Who's going where in 09

[Trad Lad]

Ok, it's just a couple days to 2009. I have been waiting for this since 2004 originating from the PBS show in San Antonio. It was supposed to happen in 07 and didn't, then most of our party dropped out of this hunt for different reasons but it does look like it could really happen this time.  
I will be going to hunt plains game in Melorani for 10 days with a friend and his wife, leaving on June 9th. This will certainly be my "trip of a lifetime" and with the ecomony we are living in now I think it is safe to say that.
I was wondering who else has plans to travel to hunt Africa this year and where are you going? If you have been there once or more maybe you could throw a few pearls of wisdom our way for us first timers.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Pip

[tradtusker]

you will love it Richard!
Melorani for 10 days should be great.
Drop me a PM if you have any specific questions.

few to think of now would be look at taking a spare bow and set up in separate luggage if you can, for example a spare bow and some arrows in your wife's bags, airlines like loosing your bags when you have a 10 day hunt of a life time.
 
get a few books maybe "signs of the wild" by Clive walker that will give you some nice background on the animals. maybe "African hunter shot placement pocket field guide" nice to look over in the hides! and valuable.  
Take plenty of arrows.
take a video camera with spare battery and manual the guides are usually happy to film the action for you.

take a digital camera!

there are lots of things if i think of any more ill chime in.

[Lonesome Wind]

Africa will be everything you've dreamed & nothing you can imagne! I'll warn you though, you may think this is your "trip of a lifetime" but as soon as it's over you'll be planning a return trip! Remember that all the animals vitals are further forward than over here, & for the most part low. If you shoot mid way down, mid body on a Blue Wildebeest you will be very disappointed. Don't be afraid to try spot & stalk, or tree stand, the great thing about Africa is the amount of game. If you make a mistake another oppertunity is right around the corner. I agree with Andy, if you want anything specific a PM would work great, although Andy's advise would be coming from a lot more experience than mine, that boy's done some stuff!
Hey Andy, did you move to Colorado? We're gona be at the CTAS High Country shoot in June, maybe we could hook-up!
Vince

[tradtusker]

Vince PM sent buddy.

[Jeff Sample]

Pip,

You'll have a blast, and as mentioned above, I can almost guarantee that you'll be planning to return before you get on the plane home!

Only suggestion I have that I have not already related to you concerns your animal wish list: Virtually everyone that hunts Melorani has a gemsbuck and zebra at the top of their list. However, these are very tough animals to take as they are very weary of the waterholes/blinds and are tough to stalk.

My advice: Because zebra and gemsbuck are such a gamble (and female gemsbuck are off limits), if they're on your list you may want to consider nyala if you haven't already. The trophy fee is up there - $2500, about what you'd pay for a gemsbuck and zebra together - but Stewart has an great nyala herd with soom impressive bulls, and you should get at least a couple opportunities at a nice one. They are impressive!!! Waterbuck did not appeal to me, until two absolutely huge bulls came in one afternoon (no shot though), so something to consider too if you haven't. I would also not hesitate to take two impala - Stewart has a great herd and a lot of good rams, they make a nice mount, and are relatively cheap (about the same price as a warthog, but I doubt that my wife will ever permit more than one warthog mount to grace our walls).

Based on my experience and that of my partner, I say that you:

1.WILL have multiple opportunities to take kudu,impala, nyala and possibly blue wildebeast.

2.Will most likely have a shot(s) at waterbuck, blue wildebeast, eland and warthog. The later took a beating in 2007 and I don't know if their numbers will recover substantialy by 2009; certainly they were as much a given as in the past.

3. May have a shot at hartebeest, tsesebe [sp], zebra and gemsbuck.

If you are going to spend the big bucks on a sable, I'd say your chances are outstanding for a nice bull.

Blesbok are on Stewart's new lease, and they seemed fairly abundant, but I did not hunt them so I can't say what your chances might be.

I may have missed a few species, and again, this is based only on our one hunt at Melorani last July, though the part about the zebra and gemsbuck was related to us by Stewart as well.

Have a great trip!

[Tilzbow]

Pip,

I highly recommend a seat cushion for sitting in the hides; my butt got really sore after 5 or 6 days at Melorani and I was only in the hides about half of each day.

I'll be heading back to Melorani in July for 7 days then we're off to Tshepe for 7 days and I'll definitely pack a seat cushion. The hides get cold in the morning and I might even take a blanket.

You'll have a great time and if you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

[Trad Lad]

Thanks Tilzbow,
What a great idea, I will definitely pack a cushion. I'm sure I will have more quesstions.
Pip

[Tilzbow]

Pip,

You should have good shots at game that's 20 yards or less and the shooting windows are about 8" x 20+". Shoot straight and enjoy!

[tradtusker]

now that Scott mentioned window size another idea i will throw your way is to make up a board and cut a 8"x20" window and put it up at your shooting range to get used to shooting through a window like that. you will also work out where your most comfortable standing in relation to the window when you draw.
never really effected my shooting but have seen it throw some guys shooting of if they are not used to it.

[Trad Lad]

Yea, I have been talking a lot about "the window" I think I will put a full size cardboard covering my garage doora and cut it out that size and practice that way. I definitely don't want any surprises.
Again I appreciate all the input, keep it coming.
Pip

I'm going to South Africa in June and can't wait!

Bisch

[BTH]

You may want to check out my post on the "extra" cost of the hunt...getting the trophies back to the states and on to your wall.
I second the Nyala. Beautiful animal and well worth it if you can afford it. It is a very exciting and tense hunt.
I had a Sable dead to rights at a blind one day. If I hadn't already shot a blue wildebeest and gemsbok I would have taken that animal and called it a great trip.  
And...don't bring back more hide than you can afford to tan and use. It adds to shipping weight and cost.

[Trad Lad]

Bish,
Where are you going and when?

[BUFF]

Cape Buffalo in August with Dries Visser

[Trad Lad]

Good luck Buff,
Take a lot of pics and videos like last time.