Hunt Preparation Starts Now!

[Diamondhitch]

The entire of that long H&H neck is on full diameter bullet. The boat tail is just below the neck.

Lengthened the throat as I knew this was going to be primarily a "long bullet" rifle. Being a falling block, OAL is only restricted by the throat and the need for proper bullet seating/security.

I could never safely get 3,100 fps with 180 gr bullets with the factory throat (or 2,850 with the 220 Partition).

Well planned out, good to see. I was a bit concerned.

 

[tarbe]

26 days until wheels up.

Did not make it out to the range this weekend. The position range was closed for a match Saturday and between church and rain today...no chance.

I did get some prep in this weekend though;

- did some dry-fire practice off the sticks. Aiming out the second story window at the cap on the fire hydrant 150 yards away - pretending it is the heart of a plains game animal!

- did a dry run of loading up the Tuff-Pak with rifle and clothing.

- did a total of 24 miles of humping my 30 pound training pack at max incline on the treadmill between 7pm Friday night and 8pm Sunday night (6 miles Friday and 9 miles each day Sat and Sun).

Next Thursday I will be driving up to the getaway in the Ozarks to meet up with two of my brothers for a long weekend. I will take my Kudu and sticks with me so I can be sure to get some shooting in.

Kathy and I are really looking forward to getting away on this 31 years delayed honeymoon!

 

[billc]

The time is going fast now. I just hope then rounded up all them dam SA goats and have them hid well.

This will be a delayed honeymoon worth the wait. I think you should do the bungee jump together to show all that 31 years of love.LOL

 

[tarbe]

The time is going fast now. I just hope then rounded up all them dam SA goats and have them hid well.

This will be a delayed honeymoon worth the wait. I think you should do the bungee jump together to show all that 31 years of love.LOL

Kathy says she is afraid the titanium plate that holds several of her neck vertebrae together might just come loose when that bungee cord hits bottom...so no bungee jump for her.

As for me, I will be too busy ridding the world of SA Goats to have time to go play around like that!

 

[billc]

Well she is a smart lady and tell her I am to scared no matter what to jump off a good bridge like that.

LOL yeah the Sa goats are in trouble just make sure it is not one of those copper ones. You take one of them you maybe signing over that MO land to loodt.LOL I can not wait to see what you end up taking as your list has never been the same twice in a row I think.

 

[tarbe]

I officially do not have a list.

Semi-officially I have a list of critters to choose from per the package that I signed on for.

But you know Loodt...he will work with me to come up with a plan to make it all work out regardless of what I shoot or don't shoot.

As I said in another thread, I am approaching it from the standpoint of accepting what Africa offers me. No rush...I have 9 or 10 days. If I spend all day chasing a particular animal and the stalks keep getting busted...no problem. Makes any success all the sweeter.

I will say though that the $3,000 check I just wrote to Uncle Sam for the extra tax I owed is not helping me with that list I don't have!

 

[Royal27]

I hear you on the list!!!! But you are spot on with taking what Africa gives you. here is a quote I've never seen on AH.

"The PH got really excited about the animal. It wasn't on my list, but he was so so excited that I shot it anyway. I have regretted pulling the trigger on that gold medal animal ever since."

I did make it for another three mile jog today, but I'm not going to be in as good of shape as I should be...

 

[tarbe]

here is a quote I've never seen on AH.

"The PH got really excited about the animal. It wasn't on my list, but he was so so excited that I shot it anyway. I have regretted pulling the trigger on that gold medal animal ever since."

You are so right on that point Brother!

Being a newbie on the judging of African game, I will be at the mercy of my PH! Good thing I trust the outfit!

 

[Royal27]

You are so right on that point Brother!

Being a newbie on the judging of African game, I will be at the mercy of my PH! Good thing I trust the outfit!

I've told you the story before, but you will know when it is a really nice one just by the way the PH acts. There was a big bull Eland 70 yards on the wrong side of the road in Zim that Richie wanted BAD. He was a big bull for sure, but just over in the protected area. If he had even just stepped on the road he would have been down right there.

 

[BRICKBURN]

50 arrows out of the bow tonight ranging from thirty to fifty yards. Standing and kneeling.
It just gets easier every day.

 

[tarbe]

Well, it is Tuesday night and we leave Friday morning.

Have my first bag packed....mostly bullets for folks in RSA!

Loaded up 37 more TTSX hunting rounds tonight, to take to the range tomorrow afternoon for my last shooting session. I could not shoot off the sticks this past weekend as the position range was closed for a match, and I really want to get some more stick shooting in before leaving.

Today is the first day in two weeks I haven't done any humping with my pack...too much time loading ammo and packing.

As you might imagine, my main goal right now is to avoid getting fired from my job for being completely distracted.

Right now the weather forecast looks very nice...lows in the 50s, highs in the 70s and 0 to 20% chances of rain each day for the first week.

Hopefully by Saturday late RSA time we will be at the Tootabi Hunting Safaris lodge (with all our gear!) and making plans!

Royal and Nancy are already there. Can't wait to join them, and can't wait to see Loodt and his family again.

I feel like I am going to bust!

 

[Warbird782]

Get ready Tarbe. It is going to be one hell of a hunt!

 

[tarbe]

At the range now!

Standing water has Range 1 closed. No sticks today.

Shooting the only way I can...off the bench. Better than sitting in traffic !

 

[tarbe]

Rifle shooting is done...so cleaned the Kudu and packed the Tuff-Pak tonight.

Fiddled with the packing until I got it down to exactly 50 pounds and locked her up.

Then I went upstairs for something and saw my sticks. Ugh.

Really glad I have the Tuff-Pak though. My rifle, the shooting sticks and the Boyd's stock I am taking to RSA (a somewhat bulky thumbhole varminter style stock) would all have never fit into my Kalispell. Plus I have the majority of my outer wear, shirts and trousers in their...plus the Kudu is in a Boyt soft case for travel in the Bakkie. I ran out of weight before I ran out of room. I could still stuff a jacket in there if I wasn't already at 50 pounds. As it is, I threw some bubble wrap in to take up space.

48 hours from now we should be over the Atlantic somewhere....thinking about all the stuff I forgot to pack and thinking "I should have made a list"!

 

[Diamondhitch]

...so cleaned the Kudu...

Is that an innuendo??? LOL

Good luck cant wait to see pics... of the hunt anyway.

 

[tarbe]

Is that an innuendo??? LOL

Good luck cant wait to see pics... of the hunt anyway.

Haha...I guess so!

Long days and very busy keeping Loodt working!

No laptop with me, and most of the pics are on Royal and Loodt's cameras. So I will not even attempt to start the trip report now...but I promise to start posting bits and pieces within days of getting home (May 29th).

Let me just say that this has been a snorter of a trip and we are not done yet!

Royal and Nancy are over the Atlantic as I type. So sad to see them leave...it was an absolute pleasure sharing camp with them.

Up at 0530 tomorrow to chase critters again.

My wife has already said she wants to come back!

 

[Imbambala]

I am glad that us Guys in Africa are not the only ones that struggle to get reloading components. I have been struggling to get Hornady Interbonds for my 270 for over a year now.

 

[tarbe]

I am glad that us Guys in Africa are not the only ones that struggle to get reloading components. I have been struggling to get Hornady Interbonds for my 270 for over a year now.

Reading your post above gave me a thought....

Seems like we could have a sub-forum on AH where folks could post needs and guys who are traveling and have room could bring stuff with them that other folks have trouble getting.

 

[Warbird782]

I bring supplies when I go. When Loodt was here visiting he got excited buying 100 round MTM boxes. When I was there I saw the same $5 boxes in a gun shop for the equivalent of $29.99.

 

[Warbird782]

Good idea Tarbe! We could help out our African friends.