Africa type hunt......??????

[Hunter333]

Given the opportunity, free of charge, would you go on a hunt in Africa or another country? Would it matter what would happen to the game that you harvest?
I ask this because I visit another site where there are people from all over the workd going to this site. One of the forums is African hunting. We, as Michigan hunters, seem to not so often get the chance to venture outside of our own little Michigan world (I am not knocking Michigan hunters or the state!) It just got me to thinking that maybe there is something else out there beside the game that we hunt in our AMAZING state.
I, myself, love hunting animals that are native to our state. I do not do enough hunting that is for sure!! But..........
Just wondering if there are others wondering the same thing. Please be honest with us and yourself when replying :)

[islaysteelies]

I answered Hmmmmm...I have no desire to walk up to a herd of animals, get within 100yds, pick out the biggest one and shoot it with a rifle...Now if you said that it was a bowhunt...That's a different story....

[Aspen Hill Adventures]

Having just returned from six weeks in Africa I can tell you there is no way, no comparison to hunting in Africa and hunting in Michigan. We do have good hunting here. But your eyes will pop right out of your head if you saw what I did in Africa. Not only are there dozens more species of game available to hunt the shear numbers of animals is overwhelming. There are herds of animals literally around every corner. You are comparing apples to oranges here!

Most game in Africa is active all day. Nearly all of our large and small game is primarily nocturnal. Tracts of hunting land are huge, more comparable to what you would find hunting a ranch out west. There are far more preditors in Africa, just the very presence of so many preditors that can and will also snack on you makes for a whole different scenario. Game animals are also very dangerous due to the fact preditors are always after them. Game will fight you if given the opportunity. Wounded game will try to kill you. Even the "pocket" antelope will do anything to survive.

Don't forget about the numerous cultures of peoples there. Just as interesting as the hunt itself. When you hunt Africa you'll be the only hunter on that land if yolu go by yourself. It's not a State land crap shoot.

Africa is affordable and every hunter should go there once. It is the absolute best bang for your buck. If you can spen 6 K on an elk hunt to MAYBE shoot an elk. You can shoot 5 animals in Africa for that and you'll get your game due to the vast numbers of animals. Don't get me wrong, you'll work hard to take your game, they don't give you much time to aim.

I hope this helps you, 333. I've seen your posts on AR. What us African travelers say is all true!

[Aspen Hill Adventures]

I should add, if you are worried game is wasted that is a serious misconception. You'll eat what you want there and the farm/ ranch and village citizens take the rest. Those people use more of the game animal than you do for the deer/game you kill here. They would be angry to see what you throw away. In their eyes, you are a waster!

[Hunter333]

I guess when I see a picture of zebra or elephant taken, I cant imagine why. I would not eat those animals, so i would not harvest them. Is an elephant hard to track and kill? I do understand the danger as far as the predators in the area as well as the fiercness of the game being hunted. I am sure that it is totally different hunting and given the chance, I would go. Mostly for the experience of going to another country and culture.

[Aspen Hill Adventures]

All I can say to you is re-read what you wrote about experiencing another culture. You may not be able to perceive something as a game animal or food. But that doesn't mean the people that live with these animals think and feel the same way as you.

I can't say what an elephant hunt is like but the zebras were the toughest, smartest and hardest to hunt game I went after.

[Hunter333]

I am not saying that I disagree with anyone that chooses to hunt those animals, it just isnt for me. i understand that others in the area would utilize the animal, I just think that I would have difficulty killing it knowing that I had no intention of consuming it myself. Although, if it tastes good........... :) Guess I would have to try it first. Sorry if my words were unclear, I meant no disrespect.

[jbaugher]

I think that it would be a great challenge to hunt for a lion. The fact that they can hunt you and kill you puts a new twist on it. I diffiently would have to get a new 458 H&H double gun. I want to have that second shot in case I do miss. SO, I am going to have to take a second mortgage out on the house if I ever want to go. If you are looking for a good book to get your blood pumping then check out Attacked by John Long. It has a couple of good stories in it about lions and bears. There also is a story in the Sports Afield about lions. Does anyone know what type of rifles they use over there? What is common? What are the calibers?

[Hunter333]

Go to www.accuratereloading.com in the forum section and the first one on the list is African Hunting. There are tons of posts from the people who have gone there and done that. maybe we will add our names some day :)

[Aspen Hill Adventures]

Wanna good book to read on Africa? Try "Death In The Long Grass", by Peter Hathaway Capstick. This is very good reading. Also read "The Green Hills of Africa", by Ernest Hemmingway. Capstick has a lengthy series of books and videos out there.

Most game can be shot with calibers such as 30.06, .300's, etc. When you hunt DBG the minimum caliber, by law, is .375H&H. That's plenty, it will kill anything on this planet.

It looks like I will be going over this summer for cape buffalo.

As H333 mentions, there is a very active African forum at Accurate Reloading.

One note, it isn't just the lions that will kill you there. Most of the game is dangerous including all antelope. As I said earlier, those animals have much higher preditory pressures than any game in NA. BTW, lions are hunted by tracking them on foot through thick brush. When he knows you are coming he ambushes you. At one place I was at in Namibia there were lions. You could hear them roaring through the walls of the house I stayed in. Feel it rather, it was way cool.

[Pugetsound]

Hey Hunter333, I have had Zebra (Kenya 98) and I would take it over just about any animal in the States. It is just dynamite good stuff. Another African animal I have had is Hartibeast, that was as good as any deer or elk I have ever had too. The Oustrich was good, but no better than turkey in my mind. And I have a friend that swears by Croc, and according to her it isn't fishy or strong so I would be willing to try it. Next time I go, hopefully in about 1 1/2 years I am hoping to try some other gamemeats (Giraffe is the big goal). If you ever get a chance to try Zebra and don't want it let me know, I would be happy to take it off your hands. Nate:)