africa 2011-who's interested?

[calgarychef]

I had such a great time in Africa last year (is it a year already?)  I'm planning on going back in April or so next year.  I've ggotten some very competative prices from the place I hunted last year.  There's room for two more hunters to come along.  I've been trying to find a couple friends in Alberta but there just doesn't seem to be anyone interested enough to actually make the plunge and say yes.  So if you're interested in some great fun pm me.  I'm not making any money off this by the way, just trying to get a fun trip together.  It's all free range, no fences and great service in the camp.

the chef

[Jaiverri]

I could be interested. Have been to Africa twice.
Let me know where and the kind of weather they would expect in April. Seems a bit early for me.

[email protected]

[coaster500]

[Ragnarok Forge]

Where and when, what outfitter?  What species are available?  I might be able to fit a trip in.

[SilentT]

More details would be needed for me to be interested.

[calgarychef]

Ok here goes.  first of all I wrote a little blog last time I was there, titled 40 days in South Africa.  It's probably a few pages back, but take a look and you'll know a lot more about the place.  It's Zingela Safaris, and it's close to Weenan SA.  

Mark has provided very fair pricing for bowhunters.  The daily rate is $175.00 per day based on a 14 day hunt and I've not found anything cheaper. I'd suggest a long hunt like that because it costs lots to get to Africa and once you're there you might as well stay awhile.  The camp is also family friendly so take the wife and kids if you want.

species are

impala
blue wildebeest (my nemesis)
grey duiker
bushbuck
warthog
kudu
nyala
zebra
bushpig
ostrich and giraffe

The trophy fees are about the same or slightly less than any other operator in SA.

This is fair chase, ethical hunting, and there is a waterhole but we all have agreed that getting game on the way to or from water is fine but it's not ok to sit right at the water.  If you don't like this idea the place isn't for you.  

The warthogs are fun to hunt, on the riverbanks.  There are tons of dongas (ravines) to set up ambushes on.  In April and May the rut is on so that's a good tim eto go by my books.  We can use some interesting techniques to take advantage of the rut.  There will probably be a shot opportunity every day of the hunt if we do our parts right, whether or not we make the shot is up to us too.  I'll sure practice differently next time.  We can bait the pigs and with 14 days oon our hands it's doable.  

any other questions?

[Drenalinjunkie]

Do yourself a favour. GO FOR BUSHPIG! Closest thing to a leopard hunt you will ever have. Very challenging and EXCITING

[PZee]

I agree with Drenalinjunkie!!!!

I've been chased be a bushpig, really not fun. They're extremely agressive and are more than likely to charge you than run once shot. I've also seen a bushpig standoff against a 2 lions and get away untouched. The 2 lions, in my opinion had a greater respect for the pig than what I'd seen them have for a bufallo!
Bushpigs are respected by hunters all over South Africa!

Oh, by the way, Zingela are a really good outfitter! My wife grew up in the area, and they are quite well known by the family! I dream of owning a farm in this area, beautiful bushveld!!!!!

Pete

[calgarychef]

I'm pretty surprised that no one seems interested in this.  It's the cheapest price you'll prbably ever find in your life, it's a great area, you can walk and stalk at will, and there is lots of game.  I've been there and researched the place it's as good as there is.  

Sheesh it's easy to see that lots of people are dreamers but when the chips are down they can't be bothered.  I run into this hunting locally too, so many guys say they want to hunt and I drop a good trip in their lap and they are too busy playing computor games or twiddling their pudgy little fingers to get off their ass and have an adventure.  Life is short get out there and hunt, if you're so jacked up about hunting  DO IT!

[Danny Rowan]

Tracy,

In these economic times, it is hard for some people to shell out money for a luxery like this no matter how cheap. Lots of people out of work and some sitting on the edge of being let go. Not nice to get on people cause of their dreams maybe they just cannot afford it no matter the price, when you figure in airfare and the trophy fees it gets pretty expensive even with the cheap daily fees. Does not mean the are"too busy playing computor games or twiddling their pudgy little fingers to get off their ass and have an adventure". Uncalled for in my book.

[coaster500]

[RL]

Thanks, Danny, well said.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Gotta say here that while I am very interested, with a wife, two teenagers, a regular job, and two companies I run on the side the trip has to be timed right, and the costs something I can plan around and work into my family budget.

I also gotta say after the "flaming" posted above, I will definately look at the safari group, but I will be doing a trip on my own.  I prefer to share my hunting camp with people who practice tolerance and understanding towards others.  Patience is also a virtue I look for in a hunting partner.

[BUFF]

Originally posted by calgarychef:
I'm pretty surprised that no one seems interested in this.  It's the cheapest price you'll prbably ever find in your life, it's a great area, you can walk and stalk at will, and there is lots of game.  I've been there and researched the place it's as good as there is.  

Sheesh it's easy to see that lots of people are dreamers but when the chips are down they can't be bothered.  I run into this hunting locally too, so many guys say they want to hunt and I drop a good trip in their lap and they are too busy playing computor games or twiddling their pudgy little fingers to get off their ass and have an adventure.  Life is short get out there and hunt, if you're so jacked up about hunting  DO IT!

WOW     just so YOU know, most any outfit in the   country would match that price during the off season. It will most likely be right at 100 degrees every day during April

[calgarychef]

Well it wasn't anywhere near a hundred degrees when I went, usually a nice 80 degrees and 65 at night.

 At least I woke you buggers up a bit.  I'm very well known for stating my mind, and also well known to be a good hunting partner.  So for those who don't want to share a camp with me that's fine.  I also stand by my position that some people "dream" and some people "do"  but I guess that's just the nature of the world and I should get used to it.

For those in bad financial positions I feel your pain.  I'm busy looking around at my belongings to find things to sell to finance my airfare for the next go around.  I've also started living and spending differently, the starbucks coffee is gone, I walk as much as possible instead of driving the truck, I'm making do with my old arrows instead of buying more etc.  Sometimes I don't realize how fortunate we are in Canada that the recession hasn't hit us as hard as "South of the Border"  My appologies to those who are truly strapped.  It's just getting frustrating for me, I'm trying to help people out here and it seems no one can see the forest for the trees.

the chef

[coaster500]

[calgarychef]

What's do bad about saying buggers?  It's a pretty common term around here, maybe not where you come from?

[TxAg]

I don't think buggers is a bad term, but I do like hunting over water holes    ...just messing with you

[calgarychef]

TxAg it's nice that you don't like waterhole hunting, I abhore it too.  In fact if you look at my past postings you'll see that I've gone on record as saying it's not hunting at all.  

The beauty of Zingela is there aren't any permanent hides at all and it's real hunting.  There is an abundance of game, NO FENCES and I'm all excited about finding a truly wild place to hunt in SA.  Now if I could only get some other guys interested we could have a fine trip.

the chef

[TxAg]

I think my post was slightly misunderstood. I actually enjoy hunting over waterholes. I was just messing with you in the sense that I know you don't and was trying to get a playful rise out of you. In realit I'm quite indifferent as to how others hunt. As long as you're out there hunting then more power to you. Congrats on finding an affordable hunt and best of luck!