Messages

Sorry to read you didn't take a ram. It took me three trips to get mine. They are a real challenge to hunt. Hopefully, you can try again in the future. If you do, talk to the G&F Officer that works that county(s). He may know where they can be found or get you in touch with recent hunters that have been successful.
GH,
grayghost

I'm looking for either a 26" IC or 26" Rem Choke barrel for my Wingmaster. Email or PM me if you have one for sale.
Thanks,
grayghost

thanx guys. I'll be returning soon.
gg

Since this topic started I have returned to Zimbabwe and RSA several times. Had zero problems anywhere (well, maybe the Jo'burg airport typical jams). Hunting was fantastic as always, trophies were received home and I'm returning again soon. There will always be trouble in paradise. Remember, it was our own western politicians who demanded white rule turn over each country to "democratic" rule....well, we left our brothers to fend for themselves. Now the Baboons have control of everything and what else could you expect? If anyone plans on hunting or vacationing in Africa, I'd do it now. I doubt any of us will be returning in 5-10 years.
gg

I'm headed back in two months and go every year at least once. Africa remains one of the best hunting locations in the world, simply for the vast amount of species to hunt and the affordable cost. RSA or Namibia both offer great deals for hunting packages or combining with a hunt vacation. Currently, a 5 hunting day safari with 5 trophy animals (trophies, not immature or culls) runs around $2,300 each for 2 hunters with one PH (guide). This includes everything but airfare (can vary from $1,700-$2,100 depending upon where you leave from), personal expenses and tips should you decide to give them. You can hunt anything from Elephant down to ducks/gamebirds and varmints in Africa. I'll post a report when I return.
Good hunting, grayghost

Thanks fella's. Cost....in Africa you can get it done for under $4,000 by one of the best studio's. However, Caveat Emptor! Many will not deliver a quality mount; a few can and will. In the US, expect to pay $5,500-$7,500 for some of the better studio's. Good thing about using a US Taxidermist: you can physically examine their work ahead of time; watch it's progress and request changes in person. This is generally the best route for anyone who lacks a Taxidermy background. I spent 17 years as a professional Taxidermist. That does help a lot when choosing someone else to do my work. I generally use guys from the States.
Good hunting,
grayghost

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words. While we're about to head into a sweltering summer, Africa and other parts of the world are just beginning winter. Nothing like waking up to frost on the ground in the middle of June :)
Good hunting,
grayghost

Thank you everyone. Yes, I have just the place for him :)

Finished mount, ready to ship.

Last May I traveled to the Kalahari to hunt African Lion. Mount is ready to ship.
Good work by Lifeform Taxidermy White River, Mpumalanga, RSA.

Jay, all you have to say is "double rifle" and the price quadruples. I recently saw a Peter Hofer double that lists for $1.6 MILLION! Just a run of the mill, plain jane Heym PH model is over $8 K. Nothing wrong with a Heym, and it will kill the largest Elephant in the world just as dead as a bolt action CZ 550 in .375H&H. Nice gun, hope you get it. grayghost

You can hunt Africa for less than a Texas Deer hunt. One of the ranches I hunt on offers a 5 day hunt with 3 trophy animals for under $2,200. 10 days with 8 animals for under $6,000. Other than incidentals (tips, souvenirs etc) it's all inclusive: ground transportation, food/drinks, lodging, daily laundry, PH, Tracker/Skinner's, field prep of trophies etc. You can email me for details. I go twice a year. BTW, airfare runs $2,000-$2,500 round trip, thanks to the price of fuel nowadays. Good hunting, grayghost

Mugabe's time is up. He may not go down without a fight but if he brings one on I don't think he will escape retrobution from the rest of the world. No one has been willing to intervein, and many felt Britain would as Zim was once their colony (Rhodesia). I hope to return soon, but I don't see change in the way indigenous people run their Gov't. Just one big mess after another. grayghost

Big gun with a BIG recoi! I'd go for a .416 Rigby and be set for any of the Dangerous 7 (Big 5 + the Hippo and Crocodile). grayghost

Sorry for the slow reply everyone. Aside from downtime, I've been attending some of the Safari conventions and getting everyone ready for the Argentina/New Zealand & African hunting seasons. If Zimbabwe doesn't blow up (and right now it's doing OK) I'll return in a couple of months for Leopard and plains game. We're entering an un-hunted area in Mozambique this summer, so if the camp gets finished, I'll be in Niassa and the Zambezi Delta this September. Was hoping to hunt Buffalo in the Delta but we sold out before I could get my own Buff license. I should be able to find one of the trophy Sable and Bushbuck that are running around in Niassa however. Maybe next year I can hunt Buffalo.
Good luck with anyone drawing for a tag here at home this year.
Grayghost