DAN SIMMONS Sportsman's Quest MORE COLUMNS SPECIAL TO THE PVT Among those ready to go hunting anywhere in the world are Carl Moore, Phillip Du Plesse, Don Trudeau, Tony Benefeito and Mike Dwyer. The pilot is unidentified. Advertisement

As we approach the year's end with Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Mount Charleston Chapter Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquet coming up, my thoughts turn to Africa.

My first African safari started at a banquet like this. It was an auction, a bargain, and it changed my life. Africa is another world and I love it, its people and the hunting opportunities.

There is no other place in the world where you can hunt the variety and abundance of game Africa offers, and South Africa offers the greatest of both.

For a first-time safari, or second or third hunt, no place can equal it for safety, quality of game, or convenience and certainly not for price.

There are other great African opportunities in Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique or other destinations for specialized trophies, and all have their unique flavors, but for the first safari, South Africa is the place.

It is also the land of historic hunts in places such as the Limpopo River area on the border with Zimbabwe, the Zulu lands of the shores of the Indian Ocean or the marvelous Cape Town hills and mountains.

This is the land of Peter Capstick, and of boyhood dreams as we read of Hemingway, O'Conner and Ruark.

This is said to be a once in a lifetime experience, but I like many others, am drawn to return time after time. Its sunsets, plains and wild lands take us back to our ancient hunting experiences embedded in our genetic make-up. Yes, it's another world.

The foundation chairman, Mike Dryer, likes it, too. He traveled with Carl Moore, Don Trudeau and Tony Benefeito on a safari with my good friend, Philip Du Plesse.

Don and I have hunted with Philip before and found his guiding skills extraordinary. On this trip, the boys brought home everything from impala and kudu to lion.

They stayed at luxurious lodges and ate gourmet food, but when the hunt began, it was tough traveling, and the long stalks required all of the necessary skills a hunter needs.

I first met Philip while he was guiding for another outfit and was impressed with his organization and hunting skills. He later purchased a large ranch and built his own lodge, at which I also hunted and was equally impressed.

He has since acquired yet another ranch with a magnificent lodge and several new hunting concessions. It has been gratifying seeing this young guide evolve into one of South Africa's premier professional hunters.

You can enjoy a hunt with this professional hunter too, and join the ranks with these gentlemen as have my other hunting friends, Bob Beckett and Ron Cross. Philip has also hosted many of the world's hunting elite, including many from Las Vegas.

A complete seven-day safari will once again be auctioned off at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquet Nov. 17.

I'll be there and hope to see you there. It may change your life, too.

For more information on banquet reservations, give Michael or Tracie Dreyer a call at 209-6750.

Update

The Amazon Peacock bass trip, planned with Bob Beckett, Ed Goedhart and Ron Cross for November, has been postponed until January.

Another member of the team had to drop out, so there's still room on the Amazon Queen riverboat/luxury hotel boat.

If you're interested in exploring the upper Amazon basin of Brazil and the Rio Negro for this most ferocious fish, and a few piranhas on the side, give me a call or e-mail.

For more information go to www.amazontours.com

Upcoming

The Las Vegas Chapter of Ducks Unlimited is holding its annual wetlands banquet at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Thursday.

Doors open at 5 p.m. For more information, contact Cliff Russell at 1-702-378-5598 or Scott Bowles at 1-702-461-8779

The Las Vegas, Desert Chapter of the Safari Club International is holding its banquet at the Rio in Las Vegas Jan. 19. For more information, contact any of the following people; Dave Small at 1-702-334-3860, Rance Spurlock at1-702-64-5668, Chris Petersen at 1-702- 873-1094 or Marian Hinebauch at 1-702-419-6516.

Recipe

Southern Africa is famous for its biltong (jerky), but less well known is their deliciously smoked wild game.

My favorite is their hot smoked venison made from kudu, impala, water buck or gemsbuck (oryx).

All of these members of the antelope family have excellent texture and virtually no gaminess, as is often the case in North American antelope, which is actually not a member of the true antelope family and more correctly known as a pronghorn.

It's not possible to import wild game meat from Africa, but it is available on some game ranches or in the case of the gemsbuck, on the White Sands Proving Grounds of New Mexico through a special limited entry tag drawing.

Here is one I've modified from a classic recipe and is especially suited for our North American-style electric or propane smokers. It works with elk, too.

Smoked Filet of Oryx

Ingredients: 6 - 8 lb Oryx filet; 3/4 cup brandy; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1/2 cup Heinz 57 sauce; 1/4 cup A-1 Sauce; 1 3/4 cup red wine; 2/3 cup water; 1 large onion, chopped; 1/2 tbsp. black pepper; 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper; 5 cloves garlic, minced; pinch of allspice.

Directions: Mix ingredients in a large glass bowl. Place roast in marinade and cover for two days, turning occasionally. Place roast on a wire rack in smoker.

Place remaining marinade in water pan of smoker. Cook slowly until meat thermometer reads 165 F.

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If you have an adventure, a story or a comment give me a call at 727-9777 or e-mail me at dansimmons@usa.net.