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Main Boards => The Dark Continent => Topic started by: Dsturgisjr on December 22, 2003, 10:06:00 PM

Title: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Dsturgisjr on December 22, 2003, 10:06:00 PM
Just finalized plans to return to Ombengu, Namibia next July.This is where we filmed AFRICAN DREAM. My oldest son, John, will be tagging along. This trip will be extra special.
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Randy Cooling on December 22, 2003, 10:46:00 PM
What a great thing that john can start going to Africa at his age.I don't have kids, but I have a 9 year old nephew that I am hoping I can drag over with me when he gets old enough.Introducing John to Africa is going to be a wonderful thrill for you.
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Dsturgisjr on December 22, 2003, 11:18:00 PM
Yeah Randy, I can't wait. John will turn 15 right before we leave. I think it will give him an even better perspective on life; he's a great kid. Loves to shoot aerials too!
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: herb haines on December 28, 2003, 09:21:00 AM
Denny ,
do you get a chance to hunt with the bushmen ?read some articals mostly in TMB abot Gene Wensel and maybe Don Thomas hunting with them and i guess they are unbelievable trackers .--- herb
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Dsturgisjr on December 28, 2003, 10:52:00 AM
Hey Herb,

When I hunted Ombengu in '02 only one of the trackers was a Bushman. Don't remember the tribe of the other guy, but He was a great tracker also.

When we hunted Ha Nore, all the trackers were Bushman and they sat or stalked with you all day.
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Nightstalker on December 29, 2003, 09:18:00 PM
Denny,

   Just finished watching "African Dream" for the second time. Once was last night and the second was just about ten minutes ago. I am making plans for a 2005 trip with my long time Marine Corps and Hunting buddy , Instinctor. Having not been there once yet, I can still see how you can be enticed to go back. I hope our experience is every bit as good for us as it was for you.
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Steve M on January 15, 2004, 12:19:00 AM
Denny,

Best of luck on your trip! I'm sure your son will have an incredible experience hunting with Dad at a place where most people only dream about. What a deal, just imagine if we would have had the opportunity to go to Africa back when we were kids!

Just played the DVD twice today at the studio. Been working on Ken's & Allen's trophies. It's a real treat to see the behavior of the animals and all of the details of the hunt while mounting the very same animals. A guy couldn't ask for better reference material!

Your film is one of the best I've seen yet about the real experience of hunting Africa, Thanks for all of the hard work in making it. Are you going to make another film on this trip? It could be quite a show, a father/son film about hunting with trad bows in Africa is a heck of a rare ocurrence.

Best of luck,
Steve
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Dsturgisjr on January 15, 2004, 07:01:00 PM
Thanks guys. Glad you liked the show. We had a lot of fun making it.

Son John has had most of his shots now and his passport should be here any day. Flights are tentatively booked- all part of the African experience  :cool:
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Steve M on January 24, 2004, 02:24:00 AM
Denny,

Took your DVD to the studio for Mike to watch. He's played it several times a day while working on taxidermy ever since. Talk about great reference material, excelent footage show all of the details and mannerism of plains game. Mike's a very talented artist but hasn't been to Africa yet. He sure is pumped up big time to go there thanks to your work!

Now I have to buy more DVD's before he wears this one out,lol...

Good luck on your trip,
Steve
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Dsturgisjr on July 29, 2004, 07:30:00 AM
Just returned from our hunt. We had a great time. John just turned 15 before we left. He shot a kudu bull, 2 gold medal gemsbok, an impala ram, springbuck ram and a warthog. He was shooting great with his new SAII. I finally shot an eland and it was definitly worth the weight. Probably number 4 or 5 if you are into that stuff. Dave Samuels has an article on Ombengu in the new BH magazine. The bull I was lucky enough to get was even larger than his #8. I shot a beautiful zebra stallion also with the new PLX.

Rich Niblock joined us on this hunt. We've been hunting together since we were teenagers. He shot a 57" kudu bull, a gold medal gemsbok, a duiker, a zebra stallion, a springbuck and a huge eland bull just a bit smaller than the one I shot. The trophy quality was outstanding.

We spent a day in Etoshia Park and visited a local school. While I've always had a great time in Africa this will probably always be my favorite!
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Al Kidner on July 30, 2004, 09:25:00 PM
Ahhh well done mate, good to see you had a top time. Pat the little fella on the back, you must be proud!
 When your next talking to Rich tell him the TF is going well. I bought it off him for a mate of mine as a gift. Did not know you two were mates   :saywhat:
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Dsturgisjr on July 31, 2004, 09:30:00 AM
Hey Alan, I'll tell Rich. Think I'm going to put the buff hunt off untill '06. The kid financialy crippled me with those trophy fees. Take Care, Denny
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Al Kidner on July 31, 2004, 06:12:00 PM
Thats what there for mate...  :thumbsup:  Hope to hunt Africa one day with my little hunter.

Take care, regards Alan...in Oz.
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Randy Cooling on August 29, 2004, 10:21:00 PM
Congratulations to the Sturgis boys.I'm really glad you had a great hunt.Next time I see John I'm giving him a big pat on the back.It sounds like he shot like a well seasoned hunter.I probably won't see you until Kalamazoo in Jan. so make sure to have some pictures on hand.Good luck hunting the rest of the fall,Randy
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Arch on September 17, 2004, 04:06:00 PM
Hey, Denny, congratulations!  I was so glad when I read John would be with you on this trip.  Sounds like he had the experience of a lifetime.  What stories he can tell his classmates this fall.  When you see Rick, tell him I said, "Good job!"  

See you one of these days.

Gray Archer
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: Arch on September 17, 2004, 04:07:00 PM
Oop-ps!  That should read Rich, not Rick.  I have great figers for a blacksmith, just not for these little keys!!

Gary
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: johnny show on September 24, 2004, 08:27:00 PM
Congrats on the trip.  What poundage do you  and you son shoot?  john
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: doctorbrady on October 07, 2004, 11:16:00 PM
Hey Denny, How does Ombengu copare with Ha Nore.  I am trying to get a trip set up and have been debating between booking with Ha Nore through BSC or booking with Ombengu.  I talked to Ken Beck in the shop a few weeks ago and saw some of your latest pics.  Can you help me make up my mind?  Thanks, Brady
Title: Re: Return to Ombengu
Post by: doctorbrady on October 12, 2004, 11:18:00 PM
Denny,
Thanks for all the great information.  I spoke to Shannon last night, and I expect I will be booking in a week or two!