Make damn sure your outfitter knows what you are hunting before you get there and that he has quota reserved for you.

I would have shot another 300 rounds off of sticks before my trip. I had a terrible time shooting well off of those damn things.

Pack less stuff

In the salt house watch YOUR hides, horns, etc being tagged with YOUR tags.

As I look back, I can think of very few things I would change. There are some things I would not want to do again, like driving from Beitbridge to the Zambezi Valley, but I'm glad I did experience them.

I am considering using doxycyline as my anti-malarial in the future after getting tick-bite fever.

I will also make sure that for future hunts of any price changes at the beginning of the hunt. I definitely asked multiple times on my last hunt, but never got a good answer until the next to last day. I didn't let that spoil the trip though.

I would have never have gone, since then all I have done is planned on how to go back. My wife bought a double rifle for me as an anniversary present and now I will have to go shoot an elephant.

Seriously I would not have changed a thing for my first trip, I was old enough to truly enjoy it, young enough to handle it easily from a physical standpoint, and everything went perfect. Maybe after more experience I would do some things different but for now it was everything I could have asked for.

quote:

Originally posted by cable68:
There are some things I would not want to do again, like driving from Beitbridge to the Zambezi Valley.

I was one of the lucky ones i started hunting nice and early.But at the time if i had taken the money i spent on all these hunts and on taxidermy and injected back into my business i would be a wealthy man today and would have probably have hunted the same amount of game that i have hunted today with a far stronger business than what i have today.but no regrets ive loved every minute of it and if i could go back i still wouldnt be able to stop myself from doing the same thing over again