In 50 days time my big adventure begins, I leave Dubbo on the 9th August and return on the 22nd August 2011.

I thought that it was a timely figure (50) as it has been 50 years since I first wanted to hunt Africa but due to the normal work, marriage, family etc it had been put off, but now at age 65 years and again single and with my health not being as good as I would have hoped I made the decision to make it now before it was to late as one would hate to wake up dead one morning and say ‘Why didn’t I do it before’

I am going with CT Safaris, Chris Troskie for a 10 day Plains Game hunt in the Eastern Cape and Kwa Zulu Natal Provinces which have proved successful with other forum members in the past.

The normal game species is on the ‘Wanted’ list, Impala, Zebra, Gemsbok, Bushbuck, Kudu, Waterbuck, Common Springbok, Black Springbok and one never know what else will take my fancy when I see it.

I originally was going to take a Warthog but of recent the Australian ‘A.Q.I.S.’ (Quarantine) is only accepting completed trophies so I will have to give that some serious thought before I do shoot one.

I intend to have the ‘Skins’ soft tanned and the ‘Skulls’ in the European Skull Mount style of course the Zebra skin will be felt backed. I am intending to use Umlindi Taxidermy of Tarkastad unless I hear of something to the contrary.

The packing has started so that the weight restriction can be mostly adhered to with a little excess baggage but being the one and only trip to Africa that I will make
(unless I win the lottery) a few extra dollars is the least on my mind at the moment.

The paperwork is almost complete ( Just waiting on the Customs paperwork, they only post it to you within 28 days of leaving) my only concern is the 14 odd hour plane trip as I am like a ‘Jack in the Box’ with pain so that will be interesting.

So I will sign off for now and post a report when I return,

Cheers for now,

Jeff Gray

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