July 2023 – Newsletter
Otherwise, it has been a great start to the season thus far. Doc Stone and his lovely wife JoAnn returned for their third safari with me. This time we were after leopard, buffalo and an elusive klipspringer down in the Save Valley. First day success on a bull zebra meant we could begin our baiting programme early on in the hunt. Many long days putting up baits, dragging, checking, redragging and refreshing paid off half way through the hunt. Lucky Les pulled off his usual well-placed shot on a huge Tom at about 6.30 in the evening on our first sit. What a bonus to have JoAnn in the blind to witness the whole thing.
The very next day Les shot a big old, single dagga boy, late in the afternoon. It was the inevitable well-placed shooting with a few nominal insurance shots to expedite matters. Now this meant we could concentrate on the klipspringer search, which we certainly did. A few walks later, another great shot and he got his coveted klippie. It was such a fun stalk and as a bonus we got a really big one.
We spent the last few days relaxing on the Turgwe River game viewing and managed to get a daytime bushpig. I really enjoyed the entire experience with Les and JoAnn who are such great company and great people and I’m really looking forward to the next one.
Jeff and Chastity then returned to hunt with me for the second time, this time in the south of Zimbabwe bringing their 2 children and son-in law for multiple buffalo and plainsgame. Son, Tyler was quick out of the blocks with a very exciting first buffalo – possibly a little too exciting! He followed it up the next day with another old dagga boy with some phenomenal shooting. Dad, Jeff was immensely proud !! Chastity then joined in on the action shortly afterwards with another awesome buffalo bull – massive bodied and really old!!
Son-in law and African first-timer, Rob, then racked up a very impressive plainsgame bag – unbelievably all one-shot kills – just how I like it!! Daughter, Shelby not to be outdone also hunted some exceptional plainsgame trophies as well – like her great hog below.
This was such a fun, energetic hunt with some great hunting and so many entertaining antics – it’s always so special to be part of a family hunting trip, creating so many memories for multiple generations!!! Can’t wait until the next one – it should be a goody!!!
Tanja then returned for the third time, to hunt buffalo accompanied, as always by Arnold. Thick bush, inclement winds and awkwardly positioned buffalo seemed to be the order of every day for the first few days unfortunately. However, when our luck changed – it really changed with Tanja taking a huge warthog and three fantastic buffalo bulls. All kills were accurate shots that required no real follow ups – a real testament to Tanja’s marksmanship. Perseverence certainly paid off and we got the right opportunities on the right bulls and Tanja made it count.
Seeing a pangolin, rhino and many lion only added to the overall experience. Tanja returns in a few short weeks to hunt her first elephant bull which should be great fun.
I’m currently back in the bush to hunt some elephant bulls with good friends Dennis and Marc – so hopefully some successful stories in the next edition. I do have a few late season openings – so get hold of me if you are looking for anything specific!!!
“Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them” – George Eliot
UNTIL THE NEXT EDITION…………………………. As always – stay safe and stay true!!!