The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting The Passion is goneGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| The Passion is gone | Login/Join |
One of Us |
I took my stepson on a buff hunt in the Caprivi last year. He had never fired a high powered rifle. He shot a kudu and impala after the buff was down-both one shot kills and he was hooked. Took he and his wife back last month with him as the designated shooter. Ten shots, nine animals dead. He’s hooked and I enjoyed his hunt as much as he did. Like Steve, I’m dialing back and concentrating on other interests, especially fishing.And I don’t take a rifle or bring anything home! Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend… To quote a former AND CURRENT Trumpiteer - DUMP TRUMP | |||
|
| One of Us |
I just returned from Poland on a group hunt for Red Stag hosted by Tim Herald. We had eight hunters and 6 wives in the group. My wife had a blast and wants to do more like that. I shot 2 stags and 2 roe bucks and had a blast. We all rented rifles and they were excellent. The cost is much less than Africa and US. At age 74 I’m tired of the Africa hassle, but mentally not ready to give it up, so I’m going to Uganda in 2024 on another Tim Herald hosted hunt. Probably won’t bring anything home though. I’m also taking my granddaughter(13 yrs)to South Africa on her first safari. Gonna rent a rifle and may get stuck with shipping to make granddaughter happy. Other than that I’m looking at a duck hunts in Argentina and Nicaragua and some fishing trips to Canada and Alaska. Also if another group hunt with wives to Europe pops up I’ll definitely consider that. Good hunting guys. BUTCH C'est Tout Bon (It is all good) | |||
|
| One of Us |
BUTCH C'est Tout Bon (It is all good) | |||
|
One of Us |
24 African Safaris. Hunts through out Asia. 75 years old. Can’t roll with the punches any more. Have wonderful memories. | |||
|
| Administrator |
If you really want to hunt, there an incredible opportunities available. One encounters hassle in all his travels today. Anything one encounters in Africa pales in comparison of some of the stories I hear of the troubles from the TSA idiots. | |||
|
| One of Us |
I'm with Lane. I love to hunt and hate cold weather. Have a great friend and former law partner who just took a great elk in a hard draw area last week. He focuses on North American game. He keeps asking me to go on his North American adventures, but it's cold. Like to froze on a caribou hunt in Northwest Territory a lot of years back. Spent a week wet and cold. Guess I'll just stick with Africa. | |||
|
| One of Us |
There is nothing in the US that compares to the cluster fuck of Cameroon….YMMV. Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend… To quote a former AND CURRENT Trumpiteer - DUMP TRUMP | |||
|
one of us |
The Men That Don't Fit In BY ROBERT W. SERVICE There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; So they break the hearts of kith and kin, And they roam the world at will. They range the field and they rove the flood, And they climb the mountain's crest; Theirs is the curse of the gypsy blood, And they don't know how to rest. If they just went straight they might go far; They are strong and brave and true; But they're always tired of the things that are, And they want the strange and new. They say: "Could I find my proper groove, What a deep mark I would make!" So they chop and change, and each fresh move Is only a fresh mistake. And each forgets, as he strips and runs With a brilliant, fitful pace, It's the steady, quiet, plodding ones Who win in the lifelong race. And each forgets that his youth has fled, Forgets that his prime is past, Till he stands one day, with a hope that's dead, In the glare of the truth at last. He has failed, he has failed; he has missed his chance; He has just done things by half. Life's been a jolly good joke on him, And now is the time to laugh. Ha, ha! He is one of the Legion Lost; He was never meant to win; He's a rolling stone, and it's bred in the bone; He's a man who won't fit in. Always think this is a fitting tribute to some of the old AR hands... On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
|
One of Us |
+1 DRSS Searcy 470 NE | |||
|
One of Us |
Aye... or from Brian Brooke: Oh I realize that we civilize, And the work we do is fine, When we lay the trails for the gleaming rails Of a pioneering line. But soon they'll push, till there's no more bush, And never a Bushmen's shrine, And when the day's come where will be the home For a soul that is made like mine? | |||
|
One of Us |
There have been a number of mentions of taking our kids to Africa as a strong motivation for many. And that’s one of best reasons to go again. In 2019, I took my son on his 1st buffalo hunt (2nd African hunt) and at the end of the hunt he hugged me tight and thanked me for making one of his dreams come true. That moment made the entire hunt worth it for me. This year, I’m taking my daughter and her boyfriend to Kenya and Tanzania in February to see Masai Mara, the coast at Watamu, then they’re going to climb Kilimanjaro. In August, I’m taking my son on another hunt with Alan Vincent. My son is 14 years younger than Alan and has known him his entire life. I really don’t care if I shoot much as I’m really going to enjoy watching the two of them hunt buffalo. If you have kids, take them. You’ll enjoy it more than hunting yourself. | |||
|
One of Us |
I've done more than my fair share at 48 years old. 25ish safaris and well over 100 species. Other than a "check list" safari or two in the next few years, I'm content to wait for a last minute call from Thierry Labat to go hunt buffaloes in the October and November heat. The desire for a three week safari, or a multi-country affair is just too much these days. At least for me. Will J. Parks, III | |||
|
One of Us |
It's interesting you make mention of that. Our last Safari included hunting both Zim and Moz with Vic Falls and Pemba time thrown in. I think it was just short of 8 weeks. In a way, if it ends up the last hunting safari to Africa, it's not a bad last hunt. Jim ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
|
| One of Us |
I'm not sure how many more overseas hunts I have the will to do. In Africa or anywhere else. Default settings in the world have changed since Covid and not for the better. I still have the passion to hunt and the love of hunting but the determination to jump the hoops to actually go hunting overseas is definitely taking a bashing. Being a Kiwi imposes a disadvantage in these disrupted times with many hunts sold in USD combined with the current drive to find security in the USD. This is unfortunately suppressing the purchasing power of the NZD making expensive hunts even more expensive to the point of wondering if contemplating future hunts remains worthwhile. This year and next I will go on only a couple of hunts secured with deposits prior to all the Covid travel restrictions and one other hunt for a long desired bull but beyond that I am not feeling particularly incentivised. To me it's just wrong to take trophies and not bring them home. As some mentioned the cost of shipping trophies is just criminal nowadays. I was aghast at what I was quoted to ship Cameroon trophies to New Zealand. Although rerouting the shipment reduced the amount I actually paid it was still excessive. This factor alone is now a large disincentive of it's own. I used to go through my local bank to organise overseas bank drafts and to purchase foreign currency for cash payments overseas. Since Covid most banks here have opted out of these services which is yet another imposition. Sure, via my bank I can transfer funds electronically using the SWIFT system but not all bank accounts are linked to this and my bank won't send funds unless SWIFT is used. I can still purchase foreign cash, via a travel exchange service, but instead of walking to my local bank and collecting I now have to drive 40 min to the local outlet to collect. It's true and I know it, I'm getting older and grumpier which bears on my attitude but the costs, conditions and inconveniences imposed on travelling hunters these days are simply beyond reasonable. Sadly, I cannot see this situation improving at all. Hunting.... it's not everything, it's the only thing. | |||
|
One of Us |
We just returned from a wing shooting and wild boar hunt in Italy. Not Africa, but no significant differences. We did not take any firearms. It did make things much easier. A lot easier. Amazingly easier. We used somewhat ill-fitting Benelli 828 U sovraposti. Not our shotguns, but we made them work and knocked down many pheasants, partridges and quail. I used a cool little .308 Win. Benelli Lupo with a Steiner variable powered scope for the cinghiale. No issues. Right on at 100 meters. But my carry-on bag was still searched when some liquid medicine was found in the x-ray. It turns out, according at least to the nice Italian woman who did the search, that the medicine was "banned." She asked me to apply some to my hand. Must have feared that it was some kind of acid. I willingly slathered some on, and a supervisor waived the whole thing off with a dismissive wave of his hand and a kind "Va beni." I was also physically searched by hand when my Zimbabwean and hard to remove witch doctor juju copper bracelets set off the metal detector. (This happens all the time.) So, not altogether easy. Nothing is easy these days. My motto regarding these matters is and has always been illegitimi non carborundum. I love hunting all over the world and will never stop. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
|
One of Us |
I’m 43 and just finished my 10th safari this year. Had a great time and took a few buddies on their first time to Africa and had a ball. I stopped bringing home the trophies a couple hunts ago and don’t have the hang up as others have with only photos. So that makes it tremendously less expensive, without all the hassle when you get home. Still take my own rifles, don’t see that ever changing and yes that is a pain. Planning the next safari with my children in 24’. They are both getting to be great shots, son 11, daughter 13. Our daughter just killed her first elk yesterday in Idaho and she loved the hunt, hiked her tail off for 3 days. She also has a deer tag starting this weekend she is excited about! Mac | |||
|
| Administrator |
Try entering the US from Canada with firearms. I have heard horror stories. And those in charge take pleasure in making your life miserable! | |||
|
| One of Us |
Mac Be sure and congratulate you daughter on her first Elk. They are all awesome but that first one is really special! Big congratulations to her!!! Butch | |||
|
One of Us |
Congratulations on the Elk and best of luck on the Mule Deer. Formerly "Nganga" | |||
|
| One of Us |
Kathi's CITES thread is yet another reason on the pile of stuff making it less and less attractive. Formerly "Nganga" | |||
|
| one of us |
I shot a beautiful pronghorn antelope buck here in Alberta on Monday. It took me 11 years to get drawn for the tag. From there, I had to fill my Silverado with expensive gasoline and then go and find myself a nice buck on land that was not posted. I then had to find the landowner and get permission to hunt that critter. The one chap was very personable and wished me luck. Hell, a couple of years ago a farmer stopped me on a public road and gave me hell for driving around. Years ago some one had stolen a battery from his farm and he was suspicious of pheasant hunters. He lives right along a little lake surrounded by fantastic cover and lots of wary wild roosters. The paranoid varmint was annoying, to say the least. Having looked like I was way off topic...I was just in Botswana and Namibia hunting. I could shoot whatever I could afford or desired from my bucket list. No worries about angry land owners, game wardens who know that you are evil and a wrong doer and want to find the evidence somehow, competition from way too many hunters, limited game in many cases etc. etc. Every animal on the game list that I hunted from in the Kalahari, I have hunted before. But it was fun and hassle free. I may not be in the stage of whacking and stacking like I was many years ago - but I still have the passion. For Africa. Thank goodness... All the best to you all. | |||
|
| one of us |
And I no longer take my rifles or bring back the trophies. Just the wonderful memories of Africa, its people, and its animals. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Been doing so every other year for the last 8 years. I hand my 4457 to the CBP agent at the window with our passports. Only once did they want to see the shotgun. I already had it unloaded and lying on the floor at the truck camper door. I warned the officer the shotgun would be right there when I opened the door. I opened the door and he said, "Nice tactical" and didn't even touch it. Canada is far more complicated with prefilled forms in triplicate of which they shred two. I asked politely why I need to fill out three copies when they shred two and the answer was because the website says so. The last time entering Canada we were detained for 90 minutes while they "reviewed" our forms (before shredding two copies). I think they were passive aggressive because we didn't have masks on when we pulled up to the window. There was no signage and we haven't worn masks in two years except air travel. ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
|
One of Us |
It's interesting and if I'm honest, a little sad to read this thread from the perspective of someone who has only dreamed of travelling to the wildest of places and do the hunts many of you have done. It's hard for me to imagine getting to a point of not wanting to go on such a hunt, regardless of the pain in the ass issues, hassles, ripoffs, and other bullshit one has to contend with. That lost of passion could also be the simple factor of "been there, done that." In my opinion it's human nature to lose that passion in things we once so loved and thought we could never go without. It has happened to everyone in one form or another. Professional athletes do it, people have left careers that they were great at, many successful businessmen have sold, and countless stop doing the hobbies/ collections they once loved. When that time comes, that is what's sad. I hope everyone who is thinking of stepping away finds something to fill the void and I hope they have enjoyed every bit of it. But like the not so great Neil Young said "It's better to burn out than to fade away." | |||
|
| One of Us |
My first safari was to Zim in 2013 and the last was to Zim in 2021. Same process for the rifles. Not too bad and not a real problem. Trophy transport fees are another story. Stop whining and go hunting. Take your rifle and leave your trophies behind. USMC Retired DSC Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member | |||
|
| One of Us |
Hahahaha. When you have half the experience I have, lets compare notes. In 2013 I had been probably 15 times. I have never and will never kill an animal to simply take its picture. I place far more value on life, any life, than a few megapixels on a Jpeg. Leaving it behind IN MY OPINION, shows little compassion or respect for your quarry and it doesn't complete the process. Formerly "Nganga" | |||
|
One of Us |
  Here is the reason why I will continue to go for a while. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
|
| One of Us |
A fortunate son! | |||
|
| One of Us |
Great shots Lane. Not sure if you know but I have a disabled son. He'll never be able to do a Safari himself. That said, I've taken both he and my wife twice. Once to RSA, did a week on a buddies game farm and a week at Kruger. A year for two later, My wife wanted to try a Safari. We did two weeks with Alister Norton in Zambia. She did great. Nothing wounded, killed some really nice stuff. She killed a 58" Kudu. Bigger than any that I've whacked. If my son could do it, I'm sure it would give me many more years of enjoyment. Formerly "Nganga" | |||
|
| One of Us |
Hunting is the same whether you do it in Africa or anywhere else. I have been hunting for over fifty years. I don’t believe that you honor an animal by taking a part of its body home with you. You honor and respect it by hunting in an ethical manner, killing it cleanly and with minimal suffering, and consuming it’s flesh so that it’s death provides life. I see no difference in a trophy being a shoulder mount or a photograph. Either way the animal lives on in your memory. As far as traveling with guns: what’s the problem? You fill out some forms and undergo some inspections; for me, it is worth the minimal hassle to hunt with my guns. Just my opinion. I am not going to quit hunting in Africa as long as I am able. USMC Retired DSC Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member | |||
|
| Administrator |
Already booked my next safari. An absolutely fantastic safari we all had. Flying with guns was as smooth as can be. Immigration and customs ar Dar were fantastic. Couldn’t have been easier. Moaners can stay home  | |||
|
| One of Us |
Africa is Africa and the hassles of travelling will never change. If it were cheap and easy everybody would do it and the experience would be destroyed. Hunting here will always be for the well off and motivated and I dont think that is necessarily a bad thing. Ride hard, shoot straight and speak the truth. | |||
|
One of Us |
. Reading this thread a second time, I guess you can break it down into 4 parts - 1/ 21st century travel 2/ travel with firearms 3/ Africa 4/ trophies and shipment of We have been so lucky to live in SSA and West Africa for some 15 years. Weekends were spent in the bush hunting or flying to neighbouring countries on short hunting trips. A kudu weekend in Namibia! Bushpig over hounds in Natal! Greywing over pointers in the Free State! Flyfishing for tigers in Botswana! We lived the dream to the full and filled a house in Joburg with trophies and mounts at local RSA taxidermy rates. We got to know the SAPs team well, we exchanged cell phone numbers and always called in advance, some biltong or game meat was always welcome. We literally did dozens and dozens of trips. We now live a swallows life - South in the winter and Europe in spring and summer and here we come to 1 - 4 above. 1/ 21st century travel - for most of us not travelling First Class with the limo pick up, champagne and caviar lounges and luxury seating - is ugly at best. It is like sitting on the London underground in summer during rush hour and 35 degree heat hour after hour after hour. Downright ugly. Herded like cattle, endless lines at security, overflowing wait rooms with uncomfortable seating and then airline seating and service for hours and hours with the end never getting nearer. We are grateful for a bag of peanuts and a warm beer! It's ugly. 2/ Now add to that the hassle of travel with firearms - airports and airlines that rip you off with handling fees and expenses, untrained staff that have no clue as to what they need to do or not do, over zealous security thugs, gorilla baggage handlers and the rest. Expensive hassle at best! 3/ Africa - I have only great things to say about Africa. I was born there and have spent my life in and around Africa. Go with the flow and enjoy every minute. We will keep going back as long as we can! 4/ trophies and shipping - I'm out! Never again. I firmly believe in trophies, mounts, whatever you want to call them. Even on cull animals I will European mount the skulls and hang them up. We get stuff done locally in RSA at local RSA rates and hang or display it in our town house in Joburg. To buy the house was probably cheaper than it would have been to ship the trophies to Europe. The whole trophy dip, ship, fees and carriage et cetera is an insulting scam and I am just so pleased that I am not a first time hunter looking for a big first time plains game safari and planning to ship everything home! Nowadays that just doubles the bill and is doing more harm to the industry than good! Hunting in Africa I see as a joy and it is worth the hassle and the stress. I think we have set up some good workarounds with our house in RSA and Landy that we keep there. Sitting around the camp fire that fist evening of a safari, with dust in your nostrils and a cold beer or red wine in your hand, watching the bush TV, is worth the hassle, pain and stress for me every time. . "Up the ladders and down the snakes!" | |||
|
| One of Us |
Exactly. Talking pricing is one thing, complaining that a few hours for paperwork and government BS is a fundamental barrier to travel seems silly to me. ----------------------------------------- "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. -Henry David Thoreau, Walden | |||
|
| One of Us |
One could moan and go on about the logistics of any kind of vacation. Seat was too cramped. They wanted to inspect my diving equipment, lost my golf clubs, etc. Better to stay home I guess  | |||
|
One of Us |
It appears you are looking for an excuse not to go. If you don't have the yearning, just don't go. You can borrow money, but you can't borrow time. Don't wait, go now. Savannah Safaris Namibia Otjitambi Trails & Safaris DRSS NRA SCI DSC TSRA TMPA | |||
|
One of Us |
I have been hunting for some 40 years and I am just as excited to conduct my next hunt in the Luangwa next month. We are privileged indeed. ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
|
| one of us |
Folks, If you've done a load of safaris I can see a hunter not being quite as enthusiastic. Perhaps the animals that are of interest have been taken multiple times and repeating just isn't worth it. Having said that Africa provides such a cornucopia of experiences I just can't imagine loosing total interest if the finances will support it. We went to Mauritius last year (Africa but not on the Continent) and the travel was by far the the biggest PIA Sadie and I have ever experienced and we didn't have any guns! After we got on the ground in Mauritius we just forgot about the travel. To us it's still worth it and finances will be the only limiting factor going forward. We do have hunting interest elsewhere but that doesn't mean we have ruled out Africa in the future. At my age I'm trying to have as many of my bucket list experiences as I can before my health gets in the way. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
|
| One of Us |
Amen, brother. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
|
One of Us |
One factor I haven’t seen discussed on this thread is the support or lack thereof of the hunter’s spouse. After my fifth Namibian safari in 2019, the COVID pandemic pretty much precluded trips for 2020 and 2021. When I broached the subject of a sixth safari in 2022, my wife of 50+ years objected based on the rising airfares and other costs. I proposed selling off a bunch of my upscale guns that I seldom use anyway. I sold off two Ultramatch M1A’s, a vintage Savage Model 99F, a Ruger Model 1, a NIB Ruger Red Label shotgun and others. The proceeds more than covered my airfare, trophy fees and daily rates. At the age of 75, I’ve had six great African hunts and can live with a bunch of fond memories. Jesus saves, but Moses invests | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata | Page 1 2 3 4 |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia