doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Current Hunting in Africa

Friends:

I hope I havent posted this in the wrong forum, if so- Dave , please forgive me.

This weekend, during a break from slogging away on one of my final papers, I was re-reading for the umpteenth time Death in the Long Grass. The book never fails to lift my spirits and stir my blood, but it started me to wondering- what is the current situation regarding African hunting?

Since Capstick published the book in 1977, based on his experiences in the early-mid '70's, much has changed. Rhodesia has morphed into Zimbabwe, Namibia has become independent, South Africa has had a regime change. Tanzania and Zambia -what of them? I have no idea.

What effect has there been on big game hunting? Have revolutions and social upheavals and eco-destruction destroyed the populations? Is Africa still a reasonable ( although no doubt pricey) hunting destination? Can someone with the desire and the bucks take a .470 NE Chapuis and a .416 Howell Mauser and experience a hunt such as Capstick recounts, or is that all past?

Can you still have a good, challenging, fair chase, legal hunt for Cape Buffalo? Lion? Hippo? Elephant? Plains game?

What of birds? ( here is the doublegun tie in- Ill use my Ithaca 20g Fluzie)

Any knowledgeable reports, opinions, or ideas appreciated.

Regards

GKT

A lot of people seem to be doing just that
http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/6321043
http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/1411043

Pete

Greg...as I understand it hunting in Africa is still very good. A friend of mine just returned from Zimbabwe-his third to Africa-with what is likely to be his last Cape Buffalo. (He took the beast with his .577 hammer gun)

Anyway he tells me that the very best value in hunting today is the African hunt-especially for African plains game. Having recently priced several fly-in and guided Youkon Moose hunts to Alaska and then pricing a hunt to Africa, I have to agree with my friend. Best value today is the African hunt for plains game.

There are several websites having to do with accurate rifles and reloading that have various forums dealing with just what you are asking about. Some of these forums will even advertise discounted hunts for cancelled or un-filled hunting slots with sometimes tremendous price discounts. Can't comment about the bird hunting but I presume it can be very good around water holes and such. Jeff

You may also want to join this forum,lots of Africa hunters on here;
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/ubbthreads.php?Cat=

Greg, My son and I spent a fabulous two weeks in Namibia during the summer of 2007. I grew up on Hemingway and Ruark, and so my expectation meter was off the scale. I can honestly say, had I been given a blank sheet of paper to design every hour of the hunt, I would not have done as well as it actually unfolded. We made great friends, had fabulous, challenging hunting for free ranging game, and dined like kings. A 57" kudu and a leopard were particularly special. I am returning to the Caprivi Strip next July with Cape Buffalo, roan, and sable at the top of the wish list.

I am a member of the Washington area SCI chapter, and I can say our experiences are absolutely the rule. Sure a bad operation turns up, but the reputable outfitters, sponsored by the reputable consultants, are probably better and more numerous than they have ever been. Zimbabwe is a mess, but even there, the established outfitters will insure an incredible hunting experience.

With the culmination of the bush wars which ravaged Africa essentially from the time of the Mau Mau until the creation of modern South Africa, hunting opportunities have only increased. because the game has value, because almost all of these governments and land owners are starved for hard currency, the industry has recovered or developed where there was little in the way of the traditional safari in the past. Moreover, those opportunities include feathered as well as big game.

Would urge you to explore potential if you have ever considered going.

Hunting in Africa looks to be in great shape from my perspective. The amount of game and the variety is astounding and it all seems to be managed for long-term sustainability (I'm speaking of the Southern Africa countries where I have hunted). If you're a bird shooter you will love the francolin.
Do go. There is no place like it.