Always bring a self-inflating seat cushion if hunting in a hide.
Bring hand sanitizer to clean hands in the hide.
Bring a bar of soap. African soap doesn't lather like American soaps.
Bring souvenir money in small bills. Use Visa when possible. You normally get a better exchange rate from your credit card company.
Lock your check-in bags. Use zip-ties on the smaller external compartments.
Fly direct from Atlanta via Delta airlines if possible. Purchase Economy Comfort at the very least and get an aisle seat.
Pack light, there's daily laundry service.
Take lots of pictures. I used a Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS camera. Worked great.
Have extra memory card and battery. Bring charger too.
DVS had an adapter in the room. I didn't need anything else for power.
If hunting only from a hide, use one green pin set at 20 yards. Keep it simple.
Have lighted pins. I used a Montana Gold sight with light. Used the light a couple times.
Bring a rangefinder to confirm distances.
Bring a good set of binos. Makes looking at animals more enjoyable.
Wear black hoodie in the hide.
Bring a fleece vest.
Make sure your clothing is quite. These animals have keen hearing.
High-top hiking shoes are fine.
Every plant seems to have spikes. Sneakers are a no-go for hunting. Spikes pierce the soles.
Bring a good book to read while in the hide. The sits are all day.
Carry a couple arrows with Judo points for shooting guinea hens for the chef. They taste great.
Practice from the sized window you will shoot from. Makes a big difference. First time I shot during practice, my eyes switched (I shoot with both eyes open). Closed one eye to make sure.
Center the animal in the widow and I had no issues while shooting with both eyes open.
That's about it. Enjoy your adventure.
... have fun, you are in good hands!
If it starts to go sideways see Rule #1!!!!!
Aim straight up the leg into the big leg muscle- not behind the shoulder.
Let the animal come to the water hole to drink and get comfortable- then pick your shot.
Take candy for the kids.
Shoot straight.
I ain't been, but these are universal....and good luck !
Like Bo-n-aro said check with your taxidermist and broker for any prehunt paper work... Customs power of atterny, ship lables, ect... Best of luck! Dennis
TBB
You will enjoy just hunting the "box of chocolate" that will come to the waterhole-
Take a good camera and plenty of photos of EVERYTHING.
If you have the time- get Herman to take you to Kruger National Park.
Forget all the hit list crap, put the tape measure away and have a blast. Soak everything in from the scenery to the culture and enjoy yourself!
My "hit list" is very short ( kudu, gemsbok, zebra, and whatever looks cool coming in). If none of the first three show up ill move to #4 on the list.
@ Dennis Razza its a good thing we talked and I have your shipping labels already. I think I'll be in good hands based on your pics. Haha.
Thanks again gents. Just trying to maximize the experience and learn from all who have been there.
Second, get a copy of the 'Perfect Shot' [the pocket book sized version] and get as up to speed as you can with African plains game anatomy and trophy field judging
Third, do try spot and stalk; the wind may not be helpful but it is great sport
Fourth, pack your bow case in an oversize duffel bag [I used a Cabela's] so it doesnt look like a gun case [padlock the zippers]; your bag will already be checked in as 'archery equipment' so shouldnt be any hassle with registererng firearms
Fifth, don't get hussled by porters at Jo'burg airport; it's no distance at all to internal flights to Polokwane
Sixth, have fun
Good luck and good hunting
Kenneth
Relax and have fun!
Have your Doctor give you a script for a broad spectrum antibiotic in case you get sick, a bad cut, etc.
One pin and 20 yards.
Pack light, I have always brought way to much crap.
You don't need high dollar hunting clothing there. I have taken camo from Wal-Mart and things like that and then left it there to make room for goodies. (Guides trackers appreciate it)
Take time to notice the little things like different bugs, lizards, birds, etc
Once again relax and have fun!
Besides that lots of great advice above. I second the inflatable seat cushion.
Instead of having one huge memory card for your camera(s), it might be safer to take a few and change them out occasionally, in case one of them fails for some reason. If everything is on one card, you could lose everything if the card became corrupt for some reason.
Can only offer a few things to consider -- these are things that mattered to me in the long run.
1. Noticed that folks who had a small list of desired species and were patient for quality were usually happier at the end of the hunt than those who shot "whatever came in."
2. It isn't a wilderness hunt, so having the perfect gear really won't make a big difference. Consider, but don't agonize over gear choices -- a year after the hunt most won't even remember what socks they brought.
3. The vitals on African game is further forward in the chest cavity -- know where to shoot -- good general rules = A. Broadside shot, come straight up the front leg and about 1/3 of the way up the body. B. Quartered away, aim for the inside of the off shoulder about 1/3 of the way up the body.
4. Lots of pictures and video -- numerous trophy photos from many angles -- of camp and anything unique/interesting -- get to enjoy them forever, and its free!!!
5. Have an idea of how you'll want trophies cared for -- at the skinning shed you'll be asked what type of mount they need to skin it for, and at the end of the hunt what you'll want done with the entire bag. Remember, you'll be looking at them for decades to come.
Also, know in advance what you want as far as mounts are concerned. You need to tell them when they arrive to pick up the animal you shot what exactly you are hoping to do with that trophy. Remember, the operation's skinners need to work on the cape/hide ASAP. It turns out that several African antelope are prone to hair slippage when they are not skinned and salted quickly (think spiral horns). Knowing what you desire ahead of time becomes important since things like this start costing in more ways than money.
Bring a tape measure and remember to take/record proper measurements if possible and as mentioned, talk to your taxidermist first about this. It will definitely help him/her later on do the best job possible.
Having a compact tripod is great to record video and/or stills which you will find yourself occupied with while waiting in the blinds. Don't underestimate the amount of photos and video you might be capturing on any given day and have a way to download what you captured daily so that you can go out each morning with plenty of memory. I also enjoyed taking a pencil and pad to log in each event during the day. It is fun to re-live them later.
Usual temps in RSA are from 30 degrees in the AM to 75 during the afternoons. Having a light fleece, watch-cap and gloves makes sense especially while driving out in the cold AM in the back of an open vehicle...Burrr!
I also recommend bringing a light weight bow case for the rides to/from as it frees your hands for viewing with binos and camera plus holding onto the railings. I remember my friends all having to hold there bows with one hand in the bouncing vehicle and not being able to check things out as well I was.
I differ on the bowcase issue, preferring to house my equipment in as much protection as possible using a SKS wheeled double bow case, which is large enough to contain plenty of gear, arrows, and extra clothes, a soft bowcase, etc. I never have had any real issues quickly collecting my case from JNB. Note: I also have it clearly marked as Archery Equip with Magic Marker.
Bringing gifts and candy etc is ok as long as you know ahead of time that the situation where you are going lends itself to that type of donation. From what I understand and have observed first hand, most of the operation's help is looking for money first and foremost. They usually see plenty of assorted hats, shoes, tee shirts, knives, etc from all the American clients thinking they are bringing them something unique when actually they are pretty routine trinkets. Tipping them in Rand is preferred and can be worked out equitably through your PH.
Keep an open mind about African species that you have never seen in the wild let alone hunted. I almost guarantee that you will be more impressed with something that you initially were not very interested in. As mentioned, let it all unfold and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. But also, know what is average vs. exceptional so you are not hesitating when that precious moment occurs.
I would say that an average hunter on a 10 day plains game hunt will need at least 12 arrows and twice as many broadheads. IMO that is a minimum and I usually end up bringing 18 arrows and 24 heads with extra blades, sharpening stones, etc. On my last trip I was spending an average of 16 hours in the field on several days and had little time to work on my shot BHs, so having ready-to-use new replacement blades worked best for me. When I eventually had time I would resharpen and clean what was used to keep ahead of things.
Lighted nocks and a light for your sight are good investments for what you can expect in the dark blinds and if you do some night hunting for predators.
Two sets of hunting clothes are all you will need and having a black top, hat and mask in the blind is the best plan. Bring quiet Camo clothes for any spot and stalk or ambush hunting. Pack lighter than you expected since daily laundry is the norm. Light weight hiking shoes are more than sufficient.
For the budget conscious my advice would be to shoot everything you really want to, as as someone said "it will never be any cheaper in the future". With the costs to get there and do a hunt like this it is more cost-effective to get as many as you can per trip. Who really knows if you will ever be back. At least that is what I was telling myself on my first hunt there.
Africa is an amazing and addicting place to hunt and explore. Try to see beyond the hunt and enjoy the multitude of animal/bird life that will display itself to you if you look. Nowhere in the world is there another set of ecosystems that compares to Africa.
Soon you will be planning your return trips.
The adventure begins!!!
I will definitely be bring a bottle of ketchup.
I plan to try some spot and stalk so I have pins out to 60.
Regardless of specie, if the PH starts going into convulsions at the sight of it, shoot it!
Take way more pictures than you think you need, think Japanese tourist after a triple-espresso.
Have fun.
If your biggest concern is the ketchup you must be doing something differently than me while I'm there. Really, come on...
--Jim
My list:
More $$ than you think More Arrows than you think Have fun and shoot stuff
Done.
If you fly through Jo-Berg with soft sided zippered luggage, you might as well attach a sign that reads "I'm a rich white American please help yourself to my stuff". With a beat up and securely locked old Samsonite, no self respecting native thief will give your bag a glance. Been there, done that.
