475/480,
I was only joking hence the smiley faces on my posts. When I'm ready to go I will do it on my own.
Or were you talking about another trip besides Russ's?

Jarrod,
475 is probably refering to a similar situation that took place two or three years ago involving another generous effort by Saeed that ended up with similar results.

Another person that Mr Saeed befriended a few years ago.

Sean

quote:

This kinda reminds me of the individual that Saeed gave a free trip to and basically did the same lame thing.

I remember an earlier incident, it was much different than this one. Pony up some facts, please. Russ does NOT equal Bill. JMHO.

I think they're referring to a one Mike Boyd who went to africa as Saeeds guest and behaved like your worst brother-in-law.

quote:

Originally posted by McCray:
I think they're referring to a one Mike Boyd who went to africa as Saeeds guest and behaved like your worst brother-in-law.

Your right! Too many Aholes to keep the names straight!! Rest of comment stands as is.

Russell,
First you empty your bladder on Bill Ruger's grave, and now this?

I have stayed out of this until now, but for those who want "the rest of the story", buffalo and all, refer to JudgeG's comment in "The Time is Now" posted on the African Hunter Forum. I was there, and will answer PM's if anyone wishes. My only comment is that in the future if Saeed and others decide to give a hunt away, make sure that the person receiving such an amazing honor is deserving of it, and appreciates what they are being given. There is a difference between someone who tries their best and fails, and someone who fails because they didn't try. 'Nuff said.

A direct link to the topic The Time is Now read all the way through the post as there are several comments from JudgeG.

Regards,

Terry

After reading both topics all I can say is WOW

If Russell is an example of the type of Officers our Military is using in Iraq it makes me want to puke, and cry.

Last Saturday I went to a Special Forces Reunion/Party. There were 80 some guys and six gals there that were all in some branch of Special Forces or invited by members. You had to have a Purple Heart to attend and the gathering included two Medal of Honor winners, one from 'Nam and one from WWII.

There were people with missing limbs, liftime scars, psycholgical problems and all the rest of the problems you would expect. One old fellow had his Grandaughter bring him as he is almost blind and in his late 80's.

Not one of them did as much whinning and shifting of blame in the entire day and night as Russell has done here on this post.

Russell you owe everyone on AR that helped to make that trip possible a Very Sincere Apology. "I paid for the Airfare" is a direct insult to everyone here who chipped in without even knowing you. You particularly owe an apology to the Judge and to the others on the trip that had to bail your stupid ass out of your own financial troubles.

It would appear that the reports on your Montana Hunt were not exaggerated but played down.

Mickey1:

Try and keep in mind that 1/2 of all military officer, just like presidents and outdoor writers, are below average. I have a several classmates serving in Iraq and I can guarantee that they don't act like this guy.

I didn't even know this whole thing was going on...why a LTC anyway? Why not an E4? When I was in the army, officers stood last in the chow line, not first.

quote:

Originally posted by Mickey1:
If Russell is an example of the type of Officers our Military is using in Iraq it makes me want to puke, and cry.

Although some of us share your sentiments, I caution you not to paint all of us that served or are currently still serving, with the same broad brush...... jorge

PS: What happened in Montana?

WOW!! In an attempt to be open minded, perhaps it can be said the "the level of expectations exceeded the level of performance", or something like that? Best to all!!!

Kind of like getting an invite to Augusta National and showing up with cut-offs and flip flops and plunking down a stolen range ball, red stripe and all.

And, yes, I still have my sense of humor.

Let's just let this thing die. I vented my spleen and see no further use kicking someone when they are down. I'm going to not lose faith in people. I'd do the same thing all over, btw... but next time I'll try to lead better.... and maybe Russell has learned something from all of this.

And so the sifting process continues......

As it says in the Bible, "You shall know them by their works"...........

AD

The doing of pleasant deeds calls for people of a pleasant nature.

quote:

As it says in the Bible, "You shall know them by their works".

Allen,
With some people on here that is ever so true.

Something is starting to bother me here. I'm not sure what it is, but it is bothering me. A guy is being criticized because of what? How about you quit beating around the bush and be specific about what exactly Russell did or didn't do that pissed you all off?

Let me see if I got this straight. This was the guy's first trip to Africa? Right or wrong?
If it was mine, and I was going to be traveling with a bunch of experts on the subject, I might expect that they would help me out by giving me a list of stuff I should take, and extensive advice on how to get in shape. I do this for the guys who travel with me. I also give them a heads up on what to expect from customs, the TSA, and anyone else that might be encountered in the way of idiots who might throw a monkey wrench into the process. This includes the amount of ammo to take, how much cash to carry, what credit cards are likely to be accepted and those that are not, what will be expected in the way of a tip, how to pack ammo and rifles, and a whole lot more. See, I figure that if I am the one planning the trip, I have a responsibility to those who might not have the amount of time to do this that I do.

Now, as to physical conditioning, I don't pretend to be the most physically fit of the bunch. Maybe not even close. I try to get this 63 (pushing 64 with a D-9 Cat) year old body in as good shape as possible. Stuff happens. Ankles get sprained, muscles pulled, knees go out, bones get broken. I took an ex marine on a hunt in New Mexico, and he was dead, frazzle azzed beat after the first day in the mountains chasing elk. He gave it the best he had, but it wasn't good enough to get a nice elk and he settled for a small bull in a pasture and a 3 point mule deer buck. The guy still calls me and tells me what a great time he had.

I guess what I'm trying to say, and perhaps not too well, is that we aren't all perfect, especially the younger ones who haven't been around long enough to have achieved perfection like the rest of us (LOL). I donated money to this cause, and I bought rifle tickets. I don't feel that I wasted a dime. If you do, don't do it ever again, but give the guy a break. He might have done some dumb things, but did you do all you could have to make sure he was prepared? If you did, more power to ya.

I DEFINITELY agree with patrkyhntr .......
You all sound like you'd like to crucify Russell. It was his first safari to Africa, he used a little poor judgement, and, like ALL of us, made some mistakes. But, I don't think he's changed totally from the guy that all of you thought deserved the trip a month or so ago. So how about laying off the guy ....... he's been punished enough ........

And, yes, I contributed to the gun raffle, and am still glad I did.

quote:

I didn't even know this whole thing was going on... Why a LTC anyway? Why not an E4? When I was in the army, officers stood last in the chow line, not first.

AnotherAZWriter,
can your be more specific as to what you mean exactly by Why a LTC anyway? Why not an E4?

patrkyhntr and frank:

Let's just let this thing die. I vented my spleen and see no further use kicking someone when they are down. I'm going to not lose faith in people. I'd do the same thing all over, btw... but next time I'll try to lead better.... and maybe Russell has learned something from all of this.

The above quote by me was several posts before yours. I'll say the below and then "I shall make war no more, forever".

Maybe you missed a post or the thread over at "The time is now". Patrkyhntr, all of your suggestions were followed in spades... they were just ignored. And all of that would have never been mentioned if he didn't insinuate or blame others for his screw ups or gripe about paying his debts while the whole time he had a very expensive trip to Thunder Ranch the very next week.

In any event, you are welcome to your opinions... for that is what they are. I had the experience. I shall just take a while off the forum and chill.

Let me add one more comment: I do agree with 500grains - Russell should reimburse the judge for his extra expenditures over & above the initial offerings .....

quote:

Maybe you missed a post or the thread over at "The time is now". Patrkyhntr, all of your suggestions were followed in spades... they were just ignored. And all of that would have never been mentioned if he didn't insinuate or blame others for his screw ups or gripe about paying his debts while the whole time he had a very expensive trip to Thunder Ranch the very next week.

I missed more than a post or two, Judge G. Nothing in my post was intended to disparage you or the things you did to make this happen. I was responding to this thread, and this thread only. I agree that we should let this thing die. Since I didn't know the whole story, I will make no more comments about it. Suffice it to say that those of us who donated to this effort thought it to be worthwhile. Regardless of the outcome, I still think the intentions were noble. Perhaps the outcome less than that?

Knowing what I know about you from reading your posts on these boards, I would love to go on a hunt with you sometime, and hope nothing I said or posted would prejudice you against me so that would now be impossible. My opinion is that you are a class act that others would do well to emulate, perhaps myself included.

quote:

Originally posted by Jarrod:

quote:

I didn't even know this whole thing was going on... Why a LTC anyway? Why not an E4? When I was in the army, officers stood last in the chow line, not first.

AnotherAZWriter,
can your be more specific as to what you mean exactly by Why a LTC anyway? Why not an E4?

Jarrod:

Not sure what you are looking for but...

Senior officers, while not rich, make more than the average Joe. E4s, who are junior enlisted, make less than the average Joe. To wit: Jorge, who I am guessing is a senior naval officer, recently went on a safari. Now I don't know if Jorge is a flag officer or not, but even if he is, he doesn't make a quarter million per year. But still, he paid for his hunt, and others before.

Junior enlisted soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, make a lot less, and if you include Naval corpsmen, they all face flying bullets more often than officers.

In the army, there is a mentality that you always take care of your men. Typically, the senior non-commissioned officers do this. The officers role is to lead and know tactics, and above all else, make sure that the troops have what they need to get the job done. If that means skipping chow to feed those doing the work, then that is what you do.

On more thing Jarrod: anyone in the army can be a leader but leaders have one thing in common: they just suck it up and drive on.

I have to admit I got a little upset with Russ on his remarks in his posts about not wanting to go there with his buffalo as I knew the real deal, but felt it gave bad vibes towards Pierre, and the part about the airfare and a couple of other things that took place disturbed me.

However, on second thought I have to apoligize to Russ, because in my books when you give something to someone it is without conditions...

Therefore Russel, I humbly apoligize to you for my behavior.....

Ray, I don't always agree with you and this is another time. I don't feel there is any need to apoligize for what you said. There were alot of folks here that donated to see to it Russ, had the trip of a lifetime. It appears that he would not listen to the advice of the old timers that had been there and knew the ropes and then try to put the blame on anyone but himself. To top it all off, to go across the big pond and land with only $130.00 in your pocket I'm sure Ray, you have a jackass on the ranch that's smarter than that

AnotherAZWriter,
I'm well aware that E4s make less than the average Joe. I've only been out a year and a half and I was enlisted.
Why a LTC? Why not an E4? I completely misinterperted that.
I took it as why would a LTC act that way but it would be normal for an E4 sorry about that. In the army in Iraq or anywhere else that I was I saw plenty of idiots both enlisted and officers

Jimmy,
I donated as much or more than most, but I did so in good faith and "without conditions"..to apoligize was my choice and no one elses IMO..

Your sure welcome to disagree but that doesn't change a thing...I just don't have the time or where to fore to concern myself with things that I have no control over..I gotta go rope with my grandson...

Lots of lessons to be learned here for everyone involved, and it should be a wake up call for anyone intending to go on safari. This is surely a classic example of how not to go about things.

quote:

Originally posted by Jarrod:
AnotherAZWriter,
I'm well aware that E4s make less than the average Joe. I've only been out a year and a half and I was enlisted.
Why a LTC? Why not an E4? I completely misinterperted that.
I took it as why would a LTC act that way but it would be normal for an E4 sorry about that. In the army in Iraq or anywhere else that I was I saw plenty of idiots both enlisted and officers

Hey Jarrod:

Jeez, I know I can sometimes act like a jerk, but I am not a complete jerk! You have me laughing!

My point was that if anyone should get a free hunt, it is an enlisted guy who faced flying bullets, not an officer. But that is just my opinion, and I didn't contribute to this - didn't even know it was going on.

Thanks for serving.

I am still planning my first trip and yes indeed I have learned a bunch from this little piece of life we have been honored to share.
Frank

quote:

Originally posted by Frank Martinez:
I am still planning my first trip and yes indeed I have learned a bunch from this little piece of life we have been honored to share.
Frank

So Frank, what kind of sleeping bag are you taking?

No good deed goes unpunished indeed.

My favorite part was the man blaming the bag's design for his losing the keys to the Tuffpak. Or then again maybe it was the bit about being light because he had to pay the tolls and buy lunch. Arrived with $90 to Africa? LOL!

The incomprehendable balls it takes to slap the faces of all that have been generous and kind is what really blows me away. Is this guy for real? This is a bit of a pigpile I realize, but after what I read by Russ I just couldn't not light up a torch and join the mob!

quote:

So Frank, what kind of sleeping bag are you taking?

quote:

Originally posted by M16:
[QUOTE]So Frank, what kind of sleeping bag are you taking?

So the guy thought he needed his blankie, big deal. It's the air mattress/life raft that still has me in stitches!

OK, I'll stop now.

quote:

Originally posted by Mickey1:

So Frank, what kind of sleeping bag are you taking?

Sean

So Frank, what kind of sleeping bag are you taking?



Yes indeed. I actually remember seeing a video where the camp was set up in the bush with mattresses et. all. Unfortunately I have also seen stories of Hyena coming into camp and trying to remove people sleeping in the open.

I doubt a bag will be needed but all mine have a key pocket. I know having waited another year to book I will be very prepared.
Frank

quote:

Originally posted by Mickey1:

quote:

Originally posted by Frank Martinez:
I am still planning my first trip and yes indeed I have learned a bunch from this little piece of life we have been honored to share.
Frank

So Frank, what kind of sleeping bag are you taking?

Now that's a classic.

I am sure that one'll see some use around here for a while.

Hopefully Terry will update his tips and packing list with a "What not to do" section.

Cheers,
Canuck