I finally hooked up with PH Nicolas LeConte of Associated Professionals of Haut Chinko, who shared my feelings. I hunted with him in 2004 in CAR. The method was tracking - period: no blinds, no hunting over mineral licks, no dogs. I shot mine on the 17th day, after looking over three mature, shoot- able males. He was very heavy, perfectly shaped, with heavily broomed ivory tips. Nicolas is a fabulous, hard-working PH who loves his bongos and the rest of wildlife as well. I am not saying this hunt was easy. In fact, there were times I wondered why I was putting myself through all the trouble. Now, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything...."
Finally, still in CAR, I have received an almost perfect description of the workings of a corrupt African Customs goon. The subscriber who sent me the description volunteered to leave his name on the report, but I am leaving it off just in case the goon in question is able to complicate the subscriber's trophy shipment. Suffice it to say, safari operators in CAR need to show this report to government officials:
I just returned from CAR, and what happened to me and my hunting buddy at the airport was outrageous. Seems the safari company's expediter met our charter from the bush, took care of all the administrative details and bade us good-bye just outside the security area. We put our carry-on bags on the conveyor leading into the X-ray machine and passed through the magnetometer.
Sitting at a table just past the X-ray machine sat a stone-faced, arrogant security chief with three assistants,........(continued)
