ZIMBABWE: My 10 Day Buffalo & Plains Game Hunt With Sango Safari's

[drew416]

Bobpukett,

I am afraid there is not much to report. I hunted in Namibia in May for twenty three days, walked my legs off. The longest distant we walked this trip in a day were 36.7 Kms (22.8 miles) after a lone bull, but his tusks were small. There was one night that a big old bull came one meter closed to my tent for water in the toilet bowl. I woke up by the noise the old bull broke off some branches and I had to shout to make him go away. I told Felix early that morning and we did take his track. We caught up with him after two hours. He was a very old bull in sixty pounds class.

We saw an old bull with one tusk that would easily make 80 lbs, four more bulls over 70 lbs and several bulls over 60-65 lbs, mostly in the first half of the safari. I had only one permit this year, so I was holding off for my hundred pounder. My plan was to come back again in November if I did not see what I wanted. However, I could feel that Felix had enough of me already, so I ended up shot a bull with a very long pair of tusks in 60 lbs class on the second to the last day. I did shoot an old roan too.

A client that came after me shot a nice old bull though. Felix wrote me :
" The bull weighed left tusk 86.1 and right tusk 84.3. Measurements are: left tusk length 193cm; circumference 51.4. Right tusk length 184cm
Circumference 52cm." A happy hunter.

Off to Zim in October.

O.k. since you are going off topic in my thread, I would like to add that I was charged down by a matriarch cow during an Eland stalk. I, in fact none of us, had permits for Elephant, but I stood my ground knowing the 400gn Woodleigh Hydrostatic Solid that was just cycled into my chamber would have done the trick.

Again it was our PH's intervention and shouting that saved me a Zim Gaol sentence. It was then I had time to snap a very quick pic. View attachment 21845

 

[BRICKBURN]

O.k. since you are going off topic in my thread, I would like to add that I was charged down by a matriarch cow during an Eland stalk. I, in fact none of us, had permits for Elephant, but I stood my ground knowing the 400gn Woodleigh Hydrostatic Solid that was just cycled into my chamber would have done the trick.

Again it was our PH's intervention and shouting that saved me a Zim Gaol sentence. It was then I had time to snap a very quick pic. View attachment 21845

Exciting, but something you wish to avoid for sure.

Glad you snapped a picture.

 

[drew416]

Exciting, but something you wish to avoid for sure.

Glad you snapped a picture.

Exciting? Hell yes!
Glad you snapped a picture? You bet, even though it was very rushed!
Something I wished to avoid? Hell NO! Even if I wasn't allowed to shoot, this is what makes a hunt a SAFARI!
but i had total confidence in my PH, my firearm, my load, and my ability to use it if the sh*t hit the fan.
I now believe that is what gives a person the "Ten Foot Tall and Bullet Proof" syndrome?

 

[Stan-Elephant Trail]

So sorry, drew416.

I am very certain your 400gn Hydro would stop anything on its track. I also have Hydro on my .458 Lott.

 

[drew416]

So sorry, drew416.

I am very certain your 400gn Hydro would stop anything on its track. I also have Hydro on my .458 Lott.

That is quite alright Mr Stan- I am certain we are all gentlemen, at heart, on this board.

The Woodleigh Hydros were used in my .416 Rem Mag to finally take down my Eland through the thick Mopane'. Nothing other than a military "Armour Piercing" round can match their straight line performance.

 

[enysse]

You are right not too many people hunt with a 8mm Rem Mag, it's a highly underrate gun. I'm glad your .416 Rem got some action in Africa!


Stan, thanks for the elephant report! Just keep hunting, enjoy the journey, you will get that big one.

 

[Bobpuckett]

Bobpukett,

I am afraid there is not much to report. I hunted in Namibia in May for twenty three days, walked my legs off. The longest distant we walked this trip in a day were 36.7 Kms (22.8 miles) after a lone bull, but his tusks were small. There was one night that a big old bull came one meter closed to my tent for water in the toilet bowl. I woke up by the noise the old bull broke off some branches and I had to shout to make him go away. I told Felix early that morning and we did take his track. We caught up with him after two hours. He was a very old bull in sixty pounds class.

We saw an old bull with one tusk that would easily make 80 lbs, four more bulls over 70 lbs and several bulls over 60-65 lbs, mostly in the first half of the safari. I had only one permit this year, so I was holding off for my hundred pounder. My plan was to come back again in November if I did not see what I wanted. However, I could feel that Felix had enough of me already, so I ended up shot a bull with a very long pair of tusks in 60 lbs class on the second to the last day. I did shoot an old roan too.

A client that came after me shot a nice old bull though. Felix wrote me :
" The bull weighed left tusk 86.1 and right tusk 84.3. Measurements are: left tusk length 193cm; circumference 51.4. Right tusk length 184cm
Circumference 52cm." A happy hunter.

Off to Zim in October.

Thanks Stan be sure to give us a report when you get back with lots of pics, you know how I love being there on the hunt with you.

Drew416 I've been hearing a lot about the Woodleigh Hydros lately I've never used Woodleigh before I'm going to get some and try them out they seem to be the ticket for heavy brush.

 

[drew416]

Thanks Stan be sure to give us a report when you get back with lots of pics, you know how I love being there on the hunt with you.

Drew416 I've been hearing a lot about the Woodleigh Hydros lately I've never used Woodleigh before I'm going to get some and try them out they seem to be the ticket for heavy brush.

Good morning Mr Bobpuckett,
Here in Australia we are some what limited to the very wide variety of goodies on offer that we see advertised and read reviews of in the North American market, pretty much the same as our African brethren but not as bad off.
I use the 400gn Hydros in my Winchester Model 70 Safari Express in .416Rem Magand they feed no worries. Different story with the 170gn Hydro. They won't feed in my 8mm Rem Mag 700 BDL, no matter how much I played with seating depth.
Woodleigh now offer their "capped" Hydros to alleviate this problem. Only problem for me is that they would rather fill the overseas market before they will sell or make them available to me! Can't say that I blame them as we( as local's) are a mere drop in the ocean compared to the export demand.
Photo attached is Eland's lung after through/ through shoulder shot in thick bush by 416 RM using 400gn hydro.

 

[Bobpuckett]

Good morning Mr Bobpuckett,
Here in Australia we are some what limited to the very wide variety of goodies on offer that we see advertised and read reviews of in the North American market, pretty much the same as our African brethren but not as bad off.
I use the 400gn Hydros in my Winchester Model 70 Safari Express in .416Rem Magand they feed no worries. Different story with the 170gn Hydro. They won't feed in my 8mm Rem Mag 700 BDL, no matter how much I played with seating depth.
Woodleigh now offer their "capped" Hydros to alleviate this problem. Only problem for me is that they would rather fill the overseas market before they will sell or make them available to me! Can't say that I blame them as we( as local's) are a mere drop in the ocean compared to the export demand.
Photo attached is Eland's lung after through/ through shoulder shot in thick bush by 416 RM using 400gn hydro.

View attachment 21852

No doubt they can do the job, all that damage and after going through the brush and shoulder of an Eland, Wow! thanks for the pic

 

[firehuntfish]

Drew416,
Congrats on some great trophies...!

I'm sorry to hear that it took a bribe to get through customs/immigration. It infuriates me to hear that kind of stuff. These idiots in the government are biting the very hands that feed them. They are so ignorant to the fact that the sport hunting industry is one of their best imcome resources and this is what they choose to do with it...

It's sad for Zim and very omenous for other African countries following in those footsteps...

 

[Nyati]

Congrats for a great hunt and amazing trophies.

Thanks for sharing !

 

[gi jane]

I agree Nyati! Excellent trophies Drew!! That buff makes me lose my breath and salivate.. Damn I want to go on a buff hunt again, I just don't know if I could handle the anxiety!!
I hope Craig R. will see this thread, he's a fine PH and a good man for sure.. My father and I were privileged to have met him. Whilst we were there in that camp, he also rescued a buffalo calf from the mud. He came back at lunch-time covered in black sludge, exhausted but triumphant... Twas a great experience to be a party to Mr. R and his wonderful client. I wish I could write a book about that hunt... Especially the caviar...




That zebra is spectacular!! One in a million. I can't stop looking at that pic.

 

[Bobpuckett]

O.k. since you are going off topic in my thread, I would like to add that I was charged down by a matriarch cow during an Eland stalk. I, in fact none of us, had permits for Elephant, but I stood my ground knowing the 400gn Woodleigh Hydrostatic Solid that was just cycled into my chamber would have done the trick.

Again it was our PH's intervention and shouting that saved me a Zim Gaol sentence. It was then I had time to snap a very quick pic. View attachment 21845

Hey drew some of these pics aren't loading please try again I would love to see the old gal.

 

[gi jane]

Yes, I am dying to see that elephant pic..

 

[drew416]

View attachment 21877

Hey drew some of these pics aren't loading please try again I would love to see the old gal.

 

[gi jane]

Hi Drew, still a no-go on that attachment thus far, maybe try and upload it to "member galleries"and let us know if you do? I'm sure Mr. Jerome can fix it, looking forward to seeing it..

 

[drew416]

Hi Drew, still a no-go on that attachment thus far, maybe try and upload it to "member galleries"and let us know if you do? I'm sure Mr. Jerome can fix it, looking forward to seeing it..

Thanks for the advice. I am having alot of trouble uploading images, it is both an operator and equipment problem.
Advice followed, please tell me if you can see them in the "members galleries" section now?

 

[gi jane]

Hi Drew!! I tried but to no avail. It could be my own sorry-ass. I have a crappy internet connection (I live in BFE, Colorado). In addition, I am not so good with photo attachments (hahaha, and I am a photographer, but I am old school) and the tech regarding digital photog. I just take blind chances and pretend that I know what I'm doing.... Any of you fine gentleman/ladies on this thread have any recommendations? I am jonesing to see that cow pic...

Regar
Jane

 

[drew416]

Hi Drew!! I tried but to no avail. It could be my own sorry-ass. I have a crappy internet connection (I live in BFE, Colorado). In addition, I am not so good with photo attachments (hahaha, and I am a photographer, but I am old school) and the tech regarding digital photog. I just take blind chances and pretend that I know what I'm doing.... Any of you fine gentleman/ladies on this thread have any recommendations? I am jonesing to see that cow pic...




Regards
Jane

It should be in the Members Gallery section. I presume it is there with a picture of my stripped horse,er- Zebra, and a good Impala. It's not much of a photo of the Cow, but then again the whole incident happened in what seemed an instant.

 

[gi jane]

Ok, looking but I suck at this... The impala is very fine! All of your trophies are excellent!! You gave all of your beasts an honorable demise and you treated them with respect... I admire and respect your motivation. Good work
Remember these comments are coming from a woman/vegetarian/liberal/beginner huntress. I learn fast (except the photo uploading thingy).


Cheers!
Jane