Recent content by Cleathorn

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    Should I curb my enthusiasm? Here is my typical hunting checklist

    You are correct in that there are a million hunting lists. They are all correct, and at the same time, incorrect. Phillip did a great job with the video above, and it’s a good resource. I add only that there is a difference between a "need," and a "want." You may want to take a lot, but you...
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    Ele: 3 - 30lber’s or 1 - 90lber?

    I have been fortunate enough to hunt elephants on several occasions. Since the specific question is: $100K budget and 3 hunts rather than 1. I would answer that its actually 4 hunts (Zimbabwe communal land tracking hunts) and go multiple times for the experience. Elephant hunting is unique...
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    .375 Elephant

    Sounds like a great gun (and caliber) for your hunt. The 375 has probably taken more elephants than just about any other caliber. And personally, I love a double for hunting elephants; it’s just perfectly made for the situation. Talk to your PH about shot placement and backup. I personally like...
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    The “Three Days Rule” for outfitters, guides, PH’s

    This is a tough one. Without making excuses for anyone, the other side of this communication issue is pretty important as well. Understanding it will help with finding the right PH and experience. Consider this: You are on your safari. You planned for two (2) years. You are there, in the bush...
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    First Safari - What would you do different?

    "My first safari" memories are up there with my first car (a green 1977 Monte Carlo with a white landau top), my first child (it was a Friday night, 7:00pm and she's now a 21 biochemical engineer heading into grad school in England), first girl (I remember but won’t give a name, but will say...
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    Outfitter recommendations needed

    Duckpro - sorting out your options in Africa is a good part of the fun. And there is some great advice from the folks on here who have been there and done it. There are a lot of option across Africa to take 3 of 4 on your list. All 4, well as the folks have mentioned, that gets tougher on a...
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    What Are Your 2026 Hunt Plans?

    I had to reread it a few times when I saw "Senegal." That seems really interesting. Can you share who you booked with, or booking agent, or anything else. I'm pretty intrigued.
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    Off the beaten path, Uganda vs Cameroon

    I have hunted both. Uganda is awesome. Cameroon is a longer story. I hunted Uganda in 2024 with Abe Langley's KOS Safaris (Tom Holloway, PH). Abe runs an excellent operation. Here is a Hunt Report (story really) if you are interested...
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    What Are Your 2026 Hunt Plans?

    I just finished up a successful mountain lion hunt yesterday. Quail in GA next week. Trout fishing the White River in Arkansas 3rd week of February. Guatemala for sailfish on the fly-rod in March. Turkey hunting in CO, GA and likely Texas in April. Driving from Colorado up to Alaska in May to...
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    Where for Chamois?

    I have hunted most (but not all) of the Chamois sub-species as part of the GSCO Capra World slam. Chamois hunts in Europe are awesome. Slovenia for the Alpine was by far my favorite destination. The small villages and hunting clubs (hunting families as they seem to be known in Slovenia) made...
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    Cape Buffalo Hunt-Bring or Rent a rifle?

    This can sometimes be a controversial subject. Some folks have powerful feelings about their guns. So my caveats are that I am not making a recommendation, only offering information, and everyone else's experiences are just as valid; I am not trying to argue with anyone. With that, I have...
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    Do you go afield with “hunting” or “nice” shotguns

    I use everything from a Remington 870 Sportsman that I bought in 1984 to my Caesar Guerini Invictus V, and I have had to use both as canoe paddles/push polls on occasion. I've also used a whole bunch of other shotguns in between. I use whatever I happen to have on hand, or borrow, depending on...
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    Hunting bug got me, hello from PA!

    Welcome - to the rabbit hole (hunting and the AH community). I joined here about 16 years ago to get information on my "once in a lifetime" and "only" African safari. Then from the shadows someone whispered "no one goes to Africa just once." But I was going to be different - only going once...
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    Tanzania Plains Game -- Gazelle??

    Scott - you just listed my ideal Tanzanian safari. Agree with you on Buffalo as well. All great information, except, now I want to go to Tanzania!
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    Last Chance For CITES Brown Bear Hunt!

    I hunted in November. It was very good. I took a nice Chamois as well. In 3.5 days of hunting I personally saw 13 bears. We did a traditional driven hunt, and it was very interesting and fun. Think deer drive only with bears (and every other critter in Romania). It close encounter, active...
 
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