I leave for Zim in 36 hours for a tuskless and buffalo hunt with Martin Pieters in Omay. The hunt was booked after reading about it on AR.

This is my first trip to Zim, my first elephant hunt, first hunt with a double rifle and the first trip to Africa without using an agent stateside. Martin, his wife, and assistant have been very responsive to all my questions.

I ran over two hundred rounds through the double and feel prepared. I have walked many many miles in the last two months decked out in full safari gear with double across my shoulder (Thankfully I live out of town and walk in the sugar cane fields) The Russells are broken in I just have to mindfull not to let my plantar fasciitis flare up as the Russells do not offer much support, but they very comfortable and quiet.

The bags are packed and repacked and finally got my two suitcases under 50 lbs each. Plenty of gifts and supplies. My personal gear is basically the gun case with almost everything else carry-on.

Timing never seems to be good. Last year we went to Tanzania 4 days after hurricane Ike hit. We flooded at my business and work was insane, thankfully I have great people working with me and they made me go. This year is even more difficult as we sold the company in February and work has slowed to a crawl. Thankfully my partner stayed on after the sale and he can take care of business while I am gone.

Unfortunately my wife will not make this trip. It will be different not hunting with her.

With those things said I am very excited and nervous. Last year I handled the buffalo fine. An elephant at 20 feet will be very interesting.

Hopefully I will post a great report in a couple of weeks. Until then....

Good luck to you Mike. Have a great trip/hunt and we'll look forward to reading your report.

MG

Good luck, have fun and make us Louisiana boys proud.

JD

An Aussie mate by the name of Neil has left today for the same hunt.
Say Hi for me if you meet him.
Oh, and have a great time.

Have a great hunt and I wish you luck! I know your anticipation as well, because I only have 298 days left before another PG hunt in RSA, but hey how is counting, right?

Good luck,

JD,
I will not let us down. I will just pretend it is a big nutria.

Ozhunter,
I will look for Neil, hopefully he is on a great hunt. BTW I bought one of those cool looking Tilly hats like yours.

Go get 'em Mike, and enjoy your upcoming Safari! Remember, pics and a full report upon your return!

Congrats on the hunt; hope it is wonderful for you. I found my buff/tuskless to be the highlight of my hunting career - looking forward to a full report when you return from yours.

Best of luck to you.

Good luck Mike. have fun!