doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com African bird hunting? Anyone?

Yes, I am going just for birds. Not much of a big game hunter anymore. Mine will be a mixture of driven guinea, walk up shooting, and some waterfowl.

There used to be a bird hunting expedition offered, in some part of Africa, whereby one would board a train that was dedicated to the hunting expedition. The train was luxuriously equipped for travel with beautiful (I only saw pictures ) dining, observation and sleeping cars, and would stop at predetermined locations to hunt various birds. I was of the understanding that it was a wingshooting trip only. Several species were mentioned in the advertisement. It was called the Rovos Rail trip. Don't know if it is still offered but, to an old South Georgia country boy like me, it sounded like a dream trip.

It was, forthwith, put on my bucket list, along with driven grouse. We'll see.

Stan

It was a long time ago but, there was someone who posted on this forum who was putting together trips for small groups to shoot fowl in Africa (can't recall which country) as well as northern Europe (separate trip). I believe the Africa offering was focused on upland - guinea fowl, francolin, etc... and offered some light plains game hunting opportunities. Any how, I recall it being fairly affordable but then again most everything may have seemed affordable with some perspective of current times...

That was probably us. Cost for a week is around �2,500 inclusive of everything except cartridges and flights to Jo'burg. We go for two and three week stretches, staying an extra week is cheaper pro rata.

I went with a group for a mixed 10day plains game/bird hunt last April. The dove/rock pigeon hunting was as good as it can get. Keep a eye on the cost of shells, you can expect to go through several flats a day.
Unlike some places that have high volume shooting all the birds killed in SA were used for human consumption.
We hunted birds in a sunflower field in the Orange Free State

There several train shoots. The prices are all over the board.

http://www.gssafaris.com/destinations/luxury-african-hunting-train-safari.php

http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=28T0

http://www.gamebirds.co.za/

A related accident last year:
http://www.africahunting.com/latest-hunt...rica-3-die.html







Pete

Small Bore, the guy jmc is talking about posted here for only a short time and he offered a trip to Africa to hunt birds. The only problem was he wanted every one to drop what they were doing and go; he didn�t give anyone much time to think about it. I seriously considered it but he was also selling plains game hunts as a package deal with this bird hunt thrown in as an extra and that turned a lot of guys here sour on his offer.
How about some details guys, how many guns, ammunition arrangements, what type of gun case is best for this type of travel, any problems getting in through customs?

I�ve read, now I certainly can�t confirm this, but a hunter�s Remington 1100 was confiscated at SA customs because it was an auto loader, is that story BS or what.

Likely is true. We are not allowed to bring anything other than sxs and o/u. In addition we can only bring two guns and each one has to be a different gauge. I am buying my ammo from the guide so I don't have to bother taking it with me. I am using an Americase 3003-BLK. I will post the ins and outs of my trip when I return. I am looking forward to the experience.

We take care of the import licences, you are met at the airport and cleared through customs, driven to the lodge, food, accommodation, transport, booze all included.

Shells are �5 per box of 25 (just like in the UK). Typically we walk-up in the morning, shoot game birds like this until 11.00, then back for lunch. About 12.30 off to the sunflower fields to shoot three types of pigeon/dove. Normally fire about 200 shells by 16.00 then fresh dogs, more walk-up for game birds. As night falls, sit at a pond/lake and shoot the teal and geese as they come in.

Home, BBQ of the birds we shot, excess goes to the bird boys who sell them in the townships. A few beers and cigars, then bed. Repeat for a week. Go home with big smile and lots of great memories. I'm off again in April for doves only. Can't wait.

Do you have a web-site that I can look up all of this and plan my trip??