As some of you may remember, I was scheduled to hunt in Zimbabwe for leopard and then travel to RSA and hunt with Charl and Frederik at Infinito Safaris.

After the hunt with HHK, I flew down to J'burg hassle free and was picked up by Charl at the airport. The drive up to Infinitos Mpumalanga Province concession was a pleasant one with Frederik filling me in on some of the AR folks' recent successes (which are now posted by the respective hunters).

We arrived at dark and had a delightful supper of beef steak, potatoes, salad and vegatables. Accomodations were very, very nice. I particularly liked the "waterfall" shower.

I stayed up late learning the history of the lands to be hunted, Charl and Frederik's views on managment, finances and world affairs (over some good scotch, of course), and then turned in, good friends made.

We had a great hunt the next day. I saw really fine (55+") kudu bulls, wildebeest, hartebeest, zebra, giraffe, eland, gemsbok and a world class nyala for which I'd give about anything to have stayed still another 10 seconds.

The animals were truely wild and with the winds swirling we had no success, but a fine, fine time. Charl recognized without me having to tell him that I had no desire to be a "truck hunter" (spotting therefrom and then stalking is just fine, but I'm not big on killing stuff from a vehicle). He also understood that I didn't feel comfortable with shots of more than a couple of hundred yards since I was using my 9.3x74 double. Both certainly limited my chances of success, but, being the real pro that he is, we just hunted harder.

That first night, after a wonderful game dinner, I made the mistake of calling home. My secretary told me of some very serious problems with a good client that I would have to immediately return and attend to. Damn, I wanted that nyala and one of those several kudu bulls that were bigger than I'd ever taken before. Alas. Duty called.

Fact is, I'm sure that a 60" kudu and the Roland and Ward nyala are still there for you. Someone contact Charl or Frederick and go have a great, great time with really nice folks! I'm going to arrange a bow hunt with them for next year, I hope!

You broke the first rule of being on vacation, DO NOT CALL WORK. I all ways tell the people at work that there is no phone or email access where I will be.

I actually called my girlfriend 'cause she is a real sweetie and I was a little homesick (after some Famous Grouse and wine). She told me that Betty at the office had been trying to get to me. Damn!

First order of business: Fire Betty!

Too bad it went south, Judge, but you'll have something to look forward to next time.

I know where you are coming from Judge. I always say things like don't check emails to others, yet I just haven't got around to taking my own advice. I still check my messages every couple days and return the pressing ones. Congrats on a good trip nonetheless.

Judge really enjoying reading your experiences on the African Hunts am hoping to go next year.
But, one thing I can relate to is the Famous Grouse and wine. Keep up the good writing and thanks for all the great info.

Sorry, but my response would have been: "Betty who?" Being a lawyer, there is NOTHING in the legal world that cannot be handled by another partner, associate, paralegal, secretary, etc. etc. The ONLY EXCEPTION that I make is if it is a family emergency, and I mean a family emergency and nothing else. I have had too many vacations ruined over the years because the office just didn't think that anyone, but me, could handle an issue. Nor do I want to know what has gone on while I have been away. I will face it when I get back and not before. I have effectively "died" for that period of time that I am gone. Moreover, I do NOT give out Satellite Phone numbers or other contact information except to my family and to my secretary. With the secretary, she has learned not to cross the line on phone calls because the penalty will be unemployment. Just my own personal policy. I want to enjoy Africa.

Damn, Earnest, Why didn't you call me? You could have flown home and taken care of business and I could have finished up your safari for you.

quote:

Originally posted by WannabeBwana:
First order of business: Fire Betty!

Thats hillarious.

Tood bad about your hunt Judge, like many other posters, sounds like Charl also provided (or was going to) you with a great hunt......now go get 'em with the bow......Tell Bettys replacement NOT to call you or your lovee!

Try this

Mark your calendar each day for the next two weeks as "suppose I were in Africa" and see how many emergencies come up that you absolutely have to handle in that 2 week period. Probably zero.

Then go to Africa and see how many emergencies there are.

I guarantee there will be emergencies when you are in Africa-

-one, you are not there to put out the little fires before they become firestorms
and

-two, there is some unknown force out there that picks you and conjures up anything to interfere with your vacation, just to toy with you and make you curse your very being.....We mortals are mere entertainment for the gods...

Eish, sorry to hear the bad news but I guess it gives you a reason to go back again.

As ET almost said:

JG, DON'T phone home!

I was looking forward to your report, I'm sorry the trip was cut short. And you are right, Infinito has a very nice kudu on one of their properties just waiting for the right hunter.

I'll bet a dime to a dollar that someone will kill a 60" kudu bull before this year is out. They are there and the price is right!

I feel sorry for the client who had the canceled safari fees and airfare tacked onto his final legal tab under 'miscellaneous expenses".

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:
I feel sorry for the client who had the canceled safari fees and airfare tacked onto his final legal tab under 'miscellaneous expenses".

Fortunately for the client, this was a hunt won by JudgeG back in May.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...2100588/m/6581037901

Judge, thanks for the kind words. We were all very sad to see you go. You certainly did leave a kind impression on all off us. Hopefully we can do that bow hunt next year.

Bill is right, the hunt was the draw that Judge won, so nothing gained, but nothing lost either.

Just a sad set of circumstances, that none of us could do anything about.

Counting the time.......

Few men I've met can relate a hunting story like Judge can. Charl, you'll have to get him into some kind of hair raising ordeal next year...will make some news I promise
Cheers,
David

quote:

Originally posted by L. David Keith:
Few men I've met can relate a hunting story like Judge can. Charl, you'll have to get him into some kind of hair raising ordeal next year...will make some news I promise
Cheers,
David

After walking around Zimbabwe in the heat for two weeks, by the time I got to Infinito, there was a real emergency when I couldn't fing my Baby Wipes and cortizone cream. Chapped ass syndome is much more deadly than some odd buffalo or a rouge elephant! Finding my meds in my carry-on was probably more important a quick response with a .700 H&H!

As usual Judge, LMAO!

quote:

He also understood that I didn't feel comfortable with shots of more than a couple of yards since I was using my 9.3x74 double.

Damn Judge, you need to practice some more with that double!

Oops! Fixed the typo to ".... couple of hundred yards."

Judge, as a fellow sufferer of chapped ass syndrome, I've found the lycra type underwear worn by bicycle racers to be a Godsend. They're a boxer-brief design. Wally World carries them - about $5 a pair and they're easy to wash, rinse out and dry overnight. I've never suffered a bout of CAS while wearing them.

Heys guys if you are having issues from walking and chapping try Body Glide.
It is used primarily by long distcnace runners, triathletes and cyclists. But it performs well for the regular guy doing alot of hunting, spengina week in the surf and sand or just walking all day a Disney World. It is sold at Dicks among others places. It is like a stick deodorant and I can testify it works like magic.