Deposit Sent, Airfare Booked. . . SA August 1-10

[Ben Tiller]

Well, I finally got my hunt lined up.  I purchased the hunt at the NWTF banquet last year, and will be going to South Africa with Steyn Safaris on August 1-10.

It is a 10 day plains game hunt.  I will be hunting "a la carte," with my heart set on a Kudu, Gemsbok, Zebra and Nyala in that order (which is a tall one, I know).  

I just booked airfare from Helena for 1768.  Didn't think I'd find it any cheaper than that.  

And I'm calling out fellow tradganger and hunting companion Scotty Bennet (aka coldfingers) of North Pole, Alaska.  I'll make sure your boy is practicing before we leave!

*** QUESTIONS ***

My main squeeze (a 56 # non-fastflight "jim era" brack) might have to take a secondary role.  She's a 66 incher, and I'm thinking I might need a shorter bow, and maybe a few extra pounds.  Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.  

Secondly, anyone have any tips on the Frankfurt airport.  We're there for 10 hours, and it looks like we switch from United to Lufthansa.  I'm hoping since they are both "star alliance" they will be able to check our bags from Helena straight to Jo-Burg.  Anyone know for sure?  I know that two of my companions are planning on bringing guns.  

Should I pack my own blind and treestand?  Although Steyn offers bowhunts, they don't specialize in it.  I think I can get a double bull and my ultralight stand, harness and straps in a second checked bag.  Thoughts?  

Tickets and deposit.  I guess that makes it real (especially since neither are refundable!!!!).  Every time I close my eyes I see spirals. . . vertigo?

Ben

[Ben Tiller]

P.S.  Andy Ivy, where can I take your photography class before I leave?

[jeanpaul3006]

You did well on the flight price, i'm paying 1966. out of fargo. winnipeg was 2450. I'm taking my 55lbs schafer silvertip and i think that should be sufficient. I've got a long layover as well of 9 hrs, would be nice to know how to spend that time?

[calgarychef]

Where is your layover?

[jeanpaul3006]

My layover is in frankfurt as well. Gonna have to shop for a camcorder , looking forward to filming alot of wildlife and fauna.

[Coldfingers]

Ben,

I am sitting in my sleeper berth at midnight in Valdez, Alaska having left Ooliktok yesterday. I have been from one end of the pipeline to the other and Africa has been on my mind at least every other mile of the trip.

I simply cannot get my head wrapped around the idea that I am going to AFRICA! This is so much better than winning the lottery!

Perhaps a little weird but first and foremost on my mind is a warthog or three. I sent Styen an email this evening also.

I gotta look at some pictures, do some research, and ponder the situation as this was one of those things that was beyond my wildest dream so I am pretty overwhelmed by the choices.

Prolly gonna quite happy with the first deaf, dumb and blind kid that steps in front of an arrow!

I look forward to rubbing elbows and swapping lies with you and your friend.

Scotty

Got Arrows?

Looking forward to meeting you this summer Ben. It is a pretty small world these days eh?

[Coldfingers]

Here it is, 5:00 am and I am getting a serious itch after looking through the threads and photo's.

Questions remain...2 piece Thunderstick or 3 piece Hummingbird with extra limbs.

Oh what fun to have such problems.

I think I am going to have to haul ALOT of fuel to the North Slope to cover my ever growing wish list!

The whole Baboon thing interests me as do the Brushbuck. I gotta admit that some of the plains game is every bit as pretty as our Caribou.

Scotty

[Ben Tiller]

Hahahaha, scotty, im glad you found this. Now all we gotta do is teach your boy how to use the internet!

Im going to take two recurves, and put one in each of my checked bags. That way i'm not sol if we lose a bag. Also, i'm going to shoot carbons, just because it seems like it eliminates some variables.  I've decided to use tuffheads.  I've read all of the ashby reports, and it seems that those and the ashby heads from abs are the best bets. It just seems like i'll have more tuning options with the tuffheads.

Im looking for a kudu, first and foremost. You and travis and your warthog obsesion?! I told travis that if he shoots one not to expect me to go near it!

I saw a bleached baboon skull the other day. Pretty awesome'!might have to add it to my list.

Ben

[Coldfingers]

Ben,

Hogs, in all shapes and sizes, seem to be my nemisis.

I believe I will bet on the Kudu for you over getting my son tangled in the World Wide Web!

The place looks pretty high class to me. So much for the blue tarp and tin cup camp life I am so fond of. Perhaps they have something in a mud hut so I am not uncomfortable eh?

[calgarychef]

Sorry I didn't see the part about the layover being in Frankfurt.

I did that layover but I'm pretty sure it was only 6 hours.  There is a train that will take you into the city-get on it and go exploring a bit.  We did a bit of shopping, got the best chocolate croissants on the face of the earth, and went for some schnitzle and sausages with beer of course.  There were boat tours that looked interesting but we didn't have enough time, with your 10 yours it might be worth looking at.

When we got back to the airport I found it a bit difficult to communicate with the airport employees to find the gate we flew out of so we cut it a bit close.  Don't count on using English in Germany.  With the trip into town the time should go pretty fast.

[skilonbw]

Are you flying from MT to Denver and then on? For the 10hr layover. You will have enough time to jump on the train and go to town and enjoy some sights. But however from friends who have done this trip with the 10hr layover when they got to SA they were very tired and needed a day of rest to recover

[2wfstlhunting]

I went from Phila PA to Namibia 2 years ago and went through Frankfurt. I left here in the evening and flew overnight to Frankurt where we arrived in the early morning.  I took the advice of the travel agent (Gracy) and booked a hotel room for the day as I did not fly out to Namibia until about 8PM that night.  Appreciating that it is an opportunity to see a new city, I decided to rest and recharge.  I personally think that it was one of the smartest things that I could have done.  I did not sleep all that well on either flight and during the day I took a long hot shower, took a nap then went out to get a lttle food then back for another nap and just laying around watching tv and emailing a few people back home.  I was ready to go when the evening came. I have flown direct from Phila to Johannesburg twice for hunts in RSA, and each time spent the next 3 days trying hard to stay awake until the jet lag got worked out.  I felt much better the way I did it to Namibia with the rest stop inbetween flights and enjoyed every hunting day that I had.  Obviously I recommend it.  If I can give you any other info, just ask. BTW, the airport hotels are just a very short walk across a ramp and there you are.  Easier than getting to the parking garage in many US airports.
Steve

[tenbrook]

Check out one of those HD Flip video cameras.  Its the size of an iPod, holds a chrage forever and only costs about $150.  Oh and did I mention it takes GREAT videos in HD.

Good luck and safe travels.

Tenbrook

[Coldfingers]

Less than a month now Ben. I am about to explode. Headed in a southerly direction in a few days, driving to the midwest and then out to Montana. I have all my Africa stuff packed and a little list of goodies to snag up while I travel. Needless to say, the stress level is over the top about now.

I hope all is well and you are getting as wound up as me and the boy. About all I need to do now is enjoy a little vacation and work on my shooting!

See ya in a few weeks or so.

Scotty

[Coldfingers]

Ben,

Missed ya when I came through Montana.

My "decision" about what bow to use was made for me when my Thunderstick blew up while bowfishing in Minnesota last week. YIKES.

I am sad about the bow but am glad it happened while shooting at a turtle rather than at the Warthog of my dreams.

"The Boy" is getting our tags set up with the taxidermist in MT in hopes that his old man can get the hang of shooting the Hummingbird.

Lots to do in the next week for sure!

I understand that the high temps in Johanasburg was about 42 degree's today. PERFECT! I just about melted while down south and do not need a repeat lest I turn into a slushy while trying to hunt.

I wil be flying into MT on the 27th so we will have a day to get the gear into a pile of sorts

scotty