africa hunt!

[my82cam]

my wife and i are going to back to africa in june! we are going to be gone for 2 weeks which means 10 days in the country and 4 of travel. i didn't think i was going to be able to hunt but my wife agreed that i have a day and a half of free time. i'm not sure if a day and a half will be enough time to hunt anything in africa. we are going to uganda and they just started to hunt again. uganda isn't known for its great hunting but that is what i have to work with right now! if anybody knows anybody that does hunting there or anything that may help me find a hunting ground for a 1-2 days that would be awesome! thanks!

[Warbird]

Not typically enough time. Most outfitters require a 10-14 day hunt minimum. You could always contact an outfitter that supports SCI, stick to reputable and known people) and see if they will offer you anything.

[my82cam]

the more i think about it the more i think i should wait and do it later when i have more time. that way i can enjoy it a lot more than rushing it.

[DaveTN]

Watch the movie "Prey" before you go.

[Guest cjr]

the more i think about it the more i think i should wait and do it later when i have more time. that way i can enjoy it a lot more than rushing it.

I would take full advantage of the day and a half,if you are going to be there why not go.

Happy Hunting!!

[Warbird]

I would take full advantage of the day and a half,if you are going to be there why not go.

Happy Hunting!!

Easier said than done. The cost alone could be prohibitive by paying fees for stuff you never even get a chance to see. It isn't like here where you buy a license in simply walk out in the woods. It can cost thousands whether it's 1 day or 10.

[Guest TwoLaneBlackTop]

You will likely need a rifle in 0.375 H&H or a cartridge of more power! Many countries in Africa have this as the legal limit for hunting the big 5.

[tntnixon]

My understanding is that actually importing your pelts and heads to the US is insanely expensive (thousands of $) due to taxes. I've heard of people who've been on hunts without doing their homework, and had to leave their game on the Dark Continent.

[Warbird]

You will likely need a rifle in 0.375 H&H or a cartridge of more power! Many countries in Africa have this as the legal limit for hunting the big 5.

While that is true, 375 is the minimum for dangerous game, I highly doubt he would even get a day and a half hunt for dangerous game. If an outfitter is desperate he might, but it would likely still cost big. And I would be concerned about an outfitter that desperate. More likely to get some sort of plains game. For plains game most people use the 7mm rem mag or the 300 win mag. However getting a gun into most of those countries is a pain in the a if you also plan to do things other than hunt. For the most part they expect hunters to go to the outfitter stay with the outfitter and leave from the outfitter.

[Warbird]

My understanding is that actually importing your pelts and heads to the US is insanely expensive (thousands of $) due to taxes. I've heard of people who've been on hunts without doing their homework, and had to leave their game on the Dark Continent.

It isn't cheap that's for sure. Many have their mounts done in Africa to save on salting costs, which are about $350-$500. However as far as shipping, it costs no more to ship from Africa than from Canada. Looking at about $500 to $1,000 for a few animals in general.

[Warbird]

the more i think about it the more i think i should wait and do it later when i have more time. that way i can enjoy it a lot more than rushing it.

I would honestly say when you go to hunt, go to hunt. That would really be the absolute best way to have fun and relax. It isn't something you want to rush doing. If you rush it you don't experience being where you are and enjoy the scenery, you'll be looking at the watch and wondering OK I only have so much time left to get an animal.

[Guest cjr]

Easier said than done. The cost alone could be prohibitive by paying fees for stuff you never even get a chance to see. It isn't like here where you buy a license in simply walk out in the woods. It can cost thousands whether it's 1 day or 10.

No doubt it can get expensive but,I think he could find a PH that would charge a daily fee and may even let him apply it to a kill fee.

For a 500.00 a day hunt fee it's worth the while if he is flying 18+ hrs.

[my82cam]

i have talked to a couple PH in africa(this was 3-4 months ago) they said 223 or 22 250 is great for small game and light plains game but 30-06 or 7mm for all other game except the dangerous 5. actually found that 223 and 30 06 are the most common taken to hunt but with very good ammo. i believe that i am going to have to play it by ear when i get over there if i can hunt or not. we are going to be on the ground in africa for 11 days and it is packed tight. seems like the only free time i may have is for the gorilla tour in the jungle for 1 day but if i can swap that out for hunting i will do!

[my82cam]

it is a good thing the PH will let you use their gun if needed!

[Warbird]

Yeah a good outfitter will have some rifles. For the smaller antelope smaller calibers are certainly preferred. A friend of mine hunts often with a 204 Ruger. The 300 win mag or 7mm or 30-06 are great for the vast majority of plains larger antelope. The 375 is great for most dangerous game, though I prefer the 416 Rem as it kicks less. The only time you really need bigger is for elephant and rhino.

[my82cam]

i know it is 375 or larger for the big 5, but would a 45-70 do or a 50 cal muz loader? just wondering.

[nightrunner]

dont think i would use a muzzleloader on dangerous game

[my82cam]

jim shockey does!

[Guest cjr]

Shockey has a good PH with a BUG.

[Guest ADAM]

I have always wanted to go to Africa. So my question to you is do you need a bag boy to handle your luggage lol.

[Warbird]

There are outfitters who allow hunters to use BP guns as well as Bows. You have to find the right outfitter and he will have to be very comfortable with you. They usually require you to prove you can use them well, especially bows.

A friend of mine shot a SCI record leopard with her BP a couple of years ago. And I know Ivan Carter has taken bow hunters for elephants.

The main problem with hunting anything but especially Big 5 id that the outfitter often is the one who puts the final blow into the animal. You are already putting them into a precarious position, especially with cats and elephants. And most hunter just do not like to accept that someone other than them killed the animal, you never really feel like you did it.

Cats are the absolute worst and lion is of course the pinnacle of that, if you do not kill them on the first shot they will attack. It is rare that they run. They figure they will take out what is taking them out. I wouldn't like knowing I basically have one shot at them. Hell even a bolt action is questionable. If they do charge most will not be able to cycle the bolt and get back on target before the cat is on them.

It isn't something that is for that's for certain, but kudos to those who want to try and get elephants with bows. The window is about the size of the bottom of a large can of tomatoes. And that is usually about 15-20 yards away and sometimes with them already deciding whether to charge you.

[my82cam]

I have always wanted to go to Africa. So my question to you is do you need a bag boy to handle your luggage lol.

there are lots of bag boys in africa! hehe

[Guest TwoLaneBlackTop]

I have a Mauser in 375 H&H, been waiting on a good deal for some optics to top it (Zeiss, Swarovski, Kahles, maybe a higher-end Meopta) and want a lower power variable of-course.

To bad I will likely never get to go to Africa. If I did Cape Buffalo I think might be too lofty a goal for myself, but I would really like to bag a Kudu (and that is more obtainable, cheaper, and probaly a much safer hunt for someone new to dangerous game)

I am not much of a hunter to be honest but the legendary tales of tracking African game really intrigue me and creates a great draw to the dark continent.

[Warbird]

I have a Mauser in 375 H&H, been waiting on a good deal for some optics to top it (Zeiss, Swarovski, Kahles, maybe a higher-end Meopta) and want a lower power variable of-course.

To bad I will likely never get to go to Africa. If I did Cape Buffalo I think might be too lofty a goal for myself, but I would really like to bag a Kudu (and that is more obtainable, cheaper, and probaly a much safer hunt for someone new to dangerous game)

I am not much of a hunter to be honest but the legendary tales of tracking African game really intrigue me and creates a great draw to the dark continent.

There are many African trips that are cheaper than some hunts here in the states or NA. Greater Kudu is perhaps my favorite of all large plains game. You certainly need 30-06 or 300 win mag at least for Kudu. 375 would work well. I hope you get your chance. Kudu are not in the least dangerous, but they are challenging as they move quickly and often require long shots.

375 or 416 are perfect for Cape Buff. They are a good challenge for dangerous game. Many people get their first DG on Buff. They do charge if not put down but as long as you have competent PH you'll be fine.

There is certainly a great allure to Africa. It is truly a dark and mysterious place. So much of it is unchanged from a century or many centuries ago. It has a different smell and a different feel than anyplace on earth. I spent part of my childhood there as my grandmother spent many years of her life in Africa. Since she lived to 104 she had originally gone there in the 1920's and came across many of the great hunters and adventurers over the years. I heard many African tales all of my life. She herself hunted, though for food or defense, not for sport. It holds a great allure for me that I doubt I will ever be able to shake. I wouldn't mind spending a few months every year there. Again, the experience all depends on where in Africa you go. Many parts of the continent you can keep, I have no interest in going there.