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  • The Scout Rifle Safari – Rich Ehrlich
  • The Third Scout Rifle Safari 2
  • The Third Scout Rifle Safari
  • Hunting Unexpected Trophies
  • Hunt where master hunters have stalked their prey for centuries
  • The Heart of a Hunter
  • The Scout Rifle Safari Highlights
  • Hunting Buffalo in Southern Africa
  • The Scout Rifle Safari – Day 10, 2nd Group of Hunters
  • Father and Son on The Scout Rifle Safari
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The Scout Rifle Safari – Rich Ehrlich

June 17, 2020 By Fort Richmond Safaris

At the start of a hunt PH and hunter should be relaxed, taking in each moment, not feeling pressurized at all in the anticipation of the availability of time that they have. And that is the way it should be. The PH always attempts to get the hunter to be at ease and confident to be able to perform at his/her best. It was no exception on Rich Ehrlich’s hunt. His wish list was not too long and the whole team thought that they did not need to rush at all. He started off by shooting a nice warthog.

When all the adventure happens on the last day of your hunt

Time passed too fast! After spending 2 days trying to locate the Buffalo herd on a big property with challenging terrain without success and with a Zebra and a Kudu still on his list, things were changing, and the pressure was on. The last day approached much faster than we wanted. With the help of a helicopter we were able to locate the Buffalo to save time and after a short stalk, things happened fast. Our tracker walked straight into the Buffalo and when he started running back, we knew we were on them. Rich stayed calm and placed a perfect shot to bring the Buffalo down.

Rich also shot a Zebra and a Blesbok. He said he will be back for more.

As the sun set on the last day there was joy and excitement in the camp amongst all the staff when we received the message that it was a successful day. Everyone knew that there was a lot of pressure on the hunter as well as the whole team.

The whole Fort Richmond Safaris team went all out to make the last day the most memorable of a great week.

Scout Rifles that were used

Rich used a Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle for his Scout Rifle Safari at Fort Richmond Safaris. The Ruger Gunsite Scout was easily able to handle the plains game. One warthog was taken from approximately 50 yards, out to the Blesbok, which was approximately 200 yards. The short barrel and compact size of the Scout Rifle also made the hike up and down Kudu hill that much easier.
The Grizzly Custom Marlin in 45-70 Government, which he used for the Buffalo hunt is also configured like a scout rifle. The forward-mounted scope allowed Rich to quickly acquire a front facing, center mass shot on the Cape Buffalo.
To watch a video of Rich’s Buffalo hunt: See here

Rifle used for Buffalo Hunt – A Grizzly Customs Marlin 1895 in 45-70; Barrel Length 16.5 inchesThe whole team that was involved on the last 2 days  – our tracker, Salmon Le Fleur, PH Mark McKenzie and Geoffrey with Rich.

Rich’s WarthogRich’s Blesbok    “I had a really good day at Fort Richmond Safaris. I can’t tell you what the Zebra means to me.” Rich Ehrlich

Rich’s write-up about his Zebra hunt. 

This is why it meant so much

My father’s mother, Elsie, had a FORMAL, white living room, with a zebra rug in it. The rug came from one of my grandfather’s business partners as a gift. Back then, the only way to get a zebra rug was to harvest it.

Well, I have very clear memories of sitting on that rug, playing with my toys when I would visit. And believe me, NO ONE else was allowed to even put a toe near that rug. I was the only person allowed to sit on that rug. Well, my grandmother passed when I was 13, and my grandfather remarried, and he passed, too. His new wife fell off the Earth, and I have no idea what happened to her, or the rug.

I always wanted that rug. It was one of the few things that really linked me to my father’s parents. But, it was out of my reach. While I could certainly order one, it’s not the same. So, part of my decision to go on safari was to get my very own zebra skin rug.

It was my last hunting day, and I had yet to get a shot at a zebra. We pulled up to within 150 yards (137.16 m) of the herd. This stallion stopped, framed between the V of a tree. He looked over at me, and turned sideways, standing in a perfect broadside. I made one, perfect shot, and the zebra made it one step from where he was standing before it was all over.

I know my grandmother was watching. She asked Africa to help me, and it did.

As soon as I get the rug from Karen Hoffman at African San Taxidermy Studio, it will be put in my Library.

“I hope to be back soon!” Rich Ehrlich


Filed Under: Hunting, The Scout Rifle Safari

The Third Scout Rifle Safari 2

December 23, 2019 By Fort Richmond Safaris

Jim Jeansonne was joined by his two daughters, Stephanie Marie Jeansonne and Katie Maxwell for his third Scout Rifle Safari. The previous 2 Scout Rifle Safaris Jim’s son James was on safari with him. Jim is the proud owner of one of the most important rifles on the Scout Rifle Safari – the Gunsite #2.

It was such a privilege once again to see what hunts do for relationships. Jim had a great time with his girls.        from left to right: Katie, Stephanie and Jim. An emotional day for father and daughters – Stephanie got this nice Red Hartebeest and dad Jim harvested the magnificent Sable below. 

Professional Hunter Geoffrey Wayland and Katie Maxwell scouting for Kudu on Kudu Mountain.AFRICKA, girls and guns…… gotta love it.The Jeansonne girls with our tracker, Solomon. Jim, with a nice Impala ram.

“After two disappointing misses this week, this morning I put on my big girl pants and killed a Kudu. Thank you again to everyone at Fort Richmond Safaris for everything you do & to my Dad for the trip of a lifetime. It was a great morning & the Kudu is one handsome fella!” Katie MaxwellStephanie Marie Jeansonne with a warthog.“Momma, we’re coming home! What a great two weeks with Fort Richmond Safaris… to top it off we had the best travel company in Carrie Mazelin & Bill Mazelin. Best hunting experience of my life! Sad to leave Africa, but happy to see our people.” Katie Maxwell

Filed Under: The Scout Rifle Safari

The Third Scout Rifle Safari

September 11, 2019 By Fort Richmond Safaris

The Third Annual Scout Rifle Safari in South Africa started with a range day conducted by gunwriter, Richard Mann.

Bill and Carrie Mazelin as well as Jim Jeansonne with his 2 daughters – Stephanie Marie Jeansonne and Katie Maxwell this time, previous 2 times with his son, James, joined us for three years in a row for The Annual Scout Rifle Safari. For Jim Jeansonne and his daughters’ Scout Rifle Safari click this link:

    “Africa is awesome” Bill Mazelin    “So glad to be back.” Bill Mazelin    “Loving this African adventure just as much as the past two!”  Carrie Mazelin
“A marvelous Eland (the largest of the antelopes) taken with a single shot at 161 yards. My @rugersofficial Scout Rifle topped with @leupoldoptics using @barnesbullets ammo.” Bill Mazelin

Carrie Mazelin with a Sable that she took on The Scout Rifle Safari. Sable are so regal!

Bill Mazelin stalking at Fort Richmond Safaris.

After 5 days of hunting at Fort Richmond Safaris, the hunting party departed for the rest of their hunt to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, where a variety of different plains game can be hunted i.e. Bushpig, Bushbuck and Nyala. The terrain in the Eastern Cape is very different from the Northern Cape and new challenges awaited the hunters.

Jim Jeansonne and Bill Mazelin en route to the Eastern Cape Province.

“Scored a nice bushbuck ram yesterday afternoon. 193 yards across a narrow canyon after we watched and waited for about 45-50 minutes. When he cleared the bush, I made the shot. A real team effort on this hunt, a lot of time on the binoculars spotting and watching and waiting. A grand afternoon it was!”   Bill Mazelin

A delighted Carrie Mazelin with her Bushbuck.

 “Bush pig hunting – First time Carrie & I have ever hunted with hounds. They ran amok for about 26 kilometers and ended up tracking down the sow I shot. It was a lot of fun! A lot of truck work, some foot work, and a ton of team work to pull it all off.”   Bill Mazelin

Hounds on Bush Pig Hunt!“Late yesterday morning, after about 5 kilometers of walking, glassing, and patience I was rewarded with this awesome, old, non-typical, Nyala bull. His horns are quite unique as is his half size left ear. He was about 70 yards away when I made the shot. A great 10 days of hunting concludes this afternoon.”  Bill Mazelin    Below: Carrie Mazelin with the Nyala that she took on The Scout Rifle Safari.
“Last afternoon of the last day, success! A marvelous way to finish the Third Annual Scout Rifle Safari in South Africa. 10 wonderful days of hunting with family & friends. This impala ram was about 42 yards when he gave us the opportunity at the shot. The last round I fired this year in Africa brought him down.”

“Already dreaming of Scout Rifle Safari No. 4.”    Bill Mazelin

 

Filed Under: The Scout Rifle Safari

Hunting Unexpected Trophies

August 9, 2018 By Fort Richmond Safaris

After reading Jim’s blog post ‘A Real Trophy’, I once again realized that there is so much more to hunting a plains game trophy in Africa than just securing your anticipated list of trophies. Jim hunted two trophies that was not on his wish list i.e. the Zebra and the Red Hartebeest.

Jim Wilson

Jim Wilson or Sheriff Jim Wilson is a native Texas with many talents and a vast amount of life experience and interests which makes for very interesting as well as entertaining conversation on a hunt as well as around the campfire. Add to it a Professional Hunter who shares the same interest and you have a winning combination in every way. They had a ball and just watching them was a treat. Jim is not only an avid hunter, but also a singer, a songwriter, a retired Sheriff and a gun-writer for the NRA. Jim Wilson’s album, Border Bravo is a collection of cowboy songs and border ballads that focus on the American Southwest and the changing frontier. Wilson co-wrote three of the album’s songs, and carefully selected the rest to tell some tales of the border country, one of the last frontiers.

Take-aways from Jim’s hunt

  • Come with your wish list but be flexible / open minded. Take what Africa offers! You might be presented with opportunities to hunt animals that is not on your list, but are still good trophies and make for a great hunting experience. Take time to enjoy and savor the experience instead of rushing through a rigid list of trophies.
  • Experiencing the animals in their authentic environment is very different and often influences the hunter to change his mind regarding his preferences.
  • The difficulty of the hunt always makes for a desirable trophy. When you work hard for your trophy, you always appreciate it more.
  • African plains game is tough: ‘These critters are tough to hunt and tough to put down.’ Jim Wilson. Hence shot placement can’t be emphasized enough.

Zebra and Red Hartebeest

The Zebra and Red Hartebeest were the trophy animals Jim had no intention of hunting. But after seeing them he changed his mind.

Red hartebeest – Alcelaphus buselaphus

Red Hartebeest make for great trophies as well as a superb hunt. They are gregarious animals which add to the appeal of hunting them. Although very different in appearance from other plains game in Africa, they have their own unique attractiveness and like Jim said: ‘The hide is beautiful, the horns are impressive and grilled hartebeest back strap is mighty appealing, too.’ Read more about Jim’s Red Hartebeest hunt: Here

Read more about Jim’s Zebra hunt: Here

Read more about Jim’s Red Hartebeest hunt: Here

Anecdotes on Safari

Fort Richmond Safaris PH Leon du Plessis, the winner of our Professional Hunter contest, being presented his Moore Maker knife by the winning team… Jim Wilson and Linda Powell.

Jim Wilson, PH Leon du Plessis and Linda Powell 

Jim’s hunt will be remembered for all the fun that was had in camp.

Filed Under: Hunting

Hunt where master hunters have stalked their prey for centuries

August 3, 2018 By Fort Richmond Safaris

 

 

Filed Under: Packages, Uncategorized

The Heart of a Hunter

April 10, 2018 By Fort Richmond Safaris

Hunters are adventurers, wildlife enthusiasts and lovers of nature.

Their heart is to conserve nature and enjoy the outdoors.

They study the animal and its behavior that they are planning to hunt. 

And on a hunt the means are always greater than the end.

For a hunter, hunting is a way to be intimate with nature. 

It is not all about the kill as is so often perceived. Hunters love to be in the outdoors, spending quality time with friends and loved ones while on a hunt. A quote by Charles Fergus sums it up so well: ‘Hunting has opened the earth to me and let me sense the rhythms and hierarchies of nature.’

Hunting – a great adventure if not the greatest that the world can offer.

A Hunter’s Heart…

‘Despite our ever-changing, ever-indignant world with its growing ignorance of and indifference to the ways of the wild, I remain a predator, pitying those who revel in artificiality and synthetic success while regarding me and my kind as relics of a time and place no longer valued or understood. I stalk a real world of dark wood and tall grass stirred by restless wind blowing across sunlit water and beneath star stream sky. And on those occasions when I chose to kill, to claim some small part of nature’s bounty for my own, I do so by choice, quickly with the learned efficiency of a skilled hunter. Further in my heart and mind I know the truth and make no apologies for my actions or my place in time…Others around me my opt to eat only plants, nuts and fruits; still others my employ faceless strangers to procure their meats, their leather, their feathers and all those niceties and necessities of life – such is their right, off course, and I wish them well. All I ask in return is no one begrudge me and all of us who may answer the primordial stirrings within our hunters’ souls – my right to do some of these things myself.’  M.R.James

               

 Any man is a better man for being a hunter. Hunting is a sport that requires alertness and develops a ruggedness of character.

(Taken from quote by: Archibald Rutledge)

Filed Under: Hunting

The Scout Rifle Safari Highlights

February 21, 2018 By Fort Richmond Safaris

A man’s vision about a rifle!

The Man: Jeff Cooper – Gunsite Academy Founder

The Rifle: The Scout Rifle

His vision: A rifle in the hunting field as well as one to be used in a military scouting situation.

‘Jeff Cooper defied a scout rifle as a bolt-action carbine chambered for the .308 Win., no longer than 39 inches, no heavier than 7.7 pounds and outfitted with a low power extended eye relief scope. It also had to have back up ghost rings sights, be capable of two MOA or better accuracy and have a Ching, CW, or similarly styled shooting sling.’ Richard Mann                                                                                Richard Mann’s Remington Custom Shop M7 Scout.

It was assembled by the Remington Arms Company Custom Shop to Richard’s specifications as follow:

Model 7, Chromoly action. In house tapered Recoil lug. Larger rear tang screw. Douglas Barrels Inc. #3 Remington contoured air gauged 1-10 twist Chromoly barrel. Threaded muzzle w/thread cap installed. Fluted barrel. Plated Magazine Box. Polished follower. Model 7 aluminum hinged floor plate (Remington). Manners Composite Stocks Elite EH-8 stock. Painted in house, custom camo 4 color. 4 flush cup sling attachment points installed. Fully bedded using Marine-tex and 1/2” aluminum pillars. Recoil pad. Custom in house made picaitiny scout scope rail. XS Sights front and rear sights. Timney Triggers trigger. M-16 extractor. Dual ejectors. Fluted bolt. Timed for Primary extraction bolt handle. Triple taper pinned bolt handle. PTG Speed Lock Aluminum firing pin. Aluminum bolt shroud. It will put five shots into about an inch with most loads, is less than a meter in long, and weighs less than 7.5 pounds with a Burris Optics Company 2-7X Scout Scope, Galco Gunleather RilfeMann Sling (attached in the three-point configuration) and with a magazine full of ammunition.

                                                            One of the most important rifles on The Scout Rifle Safari in Africa – Gunsite Scout #2.

On safari in Africa

The first Scout Rifle Safari to Africa was orchestrated by the developer of the Scout Rifle himself, Jeff Cooper and took place in 1998. The second Scout Rifle Safari to Africa took place in 2017 at Fort Richmond. It was an event that will be remembered not only for its historical value but also for the fun, fellowship and adventure shared by all the participants.

After the successful completion of his vision – the Steyr Scout Rifle – Jeff Cooper started planning a safari to Africa. It happened in 1998 and Cooper used it to validate the concept of the Scout Rifle. Cooper’s safari had more participants than he envisioned. “Now our 1998 trekfest is mounting up for departure. We have far too many people aboard, but I could not find it in my heart to turn anybody down.” Jeff Cooper

History was made during June 2017 when the second Scout Rifle Safari to Africa took place at Fort Richmond Safaris. It was the brainchild of the author of the book, The Scout Rifle Study, Richard Mann. As with Cooper’s safari, the hunters used new ammunition – Hornady Precision Hunter ammo. It was a great opportunity to test various Scout Rifles in Africa as well as the new ammunition. Shooting Gallery host Michael Bane was one of the participants and filmed portions of the adventure for his show on the Outdoor Channel. And as in 1998, there were also more participants than orginally planned.

Ten hunters took part in The Scout Rifle Safari and the following Scout Rifles were used:  

  • Original Gunsite Scout Rifle #2 used by James Jeansonne. Read more about James’ safari here: Father and Son on The Scout Rifle Safari. 
  • Remington Arms Company Custom Shop M7 Scout used by Richard Mann.
  • Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle used by James Jeansonne Jnr., Bill and Carrie Mazelin and Michael Bane. Listen to Michael Bane’s video podcast: Bane’s masterpiece of a Scout Rifle on Down Range TV and read more about Bill and Carrie Mazelin’s safari here: Husband and wife on the Scout Rifle Safari. 
  • Brockman Packer Scout used by Nick Rukavina. Read more about Nick’s safari here: The Scout Rifle Safari-Day 10, 2nd Group of Hunters.
  • Steyr Arms, Inc. Scout Rifle used by John Carter and Robert Parker.

The Scout Rifle Safari 2017

Images from The Scout Rifle Safari at Fort Richmond Safaris



 The Scout Rifle: The One Rifle to have if you could only have one. 


 More images on The Scout Rifle Safari: See here

Filed Under: Hunting, The Scout Rifle Safari

Hunting Buffalo in Southern Africa

January 24, 2018 By Fort Richmond Safaris

   “Hunting buffalo with your son is an incredible experience.” Richard Mann

“We hunted hard, made several stalks and walked for 7 miles on our Buffalo hunt. Finally, we got the wind right. At 100 yards, Geoffrey told me it was time to take the shot. I collapsed into a seated position and shouldered the rifle. Then the training that I received from my dad (Richard Mann) and at Gunsite academy took over. I cycled the action instantly, and then I fired again. I’ve scored go-ahead goals in soccer, I’ve hit buzzer-beaters in basketball but none of the above compares to hunting a Cape Buffalo in Africa.The 100-yard walk to the Buffalo felt like another mile.

He was massive. Beautiful! He was a gift, from my father and from my friend.

He was a gift from Africa. Africa is a special place. It’s where you become a Buffalo Hunter. And it’s a fine place to grow up.”  Bat Man

 

A Boy and a Buffalo

 

South African Buffalo Hunt by Empty Cases

Trophy Hunting Buffalo

The term Big Five game was coined by big-game hunters of old and it refers to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot.

Cape Buffalo (Syncerus Caffer) is the most popular to hunt from the Big Five and will give a hunter a challenging and dangerous hunting experience. It is also referred to often as the most dangerous of all the Big Five to hunt. Although it appeared docile when grazing in a herd this animal can be extremely aggressive when agitated or wounded.

Buffalo are heavily built & bulls are black while cows have a reddish brown tint with the black. Bulls have heavy horns with well developed Boss. Cows’ horns are much lighter – they have broad muscle and large ears situated behind the eyes.

Size: Mass 750-800kg.  Shoulder height: 140cm.  Habits: Buffalo move around in large family units. The old bulls group together in bachelor groups and in the dryer season they tend to graze near water. They reached puberty at three years of age. Gestation takes 330-346 days i.e. +/- 11 months.

The Buffalo is a non-selective grazer who drinks every day. It occasionally will browse. Buffalo will lick termite mounds and will also lick the mud stuck to their coats from wallowing in mud pools, off each other in order to get the nutrients lacking from their diet.

The horns of a bull can be quite spectacular in spread with a deep curl and a solid boss which covers the forehead.

Buffalo are found in southern Africa in herds which varies in size.

As with all hunting, shot placement is paramount when hunting the Cape Buffalo – a rifle of .375 caliber is adequate. To succeed a hunter needs to have put in the necessary preparation to be comfortable with his rifle as well as practicing on the shooting range. Trust the judgment of your Professional Hunter with shot placement and the selection of rifles and bullets when hunting the Buffalo.

Buffalo and you by Peter Flack (African Outfitter Magazine)

Buffalo may be done with you but you are never done with them, not even if you have never hunted them. They loom so large in the hunter’s lexicon, they can simply never be ignored. Even if you are a committed plains-game hunter, you know they are out there waiting for you. They are the buffalo in the room, even when never mentioned in polite hunting company. You know that some day, if and when you can afford it, you are going to want to measure yourself against this ultimate game animal.

Why is it that your first Buffalo, for those of us that have been lucky enough to experience this right of passage, this double-edged opportunity to measure ourselves against this ultimate hunting challenge, is the one we all remember with the utmost clarity? We can remember that we saw, heard, smelt everything with our senses on such high alert they were almost supernatural. It was almost as if we were in our innermost beings and at the same time to the tip of our fingers and the nails of our toes. Certainly, up until then, we had never experienced anything similar.

And it is this two-stage reaction to the number one of Africa’s Big Five, which is primarily responsible, I believe, for the whole variety of differing results from a fair-chase hunt for this incredible animal that some people still argue is no different to cattle, on the one hand, and Africa’s most dangerous, four-legged beast, on the other hand.

To some, the experience is just too much. I remember a Zimbabwean PH telling of a wealthy Arab hunter haring off through and over the bushes in his white, flowing Arab robes when he came face to face with his first buffalo at 40 paces. A good friend and one of the most highly experienced buffalo PHs in Africa today, nearly came to a premature end when his American lawyer client wounded a big bull at a range so close that it is just about impossible to imagine how he could have placed the bullet where he did – centre Mrs Venter! I can go on and on, including the case of the very nice man who accompanied Derek and me to Mozambique for his first buffalo hunt, and who wounded two, one after the other, never to find either one no matter how long and hard he looked.

I suppose these and other similar stories ( and you can read about any number of them in my book, Hunting the African Buffalo by Peter Flack) serve to keep the buffalo legend alive and well in Africa. They also confirm the challenge that these magnificent beasts have always offered and always will.

Basic Lessons learned on a Buffalo Hunt by Derek Carstens:

  • Clarify at the beginning of the hunt with your PH precisely what you expect of him, come the time to shoot. Once on the shot, it is no time to enter into protracted negotiations, clarifications or discussions.
  • If you are close, comfortable and confident on the animal of your choice, take the darned shot. Just let your PH know which animal you are drawing a bead on.
  • Don’t hamstring yourself in search of the perfect shot. Optimize.
  • Know your ballistics. This was a big lesson for me as I do a lot of hunting back home with a flat-shooting 25-06 and seldom have to compensate for bullet drop. In this sense the .375 is not in my muscle memory and the 300 gr solid would have dropped by at least 3” to 4”.
  • Improve your knowledge of the animal’s anatomy that you are hunting to ensure a well-executed, imperfect strategy.
  • And then critically remember it is all about the last hundred yards. All the sweat and toil in the tracking kilometers leading up to that point count for naught if things fall apart in the home straight. So be close to your PH at all time, and be ready when the action comes, as it tends to be faster than you may be used to.

Many stories are told by hunters – men and women who glorified the African Safari. The one aspect they all have in common is that these hunters and conservationists all loved to hunt buffalo and wrote books and stories about the Buffalo safaris they enjoyed so much. As said before it is the Cape BUFFALO that is hunted the most of the Big Five, the most sought after trophy on safari.

Filed Under: Hunting

The Scout Rifle Safari – Day 10, 2nd Group of Hunters

December 8, 2017 By Fort Richmond Safaris

Nick Rukavina from Ohio arrived on the tenth day of The Scout Rifle Safari for his Scout Rifle Safari in South Africa. He brought two Scout Rifles for his safari, a Brockman Packer Scout and a Steyr Scout.

Nick Rukavina arrived for The Scout Rifle Safari very confident and with great expectation…

Nick wrote the following:

My Scout Rifle Safari with Fort Richmond Safaris

South Africa is an almost mystical country after leaving behind the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg and its airport.  It’s a place that seems almost timeless and gives us a close look at nature in the raw.

Even now, six months after my hunt with Fort Richmond, so many days and experiences are still very vivid in my memories – a few do stand out. I am sharing my most memorable hunt, which took place on the first day.

First of all, is the typical day, if there really is one.  After a light breakfast, just the freedom of driving through the countryside with Leon, my PH, was an education in itself.  He introduced me to so much more than I had encountered on my previous visit to South Africa in 2005.

The afternoon of the first day’s hunt was challenging but worth it. We followed a few herds of Blesbok. The animals were extremely spooky and a wind of 20 mph with higher gusts made it even more difficult.

Finally, Leon stopped a long way from the herd that we were following.  I would have guessed the range at 500 plus yards, but my rangefinder showed that it was “only” 337.  My excellent PH pointed out, by counting the number of animals from the right, a very respectable white Blesbok. Leon positioned himself behind a pair of binoculars. With the scope on my custom .308 Brockman Packer Scout set on 4x, I settled in to get control of my breathing, racing heart and trembling trigger finger.  The herd was partially obscured by brush and I could barely make out “my” white Blesbok among the other white and common Blesbok, which are brown in color. I held a foot high and a body length to windward to compensate, I hoped, for the wind and distance. When the shot rang out, I lost view of the animal, but Leon was very excited. I just prayed that I hit the right animal in that wind!

After what seemed like an interminable time wandering the area, we found “my” Blesbok – the right color and everything. The bullet hole was not evident until Leon turned it over, showing a perfect shot just above the heart. I was elated.

I don’t think that I have ever experienced a more dramatic moment of both relief and triumph in my life.

It was the first day of my Safari, and while many more great days followed, it will always stand out as extraordinary among my hunting memories.                Nick checking zero and shooting eight-inch steel plates at 350 yards very successfully, in preparation for hunting. The Brockman Packer Scout got the attention of everyone at the range. 

“After over 8000 miles of travel, the Leupold on my Brockman Packer Scout held its zero.” Nick Rukavina. 

                       

T H E  E X C I T E M E N T 
T H E  H A R D  W O R KT H E  E X H A U S T I O N
Red Hartebeest taken by Nick with his Brockman Packer Scout.  A Warthog taken on The Scout Rifle Safari.  

               

“Thank you for a wonderful week! I will be back soon.” Nick Rukavina

Nick is returning for another safari with us and bringing his wife along as well, next year. 

Photo Credit: Bat Mann

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Filed Under: Hunting, The Scout Rifle Safari

Father and Son on The Scout Rifle Safari

November 21, 2017 By Fort Richmond Safaris

The two Father and Son teams who did the Scout Rifle Safari were: Richard Mann (the author of The Scout Rifle Study and whose brainchild the Scout Rifle Safari was) and his son Bat Mann, who was the photographer on the Scout Rifle Safari and Jim Jeansonne and his son James Jeansonne.

This blog is about Jim Jeansonne and his son James’ Scout Rifle Safari.

From the start of the safari it was evident that this father and son have a good relationship and were here to have a great time. And as always when you arrive with an expectant heart and a positive attitude, you will have the best time. They worked incredibly hard for their animals and at first took some time to get into the hunt, but had great fellowship and fun all the way.

‘Africa is amazing and inspirational.’ Jim Jeansonne (father)

        “What an awesome adventure, especially when a father and son can share the hunting experience of a lifetime in beautiful Africa!”   Jim Jeansonne (father)Jim’s rifle was one of the most important rifles of the Scout Rifle Safari  –  an original Gunsite Scout #2. It was an honor to have an original Gunsite Scout Rifle as part of the Scout Rifle Safari. Thank you, Jim! Jim and his Gunsite Scout #2.         Jim’s Rifle – 1985 vintage Gunsite Scout from the Gunsite gun smithy. Scout Rifles in Africa – Jim Jeansonne with his original Gunsite Scout Rifle #2. Michael Bane with his Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle. James Jeansonne with his Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle.       Jim Jeansonne and his son, James with their first take of the safari, a nice Black Wildebeest taken after a mile and a half stalk, shot taken at 326 yards, single shot with Hornady 178. James Jeansonne with his hard won Gemsbok. Warthogs – a favorite of those who participated in the Scout Rifle Safari at Fort Richmond Safaris. 

‘What an adventure! Both boots blown out on Kudu Mountain, brush scratches everywhere, but an absolutely beautiful country shared with 8 Gunsite graduates.’ Jim Jeansonne (father)

‘Great week! Many thanks to all involved… It was the trip of a lifetime.’ Jim Jeansonne (father)

Jim Jeansonne wrote the following: “We were hosted in grand style by Geoffrey, Victoria and Annamarie Wayland in a fashion that bespoke of how family would be treated. The PH, tracker, accommodations, food, camaraderie and, in general, the atmosphere that they provided were some of the high points of our trip. The hunting was everything we expected and challenged us both mentally and physically. In short, we can’t express enough, our admiration and appreciation to this wonderful group. We WILL be back next year! THANKS!”

“Africa is amazing and inspirational!” Jim Jeansonne. Jim hunted on Fort Richmond Safaris during The Scout Rifle Safari with his son James and is the proud owner of an original Gunsite Scout #2.

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Filed Under: Father and Son Hunt, Hunting, The Scout Rifle Safari

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