Had a nice final dinner, and got a bit choked up. These are GREAT people here, all of them. I really wish them the best. Rodney has worked so hard for me and made this trip something I'll never forget, and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude. I got to meet his PH test administrator tonight, Martin Britz, an old friend of Tommy's. Great guy, and still does some freelance PH work now and then. His brother, Colin, is also a PH and has a list of some pretty famous clients, including some professional athletes.

Gave out gifts and tips to everyone, including soccer balls and pumps, beef jerky, candy, my Zeiss scope to Rodney, and to his family over 6000 songs on CDs that I burned, plus a CD/MP3 player with speakers and AC converter kit - that gift, I think, more than anything, went over very well - they don't get a lot of music out here.

Saturday - time to leave. Honestly, I am torn between wanting to stay for a few more weeks and getting on with the non-hunting part of my trip. I am to be staying tonight at Casa Piccolo in Windhoek, picking up my rental car, and then heading up to Etosha the next day. I have had the time of my life here, and I was quite touched before I left. Tommy and Marion Hall, Rodney's parents, told me that I am welcome back anytime and they want me to stay with them in their house. Rodney told me later that there is only one person outside of Namibia that they have ever said that too, and I got quite choked up thinking about that - I feel like I've made some good, lifelong friends. I hope some day they'll be able to visit the States and I would welcome them into my home without a moment's hesitation. "Salt of the earth" doesn't even begin to describe these people. I am truly in awe of not only how tough and skilled these people are, but how down-to-earth and kind they are as well.

Rodney . . . . what can I say? The young man is just incredible - he never stopped trying every hour of our hunt to help me get my animals, kept me entertained, and became my friend. I wish him the best, and would recommend him without reservation to anyone seeking a PH in Namibia.

Just a quick update - got word from the farm that they have had a great season and REALLY loved having the American hunters there this year - they had more than ever before and they tell me that they prefer us much better than the "others" they get all the time.

quote:

Originally posted by JohnCrighton:
Just a quick update - got word from the farm that they have had a great season and REALLY loved having the American hunters there this year - they had more than ever before and they tell me that they prefer us much better than the "others" they get all the time.

Wonder if they would like that to go public?

As I most probably belongs in the category "the others", I guess I can rule out your host then for my next trip wich will be Namibia
A pity because the set up looked really great.

Great report! BRAVO!

quote:

Originally posted by Arild Iversen:
As I most probably belongs in the category "the others", I guess I can rule out your host then for my next trip wich will be Namibia
A pity because the set up looked really great.

Perhaps I should explain a little better. They have had a lot of problems in the past with certain hunters booked through a certain agent from a certain country. I won't mention names, but I suppose when you have to put up with very dangerous situations where people are almost killed, to include staff and other hunters, then you can't blame them for pointing out the obvious differences that they have so far seen between their past guests and ones from other countries. To simply make an observation that they preferred not to have to deal with these "others" does not mean that they aren't willing to give them consideration in the future, or that everyone from that particular country was suspect.

PS - the country wasn't Norway, so you are safe

quote:

Originally posted by mouse93:

quote:

Originally posted by JohnCrighton:
Just a quick update - got word from the farm that they have had a great season and REALLY loved having the American hunters there this year - they had more than ever before and they tell me that they prefer us much better than the "others" they get all the time.

Wonder if they would like that to go public?

Up until very recently, they had never had any American hunters there, and one of the staff members was just making an observation about how they really liked them and made some comparisons/contrasts between us and some others they have had in the past - said "others" being one particular group who have consistenly been rude, arrogant, demanding, and quite dangerous to be around.

quote:

Originally posted by JohnCrighton:
...said "others" being one particular group who have consistenly been rude, arrogant, demanding, and quite dangerous to be around.

K thanks for explanation.

Not a problem - I did NOT want to give the impression that non-Americans weren't welcome, or looked down upon. It was only one particular group brought over by a particular person that have been relatively consistent (although there have been some exceptions) in their behavior. But everyone else has been just fine.

quote:

Originally posted by mouse93:

quote:

Originally posted by JohnCrighton:
...said "others" being one particular group who have consistenly been rude, arrogant, demanding, and quite dangerous to be around.

K thanks for explanation.

Absolutely delightful to read your report. Sincere thanks.
Alex

My taxidermist (Retoma) in Namibia just sent me an email saying my skulls, horns, and skins will be done by end of month and shipped soon - probably have them by Christmas. I was concerned for my zebra skin, due to the bullet holes, but it looks incredible!



I can't wait!

John,
Looks like you will have memories to treasure for a lifetime!

Wow - no wonder I've been suddenly thinking about Africa so much lately - it was exactly ONE year ago TODAY that I planted my foot on African soil for the first (and hopefully not last) time.

Sigh . . . . .

How about some trophy room pics, provided they've gotten to you yet!

quote:

Originally posted by RVL III:
How about some trophy room pics, provided they've gotten to you yet!

Sure thing!

Impala:




Springbok:




Warthog:




Baboon:




Kudu:






Oryx (guarding my liquor!)

You haven't told us when you're going to do your first buffalo hunt...

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:
You haven't told us when you're going to do your first buffalo hunt...

You bastard! Now I'm thinking about just that! My wife is practically MAKING me consider another hunt next year, since she caught me spending an inordinate amount of time recently looking back over all my videos, pics, etc. of my safari.

So, you'll probably see me back here soon asking all sorts of questions on where to go hunting next year.

JohnCrighton,

I remember how I enjoyed reading your posts last year when I was just booking my first African hunt. It's now less than 2 months away, and here I am smiling at pictures of your trophies from last year. I also am planning to go with Euro skullmounts, and yours look great. I especially love the rear part of the plaque on the Impala, the African continent shape. Nice work.

My report soon to come!

John

Hey Eric,

I'll be in Zimbabwe 90 days from today for buff and, hopefully, bushbuck and other targets of opportunity. I'll take good notes and share when I return.

I've also been thinking of a 2011 trip for sable or leopard. To keep peace in the house I'll have to skip a year and remodel the kitchen and bathrooms.

I've taken good care of your Tuffpak in case you need to use it.

ebm

Excellent! Glad you took the plunge - where are you going? Can't wait to read your report and see the pics!

quote:

Originally posted by jwm:
JohnCrighton,

I remember how I enjoyed reading your posts last year when I was just booking my first African hunt. It's now less than 2 months away, and here I am smiling at pictures of your trophies from last year. I also am planning to go with Euro skullmounts, and yours look great. I especially love the rear part of the plaque on the Impala, the African continent shape. Nice work.

My report soon to come!

John

OMG! I had forgotten all about that! Man, I wish I could afford a buff hunt, but . . . . well . . . . I might need to "borrow" that Tuffpak next year - believe it or not, my WIFE is . . . seriously considering . . . . COMING WITH ME! TO HUNT! I can't believe it either - maybe it was the booze yesterday, but I truly believe she may want to go with me next year and I couldn't be happier. So yes, I may just be renting that Tuffpak from you if you are open to the idea

And you had better take good notes and pics of your hunt!

quote:

Originally posted by Oday450:
Hey Eric,

I'll be in Zimbabwe 90 days from today for buff and, hopefully, bushbuck and other targets of opportunity. I'll take good notes and share when I return.

I've also been thinking of a 2011 trip for sable or leopard. To keep peace in the house I'll have to skip a year and remodel the kitchen and bathrooms.

I've taken good care of your Tuffpak in case you need to use it.

ebm

Eric,

Ten days for PG in Botswana, then a week in the Caprivi for buffalo.

There's no way this trip can live up to my expectations...but even halfway there will still be great!

John

quote:

Originally posted by jwm:
Eric,

Ten days for PG in Botswana, then a week in the Caprivi for buffalo.

There's no way this trip can live up to my expectations...but even halfway there will still be great!

John

Wow - that sounds like a BLAST! I can't wait to see the pics and read the report - enjoy!

Congrats on a great hunt and report.
Loved the kudu

John,

Great report and trophies. Really like the Impala mount.

I have been thinking about doing most, if not all, of the animals from my next trip as skull and horn mounts. After seeing yours I think that is the way to go.

Thanks,
Charles

I really did like the European mounts as well, plus it was mostly an affordability issue. However, after seeing my Impala, my wife said that IF she goes with me next time, she wants a shoulder mount of an impala. Just wish I could afford to hunt a black-nosed one!

quote:

Originally posted by CharlesL:
John,

Great report and trophies. Really like the Impala mount.

I have been thinking about doing most, if not all, of the animals from my next trip as skull and horn mounts. After seeing yours I think that is the way to go.

Thanks,
Charles