Needless to say--as my opinion on this should be clear from my post on the offending imbecile's cluster-coitus hunt report thread--I am with jorge.

Judge, I am sorry you got stung. Hopefully you will be able to laugh about it sometime soon.

"No good deed goes unpunished."

I didn't make the army a career, but I almost did. I am a bit dumbfounded that a LTC could act this way.

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
Just for the heck of it I copied this off of Pierre's website at http://www.pierrevantondersafaris.co.za/default.htm :

Services of a professional hunter as required.
Radio equipped 4-wheel drive vehicle per professional hunter.
Fully private tent including insect proof sleeping quarters, toilet and shower in Tanzania.
Fully equipped camp including beds, linen, lighting, refrigeration and first aid kit.
Trained staff including trackers, skinners, cooks, waiters and porters.
Daily laundry service.
Availability of satellite telephone (calls charged per minute)
All beverages.
Excellent cuisine.
Field preparation of all trophies and transport to port of export.
A competent company representative to assist you upon arrival and departure.

"Enough said?"

The above from Pierre's website is straightforward, and easy to understand for just about anyone interested in hunting with Pierres outfit. And by reading only a few AR or NE posts, picking up the rest of what could be considered "essential" info isn't too hard either.

But I guess not everyone bothers to do that, espcially when things are for free. And then they end up saying:

quote:

Who'd have figured?

quote:

Originally posted by T.Carr:
...none of us are certain as to where we will be in 3 years, 5 years or further in the future...

Here is an email that I received late last night from one of my engineers, whose father-in law has just passed away:

"Jenn's father Wayne died from a sudden massive heart attack late Friday afternoon. This is an unusual shock to the family since he had just had a checkup last week and for 51 years old, was considered to be in excellent health."

I didn't know the man, nor what his dreams were and if they were fulfilled or not. But chances are, at a young-51, he had a lot planned yet.

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
I didn't make the army a career, but I almost did. I am a bit dumbfounded that a LTC could act this way.

AZ: As a brother officer, sadly I concur with you. jorge

As I said in the parallel thread, let's just let this die.

If Russell is ever going to learn anything, he can read the comments and react as he chooses. He is grown. Any more piling on is humiliation, and that's not the purpose of my posting. It was to protect my friends who went out of their way to do a good deed for ALL who served in Iraq... we just picked someone who wasn't ready to go for whatever reasons.

Two goods can come from this. First, someone may learn that they should honor a gift and be worthy of it. Secondly, we can learn that leadership is tough. I should have recognized the problem and fixed it forthwith by either stopping the whole thing before departure, or if I thought it salvagable, made sure that the guest was ready. I failed in that. I made assumptions... and that makes asses out of you and me... ass-u-me (remember).

I still have faith in people. I'd do the same thing all over again, but I'm going to make sure in the future that I'm protecting others investments in such a venture by doing a better job leading instead of not keeping my eyes and ears open.

Sorry guys for not getting this thing straight months ago. I had warnings, but ignored them.

So, how about sending Teddy Kennedy and Rosie O'Donnell to Chad for some sports fishing?

JudgeG, all I can say is "the man upstairs will watch over you" for all the goodness you have done.
I am very sorry that you raffled your gun off and had to sell the other to cover costs you had to cover for an ungratful compannion on this hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by allen day:
I have never hunted two-on-one -- ever -- and I suggest that no one else does, either. Two-on-one is false-economy, and it's a practice that has ruined more than a few friendships over the years.

Don't do it............

AD

My thought exactly, all of my hunts are one on one, from the very first time. You can hunt what you want, when you want, and how you want. And it only costs a few hundred dollars more to do so. Life is too short to do otherwise.

I can visit with everyone in the evening, during the day I want to enjoy MY hunting. Husband/wife is the only type of 2x1 hunt I would ever go on.

Before I read on I would like to extend a warm than you to Ernest and DAle and the others of you who have posted and continue to post such vital information about hunting in Africa.
I had heard via a very reliable source that the hunt had not gone as well as planned or wished for but this post has added a new perspective to the reasons behind the underlying "eggshelling" that has been going on in several of the threads as posted.
It is very good to hear that Ernest feels good about his safari.
It is also very clear that Dale had a terrific hunt and his trophies are supassed only by the size of the smile in his photos.
I would certainly hope that you will both concentrate on those memories and not allow the actions of any individual to alter you generosity and informitive posts in the future. I very frankly rely upon them as I continue to plan and prepare for my first trip to Africa.
Frank

Judge, Rey et al.... one thing you can say about the fellow in question is that he's "symmetrical".....most of us thought he was total dip-stick when we first noticed him and despite some heavy camoflage over the past year or so, he has shown himself to be a total dip-stick on his way out.

NOTE: dip-stick = a$$-hole

quote:

Originally posted by John S:
I can visit with everyone in the evening, during the day I want to enjoy MY hunting. Husband/wife is the only type of 2x1 hunt I would ever go on.

For you new folks on this Forum, take advantage of this gentleman's advice. He is a "guru" when it comes to African hunting. When you want to know the God's Honest Truth, then just PM John. I know I have told you this before but, John I want to thank you for getting me started off on the right track. Has it really been over 5 years???

Regards,

Terry

Terry,
The time just passes by so fast...yes I think about 5 years now is probably right! I truly appreciate your kind words, helping to get you started in safari hunting was my pleasure!

Patrkyhntr,
I tore my ACL in 1998 skiing, and had it cleaned up, not rebuilt, in spring 1999. After a concetrated rehab I hunted that june to include clipspringer in the mountains of RSA. Please treat yourself to the surgery, and have a good rehab. Then the pain is for gain! kudude

I wonder if this is the type of guy whom would be "Fraged" by his own troops in a serious combat situation?

Having trained many, many retired and current O-5's and O-6's to fly commercial aircraft I must say I've seen my share of LTC and bird DIP STICKS. They come in all sizes colors and shapes. Colonels just aren't used to having that pointed out to them.

Sorry you had to suffer that BS judge.

Greg

I guess all I can say is that I am speechless!! I became a member of this forum back in April of 2001. Russell was involved in MANY of the African topics.

I always thought he acted like a "know it all", but gave him the benifit of the doubt. After becoming a member of this forum, I have been on two African safaris. The first in June of 2001, and the second in May of 2004.

The knowledge I gained from this forum was one of the reasons my hunts went perfectly! How in the hell do you post almost 3000 times and read nothing?

I have a good job as a service manager, but I am as blue collar as it gets. It makes me sick to see good hearted people be treated this way. Thank-you Saeed, Ray, T. Carr, Rusty, Judge G. and all others that helped me on my SELF FINANCED SAFARIS!

BOWHUNR Mike Cooper

Judge,
In a perfect world I would be able to help you defray some of the cost of the debacle. However, fall semester just started and books, supplies, new cpu... But I will for sure buy you a large glass of dark colored fire water if you make the Dallas SCI show in 06.

As for Russ, I think we should talk Ganyana into taking him on an extra double rugged safari in Zim. His blankie and blow-up whatever would come in very handy I think (sorry I could not resist).

quote:

Originally posted by kudude:
Patrkyhntr,
I tore my ACL in 1998 skiing, and had it cleaned up, not rebuilt, in spring 1999. After a concetrated rehab I hunted that june to include clipspringer in the mountains of RSA. Please treat yourself to the surgery, and have a good rehab. Then the pain is for gain! kudude

Thanks for the encouragement, kudude. I needed it. I have been really lucky so far in not having anything go wrong with legs that didn't heal 100%. If rehab therapy can bring this thing back close to that, rest assured I will do my part. The sawbones told me I can expect some arthritis after this. Is that the case with you? "Some" arthritis can't be all that bad, and it sure won't interfere with the dall sheep hunt I have planned for next August.

I've been lurking here for quite some while.Haven't made it over to Africa YET, but I will.Been dreaming of it for most of my life.And a BIG thank you to all of you have fueled both my desire and knowledge.Don't let some fool sour you on people in general.I have,and in the long run, it just doesn't pay-just keeps you from enjoying the present.The individual in question used to frequent HA some years back,and I was of the same impression of him as some of the previous posters.He disappeared,and I was quite surprised when I finally found my way over the this site and found him here.
Gentlemen-your hearts were in the right place.That's what matters.And I appreciate the wealth of knowledge and experience that you willingly share with the rest of us.Thanks,Dave

Just back and read through this.Am stunned.

I too was appalled at the report but Judge take heart, your description of the Lion & Buff incident was "magicial". Thanks you so very much for sharing that fantastic moment.