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Hunting >> Hunting in Africa & hunting dangerous game
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EricD
.416 member


Reged: 27/02/04
Posts: 4636
My first elephant hunt!
      #26349 - 16/02/05 01:43 AM

I am a weak man. And obviously easily impressionable... I have for some time now been brainwashed by several posters here that a tuskless cow ele is necessary to achieve total, and complete happiness as a hunter, and a Zen like state of mind! So I blame my plan to go to Zim this year on them!

Actually, I have wanted to hunt elephant for many years, and even bought Ron Thompsons book, Mahohboh, back in 1998 although I knew it would be some years until I got the chance to hunt them. 2 hunting trips to africa (one in 1998, the next in 2000), and a year long drive thru africa convinced me even more that I wanted ele on the menu. I'm lucky enough to have a wife that even wants me to shoot elephant (she isn't very fond of them after quite a few close encounters... ).

So this July I will meet Buzz Charlton in Harare, and drive up to Chewore North for a tuskless cow ele hunt. My plan is to arrive in Zim a week before, and most likely rent a car so I can see some sights I missed in Zim in the past. Political problems permitting of course.

My wife is now insanely jealous, since she loves travelling and hunting in africa too, but she has to stay at home with the baby. Luckily, her jealousy is overcome by her joy for me doing something I've wanted to do for a long time! I guess I'm blessed in the wife department!

For those who might want to know, I'll be using my Mag. Mauser in 375H&H. It's what I've got, and thus is what I'll be using (even though I know something larger can be of an advantage).

Any tips or advice are always appreciated!

Erik

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SAHUNT
Sponsor


Reged: 27/12/04
Posts: 900
Loc: Centurion, RSA
Re: My first elephant hunt! [Re: EricD]
      #26354 - 16/02/05 02:13 AM

Hope you will have an enjoyable hunt. There is nothing in the world that beats the excitement of something you can't wait to do. Seems to me you have a very nice and understanding wife, that makes life even beter, especially if your woman shares and joins in in your outdoor activities.

--------------------
Life is how you pass the time between hunting trips.
Sometimes I do not express myself properly in the English language, please forgive me, I am just a boertjie.
Jaco Human
jacohu@mweb.co.za
SA Hunting Experience

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NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40642
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: My first elephant hunt! [Re: EricD]
      #26357 - 16/02/05 02:24 AM

You lucky bugger. I'd better not say what I said on AR. I will getin trouble here if someone reads it.

Good luck.



--------------------
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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EricD
.416 member


Reged: 27/02/04
Posts: 4636
Re: My first elephant hunt! [Re: NitroX]
      #26361 - 16/02/05 02:48 AM

John,

The funny thing is that I had not planned on doing any hunting besides at home this year, as I think I mentioned to you a while back. But then I got this offer from Buzz, and being a weak bastard, couldn't help myself...


Erik

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500grains
.416 member


Reged: 16/02/04
Posts: 4732
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Re: My first elephant hunt! [Re: EricD]
      #26382 - 16/02/05 09:46 AM

The most significant problem I have faced is blisters. When hunting in the U.S. I do not get blisters because I travel at my own pace. Even though I will typically cover 5-15 miles per day, often in mountainous terrain, I do not get blisters.

But when tracking elephant, the pace is so fast that my feet move differently than when hunting in the U.S. So I get blisters. Next trip I will take 1 pair of hunting boots and 2 pair of sneakers (2 different brands) in the hope of minimizing the blisters. I also found some blister stuff that is basically clear ladies nail polish which fills up the hole quite nicely after the blister rips off. But the nail polish stuff hurts like hell when poured into an open wound.

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EricD
.416 member


Reged: 27/02/04
Posts: 4636
Re: My first elephant hunt! [Re: 500grains]
      #26384 - 16/02/05 11:13 AM

500grains,

It's interesting that you mention blisters,as my wife and I discussed this just yesterday. And we were wondering if it is maybe the heat that makes a differance, and not the fast pace. The reason I'm thinking that might be the cause is from our experiance while driving thru africa. I brought a pair of very well worn army boots with me (and my wife the same), which never gave me (or her) blisters at home. No matter how far or fast I walked. But in the high heat in some places in africa, it seemed like our feet changed a little, due to becoming a bit swollen. On several tough hikes, and climbs in hot areas we got blisters where we had never had them before. But when doing the same in more temperate areas we didn't get any.

I'm planning on leaving my boots at home, and instead bringing a pair of jogging shoes and a pair of "Timberland" walking/hiking shoes. They are lighter and cooler than boots, and I'm thinking that it's worth a try.

I have found in the past that prevention is the best way to deal with blisters. Either by using Compeed type of band-aid ( http://www.bandaid.com/footcare.shtml ) or spraying with a liquid plastic spray that surgeons use when they graft skin. Before the blister starts.

If you get a warm/burning sensation somewhere on your feet, it's best to stop right away for a couple of minutes and cover the area with an appropriate "band-aid". Then the sock/shoe will slide over the protective layer instead of dragging your skin back and forth (which otherwise creates the blister).

If you do get a blister and absolutly must drain it (although it's best to leave them as they are), never tear the skin off, or stick a needle directly thru the blister skin. Instead, stick the needle a couple of millimeters from the side of the blister thru undamaged skin. This will allow the blister to drain (by drain I mean pressing the liquid out by pushing on the blister gently), but keep the blister skin intact which of course protects against bacteria.

Btw, do you wear any kind of gaiters over your shoes/boots against grass seeds. I used to have a pair of short gaiters but can't find them, so I'll have to check out where to buy some new ones. When using boots, I used to were old military "putties". But they aren't suitable for shoes/sneakers unfortunatly.

Edited by ErikD (16/02/05 07:37 PM)

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mickey
.416 member


Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho
Re: My first elephant hunt! [Re: EricD]
      #26399 - 16/02/05 03:29 PM

In Namibia a couple of years ago I was hunting Mt Zebra. I got a blister and the PH, a former RSA soldier, used a hypdermic needle to suck out the stuff. Not drain but remove. He then injected some sort of an antiseptic drying agent. I wish I was listening closer.

It dried out the area and sealed the skin. By the next morning it was if the blister never existed.

--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

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Brad_Rolston
.224 member


Reged: 07/02/05
Posts: 7
Loc: South Africa
Re: My first elephant hunt! [Re: mickey]
      #26531 - 19/02/05 09:18 AM

Mick

When I was in the military , we used a product called Methiolate along with the method you described to heal blisters .

Brad

--------------------
Brad Rolston African Hunting
P.O. Box 506
Stella
8650
Kalahari
South Africa
Telephone : +27 (0) 82 574 9928
Fax : +27 (0) 86 672 6854
E-mail : rolston585ae@iafrica.com


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500grains
.416 member


Reged: 16/02/04
Posts: 4732
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Re: My first elephant hunt! [Re: EricD]
      #26548 - 19/02/05 04:34 PM

Erik,

Yes, I wear gaiters. I left the last pair with the tracker who I gave my boots to. After it rained, he put his boots by the fire to dry and burned a hole in the toe of one boot. So I left the fellow my boots and gaiters. He was so pleased you would have thought I had bought him a new wife.

So I just bought some new gaiters from Boyt's for US$11.



http://www.boytharness.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=125

I was thinking of making some out of deer skin and elastic, but I can't find the deerskin that I had some years ago. Maybe I will have to buy a new deerskin, because with the right elastic, that should make perfect gaiters.

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mickey
.416 member


Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho
Re: My first elephant hunt! [Re: 500grains]
      #26568 - 20/02/05 06:30 AM

500grains

Do you have a fellow to make them and a design? I have some tanned Cape Buffalo hide (black). I would send you enough for two pairs if you get them done.

I suppose Elephant or Ostrich would be a bit much, eh?

--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

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500grains
.416 member


Reged: 16/02/04
Posts: 4732
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Re: My first elephant hunt! [Re: mickey]
      #26573 - 20/02/05 10:41 AM

Mickey,

I was just going to make them myself while watching TV. As for a pattern, I planned to cut open a pair of cloth gaiters to use as the pattern.

However, the deerskin I was thinking of is fairly thin and flexible. I ruled out elkskin as it is too thick and stiff.

I do know of an excellent leather worker for cartridge holders and knife sheaths. He makes the Africase line of cartridge holders and has made me some really great sheaths. Aleko at Heritage Arms (email ha1@xmmission.com) can link you up with him.

Thanks for the offer of free leather, but I an going to hold out for deerskin and sew them myself in true pioneer fashion!

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