Hunt date May3-11, 2011
Participants: SGraves and Tom Y.
Location: Several areas in Northern Belize
Lodging: Maya Kingdom Lodge at Altun Ha
Game hunted: River water-Buffalo, red brocket deer, Warrie (white-lipped peccary) Gibnut (paca). The water buffalo were originally brought in to Belize about 30 years ago for milk and meat production, but some have escaped or been released into the wild. Some still had ear-tags.
Game taken: buffalo, red-brocket
Game or tracks seen: coatimundi, tapir tracks, jaguar tracks, Warrie, currasow
Weapons used: Mostly old singleshot shotguns, but an old bolt action .270 rifle for buffalo
Other activities: fishing for freshwater tarpon in ponds (hooked and lost several in 5-10 lb range), trolling and bait fishing for a variety of fish (only caught small snapper and 'cuda), snorkeling at the reef with sharks and rays. Viewing the Mayan ruins at tourist sites, and finding Mayan ruins while hunting.

The hunting and fishing opportunities were provided by David Hill from his lodge at Maya Kingdom. He is not a PH, and does not accompany folks on the hunts. He is a Facilitator, Naturalist and Entrepeneur. He will arrange for your license and hire locals to provide the services, and get you to where they will pick you up. There were times where not enough food, cooking/eating utensils, sleeping pads, or ammo were present. They are just getting started and David will, of course, need to make sure that future hunters' basic needs are met at every camp. At present, there do not appear to be any other operators offering these hunting services.
Everyday was strenuous, but usually enjoyable.
Buffalo

Landy and Kevin with Tom and me



Red Brocket, taken under a fruit tree

David and son Andre


Altun Ha, touristy Mayan ruins


Maya Kingdom


Transportation


Boa


Shore lunch


boat---Derek and Santana


Mayan ruins in the jungle. Tom and me.


Jungle camp. Tom and Kevin.


Mauricio cooking fish for breakfast. No plates or eating utensils.



Buffalo


Jaguar track. There were tracks at every water hole. Most of the local hunters we talked with had killed jaguars. Jaguars were a problem on most of the cattle ranches we visited.


Stream crossing


Hunter's quarters


Looking for buff


Scorpion--note drop of poison on tip of stinger

More pix later. Need to get the underwater photos developed.

I had no idea you could even hunt in Belize...pretty cool stuuff.

Beautiful Red Brocket Deer!!!

Congratulations!

PH

very unique exploratory hunt. Congratulations.

Very cool hunt, Steve.

Good to know tha You had a succefully hunt there, amazing brokeed deer, nice bull with a special look, a really wild place, thanks for share with Us, I hope You visit our loved Patagonia some day (Take a look lates C. Boddingtong book, "Big Game Argentina" and will see the places ) I toke a nice red stag last season in La Pampa, soon my report, on September a Pronghorn Hunt and maybe Nilgai if I can affort it. K. R. Guille

Very nice. I'm glad you had a good hunt!

Congrats on your hunt. I really enjoyed the pics!


Mad Dog

Looks like you had fun DOC

Most unusual and interesting. Thanks for introducing us to something completely different.

An interesting and unusual place. See the May 2011 Hunting Report, p. 16, where conflicting reports on this outfitter are discussed.

Grandpa's Balls. Two seeds in each side. Edible.




Carlton, Kevin's brother


Fish on a stick



Bomba town


Entrance to Hunter's quarters. No upstairs bathrooms. OK for men, but not for ladies.

quote:

Originally posted by blanco county:
An interesting and unusual place. See the May 2011 Hunting Report, p. 16, where conflicting reports on this outfitter are discussed.

blanco, yes, this is an important report to read before considering this hunt.

I would be hesitant to recommend this hunt to anyone else. It is over-priced, and under-prepared.

Steve,
Dude, you are my hero! Really cool hunt and I am glad you had success! I, also, read the mixed reports in this month's Hunting Report. So you actually shot the buff with a .270? Man, guess it was a better option than a single shot shotgun! I would love to hear the story one day!

Incredible adventure im jealous ,you have had so many intersting expeditions thats its great to chat with you in the campfire as we did .Thnaks for sharing with us .Juan

Few picts from near the coral reef

What a hell of an adventure Steve! Looks like you made it happen under extreme conditions, congrats to you and Tom! Did you get to shoot any of the game birds?
David

Guille,
I must get to Patagonia for red stag, and to meet you. I will look for your report on your hunt.
Juan,
thanks. They were kind enough not to give me any Fernet when I was thirsty, only beer. You may have seen the pix I posted in the hog hunting Forum--now I have whitetails, hogs, and bear (at least occasionally) out my front door. Plus coyotes, raccoon, oppossum, and fox!!

David,
a couple of currasow almost gave me shots, but not quite. Didn't see any oscellated turkey, but they are there.

This is an interesting report. I had no idea that Belize was open for sport hunting.

Twenty years ago I was based there for six months with the British Army and spent many weeks in the jungle, on patrol along the Maya Mountains on the south of the country. Huge snakes and creepy crawlies everywhere. Some rough country and damn hot work carrying all your gear on your back for weeks at a time.

We hunted whatever we could for fresh rations, including various monkeys and wild pigs. Never saw any feral buffalo though.

Thanks for sharing the pictures and story.

quote:

Originally posted by Deerdogs:
This is an interesting report. I had no idea that Belize was open for sport hunting.

Twenty years ago I was based there for six months with the British Army and spent many weeks in the jungle, on patrol along the Maya Mountains on the south of the country. Huge snakes and creepy crawlies everywhere. Some rough country and damn hot work carrying all your gear on your back for weeks at a time.

We hunted whatever we could for fresh rations, including various monkeys and wild pigs. Never saw any feral buffalo though.

Richard,
the fellow who originally imported the buffalo was trying to grow his herd at that time. He essentially gave up, at least as I understand, and has been trying to get rid of the buffalo.
Those howler monkeys can make the scariest dang noises to awaken to!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdnwLX5m3G8

Steve....thanks for sharing your story and the fine photos. I spent some time in Belize a few years ago. A good friend had moved there to a beautiful home on the beach on Ambergis Quay...about 300 yards from the reef. And I did get to that ruin as well.

Your brocket deer is a beauty and one I would like to take some day in Argentina. I am thinking about going back next March for stag.
(Heading back July 11 but more for a visit than hunting.)

I would do that hunt... Can never have too many adventures !!! Good on you !!!