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

Texas Declaration of Independence 1836 -The Indictment against the dictatorship, Para.16:"It has demanded us to deliver up our arms, which are essential to our defence, the rightful property of freemen, and formidable only to tyrannical governments."