We are taking my Dad on his FIRST African Safari!!!

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I am so excited!! Not only will this be his first safari, it will be his first trip outside the US!
My Dad has been a life long hunter. I remember him traveling to Colorado every year with his hunting buddies to go hunting. He is the person who explained and made me understand why, at such a young age, why Bambi’s mother was killed. He taught me about conservation and why hunting was important and healthy. Where I come from, Dads did not take their daughters hunting. It just was not done. I am thankful that he taught my son about hunting and conservation. My son killed his first buck when he was eight years old with my Dad. He taught my son how to do all the important things about hunting and fishing and conservation.

My dad is 70 years old. He still works full time. He is a machinist. He runs four manual machines in the machine shop he works in. God made my Dad tough as nails. I remember well when I was 7 years old, my dad was saddle breaking a horse and the horse fell on my dad. He suffered a compound fracture. His foot his still attached thanks to metal plates and screws.

He has had back surgeries and his neck is fused, however, he can work circles around men less than half his age! When he was out for neck surgery, it took 4 men to do the job that my dad does solitary, on a daily basis.
My Dad has committed to retirement in 2024. As a retirement gift, Bob ( @ActionBob) and I are taking him to Africa!!!!

We gifted him with the perfect shot II book. As of now, he is quite interested in a Cape buffalo, blue wildebeest, and impala. He is so excited and I cannot get over how excited I am to just go on this adventure with him and watch him hunt in Africa! He said, “Gosh, I just never thought I would ever get to go hunt in Africa.” He has hunted since he was old enough to do so.

We are going in 2024! He already sent off for his passport! I am looking forward to sharing our hunt report with all of you here on AH! How fortunate I am to get to take my Dad to Africa. @ActionBob and my dad share the same name. I get to go to Africa with my two favorite Bobs!!

Updates to come on our progress. I am beyond excited!!!!

God bless you Gina. Awesome story with your dad, sounds like a great man that deserves it.

My dad is 78 and STILL GOING STRONG still works full time because he wants to. We did the father son African trip in 2014. It was our first time ever to Africa.

Your father will have an incredible time with you.

 

[channelkat]

My kids are still young, but I can imagine how I would feel if my son or daughter wanted to take me on an outdoor adventure like that. I feel like I have a sense of how proud your father must be to have raised such a strong, considerate, successful daughter, on top of the indescribable joy that comes from shared time together outdoors. Please forgive my corniness, but I am very happy and excited for you all!

 

[Just Gina]

God bless you Gina. Awesome story with your dad, sounds like a great man that deserves it.

My dad is 78 and STILL GOING STRONG still works full time because he wants to. We did the father son African trip in 2014. It was our first time ever to Africa.

Your father will have an incredible time with you.

@Obi Wan Kenobi
Thank you! Dad has been putting off retirement “another year” for a couple of years. If he backs out this year, he has plenty of vacation to go to Africa anyway.

We plan on having a blast! So cool you were able to go with your Dad. It will be the first time hunting with mine ever.

 

[Just Gina]

My kids are still young, but I can imagine how I would feel if my son or daughter wanted to take me on an outdoor adventure like that. I feel like I have a sense of how proud your father must be to have raised such a strong, considerate, successful daughter, on top of the indescribable joy that comes from shared time together outdoors. Please forgive my corniness, but I am very happy and excited for you all!

@channelkat
You are not corny at all. Thank you for your kind words! My dad has always been a workaholic! I am absolutely overjoyed that he is going on this trip! I am so looking forward to sharing our trip with all our AH family and friends! I love how excited my Dad is. I cannot remember a time I have seen him more excited!

 

[PARA45]

Pleeeeaaase, take tons of pictures. You know how we like lots of pictures.

 

[ActionBob]

Pleeeeaaase, take tons of pictures. You know how we like lots of pictures.

She's already been talking about needing a better camera

 

[Just Gina]

Pleeeeaaase, take tons of pictures. You know how we like lots of pictures.

Oh goodness! You know I will!

She's already been talking about needing a better camera

True story!

 

[Just Gina]

Ok!
Passport is sent off and he is just waiting on that.
Hunting attire is sorted out.
Shoes are purchased.
We are going to take him to get his shots he needs to travel to Africa, probably after all the hunting conventions are over.
May 31 is the targeted date he is retiring from work after working there nearly 4 decades.

As of now we are planning to stay in Africa for 3 weeks. I didn’t think Dad would go for 3 weeks but he seems pretty darn excited about it. I told him he will be away closer to 4 weeks with travel time. “That is just fine” was his response.

Still need to finalize a few things. I know I’m missing something. I think we are looking at arriving in Africa June 30? Help me out here @ActionBob .

If dad had the luggage of ours he will be using for the trip, I bet they’d already be packed too!
We will be dropping that off next trip up north so I am sure by the end of February his bags will be packed haha! I love it!

 

[USN]

Please keep updating us, excited for everyone involved!

 

[ActionBob]

Still need to finalize a few things. I know I’m missing something. I think we are looking at arriving in Africa June 30? Help me out here @ActionBob .

Just a few small things to sort out yet, nothing real big... First one that comes to mind is a HUNT CONTRACT!!!

Flights. Which guns we are taking.

 

[PARA45]

Ok, what rifle, caliber, etc, will your dad be taking? His own, is he buying a new one, or using one from you guys? Details let's not forget the details.

 

[7mmFan]

that sounds amazing! I hope you all have a fantastic and successful hunt!

 

[ActionBob]

Ok, what rifle, caliber, etc, will your dad be taking? His own, is he buying a new one, or using one from you guys? Details let's not forget the details.

On the list of things to sort out yet. His biggest rifle is a Winchester M70 Featherwieght in 270.

Gina has that 404 Jeffrey that is now a real pussycat to shoot after the work she had done to it by JJ. I'm pretty sure that will be the biggest bolt gun we take. Gina also has the two Chapuis doubles. I have a Winchester M70 in 375 H&H that is easy to shoot also. My guess is we will let her dad try all the above.

Plus perhaps a 275 Rigby or 30-06. Maybe a 22 Hornet, very possible Gina's 9.3x62 Rigby HS

 

[CoElkHunter]

Bob and Gina,
This is such an AWESOME thing you're doing for Gina's Dad. Sounds like he's been working his ass off for the last forty years and he deserves this Safari. When one works that hard for that long, sometimes it's difficult to see beyond the "working" part of life. I'm sure he'll have a blast on his Safari and what a fitting way to start his retirement.
CEH

 

[skydiver386]

Great idea Gina. I'd be willing to bet when your father gets over there and sees the variety of game available, he's going to want more than a buff and an Impala. Hope he has the time of his life, and you as well.

 

[ActionBob]

Great idea Gina. I'd be willing to bet when your father gets over there and sees the variety of game available, he's going to want more than a buff and an Impala. Hope he has the time of his life, and you as well.

Absolutely correct We will definitely see what Africa delivers but we are tentatively planning to hunt South Africa so face it, you plan out a lot of those critters ahead plus add as you go

The plan is coming together. His wish list included the Buffalo, Impala and blue Wildebeest from the start.

Hopefully we can all 3 get bushpig but I'm fine waiting and so is Gina so her dad will get first chance. We are assured that bushpig will be in bait!

We plan on doing some serious night hunting. Gina and her dad will very likely have chances at black back jackal, porcupine, genet (Gina has one from Tanzania, I have both large spotted and small spotted). I need White Tailed Mongoose, Civit, and African Wild cat.

I'm hoping Gina's dad can get a kudu. Gina wants one also but has already said she will let her dad shoot first if he has the opportunity.

We will all have a blast!

 

[skydiver386]

Absolutely correct We will definitely see what Africa delivers but we are tentatively planning to hunt South Africa so face it, you plan out a lot of those critters ahead plus add as you go

The plan is coming together. His wish list included the Buffalo, Impala and blue Wildebeest from the start.

Hopefully we can all 3 get bushpig but I'm fine waiting and so is Gina so her dad will get first chance. We are assured that bushpig will be in bait!

We plan on doing some serious night hunting. Gina and her dad will very likely have chances at black back jackal, porcupine, genet (Gina has one from Tanzania, I have both large spotted and small spotted). I need White Tailed Mongoose, Civit, and African Wild cat.

I'm hoping Gina's dad can get a kudu. Gina wants one also but has already said she will let her dad shoot first if he has the opportunity.

We will all have a blast!

I think every hunter that goes to Africa for the first time, and sets his eyes on a big Kudu bull, wants to add one to the list. Spiral horned critters are the things dreams are made of.

 

[Just Gina]

UPDATE:

Dad retired!! For real. I was there to witness it, or else I would not have believed it.Thursday, May 30 was his last day of work. I worked where my dad works about 27 years ago. The girls in the office called and said they were throwing a surprise party for Dad. His name is Robert and most everyone calls him Bob.

I have been dealing with contractors non-stop since we bought the new house a year ago and have been painting when I am home. I had just finished painting the dining room and a powder room (still needed touch ups because new windows were being installed) when I got the notice about Dad’s party. I had less than a weeks notice.
So Bob and I rearranged everything to make a trip to Oklahoma to go to the party.

It was a really nice party! Dad loves grilling, so the guys in the shop grilled burgers and hot links for Dad at lunch time. Had all the yummy sides to go with and then at 2:30 they had massive amounts of cupcakes delivered. Bob, my Mom, my Son and our granddaughter Lilly were all at the party.

The President was in a meeting that went long at lunch but the shop manager and VP gave a nice speech about Dad and the President gave one during cupcakes. I wrote a speech and made Dad and several others weepy when I delivered it. It was a great time! The next day Bob and I took Dad to get vaccinations. Then on Saturday, Presley and I drove home to Texas so I could deal with flooring installers, electricians, window guys, and the Bobs went to MN to get a load of tractors to haul to TX.

We head out to Oklahoma to pick up Dad in just a few days then head to MN to wrap up some things before the trip. Got the house sitter for TX squared away and I am nearly finished packing. Dad is already packed.

June 23 is wheels up to Africa!! We are looking forward to sharing our adventures with our AH family and friends. I am so blessed to be going on this trip with @ActionBob and my Dad! We have some HUGE surprises for Dad when we get there!

More to come…

Gina

 

[PARA45]

Congratulations to your dad for his retirement! I'm sure he was probably excited and scared at the same time. This is going to be an awesome adventure to read. I wish you three the best of luck, and please capture your dad's excitement and happiness during the safari. Wishing you guys the best and may the Hunting Gods cast their spell of good luck on your safari.

I'm 19 days from retirement, and I'm excited and scared sh*t less all in one. I've been working since I was 16 years old.

 

[Just Gina]

@PARA45

Thank you! Oh goodness, how exciting for you! Congratulations on YOUR upcoming retirement! You are correct, Dad will be 71 in September and it was time, however, very apprehensive because he has worked his whole life also. He was raised on a farm. He gave 33 years and change to the company he retired from so it is going to be a big adjustment for him. So far, Bob and I are keeping him plenty busy

Thank you for all your well wishes. We will definitely be giving updates. I am beyond excited!!