Bull Elephant Hunt In Zimbabwe 2023

[revturbo9967]

First, good for you. I would never fault someone for hunting elephants.

Secondly, If I remember you were hunting a tuskless and a buffalo which can be challenging to fit in a ten day hunt if you are picky about the buffalo, let alone finding a shootable tuskless (without a calf).

If logistics fit in, I would expand the hunt to 15 days so you can have some choices on the bull and not have to shoot first one you see in a rush due to time running out.

Good of your outfitter to allow you to add the tag. Most would have added it on along with extra days.

When I talked with Dalton about adding croc, he said it can be done with buff in 10 days, but you may not get a monster . I asked if added days will help and he said absolutely, so I added 2- now at 12. Then I added a hippo . Now I’m back to square one. Flights are booked now, so time is what it is. I trust them fully, but I personally think it will be tight getting all 3 in 12 days. I hope I’m pleasantly surprised.

 

[TOBY458]

When I talked with Dalton about adding croc, he said it can be done with buff in 10 days, but you may not get a monster . I asked if added days will help and he said absolutely, so I added 2- now at 12. Then I added a hippo . Now I’m back to square one. Flights are booked now, so time is what it is. I trust them fully, but I personally think it will be tight getting all 3 in 12 days. I hope I’m pleasantly surprised.

I took a tuskless and a buffalo in the first 6 days. But we stumbled on the tuskless the first day while out looking for buffalo. The last 4 days were spent trying to shoot a Hippo on land, but that never happened.
We also shot a Bushbuck, Heyena and a Baboon the last 4 days. I know what I'm after is a tall order in 10 days, but if I shoot one good elephant bull, it will be worth the trip. The rest is just icing on the cake.

 

[revturbo9967]

I took a tuskless and a buffalo in the first 6 days. But we stumbled on the tuskless the first day while out looking for buffalo. The last 4 days were spent trying to shoot a Hippo on land, but that never happened.
We also shot a Bushbuck, Heyena and a Baboon the last 4 days. I know what I'm after is a tall order in 10 days, but if I shoot one good elephant bull, it will be worth the trip. The rest is just icing on the cake.

That’s good to know , thanks for the info . Do they hunt hippo in the water ever or prefer on land?

 

[rinehart0050]

That’s good to know , thanks for the info . Do they hunt hippo in the water ever or prefer on land?

You can do either- Hunter's preference. We hunted one in the water because we need to get bait for a leopard hunt. But you van definitely find them on land.

 

[TOBY458]

Not sure if you meant to say "you can bring them to the the US" or of you meant to say can't?

Either way, having replicas cast from the originals is a great idea. I highly recommend TCI in Bulawayo for this. And they make some great hand carved bases although they are heavy and with shipping costs these days, one has to consider the options.

@TOBY458 are you hunting an exportable bull or a non trophy/non exportable bull? I didn't see where you clarified in the thread. An exportable elephant bull with the proper paperwork from a reputable outfitter who uses part of the funds to do poaching control and supports the local communities with an organized program, should not be a problem to get cleared for import to the US. Just be sure to have someone with a record of recently getting elephants approved do your import documents.

Best of luck Toby!

Dalton tells me that they're starting to let a few into the states. I'm hunting what would be referred to as a "trophy bull" I suppose. I was told to expect around 40-45lbs in the area we're hunting.

 

[ActionBob]

Dalton tells me that they're starting to let a few into the states. I'm hunting what would be referred to as a "trophy bull" I suppose. I was told to expect around 40-45lbs in the area we're hunting.

What our importer told us regarding our Tanzania cats was that the leopard permits were delayed because staff was busy working on the elephant backlog And yes several have been approved. All case by case so you just need to be sure to have the proper documentation and it sounds very positive

No matter what, you will have a fantastic adventure!

 

[Tanks]

...

Will you be making a replica set of the tusks? What becomes of the ivory tusks since you can bring them to the US?

...

You absolutely can bring them to the USA. However, the USFWS is taking their time and would be a couple of years or so if lucky. I have 3 elephants in the permit process.

 

[TOBY458]

You absolutely can bring them to the USA. However, the USFWS is taking their time and would be a couple of years or so if lucky. I have 3 elephants in the permit process.

What's the cost of that look like?

 

[buck wild]

Best of lick- say hi to all the camp staff for us.

Maybe I missed it but North or South Camp?

 

[TOBY458]

Best of lick- say hi to all the camp staff for us.

Maybe I missed it but North or South Camp?

I'm not sure, but I assume we'll start from the main camp.

 

[Tanks]

What's the cost of that look like?

Not exactly sure. I think it is $225 per permit.

 

[TOBY458]

Not exactly sure. I think it is $225 per permit.

Not bad. So just the permit fee and whatever the shipping cost will be I suppose.

 

[Tanks]

Not bad. So just the permit fee and whatever the shipping cost will be I suppose.

Plus the importer's fee and dip and pack at the other end. I would also get the skin panels, feet, ears etc..

I would get a local taxidermist, there are a couple decent ones at Bulawayo to tan the skin as it is cheaper and also weighs 30% less after tanning. They can also hold the tusks for you until the permit comes through.

 

[buck wild]

I'm not sure, but I assume we'll start from the main camp.

Which one is "main camp" ?

And that was Good Luck, not Good Lick in case you were confused

 

[CAustin]

So, as many of you already know, I'm planning to return to the OMAY this year. I had planned a repeat performance of last years hunt for Tuskless Elephant and Cape Buffalo. Then I got to thinking, why not shoot a bull Elephant as well? I've always had an ultimate plan of hunting a bull, but have found myself putting it off for mostly monetary purposes. My wheels started turning while watching multiple Elephant hunting videos, and while reading The Wanderings Of An Elephant Hunter the last couple weeks. Something just told me to go ahead and do it. So I've added a Bull Elephant to my quota for 2023. By pure luck, they had a cancellation just the day before, that opened up this opportunity for me. Right place, right time, I suppose.
The way I see it, I'm already paying the daily rate and flight to get there. And since I plan to do this one day anyway, it will be less expensive to just include it in my current hunt. Just a simple trophy fee, and that's all. Nothing else I wasn't already paying for. So....win win.
Adding a bull to the menu has also added a lot of excitement to the next 5 months of waiting and planning! This is shaping up to be epic!

You are the man. Elephant hunting is now in your blood!

 

[TOBY458]

Which one is "main camp" ?

And that was Good Luck, not Good Lick in case you were confused

The camp with the biggest bar! Lol!

 

[VertigoBE]

So @TOBY458 are you getting closer to your departure date (or you left already?)

 

[TOBY458]

So @TOBY458 are you getting closer to your departure date (or you left already?)

August 7th!

 

[VertigoBE]

August 7th!

Tension is rising!

 

[revturbo9967]

August 7th!

When are you flying back to the states?