Another New Member

[NM Hunter]

Hello Everyone

Me, my father and my brother are just starting to plan for our first safari. My wife and my mother will be comming along as observers. We will be hunting plains game and have a good idea of the trophys we want . This forum looks like a great place to start researching the rest. Thanks

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Welcome to AH NM Hunter! You are all going to have an amazing time together. Do you have a country of choice yet? Tell us about the species that all of you are after? Feel free also to ask any questions.

 

[NM Hunter]

Thanks.
My must haves are: Kudu, Impala, and Hartebeest. Add to that Black Wildebeest and springbok or Blesbok and that will be the five I start with. However it will probably change a few times before we go. I really want to add an Eland to that list but again I have a budget so it all depends on cost. We are shooting for May 2011. We haven’t really decided yet where to go but It’s between Namibia and RSA.
I think my dad and brothers list’s are about the same as mine.

 

[TOM]

Welcome to the forum! Are you bow or gun hunters?

 

[NM Hunter]

We all bow hunt and rifle hunt. I was somewhat thinking about the bow in Africa and thought maybe I should just go with the rifle my first time. I have a real good feeling that I will get there more than once. My kids are just about out of the nest and me and my wife love adventure and just from reading about other people’s trips gets us both very excited.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

NM Hunter, Some hunting outfitters in South Africa and Namibia would be able to set you up on a bow / rifle combo hunt if you were to hunt 1x1... You would be able to set your priorities and do as much or as little bowhunting as you wanted... Just a thought!

 

[NM Hunter]

That would be really cool. I know I would love to do a little of both. And getting into bow range of some of the game would be a real rush. I have been reading nonstop since I found this site and it makes me wish I could go sooner.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

I am glad that you are enjoying the site, lots to read and learn... a wealth of information. I think that we can all relate to how you feel about wishing to go sooner.

 

[NM Hunter]

What’s your opinions on using a consultant or not, seeing how it’s our first time? Or is it just as easy to contact the safari operation directly?

 

[Safari Chick]

Welcome to the "club" NM Hunter! We are all addicts here, so we know the "can't get there soon enough" feeling, but I have to say that hanging out here with like minded hunters helps calm the beast.

 

[enysse]

What’s your opinions on using a consultant or not, seeing how it’s our first time? Or is it just as easy to contact the safari operation directly?

I could go both ways on the subject. If you feel real comfortable with a safari company, sometimes you can get a better deal. The flip side of the coin, is a consultant should be looking out for you and your interests and set up a trip that really meets your need as much as he or she can do with what you tell them you are looking to accomplish on the safari. And like you say your mind does change...that is only natural. Africa is a hunter's dream...go and live the dream.

Welcome to the Forum and the Website!

 

[dwerner]

Welcome to AH and a great site. Just a note: remember that black wildebeest, blesbuck and the common impala are exotics in Namibia. They are native to South Africa.

Werner
Intu Safaris

 

[Billy Stewart]

Welcome to AH sit back and enjoy. I understand on choosing animals where i am we have whitetails that's about it for big game. I will be hunting RSA and the choice of animals is overwhelming. I am finding planing your safari is alot of work but is pretty enjoyable!:confusion:

 

[NM Hunter]

Welcome to AH and a great site. Just a note: remember that black wildebeest, blesbuck and the common impala are exotics in Namibia. They are native to South Africa.

Werner
Intu Safaris

Thanks I didnt know that. That might just move RSA to the top of the list.

 

[Skyline]

Welcome to AH NMHunter! You will be able to find out anything you need to know about Africa on this site. There are a number of very good operators from Namibia and RSA on this site who offer both rifle and archery hunts.......and a few have farms that are set aside specifically for archery hunting. Several post on this forum regularly, such as Spiral Horn Safaris and Gerhard. These guys are avid bowhunters themselves and I am sure they can answer any questions you may have.

Have fun planning your hunt.

 

[NM Hunter]

Welcome to AH sit back and enjoy. I understand on choosing animals where i am we have whitetails that's about it for big game. I will be hunting RSA and the choice of animals is overwhelming. I am finding planing your safari is alot of work but is pretty enjoyable!:confusion:

I agree I’m already having a great time researching.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Welcome to AH and a great site. Just a note: remember that black wildebeest, blesbuck and the common impala are exotics in Namibia. They are native to South Africa...

Werner, What you have said is somewhat correct...

The Impala is endemic to some parts of Namibia such as the Caprivi and part of the Kavango region. In South Africa, Impala are also endemic to only some regions, mostly Limpopo and Swaziland. This species has been reintroduced widely, both in private areas and nature reserves throughout most of South Africa and Namibia.

Black Wildebeest have been almost completely exterminated, the natural populations of this species is found in the Free State of South Africa, but the species has been reintroduced widely, both in private areas and nature reserves in South Africa and introduced throughout most of South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia.

Blesbok are endemic to South Africa, although natural populations of this species is found only in some regions such as North West, Free State, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Kwazulu Natal and Mpumalanga. The species has been introduced widely to both private areas and nature reserves throughout most of South Africa and Namibia.

Obviously animals do not see boundaries or country limits as we have defined them, therefore if it is your goal to only hunt truly endemic species you would have to travel to at least a couple of region in South Africa or a region in South Africa and Namibia to accomplish this.

Personally if an animal has been introduced to an area of South Africa or Namibia and can be hunted there, there is no difference...

 

[TRAVEL EXPRESS]

Welcome NM Hunter! You are in for a real adventure and half the fun is the planning! May is a great timeframe to be on safari in Africa and also the airline tickets are cheaper that time of year than during July & early August. You mentioned that you plan to return and I can assure you that will be the case. Your safari will be here before you know it!

 

[browningbbr]

First Trip Questions

Welcome NM Hunter!

There are a lot of folks on this forum with experiences and insights that they are willing to share. There is also a ton of reference materials posted in the articles. Here's some questions you may want to ask or reasearch to do before your first trip. It should give you more ideas and perspectives:

Best travel agencies for hunting Africa?
Experience with / references for a given Outfitter?
Weapons import and export requirements?
Taxidermy in Africa v taxidermy at home?
What gear to take and what to leave at home?
Non-hunting attractions near your hunting location?
Tipping of PH, Tracker, Skinner and Staff?
How to determine if an outfitter shares your values about hunting?
Shot placement for bow or rifle?

The list can go on and on... Planning the trip is a big part of the fun. Good luck!

- browningbbr

 

[buckcurtin]

First African Safari

I agree I’m already having a great time researching.

Besids this site which is great you might want to try The Hunting Report Newsletter site, it requires a subscription but is well worth the price. Between it and this site you can learn all you need to.
I used Cabelas for my first trip but have done my subsequent trips my self, of course not everyone becomes as addicted to hunting in Africa as I am!
One word of caution based on my experience and that of friends who I have hunted with, unless you are a better person than we are and have stronger willpower sticking to a proposed list of trophies won't happen once you arrive. Everyone I have gone with has shot more than they intended to!
Good hunting and you will love Africa!!!