First safari almost here what should I be doing?

[Buckdog]

huntin labs go have fun
AND PRACTICE SHOOTING OFF STICKS!
bipods are useless in Africa, practice getting on sticks quickly getting on target firing a good accurate round then chambering another smoothly and a 2nd shot. African critters are tough sometimes it takes two. but concentrate on that one good first round

 

[huntinlabs]

huntin labs go have fun
AND PRACTICE SHOOTING OFF STICKS!
bipods are useless in Africa, practice getting on sticks quickly getting on target firing a good accurate round then chambering another smoothly and a 2nd shot. African critters are tough sometimes it takes two. but concentrate on that one good first round

Thanks for the heads up on bipods.. it's actually good to hear I rather shoot free handed then use bipods lol. Never shot off of pure sticks though.. although I have shot off a bunch of other different things in past deployments.

 

[IAhawks84]

Have you chosen what to shoot yet?

 

[huntinlabs]

Yea we are going after blue wildebeest black wildebeest impala springbuck steenbuck and blesbuck

 

[BRICKBURN]

Yea we are going after plains game.

Anything that moves? or some specific species that really interest you?

 

[huntinlabs]

Anything that moves? or some specific species that really interest you?

Blue wildebeest black wildebeest impala springbuck steenbuck and blesbuck

I just edited the reply when you posted that lol

 

[RogerHeintzman]

Just think of this trip as a short deployment. LOL. Did you purchase trip insurance? I always do and have had to use it twice.
Have you checked with your insurance carrier to find out what hospitals in the area are providers? I also do this.
Have some 5's in your pocket for tipping handlers if used at airport, these guys have in the past been invaluable.
Make sure you have called your CC company with safari dates so your card will work if used.
Relax and enjoy the moments.

 

[huntinlabs]

Just think of this trip as a short deployment. LOL. Did you purchase trip insurance? I always do and have had to use it twice.
Have you checked with your insurance carrier to find out what hospitals in the area are providers? I also do this.
Have some 5's in your pocket for tipping handlers if used at airport, these guys have in the past been invaluable.
Make sure you have called your CC company with safari dates so your card will work if used.
Relax and enjoy the moments.

I purchased trip insurance when I bought my plane tickets. As far as hospitals go with tri care I am still doing the paperwork to make sure we are covered no mater what.

 

[RogerHeintzman]

We all will be waiting for the hunt report and pictures.

 

[brandondd24]

Pack and repack? I’m sure you’ve already been doing that! Lol. Seriously pack light, you don’t need as much as you think!

 

[peras]

Just relax, we have everything you will need. Like most members here mentioned, practice shooting of the sticks. Looking forward to meeting you!

 

[huntinlabs]

Just relax, we have everything you will need. Like most members here mentioned, practice shooting of the sticks. Looking forward to meeting you!

Sounds like I need to buy sticks then? And we look forward to meeting you as well.

 

[billc]

Pieter has a set of bog pods he uses but you can practice off any tripod even if you make them yourself.

 

[Art Lambart II]

Because your not taking a rifle you should easily be able to pack everything in your carry on luggage. Wear a set of hunting clothes on the plane and pack two more sets and you'll have more than enough clothes for the safari. Remember you get two carry-on items, so make good use of both of them. If you plan on bringing a knife you'll need a small check bag as well and the extra space in that bag will enable you to bring a few souvenirs home.

I highly recommend you use a good Safari vest, wear it on the plane and load the pockets with all the small items you plan on taking to the field, its a great way to save space in your bags and the airlines don't count it as luggage. It also eliminates the need for a back pack in the field. Your PH will glide thru the thorns of the bushveld like water running out of a tap, you on the other hand will get poked, snagged and hung up on every tree, bush and shrub you walk past (even the grass over their grabs you), a back pack is just one more thing for those thorns to grab.

The other item I would recommend is a power converter, you may not need it but it guarantees you can charge all of your electronic devices. I would leave the mid size camera at home, your cell phone and an SLR with 200 or 300mm zoom is all you really need.

Binos are a personal choice, on my last safari my PH preferred I not use them unless we where in the truck or sitting at a water hole, most of us don't have the skill to judge African game and because you are following two or three steps behind your PH you won't be able to see the same things he does. Its more important to get on the shooting sticks quickly and then find the game you PH has spotted thru your scope, than it is to help him glass for game on a stalk.

Have a great time on your Safari.

 

[Ridgewalker]

You’re going to have a grand time with Pieter and his crew!
It’s so enjoyable sitting around the fire every evening watching dinner being cooked and having a drink. One of my favorite parts of a hunt!

 

[Hogpatrol]

If you are shooting on the plains/karoo any distance. I would take a high bipod. I use a Harris 25" bipod. I can sit on the ground and take a rock solid shot out to distances that won't work with two or three legged sticks.

 

[Slider]

I always check with the CDC anytime I am planning on leaving the U.S.A.

 

[Smitty]

Make copies or originals of all papers you sent to Henry (if using his rifle import service). Original of the Customs 4457 form, one in the gun case and the SAPS form and itinerary. . All of these document should be in your carry on bag or pack.

I just wanted to send you a personal thank you for the advice listed above! Because of you, I made several copies of my Itinerary, Insurance, and most importantly, my 4457 forms. Unbeknownst to me, the South African Police had removed the 4457 form from my rifle case when they issued my SAPS. When I returned to the USA, Port Authority at JFK was not pleased when we couldn't find the 4457 form. Thanks to you, I simply opened my backpack and produced a copy! Problem solved and lesson learned. Much appreciated.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Good for you, Smitty!

 

[Hogpatrol]

Smitty, on your next trip, keep the originals with the rest of your important documentation (carry on bags) and leave the copies in the gun case.