African Trails- Hunt Report

LAST EDITED ON Jul-21-11 AT 00:49AM (MST)[p]Some dream of hunting Alaska, others the Yukon, many a certain state. Mine was to hunt Africa. I'll be the first to admit that this has not always been the case. However, over the past few years, I started to think about it.

Actually, after reading a few posts on MM's over the past few years, I became even more determined. I will say that after reading a report by "Blank" on his trip to Africa, I was convinced I would eventually go.

I spent the the last three years going to different booths at the Hunt Expo and spoke with several Outfitters about going. Most seemed very good. However, I still couldn't make up my mind as to when I could actually go. There are always things that seem to get in the way. My biggest concerns were time and money.

Fast forward to last October. My best friend unexpectedly passed on a deer hunting trip at the age of 39. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. He lived a great life and always took care of his family. He also always found some time to make it on a few hunts every year as well. Right before his death, he went on his dream grizz hunt.

As a few months passed by, I decided I was not going to wait any longer to go on this hunt. With what had happened, I decided now was the best to go. I had pretty much made up my mind about an Outfitter around January of this year.

I was still a little uneasy about it and held off making the commitment. As February came, I left for a NM Oryx hunt and spent a few days hunting with "stinkystomper". Without knowing I was even interested in hunting Africa, he asked if I was interested in a hunt. I said I was and he referred me to an Outfitter he had talked to.

As soon as I got home, I called the Outfitter. Without going into detail, this Outfitter answered all my questions and concerns. I could immediately tell he loved to hunt and had a great operation.

He only had open dates for the year, so me and my wife decided we would go the first part of July. It was a little stressfull getting everything ready- passports, gun registrations, etc. But is wasn't too bad. We used travelwithguns.com to help us with airline tickets and paperwork and they were nothing short of amazing to work with.

We left that Saturday morning, July 2nd from Salt Lake City. The gun check in, was easy and went well. I was glad we went with Delta. We flew to Atlanta and had a few hours Layover. We then took a direct 14-15 hour flight to Johannesburg.

We finally arrived and we were TIRED! However, we were excited just the same. As promised, our Outfitter was there waiting for us. After a quick introduction, we were off to retrieve our guns. We picked them up, and were off to the lodge.

This being my first guided hunt, I wasn't sure what to expect. We finally arrived, and I could see that we were going to be well taken care of. This was going to be a little different than staying in my wall tent!

We quickly went to sleep and were excited to wake up the next morning and start hunting. About 7:00 the next morning we heard a knocking on our door. Our PH, who is also the Outfitter, said "Welcome to Africa"! I was still having a hard time believing we were actually doing this.

After a quick breakfast, we left. It was surprisingly cold than I thought. Werner, our PH said that there wouldn't be a lot of animals moving. I saw a cow Kudu, and we saw a few other animals. About an hour into our hunt, we saw a single warthog. To my surprise, Werner immediately said "Shoot it"!
It was facing me at only about 75 yards. I can't tell you how strange it was to be resting my crosshairs on a warthog. I aimed to the left side of its chest and fired. It immediately took off running. We started tracking and it wasn't long until I had my first African animal.

After some pic's and a few handshakes, we were back hunting. We soon saw a blesbok. Werner was excited and said it was huge. It was walking slowly away from us. He said shoot it right in the back. I shot and its head immediately dropped. However, it kept going. I shot two more shots. I missed and was disgusted with myself. Werner said I missed, so we started again. The rested of the day was uneventfull for the most part. Then, about 15 mminutes before dark, we saw some zebra and waterbuck standing. We quickly found the right zebra and i rested my crosshairs low on its front shoulder. I fired and it immediately went down. I couldnt't have been happier with the zebra.

It had been a long day. However, being as the time was 8 hours ahead of mountain time, I slept very little that night. However, that didn't stop us from being ready the next morning. A short time after getting started, we came upon some blue wildabeest. It was an animal I thought would be easy to hunt. I was wrong, they were some of the most skittish animals that we hunted on our trip. The herd finally stopped and Werner was having a hard time picking one out. He finally said: "shoot that one" I fired, and it ran about 50 yards and dropped. We got there and it was a cow. He knew he was taking a chance when he told me to shoot. However, I guess you can do that when you are the owner. He said I guess that ones free. It will be leopard bait for a future hunter.

We hunted the rest of the day. Once again, as it was getting dark, I had another shot. We saw this steenbuck and after a quick shot, we had our second animal for the day.

The next day, would be our best- so far. We had barely started and it was my wifes turn. She fired, and harvested the second animal of her short hunting career; a nice warthog. It was a perfect shot and it dropped in its tracks. Of course, Werner reminded me that my warthog ran a ways before it dropped.

We took the warthog to be skinned and quickly returned. We hadn't gone far when we saw a great blesbok. I fired, and it went a few yards and dropped. My wife had the camera before I shot and took a quick pick before I shot:

Amazingly, it was the blesbok we thought I had missed. I had shot a few inches high and took out a big part of its neck. I have know idea how it lived. I'm sure it only had a few hours of life left. Whats amazing is that it was about 1.5 from were we first saw it. It was so brushy and thick on this ranch, its a miracle we found it. My blesbok:

We dropped it off, and quickly found our last animal for the day. After a short stalk, I thought we had lost them. Werner found the imapala and said shoot. Although just an average ram, I was glad to have taken it:

The next day didn't go as well. However, we saw a much bigger impala than the previous day. I was surprised when he said "shoot". So, what did I do? I shot lol... I was very happy with this impala:

We were tired and ready to get back to eat. I'll readily say that the food was much better here, than when I am cooking at elk camp! One of our great meals:

Next day would prove to be our best. It was nothing short of amazing; one that I will always remember. Without going into too much detail I'll post the animals in order that they were taken.
My Duiker:

My wifes impala:

My Bushbuck:

My Nyala:

My wifes 2nd warthog:

And finally, my favorite trophy- My Kudu:

Another pic of my kudu:

The next few days of hunting were tougher. I was able, the next day after shooting my Kudu, take this baboon. It will also be my last, most likely. I'm probably a little weird, but a baboon is just a little over the top for me lol... My wife wouldn't even look at it:

Werner was doing his best to find a bull Wildabeest. I was happy with what I had but he persisted. Evertime we would find them, they would blow out of the country. We finally got a herd to stop. Again, it was hard to determine the size. I told Werner the one I was looking at was considerably larger than the other two. He took another chance and said "shoot". I fired, and could tell it was a good hit. It should of went down sooner IMO, but it didn't. The so called "Premium" bullets I took were not performing as advertised. But thats a whole different story.
However, my shot was a little high.
After about 15 minutes of tracking we found it. It was a bull. It wasn't huge, but it was a nice average bull.

As I said the hunting conditions were tougher the last week. My wife missed a monster gemsbok and I felt really bad for her. It was the one animal she really wanted to get. We spent two more days hunting and tracking them all day. We had a few close calls but could never get a clear shot.

The last animal we were after was an eland. We hunted them for two days and only saw one cow. Werner, easily talked me into staying for two extra days in order to keep hunting for the eland. My wife agreed, and we called our travel agent and he quickly changed our flight.

We were down to the last day and Werner got us permission to hunt his friends ranch. He was more obsessed than me, to get one. We started that morning, and after an hour or two, Werner saw something. I assumed he meant an eland because that is what we were hunting. I didn't hear him say "caracal". He was going crazy trying to get me to shoot. I finally saw it, shot and missed. I was sick. It was at or near the top of my wish list.

For those that have hunted for them, they will tell you how rare it is to see one in the day. Werner had only seen 2, in two years... Oh well, on with the hunt...

We finally found eland; about 40 of them. I could not believe how they could run. They would never stop. When we would get close, they would bunch up and move together. We could not get a clear shot. We followed them, and followed them. I was tired and had just about given up. We finally saw them again as the sun was getting close to setting.

The only clear shot was at a huge cow. The cows have long horns, that are not as heavy as the bulls. We were sure it was taking this, or not getting an eland. I really wanted one, so I decided to take it. It was about 200 yards away, slighlty quartering away. I fired, and it tried to keep up with the herd, but soon fell.

We got to it and Werner showed me its teeth. The front teeth were loose and it definately had been near the end of its life. I felt fortunate to take it:


Our trip exceeded all our expectations and I am already planning my return in 3 years. It was easily, the best hunting trip of my life. With all the fun hunts I have been on, nothing compares (with what I have hunted) to Africa IMO.

I can't say enough good about our PH and Outfitter. Great hunter, great host, and a great person. I have him talked into coming to the Expo in Salt Lake this year and will be excited to talk to him again.

Hope you enjoyed the pic's and thanks for looking..

WOW , one of the best hunting reports I have read on here for a long time . The pictures are all great , and I felt like I was part of the hunt .

Congrats on what sounds like a hunt of a lifetime . I have kicked the Africa thing around for a while , but I have been leary of the whole deal of shipping the trophies home . Will it be a while before you get the trophies shipped home ?

Your write up has inspired me to actually do some serious checking out the option of hunting Africa .

LAST EDITED ON Jul-21-11 AT 03:35AM (MST)[p]To cool Woody!

Real nice animals for you guys.

congrats

Robb

I too have kicked around the Africa thing. Im getting closer to doing it.

Nice Job woodruff & Ms woodruff!

Looks like you were having a bunch of Fun!

I recognize the one Rifle,but what caliber is the other Rifle & what Bullets were you using?

Nice Job!

For GAWDS Sakes Guys,We Got Kids on this Site,Some of them are 65 years Old!

I don't care if they're big or small!
If they throw lead I like em all!

Ruff, That was a really nice hunt report, Well Done!

I too had question of your rifle. Kinda looks like a Browning White Gold Medallion? What cartridge and loading did you use?

Congrats on your trip!!

Joey

What a great report. Thank you for sharing it with us. Your story and pictures get me real excited. I head out in a month to Namibia to hunt. I cannot wait.

You guys did a lot of shooting!! Congrats on the animals, looks like you had a great time. It's hard not to in Africa!!

Thanks for sharing the story and pictures.

LAST EDITED ON Jul-21-11 AT 10:32AM (MST)[p]Bessy:

My other gun was a Benelli Nova shotgun. There were doves, grouse, and guinea hens everywhere. Unfortunately, we ran out of time and didn't use it.

I'll let you know on the bullets. I called the manufacturer and am giving them a week for a good explanation. The bullet on my eland exploded on impact, and as I said on the heavier game, the bullets where pass throughs.

Joey:

You are right; it's a browning white gold medallion. I was shooting 180 grain in a 300 win mag.

Thanks for the nice comments.

That was one Outstanding hunt report along with some Great Photos....Now I'm really envious that I wasn't able to make the trip with you.

Congratulations Jason to you and your wife for following your dreams and fullfilling an Adventure of a Lifetime!!

Hmmm.....3 years, huh!

KP

Looks like FUN!!
My wife said you guys had shot a few animals but I never thought you would get that many! Great job!!

Congrats Woody and Mrs. Woody! A hunt and experience of a lifetime. Great pictures. story, and memories.

Very nice report Woodruff. There really is alot of value in those plains game hunts. Every hunter should get to experience Africa.

Awesome write up and amazing trip. Thanks for taking the time to share it with all of us!

WOODRUFF.........(JUST WALKED IN THE DOOR). NICE TRIP REPORT & SOME AMAZING TROPHYS TO BOOT. SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS THE PH & OUTFIT FOR THE FUTURE. MY WIFE NEEDS TO SEE THIS ...HOW FAR IS JOBERG FROM YOUR HUNTING AREA ????...I WILL BE IN TOUCH......YD.

Yukon:

It's about a 3-4 hour drive from Jo-berg.
We hunted the Limpopo region of SA.

I have several hundred pics I can email you
if you would like. I have many more of the scenery, lodge, and hunt.

I will never even consider hunting with another Outfitter. He has hunts for all plains game and also the big 5.

Great Hunt and a wonderful report. Looks like the trip of a lifetime. Thanks for sharing it with us.

very nice! looks like you made the most of the trip.

You should post a link to web site for the outfitter.

very interested to hear what bullets and more information on what happened specifically with them.

Awesome hunt, I really cant wait now I am booked to go next May, I cant hardly wait.

Great trip report and wonderful photos! Some really nice trophies there. It is a real kick to finally hunt Africa, and it fulfills so many dreams that you just have to pince yourself to believe you're really doing it. Sure is nice to be spoiled once in a while on a hunt.

My kids are driving me crazy with jealousy - oldest son went for two months videoing hunts in Namibia, then daughter-in-law relieved him for the next two months. Son of a gun, he's going again for another month to film elephant and leopard! I can't go again until May next year with Predator, and we have to live thru their pictures and stories.

Enjoy the memories, and congrats again!

Congratulations on a wonderful trip. Now that you have taken the plunge you will never be the same. Good luck waiting three years. I only made it one year after my first trip before I returned. Despite all the fears and apprehension, these are some of the easist hunts to book and enjoy on the planet. I love having my wife and family on these hunts to share the experience.
Bill

Awesome Woody!!!! I am really happy for you and your wife. What a neat thing to experience together. I may have to pick your brain on this one. This is on my bucket list as well.


It's always an adventure!!!

Foundation:

Sorry, I forgot to answer your question. It will take about 5 months to get here. Our Outfitter insisted that I watch him tag my capes and horns while I watched. This would help guarantee that I was getting my own animals.

It's cheaper to have the zebra rug tanned and made into a rug there. However, I will have my Taxidermist "kevinp" do the work on the states. The taxidermy is know doubt better here and worth the extra cost.

Our Outfitter also had the guy that would ship and prep the capes and horns, come and meet and talk with me personally towards the end if the hunt. I have no worries that it won't be too much if a problem getting everything.

I must be about 5 years behind you in my thought process. Africa has never really been one I think about, but shoot, after a post like that with all those great pics and commentary I can see how this would be an incredible time. That's just awesome you were able to experiece what you've been looking forward to for so many years, and your wife along too I'm sure made it that much more awesome.

I'm guessing you have many more pics? I'd love to see more. Camp, country, food, locals.

FORKWEST......+1.....I AM IN THE SAME BOAT YOU ARE AFTER SEEING WOODRUFF & A FEW OTHERS HAVE GREAT TRIPS TO AFRICA. I AM GATHERING AS MUCH INFO. AS POSSIBLE. PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO SAY , CANT WAIT TO GO BACK, SHOULD HAVE GONE EARLIER, ECT. HAVE NOT RUN INTO ANYBODY THATS HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE....GOOD LUCK....YD.

Forkwest/Yukon:

You will love Africa.

I'm sure I might ruffle a few feathers, and this is only my opinion, but there is not one le hunt in North America (Sheep included), that I'd trade for Africa. But again, that's just me.

I'll be sure to post some more pics when I return from being out of town.

Good post wood. Don't forget to have werner email me on what he can quote me for a solid leopard for next year. I mainly want to know if the poaching problems they have in the natal area are as bad as his place. If they aren't Im up for a leopard hunt in his area. If the poaching is bad I will go for a CAR wilderness cat hunt. Just have him let me know man.

Congrats on a great hunt. I have been home from the Dark Continent for 10 days and just to busy at work to even look at the site.

I will say my trip was totally and absolutely amazing. I was fortunate and took 16 animals in 10 days and I did not shoot anything average, young or below average. My PH was top notch in every way and words cannot describe how incredible it really was.

I am already planning a safari in 2013 for Buff and Plains Game. I am addicted to Africa.

My days in AK and Canada are limited at this point as Africa is so above and beyond anything that I expected. Words cannot describe the experience.

I have posted the pictures and stories of my 16 animals on my buddies site as I assume that this site would not like sixteen seperate posts regarding Africa animals. I would post them if given the okay. Not sure where to post on here since there is not an Africa forum.

If you want to see pics and stuff go to the AFRICA forum on www.gettinstokedoutdoors.com

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Moderator, where can I post a bunch of pics and stories on here? Basically I put the story and the pics for each and every animal that I took.

Woodruff, I would love to chat with you some time and compare notes. That place is so so amazing.

Tony:

Poaching is a problem, but I wouldn't hesitate doing it. I'll get you some info.

Littlejoe:

Yeah, call me sometime. I think everyone else is growing tired of my stories lol..

Yeah!.....I can certainly see a Leopard hunt in my future!!!.....After seeing and reading about Woodfuffhunter's and Stinkey's adventures...now I'm really pumped!

KP

......also Littlejoe's account of his adventure.....Very well written with excellent photo's...everyone should check it out on the website he provided...

Well done Guy's!

KP

It was absolutely incredible. I would recommend that you don't go. Once you go; you'll be addicted. I was planning my return trip before I even left. I have been fortunate to hunt AK and in Canada and they now pale in comparison to the Dark Continent. Cannot describe why really but it is just something special about that place. Consider I did not get my luggage until Day 8 of a 10 Day hunt and had to borrow clothes, rifle, ammo, etc and then it got lost coming home as well and it was still the most incredible trip I have ever been on.

Before we came home I was thinking about how many Kudu bulls we saw before I finally pulled the trigger on one on Day 9 and we figured we saw at least 300+ before I shot one. That is not a typo. The Rudman's are known to have the best Kudu hunting in the world but we saw hundreds of Impala and Blesbok as well. Just amazing.

Ok, I normally don't like to hijack a thread but on the last day of my sable hunt in Zambia I saw a sable I know is bigger than the one I saw. We caught him out in the open and I had my canon d50 ready the second we saw him. I got lots of pictures as he ran for the 12 foot grass. I begged my ph to let me shoot and I even offered double payment from the normal rate and he wouldn't budge. The reason this is so incredible is because I shot a 48" sable that will officially be the new #16 in the world sci. My ph has been going back as much as he can to keep tabs on this sable and estimates he is at the 50" mark. Since sable are highly territorial he doubts he will move to a new area before next year and if he does it wont be far. He thinks we have an excellent chance at this sable and he isn't taking another sable hunter in there before me. I drool over his pictures every night and can't wait for the day when I take my wife back to zambia next year for her shot at a monster sable.

What do you africa guys think of this sable?




Hey woody, why don't you talk ol found into puttin us up an africa forum so we can talk about some black horn porn!

That sable is amazing Tony. We saw a few on our trip and my wife really thought they were amazing. She even inquired about the cost of hunting one. After, I told her, she decided that just looking at them would suffice lol....

I PMed Founder about a month ago about an Africa Forum. I wish he would do it. I'd love to see it happen.

Joe: Were you hunting Eastern Cape or Greater Kudu?? What was the horn length, if you don't mind me asking?

That's really nice Woody! Excellent accout of your time in Africa. Everybody who goes seems to really love it! I suppose it would be the same for me too. To make a trip like that happen, I guess you take one step at a time and eventually it all comes together.

Hunting Africa for me would be kind of like my very first duck hunt. I would have to just shoot what the PH said to shoot and then get the identification book out to see what the name is.

Did you get to at least sample all the animals you shot? What was the best eating?

Eel

We tried Kudu, Springbuck, Warthog, and Bush Pig to name a few. Without question the Kudu was the best I had. Excellent.

Amazing how we all have different dreams and goals in Africa. My next adventure has to be Buff and Hippo. Not sure why but I have that addiction. Lots of my buddies think I am crazy as Sable is not very high up the list at all. Not sure why.

I was hunting Eastern Cape Kudu and they are the smallest of the lot. The absolute magic number for an Eastern Cape Kudu is 50" and my big one taped just barely under 50" and the other one was 47" and change. The bigger will be in the top handful they shoot this year. They literally have as many Kudu as Impala and that is alot. They are known for their Kudu.

The Rudman's own/operate Blaauwkrantz which is about an hour south of Port Elizabeth.

Eel, once you know you are going you will do a bunch of research on what you are after and gain a lot of knowledge before you ever hit the ground. I had not heard of a Vaal Rhebuck until I was going and by the time I got there they were high on my list and I shot an incredible one.

So what does a trip like this cost for everything. Airline Tickets,animals fees,Price of hunt,tips,transportion while in Africa ect. Waht was the bottom line price for all you guy that have done Africa. Thanks

The pictures are great, Wish there was a africa forum too.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

Costs just depend. There is a daily rate of around $400 plus per day and then a fee per each trophy. Just depends on what you shoot and the fee associated with it. You can spenk 7k or 100k just depends on what you want, where, etc.

It is addicting; don't go unless you want to be addicted and consumed by it.

Here are a few random pic's that I think turned out pretty good. We took a lot of non-hunting pics as well. Including, The lodge, a kudu cow, termite mound, leopard, guinea fowl, etc..

Thanks for the extra Pics you sent me woodruff!

Seeing some of the Cats up close woulda been neat!

You think about shooting any of them?

I've read many Stories about the Poaching in Africa,and the JACKASSES doing it are getting very little for it,but the middle man & on up are raking in big money!

For GAWDS Sakes Guys,We Got Kids on this Site,Some of them are 65 years Old!

I don't care if they're big or small!
If they throw lead I like em all!

B-BOP:

I'd love to shoot a leopard. But, if I would have, I would have called you to wire me some money lol...

There is a poaching problem there as well. They also have idiots. Sometimes, they will just shoot them and leave them to rot. I think a giraffe was poached right before we got there.

They also have environmental wackos as well. We saw first hand an impala kill by wild dogs. But, they are protected. Our PH felt the same way about them as we do about wolves!!!

I was so thankful that my PH and Tracker were as anal about pictures as I am. On every animal they had to be positioned just perfect, all the blood cleaned off, nose and mouth cleaned and for sure the bullet hole cleaned. Took dozens of pics of the animals and got a handful of good ones on each animal.

I think the scenery and live animal photos are just as important as the trophy photos. I think I have over 1,000 or so pics from my trip.

I also kept a daily journal which I am very thankful that I did.

I am now making a photo book in Shuttefly for me, my folks, etc. With an explanation of each animal, etc.

I also paid to have a cameraman on this hunt for me and my partner and in hindsight it is probably about the best money that I spent. They just charged a daily fee as they are from S. Africa and we got all 16 kills on film and my partner got all 14 as well. I am very excited to see the edited copy and get to keep the original tapes as well. It helps bring Africa to those that were not there.

Stinky and Woodruff, I have read your posts but remind me what you guys took on your safari.

I took the following:

Warthog
Black Wildebeest
Impala
Blesbuck
Nyala
Zebra (2)
Blue Wildebeest
Mountain Reedbuck
Vaal Rhebuck
Cape Bushbuck
Kudu (2)
Brown Bush Duiker
Cape Grysbok
Common Springbuck

I did not take the first of any species that I saw. We looked long and hard before pulling the trigger on anything. In fact I had a couple of days that I took nothing.

My buddy took the following:

Impala
Blesbuck
White Blesbuck
Eland
Zebra (2)
Warthog
Kudu (2)
Nyala
Common Springbuck
Black Wildebeest
Mtn Reedbuck
Cape Bushbuck

Ok lets see if I can remember this right.

My youngest son (2) with my help of course shot
impala
warthog
bushpig

My daughter (4) with my help also shot
impala
warthog

My oldest son clay(12)
kudu
blesbuck
impala
warthog
vervet monkey(6+)
genet cat
duiker

Wife
leopard 165lb female
kudu
nyala
duiker
warthog (2)
vervet monkey(lots)
impala

stinkystomper
sable
ostrich
bone zebra
livingston eland
vervet monkey (12+)
genet cat
nyala (2)
bushbuck
bushpig (3)
defasau waterbuck

so the total is 29 animals plus a couple of families of monkeys

Wow!...Looks like you can keep the Barrel warm in Africa....

I'm hoping for 1 sheep and maybe 1 Moose in the Yukon this fall. I imagine I'll have plenty of time for the barrel to cool down between animals!... LOL!

Once again, Congrats to Woody and his wife, Stinky and the Family and also Littlejoe, on your African Adventures!

KP

Stinky, very nice. What a trip of a lifetime that you will never ever forget. We saw a ton of monkeys as well but were always in pursuit of something and he told me to pass. Saw some baboons as well but none in range and we did not pursue because we were pursuing something else as well. What a noise they make and can be heard from miles away.

Did you see and kill the Bushpigs during the day? Where we were at the Bushpig, Steenbuck, and Cape Grysbok were never seen during the day.

Who did you hunt with?

I am looking into my next trip right now. Most likely either Zimbabwe, Zambia or Namibia. Doubtful on Namibia as they don't have Cape Buff and that is at the top of the list right now but there are some very fine plains game in Namibia that I want to hunt as well.

I would love to hunt Tanzania but it is just to much money to the govt at this point that I will doubt it will ever happen. Can go to all the other places combined for the price of one
Tanzania trip.

Wood....congrats on your success. In the middle of your hunt description and photos was thinking about posting the ?? "when are you going back" seems you answered that later in your post....LOL. Seems verrrry few only go once.

from the "Heartland of Wyoming"

Ha Ha, yeah, I guess I did answer the question Kilbuc. I was warned that very few only go once.

I am really hoping to go in three years. I have a couple of friends that want to go with me and I would also like to take my sons and dad. I told my sons that if they bought their plane ticket, I'd buy their hunt. We will see how it works out.

As much fun as we had, it would be also great to share the experience with friends and more family.

This trip ruined my Book Cliffs hunt lol... I need to try and concetrate on it now!

Woodruff, I agree. I am consumed by that place. Cannot get there soon enough and will do everything that I can get back to get back there sooner than later.

One of my good friends told me it would happen and sure enough. My thoughts of Dall Sheep and Brown Bears are gone. Africa is so much more consuming than any trip I have had to Canada or AK and I have had some really really special trips.

Africa is hard to explain to people. There is just something magical about it that words cannot describe.

I wanted to take my dad but he has zero desire to go and there is nothing I can do to change his mind. He said it is the last place he wants to go and now it is almost the only place I want to go.

The only tag I have this year is a WY speed sheep tag and it is now like whatever, if I go great if not not a big deal. Just keeping of dreaming of Cape Buffalo in my future.