well, well, well!
i certianally smiled when i read this thread last night- thought long and hard about it and thought that maybe i should add a little perpective here- dont want to see good people getting grumpy with each other!
times are tough, and we all have hurdles and obstacles to deal with- and thats only fair and well.
tracy(calgary chef), is a pretty straight talking guy, and sometimes that approach will ruffle a few feathers- maybe not always too bad a thing- but i also sense Tracy's frustration-
having immigrated from S.A.- and being extensively involved in the hunt guiding, and adventure tourism sector for the last twenty odd years, i really wanted to share some of those oppertunities with some like minded people- i really felt a debt to other members on this forum, and just wanted to pay it forward, no profit, no financial gain!!!
well.... i could hardly get replies from people!
so i gave up in the end.
ironically i kept reading posts about people going hunting in africa, paying huge amounts of money, and some of them having terrible times!!!
i have worked at Zingela Safaris, on and off over the last 25 years( and other places too!!!) and personally feel that they are one of the most forward thinking , and hospitable hosts around( i am sure there are others too)
mark , the owner has initiated some phenomenal eco-tourism perpectives.
he re-introduced,elephant, rhino and buffalo to the greater weenen biosphere reserve- over 100 000 hectares(220 000 acres!) of pristine wilderness orientated around sustainable hunting- involving the local native communities.
he humbly only accepts the title as "one of the founding members" when i worked for him as an apprentice, 10 years prior to the formation of the biosphere- i remember pouring over maps with him, as he discussed his dream of creating this wilderness area, where farmers and locals worked hand in hand.- he was the man behind it all.
he is very strict as to how he controls his hunting- and it is really orientated around managing "spook- free" game-
no fences at all- not even perimeter fenced- find me some other "game ranch" owners who do this.
the outer perimeter of the biosphere is fenced, which incorporates the the notorious Weenen Game reserve- thats how year round hunting is allowed.
the game have the sanctuary of the reserve- no hunting- and you would never be able to traverse the entire biosphere- just to huge and diverse.
an absolute abundance of game, many, many sci and rowland ward tropies have been taken at Zingela. he has hunted professionally all over africa- and all of the species!!!
his lodge is right on the banks of the mighty Tugela river, with some of the best frehwater fishing in the country- white water rafting etc etc.
a veritable bow hunters paradise-
I HAVE YET TO FIND A BETTER PLACE!!!
sorry about the ramble, but just painting a quick picture- so that you understand my motivation in trying to take fellow bow hunters there.
tracy was the only one who showed a real response- and so we went hunting.............
read his thread- 40 days in africa.
i have subsequently moved to the queen charlotte islands- but must add that Tracy was my hunting partner( i have never hunted with a partner before!!) for the few years i lived in alberta- i always found him exceedingly, tolerant, patient, kind, and generous- to the point that he would always seem to orientate our hunts around me getting a shot off- he was absolutely selfless.
we had many great times together- and i know we will hunt together again in the future- just not that often, sadly!!
but, he is a straight talker, and i do understand his frustration, be it founded or unfounded.
good luck all
and i wish you all the best of hunting and prosperity for the coming year.
wayne.
Topic: africa 2011-who's interested? (Read 5594 times)
