Just a quick report on my recent hunt. I have returned home tired, with a terrible cold and trying to get a merger closed at work, so time has been short. That said, I wanted to give a brief report. Bottom line, we had a great hunt and I really enjoyed my time with Buzz and the team. Let's start with The Bad . . .

The Bad . . .

We were unsuccessful in connecting on shumba. We saw lots of lion, had several males on bait, tracked several others, but just never got to the point of pulling the trigger. It was disappointing but Buzz and I can both say that we gave it 110%. Several males that we saw early in the hunt we would have shot later in the hunt, but they were not to be found at that stage. That's hunting.

The Good . . .

We were successful in taking hippo, elephant, buffalo, duiker, bushbuck, grysbuk, hyena, impala, kudu and baboon. The hunt was a tale of two parts. The early part of the hunt was extremely eventful, the latter part of the hunt was a struggle as we became solely focused on the lion.













It was also good to see the team again, particularly Criton after his run in with an elephant earlier this season. This was Criton's first hunt since the accident and I have to say that his recovery has been nothing short of amazing:





The Ugly . . .

The mopane flies and teste flies were their usual pain in the butt. I was also surprised to see that in light of Buzz's recently becoming a father and his upcoming marriage that he has taken on a couple of "little houses" in camp:




I will post a more complete report in the next several weeks as time permits.

Mike-
Welcome home! I've been waiting for your report.
What's the story on the non-trophy tusked elephant?
Monster grysbuk.
Wonderful to see Criton back in action.

The buffalo is tremendous. Good hunt.

Welcome back Mike. Sorry the Lion didn't work out. I was pulling for you! Looks like you guys had a great hunt other than that. Which double did you use for the ele and buff?

Mike

Congrats on blooding both of those rifles! You guys will just have to give it another go on lion. As I have always heard, it appears Buzz has thought of everything for these 3 week Safaris.

Many Thanks
Brett

Welcome back Mike, that's a gnarly looking Buff there, congratulations.

That is Lion hunting. Some very nice trophies you hunted there. For me the buffalo is a beauty and shot in some interesting country.

Mike,
Congrats,that is one awesome buffalo!

Great trophies Mike! Both your rifles seem to have long barrels, which I like!

Great looking buff. Is that your 404 Jeffery?

Welcome back Mike.I hope you get your lion next time-with the double too!

Congrats, Mike!!!

Can't wait for all the details!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Well done, Mike and welcome back. I'm looking forward to your report. I'm really likin that buff!

Man that buffalo is as old as methesula, and he must have been one bad actor because his tips aren't even broken or broomed, but man what a set of Bosses! Good show Mike! I'm envious!
Congratulations


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Mike... welcome back and sorry about the lion. I too have been blessed or cursed with a special kind of "lion luck"! Looks like a very successful safari outside of the cat though and I am eager to read your report. But better post quick, I am out of here on Wednesday.

Russell, good luck in Moz. I am sure you and Jay will have a great time.

Marty, the elephant was a Parks rations elephant.

Wink, yes, that is the .404 Jeffery that Duane built for me. I used it to shoot everything other than the elephant and the buffalo. It worked great and I was shooting it well. It developed a lot of "character" on the hunt.

Todd, the double was my Holland and Holland .500/.465. Worked like a champ. Fun to take a rifle over eighty years old back to Africa one more time.

I thought that may have been the H&H. How cool is that!

A free elephant with a vintage H&H double. Life can't possibly get any better than that.

"Free"? I wish.

Really cool hunt - next time for shumba

Cheer
Orvar

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
the double was my Holland and Holland .500/.465.

Mike, could I ask what are the barrel lengths on your lovely double? Also your .404 please?
Peter

Mike - That's a nice collection of trophies, you should be proud!! The H&H double makes it extra cool.

I hate to say it, but welcome to the frustration that is - Lion Hunting! Like you, I did not one, but two, unsuccessful 18 - day lion hunts in Zim this year. Unfortunately it happens!

Holland and Holland has 26" barrels and the .404 Jeffery has 25" barrels. I like the longer barrels, rifles look more svelte with longer barrels.

Michael welcome home and looking forward to your report. That buff is outstanding.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
I like the longer barrels, rifles look more svelte with longer barrels.

Thanks Mike. I love longer barrels too; a typically 'old-English' look. Less 'club'ish
I'm lucky that I live in London. Enjoy drooling in the H&H, Purdey and Boss showrooms at the weekends!
Peter

Mike, great photos and congrats on a great hunt. That buffalo is perfect.

Awesome hunt & trophies! Really like the idea of the .404 as a go-to rifle.

Mike, did you travel on Emirates?

Except for the lion, it appears that you had a great hunt/time. Plus, as if you needed a reason, you get to try again for your lion. Congratulations. Nice buff.

Sounds like a great Safari even without the Lion.
Love your choice of Rifles. I was also looking at some H&H Dominion 465's not long ago.

Yes, I used Emirates. In my view, that is the way forward. Since I am in Houston, there is only one connection to Harare, in Dubai. The flight from Houston to Dubai is long and coming back it is even longer, almost 16 hours, but you do not have to worry about luggage making connections, weather delays, etc. The Houston to Dubai (and back) leg is a Boeing 777 and it is very nice. The Dubai to Harare leg is an Airbus 320 that is not bad. The airport in Dubai is a pleasure, albeit huge. You have an overnight in Dubai going but I actually liked being able to get a shower, shave and a nap before the Dubai to Harare leg. I really like the Emirates option.

I am no judge of hyenas, but yours looks huge Mike. Salute!

Welcome home and well done. Looks like a great time was had. That is a great buffalo!!!

Mike,

You've got two critters there that have given me the slip 4 or 5 times now. A Bushbuck and a Heyna. I am planning on going back just for those someday.

thanks for sharing.

Mike, welcome home safe and sound. Sorry to hear about the bad, no Shumba. Congrats on all else you took some super animals and some awesome pics and I can tell by the post a great Safari. I will probably be in Moz. with Russ when you post the rest of your story but will be looking forward to it when I return.

Good job! Nice Buff!

Well done Sir. That is a great buff, a nice old kudu, jaws hyeana and you managed to get a couple of the little guys. The fact that you passed up on the lion early in the hunt, probably means he was not worth shooting, or wasn't what you really wanted anyway or you would have shot him when you saw him the 1st time, so have no regrets. Buzz, well done!

Congrats Mike, I especially envy your Grysbok. Evasive little buggers. Great buff too!

I did not even realize grysbok had heads since all I had ever seen was the ass end running away.

Love that bushbuck. Richie put me on a monster but it took off before I could make it out in the scope. My fault, I'm afraid. Looks like you enjoyed a really successful hunt. Love that Holland. Did you acquire that from George?


Dutch