ZIMBABWE: D-Day In The Omay (And D Doesn't Stand For Delta)

[Ontario Hunter]

Not quite sure if you know how bigoted this appears, unless you do have data showing a vast majority of baggage handlers hold citizenship in Mexico but retain work visas in Canada or the US..



@TOBY458 Great buff! I truly hope to see the Omay one day. Glad you all had a fantastic hunt together!

I didn't say anything about a "vast majority" being from anywhere. Note the "etc" that follows Mexico. Up here there's more east Indian labor at the airports than Mexican. I do know that many of the baggage handlers here returned to families in other countries ... not unlike pilots who went back home to the US and worked for someone else. I'm sure if I'd been in the job force at that time that's what I would have done. I could always force my way back into govt positions there. Many airport staff took better jobs while laid off, many went back to school, etc. Point being it was not easy for airlines to simply get up and go after restrictions were lifted. Capital reserves depleted, fuel prices going through the roof, labor force gone ... it was a mess. Many airlines didn't survive (e.g. South Africa Airlines).

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Last year when I returned from Africa the baggage handlers at Pearson were staging a disruption strike to protest mask wearing. Really? They have to wear orange vests on the tarmac. Must be just as much a violation of their personal freedom, right? But they're okay with that. My gun was purposely "lost" but fortunately I was able to help a supervisor find it at the other end of the airport. AirTag to the rescue.

 

[Cajun Hunter]

Congrats on your hunt and a great report. Ditto on all travel comments and the one tat really ticks me off is the TSA. I just can’t comprehend why I am not allowed to touch a rifle and it case ( to assist the agent and protect my firearm from a person who knows nothing about them ) when I have just carried it across the baggage area and placed it on the table. Nor can I understand why anyone would bother to test a rifle case for explosive residue when it contains a rifle that has been recently fired. Anyway, just returned from Zimbabwe and got an elephant on the third day. Hunted Nuanetsi with TIA and it was a great experience. Only two permits were available on half million acres reserve. I am a vet when it comes to hunting Africa and this is my third elephant in Zim. This area is about as good as it’s gets with animal density conservation efforts. Great hard working people and it shows, Will return as soon as schedule allows. Hunting Namibia for elephant next year and looking forward to being back there again.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Congrats on your hunt and a great report. Ditto on all travel comments and the one tat really ticks me off is the TSA. I just can’t comprehend why I am not allowed to touch a rifle and it case ( to assist the agent and protect my firearm from a person who knows nothing about them ) when I have just carried it across the baggage area and placed it on the table. Nor can I understand why anyone would bother to test a rifle case for explosive residue when it contains a rifle that has been recently fired. Anyway, just returned from Zimbabwe and got an elephant on the third day. Hunted Nuanetsi with TIA and it was a great experience. Only two permits were available on half million acres reserve. I am a vet when it comes to hunting Africa and this is my third elephant in Zim. This area is about as good as it’s gets with animal density conservation efforts. Great hard working people and it shows, Will return as soon as schedule allows. Hunting Namibia for elephant next year and looking forward to being back there again.

I've had many security folks ask me to show them the rifle serial number. Had one here at the local airport ask me not to open the gun case where public could see it. I'm okay with that. Some passengers might freak out if they saw guns going on a plane. So we took the gun case to a more discreet spot to open it. She was a nice gal. No problem.

Were they checking the gun case for explosive residue or drugs? Security at Zurich took test swipes from my belt buckle and shirt. I just figure it was my turn. No big deal. Hell, I'd strip naked if it made the trip safe and helped win the war on drugs.

 

[TOBY458]

Re-reading all the comments on this thread has me wanting to return to Zimbabwe for another round. Hopefully one day I can make it work out. I still have an appointment with a bull ele....

 

[Philip Glass]

Re-reading all the comments on this thread has me wanting to return to Zimbabwe for another round. Hopefully one day I can make it work out. I still have an appointment with a bull ele....

I just read it again and thought the same thing!

 

[Rare Breed]

I just read it again and thought the same thing!

the foot terriost just may have to return with you guys

 

[Tanks]

I've had many security folks ask me to show them the rifle serial number.

In all my travels with firearms I have never had any security person other than customs people or firearms inspectors check the firearm serial number and compare it to customs paperwork. Usually done in a separate room/area.

 

[revturbo9967]

Re-reading all the comments on this thread has me wanting to return to Zimbabwe for another round. Hopefully one day I can make it work out. I still have an appointment with a bull ele....

I’m in the planning stages again now, but animals hunted and location is way up in the air

 

[Backyardsniper]

I'm looking to get a crew together for the last two weeks of June 2026

 

[Backyardsniper]

I'm waffling back and forth between a leopard or a bull elephant, maybe both if the bartending goes well. I already have a deposit in and have those two weeks with Dalton & York. If anyone else is looking at going in that time frame let me know. I'll be at the DSC and the SCI. We can have a beer and chat.

 

[Cajun Hunter]

I'm waffling back and forth between a leopard or a bull elephant, maybe both if the bartending goes well. I already have a deposit in and have those two weeks with Dalton & York. If anyone else is looking at going in that time frame let me know. I'll be at the DSC and the SCI. We can have a beer and chat.

Sounds like a plan. I am hunting buff and eles in April of next year in SA & Namibia. Shot a nice ele this year in Zimbabwe and would love to go back again. Maybe we can hook up at D&Y’s booth in Nashville?? I’ll be arriving on Wednesday and be in exhibition hall on Thursday morning. Later—