December 2023 – Newsletter
It has been an outstanding hunting year and I have to say I’m quite sad it’s coming to an end – aaallllthough I might be able to sneak one last one in, if granted approval by the Ministry of Domestic Affairs aka Hayley. So many memorable hunts with great people along the way. This time of year always brings on bouts of reflection and as I sit and ponder, as those of you who know me – know I am wont to do – I am so truly grateful to be able to live my passion daily as a career and share it with so many people – I am so unbelievably fortunate!!! The total experience counts for alot and it’s definitely sweeter with successful hunts and I have been so lucky to have taken some exceptionally old animals this year!!!
The season ended in Nyakasanga, one of my favrourite places to hunt – completing my 13th season there. We had to contend with gruelling temperatures. November is historically always hot, but this year was NEXT LEVEL!!! Fortunately, some early rains in October and some smatterings during the hunt gave us some respite from the unrelenting heat. After seeing three big old dagga boys in the late afternoon, we picked up their spoor at first light the following morning and after some great tracking, some stealth-like stalking and a bit of sweat we had our bull. It was a massive team effort tracking these bulls in unprecedented tempratures together with a heavy slog cutting the recovery roads in. This phenomenal trophy was well and truly earned.
Later on the next day we bagged a sneaky, old hippo bull that had moved away from the river after a bit of rain. We then used some “ripe” hippo meat and intestines to lure in a huge crocodile. He gave us a bit of a scare when he rolled of the sand bank into some deeper water but fortunately the shot was good and with the use of the boat, we retrieved him fairly quickly.
During the hunt we were fortunate enough to see a lot of lion, some decent valley elephant bulls and wild dog was an unexpected bonus. A HUGE kudos and thank-you to our client for coming out from chilly Europe and braving the heat!! Congratulations on some excellent trophies!!!!
The 2024 season is already filling up – if you are interested in a hunt for 2024 or 2025 – please do get in touch as I have a limited number of key species still available.
I will shortly be off on my annual marketing campaign in early January, stopping off in Vienna to see some good friends before carrying on to South Carolina and then on to Nashville for the annnual SCI Convention. I’ll be in Booth # 2800 (in through the main doors and turn right) and I’m really looking forward to seeing faces familiar and new.
In the meantime though – we are unbelievably already heading in to the Holiday Season. Hayley and I would like to say a sincere thank-you to all for the continued support this year and we hope that you and your loved ones have a very, very Merry Christmas and all of the very best for 2024.
“There are three stages of man: he believes in Santa Claus; he does not believe in Santa Claus; he is Santa Claus.” – Bob Phillips
UNTIL THE NEXT EDITION…………………………. Safe travels & Happy Holidays!!!