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T H E O F FIC IA L PU B LIC ATION OF H OUS T ON S AFARI CLUB F OUND AT I ON • FALL 2 0 18
The Legend
2 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ FALL 2018
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TABLE of
CONTENTS
FEATURES
34
20 GIFT GUIDE 2018 24 REFLECTING ON SUCCESSES
OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF SPORTSMEN’S CAUCUSES
By Brent Miller
28 GIDEON GELDENHUYS 34 DRIVING SAFETY ABROAD By Matt Napiltonia
38 BLUE COLLAR MOUNTAIN NYALA & MOBY DICK
By Tim Herald
48 FISH AND GAME EXPIRATION DATE By Scott Leysath
54
54 IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL:
HOW PAKMULE ENHANCES THE HUNTING EXPERIENCE
By Kansas Sartin
58 TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING By Kory Slye
64 HONORING THE HUNTED:
SHOWING RESPECT FOR THE FALLEN ANIMAL IS A GOOD FIRST STEP TOWARD HELPING NONHUNTERS UNDERSTAND THAT HUNTERS TRULY VALUE WILDLIFE
By Shane P. Mahoney
68 TEXAS STUDENTS IN
SOUTH AFRICA: A TRUE LEARNING ADVENTURE
by Katherine Fikac
78 TIME TO DISCOVER NEW ZEALAND From Esplanade Travel
COVER ARTWORK:
“The Rhino brothers”— by Deon Geldenhuys Oil on canvas
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38
48
78 68
58 28
Recipient 2018 Communicator Award Design and PrintMarketing/Promotion in the Magazine/ Association category.
FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 5
OUR MISSION Preserving the sport of
hunting through education,
conservation and the promotion
of our hunting heritage.
6 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
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2018-2019 HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION OFFICERS Mitzy McCorvey–President Tommy Morrison–Immediate Past President JD Burrows–President Elect Patrick Bryan Anderson–Vice President Mark Brueggeman–Vice President Mark King–Treasurer Jerry Henderson–Secretary HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION DIRECTORS 2018–2020 Matt Pyle Darrell Kainer Monica Williamson Mills Shaun Nelson 2017–2019 Michael Van Ambrose Jeff Birmingham Linda Cunningham Matt Mann Travis Simpson HEADQUARTERS STAFF Joe Betar, Executive Director Angi McCarthy, Office Manager Carla Nielsen, Marketing & Publications Manager Nancy Oka, Membership & Events Manager Charlotte Betar, Advertising Sales Vic Williams, Editorial Consultant Nate Silva, Design Consultant Alliance Printing and Graphics Hunter’s Horn™ is published quarterly by Houston Safari Club Foundation 9432 Katy Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, Texas 77055 713.623.8844 (p) 713.623.8866 (f) info@hscfdn.org www.hscfdn.org © Copyright 2018 Houston Safari Club Foundation Houston Safari Club Foundation welcomes contributing articles, photos and research. Houston Safari Club Foundation reserves the right to edit submissions for spelling, grammar, clarity, organization and punctuation and to abridge length. Houston Safari Club Foundation reserves the right not to publish submissions. Content may not be repurposed without the express written consent of the author and publisher. Please submit materials with a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you wish materials to be returned. Houston Safari Club Foundation is not responsible for lost or unsolicited submissions. Digital submissions are preferred. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to Houston Safari Club Foundation, its members, employees or affiliates.
U PCOMING EV EN TS 2018
2019
OCTOBER 13
JANUARY 25-27
The HSCF Gazelles present Come Fly with Me at Triple Creek Ranch
OCTOBER 21
HSCF members-only event at Houston Polo Club
NOVEMBER 15
Bring One Get One Free BBQ Event at Red River BBQ free event if you bring a nonmember
DECEMBER 6
HSCF Christmas Party at Firehouse Saloon
Annual HSCF Hunting Expo & Convention; George R. Brown Convention Center and Hilton Americas Hotel
FEBRUARY 9
European Style Tower Pheasant Shoot; WGO Outfitters
MARCH 6
HSCF Night at 11 Below Brewery, 6820 Bourgeois Rd, Houston, TX 77066
APRIL 13
HSCF Annual Sporting Clays Tournament; Greater Houston Gun Club
FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 7
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR‘S MESSAGE JOE BETAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I
t has been a very busy year at HSCF. We launched a new legislative-focused website for HSC at houstonsafariclub.org and related social media channels. On the education and conservation side (HSCF), please visit our updated website (and new address) at hscfdn.org. And, do not forget to visit our merchandise store at hscgear.com as new products are added on a regular basis. Be sure to represent your organization with the latest in apparel, coolers and more! We are pleased to welcome a new HSCF team member, Angi McCarthy. Angi is our new Office Manager. Remember to reach out and welcome Angi to HSCF. You can learn more about her at hscfdn. org/staff/angi-mccarthy/. I would like to extend a big congratulations to Carla Nielsen and all Hunter’s Horn™ magazine contributors. Your Hunter’s Horn™ was awarded a 2018 Communicator Award for Design and Print-Marketing/Promotion in the Magazine/ Association category. If you have not seen the press releases, Houston Safari Club Foundation and GoWild have teamed up to tackle hunter recruitment, conservation challenges and more. GoWild is a digital community of outdoor enthusiasts supporting education, interaction and activity in the outdoors. Together, we hope to activate current hunters to participate in conservation efforts beyond hunting, and to provide tools and resources for newcomers to pick up hunting for the first time. Learn more at timetogowild.com and the Restless Native podcast. In late August, I was pleased to represent HSCF as an appointee of the newly-formed Texas Mule Deer Advisory Committee. The goal of this Texas Parks & Wildlife Department working group is to evaluate and set forth a plan to sustain and support the growth of mule deer populations in Texas. Some of the top agency, education, researcher and NGO experts were present. Topics included: current mule deer research in the Panhandle and Trans-Pecos; a CWD Update for the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions; landscape genetic analysis of mule deer for CWD management in Texas; research needs for mule deer; and current mule deer hunting regulations and suggestions for TPWD staff. More updates will be provided in the future. Also, in August, we convened the Summer meeting of the American Conservation Wildlife Partners (AWCP) in Memphis, Tennessee. Meeting topics included Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (how to secure permanent and dedicated funding for wildlife
8 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
and habitat conservation); chronic wasting disease bills; recent strategies intended to undermine hunting and the North American model; Mojave National Preserve Water Management (potential impacts to wildlife and hunting opportunities from proposed removal of water catchments across the Mojave National Preserve); Land and Water Conservation Fund update; the 2018 Sportsmen’s Economic Impact Report; R3 discussions; an update on the newly formed Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council; the Endangered Species Act Bill modifications; a Department of the Interior project update; Farm Bill status and trajectory; and Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. It was a very lively two days of discussion. Updates will be provided in future HSCF communications. HSC has been very active on the policy and legislation front as we have signed on to letters of support for the Senate version of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (and finally a Senate version has been introduced!), the expansion of fishing and hunting opportunities in national refuges, and the Sage-Grouse and Mule Deer Habitat Conservation and Restoration Act (S. 1417). Giving Back! HSCF recently provided grants to the Trinity Oaks Foundation ($5,000) for its inaugural annual event of a free day of activities for youth to learn and experience shooting sports, fishing, and other outdoor activities and to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation ($15,000) to support their mission to work with Congress, governors, and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping. Your membership and support ensure the HSCF grant program is a great success in promoting the future of hunting. We recently signed up 13 new volunteers to help support HSCF’s youth education program. Led by Susan and David Kalich, you will find this group hosting area high school students on the water and in the woods as they take students on their first outdoor excursions. They will also host 150 high school students at our annual convention for a day of education on Friday, January 25. We are always looking for people interested in serving on HSCF’s various committees. Please contact me if you would like to learn more. While we are on the subject of Convention, the entertainment lineup has been announced. Friday night-Cory Morrow entertains the crowd with his rollicking, soulful, feel-good Texas country music. Rickey Davis brings Vegas to the Saturday Gazelles luncheon and Texas country singer-songwriter (and
avid outdoorsman) Kevin Fowler rolls into town on Saturday for the Grand Gala. As Kevin states about hunting and fishing: “I was born in May and in September of that year I went on my first hunting trip. My dad was a huge bowhunter. I still go bowhunting. That is what we did as a family. We also went on fishing trips every spring break. That made me who I am. It was camping in Colorado, bow hunting in the fall and fishing every spring break. Now it’s all about the camaraderie of friends, getting away, and the freedom of the outdoors.” Convention is January 25-27, 2019. Be sure to get your tickets to all these great events — early! Fall is almost here and that means the hunting season in North America is approaching its prime. I am sure you are as excited as I am about checking game cameras, scouting and finishing final preparations for
the season. My wishes to you for a safe and successful season. Be sure to take others hunting this year — your children, grandchildren, family and friends and just as important — this year, take someone that has never been hunting before. Recruiting more people to hunting can happen, one person at a time, and it begins with you! Yours in Conservation,
Joe Betar
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MITZY MCCORVEY, HSCF PRESIDENT
A
s we start off the new fiscal year, I am truly honored to be your 2018-2019 President and the first President of Houston Safari Club Foundation. I can only hope that I uphold this office as well as those that have come before me. There are a number of changes going into this new year. We are now under the 501(c)(3) for operations, membership, Convention, scholarships, and fundraising efforts. The 501(c)(4), which is Houston Safari Club, will be responsible for fundraising and processes related to political, lobbying and legislative efforts. We are proud to have Julianne King and Doug Centilli as our first two directors of Houston Safari Club. Dawn Fuselier, office manager, has left to take a position as controller with another company. While we are sad to see her leave, we wish her well and look forward to seeing her as a volunteer at the Convention. Executive Director Joe Betar has brought in Angela McCarthy as our new office manager and we would like to welcome her to the team. Nancy Oka has been working diligently on upcoming new and fun events for the next year. She has secured the Firehouse Saloon as the venue for our Christmas Party to be held on December 6. We will have a live band and it should be a great and festive event. I would also like to congratulate Carla Nielsen and Joe Betar for their efforts in the Hunter’s Horn receiving the 2018 Communicator Award, Award of Distinction, from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts. This is an annual award with over 6,000 entries and some of the past winners have been Walt Disney, Baylor University, ESPN and many others. Preparations for the upcoming convention are underway with Jeff Birmingham at the helm as the 2019 Convention Chairman. This year’s theme is “Foundation for Tomorrow.” This has a double meaning for me because we are going forward as a “foundation” as well as laying the foundation for the future of our hunting heritage. We have chosen to go “Texas” this year for our entertainment. Friday night we have Cory Morrow and Saturday night is Kevin Fowler, a guaranteed good time. This will be our second year at the George R. Brown Convention center and we are looking forward to making this convention an even better and greater experience for all our members, volunteers, sponsors, donors and exhibitors. We could not survive without our volunteers, nor could we have a successful convention. As always, your involvement is welcomed and appreciated. It is a great way to meet other members, especially if you are new to the club. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact me or someone at the office and we will gladly find a place for you.
I have some very big shoes to fill with all the previous Presidents before me setting some very high marks. I am looking forward to the challenge for the upcoming year and will strive to continue our mission to preserve our hunting heritage. Sincerely,
Mitzy McCorvey HSCF President
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OFFIC E RS
HOUS T ON S A FA R I C L U B F OU N DAT ION
Mitzy McCorvey, President
JD Burrows, President Elect
Patrick Bryan Anderson, Vice President
Mark King,Treasurer
12 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ FALL 2018
Tommy Morrison, Immediate Past President
Mark Brueggeman, Vice President
Jerry Henderson, Secretary
DI R E C T O R S HOUS T ON S A FA R I C L U B F OU N DAT ION
Matt Pyle, 2018–2020
Darrell Kainer, 2018–2020
Monica Williamson Mills, 2018–2020
Shaun Nelson, 2018–2020
Michael Van Ambrose, 2017 – 2019
Jeff Birmingham, 2017 – 2019
Linda Cunningham, 2017 – 2019
Matt Mann, 2017 – 2019
Travis Simpson, 2017 – 2019
FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 13
OFFICER S HOUS T ON S A FA R I C L U B
Mitzy McCorvey, President
Mark King, Treasurer
Jerry Henderson, Secretary
DIR E C T OR S HOUS T ON S A FA R I C L U B
Doug Centilli, 2018-2019
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Julianne King, 2018-2020
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HOUS T ON S A FA R I C L U B F OU N DAT ION
COR POR ATE MEMBER S Introducing Bering’s Men’s Shop Bering’s is more than a Hardware Store!
TH A NK YOU F OR SU PPORTING HSCF
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Mary Edith Stacy
Anne Elizabeth Daugherty
Darin Fiedeldey
Richard Trevor Grall
Sierra Bishop
Mallory Potts
Mike Lembke
Derek Ham
Allan G Jaster
Tina Henry John Oncken
Jon Dutton
Randal Garrett
Eric Pawlak
Rebecca Booth
James Jeffrey
Oscar Munoz
Ryan Corrigan Darryl Allan Schroeder
Marcus Thigpen Doug Centili
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FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 17
HSCF LIFE MEMBERS Bob Abernathy John Abraham Richard Alexander MD Charlotte Alexander MD Crystal Allison Shannon Alston Michael V Ambrose Skip Avara Dannine Avara Jacob Avara Anne Avara Paul David Babaz Freddie Bailey Jr. Kenneth Bailey Cope Bailey Camp Bailey Mike Baird Frank Baird Jo Baird Jack Barksdale L. Irvin Barnhart * Wendy Barnhart James Bell Lyndel Berry Tony Bessette Joe Betar Charlotte Betar James Biggerstaff Craig Boddington Werner Boeer Jay Bonano Greg Bond E. Bond Pete Bonora Jeri Booth Frederick (Tony) Box James Braus John Downey Bridgwater Jack Brittingham Joe Bruno Robert Burke Matt Burke Byron Burris II Quint Burris Grady Burris Prentiss C. Burt Daniel Butler Turner Clay Butts MD Don Byrne C. Cagle Dennis Cain Thomas Cain Jr. Rick Callison Alex Campbell Bill Carter Ivan Carter Paul Carter Ben Case Barbara Cavender-Lewis Preston Cavner
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Chris Caywood Tracey Cearley Alan Cegielski Doug Centilli James Clark Steve Clark Christopher Clark Craig Clendenin Stephen L Coale Russell Coleman Randall Coleman * Joe Collett Dwayne Collier Frank Comiskey Kevin Comiskey Alan “Bink” Cooke Rocky Cooper Dian Cooper George Councill Steve Crawford Kenneth Crockett Gary Crouch Ralph Cunningham Deb Cunningham Linda Cunningham Ford Cunningham Ralph Daigle Joe Davis Laurent Delagrange Armando DeLeon III Armando DeLeon IV Gregory Desautels Elliot Desautels Charlie Desautels Perry Dillon Jr. Randy Donato Barry Donoho Tim Doucet MD James (Red) Duke MD * Jan Duncan Scott Duncan Bruce Edwards Robert Elkins Walton Eller Susan Ellerbeck * Gary Ellison Will Ellison Shaun Essery Travis Findley Charlene Floyd Tommy Fogle Randy Fowler Nathan Foyil * Bobby Frederick Aaron Freeman Donald Robert French Jr. Warren Gallant Scott Garrett Zachary Garrett Tanya Garrett
Randal Garrett Paul Geiger Frank Giacalone Gary Glesby Carl Godfrey Russell Gordy Jeff Gorski William Gouldin Sandra Green Kevin Gregory Edward Guinn Dodd Hackman Clayton Hagerman Cory Hall James Halley Greg Harvey Charles Head Jr. Jerry Henderson Mark Herfort Heinert Hertling Robert Hibbert II Steven Hill Greg Hill Edward Lawrence Hoffman William Holder III Bill Honza Gene Human Terry Hurlburt Tanya Hurlburt Harold Inman * Keith Itzel John Jackson III Jack Jensen MD W.A. Jentsch Jr. Todd Johnson Clay Johnson Robert Jones III Harris Junell Darrell Kainer David Kalich Susan Kalich Kirk Kanady Michelle Daigle Kangas John Kelsey Gaye Kelsey Mark King Julianne King Rick Kirk Jim Klentzman Robert Kneppler Philip Koehne George Kollitides Tommy Kolwes Phil Koonce George Kopecky Keith Lake Fred Lamas Wayne LaPierre Joel Latham Kyle Lehne
HSCF LIFE MEMBERS Richard Leibman John Lindholm Jr. Tom Lipar Bryant Littlefield Mark Livesay Ricardo Longoria Cody Loverin Doug Luger David Mafrige Shane Patrick Mahoney Paige Manard D Leigh Martin IV John Martin III James Masten Chad Matherne Wyatt McBride Tony McCorvey Mitzy McCorvey Ed McCrory III Vickie McMillan-Hayes Travis McWilliams Gerald Meinecke Lewis Metzger Greg Mills Brook Minx Howard Monsour Paul Forrest Montealegre Sr. Forrest Montealegre G.L. Moore Reed Morian Tommy Morrison Ron Mostyn Dustin Mykyte Shannon Nash Bob Neese Rob Neilson Shaun Nelson Scott Nelson William B. Newlin Rudy Nix K. Nunnally Kerry O’Day Carol O’Day Charles Onstead Kevin Ormston Neal Overstreet John Painter Michael Park Michael Parr Steve Pate Trevor Penny John Pepper Melanie Pepper Will C Perry Timothy John Peter Wilson (Woody) Phillips Jr. Bryce Phillips Carson Phillips Dusty Phillips Thomas Powell
Kevin Poynter Andrew Pratt Kymberly Pratt Charles Prince Jr. Sharon Propes Carlos Ramirez Lawrence Rearick William Reed Sr. Gayle Rettig MD Keith Riggs John Robberson Larry Robinson Mike Robinson * Chuck Rod Robert Rod Stephen Mark Walter Rogers William Rohrbach William Roosevelt Gary Rose Mark Rose Jerry Rubenstein Chris Ruhman John Rulon Gerald Russell Byron Sadler Sandra Sadler Michael Sample William Knighton Sample Jr. Michael Sandeen Corey L Schaefer Scott Scheinin MD Robert Scherer Wade Schindewolf George Severence Wayne Sheets John Shelby Richard Shepherd Jason Shrieve William Simmons Mike Simpson Barret Simpson Becky Simpson Weston Simpson Michael Simpson Autumn Simpson Austin Simpson Jacob Simpson Tristan Simpson Jody Simpson Travis Simpson Dawn Simpson Sam Skipper Steve Smith Jason Smith Mandy Daigle Smith Tom Snyder Norman Speer MD Kaylee Ann Stacy Mary Edith Stacy Larry Stifflemire
Mark Stouse Randy Strickland H. Stuart Greg Stube David Swan Sally Swiedom Lloyd Swiedom Tyler Symens Leah Symens Peter Tam Larry Tatom Terry Taylor Mark Terpstra Heidi Thomas Robert Thomas J.B. Tinney John Tobin Pete Trammell Ted Trout * Hal Tryon Don Turner Phillip Veale Thom Venus William Vick Amanda Vick Juan Villaveces Glenn Vincent Pierre Vorster Joshua Walker Greg Walla Rob Walsh John Waltz Dana Weber Rick Weber Larry Weishuhn Brian Hunter Welker Denise Ellis Welker Robert Wells Brian Welsh Matt West Lawrence West Bruce Whitmire Bill Wilkinson * Ron Willenborg Steve Willenborg Gregory Williamson Alan Winslette Robby Winstead Kurt Wiseman John Wood Bill Woodall J.D. (Des) Woods Jr. Patricia Woods Preston Young Debi Young Brian Zaitz
*Deceased
FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 19
FROM THE CONVENTION CHAIR JEFF BIRMINGHAM, 2019 HSCF CONVENTION CHAIRMAN
T
he 2018 Convention was a major milestone for HSC, it was the culmination of many years of hard work and positioning for the big move downtown. I want to thank everyone involved in the process and especially Mark and Julianne King for all their hard work. This year the 2019 Worldwide Hunting Expo & Convention will be on January 25-27, 2019, and we will be back downtown at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Join us for the Friday and Saturday night banquets and the Saturday Gazelles Luncheon featuring live entertainment, auctions and more! So, whether you plan on spending your entire weekend with us or coming as a day guest, we’ve got something for each and every one of you. This year we will host over 300 exhibitors spread out over 104,000 square feet from South Texas to South Africa and everywhere in between. Come out and celebrate wildlife, wild places and the hunting lifestyle with thousands of visitors and exhibitors from around the globe. Expect to see the finest in wildlife art, jewelry, firearms, sporting gear and worldwide expeditions that are sure to please. Friday’s banquet will feature a fun and casual evening with great food, cocktails, and live entertainment by Cory Morrow. We will be presenting our scholarship recipients for the 2018-2019 school year. If you have not attended before, it is a fantastic opportunity to see our fundraising dollars at work and meet the students who are truly at the forefront of research and conservation in Texas. We will also recognize our member’s hunting accomplishments for the year. All of this will be followed up with a live auction, featuring firearms and plenty of hunts from around the world. Saturday morning is always fun with a luncheon hosted by the Gazelles. It’s a great time with an amazing silent auction, plenty of food, cocktails, entertainment by Rickey Davis and a very spirited live auction. Our signature event is the Saturday night gala. A beautiful evening featuring a four-course dinner, open bars, live auction and lots of stories with our featured entertainer Kevin Fowler — it is must for all.
20 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
Our live auction, includes many custom and one of a kind items, from jewelry and firearms to hunts with destinations around the globe. The auction committee is working diligently to ensure one of the best live auctions we’ve ever offered. The convention marks the most important fundraising event for Houston Safari Club Foundation. It is an opportunity to support HSCF and all the conservation and education endeavors for which we are known for. If you love to hunt, fish, collect guns, shooting sports, or just want to preserve our hunting heritage for future generations, please join us! Jeff Birmingham Convention Chair
FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 21
G5 Outdoors BMP
G5 has dramatically changed the way shooters train and practice with the introduction of the BMP field tip. Many field tips and broadheads perform basically the same at 20 yards or less; however, at greater distances, the seemingly insignificant differences in flight performance are exponentially magnified. Therefore, to practice and perform at greater distances, archers need a field-tip that is a ballistic match to the broadhead they are shooting. In years past, archers would practice with field tips, only to have to retune and re-sight their bows when they started shooting broadheads. With the development of the BMP, G5 has eliminated this process.
$17.95 MSRP (3 pack)
g5outdoors.com
TM
Gift Guide 2018 Cuddeback CuddeLink Cell
CuddeLink Cell is the industry’s first affordable cell camera technology that allows you to check up to 16 trail cameras using only one cell plan starting at only $15 per month. Built off Cuddeback’s proprietary CuddeLink technology, these cameras are capable of relaying images from camera to camera allowing you to cover 1,000s of acres and reach places that typical cell cameras can’t. G Camera with CuddeLink + Cell:
$500 MSRP
cuddeback.com
22 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
G5 Prime Logic Bow
Ideally suited for western hunters and those hunting in tight quarters, the 31” Logic features Prime’s center grip design with a riser that’s built around a lower center of gravity. This center grip drastically reduces pin movement while aiming, allowing you to get on target quicker and stay on target longer, resulting in quicker, and more consistent shots. Along with the unique riser design, the Prime Logic sports the “Swerve.” The Swerve is a strategically placed curve in the riser that ensures the top and bottom portions of the riser are moving in unison, resulting in a more consistent draw cycle and greater accuracy. In addition to reducing movement, this unique design reduces noise and vibration as well.
$1,199 MSRP g5prime.com
Mystery Ranch
The new TREEHOUSE is a hanging gearquiver explicitly designed for tree stand hunters. The pack features quiet interior fabrication and two fiberglass rods that allows the face panel to open to 45 degrees, securing its content from falling out while providing easy access to gear while on a stand. Multiple interior sleeves and pockets have been incorporated for organizing calls, rangefinders, and other essentials that need to be available in the heat of the moment. Front compression straps provide a secure attachment for a bow or lightweight tree stand and side water bottle pockets and compression securely fit tripods, bow hangers, and other tree stand items
$250 MSRP
mysteryranch.com
Redneck Big Country
The new 6X7 Big Country 360 Blind is the king of all Redneck blinds. The Big Country Blind is perfect for the hunter who needs more leg and arm room or has lots of gear. There is no better blind in the world for two hunters and a camera man. The room, along with the visibility for all hunters is absolutely amazing. Combine the 46-inch tall vertical windows, with large oversized horizontal windows and roomy interior, and you have the ultimate blind for compound bow, crossbow or gun hunting. This combination of size and window functionality gives you plenty of room, visibility and angles to make a perfect shot when the moment of truth arrives. There is plenty of room for 3-4 adults, a small family or even enough room to sleep in comfortably overnight when you need that extra edge for an early morning hunt.
$2,999.99
redneckblinds.com
Ozonics HR300
The HR300 is the result of more than five years of intense field research and product development, and it was designed using end-user feedback and the continual desire to provide every hunter with the most effective scent elimination tools in the industry. There is a significant 45 percent increase in ozone production, and in addition, a new housing design and re-engineered internal components all contribute to a new, ultraquiet design. This new ergonomic construction is also easier to handle and has an improved user interface with intuitive controls designed for easy use with gloves in the dark.
$449.99
ozonicshunting.com
SIG Optics BDX Kit
The SIG SAUER Electro-Optics division unveiled their all new Ballistic Data Xchange (BDX) rangefinders and riflescopes with integrated Applied Ballistics and wireless Bluetooth technology. This groundbreaking BDX technology enables interoperability and key ballistic holdover information to be exchanged wirelessly between SIG SAUER BDX Electro-Optics products. The foundation of the BDX system was designed for simplicity and ease of use. SIG SAUER BDX requires no new learning, and uses the same tools hunters and shooters have been using for years. KILO BDX Rangefinders starting at $299.99 MSRP
SIERRA3BDX Riflescopes starting at $599.99 MSRP
sigsauer.com
ScentBlaster Starter PLUS Kit
At just $49.99 the Starter PLUS Kit includes one ScentBlaster unit, a 6-pack of ScentBlaster Wicks and an additional Scent Container which allows you to quickly swap from one scent to another. If you’re looking to add ScentBlaster to your hunting arsenal this Fall, this is the perfect package to begin with.
$49.99
scentblaster.net
Wild Ear Tactical Series
The Tactical Series is designed specifically for shooters who need reliable mobile hearing protection when working through extensive tactical training courses, but who also require the audible enhancement of being able to hear a range master or range timer. The Tactical Series features two digital programs and is loaded with the most advanced digital hearing enhancement and protection technology available to shooters and sportsmen. You’ll also enjoy conversing with other shooters at normal levels without needing to remove your WildEars.
$999.99
wildear.com
FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 25
Reflecting on Successes of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses BY BRENT MILLER SENIOR DIRECTOR, NORTHEASTERN STATES, CONGRESSIONAL SPORTSMEN’S FOUNDATION
26 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
Legislators gathered at the 2017 NASC Annual Sportsman-Legislator Summit in Traverse City, Michigan.
T
hese days it seems that you only need to turn on the television or sign into a social media account to see first-hand evidence of rampant anti-sportsmen’s sentiment. Whether it’s the main stream media’s portrayal of firearms issues, or animal rights extremists trolling young hunters for posting a photo of their first deer harvest, many of our traditions are often portrayed negatively. However, in states all across the nation, there are bipartisan state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses actively working to protect and advance our time-honored traditions of hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping. These caucuses are organized under the bipartisan National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC)—a program that was first formed by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation in 2004. Presently, 48 states have such caucuses which are on the front lines championing the interests of their sportsmen and women constituents with over 2,000 state legislators across the nation are involved in the effort. Additionally, 34 governors are now organized through the bipartisan Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC). Both programs are supported by the dedicated staff of CSF’s policy team, which collectively possesses over a century of public policy experience. The States Program Team (SPT) tracked nearly 3,000 bills at the state level in 2018, and over 500 of these bills were identified as attacks on our time-honored traditions. Thanks to the diligent work of sportsmen’s caucus members throughout the nation, only 39 of these antisportsmen bills were signed into law, for a passage rate of just over 7 percent. However, caucus members and
the SPT championed more than 900 pro-sportsmen’s bills this year, of which 172 were signed into law. This resulted in a passage rate for pro-sportsmen’s bills of over 19 percent — nearly three times the passage rate of anti-sportsmen legislation. In short, despite what we may see on television and on social media, NASC and GSC members have not only held the line, but have made significant strides to protect and advance our collective heritage this year. Some of the more notable accomplishments this year include: blocking bans on ivory and trophy importation of the African “Big 5”species in several states; expanding Sunday hunting opportunities in Connecticut, Delaware and West Virginia; driving a constitutional amendment to the ballot box to enshrine the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife in North Carolina; and, significantly improving hunter apprentice programs in Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Additionally, caucuses and SPT staff were successful in blocking overly restrictive firearm discharge bans in several states, expanding crossbow allowances in West Virginia, and improving poaching enforcement in both Nebraska and Oregon. These are but a few of the many victories that were secured for America’s sportsmen and women this year as a result of the committed members of the NASC and GSC, working closely with CSF staff. For additional information on the work of these caucuses and CSF, please visit www.congressionalsportsmen.org and sign up for our weekly newsletter The Sportsmen’s Voice or our complimentary and customizable legislative tracking service, Tracking The Capitols. ★
Did you you have have a A great GREAT hunt HUNT this THIS year? YEAR? hunter who provided amazing service and a once-in-a-lifetime in the 2018 Convention issue of Hunter's Horn, at great rates. By placing an ad in the Convention issue of Hunter's Horn you will say information with many other HSCF members. Help us thank those who provide outstanding service and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. • All ads are full color • Ads must be booked by October 29, 2018 • All photos must be high resolution digital images (300dpi) •
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For more information, contact Charlotte Betar at Charlotte@hscfdn.org or 210-275-7113. Submit message and photos by Monday, October 29 to Carla Nielsen at carla@hscfdn.org 38
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Gideon Geldenhuys I WAS BORN IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA IN 1971 and am known as Deon, but brand my works under my first name, Gideon. I grew up in the city but always longed for the countryside. In 1988 my dad got transferred to the Central Karoo, right in the center of South Africa, where I completed my schooling. From a young age, I enjoyed drawing and coloring. I have my own style, which got me a fair share of criticism from teachers. My formal training in art is limited to art as a subject in high school where I specialized in pencil drawings and mainly did portraits. Growing up I aspired to become a game ranger one day, or a conservationist. Well, things turned out quite differently for me. My career started off as a police officer and continued through the retail world, to security, Customs and Excise, manufacturing and marketing. Through it all though I was fortunate enough to always have spare time to exercise my hobby of art. As I could not fulfill my childhood dream of conservation, I felt that my contribution to this very important profession was that I could capture wild beasts and birds on canvas and preserve them forever in this way. It is always satisfying to create such work and then see the appreciation on the faces of the buyers. I find it hard to think of a price to charge for these works as the reward of the new owner’s appreciation and knowing that the artwork will last for a very long time and will be admired by many art lovers, overshadows all other rewards for my art.
My passion for wildlife art comes from my love of nature. As a child, we visited the Kruger National Park on a few occasions. The Park is situated in the North Eastern part of South Africa where its fence forms the border with Mozambique and covers an amazing 7523 square miles. Then many years later, I was privileged to live right next to the park. A quick 10km cycle took me right to the Crocodile Bridge entrance of the park (for obvious reasons one was not allowed into the park by foot or cycle, although I could never understand why rangers were allowed to do both). Early morning and late in the afternoon the calls from different wild animals could be heard as it was carried across the bushveld by the cooling afternoon skies. Hippos, buffalo, zebra, jackal, hyena and of course the majestic fish eagle could be heard regularly and every once in a while a lion, announcing its catch. I started in 1988 with smaller oil pastel sketches of the minx and then the lion. When I felt comfortable with the technique of getting the eyes and fur and mane just right, I ventured into doing compositions of the big five as this is true to Africa and a trademark, so to speak, of South Africa. Back in 2001, these were very popular and I had orders coming in quicker than I could produce them. They were about three feet wide and done on black poster board. In one of my favorite pieces, I chose to make the lion, king of the jungle, the focus. A full-throat roar of a lion at dusk or dawn carries for miles and being right up close to that roar beats any bass music on
Opposite: Close up of elephant. Graphite sketch on paper. This one was commissioned by an owner of a bed and breakfast house in the Karoo. His theme on one of the rooms for rent was wild animals. This one kept me busy for many hours, doing all the little warts and cracks and creases, but in the end it was worth it. It was hard to let it go.
FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 31
Above: Big 5 with rhino as centerpiece Below: Fighting Zebra
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a subwoofer. It cuts through your body and you can feel the sound waves beating against your chest. A majestic animal, nothing else quite like it, and nothing the movies could reproduce. I was privileged to see one of these works mounted in the owner’s “man cave.” He clad the walls with a rock looking tile and physically built the sketch into a niche created especially for this piece. In 2010 I got inspiration to do landscapes in paint and started off with watercolors. The first of which was quite fittingly, of the Kruger National Park. At the end of 2010 I switched over to oils and in 2015 I began doing miniature paintings (10cmx7cm) in watercolors on commission. My style is realism and has always been my passion and style. My inspiration was Mr. Rob MacIntosh, a well-known photo-realist from the USA. I was looking for subject matter on the internet one day in 2012 and stumbled across a picture of a Karoo landscape. The narrative about the picture mentioned photorealism. I knew photo realism referred to an art style but was this a photo or a painting? Realising with amazement that the picture was indeed a painting and not a photograph, I instantly knew that this was what I wanted to achieve. I dared to attempt to contact the artist and was again surprised when I got a reply from McIntosh who, at that time, was living in South Africa. What an absolute gentleman and humble master of the art, always ready with a word of encouragement or advice. He not only offered tips and advice on how to achieve realism but also what which brushes he regularly uses, background, base colors in different mediums, etc. When I exhibit my latest works on social media he always comments with compliments and usually tells me to “keep on keeping on,” and that is exactly what I did and will keep on doing. The realism artist will never regard him/herself as having achieved the ultimate in realism and will therefore always “keep on keeping on.” Currently, I work on my art in my spare time but hope to do this full time one day as a professional artist. I realized soon enough that I needed to broaden my horizon by advertising my art abroad if I wanted to pursue my dream. I have been commissioned to do a couple of works that were presented to people on special occasions such as farewell functions and honor presentations. It was always special and very satisfying to see the surprise, amazement and appreciation on the recipients’ face. My favorite one, however, is of my late dad whom I had the privilege to capture on paper a couple of years before his passing. I will never forget the look in that majestic police officer’s eyes when I gave that portrait to him. This painting was special for many reasons, we shared a unique bond, and one that influenced my art. My dad was a very large 6-foot, 5-inch police officer who retired with the rank of Brigadier (one rank below General). He taught me everything a dad should teach his son, from making fire, handling power tools, to driving a car. He was always rock solid in his demeanor and rarely showed emotion. When he came into a room, every person had to notice him and that, of course, made him larger than life to me. I pursued the same occupation as my dad as I had that high of a regard for him and have always regarded him as my hero. This and the fact that he was a great athlete. He taught me the basics of field events, so it was really special when I achieved my National Colors in athletics and he was there to witness it. As my parents planned to visit me on one occasion, I decided to do a portrait painting of my dad and managed to get it finished and framed before they came. As the Brigadier removed the wrapping from his present, I could see that he was shaken. He excused himselfnunceremoniously to, in his words, “go and lock it in my car before it gets damaged.” He very rarely shed a tear...always solid as a
Rhino. Oil on blocked canvas.
rock. That day, I knew, was one of those rare occasions. That painting eternalized the memory of my hero. It is with this same passion and for the same reason that I love doing commissioned artworks for people. I put a piece of my soul into my art to touch the souls of those who it is presented to. When I do wildlife paintings or sketches, a few drops of my passion for the wild is poured into the work. It is important for me to capture the wild nature and majesty of each animal, especially the eyes. I particularly like doing renderings of the Big Five, especially the rhino and elephant as these are a personification of meekness to me. They could destroy whatever they want and animals crossing their paths sense that. Yet they adhere to the laws of nature and don’t go on wild killing sprees or rampages. My attention to detail and preoccupation with realism is what makes my paintings unique. I don’t use much brush strokes, but rather attempt to imitate the textures of the skin and hair by using fine detail. The most special works are those of animals that the person commissioning the work has a personal attachment to or a hunter who wants to boast with his trophy. It says much more than a photograph and can be exhibited for all to see. I know that the majority of humanity wants all species of animals to be preserved, none to go extinct and to see endangered species’ number increase so significantly that their names are erased from the endangered list. No one wants their children to ask them one day what an elephant or rhino was. My contribution to the preservation of our wild heritage is to capture these animals on canvas to cultivate an appreciation amongst man for these creatures. As the saying goes: “If you make a living from doing what you love, you will never work a day in your life.” My vision is to create international exposure for other South African and possibly African artists like myself with a passion for art and get African artists on the map for wildlife art. Until then I will, as Mr. Rob McIntosh always encourages me, “keep on keeping on.” ★ FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 33
34 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ FALL 2018
Houston Safari Club Foundation
Convention Volunteers Needed! Be a part of the Convention Crew! If you are interested, please contact the HSCF office at info@hscfdn.org or 713.623.8844
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7/26/18 10:58 AM
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Field Rescue | Medical & Security Evacuation | Travel Insurance +1.617.459.4200 | globalrescue.com/hsc FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 35
Driving Safety Abroad By Matt Napiltonia
Former Navy SEAL and Medical Services Officer Operations Manager, Medical Operations, Global Rescue LLC
Becoming injured on a hunt far from home as the result of an accident is every hunter’s nightmare. That’s why careful planning and preparation are always recommended prior to any travel abroad, particularly if you are planning to hunt in a remote location. While people tend to react to the more sensational emergencies that garner media attention, there are less spectacular—but more likely—events that can negatively impact your travel abroad. Case in point: motor vehicle accidents.
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Below: Overland vehicle driver and passengers stop due to low visibility.
FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 37
Above: Off-road vehicle photographed at sunrise with a high aperture. Right: Vehicle crosses over unmaintained bridge to avoid driving through water.
38 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
Off-road vehicle treks through mud terrain.
According to the U.S. Department of State data, 30 percent of U.S. citizen deaths overseas are caused by vehicle accidents. While such accidents cannot be predicted or fully prevented, preparation can help avert a tragic situation. Global Rescue Operations personnel offer the following driving safety advice to help keep you and your passengers safe on the road while you travel: • Provide friends or relatives with a rough itinerary prior to departure and keep them updated with any major changes. Set up a contact schedule with the same friends or relatives. Establish the length of interval between contacts and a preferred method of contact. What should your contact do in the event you do not check-in? Discuss these possibilities and agree to a plan of action. It will make everyone more comfortable with the trip.
• Consider one or two alternative contact methods, such as a satellite phone or messenger. Carry a vehicle charger, spare battery, or solar charger for your communication devices. • Phone batteries can die and service may not be available in all areas, so carry a paper map, compass and GPS to know where you are at all times. Research your itinerary and use your map to mark the locations of hospitals and service stations along and near your route. Identify known construction zones or areas that may impede your travel.
• Make sure your vehicle is equipped with at least a minimal amount of safety equipment. The following items can fit under the front seats of most vehicles: ·· Small first-aid kit
·· Multi-tool
·· Tire repair kit: Lug wrench, jack, baseplate for the jack on soft ground, air compressor, tire plug kit, and a chock block to help prevent the vehicle from rolling on uneven ground.
·· Portable jump-start battery pack; most are the size of an old VHS tape
·· Cold weather and rain gear
·· Headlamp with spare batteries. A headlamp is preferable to a flashlight because it frees up your hands.
·· Small towels and a little spray bottle of cleaning fluid (for windows, lights, and mirrors)
·· Roll of toilet paper in a quart-size bag
·· Reflective markers; stay visible if you have to make an emergency stop off the road.
• Make it a habit to walk around your vehicle prior to entry. Look for obvious defects such as low tires or oil leaks and ensure windows lights and mirrors are free of grime. Make sure lights and signals are functional. Also, look for signs of tampering like new fingerprints or smudge marks on the door handles hood or trunk. Is there anything unusual?
• Attempt to keep fuel tanks above half or at least above a quarterfull when fuel sources are reliable. In more remote areas, consider carrying an external fuel-approved container. Plan routes accordingly for reliable fuel stops.
• Skip the fancy first-aid kits. Carry essentials including rolled gauze and an elastic wrap, plus two triangular bandages and a small roll of medical tape. With some creativity, these items and their packaging can stabilize a wide variety of injuries. Add some basic over-the-counter medications including antiinflammatories, antihistamines and an anti diarrheal. Antibiotic and antiitch ointments are useful as well.
• Carry additional food and water per person, especially during remote travel or in very warm climates. Food items should be temperature stable and easily palatable. Consider a means of storing and treating additional water.
For longer trips or in older vehicles, carry additional fluids such as oil, coolant and windshield cleaner. Add a small funnel. If knowledgeable and comfortable with them, add basic automotive tools including wrenches and sockets. ★
Global Rescue is the field rescue and evacuation membership of choice for outdoorsmen. Our life-saving services have been deployed hundreds of times for the benefit of traveling hunters worldwide. Learn more at www.globalrescue.com.
FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 39
&
Blue Collar Mountain Nyala
Moby Dick
40 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ FALL 2018
By Tim Herald
I
recently returned from my 26th African safari, but admittedly, I don’t have a lot of experience in the country of South Africa. My first safari, as with most Africa hunters, was there but was a typical deal where you went to different properties (that weren’t all that large) to shoot different species. Since then, I have mainly concentrated on “wilder” areas of the continent such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Uganda, Burkina Faso, etc. We are never too old or experienced to learn, and my recent trip really opened my eyes to a new experience that can be had in the Umkomass Valley of KwaZula Natal.
This is a very mountainous region near the coast about an hour and a half south of the city of Durban, and my outfitter, Andrew Pringle, owner of Crusader Safaris, has put together a conservancy of around 100,000 acres of 100 percent freerange hunting property that has superb game numbers. The big draw is nyala, but you can also hunt southern greater kudu, Cape bushbuck, bushpig, Burchell’s zebra, blesbok, blue wildebeest, blue duiker, common reedbuck and a host of other plains game in the picturesque mountains and valleys near his comfortable tent camp. FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 41
I was on a fairly short hunt looking for nyala, bushbuck and bushpig, and I quickly drew parallels between this modestly priced (around $8,000) adventure, and the very expensive hunt for mountain nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck, and giant forest hog in Ethiopia. Of course, the species I hunted are not nearly as glamorous as those of the Ethiopian Highlands, but they provide a wonderful mountain hunting experience in Africa for the price of a medium range elk hunt. I am not an “inches” kind of guy when it comes to trophies, but I do like to go after quality animals, and I do put an emphasis on age. When I arrived in camp, I told Andrew I wanted to find an old nyala bull, and preferably one that had flared horns. He told me we would see a good number of mature bulls, and we would be picky. The first morning was extremely foggy in the mountains and really hampered visibility until after 9 a.m., but we did see a few bulls, and one very nice bushbuck we just couldn’t get a shot at in the thick tangle of lush vegetation that covered much of the area. That afternoon we went out on a point to watch a large valley where a couple of PH’s had seen a huge nyala bull in previous weeks that they thought would go around 30 inches. I thoroughly enjoyed sitting and glassing as we saw kudu, zebra, impala, and nyala bulls and cows in many locations. An hour and a half before dark, we spotted two bulls a mile away and both looked very good. We made a move as quickly as we could, and we eventually ended up 165 yards from the herd bull. He was magnificent with very long horns. Andrew said he would be a solid 29l inches, and might touch 30, but he didn’t flare at all, and he was in his prime and not a super old bull. I could have easily been persuaded to shoot, and Andrew said if he looked over the bull too long, he might talk himself into it. Again, I wasn’t all about inches, so we decided to pass. We probably saw 12-15 bulls that afternoon, so it was great fun, and I certainly wasn’t ready for it to end. The second morning, we did some spotting and took a walk for a couple of miles, but we didn’t see anything exceptional. Andrew was disappointed that we only saw about 10 bulls. It was a full moon, but I thought we saw plenty. In the afternoon, we went back to our glassing point and had a lot of movement. We probably looked at 15 more bulls, but no giants. I also noticed very few of the bulls flared, so maybe it is a genetic trait of the area. The next morning, we hunted the same general area, and by mid-morning, we had seen a number of bulls, but again, nothing outstanding. We were driving down a steep road a couple of valleys over from our glassing point, when “Tool Bag,” our tracker, tapped on the roof of the cruiser. We got out, and he pointed to a partially open hillside some 700 yards away from where we glassed
He turned uphill and straight away, and it was over 10 minutes before his head emerged in my opening. I clicked the safety off of the .300 Win Mag, and when he took another step and his shoulder cleared, I touched the trigger.
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a lone nyala bull feeding. Immediately Andrew said, “We need to try to take that bull. He is what we are looking for!” That was what I was waiting to hear. When a PH’s first reaction is that an animal is a shooter and he doesn’t have to study it and take time to make a decision, you don’t question it. We parked the Cruiser and trekked closer, and when we stopped about 350-400 yards away, I glassed the bull and got a really good look. His horns had excellent mass, and I could tell by Andrew’s immediate assessment of the bull that he was a dandy, I was fine to try to make a stalk and shot. We were able to utilize an old roadway to cut the distance, but the bull was feeding toward a very thick draw that we figured he would lie up in until late afternoon. We decided to try to get a shot from where we were, so I ranged the bull with my Nikon rangefinder at 265 yards. I collapsed my BOG-POD shooting sticks to a length where I could shoot sitting down, and we waited for the bull to step out from behind some tree branches that prevented a clear shot. He turned uphill and straight away, and it was over 10 minutes before his head emerged in my opening. I clicked the safety off of the .300 Win Mag, and when he took another step and his shoulder cleared, I touched the trigger. Andrew and Tool Bag both said it looked like a good hit, but the bull got into the thick stuff. When we climbed the steep slope to where he had been, we found plenty of blood, but no Nyala.
Above: The author glassing for bushbuck high in the mountains Left: The author with his fantastic Cape Bushbuck
FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 43
Gear for a specialized Safari This trip was unique for me in the fact that there was a lot of glassing and shots can be quite long compared to most African safaris. I chose my trusty 10x42 Nikon EDG binocular that I have taken around the world more than once. The clarity and light gathering of these binos is beyond outstanding, and I suffer no eye fatigue when glassing for hours. Nikon’s Rangefinder was also very handy when determining distance on longer shots in the mountains. I was confident to know that my nyala bull was at an anglecompensated 265 yards as we setup for the shot, even across a draw, and the is very compact and unobtrusive to carry on the side of my Kuiu bino-harness. I feel that a .300 Win Mag is perfect for a hunt like this as it shoots flat for distance shots, and when I shoot a Cutting Edge Bullets’ Maximus, I know whether it is on a 600-pound kudu, a 350-pound nyala, or a 110-KG bushpig, I am going to get supreme penetration for the bullet’s solid back portion, and massive trauma from the pedals that sheer off after about 5-6” inside the animal. Lastly, I found my Kuiu clothing very important. In the mountains, it was often around freezing in the mornings, and late afternoons got chilly quick. From late morning to midafternoon temps could reach almost 90 degrees, so there were extremes. I wore Kuiu Tiburon pants and shirts all the time as they are breathable and incredibly light, and when it got chilly, I slid on my Chinook jacket. It weighs a mere 18.7 ounces and is very warm. It compresses and takes up no room or weight in your luggage or pack, and is a great piece when you need durable, quiet and warm.
Tool Bag did an incredible job of tracking the bull through the thickest stuff I have ever been through in Africa. Everything was thorny, and the tangled mess found us literally on hands and knees half the time. Finally, we caught up to the nyala after about 300 yards that took an hour to cover, and he was on his feet but obviously finished. A quick shot to put him down for good was administered, and we had our bull. Turns out my original shot was about four inches back and had hit the liver, so it was lethal but not nearly as quick acting as I had planned. The bull was just fantastic. He was definitely heavy, and his ivory-tipped horns were super long, even to my untrained eyes. He was obviously old, and Andrew said he was 2-3 years older than the big bull we passed the first afternoon. I was just ecstatic with him, and his beauty up close proved why nyala are one of the most handsome animals in all the world. That evening as we were having a celebratory Castle Beer, Andrew told me that he had slipped down to the skinning shed and measured our bull. He was 29.5-inches, and although I was impressed as I know 30 inches is equal to a 200-inch whitetail or a 60-inch kudu, but the score didn’t make me appreciate the bull one bit more. It wouldn’t have mattered if he had been 27 inches, he was mine and magnificent. My last day I went out with one of Crusader’s other PH, Shaun Higgs, to look for a Cape bushbuck. I have always had a soft spot for bushbuck, as I love their secretive nature, and they are such beautiful little antelope. I have successfully hunted a number of Chobe, Limpopo and Nile bushbuck, but I had never hunted where Cape bushbuck live. Shaun, Tool Bag and I walked the edge of a thick draw glassing the edges and openings. Early on we jumped a very nice ram, but he never stopped long enough for me to get a shot. We walked a couple of hours, but we only saw a couple of ewes. We drove through the mountains for another hour or more, and I enjoyed seeing more nyala, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, warthog, impala, blesbok along the way. We were headed to check a bushpig bait site that Shaun had been running for months where he infrequently got trail cam pics of a sow and giant boar. The most unique part was that the boar was white. Shaun explained to me that to a serious bushpig hunter, and there are many in South Africa, a white boar is the Holy Grail of their sport. He had been after this big white pig for months, but it was so inconsistent in its feeding and never showed when they sat for it, the boar had sort of become his Moby Dick. We glassed a few areas as we made our way closer to the bait, but in late morning, I didn’t have much hope of finding a bushbuck. They are usually bedded up an hour or two after daylight. To my complete surprise, Shawn pointed out a bushbuck ram feeding on a mostly grassy slope with scattered trees over a half mile away. Through my Nikon EDG 10x42 binos, I could see horns, so I knew he had to be a good one. The ram, like my nyala, was slowly feeding toward a very thick area, and we knew we had no time to waste if we were to get a shot. Shaun did a superb job of guiding me down a trail that led us under a small cut-bank so we could get below the bushbuck. He would have to either cross in front of us to get to the thick stuff, or we would hopefully be able to spot him above us. That’s just what happened. Shaun peaked over the bank and spotted the ram less than 60 yards away in tall grass. We backed up a couple of steps so I could clear the bank, and the sticks went up. I quickly took aim, and just as the ram raised his head in our direction, I squeezed the trigger. The bushbuck dropped on
Above: “Tool Bag” looks into a deep valley for bushbuck Below: Bushpig blind
FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 45
the spot, and we hustled up the bank. Shaun beat me there, and I could tell by his initial reaction that we had scored on a great ram. I had seen longhorns as he raised his head before the shot, but I didn’t take time to look him over. He was the equivalent of my nyala. He was old, heavy, and had long horns that did flare out a bit at the tips. Out of all my bushbucks, he is the best. What a great bonus to an already superb hunt. After photos, we went on and checked the bushpig bait, that had not been hit at all the night before, and then headed back to camp for lunch. Shaun and I talked and decided we would give a pig hunt after dark a shot that evening, but I wasn’t at all hopeful on the bait we had just checked. Shaun said he had another bait that was getting hit consistently, so I figured we would go there. When we headed out in the late afternoon, Shaun said he really wanted to sit for the white boar for a couple of hours, and if we didn’t have any action, then we would try to do a walkup on the other bait. I was good with whatever, so up the mountain we went. The bait was about three-quarters of the way to the top of a big mountain, and it was situated right off one of the hunting vehicle roads. He had out corn, sugar, meal and a few other secret ingredients out about 50 yards from a well-constructed blind. The whole hillside was very dense brush. These hunts are typically conducted at night with lights, night vision or thermal scopes. Shaun had me setup with a .308 with a night vision scope. I had only used night vision one other time 46 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
in Estonia, so I consider myself a novice. Shaun had a night vision monocular. He told me there would likely be a porcupine or two that would feed early, and then we hoped to have luck with the pigs. As a beautiful pink sunset faded into complete darkness, I thought how similar this was to a number of the leopard hunts I had been on where all your senses are on full alert, but really only your hearing is useful. Not long after dark I could hear crunching, and Shaun whispered it was a porcupine. A few minutes later, we could hear movement on the brush straight out to the left of the blind, a stick broke, and all went silent. Twenty minutes passed, and then beyond the blind, we heard a loud grunt that sounded very pig like to me. We had only planned to stay for an hour or two, but after that, I was willing to sit until midnight. I didn’t have to wait nearly that long because when Shaun checked the bait with his monocular, he whispered that the boar was at the bait. On came my night vision scope, I located the bait and saw two glowing eyes. I couldn’t make the hog out, but being inexperienced with the night vision, I decided to just put the crosshairs between the eyes and anchor the boar. When I squeezed the trigger, nothing happened. I squeezed harder, and still nothing. I pushed forward on the safety, but it was on FIRE, and I tried again. I knew I put a round in the chamber, so I was completely perplexed, and then Shaun whispered, “he’s
Left: Andrew Pringle glassing the Umkomass Valley for Nyala Above: The author and his huge nyala bull
gone.” I felt like a complete amateur that had just blown a chance at an animal the PH had worked very hard to put in front of me, and I apologized. I asked Shaun if fire on his safety was forward like virtually every two-position safety I had ever shot was, and he said, “NO, it’s back to fire.” Uhhhhh … I was just sick. Shaun said we would stay a while, and to my complete dismay, he whispered that the boar was back about five minutes later. He said that the boar and sow were feeding side by side, and the boar was on the right. When I found the bait, I saw one set of eyes there, and then scanned and saw the two pigs a bit to the right. The porcupine was on the bait, and in that instant, I realized when I tried to shoot the first time, I was on him and not the boar. What a disaster that would have been! Porcupines are legal, but I am pretty sure Shaun would have wanted to make me part of the bait pile. The two pigs were facing straight on, and again, I decided to take a head shot. I pulled the safety back this time, and when I squeezed the trigger, I saw the boar just collapse. Shaun and I burst out in celebration and then got out of the blind. I told him about the porcupine as we walked up to the boar, and we both had a good laugh, that ended abruptly when we saw the size of our giant boar. He was simply huge with a massive body, his warts were bigger than anything I had ever seen even in photos, and then he was almost solid white. He was an unbelievably ancient animal with broken and jagged teeth, and Shaun estimated him
at over 15 years-old. He was beside himself, and his enthusiasm and sheer joy were contagious. When we got back to camp, Andrew was as impressed as we were, and both the guys began texting photos to every hunter they knew. They said the boar would go viral with all the South African hunters by the next day. I learned more and more how special this animal was. We decided over dinner that the old warrior would be full mounted and positioned in a place of honor in the camp’s lounge, and after telling Andrew the full story, he decided he would have a porcupine mounted beside the boar. I thought the bushbuck was a great way to end my hunt there, I had no idea I would end up with a monster 110KG white bushpig on my last night. It really topped off my hunt in a fashion I am not accustomed to. I am rarely the lucky hunter in camp, but it sure felt good to be that guy that night. My hunt wasn’t for mountain nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck, and giant forest hog in Ethiopia, but it was certainly a fine mountain safari in a great free range area that produced some wonderful animals that parallel the more expensive hunt. It certainly opened my eyes to hunting opportunities I did not know about, and I definitely am planning a return trip to hunt with Crusader Safaris on one of their top-notch conservancies. ★ Editor’s Note: To book this hunt, you may contact Tim Herald direct at tim@trophyadventures.com. There is no charge to you for WTA services. FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 47
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FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 49
VACUUM PACKED DUCK PARTS
VACUUM PACKED FISH 50 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ FALL 2018
Fish and Game
Expiration Date BY SCOTT LEYSATH
T
SPOILED SAUSAGES
hose of us who prefer hunting and fishing over a day at the mall are more likely to appreciate a great meal made from our harvested fish and game. A grilled beef steak is a thing of beauty, but a delicious elk steak is even better, at least to me. But there are those who love to hunt and fish, but when it comes to eating the critters we drag home, not so much. It’s been my experience that many folks who prefer domestic meats over ducks and deer just haven’t given game a fair shake. Perhaps they were served a poorly prepared dish or the animal had spent too much time in the freezer.
FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 51
FREEZER BURNED GROUND VENISON GAME MEAT
As this year’s season gets underway, take a peek into the dark recesses of your freezer. Move some stuff around until you get to those treasures from seasons past. With any luck, the ducks and geese won’t be more than a year or two old. Oh, wait… there’s a hunk of deer meat, at least I think it’s dear meat, that my son shot when he was in high school. At a minimum, it’s been there for six years. So, just how long can you store your wild game? If you have game or any meat that has been in the freezer for a few years, it’s time to take stock of how you control your frozen inventory. The USDA recommends eating frozen game meats within eight to twelve months of freezing. It’s not that you’ll get sick and die from eating a three-year-old mallard. Your duck will probably be safe to eat ten years from now, but it won’t taste nearly as good as it would have a decade earlier. After about a year, the quality of the meat will start to deteriorate. By the time the next season opens and you start cooking the “new” birds, the old birds are just sitting in the 52 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
back of the freezer, slowly wasting away. I’ve eaten ducks that were three or four years old and they tasted just fine. But I’ve also thawed out birds that were freezer burned, discolored and not worth cooking. Had they been packaged with a bit more care, they would have had a much better chance of making a hit at the dinner table. Tossing meat into a zipper-lock bag or carelessly wrapping with paper or foil will greatly reduce the life of any meat. If you want to extend the life of your frozen game, get a vacuum-packaging unit. Vacuum-sealing prevents exposure to the oxygen that causes freezer burn. Always make sure to label and date each package so that you can use the oldest game first. Think of the date on the package as your expiration date. Use within one year. If you do discover that your thawed game meat doesn’t look or smell good, don’t soak it in buttermilk or marinade to cover up something unpleasant. There’s a reason why something bad happened to the meat and it’s almost always human error. If the meat is just a bit freezer burned, trim away the discolored parts and
the rest should be fine. When in doubt about the safety of any meat, throw it out and make a promise to yourself to cook all meats, both wild and domestic, before they are compromised by improper packaging or too much time in the freezer. The recipe at right will help you reduce last year’s waterfowl inventory. Braising is a cooking method by which meat is first browned, covered and slowly cooked at a low temperature until the meat is fall-offthe-bone tender. Braising can be done on the stovetop or in the oven.
FISH
When the fish goes south, it’s obvious. There’s always a telltale aroma, and not a good one. For those folks who have decided that they don’t like fish, I’m guessing that they’ve been served fish that wasn’t exactly fresh or had been improperly handled. And while I know that some minds just can’t be changed, especially when it comes to the foods we eat, fresh fish doesn’t smell “fishy” at all. Several years ago, I received a phone call from a friend asking me what he should
DUCK BRAISED IN RED WINE
This recipe also works great with any game meat, especially tougher cuts that benefit from slow cooking. Make sure that there is always an inch or so of liquid in the pan while braising. ingredients
4 servings
• • • • • • • • • • •
4 ducks, skin on or off, quartered Salt and pepper 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, quartered 6 whole garlic cloves, minced 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 3 cups dry red wine 1/2 cup beef broth 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 2 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
preparation
1. Season duck pieces liberally with salt and pepper. Dust each piece with flour. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown duck pieces evenly. Place browned duck in an oven-proof, well-greased pot or dish with a tight-fitting lid. 2. Place remaining ingredients except for potatoes in a pot or pan, cover and place in a preheated 325 degree oven or over a low-temp burner. After two hours, add potatoes and cook for another hour or until meat is very tender and pulls away from the bone with minimal effort. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Once tender, arrange duck and potatoes on plates and spoon sauce over the top. If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix together a tablespoon each of cold water and cornstarch and add, a little at a time, to boiling sauce until thickened.
FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 53
FISH CAKES
Make sure that the fish is dry before starting the recipe or it won’t hold together. If you like crisper cakes, dust with flour before pan-frying. preparation
1. In a bowl, combine onion with next 5 ingredients and mix well. In another bowl, toss fish with flour and breadcrumbs, adding a little flour and breadcrumbs at a time until fish is evenly coated. This will allow the other ingredients to bind with the fish. Combine both bowls and mix well. 2. Add remaining ingredients except for oil and combine, but do not over-mix. The mixture should be the consistency of wet cookie dough and hold together when pressed into cakes. Too wet? Add more flour. Too dry? Add a little more mayonnaise. Divide mixture into 4 equal segments and form 2 cakes out of each segment, about 3/4-inches thick. Press together firmly with your hands.
54 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
ingredients
Makes 8 large cakes
• 1/2 cup onion, finely diced • 1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely diced • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, minced • 2 garlic cloves, minced • Zest of 1 lemon, plus juice • 3 cups fish fillets, flaked into peasized pieces • 2-3 tablespoons flour • 1/4 cup Japanese breadcrumbs (or any breadcrumbs) • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning (or your favorite fish seasoning) • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise • 2 egg whites, beaten • Oil for pan frying
do with the tuna that’s been in his fridge for over a week. He let me know that it was really starting to stink up the refrigerator, but he didn’t want to waste the fish he worked so hard to bring home. Sorry, Charlie, you can eat it, but you’re not going to like how it tastes and how it might wreak havoc with your gastrointestinal system. I have fond childhood memories of fishing with my father in the sizzling heat of a Virginia summer. Dad didn’t believe in “catch and release.” Every edible fish went onto a chain stringer to be towed alongside the boat in ninety-plus degree water for hours. Inevitably, most of the fish would expire long before we decided to call it a day. Just before heading home, Dad would fill an old metal bucket with some lake water and drop the discolored, curled-up fish in the warm water for the long drive home. Considering my father’s mishandling of our harvested game fish, it’s a wonder that nobody in our family got sick. I suppose they could have and the illness was blamed on something else. Most anglers today understand the importance of getting their fish gutted, bled and iced as soon as possible, preferably immediately after the catch. Iced fish should be stored with the dorsal fin up so that melting ice doesn’t pool up in the cavity. Melted water needs to be periodically drained to keep the fish on ice, not floating in water. If you’re not going to cook it within a few days, your fish should be properly packaged and frozen. If your only means of keeping fish frozen is a combination refrigerator/freezer, note that the standard home unit has a defrost cycle that raises the temperature, often past zero degrees. Frequent opening of the freezer door also increases the temperature a degree or more, depending on how many kids are in the house. Temperatures above zero will decrease the shelf life of frozen fish. The best place to store frozen fish is in a chest-type freezer that keeps foods frozen well below zero. The colder the fish, the longer it will last. Unlike a fine red wine, fish does not get better with age. For best results, plan on eating your catch within three months after freezing. Oh sure, I know you’ve enjoyed some great fish that spent the better part of a year in the freezer, but there’s also a good reason that you keep avoiding that three-year-old bag of trout. Let’s face it. It’s now catfish bait. Assuming that your thawed fish doesn’t
FISH WRAPPED IN PAPER TOWELS smell bad and it hasn’t been freezer burn, thaw either in the refrigerator or under cold running water. Once thawed, it’s critically important that you remove the excess moisture that has absorbed into the fish during storage. It seems strange that fish that is dry before freezing ends up soaked in fish juices after thawing. One thawed, gently press the fish with your hands and wring out the excess liquid. Then wrap it in two-ply paper towels (one-ply towels aren’t sturdy enough) to wick out any additional moisture. Keep rewrapping the fish until the paper towels are dry. Dry fish will more readily absorb the flavors you add to the dish. Wet fish will release its “fish juices” while cooking and compete with the white wine, lemon, garlic, basil and butter you’ve added to the pan. Keeping fish wrapped in dry absorbent paper towels will also extend the life of the fish before cooking. Whenever the paper towels show signs of moisture, rewrap with fresh towels. Building fish cakes is a tasty way to make use of your previously frozen fish, but it just won’t hold together when
cooked unless the fish is dry from the start. And while the recipe calls for uncooked, flaked fish fillets, the same recipe works great with cooked fish, even leftovers. Reminiscent of crab cakes, there are many possible variations on the basic theme. Once you’ve given the recipe a try or two, you’ll want to add your own signature twists to suit your own creative palate. The recipe on page 54 works great with any kind of fish or a combination of fish, but I prefer those varieties that are flaky rather than firm. Striped bass, panfish, catfish, halibut and even alligator gar fillets are exceptional when formed into cakes. You can either break the fillets apart with your fingers or use the tines of a fork to rake through the fish. Resist the urge to play with your food and turn the delicate cakes over too many times. Brown on one side and then carefully flip over and brown the other side. If you need to make a big batch of the fish cakes, lightly brown them on both sides and then keep warm on a sheet pan in a low heat oven. They’re also great served in a fresh sourdough roll with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce. ★ FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 55
IN IT FOR THE
Long Haul
56 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ FALL 2018
I Above:The SwayBack model shown here was created specifically for Jeeps and 200 series Land Cruisers, where clearance above the hitch is limited
How PakMule Enhances The Hunting Experience BY KANSAS SARTIN
Whether hauling gear of hauling game, PAKMULE is the pinnacle of design and obsessive attention to detail
wasn’t your typical college student. Sure I had fun, but I was there for school and was paying for it myself. I worked a dozen jobs or more during school, but ranch work was what I enjoyed best. Being outside away from everything, and the ability to hunt on the property in the evenings when I finished, was a huge plus and provided the meat that I needed for the year. I focused my studies on wildlife biology, and while I studied more than most, I just barely made it through Organic Chemistry 2. My professor encouraged me to find something else, which was a huge blow to my aspirations. Yet at this point, I knew I wanted to be outside as much as possible, and I wanted to make an impact. I turned my focus to conservation, my interest focused primarily on wetlands and prairie resources. It was a fitting decision, as it engaged an old conversation my mom had with me in high school about pursuing a career in environmentalism and protecting our resources. She was always a bit of a hippie and cared about those issues long before social consciousness and resource conservation was cool. In the past decade or so, more farmers and ranchers are turning to a method more akin to the old days, where natural practices keep the soil healthy, and rotations and burns do more than any chemical ever could. Non-hunters are becoming receptive to the conversation and finding themselves in the field harvesting their own free-range organic venison to feed their families. It’s really a wonderful time we’re in. My mom, all those years ago, was proud of the decision I had made. As it stands, that decision shaped a lot of my values and encouraged my future volunteer work. However, the most pivotal college class I took, in hindsight, was an elective in the ag department, welding. Working on ranches we welded as needed to fix something, and I was fascinated with melting metals together and bonding them into something new and functional. I found that “creating” was something I found an immense amount of satisfaction in. During the summers in college, I worked at Laity Lodge Youth Camp in the Hill Country. It was an incredible experience; the lessons and memories I learned there still resonate today. They had a barn with a Miller 210 MIG welder, and at nights and on days off I would weld. Although I had owned pickups for a long time, at this stage I had a suburban, and hauling gas cans and muddy equipment was best left for outside the vehicle. When I was hunting, I had taken to throwing a deer on the hood, which was fine for the mile back to camp, but it was a mess. The hitch baskets I had seen at Bass Pro and Tractor Supply were not as large or robust as I wanted, and they wobbled like crazy, so over the course of a few nights I built my own in the barn. It was large, had good rails on it, specific tie-down spots for ratchet and bungee straps and weighed a mere 80 pounds — nothing a strapping young lad would flinch at! Fast forward 10 years, when my back no longer appreciated my work of art. I would find excuses to not use it and it would just lean against the fence, paint chipping and the steel rusting out. If I used It for a trip, it would stay on my Tahoe for days and weeks later to avoid having to remove it. On one such occasion, my Tahoe was in the driveway, the hitch basket mounted still from a trip the previous weekend and the bungees still hooked on. My three-year-old daughter was riding her tricycle in the driveway, doing laps around the rig and getting more confident with each tight corner she came around. She leaned too tight at one point, and her head caught the edge of the basket and bungees’ hook cut her forehead open. She was a mess, and we asked our surgeon neighbor to take a look. He recommended no stitches since it was more likely to scar, and that a beautiful little girl shouldn’t have a scar on her forehead. Butterfly FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 57
and ointment, and as a teenager, if necessary, plastic surgery to clean it up. I was completely disappointed in myself and felt like I had failed my little girl. When I got home, I went outside to remove the unit. My back wasn’t quite ready and I dropped it. ON MY FOOT! After exercising my wide vocabulary of four-letter words, I recall thinking “that’s it, this is ridiculous. There has got to be a better way!” A few weeks later I was on my boat chasing redfish in Aransas Bay. On a long run home across the bay, I was holding onto the aluminum grab rail over the windshield and I thought, “That’s it! Curved aluminum pipe, no hard edges, lightweight, no rust, no paint to chip off. Brilliant!” When I got home I scoured the Internet for something that fit the bill. What I found was that the aluminum units available actually had steel sub-structures for support. They were all small, and none were made with pipe. They all utilized thin one-inch extrusions that were bolted together and were full of hard edges. Something a tree would make quick work of at the hunting lease for sure. Nothing came even close to what I envisioned, so again, I designed and built my own. At this point, I was primarily focused on hauling coolers. In the back of an SUV, bags would get stacked on top of the coolers, and they became impossible to easily access. We’d be in the field dove hunting and continuously climbing into the back for a beverage. On quail hunts where we had a couple dogs working, there was simply no room for anything because of the kennels. And trying to haul meat inside became nerve-racking (I once neglected to completely tighten the drain plug after a fishing trip, and several hours later I had melted “fish ice” soaking my carpet. It was a mess like you can’t imagine, and made me nervous to haul a cooler or raw meat inside a vehicle ever since). Size was important. The reason you add a hitch basket is for additional cargo space, yet the majority of the available units are tiny and don’t hold much more than a cooler. I knew what I wanted. Laying out my template on a big piece of cardboard, I made it wide enough to hold two Yeti 65s side by side and still be able to raise my cargo door so I could work my dogs in the field. For Elk hunting trips to Colorado where I needed maximum meat storage, it’s sized to hold the biggest Yeti you can buy, the 350, so you’ll never worry about having enough meat locker capacity. There are a lot of times though when having numerous smaller coolers and storage boxes was important, so it’s also deep enough to carry four of the 45-quart Yetis, or four of the Rubbermaid Action Packers. In this configuration, or with the huge Yeti, the ability to open the rear door was lost, but the cargo glass was still accessible, and since these were destination trips without dogs, it worked great. It was a perfect flexible design that made loading and accessing all my gear and dogs for a variety of trips easy like it should be. Build: I learned a long time ago that cheap gear can quickly ruin a trip that you’d worked hard for. The cost of the trip, the time invested away from work and family — it could all be quickly lost because of poor performing gear. Instead of focusing on the adventure you had worked hard for, you were thinking about how cold you were, or how sore your feet were. Cheap boots or bad layers on an elk hunt? Leaking waders on a duck hunt? Been there. I learned to find the best, and never settle. My wife often says, “Buy
once, cry once!” It’s true! It’s always worth it in the end. I had that mentality when I was designing The Original. I was going to build it to be the best, bar none. The other challenge with hauling gear was easily lashing it all down. I had grown to despise ratchet straps. Their mechanism was clumsy and frustrating to use. Bungees would stretch out in the heat during summer road trips, and since they aren’t really made to keep gear taught (they’re elastic), stretching them to tighten down gear was commonplace, and dangerous. (And they cut my daughter’s forehead, so hooks were out!) I started exploring cam-buckles, which are a cinch to use but aren’t used often because most systems are se tup to utilize hooked straps, and a cam system really needs rails and pipe to work since the webbing wraps around an anchor point and comes back to the cam buckle to form a double-layered loop. I loved the aluminum pipe on my boat. It was easy to grab onto, and I knew there would be benefits to carrying the hitch basket while also removing all the hard edges and corners for a safer design. Making the entire unit, floor included, out of pipe provided unlimited lashing points, creating tons of flexibility, and as a bonus, kept mud from piling up on an expanded metal floor. (People sometimes ask about adding a floor, but to date, I’ve not found anything I wanted to carry back there that was so small it would fall through—really small stuff is usually in the vehicle anyway). The really exciting part of the pipe and cambuckle design is the ability to now secure your coolers under the lid, so you have immediate access to the contents without having to unstrap them! We TIG weld the entire unit by hand, adding strength and robustness to the design, eliminating rivets that would loosen over time, or bolt/nut connections that would require routine maintenance. And the welds look incredible, which cannot be ignored with a system that happens to also look really great behind anything from a Suburban, Escalade, Expedition, F-250, Land Cruiser, Jeep or a Porsche. It’s nice to have a product that complements the style and good looks of your $50,000-plus rig. I had created a masterpiece, and it was really fun to use. It was less overwhelming to load up and go. We’d throw the dogs in their kennels, load a destination cooler, and a road trip cooler and take off. We’d pull over at rest stops or campsites, throw a cooler open, make sandwiches on the lid of the other cooler just like we would in the kitchen. The kids would let the dogs out to do their business and drink some water, and we’d be back on the road in no time en route to the mountains or the coast. Everything about the system made it easier to load and go, so as a family we were doing it more often, and that’s important when you’re living in the city. You’ve got to get out of town to exhale and reconnect. Whether we were in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Texas, Florida, Louisiana or Mississippi, people would stop and ask about this huge aluminum hitch basket and inquire about where they could get one. It was clear that there were other folks looking to solve the problems inherent with every other unit on the market (accessibility/wobble/weight/ size). I had already figured it out for myself, now I just needed to do something about it. Two years went by. In early 2014 I underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor, followed by 30 days of radiation. I was an emotional time in our lives, and I was reminded that life is short. That
Our impact right now is small since we’re just getting started, but my aspiration is to begin donating profits to fund specific projects, like prairie and quail habitat restorations, marsh plantings, and/or species reintroductions.
58 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
Owner Kansas Sartin, shown here, developed PAKMULE to support his own sporting endeavors
experience encouraged me to put some steam behind taking my product to market. And I realized if something ever happened to me, my wife would have a business she could run to support our family. With our youngest entering kindergarten, the timing seemed perfect. I did a bunch of research to see if I could manufacture it in enough quantity to reduce the cost to something approachable. I knew it would be in a price league of its own, and out of reach for most, but the market already had the lower price level covered. I looked at what Filson and Yeti did as inspiration: people will pay for quality if it also improves function. Over the next two years I took my napkin sketch that the original unit was designed from and had it properly engineered. I added a logo plate (that also accepts a license plate), bulked up the tongue strength and created a universal locking, anti-wobble connection. The other specs remained largely unchanged, and in November 2016 we launched www.pakmule.com for pre-orders, right in the middle of the Houston oil/gas recession (perfect timing, haha!). Since then we’ve produced over 400 units and sales are picking up. We also added a Jeep model, the “SwayBack,” that fits underneath the spare tire without requiring an extension. It’s a game changer for the jeep folks, where cargo space is a premium and quality components are in high demand. Our customers are incredible, and it’s humbling to receive emails and reviews about how much they love our product. It’s encouraging too, and so we’re trying to reach more folks, and let people know there’s a better way. We’re working hard to add dealers to our network, attending a lot of trade shows and creating additional products that complement our brand. And I’m proud of the way we’re doing it. In the beginning I knew we had something great, and an opportunity to make an impact
on people. But I wanted to do more. I wanted a responsible business that had a positive impact on lives from start to finish. Our manufacturing partner is right here in Texas, providing good jobs in a good safe work environment that operates under strict laws and EPA guidelines for a healthier environment overall. We’re also using 70 percent recycled content to extrude our shapes and materials. Since we’re domestic, there’s less environmental impact shipping product around the world as well. And as a conservationist, I’m trying to make an impact there as well, ensuring there are wild places for future generations to hunt and fish. Our impact right now is small since we’re just getting started, but my aspiration is to begin donating profits to fund specific projects, like prairie and quail habitat restorations, marsh plantings, and/or species reintroductions. In the end, my goal is twofold: 1) Make it easier for people to load up and go, so they’ll do it more often. 2) Work to conserve our wild places so generations to come will be able to bring meat home for their own families one day while experiencing the vast amazing wilderness that God created. Simple goals shaped from those early ranching and hunting days, but goals I’m proud of. My mom passed away in March of last year, after living under our care for 10 years. She dealt with debilitating neurological issues since the mid ’80s, and although we knew the day was inevitable, her loss was harder than I anticipated. I know she’d be proud of the positive impacts we’re making, and the path she helped inspire. ★ FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 59
Author’s daughter helping set tree stands before the start of archery season
60 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
Hunting Take Your Kids BY KORY SLYE
W
Left: Author’s daughter after a successful morning of squirrel hunting Right: Author’s son helping with hunting season preparation
here would I be if my dad didn’t take me hunting when I was a kid? That’s a tough question to answer. Being from a relatively rural area, I probably would have found my way to hunting eventually. But why leave such a significant experience up to chance? Hunting is a profound part of our history, our culture, and our lives, even for the people that choose not to hunt. We should be doing everything in our power to further that tradition, to improve hunter ranks, and to ensure hunting’s future. That is why it is so important to take our kids hunting. This doesn’t apply to just our own kids, but our kids’ friends, our nieces or nephews, or the kid that lives down the street. We need to help foster their relationship with the wild so they become passionate hunters and conservationists. The point, the goal, is to get kids, any kid, involved in hunting. There is nothing more important for a new hunter than having
a knowledgeable mentor, willing to show them the ropes. I’m not going to lie and say taking a kid hunting is an easy thing to do. Our patience will be tested, our plans will change, and we will probably get frustrated more than once. Getting the properly sized gun or bow, the camouflage clothing, and all the associated accessories can get expensive. But a better way to look at is this; can we, as hunters, afford not to take our children hunting?
APPRECIATION FOR WILD SPACES AND WILDLIFE
Hunting isn’t only about killing animals, it’s also a way to appreciate the wild spaces our beautiful country has to offer. Hunting gives us the opportunity to experience the pre-dawn light of a crisp October morning. It is the chance to listen to the forest wake up, with the sunlight peeking through the amber and crimson colored leaves. When young hunters experience FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 61
Author and his daughter heading out for a squirrel hunt
their heartbeat pounding in their ears as a buck slowly works his way into view, or when an elk bugles in the distance making the young hunter’s hair stand on end, they will be hooked, just like we were. Hunting gives us these opportunities of unmatched beauty, grace, and power that nature has to offer. I’ve watched as black bears silently slipped by my ground blind, a bobcat crash through a brush pile, giving chase to a squirrel, and a hawk swoop in to pluck a chipmunk off its log pile perch. The natural world is an amazing place, and as a hunter we get to be a participant in that world, not just observing it as a spectator. The hunter’s eyes are more focused, searching for that twitch of an ear or the flash of an antler. A hunter notices subtleties that others would not, the snap of a twig or the breeze brushing the back of their neck when the wind shifts directions. A hunter is in tune with their environment and surroundings, a hunter has a special relationship with the wild that no one else has. Let’s share these experiences with the kids in our life because it can’t happen if they are left inside to watch TV or play video games. They need us to show them the way into the field, forest, and mountains.
ENCOURAGES HARD WORK, DISCIPLINE, AND SELF CONFIDENCE
Scouting, setting tree stands, relentless practicing of marksmanship, and miles hiked on the mountain in pursuit of an animal: It takes a lot of effort to be a successful hunter. The more work a hunter puts into the preparation of the hunt the better chances of their success. This shows the young hunters that if they are willing to put in the hard work, effort, and the time into that preparation it will eventually pay off. 62 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
It takes discipline to be patient, know when to take an ethical shot, concentrate and pick out that spot behind the front shoulder, breathe steady and focus on the shot. But the hard work does not end when the trigger is pulled; that is where the real work begins. The breakdown, the pack out, and the processing. This is when the true test begins. Is the young hunter able to stick with it, to finish what they started, and complete the task at hand? After the shot is the part of hunting that can’t be forgotten. It is after the shot that the young hunter learns to not quit, to follow through on their commitments. This lesson also translates to everyday life, where living up to a commitment is more important than ever. When kids are involved in the preparation, planning, and execution of a hunting season they are that much more invested in the results. When the results that they have been preparing for finally come to fruition it will build up their self-esteem and give them the confidence they need to try bigger and better
Foreground: Author teaching his daughter how to shoot a .22 rifle
things in hunting and life in general. The focus, discipline, and self-confidence that hunting can breed can help our younger generation succeed in any aspect of their lives.
PREPARES THEM FOR FAILURE
Life is full of failures and sheltering our children from failure is leaving them unprepared for the future. Even after countless hours of practicing and prep work, there is always a chance for failure, especially in hunting. The twig goes unnoticed and deflects the arrow, the shot sails over the back of the buck, or the turkey catches movement just before it is within shooting range. In hunting, failure is almost guaranteed, that is why it’s called hunting. These failures can be crushingly painful and leave a hunter sick to their stomach. But failure is the ultimate motivator and an effective educator; it necessary to teach valuable lessons to young and season hunters alike. A young hunter can learn from these
failures and used them to become a better hunter. As a mentor, we have to remind young hunters that failure is inevitable but to keep working and never stop striving to improve themselves in hunting or everyday life.
TEACHES THEM WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM
In today’s world, so many people drive up to the window at their favorite fast food joint or unwrap the pre-packaged meat in the refrigerator without much thought of how it got there. There’s little consideration into the source of that meat. Who raised it? Was it done ethically? Is it even healthy to eat? Those questions can easily be answered when a hunter asks themselves about their own food. A hunter has a connection with their food that very few other people have. A hunter knows that the food on their table lived a free life before it was harvested, without any other human hands touching it. FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 63
Left: Pierce with his first buck, hunting with mentors Tony and Jeremy Right: Joey with his first squirrel, hunting with his Dad, Tony (right) and friend Geno.
Many people scoff at wild game and don’t believe rabbit, bear, or squirrel is acceptable table fare. But a hunter knows otherwise. Hunters know that beautiful, gourmet meals can be made with the animals that are harvested in our own backyards or on our public lands. From a simple seared venison steak cooked to a perfect medium rare, to the much more elaborate, like duck a l’orange, wild game is the ultimate ingredient. When that food is brought to the table for the Sunday night family dinner, the young hunter will feel proud knowing that they have provided for their family. The feeling of self-sufficiency is powerful, especially when dinner consists of food provided solely by a young hunter’s hands.
TEACHES THEM COMPASSION AND EMPATHY
To paraphrase the late Anthony Bourdain, “If you choose to eat meat there should be a sense of loss and understanding.” With hunting, there is no better way to feel and comprehend that loss. Death is a part of hunting, and without it there can be no life. Hunting teaches our children about compassion and empathy. A young hunter has compassion for the animal that just gave its life to feed the young hunter’s family. A hunter does not want to cause suffering, a hunter wants to ensure a quick and humane kill. There is no greater sense of inner emotional turmoil than what an archery hunter experiences after a bad shot on an animal. When we take a kid hunting we expose them to the conflicting emotions that come with hunting. They will experience the joy of a successful hunt, but the brief sadness that they took a life. Death is no longer in the abstract, it is at this point that it becomes real. This gives the young hunter a greater respect for the animal, and the desire to utilize that animal as best as possible. 64 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
RITE OF PASSAGE
It’s been nearly 25 years since I first walked into the woods with my dad for the opening morning of archery season in northwestern Pennsylvania, but I still remember even the smallest of details of that morning. It was a primal rite of passage in a modern era, and from that point forward I was a hunter. Most hunters remember their first time hunting; it is a life changing experience. It provides a definitive moment in a young person’s life where they take a step forward into adulthood and the challenges and responsibilities that come with that. It is our chance, as mentors, to instill in them the core values, ethics, and ideals that surround hunting. It is our chance to guide them and ensure they grow and become ethical and compassionate hunters. This rite of passage binds the past, present, and future generations of hunters together in a shared philosophy, the philosophy of conservation, respect, and admiration of the wild.
TEACHES FIREARMS SAFETY
In today’s world, the mere mention of a gun can stir up some intense emotions. Without question, a firearm is a very dangerous thing when not handled properly. My kids learn from an early age that the guns in our house are not toys. They know they are not allowed to touch them unless I’m with them. They know if they are at a friend’s house and see a gun to not touch it and tell an adult. Hunting is a perfect opportunity to teach kids how to safely and properly handle firearms. Education is key, it removes the stigma that surrounds the rifle. They will understand what it is capable of doing because they will see what it can do first hand. Hunting is the perfect setting for the kids to learn the four basic rules of firearms so they understand that guns are not evil, but only a tool in our collective toolbox.
CREATES LASTING MEMORIES
To me, one of the most important parts of hunting is being able to spend time with family and friends and the memories that are made while we are hunting together. Sharing stories around the campfire or kitchen table of past hunts and adventures is just as fun as going on the hunt itself. Most of my childhood hunting memories include my dad. From my first squirrel to my biggest buck, my dad was there with me. Sitting together on the opening day of buck season, listening to the pheasant roosters cackle as they fly through the air, or in the garage processing our day’s harvest, we have spent so many hours together because of hunting. Those hours spent together and those memories made have created such a strong bond between us. It’s this bond that motivates me to introduce my own kids to the outdoors. I want them to have the same experiences I did. In 30 years, I want them to look back at their childhood and fondly remember the days of hunting with their old man. We need to take our kids hunting in order to create those lasting memories. Hunting can be a solo adventure, but sharing it with someone, especially a kid, is where true happiness lies. Take your kids hunting so you can share these memories with them, so you create more memories with them, and so you can reminisce about them for years to come.
EMBRACES NORTH AMERICAN WILDLIFE TRADITION
We need to reverse the trend of declining hunter numbers. The only way to do this is if we take kids hunting and create more opportunities for the younger generation so they can enjoy what we enjoy now. Our model of wildlife management is the greatest in the world, where we all have Author making venison sausage with his children equal opportunity to hunt for wild game on our beautiful public lands. These opportunities are there because of the great thinking sportsmen and conservationists that came before us. chance at reversing that downward trend. We have a chance at The Pittman-Robertson Act was created by hunters to help encreating a lifelong hunter, and if so they will generate thousands of dollars for conservation over their lifetime. Let’s show our sure America’s wildlife was taken care of and allowed to thrive. kids that hunters are wildlife’s best ally and greatest supporter. Each state’s hunting licenses, tags, and permits also contribute Without us, the wildlife that everyone in the country has an opto wildlife conservation. And if that wasn’t enough, conservation groups like Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National portunity to enjoy, would not be possible. Wild Turkey Federation, and Ducks Unlimited, to name a few, It is our duty, as dedicated hunters, to share our passion with contribute to habitat improvement, hunting opportunities, and others in order for our tradition to live on. There are countless other conservation initiatives. But, if hunter participation conbenefits to taking our children hunting. They make our children tinues to decline, the money going to conservation and wildlife stronger, ourselves stronger, and our community stronger. These will continue to decline as well, and it is hard to know what will benefits are why I take my children hunting with me, and they happen to our beloved wild game. are the reasons you should take a kid hunting with you as well. If we introduce a kid to hunting, even just one kid, we have a Remember, we are stronger together. ★ FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 65
Honoring the Hunted Showing respect for the fallen animal is a good first step toward helping nonhunters understand that hunters truly value wildlife. BY SHANE P. MAHONEY
In
various regions of the world, hunting is coming under increasing scrutiny and is subject to growing criticism; and there appears little likelihood that this reality will fade anytime soon. At one level this is hard to explain, as our traditional, cultural activity is supported by many of the world’s leading conservation organizations and has a proven track record of contributing to wildlife science, management, and protection. In addition, the economics associated with hunting prove that it not only benefits large numbers of people but also provides incentives for wildlife to be valued, and thus protected, from frivolous or illegal killing, or displacement by competing land development activities. So, why is it that hunters are struggling so hard to convince society that hunting remains relevant and worthwhile? Beyond any doubt this is the most important question facing the hunting world. No amount of bellicose argument and fist thumping over what hunting’s opponents stand for will do us any good at all. But just maybe, if we carefully probe and answer this
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question, we will gain insight that can move us forward. So, let’s state the problem in clear terms. Why doesn’t society recognize the good we do? The answer to this question is complicated, but clearly one reason is that non-hunters find it difficult to believe that we care about wildlife in any emotional sense. Seemingly, they cannot get past their impression that we take pleasure from an experience that often results in the death of wild creatures and, therefore, we cannot possibly care for animals in any real way. Far worse, a growing percentage of people may have the impression that all we care about is securing the animal’s death. With respect to our conservation efforts they say we only intervene in debates on wildlife’s future when the opportunity to hunt is threatened and not for the good of wildlife, as such. In some, perhaps many, cases, they are right! It appears, given this, that these people are not prepared to accept hunting, regardless of its social and economic benefits. They reject it on an emotional basis, which floats like a hairy lump in our logic-informed gruel that demands and expects a science-based acceptance of hunting.
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This is frustrating for certain, but should the hunting community take these concerns seriously? Will this sentiment grow to a point where hunting is really threatened, or could even disappear? I suspect the latter is a long way off for hunting in general; but I don’t think we should be complacent about the possibility. As the experience in some African and European countries has shown, hunting can be displaced by political sentiment and public opinion, so I think the prudent course is to try and determine how we can affect that opinion and turn it in our favour. I disagree with those who argue that we can ignore this issue and who suggest there is really no way to effectively change societal views on hunting, and/or with those who feel that opposition to hunting has always existed and is simply something we have to deal with. But how do we do this? How do we demonstrate to the wider public that hunters do care about wildlife, and that our interests in wild creatures and the lands and waters they occupy extend far beyond the practical question of whether there will be animals to hunt and fish to catch? I suggest we begin by honoring the hunted, and by letting the hunter play a distant second fiddle to the magnificent creatures we pursue and sometimes kill. Doing so will require a major change
in our culture - one that is intoxicated with awards that promote the hunter, and magazine stories and television shows that do the same. Everywhere in our communications the hunter is alive and smiling while the animal is lifeless and conquered, often bloodied and contorted in death. Is there really any wonder the public is conflicted about us or feel that it is the animal and not the hunter who needs support? There is another way to communicate what we do. We can tell exciting stories and develop powerful films about the hunt that really do emphasize the animal, and that lead readers and viewers to marvel at the extraordinary capacities of endurance, strength, and wariness wild creatures possess. We can displace our discussions of weaponry, our own prowess, and the animal’s final moments with narratives that speak of wild beauty, of inspiration in nature, and of the deep sense of peace and fulfillment we find in our days afield. We can explain to the non-hunter that what we pursue is the experience of a brief, unfettered existence; one that is always too short, yes, but timeless, as well. We can explore the realities of that existence; the fellowship, the hard pushes across wild terrain, the raw experience of weather and sky in places where life slows down and problems become diminished. We can explain the slow
We all recognize that hunting is a complicated experience that is difficult to convey to the non-hunting public. Yet, we must also surely realize that unless we improve our ability to do so, hunting will be pushed ever further to the margins of society.
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conversations by open fires, the deep sleep that beckons, and the early rises in morning darkness that allow us to witness the breaking day. There is nothing wrong with explaining that an animal died in this pursuit, nor in describing the sense of achievement we may feel at the end of any hunt, whether an animal was taken or not. We cannot and should not disguise the fact that animal death is a reality in the hunting world. But surely, if we wish to convince the general public that we care for something more, and pursue something greater than the animal’s death, we must emphasize the experience and the living animal most—not us and certainly not the carcass that remains when life’s fire has been extinguished. We all recognize that hunting is a complicated experience that is difficult to convey to the non-hunting public. Yet, we must also surely realize that unless we improve our ability to do so, hunting will be pushed ever further
to the margins of society. It is clearly insufficient for us to be concerned with this only when dramatic events such as the killing of Cecil the lion explode in the media. We need to remain focused on a long-term campaign to keep the public on our side, and one of the best ways I know to do this is to convince them that we care for animals in a fundamental way. Yes, we may take the life and thereby take possession of one wild creature during our hunt, but that does not mean we do not admire them in life and wish to see their future secured, even if that future does not include hunting. It is not enough that we say this to one another; what is essential is that we say this to the wider audience that has its ear to the ground and its fingers on the political pulse. If we wish to convince them, then let us provide the emotional evidence of our conservation ethic. Let us diminish the focus on our achievements, and on us. Let’s start honoring what truly matters – the hunted! ★
Born and raised in Newfoundland, Shane Mahoney is a leading international authority on wildlife conservation. A rare combination of scientist, hunter, angler, historian and philosopher, he brings a unique perspective to wildlife issues that has motivated and inspired audiences around the world.
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Above: While on a morning game drive, we came across a stunning group of gemsbok. We watched them for a while, before they finally departed the area. Photo by Katherine™ Fikac
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TEXAS STUDENTS IN
SOUTH AFRICA A True Learning Adventure BY KATHERINE FIKAC
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It
was a great surprise, as an undergraduate at West Texas A&M University, to have the unique opportunity to accompany my professor and five other classmates to South Africa. The purpose of our trip was to conduct baseline inventory in a biodiversity hotspot. We would be catching and documenting as many reptile and amphibian species as we could, while also seeing more iconic wildlife species. Although the trip was not based around hunting, it was nevertheless an exceptional adventure. Most of our time was spent in the Free State province, with a few trips over to KwaZulu-Natal. We stayed in the country for ten days at Potberg Conservation Area, our “base camp,” located in the Highveld along the edge of the Drakvv ensberg Mountains in the Free State. It is halfway between the countries of Lesotho and Swaziland. The property is characterized by an abundance of rolling hills and mountains, open stretches of land, and also dense tree coverage in some areas. The season was summer, with some days bringing rain, which made the air smell sweet. The land was alive during this season, displaying all shades of glorious green. We would be experiencing a part of the country that not everyone has the privilege of seeing. After many hard months of planning and high anticipation, we finally set out. Our hosts were the Koch family. Willem, his wife Anne-Marie, and their two sons, Hendrik and Willem Jr., took excellent care of us. We were occasionally greeted by their two dogs, Socks and Toes. Their sincere warmth and hospitality quickly made us feel at home. After landing at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and driving for a while, we finally entered the front gates of Potberg Conservation Area. It was already late, and so utter darkness consumed the landscape. We were broken up into two vehicles, mine being the second. Looking outside the windows, there were moonlit hills and a few passing clouds in the night sky. We saw plenty of plains game during this first ride, including blesbok, gemsbok, black wildebeest, and zebra. “First time?” asked our driver, a friend of Willem’s. The magnificence of the landscape and the wonder of seeing such a variety of animal life left us all speechless, almost in shock. We simply nodded with gaping mouths and eyes fixated on our surroundings. It had rained recently, and so the road leading up to Jagkamp, hunting camp, was wet and bumpy. Many times my head was slammed against the side of the vehicle, but it didn’t matter. I was finally in Africa. Left: The magnificence of Potberg! We were standing on the edge of the Drakensburg Mountains, taking in the view. Photo by Katherine Fikac
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We had exceptional accommodations while at Potberg. We stayed inside a hunting lodge, with a comfortable, rustic atmosphere. It was constructed of stonewalls and a grass-thatched roof. Greeting us upon entering was a stone fireplace large enough to stand inside. Each night the brothers would light a fire so that we could dry our boots. Before leaving they would speak in Afrikaans, “Goeienag, lekker slaap. Good night, sleep well.” Sometimes we would repeat the words in their language. Hanging on the walls were various taxidermy shoulder mounts of some of the animals found on Potberg, and on the floor were hide rugs. Several chairs were conveniently placed around the fireplace, which proved to be one of our favorite pastime areas. It was either there, or on the front porch among the birds, where we could relax and reminisce about the day. Farther back is the kitchen, with a comfortable bar area where we enjoyed breakfast and dinner each day. The meals there were always a delightful surprise. Our light breakfast would usually consist of toast, cereal, yogurt, coffee, or juice. Each morning I had the routine of enjoying two slices of toast with nastergal jam, made from African Nightshade berries. Dinner always included delectable game meats, followed by unique desserts. On one occasion we were served malva pudding, a sweet cake topped with a cream sauce, which we had heard of repeatedly and exceeded our expectations. One evening we were introduced to biltong, the dried meat that is a staple of South Africa. It may look similar to jerky but is actually quite different, especially in how it is made. Around the second half of the trip, two students were caught falling asleep during dinner. It caused a slight uproar in laughter. Lunch was typically taken outdoors. Anne-Marie would prepare the food for us and keep everything in a container for later. We always told her, “dankie, thank you.” When we grew hungry in the field, the lunch was ready. This much-anticipated meal usually consisted of egg salad sandwiches (of legendary reputation), marmite sandwiches, and various sausages and other meats. Sometimes we would sample a few candies or sodas, which were quite good. When it came time to eat we would crowd together like ravenous beasts, ready to strike. Upstairs from the kitchen were the sleeping quarters, which were very comfortable. It was never hard to find sleep. Each morning we would typically rise around 5:30 a.m. to go birding, by that time it was daylight. There is a large clearing in front of the lodge, which I made sure to explore every inch of upon our first morning. There were many strange flowers, which captivated me. When the vehicles finally pulled up each morning, I knew that our day had officially begun. The Land Cruisers never approached slowly, they always hastily spun around the corner and came to a sudden halt. It was exciting. I never asked what our plans were, as it was great to have a new surprise each day. The first few days in Africa were surreal, as if experiencing a very good dream from which you did not want to wake. To finally step foot on African soil and see the landscapes, people, and wildlife was too profound for words. There were times in which I became quite moved, such as seeing Cape buffalo for the first time. My professor advised that I must have a different mindset while in Africa. The wildlife was different and very new, and I was an inexperienced visitor. Due to my inquisitive nature, I oftentimes became distracted and separated myself from the group. When outside with a camera and binoculars in my hand, I usually disregarded any potential danger I might possibly find. When he 74 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
Our arrival at jagcamp, hunting camp. Photo by Katherine Fikac
lightly scolded me one afternoon, I dutifully obeyed afterward. At the end of the day, most of us retired to bed shortly after dinner. It wasn’t that there was no interest in going out again, but we were all exhausted. The energetic few would gather at night either to chase frogs near water sources or to spotlight animals from one of the vehicles. I always loved to go on game drives and see what we might find. Experiencing the wildlife was overwhelming; here there was nothing separating them from us but distance. Many times we spotted blesbok, usually in large groups. They would move quickly in the darkness, spooked by our vehicle, which drove in parallel unison. Their eyes shone brightly from the headlights. At other times we spotted jackals, bush pigs, blue duiker, porcupine, steenbok, and springhares. Our nightly game drives gave us many close encounters with these animals, and several times we stopped in order to get a better look. Before the vehicle departed once more, Hendrik would as “Is everybody ready to go?” It was a question we never grew tired of. At night after everyone had settled down into their rooms, I
would silently walk downstairs and sit by the fire that was still burning. This became a regular routine, where I was the last person to fall asleep. The lodge was very quiet, and with a small light provided in the kitchen, the room was an excellent setting in which I could journal. When we were not at Potberg, we were experiencing other places in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. Some of our destinations included Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve, Incandu Podocarpus Forest, Mbumanzi Game and Lion Farm, Kameelkop, and Ithala Game Reserve. Once we were able to see a puff adder on a nearby property. The venomous snake was motionless, with vivid, golden eyes. It was very cooperative with us as we took pictures. At another location, we had the unique opportunity of spotting sungazers, a colonial lizard that digs burrows basks in the sun, and bolts for cover at the slightest disturbance. Unfortunately, they are of serious conservation concern and are disappearing from most of the country. The only negative part about being in South Africa was the
end to each day. However, the morning light always brought much excitement, anticipation, and surprise. It was never hard to wake up, especially with the hadada ibis calling enthusiastically.
HUNTING IN THE FREE STATE
It was a restful evening on Potberg, with everyone outside conversing on the deck. I came downstairs from inside the lodge and noticed Hendrik standing alone and dressed in full camouflage. I just knew that something exciting was about to happen. I stopped at the foot of the stairs and asked, “Are we going hunting?” I knew his answer before he spoke. “Yes. Do you have any camouflage clothes?” I told him that I did not at the moment, and so he lent me some. The long-sleeved shirt he gave me fit too big, and so I had to roll the sleeves a few times. I asked another female student if she would like to accompany us and she agreed. We went outside and loaded into the Land Cruiser. One of the other students bid us good luck. The excitement of when FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 75
My first hunting experience in South Africa, with a springbok. It was a memorable moment. Photo by Katherine Fikac
We crouched down, Hendrik handing me his 7x64 rifle. It was with slow movement that I lowered onto my stomach. The springbok was still focused on his grazing. Everything in this moment felt right.
the vehicle lurched forward was so intense, it felt like the big smile on my face would be frozen there forever. We drove down the familiar dirt road, as a light cloud of dust was kicked up from behind. The sun was still high enough to where the sky was still a soft blue, not yet turning red, and everything was calm and quiet. Later we turned off the road and entered the gently cascading hills. There had been many animals there before. Once stopping, Willem Jr. stayed behind with the vehicle while the rest of us went off. We were carefully moving along the edge of the hillside, the point before it starts to drop off. Sparse flecks of vegetation dotted the vast landscape which was covered by an even more expansive unnaturally blue sky. Beyond the hill, the land dipped down, went flat for a while, and then began to gently roll up again a few more times. Then, very far out it was faint, greyish blue as small mountains were carved out. In the open expanse of the land, way out, were darker green trees. Very far out were buildings from the town, but they formed just mere dots on the horizon. We were making our way to a low bush, the only concealment the land provided, where beyond it was a small antelope. A lone, male springbok stood looking marvelously out in the open. He had his head lowered, focusing on the short grass at his feet. He was a pale cinnamon color, with a white face and underside. A wide, chocolate stripe covered his side. His legs were long and slender. On his head were a pair of dark horns, rising upwards and out, and then curving inward at the tips. He appeared strong and healthy. We crouched down, Hendrik handing me his 7x64 rifle. It was with slow movement that I lowered onto my stomach. The springbok was still focused on his grazing. Everything in this moment felt right. 76 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
“You can shoot when you are ready,” he spoke quietly. With the rifle in my hands, I looked through the scope and sited him in. I placed the two crosshairs on his back shoulder. My site through the scope was poor because my hands were shaking so badly. I was full of both excitement and nervousness. I tried to hold still, but my breathing seemed heavier. It is quite normal for me to take my time when focusing an animal through the scope, and this time had taken a bit too long. The springbok lifted its head to face our direction. I thought that he would elude us, but he finally lowered his head. “I will fire soon,” I told Hendrik, and partly myself. Slowly I pulled the trigger, and the crack of the rifle filled the air. The springbok fell. Time seemed to pause as I raised my head, eyes fixated on the body ahead. I thought my friend patted my shoulder, although the antelope was all that I could focus on. Everything else was blurred in the background. This was my first hunting experience in a new country. I must be dreaming, I thought to myself. This moment had become my own hunting story, and I knew the Koch family would benefit from having the meat from the animal. When we both got up, I gave my friend a hug. I was grateful to have been able to hunt on the Kochs’ property. It had come as a great surprise, as I did not expect to do any hunting on this trip. I turned my attention back to the springbok that was a short distance ahead. I judged him to be around a hundred yards or so off. I slowly approached the animal before me and paid no mind to Hendrik, the other student who had kept behind us, or Willem Jr. who had surely heard the shot and come down. Never had I seen a springbok up close. I got down and placed a hand on
A sungazer sits atop a termite mount, basking in the sun. Photo by Katherine Fikac
its side. The animal was splayed in the grass, motionless in the fading evening light. I felt his side and lifted his head in order to examine him. Hendrik said that the area above the tail smells like bubblegum. I could faintly detect it. Someone suggested that we take pictures. I turned to see my three friends standing beside me. After taking a few, it was the other student’s turn to go hunting. I asked Hendrik, “If I join you two hunting, will I miss field dressing the springbok?” “Yes,” he replied. “I’m going with you,” I said, turning to face Willem Jr.. I gave the two a final look, then Willem and I got into the truck and headed back. It was a short drive to his family’s home. By now the sun was setting a little lower in the sky, and we had the job of skinning the springbok. I wanted to be a part of it. “Are you happy?” he asked, as the truck moved slowly along the road. “Yes. I’m very happy.” A little while later I said, “I want to help you with the springbok. I don’t want to leave you with all the work.” I can only describe it as a strong sense of duty. “That is fine.” He parked the truck, but before he could reach for the door I gave him a hug, too. We then both exited the truck and went inside his family’s residence. He told me that his mother was inside. We both discovered her in the kitchen, preparing what must have been dinner for us. It felt strange to be inside her kitchen like I had discovered some deep secret. Willem Jr. left me there, as he went to grab some necessary item.
Anne-Marie and I exchanged a few short words until she finally asked, “did you get something?” The emotions from my evening hunt suddenly flooded over me, and I couldn’t help but cry. I am generally not an outwardly emotional person, but somehow her words brought it out. She kindly told me to stop crying and gave me a hug. My vision was blurry when Willem Jr. walked back into the kitchen. If he noticed me crying, he didn’t show it. Together we both went outside, where the springbok had been left on the truck bed in the fading light. Once we finished the task of cleaning the springbok, we headed back to the lodge. I thanked Willem graciously and went to clean up. I knew that the other girl’s hunt had not been successful. Everyone was standing around the porch, and I saw that Hendrik was preparing steaks for everyone. It was a fine dinner and a good end to the day. Springbok was on the menu at Jagkamp the next night. The back strap had been prepared for us. My professor, classmates, and the Koch family were all fed from the animal. It was a strange feeling for me, but a good one. Hendrik is a taxidermist and I had seen some of the animals he has mounted. I told him that I wanted him to mount my springbok. He said that he would. It would be special for it to be done in South Africa by a friend. Before leaving Africa, I made sure to join the Lowveld Sport Shooting Association. I wanted to be a part of something there, and am currently their sole international member.★ For a magnificent hunting experience and genuine hospitality, visit: potbergsafaris.wixsite.com/salynxsafaris. FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 77
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Time To Discover
New Zealand N
Visit An Island Gem with Esplanade Travel
ew Zealand, an island nation located across the Tasman Sea southeast of Australia, has gone from once being a little-mentioned paradise to now a well-known tourist destination. No one is more pleased by this change in awareness than Kit Schultze, Vice President of Esplanade. After living in New Zealand for a year, she knew she had found a forever home and returns yearly.
“Most people assume I’m exaggerating when I say that it’s impossible to spend too much time in New Zealand,” Kit explains. “But it’s true! Over the past 15 years, I’ve made more than a dozen trips to New Zealand, and I look forward to every return trip even more than my first.” Together with Ksusha Levkovich, Senior Travel Consultant, they recommend New Zealand to everyone who is willing to listen. Wine connoisseurs, adrenaline chasers, road trippers, honeymooners, multi-generational families, girls’ trips, luxury lovers, and everyone in between can find something to love in this gorgeous country. Far and away, the best way to see New Zealand is to self-drive. It’s extremely easy to rent a car and drive on your own, allowing for a go-as-you-please experience. Self-driving also gives you the freedom to pull over at any outlook for a photo op, take the scenic route, or make any other pit-stops you’d like. Not a fan of self-driving? We can easily organize private drivers who also double as guides, providing interesting, 80 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
informative commentary along the way while you relax and enjoy the ride. Let us help you delve into what makes New Zealand so special, and as the Maori would say, “Kia Ora!” Welcome!
NORTH ISLAND
During Kit’s first trip to New Zealand in 2000, she skipped lightly over the North Island, clearly focused on getting to the South, convinced it would be her favorite. It wasn’t until her second trip in 2001 when she spent six months working on the North Island that she realized it’s impossible to choose a favorite! The North Island is gorgeous and diverse, from volcanoes (extinct and active) to hobbit holes, giant kauri trees to wildlife rescue sanctuaries, delicious food and wine to wilderness adventures, and both black sand and white sand beaches. While not as dramatic as the South, the North Island more than holds its own and is worth taking the time to explore some favorite spots.
Milford Sound
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Waiheke Island
WAIHEKE ISLAND
Waiheke Island is one of Ksusha’s favorite places in New Zealand for good reason: after a fun morning of ziplining followed by a wine tasting at Mudbrick Vineyard, she sat outside with a charcuterie board, sipping a cold glass of rosé and looking out at the stunning view of the water, wishing she could freeze the moment. Waiheke is the perfect place to either start a trip to get over jet lag and ease into touring or finish an action-packed adventure with some rest and relaxation. The Boatshed is one of our favorite accommodation options on the Island, and we wholeheartedly recommend a stay here. This chic, boutique hotel sits above a bay and basks in the sunlight. Each suite offers panoramic ocean views. If soaking in the gorgeous views works up an appetite, spend the day tasting the best the island has to offer in both food and wine at its top boutique vineyards. The masterminds behind these world-class wines have paired them perfectly with award-winning and locally-produced treats such as fresh oysters straight from Te Matuku Bay, wild honey, artisan cheeses, and olive oils. Add on ziplining through the forest to get your heart rate up, visit the local artist galleries, studios and shops, or enjoy a fascinating nature walk to end the day.
COROMANDEL
Coromandel is such a gem – Kit notably loves Cathedral Cove for its stunning view and perfect white sand. Coromandel is for the traveler that wants to explore the coastline while also getting off the usual tourist routes and vacation where the Kiwis do. If you wake up and feel adventurous, you can choose from water sports like fishing and kayaking or head off along a coastline walking trail with endless scenic viewpoints. If you prefer flip flops to hiking boots, head to Hot Water Beach at low tide when hot springs seep through the sand and you can dig out your own personal thermal pool.
WELLINGTON
Wellington is the capital and worth a visit to experience a big little city and fantastic foodie culture. It combines what people love about cities — arts, culture, cuisine, and nightlife — with all the best parts of New Zealand’s outdoor lifestyle — bays, beaches, 82 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
mountain biking, kayaking, and gorgeous walking paths. Start your day with a flat white, walk along Makara Peak track, stop by a craft brewery, take the cable car up to Kelburn for spectacular views, pop into an art gallery, enjoy a leisurely dinner with a New Zealand sauvignon blanc, and finish up the evening with a live show at one of the theatres. If you can’t decide where to eat, let us help! The Zest Food Tour is highly recommended and was even named one of the world’s Top 10 Walking Tours for Globetrotting Foodies by Lonely Planet. Your personal guide will take you around to all the hot spots with a chance to sample coffee, chocolate, gelato, cheese, and other local specialties while mingling with the business owners and locals. One notable site in Wellington is the Te Papa Museum, which is spectacular and not to be missed. This museum has been recognized internationally for the way it works with the local, indigenous Maori people to collect items and record their history and culture. Although entry to the museum is free, it’s worth booking the guided behind-the-scenes Taonga Maori Tour. Learn about the Maori culture and history through stories, objects, and treasures, and meet and converse with collections staff. Ksusha’s favorite part of the museum was the Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War exhibit about the battle during World War I. It’s a haunting assault on your senses — visuals, sounds effects, giant sculptures, projections, models — and is a completely interactive experience where you feel like you were there in Gallipoli. It is extremely well done and leaves visitors very emotional. When — or if — you’re ready to end your time in Wellington, take the ferry to Picton. While most people fly between the islands, this can be a fun and relaxing alternative route which allows you to see the Marlborough Sounds, the perfect introduction to the South Island. The North and South Islands are on different tectonic plates, and the differences between the two are immediately apparent as you enter the Sounds.
SOUTH ISLAND
The South Island is where most people think of when they dream of New Zealand, and for good reason. It’s an island of extremes from the tallest mountains to the deepest lakes, glaciers coming
Wellington
Coromandel
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Nelson
right down into rainforest, a challenging hike or bike in the morning followed by wine tasting in the afternoon, bungy jumping or myriad other extreme activities followed by a spa, or world-class golf in the morning followed by a knockout scenic flight and a picnic lunch on a mountaintop. Travel slowly, live well and enjoy.
NELSON
Make sure to pack your shades when you head off to Nelson, as it’s the sunniest region in New Zealand! This gives visitors plenty of time to explore the beaches, trails, and wineries in the region. Check in with one of the 350 local artisans, or take your choice of hiking, biking, kayaking, or fly fishing. Not enough yet to pique your interest? Nelson is also great for those interested in wine and is the craft brewing capital of New Zealand — there are tons of breweries! Visiting the World of Wearable Art and Classic Cars Museum is our other favorite must-do. While there are plenty of accommodation options in central Nelson, we suggest staying a bit more rural, right along the coast, where the real beauty of the region exists. Motueka, Mapua, and Moutere are our favorite spots to stay. Edenhouse is one of our favorite luxury lodges in all of New Zealand. Peter and Bobbie are the most hospitable hosts around, and you’ll immediately feel so at home that you never want to leave. Edenhouse has won numerous awards, backing up our personal love of the property. It’s a country retreat set on fifty 84 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
acres of private grounds, with an additional eight acres of private grounds and landscaped gardens. From the gardens to the courtyards with seating, to the warmth of roaring fires in the winter, Edenhouse exudes New Zealand hospitality from every corner. Drag yourself away to spend the day in Abel Tasman National Park — or even overnight right within the park. This National Park is an absolute must for a variety of reasons, but we suggest entering the park via water taxi and going on a full day guided excursion. This will allow you to see and learn about the lesser known, more interesting aspects of the Park, from early settler activity and Maori history to the abundant plant and animal life around (keep an eye out for penguins and dolphins). And of course, it wouldn’t be New Zealand without gorgeous beaches and coastline and the opportunity to get out on the water via kayak. For the cyclers among us, go on one of Wheelie Fantastic Cycle Tour’s self-guided biking options. They suggest an itinerary based on your activity level and interests, allowing for a completely customized experience. One of our favorite routes visits scenic wineries along the Great Taste Trail (with plenty of time for wine tasting, of course), New Zealand’s oldest pub, artist studios, and historic and scenic places of interest. Another option is to go along Tasman’s Ruby Coast with striking vistas of Tasman Bay. On this route, you stop for lunch in a quaint village and have time to explore, with an option to take a ferry to Rabbit Island.
Wanaka
Mt. Aspiring
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KAIKOURA
Few places within the country are as spectacular and picturesque as the coastal town of Kaikoura. It’s a great place to go for someone who enjoys marine life and delicious seafood. Kaikoura still embraces its fishing heritage, and all types of marine life are on display here. This stunning region boasts the chance for an array of adventures from land to sea. Kaikoura’s distinct location within the region helps make it unique. The town is situated between the rugged Seaward Kaikoura Range and the Pacific Ocean. This balance between mountains and ocean creates an extraordinary opportunity to experience a marine safari. Going on a whale watching cruise is a must, and among the species, you may see are the giant sperm whale, humpback whales, orca, New Zealand’s hectors dolphin, dusky dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, and the royal albatross. If you’re looking to stay on land, Kaikoura offers many beautiful trails from easy walks to difficult hikes. Want to take it a step further? See the region from a new perspective with a helicopter tour. No matter how you like to explore, Kaikoura has an adventure for everyone. When in Kaikoura, Hapuku Lodge +Tree Houses is the place to stay. The lodge shares the property with a deer stud and olive grove while overlooking Mangamaunu Bay. It features four luxury suites, the Olive House suite, and five luxury Tree Houses. The Tree House options are built in the canopy of the native Manuka grove and offer 180 degrees of uninterrupted views — even from your shower stall. Hapuku Lodge’s fabulous team, led by Chris Sturgeon, is just waiting to help you experience the wonders of Kaikoura. Spend your time at the lodge and help pick olives, take a picnic excursion, or sit by the fire and take in the views.
South Island
WANAKA
Wanaka might be one of Kit’s favorite destinations in New Zealand — as she says, it’s one of those places so special that she hesitates to even write about it, lest the secret gets out. Kit continues: When I arrived in Wanaka, it felt like I’d stepped right into a postcard. It’s the best of New Zealand in a perfect capsule — snowcapped mountains leading to lush emerald green fields that run right down to deep lakes that are hundreds of feet deep. All this yet still close to a major airport, on the edge of a wine region, and bordering a handful of national parks, conservation lands, and mountain ranges. This little town has something to offer everyone. There’s a variety of accommodation and enough good restaurants that it’s difficult to choose. Activities abound, and the major challenge is figuring out which ones to leave out. I settled on doing a 4WD trip and a boat trip on Lake Wanaka with one of my favorite guides, and I loved them both. I also ended up with a perfectly clear afternoon for a helicopter flight. I’ve been lucky enough to fly a lot in New Zealand, but this flight was my favorite. Flying out to Fiordland from Wanaka takes in so much more than I ever realized Landing at a hidden alpine lake with waterfalls roaring all around you? No problem! How about flying the length of Milford Sound out to the wild West Coast? Stopping on a deserted beach, and again at a seal nursery to check out the new babies? Why not! What about approaching from below a hanging glacier, then hovering there for as long as you want in order to get a perfect photo of blue ice from your aircraft? Easy! Oh, and then afternoon tea and a snowball fight at a private mountain chalet where you’re 86 HUNTER'S HORN™ FALL 2018
so close to Mount Aspiring that it feels like you can reach out and touch it? Done! Wanaka is such a cool little town. Drive up the west shore of Lake Wanaka towards Glendhu Bay and Mt. Aspiring National Park — very scenic. Turn around (or not) when the road becomes gravel. Go up to Rippon Vineyard not for the wine but for the views. Walk or bike along the lakefront like the locals, or take the day and drive towards Haast Pass for a pretty day of exploring and lots of scenic stops. For where to stay, try out Mahu Whenua or Maple Lodge — entirely different but equally seductive, we can’t choose our favorite. At Mahu Whenua, enjoy total privacy, unforgettable experiences, and exquisite food and wine in a dramatic alpine setting which spans over 55,000 hectares of majestic beauty. The property consists of four adjoining high country stations and the lodge can accommodate up to 12 guests. We recommend a minimum stay of three nights to enjoy all that this property has to offer. Maple Lodge is a gorgeous boutique lodge set within the quiet surroundings of its own private seven-acre maple tree plantation, yet only four minutes from Lake Wanaka. It is conveniently located for all local attractions in this awesome part of New Zealand, and each of the seven guest suites are luxuriously appointed with mountain views and open onto park-like gardens. If you have enough time, try the Eco Wanaka Lake Cruise and Nature Walk with a local guide so passionate about showing off his backyard that we think Mou Waho should be named Chris’s Island instead. It starts with a boat cruise to Mou Waho
Abel Tasman
Island Nature Reserve, where you embark on a guided bush walk leading to a lake right on top of the island! Have high tea at the top, looking out over the lake and listening to the abundant bird life. You might even see the rare flightless Buff Weka, which has been extinct on the mainland since 1920. Another choice is to go on a stunning guided day hike to the Rob Roy Glacier in Mt. Aspiring National Park. Start with a scenic drive around Lake Wanaka before walking into the alpine rainforest. Once you emerge from the treeline, you’ll see a large field opposite four glaciers which is the perfect picnic lunch spot.
TE ANAU
Te Anau is the name of the largest lake on the South Island, as well as the name of the surrounding village. This destination is for the outdoors enthusiast, as the best experiences here include getting out into Mother Nature. Te Anau is the closest town to Milford Sound, and three of New Zealand’s nine “Great Walks,” popular trails nationally maintained, are in the immediate vicinity — the Milford Track, Kepler Track, and Routeburn Track. Each can be done over multiple days, or you can choose to hike the best of each on a guided day hike. As part of your time in Te Anau, we highly recommend an overnight cruise on Milford Sound with Fiordland Discovery.
Not only does an overnight cruise allow you more time to explore the hidden nooks and crannies of the Sound, but it also provides the luxury to experience Milford when very few other people are there. The silence and the incredible night sky, free from all light pollution, add so much to Milford Sound’s majesty. Your luxury vessel includes amenities such as an on-board helipad, on-deck hot tub, kayaks, and gourmet cuisine. With room for only 20 passengers, it is an extremely personal and customized experience. Prepare to be amazed by Milford Sound. Surrounded by mountain peaks, waterfalls, and rainforest, it cannot be compared to any other place in the world. Accompanying the stunning landscape is abundant wildlife, including seals, dolphins, penguins, crayfish (lobsters), and fish.
TIME TO GO!
The legendary Kiwi Kindness is alive and well in New Zealand, so be prepared to be welcomed by the locals, get under the surface for a unique and authentic experience, and to come home having made many new friends. One bit of advice (or, a warning): it’s really difficult to only visit New Zealand once, so don’t be surprised if you fly home and are tempted to immediately start dreaming of your next visit. It’s that kind of magical place — if you let it, New Zealand and its people will steal your heart. ★ FALL 2018 HUNTER'S HORN™ 87
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