December 2025 – Newsletter
I can hardly believe it is already that time of year again – where we are about to end the year and ring in 2026. It has literally gone by in a flash and a blur. But what a great year we have had – and as always, the support we have received this season has been so truly appreciated and Buffalo Trails continues to exist entirely due to all of our loyal clients. So a genuinely heartfelt thank-you from myself and Hayley – we do know how fortunate we are!!!
As some of you may know, I embarked on a healthier lifestyle from the beginning of 2025 and have lost a significant amount of weight – I do not have a “slow puncture” as some people have cheekily intimated (namely Hayley) – the point being that towards the end of the season I had done “so well” that my prosthetic no longer fit – so off I travelled to south Africa for a new leg. Unfortunately things didn’t go quite according to plan – I truly believed I had all of my ducks in a row – but when Jeff and Chastity arrived for their 4th hunt with us I was still using the test leg and was not 100% confident I would be able to give their hunt my all and enlisted the help of cat specialist, Mark Vallaro, in their quest for an old lion. Nonetheless it was great to be a part of the hunt and assist where I could and what a hunt it turned out to be.
Jeff and Chastity literally had their breath taken away when they landed at Nyakasanga in what was arguably the hottest week of the year – but being such troopers Jeff wasted no time in getting a hippo down to begin the baiting process. A kudu and some hippo meat from previous hunts saw us with 8 baits out by day three. Lots of lionesses and young males early on but it wasn’t long before Mark, who was on his bait run, spotted a big lion snoozing under the shade of a baobab tree. Mark was able to get Jeff into position and true to form Jeff pulled off a great shot and the lion was down immediately. It was fantastic that Chastity was right there beside him.
After the obligatory celebration, some much needed R&R and a couple of days fishing it was back to work. A leopard permit had come up and lots of leg work had been put in hoping to get Chastity an elusive leopard. Having successfully hunted the lion on Chirundu we also still had a lion permit in Nyakasanga. Jeff took advantage of this and Mark put him on another fantastic lion towards the end of their hunt and Jeff as always pulled it off impeccably – 2 lions on one hunt is a first for me – what an incredible hunt. Unfortunately, the leopards did not play ball and despite Chastity persevering until the bitter end – a feline hat trick was not on the cards for this hunt.
It was the perfect hunt to end my season on – two great friends, two awesome lions, many laughs and immeasurable amounts of sweat! Congratulations Jeff on phenomenal marksmanship – so looking forward to seeing you both in Nashville on my new and improved pin!
I will as usual be attending S C I 2026 in booth # 2500 – the same as last year. I’m really looking forward to seeing familiar faces and hopefully some new ones too. I do still have a couple of gaps in April and June of 2026 and have opened up my booking sheet for 2027 – get in touch for any enquiries.
Hayley and I wish you all the very best for what is remaining of 2025 – we hope you are all spending the holidays with your nearest and dearest and that 2026 is another “cracker” of a year for all.
“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” – Vern McLellan
UNTIL THE NEXT EDITION………………Happiest of Holidays – stay safe and have fun!!