PARA45
AH ambassador
Here we go.
14 Jun 2025. As any trip, there is always a drive to the airport, and of course the anxiety and the buildup of the what ifs. A good friend offered to drive us, and we decided to be at the Atlanta airport with plenty of time, so we thought 4-5 hour would be enough. We arrived at the International Terminal, and it seemed busier than usual. My friend was flying first-class, so I was able to sneak in with him on the first-class line and get priority treatment. Well, everything was going fine until the gentleman behind the counter asks for assistance. Apparently, he had never checked in ammo and rifles before, and this was a first for him. Oh boy, let's see how this goes. Someone shows up and starts instructing him how to proceed and pointing on the screen and what not. Then the usual questions are asked, are your weapons unloaded, how much ammo, are they locked, etc. Then, out of the blue the lady helping, instructs me to open my suitcase and show her the ammo (this suitcase is busting at the seams, and my ammo in neatly packed in the middle, ugh). What? Ok, I open my suitcase, and show her the case with the lock, oh no, she wants me to open it. I'm shaking my head in disbelieve, and I open the case, and she doesn't say a word. I politely ask the lady if she was satisfied and if I could lock up my case. She looks at me and nods yes. Oh boy, if this is how my trip is starting, I can only imagine the rest. Took the rifles to TSA, and they were pleasant and professional, and had no issues. Clear from the heavy stuff, we cleared TSA quickly, and we were now in the airport secure area.
We went to the Delta One Lounge and waited for my friend Delta Capt to show up. We enjoyed some snacks, and my friend showed up (didn't know they are not allowed in the lounge anymore), so we met outside, and had a great visit. Boarded the Delta flight, and the flight was long, but uneventful, food was, well you know airplane food and nothing more to say. The Delta crew were excellent, and I didn't know that my friend had told them where I was sitting, and the Flight Attendants took extra care of me.
Arrived in Joburg the next day, and since we had paid for the VIP and Rifle Permits, a nice lady was outside the bridge with a sign and our name. Passport control was a breeze, and she took us to collect our bags. On the way out, I spotted Gilbert from Africa-Sky with his contagious smile, he had a sign with our names, and we quickly proceeded to SAPS for the rifle permits. My rifle came up and, opened the case, and the SAPS lady began checking the serial numbers. Oh, oh, what's going, Gilbert and her are going back and forth. I step in, and Gilbert tells me that she doesn't see a number 3, that she sees a B. I try to explain to her through Gilbert that USCBP checked the rifles and that it is a 3. Oh no, it's a B, and then something happens, and she tells Gilbert to have it fixed when I get back to the US. I'm cleared. But I wondered if this was going to become an issue with the next several flights. We shall see. We had to wait a bit for another flight other hunters, but once we were all cleared, we headed quickly to the parking garage and to Africa-Sky. Ate a wonderful dinner at Africa-Sky.
Breakfast was good as well, and by 8 AM, we were on our way to the airport for our Airlink flight to the Eastern Cape. Had no issues checking and paying the extra fee for the rifles and ammo. All cleared, we said goodbye to Gilbert and proceeded to their security checks. Boarded our flight, and waiting to take off, when the captain makes an announcement that the flight is delayed 30 min. No big deal, we do not have a connecting flight to take, so, its all good. I'm sitting on the window side of the aircraft, and there is another airlink aircraft next to us. That flight departs, and there are some gun cases and ammo cases on the tarmac. I'm looking and one of them looks like mine Pelican tan case. Nah, it can't be. I get the attention of the flight attendant, and she assures me that my rifles are on board. Not satisfied, I keep an eye on them, and then some ground crews lift the case, and I can see the writing on the side, and I recognize the case as my Pelican case. I get the attention of the flight attendant once again, she gets on the phone with the crew and who knows who else, and they open the belly of the aircraft and load our rifles. That was close.
We arrived at the East London Airport, with no issues, Don our PH is there waiting for us. We collect our belongings, and we are off to our 1:45 drive to the lodge. We get there, we settled in our Chalets, and Don asks if we would like to check our rifles today or tomorrow. I'm like, let's do it today, so we can hunt early. He agrees, and off to the range we go. The 300 H&H was about 3" high and bit to the right, made some adjustments, and the rifle was good at 2" at 100 yds. My 375 H&H was 3 inches high as well, 4 clicks down, and I was good to go.
Don decided to take us for a small drive around the property so my friend Gary could see what the property looks like. 10-15 min into the drive we see a huge Waterbuck at appx 500 yds away, and Don tells me it's a big animal and if I wanted to put a stalk on him. He then realized that he didn't have his shooting sticks, and I politely pass. Well, the image of that Waterbuck was haunting me, and at dinner time, I told Don that if we had time, I'll like to look for him.
Dinner was Springbuck Back Straps, with potatoes.
14 Jun 2025. As any trip, there is always a drive to the airport, and of course the anxiety and the buildup of the what ifs. A good friend offered to drive us, and we decided to be at the Atlanta airport with plenty of time, so we thought 4-5 hour would be enough. We arrived at the International Terminal, and it seemed busier than usual. My friend was flying first-class, so I was able to sneak in with him on the first-class line and get priority treatment. Well, everything was going fine until the gentleman behind the counter asks for assistance. Apparently, he had never checked in ammo and rifles before, and this was a first for him. Oh boy, let's see how this goes. Someone shows up and starts instructing him how to proceed and pointing on the screen and what not. Then the usual questions are asked, are your weapons unloaded, how much ammo, are they locked, etc. Then, out of the blue the lady helping, instructs me to open my suitcase and show her the ammo (this suitcase is busting at the seams, and my ammo in neatly packed in the middle, ugh). What? Ok, I open my suitcase, and show her the case with the lock, oh no, she wants me to open it. I'm shaking my head in disbelieve, and I open the case, and she doesn't say a word. I politely ask the lady if she was satisfied and if I could lock up my case. She looks at me and nods yes. Oh boy, if this is how my trip is starting, I can only imagine the rest. Took the rifles to TSA, and they were pleasant and professional, and had no issues. Clear from the heavy stuff, we cleared TSA quickly, and we were now in the airport secure area.
We went to the Delta One Lounge and waited for my friend Delta Capt to show up. We enjoyed some snacks, and my friend showed up (didn't know they are not allowed in the lounge anymore), so we met outside, and had a great visit. Boarded the Delta flight, and the flight was long, but uneventful, food was, well you know airplane food and nothing more to say. The Delta crew were excellent, and I didn't know that my friend had told them where I was sitting, and the Flight Attendants took extra care of me.
Arrived in Joburg the next day, and since we had paid for the VIP and Rifle Permits, a nice lady was outside the bridge with a sign and our name. Passport control was a breeze, and she took us to collect our bags. On the way out, I spotted Gilbert from Africa-Sky with his contagious smile, he had a sign with our names, and we quickly proceeded to SAPS for the rifle permits. My rifle came up and, opened the case, and the SAPS lady began checking the serial numbers. Oh, oh, what's going, Gilbert and her are going back and forth. I step in, and Gilbert tells me that she doesn't see a number 3, that she sees a B. I try to explain to her through Gilbert that USCBP checked the rifles and that it is a 3. Oh no, it's a B, and then something happens, and she tells Gilbert to have it fixed when I get back to the US. I'm cleared. But I wondered if this was going to become an issue with the next several flights. We shall see. We had to wait a bit for another flight other hunters, but once we were all cleared, we headed quickly to the parking garage and to Africa-Sky. Ate a wonderful dinner at Africa-Sky.
Breakfast was good as well, and by 8 AM, we were on our way to the airport for our Airlink flight to the Eastern Cape. Had no issues checking and paying the extra fee for the rifles and ammo. All cleared, we said goodbye to Gilbert and proceeded to their security checks. Boarded our flight, and waiting to take off, when the captain makes an announcement that the flight is delayed 30 min. No big deal, we do not have a connecting flight to take, so, its all good. I'm sitting on the window side of the aircraft, and there is another airlink aircraft next to us. That flight departs, and there are some gun cases and ammo cases on the tarmac. I'm looking and one of them looks like mine Pelican tan case. Nah, it can't be. I get the attention of the flight attendant, and she assures me that my rifles are on board. Not satisfied, I keep an eye on them, and then some ground crews lift the case, and I can see the writing on the side, and I recognize the case as my Pelican case. I get the attention of the flight attendant once again, she gets on the phone with the crew and who knows who else, and they open the belly of the aircraft and load our rifles. That was close.
We arrived at the East London Airport, with no issues, Don our PH is there waiting for us. We collect our belongings, and we are off to our 1:45 drive to the lodge. We get there, we settled in our Chalets, and Don asks if we would like to check our rifles today or tomorrow. I'm like, let's do it today, so we can hunt early. He agrees, and off to the range we go. The 300 H&H was about 3" high and bit to the right, made some adjustments, and the rifle was good at 2" at 100 yds. My 375 H&H was 3 inches high as well, 4 clicks down, and I was good to go.
Don decided to take us for a small drive around the property so my friend Gary could see what the property looks like. 10-15 min into the drive we see a huge Waterbuck at appx 500 yds away, and Don tells me it's a big animal and if I wanted to put a stalk on him. He then realized that he didn't have his shooting sticks, and I politely pass. Well, the image of that Waterbuck was haunting me, and at dinner time, I told Don that if we had time, I'll like to look for him.
Dinner was Springbuck Back Straps, with potatoes.
I have my scope set on 1 power, and I am rock solid waiting for this Buffalo to show up. I'm going through my mind where to put the dot of my Trijicon scope, and where to shoot. I can't say I was scared, or nervous, but my heart was pumping hard, and my adrenaline I'm sure was through the roof, with all this going on, I somehow felt very calm. We all waited, and waited, and out of nowhere we could smell him, and we could hear him. He was probably 30-40 yds below us. He knew something was up, he was not happy, and he let us know he was not happy by snorting and rubbing his horns against the bushes. After like 10 min or so (an eternity), he decided he had enough of us and moved on. Well, shoot, what a great start. 
