What wold you expect for weather and temperatures in the Gonarezhou area during the first week of November?

110 and up and pretty high humidity (90%) - unless the rains break which will cool it down to arround 100.

SBT

Extremely hot - in the low forties every day. I doubt it will rain significantly before then. And when it does rain that extreme heat will be paired with energy sapping humidity....
But you may shoot a very big elephant if you are hunting one.

Dave

Scott,
Definately need gatorade packets for water to rehydrate...

Mike

Thanks Mike. Any other tips for coping with a tracking hunt during extreme heat?

Scott,

One or two of those cheap battery operated fans might make sleeping alot easier. I was two hours from Gonarezhou the first week of October last year and the night time temps just did not dip low enough for comfy sleeping. Fan really made a huge difference.

November could be very good for ele as my client hunting Mahenya on the Gonarezhou border just shot a 65 pounder.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by SBT:
Thanks Mike. Any other tips for coping with a tracking hunt during extreme heat?

I've been tracking elephants more than a few times when it was 110* or 115* in the Zambezi Valley and it ain't all bad.

Here are a couple of things I do for your consideration, I'm sure some are familiar or your practice already but just in case there's a new idea:

Wear only thin running tights under your regular shorts. Like Underarmour heat gear. Helps wick moisture and keep you dry, reduces friction, no wet or damp undershorts to cause trouble. Even better than nothing since they help keep the many legged critters out of where they shouldn't be.

Wear nylon or other synthetic material shorts. They dry quickly, stay dry while your sweating, promote evaporation to help keep you cool. Keep friction to a minimum too. LL Bean and others offer good alternatives.

Roomy, relatively light cotton shirts with mesh ventilation and vents and capes. Filson makes some good ones, Bob Allen makes passable shirts and accomodates lefties if you like a pocket free side. The mesh keeps the damp shirt off your shoulders and back and helps with evaporation, which is cooling, and avoids the hot wet cotton from sticking to you too. BTW, I've never been bitten by a tetse or misquito through the mesh under the rear cape.

Pre water. Wake up in the am and start drinking water immeadiately. Drink as much as you can tolerate, it will help through the day.

Monitor the color of your urine and make sure it's not very yellow. When it is even a bit yellow, drink a liter even if you don't really feel thirsty.

Monitor urination frequency to make sure you're urinating reasonably frequently. If your going longer periods between, it's because your body is conserving water, which in turns means your not drinking enough of it.

Post water. Ask the PH to make sure you have a couple of extra bottles of water in your quarters every evening and when you hit the hay so you can drink a little bit frequently in the evening or when/if you awake during the night. Also so you can begin pre watering as soon as you're up in the am.

Salt tablets, which the Gatoraide might supplement or replace.

A vented cap. Either a mesh cap or one of the Browning logo'd straw ball caps is great. The Browning cap ain't all that pretty but it is cool, while providing enough shade that my balding head doesn't burn. You can order one through Cabela's. Try one and then switch to a regular cap and the difference is remarkable. They work so well, and I'm so afraid of loosing one that I take two on a trip, just in case.

Have a tracker carry extra socks so if your feet are getting too wet from persperation you can change socks during a break. Wet feet = soft feet = blisters.

Try to avoid sunscreen and bug juice, which limit sweating in my experience. I can hunt without either without sunburning or too much trouble with the bugs.

Ask your PH to max out the water load the trackers carry. Then count the number of water bottles that they pack. The trackers, no matter how good or considerate or whatever, don't want to be carrying more than what they think is nessecary. And they don't need water like we do, so don't trust your hunt to their calculation of your water needs. I figure that I drink at least twice what a white PH drinks, and that he drinks at least twice what a tracker drinks. Walking hours dry is bad news, having to give up on tracks because of the weakness or the screaming headache brought on by dehydration is worse news, and both are preventable.

Fill the shirt pocket on your non shooting side with maybe a dozen or two hard candies and a pack of gum. Keeps dry mouth away and really, really helps if the tracking goes long. Hand out a candy to every member of the team now and again between water breaks.

Cull your gear to an absolute minimum. Sunglasses, vent cap, ammo belt and ammo, rifle. Pocket full of candies. Maybe a small multi tool. Let the trackers carry anything else or leave it in the truck.

I'll be leaving for another elephant hunt next week and I'll be hunting the first couple of weeks in November, early part of the hunt in the Zambezi Valley, which will be scortching, the on the escarpment, where it will only be hot as hell.

Good luck, hope you find some of my ideas useful.

JPK

Wow! Great ideas and a lot of help. Thanks you guys.

John, that is some great info!

I don't have anything other really then to be diligent. Reinforce to the PH that you need LOTS of water, and more then him. Make sure to check every morning that the coolbox is full with more then the PH/camp mgr thinks you need and that before every track the packs are loaded. When we stop the truck to "load-up", I drink a full bottle of water from the coolbox, every single time. Sometimes this is pointless, and we end up turning back after a few hundred yards but so what. Drink a lot the night before, and as John said also in the morning even though it is still cool. Consider a hydration pack (such as a Camelbak).

Sounds like fun - good luck Scott!

as JPK said, if you aren't pissing at least every 2-3 hours, you are not drinking enough water. like wise if your piss is ANYTHING but slightly yellow, you are not drinking enough. there is no such thing as being over-hydrated in a humid tropical climate. start drinking early and don't stop!!

SBT,
JPK, BillC both are correct, but let me go one further. I am a real oddball in the hunting community, Im also a bicycle racer. In cycling we use the moniker: drink when your thirsty, when your not and in between. If you want to maximise your fun and truley enjoy every day to the fullest don't drink any booze. I ALWAYS carry a camelbak with a 100 oz bladder. Studies have been conducted at nausium on dehydration, you cannot rehydrate as fast as you dehydrate. therefore you must wake up completely hydrated you will pee several times during the night. The main reason you MUST carry your own water is that when marching for jumbo or buff these guys never stop just to drink. with the camel bak you can walk with the hose in your mouth if you want and suck as you wish. If your conditioning is even just ok you will impress the toughest of PH's with your ability to go hard and long and every day. Heck anybody can go hard for a day or three. If you can perform at this level you will shoot better animals because you won't shoot the first thing with teeth. Your professional will become your biggest advocate because he see's your not a soft guy from the states. So carry your own water AND tell them to carry extra, when a shooting opp may be near give one of the boys your pack since it changes your LOP.
And mark is correct about the fan it really really helps.
Steve

I've hunted Cape Buffalo the first week of November at Gwaai River, Zimbabwe and one thing I would recommend taking is a bottle of Gold Bond Powder, and use it. Its HOT.

Also, I took Gatorade and other powder drink mixes just to make the constant water intake more interesting. You have to drink.

BillC and MagnumHunter,

Good tips too!

JPK

That was a great post.
I wear Under Armour loose fit T shirts under my cotton shirts, and their underware as well. Way better than cotton T shirts and briefs.

Under Armour was designed for the Police to wear under their bullet "resistant" vests.

If you wear a cotton T shirt under your Bullet "resistant" vest once you get wet from sweat, which walking from the front door to the car will do it, you are wet all day. It is Miserable.

For years I wore a Patagonia T shirt under my vest, same fabric as the Under Armour.

Good stuff.I use it all the time even here at home.

Not so sure about that reccommendation to not use sunscreen. Sunburn can be dangerous and highly debilitating. Do not leave your sunscreen at home, particularly if you're wearing a baseball cap. The tops of your ears can literally broil. It is extremely painful and highly distracting. If you have a tendency to burn, by all means take an ample supply of high SPF rated screen.

The area is dry and extremely hot, we flew into Mabalautu in the Gonarezhou on Saturday and the temperature was 108 degrees F.... app it was cool, and they are expecting the temperature to rise dramatically. Will post some pics of the area tom afternoon. nothing like it, really is awesome part of the world... from the sky at least

JPK's got it on the head. one other thing - bring some aloe verda for sunburn, cause you're gonna get some. one good thing - the game doesn't move during the mid day heat. most of the hunting is done early and late.

It was well over 100 on our first day of hunting in the nearby Chiredzi Conservancy in late Sept. 2007!

I used this water bottle from
Tilley
to mix up 1 litre of the Sqwincher drinks.

These packs are really easy to carry [no sugar] and, I think, helped me tolerate the heat and exercise. Also help with the leg cramps I sometimes suffer.[ I used 2 packs per litre, makes a good flavor drink, Fruit Punch and Lemonade are what I used, alternating, but since they offer free samples, try the others as well!]

When the water provided was the least bit suspect I would use the
Steripen
[this is for water that "appears" to be clean!]

Les

As long as we are on the subject of a "tracking hunt", I get a tremendous benefit from snacking on a Clif bar during the walk. With a few of these in the pocket and enough water (drink when eating so the carbs are utilized fully), one can go all day. As chipolopolo will attest to I am sure, bonking ain't no fun...

One more thought...this worked very well for me in Cameroon, from the report I posted:

quote:

Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap in Khaki - I do not like caps, especially the Bubba Shrimp types. But this Runners cap from Outdoor Research worked great. It is light and breathable, form-fitting, adjustable, and provides 30 upf protection. The sun skirt is removable, and I kept this in the truck bag for when on the back seat to guard against midday sunburn. It also keeps the tsetse's off the back of your neck. http://www.altrec.com/shop/detail/19110/#photo

There has been some great information and valuable references here. Thanks all, and please, keep them coming.

The water is coming, but it is going to be very hot, make sure there is at least two litres of water per day for you, and DRINK it......

Will not hurt to drink a couple of beers in the evening.....it replaces other stuff lost during the sweaty day.....

ENJOY SIR!

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Scott,

One or two of those cheap battery operated fans might make sleeping alot easier. I was two hours from Gonarezhou the first week of October last year and the night time temps just did not dip low enough for comfy sleeping. Fan really made a huge difference.

November could be very good for ele as my client hunting Mahenya on the Gonarezhou border just shot a 65 pounder.

Mark

Mark,

It is over 70 pounds. Not officially weighed yet, but my brother has just arrived from Mahenya and I have the ivory right here on the office floor. Both tusks will go 70, definitely. I'll weigh them later and send some pictures as well. They are an incredible pair - must be almost 6 foot and thick.

Dave

David,

You made my day. 70X70 Yikes!!!

THX

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
JPK

That was a great post.
I wear Under Armour loose fit T shirts under my cotton shirts, and their underware as well. Way better than cotton T shirts and briefs.

Will it stand up to African bush laundry services?

Mark,

Yes, 70 by 70, an awesome pair. I am just downloading some pictures and will post them in a moment.

Dave

I don't do anything spectacular other than wear light Khaki shirts, Wranglers and a cap with a good sweat band. Drink lots of water right from the start I suppose is good advise..I was raised on a ranch, in 120 to 130 degree heat in the Texas Big Bend country near Presidio, Texas, if I can get my head under a bush and shade up like an old sheep about noon, I'm good to go the rest of the day! Don't eat too much and don't eat stuff like onions during the day. The best drink in that kind of weather is WATER...Space yourself and don't dehidrate, once you dehidrate, your sunk, its too late for the rest of the day.

quote:

November could be very good for ele as my client hunting Mahenya on the Gonarezhou border just shot a 65 pounder.

Mark, who has that Mahenya area now? Is it still Dudley Rogers?

Bwanna,
It is Jonathan Hulme, owner of Zambezi Hunters. See: https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1411043/m/247107159

Can anyone recommend a waist pack hydration system? I hate the feel of shouldering a rifle when wearing a back pack.

SBT,

Nixon and the boys are good about carrying water for you. They also have a radio system that prevents a few of the mind numbing hikes back to the truck.

Jeff

Anybody else? I'm making my Christmas list.

quote:

Can anyone recommend a waist pack hydration system? I hate the feel of shouldering a rifle when wearing a back pack.

sbt,
there is a very slim camelbak on the market, carries nothing but the water bladder , it really helps as you just sip through the tube regularly and fill up from the trackers from time to time.

simply the best rehydration and fast energy food i have come across is made by wilderness athlete ...they have some great energy gel aswell as excellent rehydration powders to add to your water .

the hat i use is a lightweight tilley hat ...its synthetic fibre but has a mesh top ... its a must .i got mine from long grass .

the best sunblock i have found , and i am pretty fair skinned - is a cheap walmart one ...hawaain tropic 60+ its like axle grease when you first put it on but doesn't maintain an oily texture and is excellent , i put it on when i first wake up and again after lunch .

as far as socks , i use smartwool socks beware though once you try them , your other socks will end up in the trash ...they wick moisture and are excellent fit.

personally i love hunting in the heat , the days are longer , the animals all need water every day and visibility is great at the end of the year .....

zambezi hunters has taken some excellent elephants in the last two months , and its been very hot there !

The backpack hydration bladders get my highest rating. Here's why;

I killed my first Elephant on my 7th safari. It was ten years ago in Zim, after a 3 hour stalk on the first morning after flying from San Francisco to Bulawayo. I was already dehydrated from the long plane rides. This is a real issue that is frequently overlooked. The maximum adrenaline rush from taking a charge put me over the edge immediately after my bull hit the ground. I had been drinking during the 3 hour stalk from the water carried by the trackers - that wasn't good enough. It took me a couple hours to recover, as the trackers went to get the locals and cut a road into where Ele was waiting.

When I got home I immediately bought a CamelBak type bladder. I have bought a couple more since, and at least one has accompanied me on each of the eight safaris I've made since. Many hunters seem to resist these but the proof is in what our Marines and soldiers are using in combat. They all wear a water bladder, even with 50 pounds of other gear.

I also recommend the GatorAid type powders that you can add to your water and which replace electrolytes. I've also used fuel gel packets for an energy boost.

My last safari in Mozambique saw us hunting in 120 degree weather. I once tracked a wounded Mozambique Cape Buff for 4 hours in the forest in 110 degree heat - no breeze in the forest but it could have been worse. It rained the night before and that dropped the temp 10 degrees.

A comment on vented shirts. I have worn the Columbia brand cotton - they make them in nylon as well now - PFG shirts, both LS and SS on safari since around 1995 and always thought they were the best safari shirt available. However, Tetse flys will bite right through the thin cotton and they will manage to get up inside the back cape. Of course they will also manage to get up your pant leg and head for your private parts. Nasty blaggards!

I've been wearing the UnderArmour tight boxers for 3 years and they are great. Before that we wore the athletic long nylon undershorts and they work well also.

BTW, anecdotal evidence gathered by one of my safari partners, an M.D. who has adverse reactions to Tetse fly bites so severe that they once caused his evacuation from a camp in Tanzania, and I demonstrated to us that the bug repellant UltraThon by 3M does reduce the Tetse fly bites dramatically. This formula was developed a few years ago at the request of the DoD for our military, is rated at 8 hours per application and has a lower Deet percentage.

As Ivan stated,A wide brimmed hat such as Tilly and Good quality light weight padded Woolen socks such as SMARTWOOL, MERINO TEC or MOUNTAIN DESIGN can really help with those long treks in the sweltering heat.