Where in Zim to go for a Full Bag?

26 July 2007, 04:17

bulldog563

I have a 21 day safari booked in the Selous for 2009. Have been thinking about other options just in case the new fees stick. Zim seems like the best second choice when looking for a Big 4/PG for a few reasons.

By full bag I mean Bull Elephant (45 pounds plus, preferably plus), Lion, Leopard, Tuskless Elephant, Buffalo(bull and cow), Hippo, Croc, Sable, PG (most interested in good Kudu, Bushbuck, Nyala, Grysbok, Waterbuck, Bushpig, Warthog).

So, Where in Zimbabwe would you go for the above safari? Where would give the best chance for success on most of the DG(especially Elephant and Lion) species plus good sable and PG. Would like somewhere where getting close to the Elephant/Buffalo/etc is a real option. Some species will be (spot/stalk) bow hunted. Good fishing nearby is a plus.

Who has the best record for successful full bag hunts?

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26 July 2007, 08:53

bulldog563

quote:
Originally posted by bwanamrm:
For a full bagger I would contact Chifuti Safaris and try to line up a hunt in Chewore North. Good outfit, I took three of the big five there in May of this year. Also saw quite a few lion and ellie bulls on the hunt. See my post on African Hunting Reports for details. Good hunting!

How were the tuskers and did you see any mature Male Lions?

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26 July 2007, 18:34

bulldog563

quote:
Originally posted by L. David Keith:
When I was in Matetsi back in February, Unit 1 had been "bought at auction" by a new owner. Things were changing a little even then. We stayed the night in one of the best camps but met with the new owner in Bulawayo later. It will be interesting to see how that unit turns out. LDK

Changing for the better or worse?

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26 July 2007, 21:55

yukon delta

You will probably need to relocate at least once during your hunt to have good chances at your whole list. I know for a fact that there are a good number of elephant, leopard, sable, buff, croc and hippo in the Makuti area near Kariba.

Of course, I will say that Charlton McCallum Safaris is a great option and many others here like them as well. Read some of the recent hunt reports about them.

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27 July 2007, 00:06

bwanamrm

quote:
How were the tuskers and did you see any mature Male Lions?

Bulldog,
The best bull I saw carried approximately 40 pounds but Dave Fulson killed a 52 next door in Sapi a couple of weeks after I left. They also killed a couple of 50's in Chewore North before I arrived. These are EXCEPTIONS though and I would not pass a nice 40 pound bull holding out for something bigger unless my PH so advised.

I also saw three different lion just riding through the concession. I saw many lioness's and cubs. Lion sightings were almost a daily occurence.

quote:
You will probably need to relocate at least once during your hunt to have good chances at your whole list.

I disagree with this statement. I saw everything you listed in Chewore North including tigerfishing in the Zambezi River. I even saw an nyala bull along the Chewore River but the quota is very limited so you will have to request this very early to be successful. This is why I mentioned Chifuti and the Sapi and Chewore North concessions. You may not get everything on your list (that is fair chase hunting!) but you would have the opportunity.

Omay may be a longshot... it is on Kariba but remember it is a communal area and is pounded hard, especially PG.

Just my $.02 worth.

27 July 2007, 01:49

Africa Hunting Safaris, Inc.

Hi Bulldog,

I can assist with the big 4 in Zimbabwe. I have arranged bowhunts for Chuck Adams, Pete Shepley, Randy Walk, Garry Bogner, 2 presidents of Dallas Safari Club, to name a few. From elephant down. Leave next month for 3 back to back elephant/buffalo/leopard hunts in Matetsi 5 as as well as Cawston Ranch. 3 TV shows filming. One with Pete Shepley. I have 7 other dangerous game with bow scheduled between now and end of year. I have one lion and buffalo for this year if you can make it. Lion is VERY affordable. I have been doing BH in Africa for 15 years. Visit my website.

Good luck and regards,

RON OLIVER
830-336--3345
234 W. Bandera Rd 310
Boerne, TX 78006
www.Africahs@aol.com
www.Africahs.com

27 July 2007, 04:31

Lightning

I truly believe in the end you will have better success by not mixing elephant hunting with cat hunting. 21 days is too short of a time and you very easily could end up running around and not giving yourself the proper time to hunt the each species properly. Just food for thought. Lion hunting, Leopard, and buff go hand and hand. Buffalo is great lion bait.

27 July 2007, 04:53

N E 450 No2

Lightening has a valid point.

Cat hunting is very labor intensive, shooting and hanging and checking bait.

Elephant and buff hunting is also time consuming.

I would recommend you at least have another "car" with people that can go out and check your baits every morning so you can spend that time hunting.

My first safari was 21 days... to short. my second was 30 and my last 35 hunting days.

The more days the better.

Of course you might just get lucky. On my last Safari I hunted 15 days in Cheowore South and got a buff, elephant and a lion.

Elephant makes good lion bait too, even though I did not shoot my lion over bait.

I could have shot a leopard off of a lion bait one morning, but we did not want to spook the lion if he was nearby, so we let the leopard go.

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27 July 2007, 06:54

Africa Hunting Safaris, Inc.

Bulldog,
On the other hand, with Pete Shepley in Zambia, he killed lion, leopard, hippo, croc,#1 Puku and others...all with a bow in 21 days. In Zim last year client killed buffalo, leopard and hippo in 14 days..with bow. Other killed buff and leopard in 12 days. Just depends where, when and with who, I guess. Of course execution is important.

Regards,