To all my friends on AR and new members who have just joined...8 & 1/2 months ago I won a 16 day buff hunt here on AR..Now it is down to 5 & 1/2 months till I go to Tanzania and the Selous...with my wife...

All travel arrangements are completed and the itinerary is complete by Kathi...Will arrive in Tanzania on July 23, 06 and hunt starts on July 25th...The hunt was upgraded to 21 days, a life long dream come true...

I will be hunting for 2 buf, zebra, impala, warthog, Nyasa wildebeest, sable, waterbuck, hartebeest, leopard, lion, ele, hippo, and croc...

I will be hunting in R2 and R4 in the Selous..

I will be shooting a 375 and a 450 #2 double rifle given to me for the hunt by a friend... It is shooting very good, I even hit an X ring at 100yds with open sights..

So I am primed and ready but time has to keep going...Excitement has not let up...

I am making lists and reading about elephants.Lookiing at videos loaned to me by a fellow AR member from California Frank Martinez.

Here's a photo of the safari plans being finalized.


I promised to keep all in the loop of safari plans..

I, thank Saeed and all who have made this possible..

Mike & Cherie

Good luck on the hunt. Be sure you do not break your leg in the interim, as I understand there is quite a list of runners-up waiting in the wings...

Thanks for the update Michael. I am sorry I wasn't able to attend Dallas but glad you are enjoying the tapes.
The journey there is the greatest part of the adventure and I know you will have many stories to share when you return.
Frank

Mike,

Congratulations on the safari of a life time. I know you and your wife will have a wonderful time. There aren't two people in the world who deserve it more.

Regards,

Terry

Mike,

I hope that you both have a wonderful time and are safe throughout the trip. 5 1/2 months will be here in no time.

Good luck,

Doug

Mike!

The best of luck and I hope you fill out. I'll be looking forward to pics and story on your return.

465H&H

Mike, I hope you have a fantastic safari and get lots of notches on your cartridge belt!

Mike,

I thought you might enjoy this:

“We get three sorts and periods of enjoyment out of a hunting trip. The first is when the plans are being discussed and the outfit assembled; this is the pleasure of anticipation. The second is the enjoyment of the actual trip itself; and the third is the pleasure of retrospection when we sit round a blazing wood-fire and talk over the incidents and adventures of the trip. There is no general rule to know which of the three gives the keenest joy.â€
Kermit Roosevelt, The Happy Hunting-Grounds, 1920.
(son of Theodore Roosevelt and companion on his father’s 1909 African safari)
http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/life/familytree/Kermit.htm



Good luck on your hunt and have a great time!!!

Sincerely,
-Bob F.

Bob,

I had the pleasure this past July 4th to meet Teddy Roosevelt's great grandson Tweed, here in Wyoming Borough...As mayor I had the opportunity to speak to him and interject Africa among other things talked about...He was here to commorate Teddy's speaking for the Wyoming Massacre commorative festivities...the 100th anniversary of the President's attending.

Thank you,

Mike

Mike,

I enjoyed meeting you at DSC and am sure you will have a great time on the safari. I'm looking forward to the pictures and report.

Mike, best of luck and leave some for Bob and I!
Lee.

Mike: I think Terry C. said it best and I wholeheartedly agree. Is your top priority lion or elephant? jorge

WTG Mike! I know y'all will have a great time!
Very happy for both of y'all!

Mike,
Really impressive list but of all those species, the SABLE stands out to me like a Neon Sign. Hold out for a really good one.
Good Luck,
Rich Elliott

quote:

Originally posted by retreever:

I will be hunting for 2 buf, zebra, impala, warthog, Nyasa wildebeestse, sable, waterbuck, hartebeestse, leopard, lion, ele, hippo, and croc...

Definately an ambitious dream list. It would be criminal in my opinion not to try for a Nyasa Wildebeestse on a trip to Tanzania. Hope your luck doesn't end with winning this Safari. We look forward to see what Africa gives you.

quote:

Originally posted by retreever:

I will be shooting a 375 and a 450 #2 double rifle given to me for the hunt by a friend... It is shooting very good, I even hit an X ring at 100yds with open sights..

Great shooting. You are wise to practice. Was this shot off sticks? How about sitting and offhand practice? Getting some time in on both of those as well. The prep time is part of the experience. Sounds like your enjoying it.

quote:

Originally posted by retreever:

So I am primed and ready but time has to keep going...Excitement has not let up...

I am sure you are well past "cloud nine" and have left clouds nineteen and twenty in the stratosphere.

You and Cherie have a great trip.

Jorge,

The two cats are the priority with the ele being an animal of opportunity...

Big guy, I shoot the boomer from all positions..the X ring shot was off sticks and I practice at all distances and up close I shoot with both eyes open, instinctively...

Thank you all,

Mike

Mike

Good luck and hope you realise your ambitions and goals.

Mike,

Best of luck on your safari! Is that thick manilla envelope you are handing McBragg your written contract??? (sorry, I could not resist!!). Sincerely, best of luck on your safari!

Mike:

Best of luck on your trip!

R2 has some big hills...spent a bunch of time last year going up and down them...Hopefully, you will have time tn practice walking up and down some hills before you go...

I know you will have a great time!

Best regards,

Jim

jjs,

will be climbing the hills here in Pa to get the legs for up hill walks..

Mike

Good luck, Mike. We expect a full report and lots of photos when you get back.

Best of luck to you Mike. You and your wife are in for a great trip.

Best of luck, Mike.

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:
Good luck on the hunt. Be sure you do not break your leg in the interim, as I understand there is quite a list of runners-up waiting in the wings...

When I walked up to PVT's booth, in Dallas, Mike and Cherie were there finalizeing the hunt! The first thing Cherie said was, "Im glad to meet you Mac, I was wondering what the guy who is going to break Mike's legs looked like!"

She then told me if Mike broke his leg, and I went, I still had to take her! I told her I had my passport,ammo loaded, and tuff pact ready, and I'd meet her at the airport!

I told her I had a standing call in to the Wyoming, PA 911 operator to call me the second Mike calls for help!

Second place is nothing more that the first place looser!



Good luck Mike & Cherie, and pop just one wart hog for me!

Mike, here's wishing you all the best of luck.

Yes good luck on your hunt.

Can't wait to see the bag of trophies you come home with you lucky devil. Hoping for a nice lion, ele and buff.

quote:

Originally posted by retreever:
jjs,

will be climbing the hills here in Pa to get the legs for up hill walks..

Mike

Good luck and Godspeed, Mike. Remember that you are representing all of us PA deer hunters on this one.
George

Lucky you!! Have a great hunt and adventure. We'll look forward to your report upon your return.

All the best whishes for the upcoming hunt Mike !
As the second runner up behind Mac, I knew my chances didn´t look to good, but I´m really happy for you to be able to fullfill this dream.

I´m leaving for Limpopo on saturday for my first African hunt...

Mike- I know you will have a great time. Like you, the anticipation of my upcoming safari is killing me!! Congratulations on winning!!

Looking forward to your report. Might be interesting to have Cherie do a report too.

What bullets did you decide to use in the .375?

John