If you think your hunting is over during the
summer, think again!!! While it is summer here in the good ole USA it is
winter in South
Africa, where temperatures can reach the freezing point at night,
along with heavy frost. So, instead of putting up your bow or rifle
start packing for an ultimate experience you will never forget.
I am fortunate to have traveled to Africa
twice. The most recent adventure, which I would like to share with you,
took place in July
of 2000. . There are three non stop flights available every day
from New York, Atlanta, and Miami to Johannesburg, Africa. Upon
your arrival in Johannesburg you will be greeted by your PH (Professional
Hunter) as you clear customs. If you have only a bow you are cleared and
go straight through customs without inspection or paper work. If you have
a rifle, pistol etc. you will need to fill out a
paper declaring the firearm to allow you to leave the country with
it on your way home.
I have a personal friend in South Africa, the
owner of Leo and Nimrod African Safari,
whom I hunt with. I am also their only USA
booking agent. . He runs a first class operation and his concessions
(as they are called in Africa; we call them Ranches here) are
full of
trophy class animals. I can assure you that he is one of the hardest
working and honest guides I have hunted with.
Hunting in Africa is an experience you will
never forget. When you come back to the USA hunting will never
be the same. If you do
a guided trip out west, or anywhere, there is always the
chance you will hunt for 7, 10 even 14 days without ever seeing your
trophy.
In Africa you will see trophy quality herds everyday. There
are approximately 23 plains game animals you can hunt in South Africa.
It
is quite possible to see most, if not all of them, on the same concession.
Try finding more than 3 or 4 different animals in one place here in the
USA. The African Government owns all the animals , which are carefully
regulated by a permit system, to insure trophy class animals.
On my recent trip I spent 14 days hunting and
harvested 8 animals, of which 3 of these were for a client ,who is
a collector.. I know
it's a tough job but somebody has to do it! The animals that
were taken were 2 Kudu, 2 Zebra, 1 Impala, 1 Springbok, 1 Diuker, and 1
Black Back Jackal. Now try and do this, in 14 days, here in the states.
I am also a SCI Official measurer and I expect the 1 Kudu and
the Diuker to make the record book; along with the Springbok and the
other Kudu which will be close. I failed to take a tape or
measurement sheet with me or I would have green scored them there.
I can assure you that the people
there are some of the friendliest I have ever met. They take
you into there homes as if they have
known you all of your life. The food is just great, especially
when they cook it on open coals in there steel cooking pots, and
yes, the
"mampoer" (a South African drink) at night, after a long hard hunt,
is most welcome.
If anyone is interested in this awesome hunt,
Please, get in touch with me ( Email
) for further details. I am hoping to make this a
yearly trip, with some of my clients, and you are welcome to share
a hunting camp with me. Until then, hunt safe, shoot straight, choose a
good taxidermist, and take a youth hunting with you.
Larry
Wildlife Artistry Taxidermy
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