Don't forget to have fun !!!!!!!

This is a long story that I will try to make as brief as possible. 2006 found my buddy Blake and I headed to South Africa for the first time. During our adventure I had the mis fortune of shooting 8 times at the same Steenbuck over the course of 2 days.

Doing what hunting buddies do, Blake instantly dubbed me "Steenbuck Jim" as I relayed my story around the fire that night.

Fast forward to 2008 and Blake and I are headed back to Africa. Blake guides me over to the table for the first mornings meal and this is what I found on my seat. Hahaha.



Over the course of the next 10 days there were hats popping up all over camp. First was Steenbuck Jims PH ,Steenbuck Jims Tracker, Steenbuck Jims Cook, Steenbuck Jims Hunting Partner. Hahaha.

We leave camp at 3:30 am as we head across Africa to a distant location. After 4 hours of driving we pull into a gas station in the middle of nowhere. I walk into the store and grab a soda. When I go to pay the man behind the counter is wearing an "I KNOW STEENBUCK JIM " hat. I have to admit to Blake that he is the master prankster, this was pretty good.

After the brutal 39 hours of travel making my way back to Phoenix my loving Wife meets me at the airport with "STEENBUCK JIMS WIFE.

The summer of 2010 finds Blake and I on another adventure. After a succesful fishing trip on Alaska's Kenai river we sit down for a meal at a local restaurant. Blake and his Father remove their jackets to show off matching "I FISHED WITH STEENBUCK JIM" shirts.

Revenge is sweet.

2011 found Blake and I back in South Africa for the third time. Along with another awesome adventure came what I had been dreaming of. Blake missed. In fact Blake shot 7 times at the giant target known as a Black Wildebeest. My mind raced as Blake told his story around the campfire. Revenge truly is sweet.

My first prank to Blake was a phony newspaper article that I printed up talking about a Copper strike in South Africa.



Next I sent Blake a very nice plaque .



My third prank should get the word out and I hope Blake has to explain his nickname as often as I have. I had a story published in Blakes hometown paper. The Redfield Press.



My last prank will happen in just a few short weeks. With a little help I have been able to send "MR GNU OLSON'S STUDENT" hats to all the kids in Blakes class room. I even managed to get another 100 hats out to the school staff and others that want one. "I KNOW BLACK WILDEBEEST BLAKE"

The moral of the story. Have a great time in Africa but remember it could come back to bite you.

That's hilarious Jim! - Hey nice porcupine quill, those things are cool.

Now that is classic stuff. Good for both sides and a good reminder that it is the time spent and experiences as much as anything else. Sometimes that gets lost in inches and score.

Thanks guys. Africa really is fun. I am as guilty as any when it comes to feeling pressure on hunts here in Az but Africa is all about having fun. You will never have to open a gate ,change a flat tire, cook a meal, gut an animal or any of the dozens of other normal hunt details. Have fun.


Good to hear from you Kevin... Will I see you on the Strip this year ? By the way, I brought home like 40 of those quills.

That is some funny stuff right there . You guys pull out all ths stops when it comes to giving each other a hard time , but then again what are buddies for .

Hey Jim........ I mean Mr. Steenbuck (kidding). Yes I hope so that would be cool to meet up again. It sounds like you'll be there for sure, possibly with Chad? I have a buddy that drew in B and I have plans to spend a bunch of time up there scouting and picture taking.

You did better than me on bringing home quills. We found a dead one and I hid a few in the bottom of my camera bag not knowing if I would get in trouble trying to get them out of country.... wish I had brought more home.

Hope to see you up there this year Jim, I didn't go last year and it was painful for me to not be there.... been too long.