April 2022 – Newsletter
SCI Las Vegas 2022 was much better than I had anticipated. Many faces, familiar and new were in attendance much to my surprise and delight. COVID seems to have taken a back seat to all of the worlds other woes – hopefully it disappears completely soon. A special thanks goes to Armen who every year makes the “Great Trek” from Texas to Las Vegas by car to help me with my booth – and this year despite several obstacles he came through again! Thanks Armen – everything you do really is appreciated!!!
We started the years hunting in early March with old friends, father and son duo – Jaime and my “shumba brother” Jaimeto, hoping to bag a big elephant bull on the periphery of Gonarezhou National Park. This was an especially meaningful hunt for me as it was the first time since our life changing experience of 2010 that Jaimeto has been back to Zimbabwe. All elephant bull hunts can be physically and mentally taxing – and none more so than this one. The heat, rain, epic walks, incessant mopane flies, unpredictable winds and very impressive single tusked bulls made the final result that much more gratifying.
We connected with a fantastic bull mid-morning on day twelve. Excellent shooting by Jaimeto at close quarters and we got our bull. Congratulations Jaime on a really awesome hunt – you’ve definitely made your mark on your families hunting legacy with this magnificent old bull!!!. Taking a great specimen of a kudu bull this early in the season made the whole experience that much sweeter! Thank-you to the whole family for their friendship and support over the years. This was such a memorable hunt – definitely one to be raconteured to future generations and included in the next edition of the family hunting hardback. I’m already looking forward to next year’s adventures.
Regular clients Ingomar and Wolf arrived shortly afterwards with an elephant bull and sable on their wish list for their hunt in the western part of Zimbabwe. The conditions were perfect, albeit a bit thick early in the year. Day three saw us in amongst a herd of fifteen plus elephant bulls which was awe-inspiring. After some careful manoeuvring we got in position for a heavy tusked old bull. Ingomar made a perfect side brain shot and the rest as they say – is…… history!!! Weidmansheil Ingomar on an outstanding hunt, great shot and an awesome trophy.
Ingomar really hit his stride after that taking a sable, eland, wildebeest, reeduck and eland in as many days. We were fortunate to have enough time to hunt Wolf’s much quested tsessebe as well as the very elusive “sorry” warthog on the penultimate day of the hunt. It’s always a wonderful experience to hunt with these two gentlemen who really immerse themselves in every aspect of the hunt. As always – I’m already looking forward to our future escapades!
I will be leaving for Nyakasanga shortly to hunt leopard – relishing guiding my favourite hunt in my favourite area. I have had a cancellation for Nyakasanga this year and so have a tuskless, hippo and buffalo bulls available – if you are interested in any of these or late season elephant bull hunts down in the south – please do get in touch with myself or Hayley.
“When nothing is sure – everything is possible” – Margaret Drabble
UNTIL THE NEXT EDITION…………………………. Safe & happy hunting as always!!!