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This sounds like a very good idea. Or if not for a tuskless, then for a PAC elephant. At least the first one. Reading books about shot placement, how to deal with irritated elephant etc isn't the same as having been up close in real life IMO.

You've mentioned having hunted in NZ etc, but I don't see any mention of you having hunted, or travelled in Africa. Is this correct, or have I missed a previous thread where that's been mentioned? I ask because getting around on your own in NZ and most other places including Asia and South America is very different, and generally much easier than in many regions of Africa. Zim is relativly easy (despite the difficulties of obtaining desiel), but getting around in west/central African countries is more of a challenge. And a plainsgame hunt in RSA, Zim, Namibia etc doesn't count much really when it comes to understanding and dealing with African beaurocracy, and with getting around by yourself in out of the way African regions. IMO.

I also would not rely much on Norwegian missionaries, unless you are lucky enough to have a direct connection with some via a church or missionary group where you are known. I've been suprised in fact over how little help I've experianced from Norwegian missionaries in the various African countries where I've met them. Only a couple were open and friendly, and the rest were just plain rude unwelcoming. Which is kind of weird if you ask me, as I personally would have been glad to meet another countryman out in the middle of no where and offer a bit of help if needed. I suspect one of the reasons they behaved poorly is that they didn't like exposing to us how comfortable and well off they lived, as they prefer to make it sound as though their missionary lives are very tough and demanding when reporting back home to collect more money.

The few that were helpful were very helpful though, and one elderly couple in Ethiopia even let us use a guestroom for a night, and fed us with Norwegian goat cheese!

Other missionaries, nuns and monks we have come across, both locals and from other European countries, have often been very helpful and gave good advice. So keep that in mind if you try Cameroon.

I myself would like to go on a self-guided hunt, and have given it considerable though. Although I'm a bit out of order at the moment with my busted ankle, I hope to do so myself in the future.

I believe that Congo-Brazzaville also allows "Chasse-Libre", and I think I posted a link to their government website recently, were there is some info about it (or maybe it was Larcher/JB who posted it???). I also seem to recall that it is possible to do self guided hunts in Benin?

The thing with most of these countries is that it's hard to get by without knowing much French. I am not very fluent in French, and had a hard time now and then in west Africa, although my wife knows more, and was of great help. I personally think that a bit of French skills would be of even greater importance if going on a self guided hunt in a west/central African country. I would go so far as to say that virtually no one outside the larger cities know any English, and definately not any German. So if you can, take an evening course of French at a local school or something if that's available. But even then, keep in mind that the French that local African speak is quite different than what is spoken in France, and it'll take a while to catch on to what the locals are talking about even if you speak French well!

Erik