Adam Stevens
AH veteran
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2015
- Messages
- 217
- Reaction score
- 335
- Location
- Fraser Valley
- Media
- 67
- Articles
- 1
- Hunted
- Canada, USA, Mexico
It was 2006, I would of only been 19 at the time, walking through the grocery store when I spotted a neat looking magazine cover. Being from Canada we don't have the selection or quantity and quality of hunting magazines you see in the states. Used to love going to cabelas in the states and seeing all the different DVDs and magazines.
Instantly I knew the magazine was right up my alley. Wild Hunting 2006. Quickly flipping through the pages I noticed far off places, exotic hunts and animals. I noticed Craig Boddington was involved. I probably had the mindset to rush home quickly just so I could start reading it. "Start the car!! Start the car!!!"
I came from a hunting family, mainly waterfowl but my father always instilled the desire to conserve and hunt all game. Big and small. I don't know where the drive came from as no one close ever hunted Africa, but from childhood I've dreamed of Africa. The epic safaris of the first part of the 1900s seemed burned into my mind. Roosevelt, Hemingway and Boddington were my go to's. The rifles, the adversity, the heat, the people, the animals, the travel. Everything about it screamed adventure to me.
It was in that magazine, I read an article that would probably change my life. As the title of my thread, it was "Put the adventure back in Africa" by Cameron Hopkins. It felt as though I had written it. He had pulled the words out of my brain and put them to paper. Though I'm sure I could never write that well haha! But in that article so many lines and quotes struck a cord with me.
He would go on about safaris being a major undertaking, and now look at the difference.
"Being whisked away from an airport, to a fancy lodge with AC and power and even a pool"
" it's enough to make an adventure seeker sick. I can think of enough more miserable then being pampered."
I fell in love right there. I knew I had found a man cut from the same cloth.
Fast forward to today. That same magazine I have had in my possession for 11 years. The cover is now long gone. The middle section lost its staples. It's barely hanging on but I still read that magazine like it was the first time I picked it up.
I luckily did a career change 4 years ago and now I'm finally afforded the ability to actually "think and plan" for Africa. Something that wasn't possible before. I am more willing to save and sacrifice just to reach that goal of hunting the dark continent. Been driving the same truck for 9 years and that won't change. Everyone I know says get a new truck. Why would I? If I had to drive it for 20 years just to get to Africa I would with a smile.
So now, and this is no stab at South Africa in the least. This is just a boys dream and now a man's goal to hunt the wild countries of Africa. Like my favourite article says "to soak in the ambience of the same Africa that captivated Ruark and Hemingway" Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania all on my radar. Our exchange rate isn't the best with USD we lucked out for awhile when it was par. I hunted Mexico twice and was fantastic and a good price but now the exchange hurts.
I have a goal within the next couple years to try and hunt Africa once or twice. Buffalo is the number one. I believe the expierence of dangerous game hunting and quoting the article one last time "I care very much about hunting an African buffalo, on foot, in thick cover. The right way"
I'm sure I may want to hunt SA possibly in the future. With the wife and and family. Plains games. Kudu also keeps me up at night haha.
But for now I want the experience's. My wife is a hunter herself and understands my passions and drive. But she is rather funny, she doesn't want to see any elephant and African cat brought home. She is rather accommodating in all other matters. Hunting and life wise. I'd love to hunt Buff and a few plains game to start. And return to potentially hunt an Ele. Either a non export or since I'm Canadian I could import and just not keep in the house is fine.
This forum has been amazing. I enjoy checking it daily and seeing the reports and offers from outfitters. I'm halfway through building our home and off hunting elk and moose this year so budgets tight for now but I have a goal of going to Africa and I will achieve it. Sooner rather then later.
Instantly I knew the magazine was right up my alley. Wild Hunting 2006. Quickly flipping through the pages I noticed far off places, exotic hunts and animals. I noticed Craig Boddington was involved. I probably had the mindset to rush home quickly just so I could start reading it. "Start the car!! Start the car!!!"
I came from a hunting family, mainly waterfowl but my father always instilled the desire to conserve and hunt all game. Big and small. I don't know where the drive came from as no one close ever hunted Africa, but from childhood I've dreamed of Africa. The epic safaris of the first part of the 1900s seemed burned into my mind. Roosevelt, Hemingway and Boddington were my go to's. The rifles, the adversity, the heat, the people, the animals, the travel. Everything about it screamed adventure to me.
It was in that magazine, I read an article that would probably change my life. As the title of my thread, it was "Put the adventure back in Africa" by Cameron Hopkins. It felt as though I had written it. He had pulled the words out of my brain and put them to paper. Though I'm sure I could never write that well haha! But in that article so many lines and quotes struck a cord with me.
He would go on about safaris being a major undertaking, and now look at the difference.
"Being whisked away from an airport, to a fancy lodge with AC and power and even a pool"
" it's enough to make an adventure seeker sick. I can think of enough more miserable then being pampered."
I fell in love right there. I knew I had found a man cut from the same cloth.
Fast forward to today. That same magazine I have had in my possession for 11 years. The cover is now long gone. The middle section lost its staples. It's barely hanging on but I still read that magazine like it was the first time I picked it up.
I luckily did a career change 4 years ago and now I'm finally afforded the ability to actually "think and plan" for Africa. Something that wasn't possible before. I am more willing to save and sacrifice just to reach that goal of hunting the dark continent. Been driving the same truck for 9 years and that won't change. Everyone I know says get a new truck. Why would I? If I had to drive it for 20 years just to get to Africa I would with a smile.
So now, and this is no stab at South Africa in the least. This is just a boys dream and now a man's goal to hunt the wild countries of Africa. Like my favourite article says "to soak in the ambience of the same Africa that captivated Ruark and Hemingway" Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania all on my radar. Our exchange rate isn't the best with USD we lucked out for awhile when it was par. I hunted Mexico twice and was fantastic and a good price but now the exchange hurts.
I have a goal within the next couple years to try and hunt Africa once or twice. Buffalo is the number one. I believe the expierence of dangerous game hunting and quoting the article one last time "I care very much about hunting an African buffalo, on foot, in thick cover. The right way"
I'm sure I may want to hunt SA possibly in the future. With the wife and and family. Plains games. Kudu also keeps me up at night haha.
But for now I want the experience's. My wife is a hunter herself and understands my passions and drive. But she is rather funny, she doesn't want to see any elephant and African cat brought home. She is rather accommodating in all other matters. Hunting and life wise. I'd love to hunt Buff and a few plains game to start. And return to potentially hunt an Ele. Either a non export or since I'm Canadian I could import and just not keep in the house is fine.
This forum has been amazing. I enjoy checking it daily and seeing the reports and offers from outfitters. I'm halfway through building our home and off hunting elk and moose this year so budgets tight for now but I have a goal of going to Africa and I will achieve it. Sooner rather then later.
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