Life is what you make it
- Bob Hanna: Someday
- August 26, 2019
- 1104
Here we are nearing the end of August already. The kids are back in school, the days are getting shorter (well, the days are still 24 hours, but the daylight is less) and soon hunting season will begin.
We did manage to get Taryn’s hunting tower up and leveled, set up a mineral block and some ear corn, and placed a trail cam on the ladder. It’s always fun to bring in those SD cards once a week to see what’s been coming in and when.
Some of you die-hard hunters have those new trail cams that send images to your computer or phone so you don’t have to disturb the site. On some you can even program the camera from your device.
We have the kind of tower that has two swivel seats (no, not recliners, although that may come soon) and a four-windowed blind that covers it. We plan on adding a rug to the mesh floor, then curtains and maybe a chandelier.
Wait. I’m getting a little carried away. I’m just trying to outdo those of you who have the condo hunting huts with the cushy wet bar and stereo. But I paid about half of what you paid. It’s no wonder the nonhunting public keep asking us how much our venison costs per pound.
Coming back to preparation mode to Africa entails regular communication with your outfitter. Remember you are probably not the only client they are hosting while you are over there. So you might have to adjust your plans a bit to coincide with theirs. Ask as many questions as you need to and write them down in a journal.
Previously we talked about getting healthy and consulting with your doctor. Next thing on the agenda would probably be travel time, both air time and hunt time. I would bet a good many of you who have flown on commercial airlines know how stressful it is to go through the TSA checkpoint, trying to make sure you do everything right so they don’t have to search you. Well, add in all the special documents, the guns and the extra gear, which just adds to the mix. So allow plenty of time, especially for international flights.
Most outfitters will be flexible, once you set your flight schedule, to have someone there to pick you up at the airport. Make sure they are aware of any changes when the airline notifies you. Keep copies of your travel itinerary in each bag in case it gets lost, along with complete identification to notify you. International flights should have a photocopy of your passport inside your luggage.
Be prepared mentally for the long flight. Our last South African trip took 16 hours (nonstop) from Atlanta to Johannesburg. Read books, watch movies, listen to music, sleep, get to know your fellow passengers (you know me) and hope they are friendly. You learn a lot about people’s lives and the diversity of mankind in these sessions.
Add along with that 16 hours the two-hour flight to Atlanta from Columbus, the four-hour layover, the international check-ins and then the ride to camp (ours was over four hours by van), and you’ve had a long trip. Oh, by the way you have to do the same thing when you go home.
Make sure you don’t sell yourself short on hunt time either. This is a big deal. Allow yourself extra time just to enjoy traveling. This time we will visit the Kruger National Park to see the other part of Africa besides the hunt. Even if you’re not going over the ocean to hunt, there is so much to do if you take the time. Maybe even plan a day not to have any plans.
Life is what you make it. God did not send you here to waste it.
Recently a good Christian brother of ours went home to be with the Lord, but his legacy left a mark on a lot of people’s lives. Bob Stryker lived life, was everyone’s friend and led a lot of people to the Lord. We need to learn from his example.
God bless.