What do you folks think is the best area to hunt sable? Who would you go with? I would like to hear the stories from those of you who have hunted them.

I would have to say Matatsi in Zim, near Vic Falls. I hunted sable there last summer, we saw groups of 10-15 almost daily. I got a nice 43" one during the first week, after being able to look over quite a few. The taxidermist called this morning to tell me it was ready to pick up. I had it done into a pedestal mount. Can't wait to get it home! One shot, 125 yds, in the shoulder, 375 H & H, dropped like a rock.

I agree with the Matetsi. Also good is the Gwaai River area, particularly in areas near or bordering the parks, Sikumi, Nagamo and Hwange. The current status of these areas, however, is rather muddled at this time and I can't say for sure. If Zambia was to be available, the Molubesi area has a fine reputation for big sable. Ray, Keith, Jim Dodd or Wendell would know better what the present situation is.

We hunted the Gwayi Conservancy last August and saw huge herds of sable. Once I counted over 50 sable in an open area along a riverbank. Most were cows and young bulls.

Groups of 10-15 came to the waterhole in front of camp on several occasions.

My son shot a decent 39 inch bull and we saw quite a few over 40". No "monsters" but nevertheless some very fine animals.

I believe Ann is booking into this area (the portion we hunted was seized and is not yet back in the owner's possession) and the rates and fees are generally pretty reasonable.

I have them in the Gwayi and also Chiredzi. Two different outfitters.

Zimbabwe is the way to go as Zambia is very expensive. I saw an honest 46 or 47incher in mulobezi in 2000. At that time it would have cost 5500 gma fees, 2500 trophy fees, and a minium 14 days to shoot one there. Works well if your shooting cats as you can dilute the gma fees. KEITH aTCHESON SHOT A BIG ONE THERE in about 1999.

I'll add my voice to the recommendations for the Gwayi Valley area of Zim.

We saw plenty of nice sable there last year.

But still, there's only one way to guarantee that you'll see a 44" trophy within easy shooting range:

Shoot a 40" early in the hunt.

Rick.

Mike,

I saw your post about sable. I think the advice your recieving about the Matetsi area in Zim is correct. The best Sable in Zim have almost always come from this area. My brother shot one there years ago with Peter Johnstone that was 43-44 inches as I recall. Roy Vincent is in that area and is very good.

However, to your question as to the best area, it has got to be in Zambia and specifically, the Mulobezi/Sichafulu areas bordering the south end of Kafue Park. Let me tell you there are BIG sable there. Mamba mentioned I shot a good one in 99. He is correct and I can also say that I saw several in the 45 - 47 class and missed one that was nearly 50 inches. I'd love to have that shot again. 300 yards with my .416 was a push. The problem with them in Zambia is that it is very expensive. In order to hunt them you must book a Classic Safari which is 16 days or longer to get the Sable lic. It also allows you to hunt everything else ie. Cats, Roan etc.....
I've been trying to find out who ended up with this area after the 2 years closure in Zam. and I think it is part of a few areas that are being hotly contested as to who should get the hunting rights. The day rate is probably $800 - $1200 per day and you must also pay a fee of approx. $6500 as an "area fee" to the gov. plus trophy fees which for sable are approx. $2500 - $3000. Plus charters etc....... So it is alot of extra $$$ for 4 - 8 inches more of horn. BUT, this is the best place I'm aware of.

Thanks Keith. I new it was more expensive but I sure didnt know it was that much more. I think I will stick with Zim. I want a monster just like anyone else but I do have to be practical at times. Hell I could shoot 2 or 3 in Zim for that amount. Oh well I guess I will have to keep buying those lottery tickets.

Metitsi is a great area, but the most overlooked and a fantastic area is the Chinoyi and Doma area..I have seen a few 46 and 47 inch sable come out of Chinhoyi along with some giant Kudu...I still think there are some great Sable in small pockets of isolated areas in Mozambique and a few plus 70 inchers came out of that area..

I better clarify the above that is 70 inch Kudu in Mozambique.

Ray, Im glad you clarified that. It did give me an interesting mental picture.

I just shot a 42 inch 2 weeks ago in Matetsi unit 5. I saw lots of bulls over 40 this year. We were talking about the trophy quality this year over the past few years in the area and how it improved. When my PH leased the concession in 98 anything over 40 was very good and now its average. I spoke to the Guy who measures and ages the trophys at Parks for the area, he said the largest sable last year was 44.

Mana Pools area in N Zim (Zambezi valley) has good sable. We saw many, a few over 40", while hunting lion and buffalo. You can fly in and out, private airstrip 5 miles from camp. Contact me if interested.