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Did you ever notice how baboons make grown men do stupid things they would never do in a million years if they were hunting in the States for say...rabbits? I'll tell a couple of funny (I think anyway) stories involving 'boons on my hunt a week or so ago in the Save Conservancy with my ol' pal, Buzz Charlton. Now those of you who think you know the Buzzer well probably picture him as the consumate Zimbabwean PH. Clipped Rhodesian accent, polite as hell, movie star good looks...well, don't let that fool you! The guy is a dyed in the wool gambling addict! On the third day of our safari we were just cruising along the Mkwusine River taking it all in. It was cool and bright that morning without a breath of wind to rustle the mopane leaves. The kind of morning where every bend in the road promises a big 60" kudu bull just standing there with his ladies, waiting to be shot! Well, those in the know do their serious baboon shooting in Zimbabwe...I've never seen so many in one country before. I think half of them carry ZANU-PF cards...that's why they are tolerated! We make a bend in the road and are staring at a huge Battileur Eagle perched in a tree. Beautiful birds, so I hop off the 'cruiser for a photo op. After snapping a few pix I walk back to the truck and Buzz and the guys are staring up on one of the many kopjes or gomos as they are called in Shona. Seems a troop of 'boons are taking in the early morning sunshine as well, way up on top of the kopje. Buzz smiles a funny little grin and asks if I would like to have some fun. Who could resist? "Russell if you can shoot one of those baboons off the top of the kopje, you're next safari is on the house" said the Buzzer. "Hmmmmmmm. Think he means it?" I fall into my best Clark Gable swagger and call out in Swahili "toa bondouki .300". Royal looks as me as if I'm speaking pig latin which I might as well have been. "Oh just hand me my gun", I mutter. After resting my rifle on a rock, cranking the Swaro up to 12, and nestleing down into my backpack, I'm thinking this is doable. The crosshairs are steady as a rock. The bobo isn't really that small in the scope. No wind. O.K. I can do this...and then I have a huge brain fart and say to Buzz..."if I hit him, you pay the trophy fee"! I just let the guy off the hook for a FREE SAFARI! Those words would come back to haunt me. I tell Buzz and Michael, my videographer on the trip, that I am going to take the 'boon on the left halfway up a tree growing on top of the kopje. We estimate him at 350 meters. The crosshairs settle just on the top of his head...the trigger squeeze is oh so gentle...CRACK...the baboon tumbles down the tree and do I hear a chorus of ooohhhs and aaahhhs? Hell no. Buzz and Michael laughingly tell me I've missed. Bugger that...let's see the video. In watching the video it seems they were watching a different baboon than the one I shot however, you could see my boy drop out of the tree in the upper right of the screen. "Damn that was close" muttered Buzz as the boys head up to collect my prize. "I'll gladly pay the $50" says Buzz shaking my hand, "you let me off the hook for a free hunt on that one"! And so goes the story of the most expensive free baboon I ever shot...... I'll post photos of the wretched beast when Hunt101 is available again. Stay tuned for the next installment of "The camp baboon meets his unlucky fate"... Cheers for now! On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | ||
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Wrong critter, huh? I wonder how many times that's happened to hunters over the long years? I guess you gave him a scare, don't think he'll make that offer again.   Lo do they call to me, They bid me take my place among them in the Halls of Valhalla, Where the brave may live forever. | |||
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bwanamrm, Sounds like you had a great hunt with Buzz! I look foward to the pics & story. Regards, Dave | |||
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try photobucket.com DB Bill aka Bill George | |||
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DB Bill, Photobucket it is! Here's the unfortunate beast!  On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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bwana, Why are you holding up that end for us to look at?   | |||
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Bwanamrm, Great story, thanks I'm getting ready for work and needed a waker-upper!!! I missed my baboon this year, sure wish I had that shot to do again!! LOL Seeya! Joe | |||
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Good point 500! Now, no comparisons on who you would rather meet in a bar...  On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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That photo shows why it may be important to get a rabies vaccine and carry a first aid kit. | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting Ramblings from my Hunt in the Save with Buzz Charlton
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