quote:

Originally posted by Safari-Hunt:
Eric,

If youre still wanting to give out a lot of gifts to children let them work for it. Instead of just handing them out let them be creative ask them to draw yourself as a hunter and have a competition anything in that line for example. And whoever participated gets a gift and not a handout.

See if you could arrange that with your ph from a local school. Would think that it would be great to go back home with pictures these children drew for you.

That's a great idea, Frederick - thank you.

I'm actually going to be on a ranch and will just have some gifts for the staff, though I may have a few small ones in reserve for kids I may see along the way.

My biggest project this week was burning ALL of my music on CDs as MP3s, and I bought a nice used CD/MP3 player, with all the accessories, AC adapter, car adapter with cassette adapter, extra battery pack, and headphones, and also got portable speakers for it. This will be a gift to the PH, his wife, and son. More than 4700 songs of various genres for them to enjoy. They have very little access to entertainment and music, and I really hope they will like this.

So, here I find myself 7 weeks away from this grand adventure. I sit here this morning, sipping my coffee, talking to my wife, and realizing that soon I will be a half a world away from everything I know, in a foreign land, in one of the least populated countries in the world. My wife will be away from me for 2.5 weeks - it is a little sobering, as she and I have been together for over half of our lives, and we are best friends.

But the excitement is growing, and I'm counting down the days.

A funny thing ocurred a few days ago at my job. I work at a hospital as an X-ray tech, and I was taking an x-ray of a lady and just making small talk. She mentioned she had just gotten back from overseas, and I asked where she had been. She says, "Oh, you probably have never heard of this place - Namibia." - LOL - my mouth hung open and I laughed. She works as a consultant for airline flight attendants, and was training the Air Namibia crews for a few weeks. She went on to tell me how wonderful all the people were in the country, and how beautiful everything was over there, and clean. She was so excited for me going on my trip, and when I mentioned hunting her eyes lit up and she went to the waiting room and got her husband, who hunts. They were really nice people, and we talked for a while and then they left. 30 minuets later the husband comes back with a beautiful coffee-table book on Namibia and gives it to me to borrow, telling me to call them when I'm done with it so he can pick it up, but he also offered to take me to a friends house some day who has hunted all over the world and has a HUGE trophy room filled to the rafters with trophies.

Small world, eh?

Wow! T-minus 10 days and counting. It hit me today, hard, that in 10 days I'll be in Namibia fulfilling a life-long dream. I almost had to pull over on my drive to the range.

Getting to the range, I was a bit anxious, as lately I've been berating myself for my shooting. I've been a bench-shooter for so long that it has been hard to transition to off-hand and sticks. My outfitter told me I really need to work on the off-hand, as I may find myself in situations where I don't have a rest for my rifle.

Today, everything seemed to click pretty well. I started off with my "Pocket Rifle" to get some practice and loosen up. What's a Pocket Rifle, you ask? Take a 10/22 rifle, put a special 1:9 twist barrel on it, cut it down to 5.5", slap a suppressor on it, and put a folding stock on it. Use 60 grain Aguila SSS (Subsonic Sniper) ammo. Place a Weaver 1-3x scope on it. Amazingly accurate (was smacking bowling pins at 100 yards off-hand with no problems) and so quiet all you hear is the action of the rifle working.

I then did some shooting with the Tikka .30-06 rifle. From the bench with my handloads it was doing great and I'm no longer going to mess with any adjustments. I then did some practicing with it at 100 yards on sticks and kept everything, firing quickly, within 4-5 inches of each other, even with my milsurp ammo. Off-hand was pretty decent as well - at least 90% of the bullets hitting the pie plate. I didn't stay my usual 3-4 hours this time, satisfied with what I had done.

One more trip next Saturday (when the 200 yard range is open) and that will be that - next stop, Namibia!

PS - my last batch of handloads, with Nosler Partitions, is just about the most beautfiul ammo I've ever made. Everything has been meticulously checked and triple-checked, cleaned, polished, measured, etc. I'm normally not like that, but I want this ammo to be THE BEST I can make.

John I have been reading your posts with great interest....my first trip to Africa will be 1 year after you to Namibia as well.

Good to hear the range session went well!
I look forward to hearing how things go for you on your trip of a lifetime!

Shoot straight

Your'e almost there!

Remember its an holiday enjoy yourself.

When Africa is inevitable, relax and enjoy it...

Good Luck. I'm just a week behind you- leave some critters for me.

Eric,

You do realize that your countdown is in single figure days now? You only need fingers to show people how many days left!

I often advise that prospective African hunters should enjoy the planning as part of the experience. You obviously know this! You will fine the truth of: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance!

I look forward to your hunt reports.

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Thanks, Andrew - usually given my IQ I'm always nervous when asked to count to a number higher than 21 (thank God I'm male or it would be 20).

Seriously, though, I know I will forget at least something, but as long as I have the important things then I'm all set and ready and raring to head out. Amazing that not too long ago this seemed 8 months away!

quote:

Originally posted by Andrew McLaren:
Eric,

You do realize that your countdown is in single figure days now? You only need fingers to show people how many days left!

I often advise that prospective African hunters should enjoy the planning as part of the experience. You obviously know this! You will fine the truth of: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance!

I look forward to your hunt reports.

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

I'm sure you know this but it is a good idea to run all your reloads thru your rifle (in a safe manner) obviously before packing them for the trip. Probably they'll all chamber fine, but, if not, now is the time to find out.

Yup - I do plan on doing that, but thanks for reminding me!

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:
I'm sure you know this but it is a good idea to run all your reloads thru your rifle (in a safe manner) obviously before packing them for the trip. Probably they'll all chamber fine, but, if not, now is the time to find out.

quote:

Originally posted by Andrew McLaren:
Eric,

You do realize that your countdown is in single figure days now? You only need fingers to show people how many days left!

I often advise that prospective African hunters should enjoy the planning as part of the experience. You obviously know this! You will fine the truth of: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance!

I look forward to your hunt reports.

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Well said Andrew And have a bloody great hunt John, can't wait to see your report, I almost feel like I'll be there with you mate

Well, just got back from my last trip to the range before the trip on Wednesday.

Wow - I feel very stoked! My rifle performed wonderfully - with my handloads, from a rest, on 4x with the scope, I placed 4 rounds dead-on at 200 yards, with a 1 3/8" spread - I had no idea my rifle, or me, was capable of such accuracy.

Granted, that's from a rest. So I set up my shooting sticks, chambered a round, threw the safety, and shot from the sticks about 10 times. At 200 yards I hit a 10x10 steel target every time.

So, I think the rifle and the shooter are ready to go! A quick couple of dry patches through the barrel, some light oil on the bolt, and a good cleaning of the lenses on the scope and the rifle will be packed into the Tuffpak and ready for Wednesday.


Namibia plains game - LOOK OUT!

quote:

Originally posted by JohnCrighton:
Well, just got back from my last trip to the range before the trip on Wednesday.

Wow - I feel very stoked! My rifle performed wonderfully - with my handloads, from a rest, on 4x with the scope, I placed 4 rounds dead-on at 200 yards, with a 1 3/8" spread - I had no idea my rifle, or me, was capable of such accuracy.

Granted, that's from a rest. So I set up my shooting sticks, chambered a round, threw the safety, and shot from the sticks about 10 times. At 200 yards I hit a 10x10 steel target every time.

So, I think the rifle and the shooter are ready to go! A quick couple of dry patches through the barrel, some light oil on the bolt, and a good cleaning of the lenses on the scope and the rifle will be packed into the Tuffpak and ready for Wednesday.


Namibia plains game - LOOK OUT!

GOOD LUCK, JOHN AND I HOPE EVERYTHING BE OK AND ENJOY YOUR AFRICA DREAM A LOT!!! REGARDS GUILLE.

Gracias, Guillermo! Here I am, up early this morning as I can't sleep! I have two days of work (Monday 16 hours, Tuesday 10 hours) and then I leave on Wednesday - I should be good and tired and sleep well on the plane (I hope!)

quote:

Originally posted by Guillermo Amestoy:

quote:

Originally posted by JohnCrighton:
Well, just got back from my last trip to the range before the trip on Wednesday.

Wow - I feel very stoked! My rifle performed wonderfully - with my handloads, from a rest, on 4x with the scope, I placed 4 rounds dead-on at 200 yards, with a 1 3/8" spread - I had no idea my rifle, or me, was capable of such accuracy.

Granted, that's from a rest. So I set up my shooting sticks, chambered a round, threw the safety, and shot from the sticks about 10 times. At 200 yards I hit a 10x10 steel target every time.

So, I think the rifle and the shooter are ready to go! A quick couple of dry patches through the barrel, some light oil on the bolt, and a good cleaning of the lenses on the scope and the rifle will be packed into the Tuffpak and ready for Wednesday.


Namibia plains game - LOOK OUT!

GOOD LUCK, JOHN AND I HOPE EVERYTHING BE OK AND ENJOY YOUR AFRICA DREAM A LOT!!! REGARDS GUILLE.

I am not far behind you, I leave for Namibia on Thursday morning

John,
I just returned from my first Safari with my 24 year old son and it was so much better than I ever imagined. We were flexible and open minded so the entire trip was almost flawless (except for the mid 50's Kudu my son and I both passed on early in the hunt) Many thanks to AR and it's members.
Best wishes for a safe and happy trip.
Jeff

Thanks, guys. Luggage packed, weighed, repacked, reweighed, and carryon stuffed!

Final shift of work tonight should be fun, get off at 0200 and then leave for Orlando airport at 1030. Hope I didn't forget anything, but if I did, oh well - I can pick it up somewhere

Good luck John, I am sure you will have a blast.

On return you will owe a lot of pictures and a detailed hunt report to this forum, which I will eagerly look forward to.

OK, guys - here I go!

Thanks to everyone for all the help, advice, slaps upside the head occasionally, and well-wishes.

If I get a chance while over there I'll post but otherwise look for my detailed (some might say long-winded) report when I get back.

Eric

Eric;Nice Fly, Good arrived, hunt a lot, enjoy a full, and drink a beer in our memory when You stay looking the African sunset, we will wait for Your pictures and report.Guille

Hey, guys! Quick update - I'm in Frankfurt, just got done in Namibia, had an AWESOME time and have some great pics and even impact videos of many of the animals I took. Totally stoked and looking forward to a large hunt report with lots of pics and links to videos.

I love Namibia and can't wait to come again!

That´s great Eric, really looking forward to the write up and the pictures.

I presume that you have already started planning the next safari ?

quote:

Originally posted by Arild Iversen:
That´s great Eric, really looking forward to the write up and the pictures.

I presume that you have already started planning the next safari ?

Heh heh - that will take a while - this was quite expensive for a man of my limited means, and next time I have to take the wife

But my point is...there will defenately be a next time

Hey Eric.
We are waiting a full report with nice pictures, come on !!! Share, Share, Share!!!

LOL - this weekend I am going to do it - I have SO many notes and pics, and I want to do it right (for me and my family especially).

Taking a digital recorder (voice) with me was a great idea - saved long hours writing notes, and I could whip it out at a moment's notice and dictate.

quote:

Originally posted by Guillermo Amestoy:
Hey Eric.
We are waiting a full report with nice pictures, come on !!! Share, Share, Share!!!

Congrats! Can't wait to see some photos!!

JPK

Aloha Eric,
Congratulations on you successful hunt. I was very happy to be able to share your joy in taking the most impressive kudu bull before leaving with Late-Bloomer and son. I'm sorry that I took only two pics of you and kudu. Should have taken a dozen or more and you can have the better ones blown up.

I know that you're not big on trophy measurements but some of our posters have such interest. The initial field measurement of your kudu was 54".

All of your diligent shooting practice most certainly paid off. Great shooting!

Best regards,

Geoff

Thanks, Geoff! I owe a lot of my success to you, my friend - your assitance and advice really paid off. No worries on the photos - I've got some, and of course the video is just great.

The offical measurements in centimeters on the kudu was: 130LH,138RH,29.5B

In inches, that is 51.2" LH, 54.3" RH, and 11.6" base - so I'm very happy with that! Plus the old guy just had . . . character

quote:

Originally posted by geoff:
Aloha Eric,
Congratulations on you successful hunt. I was very happy to be able to share your joy in taking the most impressive kudu bull before leaving with Late-Bloomer and son. I'm sorry that I took only two pics of you and kudu. Should have taken a dozen or more and you can have the better ones blown up.

I know that you're not big on trophy measurements but some of our posters have such interest. The initial field measurement of your kudu was 54".

All of your diligent shooting practice most certainly paid off. Great shooting!

Best regards,

Geoff

Hey John,
I hope your adventure went well -all that you hope for plus some extra surprises.
I've been following your story for quite a while. You've got hunting nuts all over the USA, possibly the world, eager to hear all about your adventure.

I hope to follow through on my dreams, as you have, soon enough.

PS, treat your wife to a BAD ASS dinner soon.

Regards,

All the way from South Texas,
M. Saenz, aka CampDog.

Yes, the 'D' on my keyboar does strike well.

Geez John, this is worse than waiting for a baby to be born. Time to cowboy up and post that hunt report.

Bob