What specific Matetsi unit has the best Sable?

It's been 6 years since I hunted Matetsi 6 but there were a lot of sable when I was there.

I saw quite a few that were 40" and took one that was 42"+ and saw several about the same size. I shared the camp with another hunter for the last couple of days of my hunt and he shot one that was right at 44".

There were also quite a few buffalo, some really nice elephants and quite a few leopard and of course there were lions that followed the buffalo.

There weren't a lot of kudu and the impala I saw I would classify as "bait" size.

I thought it was a great place to hunt buff, sable and leopard --- and lion if there was quota.

CLIFT, Your best bet is to have very recent information. A lot can happen within a few months. Although some of those areas were good when I was there in '07, that holds no merit on what's happening now, or later. Zim offers great hunting for Common Sable, just be up to date before you go.
Good hunting,
David

CLIFT,

The whole NW corner of Zim around Hwange park is pretty good sable country not just the Matetsi Units. I took this one at 45+" in Nagamo Sikumi which is a Forestry Area bordering Hwange in '07.

That's a TOAD Mark!

Tim,

Thanks. I took this sable and a 39" eland in 3 days at Ngamo. Great area for those species.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Tim,

Thanks. I took this sable and a 39" eland in 3 days at Ngamo. Great area for those species.

Mark

THAT'S A GOOD EN!!

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
CLIFT,

The whole NW corner of Zim around Hwange park is pretty good sable country not just the Matetsi Units. I took this one at 45+" in Nagamo Sikumi which is a Forestry Area bordering Hwange in '07.

He's a bloody beaut, Mark.

You might try and ask Ron Oliver who sometimes checks in here but is probably in Zim now. A member here may have contact info.

Sable are prevalent throught out Matetsi but the higher concentration is where water is aboundant and where certain grasses are available. Sable are "selective" grassers and only habitat certain areas that can produce the grass they survive on. Thus they are only found in certain parts of Zimbabwe and Africa. Matetsi 5 is one of the better concession areas for sable because of abundant rivers running thought the area. Also Matetsi 5 has 25 miles of open boarder with Hwange National Park where many sable reside and enter Unit 5. Average sable for the last three years have ben about 42" with 44" being the largest taken. I have client that just arrived today for 10 day sable/PG hunt. Unit 5 receives 5 sable tages per year. Photos of past successful hunters can be seen on my website.

I would put The Woodlands above any Matetsi concession I've been on. One herd of 50 sable. Multiple herds of twenty. Bulls everywhere. (I never get tired of seeing sable.)

We hunted Matetsi 4 this past September and saw many 40"+ sable. Indeed, sable, kudu, and elephant (amongst other game) were in abundance. Our PH was Mark Dewet, who is very familiar with this area. He is a superb PH, and we are already planning our third safari with him. Check out his website: www.markdewetsafaris.com

The SADC Tribunal has ruled that Woodlands was one of the Zim properties taken over illegally. If you know any US citizens hunting this property please send me a pm.

I'm one, and the other hunters I saw there last year were American as well. From what I understand there is a little more behind the scenes going-on with The Woodlands than you indicate.

To me it's a broader question though. Anyone hunting Zimbabwe or offering hunts in Zimbabwe are probably supporting BobMug economically to some extent. So, is anyone suggesting we all cease and desist, let the animals have no economic value and be wiped out? I think that is the direction Kenya is going.

I couldn't care less about Zimbabwe politics, and who took what from whom. The history of the world is a continual case of someone taking something from someone else. The history of Africa is one of Whites exploiting Blacks; and Blacks seeking pay-back. Who is right depends on the time-frame you want to select to support your own personal interest.

People talk now about how Islam has become such a dangerous and menacing religion. Pick a different time frame and you have Christianity going into every corner of the world saying "convert, or we'll wipe you off the face of the earth", and then following-up on that threat.

I believe that all you need to know about management philosophy can be learned from Dilbert. I also believe all you need to know about human nature can be learned from watching the Animal Channel. While you're strong you call the shots. When you weaken, you're dinner.

I personally doubt that the Whites will get their land restored in Zimbabwe. I also doubt the "Native Americans" and the Mexicans will ever get California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas back. But who knows, could happen; just not in my lifetime.

Hello Kensco....and I will send your greetings to Mr. Stobbs, whom we will be with next month on the continent. My daughter, grandaughter and I will be there for the month of July as I have the privilege on introducting her to the pleasures of Africa.

In response to you, and the poster just previous to your thoughtful reply, may I only add.......Give little regard or thought to his ongoing verbal drivel. He presents himself as a self-made and self-righteous man, and truly worships his creator. And, I have it on good authority that he is not only dull himself, but is the cause of dullness in others, so do not let yourself be pulled into his rant. I'm afraid the poor fellow has some type of illness....let's hope it is not trivial! For me, he has all the virtues I dislike, and none of the vices I admire. I have noticed on this forum some posters seem to bring happiness wherever they go, he only whenever he goes. The poor fellow truly has delusions of adequacy in this thinking, so do not let him throw you into a tail spin. In fairness to him however, I have come to learn that he has NO enemies on this forum....but is intensely disliked by his friends. I would like to go on....but I will be late for my Sunday School class. Our lesson today is on "esteem others more highly than yourself"....and "if you cannot say something nice, do not say anything at all."
When Insults had Class.

Clift, I hunted Matetsi Unit 2 last year. It was very dry and hot in October. Sable herds were seen daily. I got a 43 inch sable bull, but in 2 weeks he was the biggest we saw. I'm sure that with luck a person could do better, but in Unit 2 it might have to be luck.

Plenty of buff (once again got a 43 incher, but it was the biggest seen in 14 days). You will have a lot to chose from, but the over 40 inch variety is going to be in the top .5 % of the animals there.

Leopard is a hard hunt indeed. Matetsi is not the best place for leopard. I lucked out with a 7 footer, but my hunting buddy spent 14 days with no success.

Big Kudu are getting to be difficult to find too. Water buck can go over 30 inches, but there is no guarantee you'll see one. There are a lot of animals off quota, especially late in the year. Don't get me wrong, you are going to see game like you have never seen before. It will be a thrill, so I'm confident you'll be impressed. Have a great hunt. Bill

The tribunal ruling enables the former owner to pursue judgments in our courts of law against those who have hunted or safari'd on Woodlands. It is a course of action they may or may not take and I am encouraging them to pursue this action just as some farmers have sought justice in the EU courts. The ruling was quite specific that the land has been illegally confiscated.


Coyler, you really have a problem with the Woodlands subject dont you? Why? Worried?

You do not know me or any of my friends. I'm not going to lose sleep or become upset at the dribble coming off your keyboard. Enjoy Sunday School and dont get hit by lightning.

bcolyer

I wish I was going with you. Dean is a good one. I'm always impressed with a PH that has Plan-A, watches it evaporate; goes to Plan-B, watches it go up in smoke; Goes to Plan-C, has it turn south; pulls out Plan-D, and it might as well work, because he's got another one better than that if it doesn't work. I'm not sure which I enjoy more, watching game, or watching good PHs hunting game.

Say hello to Dean for me, and if you like good rum, better bring some, because I think we drank it all. Tell Russell and Sandro hello for me also. Good men all.