Stan Smith
AH member
I was introduced to this site by a friend. He is planning a trip to Africa for he and his Dad. He was looking for a DG rifle and knowing I have an assortment of "stuff", he asked about such a rifle. I have a 404 Jeffery that I showed him, as well as, a the 416 Ruger. I did not show him those less than 40 cal, even though 375 & 300 H&H have always been favorites of mine.
I have hunted my entire life and Africa was always one of those places that had an attraction for me. I bought the Jeffery because of what it represented in African hunting history. I planned the trip, but my Dad passed away during that planning stage. My mother passed away a few years later and the fire and passion I had for making that hunt, just burned out. My wife has asked me the last few years if I still want to go, but the answer is always, I don't think so. It is not a sad answer, life happens and we make adjustments. WOW that was DEEP.
I still love to hunt, most of it locally for whitetail, hogs, coyote, dove, and quail. I will never get over my love for hearing tales of "The Dark Continent" from the likes of Capstick and Selous. I still enjoy watching a "Good" African hunt w hen they air. I particularly enjoy the ones where the hunter, PH, trackers and others involved in the hunt, give homage to the animal that was harvested.
During my 35 year career as a private Fisheries Biologist, I have often joked with folks about spending 50-60 hours a week growing BIG bass for other people to catch, so I could spend "my time" in the woods hunting.
I look forward to reading about some of the adventures here. Life is in the journey and who you invite to go along, not the destination.
I have hunted my entire life and Africa was always one of those places that had an attraction for me. I bought the Jeffery because of what it represented in African hunting history. I planned the trip, but my Dad passed away during that planning stage. My mother passed away a few years later and the fire and passion I had for making that hunt, just burned out. My wife has asked me the last few years if I still want to go, but the answer is always, I don't think so. It is not a sad answer, life happens and we make adjustments. WOW that was DEEP.
I still love to hunt, most of it locally for whitetail, hogs, coyote, dove, and quail. I will never get over my love for hearing tales of "The Dark Continent" from the likes of Capstick and Selous. I still enjoy watching a "Good" African hunt w hen they air. I particularly enjoy the ones where the hunter, PH, trackers and others involved in the hunt, give homage to the animal that was harvested.
During my 35 year career as a private Fisheries Biologist, I have often joked with folks about spending 50-60 hours a week growing BIG bass for other people to catch, so I could spend "my time" in the woods hunting.
I look forward to reading about some of the adventures here. Life is in the journey and who you invite to go along, not the destination.
