Wednesday 27 April 2016

Gun Safety on Safari






Umdende Hunting Safaris takes excellent care of all their clients and friends whilst on Safari,  that is why we enforce strict Firearm safety rules while on Safari.


























You will be briefed by your Professional Hunter on an ethical code of conduct whilst hunting, please respect this. Please find all the safety rules and guidelines below:

1 ) Do not shoot unless you are instructed to do so by your Professional Hunter, and you  have a clear view, i.e. dogs, other hunters, helper’s positions etc.

2) Ensure that your weapon is unloaded before placing it on a vehicle or climbing over a fence, unless otherwise stipulated by your Professional Hunter.

3) Every effort will be made to find wounded game, please respect this.

4) Shoot birds at the correct distance. Do not shoot ground or very low birds.

5) Your Professional Hunter will advise you on the correct shot size for specific bird species.

6) When carrying your shotgun keep it broken or pointing skywards.

7) Never point your gun at anyone.

8) When shooting birds don’t poach someone else’s bird or shoot down the line.

9) When you expect to shoot, keep your barrel pointing skyward and your safety on.

10) Break your gun when climbing over fences.

11) When shooting, ensure that you know the species that are to be hunted.

12) Do not fire through the shotgun if the barrel has become blocked during the shoot

13) Every effort must be made to find wounded birds.


Umdende Hunting Safaris uses the following imported Fiocchi or
GB shells for Bird Hunting:



Doves and Pigeons – No. 7 and 7 ½, 24 gram or 28gram

Partridge – No. 7, 28 grams

Guinea Fowl & Duck – No. 5 and
6, 34 gram

Geese – No. 3, 34 gram



                               

Good Gun Safety means Happy Hunting! See you on Safari...

Monday 25 April 2016

Plan your perfect Safari




1) Create a list of what you want to see and do: The first step to planning a memorable African Safari is to create a “must see or do list”. Are you traveling to participate mostly in game viewing or hunting?  Or are you looking to have amazing encounters with Cheetah? Listing what you really consider your ‘Must Do’s, is a great place to start.




2) Choosing the right Safari Company or Outfitter for you: So you have a few things narrowed down, the what, where, when, and how’s… This leaves us with WHO! Who is going to help you, if anyone? There are Outfitters scattered all over the place and most are filled with detailed, first-hand knowledge of traveling and hunting in Africa! Use them! They can even help you while you are narrowing down your wish list.



3) Timing - find out from your Outfitter or Safari company when the best time of year is: There are so many timing issues to take into consideration, and all are linked back to the activities that mean the most to you. Bird Hunting Season is 31st May - 31st August and Hunting season is from March - November.
















4) What areas you want to visit: Alright, so you have decided the what you would like to hunt and when you would like to come to Africa, now we need to talk about the areas your Outfitter has recommend, look up the weather in the certain area and see what the landscape is like.



5)Inclusions and exclusions of your package : While you are talking to your Outfitter , you need to ask what is included in the price. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. A few extra costs to consider are: flights to and from your host city, internal flights or transfers, are meals included, are activities all-inclusive or ala carte? A great deal can spiral out of control if you arrive in Africa and find out that every activity will cost you extra!

6) Africa here you come… You have done it! You have made the lists, consulted the professionals, and found the perfect African experience! Now all you have to do is go! Remember to take lots of photos, write down what you do every day (you will be amazed at how quickly the details will start to blur), and soak it all in! Enjoy the fruits of your labour, and relish in the now.

Stay tuned for our next Blog where we will go into Specific details on each recommendation above, advising you on the Do's and Don'ts of PLANNING YOUR PREFECT AFRICAN SAFARI