In the most recent showing of "Under Wild Skies" Tony Makris and Johan Calitz stalk buffalo and wildebeest successfully behind a large brown umbrella. Are you bringing one along on your next safari?

Black ones work well for antelope hunting here in the West, when lots of black cows are around.

Not part of my kit, I haul enough "stuff"....up to the PH.

Yes, I have watched that episode a number of times. I have a big black one and a big camo one. Got both of them at Bass Pro in the golf section. I've been itching to try them out. If nothing else, they'd make a great mini-blind to kneel or sit behind if need be in order to set up for a shot.

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Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Yes, I have watched that episode a number of times. I have a big black one and a big camo one. Got both of them at Bass Pro in the golf section. I've been itching to try them out. If nothing else, they'd make a great mini-blind to kneel or sit behind if need be in order to set up for a shot.

Also be handy for those occasional downpours. I've been soaked to the skin hunting in Africa.

Sometimes when I shoot rock pigeon in the sunflower fields.

I live in Texas. What is a umbrella ?

I have one designed for hunting. It can be attached to a tree for keeping you dry in a deer stand. One side has a semi--circle cut out.
It also has a spike and a couple of loops so you can stake it to the ground for a ground blind. Works good for turkey hunting.
Everything fits in a 2 1/2 by 18 inch pouch making it easy to carry in a small back pack.

A few years ago PH Federico Gellini told me about the "Umbrella Trick". He said its works quite well. I've never tried it myself.But a big Palm Frond held by the tracker usually works equally well (as long as everyone behind him stays single file).

I mostly bowhunt and have bowhunted exclusively when I have visited Africa. With a bow, arrows, etc., I am already gear wrestling. So I would not bring one.

I might consider bringing one for the PH, but I would never carry one for the purpose of closing a stalk. BTW, I have friends that have used fold up decoys as a shield to close the distance on moose. They were successful and the concept should work just fine. It just isn't for me.

Matt

Dave: I think they're in the hardware store section with the snow shovels!

Blacktailer,

Design one big umbrella that can be used as a pop up blind and keep the rain off you head, in camo and you will make a fortune.

On occasion I have used a blanket which also works but you need two to support it.

Basically you are breaking up the human profile.

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I remember 1971 at the Periyar wildlife sanctuary in India - my dad, brother & I were walking with a tribal guide in steady drizzle and the animals would allow us to approach them within 50 meters some times. We then realised that it was because we all had umbrellas.

A more recent story.....an American friend from our local church is involved in radio ministry. He was invited to Pakistan in February and had a very interesting visit for a month. At the airport he saw a number of military personnel in full uniform waiting to board an international flight. He found out that they were all going to the Congo to join the UN peace keeping force. he noticed that each of them also had a brand new umbrella and asked then why. they replied that they heard that there was lot of rain in the Congo!

Jim said that he just loved the people in Pakistan and was very touched by their hospitality even among those with a very meager income.

ALF,

Seriously if game habits open plain and is skittish this is one way of approaching. I have never used an umbrella but from the game point of view you probably look like an ostrich?

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