As for the next five days, to make a long story just a bit shorter, neither Jim nor I shot another buffalo. I got on a big mid 40s dagga boy that was traveling with two others but didn’t get a shot. We got on them twice before they ran but the big bull was covered up both times by the others. We kept tracking them, hoping for a third opportunity, but it started raining like a cow pissing on a rock and the tracks were obliterated. We then radioed for the Cruiser and drove around the area in the rain but never saw them again. I did turn down several 37”-40” bulls but I’ve got bulls like that and was looking for something well into the 40s.
Jim shot another baboon to add to his skull collection. We never did see a bigger elephant than the one he shot but the last hunter of the year that flew in when we left shot an 80 pounder.
My final thoughts about the area is that it’s a fantastic area for four of the Big Five, especially leopards and elephants. We saw three leopards just driving around. The big leopard that hit the bait close to camp did come back later. I could have shot it the last week of the safari for $30k. Mike took three elephant bulls in 2022 over 100 pounds, although one was a a single tusker. This year, I think he took four over 80 pounds. As for buffalo, one hunter this year took a 45” and a 48”. The Russian before us took a 42”. As for lion, I didn’t mention it in my report but we did see two other lion sightings - one of a pride and another was a lioness with two cubs. We had another nice male we kept hearing but never saw him - only tracks. Mike is usually 100% on the two lions on quota each year. A lot of well-known hunters have hunted Maswa North - Shockey, etc… Next year, a Sultan from a Middle Eastern country is hunting in October.
If I had a more flexible schedule, I would go in October but there’s probably not a bad time to hunt, except December - too wet!
I want to thank my hunting partner, Jim. Without him splitting the cost of this hunt with me, I couldn’t have done it. I also want to thank Wendy for putting up with my hunting addiction. Thank you to Mike Fell. Mike is always in a good mood and fun to hunt with and talk to. I look forward to seeing him at SCI. Mike and Talal might be getting another Maswa area in the next couple years and that would be exciting.
Thanks to all of you for your kind comments and support. I love reading your reports as well.
Now, on to a rhino hunt to complete my Big 5!