What to Take With You Each Day?

[JasonW]

Saw a similar thread on another web site and thought I would ask you fellows here.

Each morning of the safari you pack up what gear  you think you’ll need that day and walk out to the hunting truck. That gear obviously includes your bow and binoculars. But what else do you take? And how do you take it?

Specifically, do you take a soft bow case of some sort for your bow and how do you prefer your bow to be transported in the truck?

What other gear do you take with you each day, and how do you keep it together, organized and safe in the truck? How do you transport your cameras in the truck? How many arrows do you take each day?

Safari clients – what’s worked best for you in this regard? PH’s and booking agents – what do you recommend?

Tks
Jason

[katman]

Water and a pee bottle would be high on my list for hunting from hides. I carry my bow in my hand. 4-6 arrows. My gear gets tucked into my catquiver pack. That would include binocs, knife, radio if provided, lunch, snacks, reading material, tab, armgaurd, headnet, gloves, still and video camera with tripod, journal. Wear a windproof jacket for the ride out/in if your in the pickup bed as the mornings can be cool. I am sure there is something I missed and others should chime in to help.

[BTH]

Ipod, book, bino's, as many arrows as they'll let you bring (Vissers only lets you bring four in the blind)I packed an arrow cylinder with more arrows to keep in the truck just in case.  
Headlamp and flashlight are necessary to have with you as well.
It is cold in the morning on the ride to the blind so bring a warm windproof jackets, gloves, hat.
I used a basic back pack to hold my stuff in and a bow quiver for my arrows. The first few days I was all excited about seeing animals. After awhile though you'll sleep, read, play games on the Ipod.
I would bring a soft case for your bow. Unstring it and transport it that way.
I used my safari tuff takedown case but I had to assemble my bow when I got in the blind. I used this for the longer trips to blinds off property. I learned that I would've liked an unstrung recurve case to carry my bow in.

[Wile E. Coyote]

Like katman, I used a Catquiver to transport my arrows and gear. Carried my bow in the truck no case. I would strongly recommend the book Birds of South Africa and a set of nice binos. Spent lots of enjoyable downtime when game was not present identifying and enjoying the birdlife.

[Joseph]

Any books you would like to read, I just carried my bow.  BTH, what is the deal with only 4 arrows at Vissers?  That has changed since I was there in 2005, I had my regular side quiver that had 6 broadheads and 2 judo's in it.  Another thing I did at the blinds was to go to the near edge if the water hole and pace back to the front of the blind.  That way after sitting in there for 8or 9 hours and developing tunnel vision I would remind myself that it was only X yards to the waterhole.  Joseph

[BTH]

Joseph,
When left alone in a blind one yahoo shot animals and would either retrieve an arrow or hide the fact an arrow was missing among his quiver. They knew who did it, but not until later and the guy denied everything. Now they only allow four arrows in the blind with you since it is easy to count to four and easy to see four clean arrows. You can load up extra arrows in the PH's truck; but only take four with you into the blind.

[JasonW]

I appreciate all the advice.  I like the idea about the bird book that will be a fun way to pass the time.

I cannot believe someone would be dishonest enough to kill animals and be willing to lie flat out...unbelievable!

[Jarrod Feiner]

Quite a useful and excellent post. Thanks for the info.

Wile E Coyote: Could you give me the author--or details for the Birds of South Africa book? I just want to make sure I pick up the right one.

J.

[sparrow]

I took a notebook and pen and wrote every day. Reading back it is amazing how much great stuff is forgotten. You will see so much that it is easy to forget when and where. I would journal what and when I saw different animals. I also wrote in the evenings some of my partners highlights. Like me I'm sure you will never regret keeping a journal. Just try not to get behind. Have a great trip.

[Joseph]

BTH, thanks and that is to bad.  There is always someone who ends up screwing things up for everyone else.  I don't think that is the first time they had that problem though.  I sat alone a couple of times and everytime I did they would always walk around the waterhole when they came and picked me up to see if what I was telling them was bore out in the tracks.  Joseph

[BTH]

Sparrow...I forgot about that. My wife and I both kept journals the whole trip. It is cool to be able to look back at my daily thoughts and relive the trip.

[Joseph]

That is one I forgot about also.  A very good friend gace me a leather bound journal that I wrote in almost everyday!  Works a lot better than my memory to go back andd read it, brings everything back just like I when I was there.  Joseph  

[JasonW]

I guess I'll be adding a journal to my list as well.  My wife is going to be doing the picture taking so at least I know I'll end up with a couple hundred pics to look back on.

Jason

[Wile E. Coyote]

Jason,
Here's the info on the book.

Birds of Southern Africa (Princeton Field Guides) 5.00 of 5 stars

    * Authors(s)  Ian Sinclair Phil Hockey Warwick Tarboton
    * Binding  Paperback
    * ISBN  0691096821
    * ISBN-13  9780691096827
    * Publisher  Princeton University Press

You can find copies online at resalers for about $25.00

Was well worth it and I'm not even a birder.

Enjoy your trip.

[Jarrod Feiner]

Thanks for the info on the book. I'm going to order a copy right now.
J

[sparrow]

Couple hundred pics? I took my own photos, missed much I should have taken and had over 650 digital images. I quickly edited out the junk when I got home but still had over 350. Film is cheap, digital is better and it is hard and expensive not to mention impossible to go back and redo it. You can not take enough pictures. Especially your trophy shots don't let anyone, including yourself, rush you through it. Savor and enjoy.

[BowHuntingFool]

I took well over 1200 pictures! Some where quick shots of game that I didn't think would turn out well but were some of the best! I wish I would of kept a journal, next time! I agree about the trophy pictures take as many as you like and take your time, get the sun right and sit on the ground when taking them! Most of all have fun and good luck!