Elephants cast a spell on you

08 May 2013, 18:33

Bama15

Why do ele cast such a STRONG spell on us? May of last year, I hunted a trophy bull with CM Safaris so the original plan for this year was to burn my mule deer points in Colorado and build up my African funds. The spell came on me so strong, pulling my soul back to Africa, I finally gave in and booked a non-trophy ele bull hunt with Jamy Traut in the Caprivi. So much for mule deer and saving money. Got everything lined up, including airlines, then last week saw a post by Mark Young about a non-trophy bull hunt with the Duckworths in Sengwa Research. I could not resist and booked that hunt also. I went from not going to Africa at all to hunting two bull eles. What is it about ele, or is it a combination of Africa and ele that is so addictive? Is it the adrenaline- you see a big track, follow until you hear them, then get so close to them? Is it the sounds of Africa, hippos grunting, the go away birds, the hyenas and, most certainly, lions roaring at night? Africa is a very seductive mistress

08 May 2013, 18:42

Dutch44

I prefer to think that we have have received the same calling as Buckley, Norton, Sutherland and all that have gone before us Randy. Consider yourself blessed and in the company of true men.

Dutch

08 May 2013, 19:33

dwarf416

is the mst strong drug!

08 May 2013, 20:40

Buzz Charlton

Hi Randy!!
You booked with 2 really good guys and you will have a ball! I have hunted Sengwa Research a couple of times and it is a beautiful area! Have fun! Cheers Buzz

08 May 2013, 20:48

retreever

Once you hunt the elephant, you are never the same. Africa has another soul to her heart.

Mike

08 May 2013, 21:17

pagosawingnut

While I've only taken one elephant, it is the Cape Buffalo that pulls at my core.

08 May 2013, 22:01

Tim Ferrall

Randy,
So many questions, one answer to them all: Yes!
Tim

08 May 2013, 22:03

MANDLAZIM

Say no more....I've lived in the African bush all my years and I'll never say "I've had enough...."

Any other hunter that has tracked Elephant until you eventually find the old boy you're after, will know exactly what draws you back for the grey giants!

Good luck on your 2 hunts.

08 May 2013, 22:13

Todd Williams

I'm addicted as well Randy. Can't explain it in logical terms. I don't think it IS logical! But it pulls at me all the same. Buffalo are almost on the same level however. Combine the two and there is no hope of resistance!!

Hope you have a good outcome on your hunts!

08 May 2013, 22:44

Carl Frederik Nagell

quote:
Originally posted by MANDLAZIM:

Any other hunter that has tracked Elephant until you eventually find the old boy you're after, will know exactly what draws you back for the grey giants!

09 May 2013, 00:06

JTEX

quote:
While I've only taken one elephant, it is the Cape Buffalo that pulls at my core.

Me too, I will never go to Africa without BUFFALO on the menu!

.

09 May 2013, 00:16

Full Roar

quote:
Originally posted by Randy W Martin:
Why do ele cast such a STRONG spell on us? May of last year, I hunted a trophy bull with CM Safaris so the original plan for this year was to burn my mule deer points in Colorado and build up my African funds. The spell came on me so strong, pulling my soul back to Africa, I finally gave in and booked a non-trophy ele bull hunt with Jamy Traut in the Caprivi. So much for mule deer and saving money. Got everything lined up, including airlines, then last week saw a post by Mark Young about a non-trophy bull hunt with the Duckworths in Sengwa Research. I could not resist and booked that hunt also. I went from not going to Africa at all to hunting two bull eles. What is it about ele, or is it a combination of Africa and ele that is so addictive? Is it the adrenaline- you see a big track, follow until you hear them, then get so close to them? Is it the sounds of Africa, hippos grunting, the go away birds, the hyenas and, most certainly, lions roaring at night? Africa is a very seductive mistress

its a disease, and un-fortunatly for my wallet I caught it also.
I need to get started on my 2014 trip, its been three years, I have been away from africa for to long. Not to steal your thread, but what is the general opinion: Start now for 2014, book at DSC or wait for something on AR to come up for 2014

09 May 2013, 00:25

Labman

It's not a disease, it's an addiction to a drug more powerful than heroin. I'm leaving on my 3rd non-exportable bull hunt in a few weeks. Those trophy hunts keep calling me, but the wallet says NO. If I could only hit the lottery I would happily spring for a nice double and spend the rest of my hunting career chasing elephants.

09 May 2013, 01:33

MARK H. YOUNG

Randy,

My addiction to Africa is focused more on the variety of experience than a particular species. I must say though as Joe Coogan once told me that approaching a big bull elephant with a rifle in hand and the intent in your heart to kill that bull is a uniquely special experience and he was so right.

Make sure to take lots of pix of both hunts.

Mark

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09 May 2013, 03:18

Full Roar

After reading thru this post the "disease" is biting me hard. Cant get Affrica and elephant hunting off my mind. Although I cant go at the moment I am not sure I can last out until next year. Is there a temporary cure for the Africa/elephant hunting disease?

09 May 2013, 04:40

larryshores

Yup. All I want to hunt is elephant and buff . Love it.

09 May 2013, 15:00

ozhunter

I think the smiles say enough;

10 May 2013, 05:54

Texas Blue Devil

I really enjoy taking my son and father on plains game hunts. Seeing them get excited on the stalks and the time around the campfire is awesome. Those are some of my most cherished times in the field. However my time hunting plains game, or hunting deer and hogs in Texas is just practice for elephant hunting. Last year I took a 416 Rigby on a our plainsgame hunt in Botswana. I love buffalo hunting, but for me, nothing compares to hunting elephants.

10 May 2013, 06:01

Orvar

Can't wait to be back after elephant!

10 May 2013, 06:27

larryshores

I have a short elephant video I have been asked to post. It is quite entertaining of an up close and personal elephant hunt. I will try and post it tomorrow.

10 May 2013, 06:37

els

I feel the same. Elephant hunting is in my humble opinion the absolute peak of the hunting experience. In fact my recommendation is to save it for very late in your hunting life time because for many people once you hunt elephant every other kind of hunting is just a way to pass time until you can hunt elephant again

10 May 2013, 19:22

boarkiller

I have to agree
Got the same disease
After four else ...

" Until the day breaks and the nights shadows flee away " Big ivory for my pillow and 2.5% of Neanderthal DNA flowing thru my veins.
When I'm ready to go, pack a bag of gunpowder up my ass and strike a fire to my pecker, until I squeal like a boar.
Yours truly , Milan The Boarkiller - World according to Milan
PS I have big boar on my floor...but it ain't dead, just scared to move...

Man should be happy and in good humor until the day he dies...
Only fools hope to live forever
“ Hávamál”

11 May 2013, 00:35

bcolyer

I live in New Mexico. Right in the 4 corners area.....with Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico out my back door. I also have more contacts in Alaska than you can shake a stick at. You know what I hunt around here.....that's right, absolutely -0-.

All the waking hours, all the planning, any financial moves I can make, it all goes toward one thing. Elephant hunting.
Yep.....addicted and ruined! If it wasn't for trying to teach my grandchildren the things they need to know about hunting I would be completely finished here.

IF someone said to me........You can have a reduced Trophy Elephant hunt, and only cost you $10,000.00, or, a free Lion, Leopard, or Buffalo hunt. I would go for the cheap Elephant and be out 10K! Beyond hope hey....