Dream’s do come true….I’ve been to Africa to hunt plains game and every trip I dream of some day starting my journey of taking Africa’s Big 5, the most dangerous animal’s in the world. This trip was a dream come true. I have now harvested the largest land animal in the world…The African Elephant. The elephant can wiegh 6 tons, stand 12′ and in two steps can be at speeds of 30 mph. Speeds that I personally got to see up close on this trip. I was charged by an elephant, a rhino and chaced by a croc on this trip. Believe it or not this all happened and I managed to keep my pants dry, however my knees are still shaking.

This trip takes place an hour north of Hwange National park in Zimbabwe. The following is a break down of my gear on this trip.

1. BowTech Tribute bow set at 100 pounds.
2. Easton A/C/C arrows, 30″ double stacked, 750 grains total.
3. Scott Archery release “Shark”
4. 125 grain InnerLoc Broadheads.
5. Leupold 8×32 gold ring binos.
6. Leupold RX-IV Rangefinger.
7. Leupold European-30 Rifle Scope (this was on my PH’s .416)
8. Medalist base layers, hats, socks and shirts.
9. SpottHog Hunter bow sight.

The BowTech Tribute was set at 100 pounds, with the Easton Stacked arrows and 125 grain InnerLoc Broadheads, I was shooting 110 pounds of Kinetic energy.

The trip to Zimbabwe was 9 days long. I had my first chance at shooting on the 5th day, however the bull stopped directly behind a bush not allow for a good shot. On day 6, 7 and 8 we had several close calls with elephants, rhinos and croc’s, the closest was a bull elephant that charged with in 10 yards of us. Finally on day 9 a bull charged, stopping at about 20 yards turning to run into the brush he paused for a second allowing a shot from my bow. Unfortunately the moment I release he darted into the brush, my arrow hit about 1 foot behind the shoulder. We followed the blood trail into the thick brush finally catching up to the huge bull. The brush was so thick and I was on the last hour of my last day, the decision was made to finish the hunt with the .416 scoped with a Leupold European-30. One quick shot to the brain at 15 yards and the 6 ton beast was on the ground. Dreams do come true!

My African Elephant wieghed close to 6 tons, it supported (2) perfect tusk wieghing 40 to 45 pounds each. The local Africa community now has the much needed meat they required to survive.

This was a trip of a life time, and it was booked thru “Rex’s Dream Hunts” at www.huntwithrex.com

The 2nd Annual Dove Expo held at the Oasis Outback in Uvalde Texas brings in over 2500 visitors. Show Host Rocky Francis along with members of the Broadside Team made a special appearance at the Expo. Brad Farr did a live radio interview with Show Host Rocky Francis discussing the team members and what is in store for Broadside Adventures. There were numerous events and sales thru out the day, a 3D archery tournament was also held. Hunting industry Reps were on hand along with hunting guides and ranches. Be sure to watch for events thru out the year being held at the Oasis Outback. www.oasisoutback.com

Searing heat that broke the century mark and rattle snakes couldn’t keep the Broadside crew down. With the itch to hunt, Broadside Adventures Pro-Staff member Wil Askew traveled to California to hunt with Jason Montagner of North Powder Outfiiters in pursuit of Black Tail Deer and Russian Boar. Joining Wil was Jeremy Henricks of WatchTheOutdoors.com who has been featured on other Broadside Adventures programs. A steady hand behind the camera was able to capture some amazing footage of Wil’s hunts. Practice makes perfect as Wil threads the needle to make a lethal shot on a Black Tail buck at almost 300 yards in the wind. Then follow over the shoulder as Wil and Jason make the move on a group of feeding wild pigs as the stalk ends with a perfect 50 yard shot bringing the giant pig to the ground. Jeremy Henricks spots a couple feeding boars across the valley and the race was on the make a shot before they ran out of shooting light.

Look for this footage on an upcoming episode of Broadside Adventures.

Medalist to feature Broadside Adventures Host Rocky Francis in upcoming magazine ad. Medalist has answered the call to produce a light wt, scent free camo. On top of that they’ve added thier SilverMax technology used by NASA. This technology gives you thermodynamic temperature body regulation…. Basically it keeps you cool when your hot and hot when your cool. There’s no activation like carbon suits. The 99% Pure Silver fiber kill bacteria before you start to smell. With all Medalist clothing you get.
Undetectable scent-free protection
Thermodynamic temperature regulation
Stay-dry Skinetics MTS
Anti-static, noise free movement
No activation, No maintenance
All in the Industries top camo patterns.

Be sure to check out Medalist full line of products at www.medalist.com

Watch for this ad in next months issue of “Mossy Oaks Hunting the Country”

Broadside Adventures pro-staffer Wil Askew is part of a traveling elk seminar that is featuring other Oregon hunters such as Jim Horn (Primos Game Calls), outdoor writer Gary Lewis and Troy Neimann. “Its an elk hunting buffet” explains Askew who is covering Backcountry Tactics for elk. “We are very fortunate to have the support of Primos and other vendors such as Gerber and HuntTheOutdoors.com who had set up booths at the event to promote their products and services”.

Askew’s presentation used a mixture of both still and live action footage to bring the entire backcountry experience to life for the people in attendance. The live action footage consisted of two backcountry hunts that have aired on previous episodes of Broadside Adventures. A cow elk that was taken with a spot and stalk method of hunting and an 8-point bull that was bugled into 28 yards for a perfect shot. Both animals were taken with a BowTech bow, Easton arrows and Innerloc broadheads. A deadly combination for any hunting situation.

Those interested in attending the seminars should mark your calendars for the following dates:

• Hayden Meadows Joe’s Location • Portland, Oregon - July 7th
• Eugene Joe’s Location • Eugene, Oregon - July 14th
• Mt Vernon Joe’s Location • Mt Vernon, Washington - August 4th
• Federal Way Joe’s Location • Federal Way, Washington - August 5th
• Bend Joe’s Location • Bend, Oregon - August 19th
• August 23rd - Elk hunting season opens!!

From left to right: Pro staffer Wil Askew, Margaret Knupp ( marketing Director for BowTech) Ace super guide Jody Smith and show host Rocky Francis.

Show Host Rocky Francis traveled to Oregon with his family to hunt with pro staff member Wil Askew in a quest for turkeys. The fast paced action was caught on tape as Rocky takes a strutting tom with the aid of his BowTech Guardian bow. Wil was also fortunate to take a tom as the group traveled the lush hills of Elkton Oregon.

Catch all the exciting action on an upcoming show of Broadside Adventures.

The Broadside Adventures team was combing the hills of Oregon seeking out spring bear. They were able to capture the harvest of not one, but two bears using two different methods of hunting. Glassing huge clearcuts for feeding bears produced one bear for a lucky hunter who was able to connect after missing his first shot. Pro Staff member Wil Askew decided to head to southern Oregon and hunt from a treestand that had a trail cam that was capturing numerous bears walking through to reach the lush green grass on the opposite hill. See the action for yourself on an upcoming episode of Broadside Adventures.

Broadside Adventures Pro Staff member Wil Askew and his daughter Bryce finally connect on a spring turkey in Oregon. The action began with the two heading up to an area that wa know for great turkey hunting. “Getting in close is the key and we wanted to be in position early, so we decided to camp out” states Askew about the hunt. “We set up the tent and clumb inside. Temperatures dipped into the low 30’s, the even the cold couldn’t lower our spirits.” At first light the two set out and was greeted by numerous toms gobbling from the roost. As they made their way closer, a large black bear materialized no more than 15 yards in front of them. After the ran ran off, the two continued on, setting up near the gobbling toms. “The toms were hot and there was no need for me to even touch a call once we got into postition” states the current NW turkey calling champion. “The hen lead the toms directly to our position for a shot.”

You’ll be able to see all the exciting action of this hunt on an upcoming episode of Broadside Adventures.

“Well, you can’t win them all, but it would have been nice” states Askew after coming in a close second during a recent Turkey Calling Contest. Ten area contestants gave their best Yelps, Clucks and Kee Kee’s to impress panel of judges. “There was a good group of callers that showed up, I was surprised by the turnout!” admits Askew who is dressed in the red polo.

The contest was held at the Renton Fish and Gun club in Renton Washington, a short drive from downtown Seattle. The local chapter of the NWTF put on the event which followed a still target site-in and a turkey hunting clinic hosted by Askew and area local and fellow trueky hunter Robert Hand. Hand is the owner of Mountain Magnum Turkey Calls, the same calls that Askew prefers to use these days. “I am very happy with the quality of the Mountain Magnum Calls. Its hard to find a good mouth call that has been fine tuned to sound the way it should”.

“I’ll have to redeem myself soon at the upcoming Oregon Open Calling Contest” explains Askew. “I would like to get back to the Grand Nationals and see just how far I have advanced since my trip back in 2004″. Look for Askew to demonstrate his turkey calling skills on upcoming episodes of Broadside Adventures.

In the late 1800’s the American Buffalo was almost wiped out. Today I am only aware of one place in the US where the American Buffalo can be hunted on public land. However there are several private herds that are available to be hunted on there native habitats all across the US. The Broadside Team recently hunted a privately owned herd located in the Ozarks of Missouri. The herds numbers topped 100 head. The shear size, speed and ability to completely disappear into thin air was absolutely amazing. ProStaff member Rocky Francis was joined my hunting guest Debbie Francis (no relation), the duo would try to take (2) of the herd bulls with Rocky’s BowTech guardian bow, InnerLoc broadheads, and Debbie’s 300 Win. Mag Scoped with a VX111 Leupold scope. It was a brisk 14 degrees with a light dusting of snow on the ground. Be sure to see this exciting hunt on an upcoming episode of Broadside Adventures.