The Accurate Reloading Forums
Egypt's Fayoum Oasis
13 November 2012, 10:33
tendramsEgypt's Fayoum Oasis
Hello gentlemen. I just returned from a shoot in Egypt's Fayoum Oasis and thought you might enjoy some pictures! The Teal and Shovelers are really just now starting to arrive but already there were a few flocks of several buzzing around the East side of Lake Qaroon where we were shooting on some private land. I concentrated more heavily on upland game but still managed to knock down a couple Teal along with a mess of doves and a few Coots and Moor Hens just to keep my wife creative in the kitchen.

We were shooting with a local who is actually the grandson of King Farouk's old hunting guide from decades ago and he still manages probably dozens of blinds in the area. We also stayed at the Helnan Auberge Hotel on Quaroon which actually used to be King Farouk's private hunting lodge and was recently remodeled into a very nice place to stay. All in all, I think the trip was a great little weekend getaway and could have been even more interesting as the guide offered to take me out spotlighting for Wolf, Fox, African Wildcat, and Swamp Cat. Might have to take him up on that next weekend or invest in a Fox-pro caller one of these days! Watch this spot for pics and I am also working on an offer (no financial interest on my end) for AR shooters if a few guys want to come out for something a bit unusual.
The Auberge Du Lac
Anyone for some billiards after shooting?
...or a swim
Churchill at the Auberge. With Abdelaziz Ibn Saud, 1945
You have to hand it to him, Farouk had panache if nothing else.
13 November 2012, 19:07
Mike_DettorreHey A'sswipe' give me a call
MikeLegistine actu quod scripsi?
Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.
What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
14 November 2012, 05:31
scruffyI would do that hunt in a New York minute !!!

17 November 2012, 11:36
JBrownquote:
Originally posted by tendrams:
Did tendrams go by the name JTG in the past?
I have been wondering what happened to him. He was one of our most unique members....
Jason
"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________
Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.
Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.
-Jason Brown
17 November 2012, 15:37
tendramsIndeed, I did! I drifted off for a good while due to professional obligations, marriage, hunting priorities, and the need to simplify my life a bit. I drifted back slowly with a realization that, for every two hours spent on the internet, one should spend five or six outside shooting stuff.

Best,
John
18 November 2012, 15:00
CaracalVery interesting! Thanks for sharing,John.
Do you know if there is any big game hunting (ibex, aoudad) in egypt. I read that they legalized it in the huntingreport a few years ago but never saw a report.
Dennis
19 November 2012, 07:02
OrvarCount me in!
18 January 2013, 10:05
tendramsGreetings fellow bird hunters. I am headed to the Fayoum again here in a couple weeks to take some more pics. I am also talking to the outfitter about putting together some three or four day packages for guys who want to come out. They will be handled through a US booking agent with me being the local contact who will accompany all hunts in the area. The packages will include lodging, food, transport, a trip to the pyramids, and (if people so desire) side trips for spouses who might want to come along. Final estimates on pricing and logistics for next December should be available in coming weeks.
To answer another question posed above, Nubian Ibex and Barbary sheep hunts are still in the works here, and legislative changes have been made enabling said hunts, but final legal changes and permissions are still not granted. It will happen....just probably not this year.