bonanza
.400 member
Reged: 17/05/04
Posts: 2335
Loc: South Carolina
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It's D-day. Tomorrow I start the "Last Adventure, Safari" as PHC calls it. I have triple check everything and now leave it up to the Gods that it all goes well.
Fuck me, I'm going to Disney Word for adults!
See you in two weeks; Blair
--------------------
"Speak Precisely" G. Gordon Liddy.
"Life is absurd, chaotic and we must define its purpose with our actions" Abert Camus
"I''m the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude."
"Yo! Mr. White"
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tophet1
.400 member
Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia
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Blair,
You will have a great time. Once you leave home relax and go with the flow. All the plans are made and can't be changed. There will be hiccups but that is part of hunting Africa. It will all work out.
I look forward greatly to reading your hunting report. Warm barrels.
John
PS Disney World for Adults ! so right.
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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member
Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....
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Have a great time: just go with the flow, be patient, and shoot straight. Oh yea: pictures. Lots of pictures.
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CHAPUISARMES
.416 member
Reged: 16/01/08
Posts: 2908
Loc: DUBBO, NSW, AUSTRALIA
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Quote:
Fuck me, I'm going to Disney Word for adults!
See you in two weeks;
Blair
Hi Blair,
I'll pass on that bit but you will enjoy yourself and when things go a little off track they will say to you. 'TIA' meaning " That is Africa"
This will be a memory that will live with you for the rest of your life so make it a good one.
Enjoy and Shoot Straight,
Cheers,
Jeff Gray
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EricD
.416 member
Reged: 27/02/04
Posts: 4636
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Have fun Blair! I look forward to seeing pictures from your trip!
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AspenHill
Sponsor
Reged: 08/01/03
Posts: 1528
Loc: Vermont, USA
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You won't want to come home! Have a 'blast'!
-------------------- ~Ann
Everyday spent outdoors is the best day of my life.
Aspen Hill Adventures
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JabaliHunter
.400 member
Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England
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Have a great trip!
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Mike_Bailey
.400 member
Reged: 26/02/07
Posts: 2289
Loc: GB
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Yep, good luck, best
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bonanza
.400 member
Reged: 17/05/04
Posts: 2335
Loc: South Carolina
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Heh heh gang,
I've returned from my plains game safari and what a hell of a time! The journey to SA went quite smoothly and thumbs-up to SAA. A hop to Polokwane where I was met by the PH, an hour later Lisa and I were settling in the luxury chalet overlooking 10,000 acres of bushveld, a mountain sunset with a gin and tonic, priceless.
The second day was purely decompression and unwinding; I had no desire to go hunting jet-lagged. I did however check my rifles at 100 yards. The higher altitude 5000 feet caused my .376 Steyr to shoot 2" high.
I began by telling the PH that my hunt will be strictly on foot and no shots over 100 yards so I can use my DR.
My first species was an Impala at 90+ yards with my .35 Win DR. I wounded him, but about 1 mile latter was dropped at 30 yards.
Next was a huge Eland at 82 yards with the .367 Steyr. We got down wind and behind lots of brush. The PH said it's the second time this year he's seen that old bull. It was nearly 30 seconds until I got a shot, he went about 20 yards and laid down. The PH told to shot again but not rush in. I crawled 30 feet and put the final bullet in. He weighed 770 lbs in the meat freezer.
I then shot a jewelry hog at 60 yards with the .35 Win DR. We got the tusks that will make fine necklaces.
My final game was a Blue Wildebeest. It also was the most amazing hunt of my life. I specified to the PH with three days remaining a bull Gnu taken on foot with my DR or nothing. On the third day after chasing a small heard with bad wind we worked our way towards a watering hole and caught one beading down. Only his horns could be seen and the PH turned to me and whispered "You will have to do a solo hunt or he will run". With my H&H double rifle in my left hand I slooowly crawled 30 feet to a bush below the grass level. I was being shredded by thorns but felt nothing. By the time I positioned my rifle the Gnu stood up. This was going to be it; the moment-of-truth. I had to make this shot. Bang! Of he goes and the chase dog in tow. I start after him, reload and the PH says "Settle down, you hit him." He sends my on my solo hunt. I catch up cock both hammers, find cover and take the first shot. I hit a limb or something, he takes a few steps I stand, pull the second trigger - he drops.
The PH says that was one of the best stalks he has been on for some time. I have successfully hunted Africa with a 115 year old Holland and Holland double rifle. It does not get much better.
I will have pictures in a week or so after I get the filmed developed and scanned.
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"Speak Precisely" G. Gordon Liddy.
"Life is absurd, chaotic and we must define its purpose with our actions" Abert Camus
"I''m the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude."
"Yo! Mr. White"
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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member
Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....
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My gosh, I can't believe you're back already! Glad you had a wonderful trip, and that it lived up to your expectations.
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alexbeer
.333 member
Reged: 10/04/08
Posts: 389
Loc: Tasmania, Australia
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Extremely well done Bonanza.
Speaking about a classic rifle, someone once wrote “You just feel good about it when you shoot something with a rifle like that”
I reckon you know exactly what they meant now 
Great story, really looking forward to the pictures.
Any more details??
Best ALEX
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Details matter!
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Ben
.400 member
Reged: 22/08/08
Posts: 1917
Loc: Northern Territory, Australia
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Hey, well-done! I'm looking-forward to the pictures.
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tophet1
.400 member
Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia
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I look forward to the photos. Congratulations also.
I can detect the excitement and awe in your prose. When will you return ?
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JabaliHunter
.400 member
Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England
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DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27691
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
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Glad it went well - thanks for posting the results, Bonanaza.
-------------------- Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
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9.3x57
.450 member
Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5561
Loc: United States
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Blair, glad to hear you enjoyed yourself and all panned out well.
-------------------- What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
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FATBOY404
.400 member
Reged: 14/11/09
Posts: 1730
Loc: QLD
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I too look forward to the photo's.
-------------------- "WHATEVER BLOWS YOUR HAIR BACK"
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Mike_Bailey
.400 member
Reged: 26/02/07
Posts: 2289
Loc: GB
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Congrats, looking forward to the pics best
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CHAPUISARMES
.416 member
Reged: 16/01/08
Posts: 2908
Loc: DUBBO, NSW, AUSTRALIA
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Hi Blair,
Sounds like you had a hoot and like everyone else, can't believe that your back already but I guess you also feel that way. Looking forward to the pictures as well.
Cheers for now,
Jeff Gray
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bonanza
.400 member
Reged: 17/05/04
Posts: 2335
Loc: South Carolina
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Impala - 250 grain Woodleigh, pass through.
Warthog - 250 grain Woodleigh, pass through.
Eland - 270 grain Swift A-Frame, 230 grains (85%)
Wildebeest - 250 grain Woodleigh, lost in guts.
--------------------
"Speak Precisely" G. Gordon Liddy.
"Life is absurd, chaotic and we must define its purpose with our actions" Abert Camus
"I''m the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude."
"Yo! Mr. White"
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40645
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Well done Bonanza. It sounds like you had great fun on your safari, and hunted well.
-------------------- John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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crkennedy1
.375 member
Reged: 05/12/08
Posts: 501
Loc: Utah
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Reading about your trip reminds me of my own, just two short years ago this month! (where does the time go?) I think of that hunt almost every day. Congratulations on your success and I look forward to seeing your photos!
-------------------- DOUBLE or NOTHING
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Rockdoc
.400 member
Reged: 07/12/06
Posts: 1213
Loc: NSW, Australia
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Sounds like a great hunt with a classic rifle and using photographs with real film too! The hunt is so last century...no wait, the century before 
Congratulations.
Cheers, Chris
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