It's once again time for the annual hunting fair here in my town. I hope any and all of you who are in the region can attend. AR member jbderunz full mounted lion will be on display! One particular point of interest this year is that Pierre Alexandre Fiorenza's entire trophy collection is to be displayed (and rumour is to be auctioned off as well). Those of you who have his book know that this is one of the finest individual collections in the world. Unfortunately the web site for the "Salon" is only in French but here is the link nonetheless:

http://www.saloninternationaldelachasse.com/

While modest compared to something like SCI Reno or Dallas, it does have some nice features like a skeet range to try out shotguns, a running boar range to try out rifles, great food from a lot of regions, a couple of bars if you get thirsty, etc. If you do visit the web site, hit the "Plan 2006" button to get an idea of the size and the number of booths. Western and Central African outfitters are well represented at this show and quite a few East and Southern African outfitters as well. Hope to see you all there.

Hi Wink

I crave to get my lion.

This Rambouillet Game's fair will be a wonderful moment if we do our best.Last year it was just You, Edmond and me.
I am certain Luc Dombray will come, almost sure Edmond will, and I just invited Bobby van den Puten. So all the french AR forumites will meet.

Perhaps André and Alain may come from Belgium?

I want to go to Burkina Faso for Roan. Will you gentlemen gather some information for me if you're able? I'd much prefer an English speaking PH, or a French speaking PH with a huge sense of humor.

I'm looking for all the basic information at this time.

I'm interested in a safari companion and translator if either of you are interested. Or perhaps you know of of beautiful, bilingual, ultra discreet young lady that would like to join me.

Thanks.

European hunting friends:
My son is in Holland, Belgium, France now. He is over there on holiday. He is looking at Guns, Airplanes and Museums. He went to Africa with me last year.
If he knew when and where the show was, I bet he would try to make it.
If you could post dates and locations, I'll try to get hold of him and see if he can make it.
For your assistance and info, I'll bet I can
talk him into buying a few "Adult Beverages", for the lot!
Appreciate any info.
EDIT:
I went to the site posted above and maybe I've got the dates?
March 31, April 1, 2 & 3?
Being the average American, I cannot speak French!

Those dates are correct, from Friday March 31st to Monday 3rd April. Rambouillet is about 50 km southwest of Paris. It is accessible easily by train from the Paris train station of Gare de Montparnasse. About a 35 minute train ride. From the Rambouillet train station it would be a fifteen minute walk to the racetrack (hippodrome) where the Salon is held. Usually the weather end of March is rainy and chilly. If driving, Rambouillet is on the National 10 (N10) highway. As for lodging, it is perfectly conceivable to stay in Paris and commute by train to the Salon. In Rambouillet there are a couple of small hotels, the Hotel Mercure and the Amarys Hotel come to mind. You might want to google that but if interested I could ask for telephone numbers if reservations (if there are any rooms left!) for dates. If in Paris there are two excellent museums for those interested in weapons and hunting. The first is the Museum des Invalides which is the French military museum. The second is the Maison de la Chasse; I'll try to find more information on those if requested.

I will be in Belgium over Easter and will be sure to drive over for a day or two.

It will be good to see all you guys!

Boghossian, Be sure to PM me before you come. I will try to be available on that day and assure the coordination with the others. the more the merrier.

TJ, it now looks like Boghossian and son are going to make. How about your son?

I have Gabriel Boghossian's confirmation.

Are André and Alain aware?

The best day would be Sunday.

Hi Wink,
Seems to me we are going to get is much bigger picture this year than last years 3 musketeers.

Hope you are well.

BTW your jackal skin are ready, I will pick it up on Wednesday and send you a picture.

Wink:
His loss! He will be coming home before that date. Maybe he can make it next year. I'm sure he would like to see it and meet you folks.
T.J.

Got back to Rambouillet this morning from Dar es Salaam to find my town one big traffic jam. This must be the biggest turnout for the Internaional Hunting Show in Rambouillet of all time, they're parking cars in front of my house and I live a couple of miles away! So who's coming?

Wink

I am really sorry but I won't come. A bout of Chikungunya virus has got me again and I am suffering mostly from a lumbago.
Boghossian and his father just call me. I wish everybody plenty of fun.

We're going to miss you. I saw your lion today, it is very well done. You must be truly sick to not be able to come and gloat with pride, the mount is very nice. I wish you a speedy recovery. Where is Boghossian? I was expecting a call this evening but nothing yet.

Jean Bernard, j'en suis desolee, mon ami. J'espere que you will get well, soon.

Wink, please post a photo of JB's big lion for all of us to see.

I would love to be at Rambouillet myself, but not a chance cette annee.

Thanks everybody

Next year in Rambouillet be my guests when looking at my leopard.