OK so the Sable thread got me thinking.... Got me thinking that I want one! Is there anyone in Zambia who is considered the best for Sable? I would like to go on a Sable, Leopard, PG Safari with maybe a buff for good measure.

Does Zambia have good Leopard? Are the Sable really that much bigger in Zambia then Zim? In the SCI book the top 45 ranked sable are dominated by Zambia but most were taken prior to 1990. The Most recent one that made it was from Zim (Omay) at 36th with both horns just past 45.5" taken in 7/98. The most recent before that were three in 97, one from TZ, one from Zambia and one from Zim.

I guess what I am asking is;

How much bigger is the average Sable taken recently in Zambia then in Zimbabwe? Zambia, from what I have seen, is substantially more expensive then Zim. Is it worth the money? Have the Sable in Zim been poached badly in the last few years?

I would be interested to see what percentage of sable taken in Zambia make RW each year when compared with Zim (or other countries).

Bulldog, from what I have seen from friends the sable in Zambia are definately bigger than anywhere else. Have not been to Zambia but have hunted Zim and TZ. Not hard to get a 45+ sable in Zambia from what I have seen. Only guy I know there is SwanScan. You are right, it is not cheap but Sable are getting expensive fast so if you want a good one, time is your enemy. You can certainly get a good rep. trophy in Zimbabwe as I have but the big boys IMO are in Zambia.

there are some big sable in both places. matetsi in zim has always had the rep for big sable, but poaching and uncle bob are destroying the resource. Zam. in places , isn't as populated and is much behind zim. so the hunt pressure isn't as great. This relates to animal size usually, however when it comes to leopard, if you really want a big leopard, you go to the loveld in zim. cost in zam are going to run much much higher than zim. If you really want a 45" sable, you'd better plan on multiple trips anywhere. Any sable over 40 is exceptional. In 9 trips I've seen but one sable in the 45" category and I shot him. RW requires a 42" minimum, so you can see what percentage chance you will have for a really big one. buff. in both places are about the same. I don't think the buff i've shot in zim are any better than the ones i shot in zam, and visa-versa.

Talk to Swan/Scan about Mulobasi and Mumbwa GMA's. The sable are magnificent and also great Leopard. I was in Mumbwa this summer with them. I hunted with Dave Rademeyer. Great PH. He says that Mulobasi has the biggest Sable in Africa.

Sprig

bulldog563 /

In Zambia, unfortunately the very big sable we had on our ranch has been taken, measured 46.75 ... We do have sable but nothing near that size left I dont think, although there are some nice ones if you are not too tape measure concious !!

Also we have Leopard and cape buff is our speciality .. Leopard are not guaranteed, but can be tried for

Tell me the (best Zambia offer) you can get for Sable Buff Leopard + plains game as add on to hunt and if you are interested in a RANCH hunt MAYBE I can give you a competitive price, although we all know that price is not everything ..

Good luck

Peter

Bulldog,

I'll be hunting in Zambia this year for Sable, Sitatunga, Buffalo, etc. I'll be with Hunters and Guides. They have the Kasonsa concession on the NW corner adjoining Kafue Park.

In 2004 they shot a 50" sable. If you are in Reno speak to Gavin Hume or John Oosthuisen in their booth.

Bryan

PM me for more info on them as this will be my 3rd safari with Hunters and Guides

Mulobezi in Zambia does have huge sable. i was there in 2000 and saw a couple over 45 but couldnt afford to shoot one. At that time you had to book 14 days and pay a govt 5000 dollar gma fee for sable, roan or cats. I was on a ten day buffalo safari and that sable would have cost an extra 12,000 dollars when you added the trophy fee. Shot a nice 40 incher in Zim last year and Im very happy with it.

Talk to Leopard Ridge Safaris. They book through Sporting International in Houston.

I hope it is Johnny Duplooy's Muchinga Adventures.