JJHACK
Member
So you did it! You actually pulled the trigger on this and your really going!
Seems like the next year will take a lifetime of waiting. You may not have felt this excited or even believed it would ever again be possible to feel this excited since you were 10 on Christmas morning! ( I'm not Jewish, atheist, Buddhist etc. or remotely politically correct so insert your own magic event here _____________________)
So what do you really need for this 7-10 day experience? Well for starters, just about everyone packs way more stuff then they need. I probably would to, but all my stuff is already there cause I live there part of the year. However I would be just as guilty of over packing as anyone else.
In South Africa there are a number of basic regulations that an outfitter must provide by law. So you're going to have a basic minimum set of conditions regardless of who you hunt with. These accommodations are inspected from time to time and they say they can shut you down if you're not meeting them. I know only one outfitter to have struggled with this after issuance of a license. I know plenty to struggle prior to getting started in the business. Kinda like getting a Drivers license in America. You're tested and scrutinized for the original. But after that if you become stupid you already have the license. They don't retest you 20 years later, at least not in the states I have lived in.
There may be a softer bed in one camp then another or a brighter bulb in the bed side table. But the things required will be the same from camp to camp. For a time I was working with an outfitter that owned no land. We just traveled around and used the camps owned by others and took our hunters there. We stayed in dozens of hunting camps around South Africa for years. I cannot recall much difference between them that would concern me.
Laundry will be done daily or so it's stated that way. It's actually about a 2 day cycle. Tumble dryers are not the norm, so there are days that the clothing will be on the line an extra day. Then it's all ironed and folded much like the day you purchased it. In fact I have heard that many times. The guys had not seen the shirts and pants folded and ironed like this since they were new.
With this tid bit, you should need fewer clothes then you thought. It will all be cleaned frequently for you. If you wear your boots on the flight, it will open up some room in the suitcase, On the flight you will notice that most folks in Khaki or camo are walking around on the flight in their socks. Boots kicked off to relax!
You should put one set of clothing in your carry on. Several reasons. Spillage from turbulence or temporary stupidity, or maybe the cute chick next to you does not look that cute after her air sickness sprays vomit all over. Lost luggage on arrival also gets you that one extra set of clothes. Even though I don't need to pack clothing, I always carry a set in my carry on for these reasons. I have often thought how grateful I was not to sit next to a person with serious air sickness issues.
Extra socks are about the only thing I would pack extra of. Changing to dry socks mid day is always so nice after long hot walks. Speaking of this, it's also nice to have a partial roll of duct tape. Not much is better to stop a hot spot from becoming a full on blister then a strategically placed hunk of duct tape. It's actually handy for other stuff too.
Okay, your packing three sets of clothing. One in the carry on. In June it will be light from 6am to 6pm. (roughly) funny thing about that African Sunshine, its really hot, and when it's gone, it's really cold. It is not unusual to be 80deg at 4:30-5:30pm and 45 deg at 6:30-7:00 PM. I've been sweating in shorts and an hour later I can see my breath! Bring a warm coat, stocking cap and gloves. In June through August. Mid may it's not a bad idea either. Often times the truck ride back in the bed of the truck can be brisk to say the least!
I have become very opinionated ( no you don't say) about the use of Batteries. I find myself not buying anything that uses AAA size batteries. I have somewhat standardized on AA equipment. This way I can have rechargeable's and rarely ever struggle with flat batteries. A head lamp is a fantastic idea, as are LED flashlights. There will be times in the dark when these will really work wonders for you. The PH will have a light, but tracking game after dark you cannot have too much light! even used as a once over before leaving with the truck or the blind you're in after dark.
Especially for setting up great photo's too! Your field glasses, critical for obvious reasons. Just remember when hunting you're the shooter. don't look through them, use your scope. One of the single greatest reasons for missed opportunities is me telling the hunter to shoot the third one from the left ( or right ) and him setting down the bino's and picking up the rifle. By this time they have shuffled around and I have to start over. Just be ready to pull the trigger, let the PH do his job and you do yours!
You see packing is not that big a deal, cameras, bino's, flashlight and pants, it's easy! Oh yeah a gun. Well There is endless debate of gun cases. I have my opinions on this. Choose whatever you like, or whatever the internet experts suggest. Just do this one thing. Don't pack a whole lot in the case with the guns. If TSA cannot see everything crystal clear with the Xray, they will dump it all out and sort through it. I like having a spare padlock in the case that is unopened. With that I include a note that says:
If you found it necessary to cut open my locked case, can you please secure it with tis spare lock. Thanks for doing such a great job to keep us safe!
I have had that lock used a few times now too! I have often had the security inspector say to me " that's a great idea".
Some things to consider for the gun case. I usually have a cleaning rod, the two rifles, shooting sticks, and that's it. Make it simple and they won't need to open it up. I also usually have the bolts out and laying next to the rifles. When this is seen on xray it shows they cannot be fired. I worry more about my archery stuff, it's far more delicate and way more "stuff" in the case.
In the carry on I usually pack my field glasses and camera stuff. Oh Yeah, almost forgot, buy all the things your going to wear right away.......... then start wearing that stuff til it's soft and worn out. Way too many guys bring brand new shirts and pants and they sound like sandpaper rubbing together when they walk. Bring old worn out thread bare clothing then give it to the staff when you leave. It will give you more room in the luggage for curios on the way home anyway.
Much like a first child, the first safari hunt is similar. First kid, something falls on the floor it's rubbish, second kid it's wiped off and he eats it anyway, 5 second rule.
Safari hunter first time, high gloss stock, 50mm scope, new stiff boots, big belt knife, flawless Eddie Baur, filson, safari club model clothing outfit.
Second trip, beater rifle, thread bare blue jeans and tennis shoes. Funny Eh! you guys know exactly who I'm talking about!
Seems like the next year will take a lifetime of waiting. You may not have felt this excited or even believed it would ever again be possible to feel this excited since you were 10 on Christmas morning! ( I'm not Jewish, atheist, Buddhist etc. or remotely politically correct so insert your own magic event here _____________________)
So what do you really need for this 7-10 day experience? Well for starters, just about everyone packs way more stuff then they need. I probably would to, but all my stuff is already there cause I live there part of the year. However I would be just as guilty of over packing as anyone else.
In South Africa there are a number of basic regulations that an outfitter must provide by law. So you're going to have a basic minimum set of conditions regardless of who you hunt with. These accommodations are inspected from time to time and they say they can shut you down if you're not meeting them. I know only one outfitter to have struggled with this after issuance of a license. I know plenty to struggle prior to getting started in the business. Kinda like getting a Drivers license in America. You're tested and scrutinized for the original. But after that if you become stupid you already have the license. They don't retest you 20 years later, at least not in the states I have lived in.
There may be a softer bed in one camp then another or a brighter bulb in the bed side table. But the things required will be the same from camp to camp. For a time I was working with an outfitter that owned no land. We just traveled around and used the camps owned by others and took our hunters there. We stayed in dozens of hunting camps around South Africa for years. I cannot recall much difference between them that would concern me.
Laundry will be done daily or so it's stated that way. It's actually about a 2 day cycle. Tumble dryers are not the norm, so there are days that the clothing will be on the line an extra day. Then it's all ironed and folded much like the day you purchased it. In fact I have heard that many times. The guys had not seen the shirts and pants folded and ironed like this since they were new.
With this tid bit, you should need fewer clothes then you thought. It will all be cleaned frequently for you. If you wear your boots on the flight, it will open up some room in the suitcase, On the flight you will notice that most folks in Khaki or camo are walking around on the flight in their socks. Boots kicked off to relax!
You should put one set of clothing in your carry on. Several reasons. Spillage from turbulence or temporary stupidity, or maybe the cute chick next to you does not look that cute after her air sickness sprays vomit all over. Lost luggage on arrival also gets you that one extra set of clothes. Even though I don't need to pack clothing, I always carry a set in my carry on for these reasons. I have often thought how grateful I was not to sit next to a person with serious air sickness issues.
Extra socks are about the only thing I would pack extra of. Changing to dry socks mid day is always so nice after long hot walks. Speaking of this, it's also nice to have a partial roll of duct tape. Not much is better to stop a hot spot from becoming a full on blister then a strategically placed hunk of duct tape. It's actually handy for other stuff too.
Okay, your packing three sets of clothing. One in the carry on. In June it will be light from 6am to 6pm. (roughly) funny thing about that African Sunshine, its really hot, and when it's gone, it's really cold. It is not unusual to be 80deg at 4:30-5:30pm and 45 deg at 6:30-7:00 PM. I've been sweating in shorts and an hour later I can see my breath! Bring a warm coat, stocking cap and gloves. In June through August. Mid may it's not a bad idea either. Often times the truck ride back in the bed of the truck can be brisk to say the least!
I have become very opinionated ( no you don't say) about the use of Batteries. I find myself not buying anything that uses AAA size batteries. I have somewhat standardized on AA equipment. This way I can have rechargeable's and rarely ever struggle with flat batteries. A head lamp is a fantastic idea, as are LED flashlights. There will be times in the dark when these will really work wonders for you. The PH will have a light, but tracking game after dark you cannot have too much light! even used as a once over before leaving with the truck or the blind you're in after dark.
Especially for setting up great photo's too! Your field glasses, critical for obvious reasons. Just remember when hunting you're the shooter. don't look through them, use your scope. One of the single greatest reasons for missed opportunities is me telling the hunter to shoot the third one from the left ( or right ) and him setting down the bino's and picking up the rifle. By this time they have shuffled around and I have to start over. Just be ready to pull the trigger, let the PH do his job and you do yours!
You see packing is not that big a deal, cameras, bino's, flashlight and pants, it's easy! Oh yeah a gun. Well There is endless debate of gun cases. I have my opinions on this. Choose whatever you like, or whatever the internet experts suggest. Just do this one thing. Don't pack a whole lot in the case with the guns. If TSA cannot see everything crystal clear with the Xray, they will dump it all out and sort through it. I like having a spare padlock in the case that is unopened. With that I include a note that says:
If you found it necessary to cut open my locked case, can you please secure it with tis spare lock. Thanks for doing such a great job to keep us safe!
I have had that lock used a few times now too! I have often had the security inspector say to me " that's a great idea".
Some things to consider for the gun case. I usually have a cleaning rod, the two rifles, shooting sticks, and that's it. Make it simple and they won't need to open it up. I also usually have the bolts out and laying next to the rifles. When this is seen on xray it shows they cannot be fired. I worry more about my archery stuff, it's far more delicate and way more "stuff" in the case.
In the carry on I usually pack my field glasses and camera stuff. Oh Yeah, almost forgot, buy all the things your going to wear right away.......... then start wearing that stuff til it's soft and worn out. Way too many guys bring brand new shirts and pants and they sound like sandpaper rubbing together when they walk. Bring old worn out thread bare clothing then give it to the staff when you leave. It will give you more room in the luggage for curios on the way home anyway.
Much like a first child, the first safari hunt is similar. First kid, something falls on the floor it's rubbish, second kid it's wiped off and he eats it anyway, 5 second rule.
Safari hunter first time, high gloss stock, 50mm scope, new stiff boots, big belt knife, flawless Eddie Baur, filson, safari club model clothing outfit.
Second trip, beater rifle, thread bare blue jeans and tennis shoes. Funny Eh! you guys know exactly who I'm talking about!