Newby from Colorado

[davsel]

Been lurking for a while. Have the itch to hunt in Africa, and gathering information before I take it on.

 

[CBH Australia]

G'day, welcome from Australia.
There are many seasoned travellers here.
I am a veteran of one African trip.
It's worth doing .
What are you into?

 

[davsel]

Grew up in Texas hunting whitetail, pigs, Aoudad, Barbado, Axis, birds, squirrels, etc. Air Force brought me to Colorado in '99 and I "retired" here in 2008. Hunt mule deer, antelope, elk, and black bear locally.

Figuring out which hunt I want to book first: Africa, NZ, or Alaska

 

[krish]

Welcome to AH.

 

[Scott CWO]

Welcome! I’m up near Fort Collins if you’re ever up this way. Happy to share African and Alaskan experiences.

 

[VertigoBE]

Welcome to AH @davsel ! I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself here!

 

[nztimb]

Giday Davsel and welcome to the A H forums

 

[TROPHY SHIPPERS]

Welcome to AH and the posting side! This forum has a wealth of information from some extremely knowledgeable folks, enjoy!

 

[CoElkHunter]

Welcome to AH!

 

[kdenn]

Welcome

 

[BourbonTrail]

Welcome to AH, the land of unruly spending habits and good stories.

 

[cpr0312]

Hello and welcome!

 

[Ridgewalker]

Davsel, welcome to the AH forum from another Colofornian! Great info here to get you to Africa!
Thanks for your service!

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Welcome to AH davsel!

 

[JimP]

Welcome from the Western Slope.

We are getting quite a few on here from Colorado, give us time and we might start to have as many as Texas does...

 

[Velo Dog]

Been lurking for a while. Have the itch to hunt in Africa, and gathering information before I take it on.

Hello davsel,

Khomas Highland Hunting Safaris of Namibia, welcomes you to the greatest forum on earth.

You are wise to gather your information before booking a hunt.
When you reach the point of focusing on any specific safari company/s, besides watching their promotional videos and checking their prices, do read hunting reports from their former clients.
When possible, have detailed conversations with said former clients.
Clients returning home are usually very eager to tell you what they did and did not like about their time and money spent with whichever African outfit they had hired.

Even if you don’t book with the safari company that I work for, I will be glad to answer any questions you might have in regards to what to bring, what not to bring, also firearms related topics, such as: Specific for Africa types of rifle practice, ammunition recommendations for species you are interested in, binoculars, iron sighting arrangements, also scopes and so forth.

Best Regards,
Velo Dog.

 

[Shootist43]

Welcome aboard Davsel. You mentioned several very good hunting destinations. Depending on your age, health and the thickness of your wallet all three are viable destinations. You can hunt New Zealand year around but no doubt some seasons are better than others. Alaska offers Caribou, Moose and Bear either Brown or Black. Africa however will spoil you. Going with the right outfitter ALMOST guarantees success. So what species float your boat? What kind and caliber rifles do you own? Whereabouts in Colorado do you live?

 

[davsel]

I'm primarily interested in Brown Bear in Alaska, Red Stag in New Zealand, and Plains Game in Africa - Kudu, Sable, Zebra peak my interest, but there are so many more that are fascinating. I'm not completely sold on Dangerous Game just yet, but I'm open to the idea. I'm 52 and in excellent shape, living at 8800 ft elevation and hiking and hunting the Rockies regularly, so I'd like to get out there before age or injury catches up with me.

I grew up hunting with a Rem 788 in 7mm-08 for Texas Hill Country Whitetail, and picked up a Rem 700 Stainless Sendero in 7mm-STW right before moving to Colorado, thinking I'd use it for Elk, but I have only used it on a few Whitetails back in Texas. Most of my recent hunting has been with a .308 SCAR17s with a 3.5x ACOG within 200 yards, though I dropped my first Pronghorn with it at 435 last year. I have a lot of time behind that rifle and several other tactical firearms competing (participating lately) in 2 and 3-gun over the last 10 years. However, my passion is really for walnut, blue steel, and quality simple scopes - my eyes aren't what they used to be for open sights.

I love my Winchesters: 73, 86, 92s, 94, and several Browning Citoris from the '70s and early '80s in all gauges, and a 16 g Winchester 97 that I take on our annual Kansas Pheasant hunt. I've collected many classic revolvers, pistols, tactical rifles and shotguns, but my classic rifle collection is lacking. I recently picked up a beautiful German made 300 Wby, but am now in the market for a 375 H&H - primarily looking at Blaser R8 and Dakota 76 - read a lot of great information on these forums. I'd be interested in a 460 Wby for the right deal since I reload as well - recoil is not normally an issue for me, but the specs on that cartridge gives me pause.

We live on 80 acres outside Florissant, CO (8800 ft ~35 miles West of Colorado Springs on the other side of Pike's Peak) and have a range on the property out to 350. I also take a few trips a year down to Whittington Center, NM for 3-gun comps, Sporting Clays, air out the Barret 99 50 BMG on their 1000 yard range, and practice shooting positions on their silhouette range with a .308 out to 500 meters.

My wife's uncle has hunted the world and he has encouraged me to go out and experience it. I'm finally in a position to be able to, and this forum has provided a great deal of information. I'm impressed with the civility and actual factual experience found here - as opposed to many gun related forums - Thanks! I look forward to learning more and booking my first hunting safari.

 

[Woodcarver]

Welcome, from a Colorado flatlander.

Careful, the guys around here will infect you quickly with thoughts of big bores and doubles. Ask me how I know....

 

[Ike85123]

Welcome to AH !