quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
60 Buffalo a year seems a bit excessive however there has been some very fine trophies taken out of the area.

Just wonder if that is sustainable?

Time will tell.

quote:

Originally posted by Sean Russell:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
60 Buffalo a year seems a bit excessive however there has been some very fine trophies taken out of the area.

Just wonder if that is sustainable?

Time will tell.

Sengwe 1&2 are across the Limpopo from Kruger and if i am not mistaken Malapati borders Gonarezhou park-- he has lots of feeders coming in------

doubt he will run out soon --

SSR

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
Bwana - Maybe there were few/no buff in Ghonarzhou/Malapati in the 90's (long time ago) but there's lots of em now?

Butch - The elephants have for a long time as you know, been hunted in these areas. They already know the gig! But just like they do in all areas where hunting boundary lines is common - some of them will always make a mistake and come across. Its simple really, as the buff/ele consume the new food/growth within the parks each season, and as they suffer from an over burgeoning population within the parks (as they do in both places, they gotta go elsewhere looking for food/water. Elsewhere in this case is SSG's numerous hunting areas. As others have mentioned, this type of elephant hunting in particular - is not for everyone. But, it does give an opportunity that a giant could be taken.

Some here have been quick to jump on the fact that SSG was not very successful on the early season elephant hunts this year, that's true (none were my clients) What they haven't mentioned, or don't know is - it was an exceptionally bad Marula crop/crop year in the area - a reason that often brings a lot of the jumbos out of the parks at that time of year, thus the normal hunting opportunities were a lot less. Its not because the elephants aren't there, or SSG did anything wrong - simply not near as many elephants came out as normal, based on the conditions at the time. Its helps to have all the facts, before passing judgment or making a decision.

quote:

Originally posted by JCHB:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by jeff h:


When I booked this hunt I booked under the ONE condition I would be the only hunter in camp. I have e-mails to back this up and so does Phillip.

The above comment is the crux of the matter. Hunts are not always successful (hence hunts and not shoots) but the outfitter has a responsibility to provide for the hunter's reasonable requests. To book on the basis of having the camp to oneself is reasonable. I too would not want other hunters in the same area I was hunting. To pay your money on the expectation of being the only one in camp and then finding this not to be the case is unacceptable given the effort and cost involved. The hunter had made this a primary condition of booking the hunt.

I would not expect this of a top outfit.
JCHB

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
Bwana - Maybe there were few/no buff in Ghonarzhou/Malapati in the 90's (long time ago) but there's lots of em now?

Butch - The elephants have for a long time as you know, been hunted in these areas. They already know the gig! But just like they do in all areas where hunting boundary lines is common - some of them will always make a mistake and come across. Its simple really, as the buff/ele consume the new food/growth within the parks each season, and as they suffer from an over burgeoning population within the parks (as they do in both places, they gotta go elsewhere looking for food/water. Elsewhere in this case is SSG's numerous hunting areas. As others have mentioned, this type of elephant hunting in particular - is not for everyone. But, it does give an opportunity that a giant could be taken.

Some here have been quick to jump on the fact that SSG was not very successful on the early season elephant hunts this year, that's true (none were my clients) What they haven't mentioned, or don't know is - it was an exceptionally bad Marula crop/crop year in the area - a reason that often brings a lot of the jumbos out of the parks at that time of year, thus the normal hunting opportunities were a lot less. Its not because the elephants aren't there, or SSG did anything wrong - simply not near as many elephants came out as normal, based on the conditions at the time. Its helps to have all the facts, before passing judgment or making a decision.

Aaron,

I am simply pointing out that not so very long ago, there were no buffalo in the park or surrounding concessions. It has been stated here that there are plently so there won't be any shortage soon. You are obviously well read on the history and ecosystem of the Park and surrounding concessions. I was just simply remnding all that not so long ago there were NO buffalo at all. Perhaps this would lead to more prudent use of the resource.

Jeff

quote:

Originally posted by cnm123:
Sorry for my late reply
Everything Aaron has said was true of my safari I saw Elephant every day and it was always an issue of minutes or yards that prevented me from getting a bigger bull. We saw several big tuskers literally crossing the river minutes before we reached them or bulls crossing into the concession at 75 yards that were moving and we could not get an ethical shot. Nixon hunted me hard and we had plans A-Z trying to close the deal on the next to last day I shot a 40Lb Bull at the river and felt I earned him. This was a very hard hunt for me with the loss of my guns, missed flights and my friend’s injury (I lost 2 days getting him out). My friend has nothing but praise for the bravery of the PH, Trackers and Game scout who shot the Buffalo off him. There were mistakes but most were driven by a desire to get my friend a Buffalo and his not understanding how dangerous the hunting really is. Jeff I am very sorry you were not happy with your hunt and the issues you had. My experience was very different and I am looking forward to hunting with Nixon again. If you are going to hunt Elephants in Nixon’s concessions I suggest you book Nixon I am sure Phil is a great PH but he does not have locals calling him and stopping him on the road telling him where Elephants were last seen. This hunt is not a cut the spoor and track hunt since virtually all tracks lead back to the park it requires a great deal of local knowledge and being in the right place at the right time. Nixon knows how to get that done. The quality of the game in Nixon’s area is top notch as evidenced by the numerous exceptional trophies taken.
Chris from New Jersey

quote:

Originally posted by Late-Bloomer:

quote:

Originally posted by cnm123:
Sorry for my late reply
Everything Aaron has said was true of my safari I saw Elephant every day and it was always an issue of minutes or yards that prevented me from getting a bigger bull. We saw several big tuskers literally crossing the river minutes before we reached them or bulls crossing into the concession at 75 yards that were moving and we could not get an ethical shot. Nixon hunted me hard and we had plans A-Z trying to close the deal on the next to last day I shot a 40Lb Bull at the river and felt I earned him. This was a very hard hunt for me with the loss of my guns, missed flights and my friend’s injury (I lost 2 days getting him out). My friend has nothing but praise for the bravery of the PH, Trackers and Game scout who shot the Buffalo off him. There were mistakes but most were driven by a desire to get my friend a Buffalo and his not understanding how dangerous the hunting really is. Jeff I am very sorry you were not happy with your hunt and the issues you had. My experience was very different and I am looking forward to hunting with Nixon again. If you are going to hunt Elephants in Nixon’s concessions I suggest you book Nixon I am sure Phil is a great PH but he does not have locals calling him and stopping him on the road telling him where Elephants were last seen. This hunt is not a cut the spoor and track hunt since virtually all tracks lead back to the park it requires a great deal of local knowledge and being in the right place at the right time. Nixon knows how to get that done. The quality of the game in Nixon’s area is top notch as evidenced by the numerous exceptional trophies taken.
Chris from New Jersey

Congratulations Chris...sounds like you had a great safari!

Such conflicting reports from two hunters hunting with SSG.

Luck of the draw maybe?

Maybe this hunter was just not as LUCKY it seems...that's all I'm getting from this now that I've read your report?

Nixon seems like he has great areas from every post/thread that I've read these past years.

I wonder how the other 6 hunters who got no ele earlier this season would report?

Were they still happy with their safari despite not shooting a big ele?

quote:

Originally posted by samir:

quote:

Originally posted by Late-Bloomer:

quote:

Originally posted by cnm123:
Sorry for my late reply
Everything Aaron has said was true of my safari I saw Elephant every day and it was always an issue of minutes or yards that prevented me from getting a bigger bull. We saw several big tuskers literally crossing the river minutes before we reached them or bulls crossing into the concession at 75 yards that were moving and we could not get an ethical shot. Nixon hunted me hard and we had plans A-Z trying to close the deal on the next to last day I shot a 40Lb Bull at the river and felt I earned him. This was a very hard hunt for me with the loss of my guns, missed flights and my friend’s injury (I lost 2 days getting him out). My friend has nothing but praise for the bravery of the PH, Trackers and Game scout who shot the Buffalo off him. There were mistakes but most were driven by a desire to get my friend a Buffalo and his not understanding how dangerous the hunting really is. Jeff I am very sorry you were not happy with your hunt and the issues you had. My experience was very different and I am looking forward to hunting with Nixon again. If you are going to hunt Elephants in Nixon’s concessions I suggest you book Nixon I am sure Phil is a great PH but he does not have locals calling him and stopping him on the road telling him where Elephants were last seen. This hunt is not a cut the spoor and track hunt since virtually all tracks lead back to the park it requires a great deal of local knowledge and being in the right place at the right time. Nixon knows how to get that done. The quality of the game in Nixon’s area is top notch as evidenced by the numerous exceptional trophies taken.
Chris from New Jersey

Congratulations Chris...sounds like you had a great safari!

Such conflicting reports from two hunters hunting with SSG.

Luck of the draw maybe?

Maybe this hunter was just not as LUCKY it seems...that's all I'm getting from this now that I've read your report?

Nixon seems like he has great areas from every post/thread that I've read these past years.

I wonder how the other 6 hunters who got no ele earlier this season would report?

Were they still happy with their safari despite not shooting a big ele?

Did you forget the part where Jeff h booked the hunt on the condition he was going to be the ONLY one in camp. IMO it really doesn't matter what happened with the elephant hunt. He booked something that he didn't get.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Aaron,

Thanks for that and I did not realise that Nixon was hunting five prime blocks.

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
OK I read "exclusive use of the camp", I don't read " exclusive use of a particular area.
In this forum, it's so great to get picky LOL
But seriously, any hunt anywhere can go unsuccessful and we all have to be aware of it, even we all understand unsuccessful hunt doesn't make most people happy.
There is plenty of reasons to have unsuccessful hunt and in this case it wasn't anyone's fault. Just plain and simple right place wrong time.
Another good reason to go back to Africa.
If we were successful every time on everything, we wouldn't appreciate it at all. We would just expect it and that' acting like a spoiled brat. No pun intended on Jeff. Just in general.
Honestly on about every PH/safari company. you gonna hear some complain, but majority of times, these are good honest hard working people that keep us from killing ourselves in the bush.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:
I guess the other 8 unsuccessful hunters (that we know of) are brats too?

quote:

Originally posted by Peter Barnard:
I can personally tell you that the best Safari area today is almost equivalent to the worst area 22 years ago when I started professional hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by jeff h:
Aaron my friend, since you brought up the issue of problem Client or being able to roll with the punches, let me address that. I know you were not insinuating I was the above since you dont know me, or know very little about me.

When I booked this hunt I booked under the ONE condition I would be the only hunter in camp. I have e-mails to back this up and so does Phillip. I rolled with the punch when Nixon then put a buff hunter in camp with me.

It would be kind of like ordering a very expensive meal and telling the waiter I will order this if you don't let the other table have any of my meal. One condition was all I requested. Then the waiter let the other table eat of my plate. I call him out. If this makes me a problem client or not being able to roll with the punches, so be it.

Aaron,I don't have a beef with you although I get a very different story from two differnt people as to what you knew about my one condition prior to my hunt. I will leave it at that.

Addressing the 60 quota I was told Nixon even thinks the is too many buff, maybe you can shoot 60, but 60 good buff? I did not see the facts to support that, but I stayed in the area I was booked into.

Some said about the animals figuring out which side of the river is safe. trust me they got the memo now. Will some wonder around in the daylight yea.

I am glad some of you got lucky and had a good hunt, some real lucky and shot big elephant. I am just saying that is the execpt to the rule, and not common place, as you would be make to believe by guys selling you hunts. You hear about all the big trophies taken here, but you don't hear about the 6-8 guys (or more) that did not even see an elephant. Or they don't tell you they did not have elephant on licence when they shot the big boy.

Nixon may be a great guy, he got caught in the area that he agreed not to hunt as the single condition of booking the hunt, Safari area was not even on his hunters paperwork. He for the most part stayed out after that.

I also want to add I had fun with Phillip and my observers, two of them it was their first time to Wild Africa. It's always fun to see Africa through someone's eyes on their first trip. I have given all the facts and I have 4 people to back me up. You guys are smart draw your on conclusions.

I won't comment publicly on this any more if you want to ask me any more questions PM me as some of you have already.

Good Hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by A.Dahlgren:
Hi Peter

A bit off topic but can you list the top 3 areas in Zim today in your opinion and why.

Skip the conservancies

Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I think the best area depends on the species one is seeking .

quote:

Originally posted by txsouthpaw:
Sorry to hear of your disappointment with the hunt, Jeff. As previously mentioned, this thread has started some interesting conversation. Throwing elephant into the mix of top areas in Zim, where would those areas be?