This year was finally wrapped up with our Hunters and Guides award ceremonies.

We were very excited to be awarded the biggest elephant shot in Zimbabwe this year - an award that has made a great end to a fantastic year.

Thanks To Zambezi Hunters, my hunters, trackers and staff for making it all happen!











The highly prestigious Professional Hunter of the year award went to a good friend Thierry Labat!! Well done my friend!

As we close for the year, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy new year! Stay safe over the holidays.

See you all in Dallas.

Phillip Smythe

Well done Phillip. Thought you might have picked up biggest Leopard as well?

Also well done Thierry.

Give us some weights and measurements please.

Thanks Phillip,

Does anyone have the results of all the awards given out?

well done . what did he weigh ?

Seems to have had a lot of wear on both tusks. That probably lopped off about 15-20 lbs. Still a fabulous animal.

Great job!

BH63

Congrats!

I'd say 94-96

Huge congrats Phillip. You have come a long way since I first met you as an Appie in Charissa. Hats off to you and all the best for future success.

Beautiful bull. Congratulations.

Couldn't happen to a better outfitter!

Good day Gentlemen,

I have half of the awards here, perhaps some of the others at the ball can fill in the blanks!
I couldn't remember the rest my apologies!


1. Zinyela Hunter’s Safari Floating Trophy for the Best Elephant – Phillip Smythe

2. Trophy for the Best out of 3 Elephant – Sean Grant

3. Style Trophy for the Best Buffalo – Mark Vallaro

4. Trophy donated by Martin Pieters Safaris for the Best Lion – Brent Hein

5. Rosslyn Safaris Trophy for the Best leopard – Sean Grant

6. Taxidermy Enterprises Trophy for Best Antelope – Neil Duckworth

7. Hunters Africa Trophy for the Best Sable – Lindon Stanton

8. Trophy donated by Martin Pieters Safaris for the Best Aquatic Animal- Cliff Walker

9. For the Widest Buffalo – Mark Vallaro

10. Bruce Austen Trophy for the Best Overall Hunter – Thierry Labat

11. The Shangaan Trophy for the Best Bow Hunter – Butch Coaton and Louis Muller

12. Burton Nesbitt Trophy for the Best Antelope out of Zimbabwe –

13. The Cliff Walker Award for the Best Dangerous Game out of Zimbabwe –

14. Gallantry Award for Bravery Beyond the Call of Duty –

15. John Stevens Trophy for the Best Guide from the practical-

16. Zambezi Hunter’s Trophy for Best Hunter from the practical-

17. The Lional Reynolds Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to the Association and the Industry –

18. Skippy Award – Neil Duckworth

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Well done Phillip. Thought you might have picked up biggest Leopard as well?

It was close apparently... But alas... next year perhaps!

Damn it man! How big was the elephant?

Congratulations Phillip, that is a fantastic bull!

By the way, what is the skippy award?

i believe that it was a 70lber

Sorry I missed that question!!

Left tusk - 71
Right tusk - 69

He was on his last set of molars that had been in full wear for a number of years so a prefect elephant to select. He has done his job with passing on those magnificent genes!

The infamous 'Skippy award' is highly sought after by all Professional Hunters and Guides....

Actually no, I'm kidding - it is the funniest moment or the biggest 'blunder' with the most hilarity that happened in the season - not exactly sought after!

.....

I rec'd an email from Jannie Meyer yesterday with a photo of an elephant that looked bigger than this one ... shot in Zim ... what gives?

Congrats Phil Well deserved and a fantasic elebull.

Torbjorn

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Gould:
I rec'd an email from Jannie Meyer yesterday with a photo of an elephant that looked bigger than this one ... shot in Zim ... what gives?

Hi Russ, If an elephant was submitted to our association before the cut off date (November sometime) with the official weights and documentation it is then put forward for the award. Then the entries are judged by a panel who decide if the circumstance on how it was shot was ethical and it was a true hunt worthy of these creatures.
Thats how it works.

Never judge an elephant from a photo, its deceptive - Use of wide angle lens and the likes.

I use a standard lens with my hunters standing right up to the animals. No need to make a big animal look big, they do that all by themselves.

Well done Jannie on obviously a big elephant shot though.

Fantastic Elephant Ace. Well done bud and well deserved. You've had a great all round yr.

Congratulations Phil, I know how hard you work for your clients. My hunt with you was truly the adventure of a lifetime! JCS

Thanks Jay,

Are we going to see you this year in Dallas?
Its a long way down, but worth it!

Well done Phil my friend! Not just big but really beautiful ivory.

You are starting to stack them up...

Well done on a great season Phillip. Thats a beautiful elephant.