Congrats....

Well done, both the hunt & story.

Judge

When I read your story it is hard to understand why you want to go back to the USA with all the crap that is developing over there and what is still to come, welcome to socialism (-:

What a wonderful trip you had, GOD Bless Africa

Cheers, Peter

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
“This is what we do, isn’t it?”.

Indeed. Welcome home.

Earnest,
The only thing that would cause me to curse your name is if you don't write a book and send me an autographed copy before you depart for the big safari in the sky. That or invite me to be your gun bearer next time. Good stuff and Congrats!

GReat story, well told. You certainly have a gift for writing. I felt like I was right there. Publish dang it!!!

quote:

GReat story, well told. You certainly have a gift for writing. I felt like I was right there.

Thanks Judge,

Keith

[QUOTE]
Great story, thanks for sharing that with us. We'll even forgive your association with Beibs.


Hey, I resemble that!!!!

Some more pictures:

The center court of the Bulawayo Club.



Bedroom in the Bulawayo Club.



T-shirts, front and back I had made for everyone at Chirisa.





The Saturday Chronicle with two equal stories of fantasy. BTW, the guy died the next day from the spirits of the cow in his belly. I ain't lying.

You've done it again...another exciting and well told report. Congratulations!!!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Hi JudgeG,

Congrats on a great hunt! Thanks for the great read!

Best,

Jim

Congratulations on your hunt. You report was great reading. This gets the blood pumping for my first elephant hunt. Thanks JudgeG.

Greg

Sounds like a great hunt, congratulations.

Thanks Judge, great story.

Always a pleasure to read about your adventures.

great post ernest - damn shame about louis sure wish him well, he is a wonderful friend

The gourmet Mexican restaurant in Kwekwe is the only place in the world where you can get Mlimo's and Montezuma's Revenge at the same time.



Is it still owned Peter Midgley?

Congratulations on your successful hunt and thanks for the great read.

A story well written my old friend. I stayed at the club in 2003. It was fairly shabby back then, but still resonated with old colonial charm.

Congratulations on a wonderful hunt!

Perry

The post about Peter Midgley owning Pedro's Finest Salmonella Joint really tickled me. I grew up in Que Que (now KweKwe) two blocks from the Midgleys. The state of the exterior of "Pedro's," about sums up latterday KweKwe!

By the way, Zimabwe's largest Mosque stands a block or two from that fine gastronomical
establishment. Many a fine plate of bocchulism was accompanied by piped wailing pointed in the general direction of Mecca.

Great story Judge. Those mopane stands are something. Had the same moving experience in a "Msasa cathedrol" in the Mudzi area near the Mozambique border.

Well done,Judge.It seems you had great time on this hunt.You did a great job with that Ruger!

Super!---- as usual -- fantastic reading

Congrats on a great hunt
G

thanks judge
for sharing your nice hunting trip with us.
i am glad that you have such a nice time in africa.
kind regards
yes

Well done, Ernest, well done!

Judge.

Thank you for a well told adventure.

How well you paint the picture of this stunning
part of the Creation.

The drive in is a wonder alone and then comes the view of the plane... yes, Cathedral is the proper word.

I do appreciate you perspective.
Thank you.
Elton

C'mon Biebs.....where is your story????????

My one and only trip to Africa (sadly) was to Chirisa for buff -where I spent some of the most enjoyable weeks of my life. I have numerous pictures taken with a Leica Mini that I carried in a shirt pocket and meant to use only for my buff. I found myself snapping pics right and left and every day -like any demented camera bug! Judge's description of Chirisa certainly stirred memories of that beautiful place. Elephants? On my first day in the bush towards sundown, I was bouncing along with the PH who stopped. He nodded with his head. I looked to my right -and there was the first wild elephant I had ever seen in my life -and less than 50 yards away. It turned out to be a matriarch with yearlings with her. (I came to learn all this later, of course) She screamed at us and the ears flared. The PH told me-Get a picture!" I did and took subsequent pics as she moved closer. The PH told me that it was a "mock charge". I told him that if that was a "mock charge",then I never wanted to see the real thing! I shot a buff at between 30-35 yards as he turned towards me -but that female elephant put the fear of God in me - and I understand well why you guys hunt them. Thanks again,Judge, for reviving some memories. (BTW, in those days,(1993) I saw so many elephant at varying distances that I almost (never quite) got accustomed to seeing elephant as a part of the landscape)

Great story, judge. If wishes were horses...

Very excellent JudgeG!!! I enjoyed the story!

Brett

You tell a wonderful story, with evocative prose that are as well crafted as the adventure is riveting. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Superb report!

Any pictures of Alan and Rosy?

I hunted Chirisa in '02 with Spike Classen, stayed at Swainson's camp. The view from the firepit overlooking the Sengwa was spectacular. Spike showed me the Cathederal also, it wasn't quite as green and lush. The view from the old ranger station was spectacular as well, the flat next to the river was crawling with ele and bufalo.

Thank you for the memories.

Thanks for the story Judge. A great read.

A short comment on the little .416 Ruger Alaskan:

One of the apprentice P.H.'s that handled it on the safari said that he though that the action was a little "rough". He was right, so, yesterday I took it to my gunsmith who did a bit of polishing here and there. It is now as slick as any M/S or fine old Mauser.

Keep that in mind if you choose one for your "rain" gun or backup rifle. While it was perfectly adequete before, now it's even better!

Well done Judge and thanks for the report.
By the look of the size of the measure Famous Grouse whisky isnt going to go out of business any time soon !!

quote:

Originally posted by R.Jolly:
Well done Judge and thanks for the report.
By the look of the size of the measure Famous Grouse whisky isnt going to go out of business any time soon !!

Just iced tea, of course!

Great read. Congrats

The Hornady DGS worked well I see...

On my hunt in 2010, I was booked for a management Ele..cow without calf, broken-tusk bull, etc. When we arrived, those permits were not available, only a tuskless cow. If you've hunted Africa early in the season, you know that with the heavy foliage, you can be 25 feet from an Ele and still not be able to determine if it's a cow or bull, let alone, a tuskless, and then without a dependent calf. Pretty much a waste of a trip.

A booking agent I know well has stopped arranging hunts with HHK, due to similar switches in expected versus received hunts.

Anytime a hunt gets switched at arrival is seriously questionable, as in WTF happened! Barring unusual circumstances and a damned good explanation, I'd never book with them again! :thumb down:

I had a similar incident once involving our rifle permits being "unavailable" after we arrived in JNB a day early for a safari in Mozambique. We cancelled on the spot, had a big rodeo with the outfitter, brought in SCI Africa rep on our side and he brought the PHASA president - who was totally useless and sounded like the late "can't we all just get along" guy. Settled for most of our money back. The outfitter was a crook and some guys here swear he was a good guy! No longer in business.

I had been on two safaris with HHK and had booked a third hunt for lion a few years back. For the area I wanted to go it was going to be a 3 year wait. My hunt did not go off and to not go into all the details Graham avoided me and I had to find out through another party my hunt would not happen and they eventually returned my deposit. In Dallas the following year I caught up with Graham and the excuses he gave and attitude was pathetic. As I walked away I looked back and saw him smirking to his guys. I stopped and just stared at them. I was in the restroom later and one of the new partners was complaining on how slow the show was. I just laughed at this as I took the money I was going to spend with HHK and took my family on a hunt that same year. Yes I also know other booking agents that have stopped using them as well. For a client that had been on two safaris and had a deposit on hold for 3 years For another safari I sure would not treat a guy the way Graham treated me. In business you eventually find out who you are dealing with if they are reputable or not. Big booths and established names don't mean integrity. Not doing the hunt I could handle,run arounds and excuses I tolerate little. Disrespectful business dealings leave me cold.

great story judge !