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South Africa 2018

Matt

Active Member
932
61
Norton, OH
I mentioned in my other post that my job in Alaska has afforded me a lot of opportunities. One of those opportunities has been my trip to South Africa this past summer to hunt plains game. To be clear: I was never truly intrigued with African hunting, a big reason being my teacher's salary. Well, a few years back I consumed a bit too much free beer at a Whitetails Unlimited banquet and happened to buy a 7-day auctioned hunt with Hercules Outfitters in SA. I was fortunate to take a zebra, impala, gemsbok, and a kudu. I took my girlfriend with me and we also did a 5-day backpacking trip along the coast, and visited Addo Elephant National Park.
Here are some of my take-aways:
1. While the hunt concessions are fenced preserves, they are massive in scale to the tune of thousands of acres. To actually get close to game on foot is incredibly difficult. Especially with archery gear, which I was not successful with.
2. I will say that because it is a fenced preserve with stocked animals, I don't think there is really anything that special in terms of the ability to see game or harvest a quality animal. But again, that doesn't mean the hunt is easy.
3. Despite the fact that they are fenced hunts, they were still a lot of fun. And the meat is delicious. Too bad I wasn't able to bring any of that home,
4.Africa is cheaper than you might imagine, although you can definitely rack up the costs pretty quickly.

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giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Do you smell horrible or a real scary guy? Your girlfriend looks like she’s trying to get away from you...and pissed her pants in the process. 😂

Africa has never interested me. I could see myself getting in the same situation pretty easily though.
 

Matt

Active Member
932
61
Norton, OH
Do you smell horrible or a real scary guy? Your girlfriend looks like she’s trying to get away from you...and pissed her pants in the process. 😂

Africa has never interested me. I could see myself getting in the same situation pretty easily though.

Lol, we were pretty stanky at that point.

At the auction I had no intention on buying the hunt, I was just goofing off and boosting the bid. When the gavel fell my heart sank. I actually considered selling it, but at the end of the day we figured we would make the best of it, and I'm glad we did. It was a trip of a lifetime.
 

Matt

Active Member
932
61
Norton, OH
Thanks TF! To update the thread, I just got notice that my horns and capes are ready for shipment and will arrive in Chicago on Friday. Normally it wouldn't take this long but I had my gemsbok tail made into a fly whisk over there. Having the taxidermy done by a guy in Michigan, Dennis Harris at the Artistry of Wildlife.
 
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