I am going to keep this story fairly short here as I will be writing an article for the PBS magazine.
This hunt actually started in my head close to 40 years ago after reading a article about Africa in Bowhunter magazine, Always dreamed of going since then , but never thought it would happen. Then 18 Months ago Tino and Amanda Eramus owners of Trophy Game Safari
http://www.tgsafari.co.za/ Came to the MLA's winter Banquet and talked a bit about there place and donated a hunt. Our great friend Rob Jones bought it and asked Tracey and I to join him. We had money in our savings yet from Tracey's mom estate that had just been settled so we said yes and we booked that night and settled on a 2-1 package that would keep the hunt at manageable cost. Over the next few months we talked to many that had hunted SA and listened to all the tips we were given. We booked our flight, So we only had one layover that was in Atlanta then directly to Johannesburg. Our total flight time was 17.5 hours in the air. We spent Sunday night at the Afton Safari house B&B as suggested by many, and that was amazing. Monday Morning we were picked up by Ruan Erasmus and driven the 4 hours to the lodge. Tino leases many sections to hunt but we were to be hunting his personally owned land that is bow hunt only. Monday we spent getting gear ready and had an amazing meal. Over next 7 days we hunted had some ups and downs as a group, but the trip and hospitality was amazing by the Erasmus family and everyone of their staff of 16 people. We did run into 3 days of bad weather that were very windy 40+ and very cold for there and it kept animal movement slow and animals very nervous, but that is hunting. I hunted with a 51@28" Torrent Longbow arrows weight was 654 grains Tracey hunted with a 48@28" Classic Longbow arrows were 548 grain I will just add we learned a lot on this trip, and If you ever dreamed of going do it don't wait this may not always be available. Plan and save and turn your dreams into memories. I always said this would be a one and done trip, but we are now dreaming of a return trip we have some unfinished business with a couple more animals.
As a side note if you would be interested in a hunt with Tino feel free to contact us with questions. Also he will have a booth at the Kalamazoo Traditional Expo in January 2020 his booth should be next to ours, so be sure to stop and say hi to them and talk Africa.
Here are a few pictures to tell story, and watch for my article in the PBS magazine
As another note this area has been in a drought for many years. They normally average close to 20" of rain last 5 or so years they have been getting just 10" a year. They pump water on this property from 6 wells for the lodge and water holes He also has an hay field with irrigation system, to bale hay to supplement the food to keep the animals healthy and purchases orange pulp for food supplement.
Rob jones Animals
Topic: Making dreams into Memories/ Back from Africa (Read 1562 times)
