for those who know lou and his family, here is his season.

The 2007 season took off with a great start guiding Tom Miranda. Its always a privilege guiding Tom one of the super stars of the Bow Hunting Entourage. The plot was George was doing the elephant and I was pre baiting for Mr Chui. Hunting ele with a bow is not for the faint hearted at less than 20 paces I don't care who you are get nervous. The days passed Mr Chui was not hitting the baits George was struggling for the perfect shot. Finally we had a hit from Mr Chui built Buckingham Palace as we had to fit in the cameraman our man Parker with his one meter camera ,settled down for the night. At 8 bells Jaws arrived and started munching I am always worried about hearing these cats as the old ears after years of pounding are not what they used to be, but in this case no mistake we went through all the signals and switched on the light, for a moment I lost him as he was at a crazy angle finally he appeared Godzilla himself. Tom let go he spun round and left the premises in a hurry We gave him the usual safety break and snivelled in to check the deal out, sure enough blood brilliant. Went back to camp and did a replay, with the technology of today the shot was little dicey obviously a hit The next day we slipped in to check on the plot, a lot of blood, we followed for some distance saw where the cat lay down, obviously as cats do licked himself clean and ramped the horizon never to be seen again, until later on the year when he was back on the tournament trail this boy is now fully trained believe me .In defence of Tom shots at night are difficult but can be done I can assure you it was not through lack of practise.

Meanwhile back on the ranch Tom and George were putting their time on the eles to try and get the perfect shot, it takes a lot of patience. George located an ele in some very thick Jesse with some very high ground overlooking the area. The plot was I was to get up high and guide the guys in using radios as visibility was only 15 yds max, we needed the high ground observer With every one in position George and Tom moved in. I finally got them into position about 20 paces away but no chance of a shot . The minutes ticked by and then suddenly for some unknown reason he walked straight towards the team .Tom smoked him at 11 paces he spun round and gaped it. From the top I watched him stop and nearly fall over, he turned round and walked very slowly into some very thick bush by this time the light was bad, we left him and the next morning took up the tracks it wasn't long before we found him it was all over he had expired during the night. Tom was over the moon and we all were for that matter watch the space on ESPN .Whether you like it or not bow hunting is part of our business great client awesome guiding by George

My next hunt was with Pablo Blanco from Majorca for ele and hyena at Chete after struggling for a few days an ele was sighted and we took off to the area, tracked him up and in thick bush put him down at 10 paces with a frontal brain, then onto Hyena as we had the bait, the first run Pablo couldn't see him tried the next morning and finally smoked him. Pablo ex military was a really good shot so eliminated the firing into likely cover syndrome

Stayed at Chete for Charles and Penny Gromatsky what a hunt. Buff and leopard for Charles and buff for Penny. We baited hard and finally had a hit, went to check another bait at 7.30 in the morning and walked in, as we arrived at the bait a female leopard jumped out the tree, driving on to the next one I said to Charles why don't we walk in on the bait that was hit if there was leopard on the one we just checked maybe there is another on the bait. Stopped the truck left the boys and Charles and I slipped in, as we got to the bait the radio slipped out of my pocket and crashed to the ground making a loud noise carried on and to my amazement there was the Mr Chui in the tree at 8 30 in the morning as we got ready for the shot he jumped down and moved off totally unaware that we were there .That afternoon we were back in the blind and at 5 o'clock he strolled out and went straight up the tree. Charles shot was right on the money we were overjoyed. If I ever have a heart attack it must be when one these cats arrive at the bait, for me this is magic. Two days later we were hot on the tracks of Pennys buff, the tracking was brilliant by Alfred across rocks for most of the time. At point blank range Alfred saw him, Penny and I had to butt stalk for a few meters and at the given signal she smoked him. I wish all the clients would listen to instructions like Penny it would make life a little easier . The following day Charles got his buff followed up by a good Kudu. Penny ended with a 28 inch Waterbuck fabulous clients. Penny changed the camp around the staff thought she was something else

Off to Chirisa with Dan Ray and family for Buff and plains game . All three buff were taken with no problems and some excellent plains game Dan`s kudu measuring 55 was a horse. This family could shoot and that's what its all about. I nicknamed Dan Mr Worry Beads it all worked out exactly as I had briefed them at the Dallas Show. Great family and I really enjoyed the hunt

I moved down to Lemco for my last two hunts on that concession. The first client was Jim Doran. We were specifically looking for a good buff as we had two years previously shot a once in a lifetime buff. We looked at lots of buff and finally took one a little disappointing for me I had hoped for better not a great call on my part. The highlight of the trip was a 58 inch kudu with a 52 inch gap between the tips of the horns without a doubt the best looking kudu I have ever taken spectacular. Great clients and I look forward to next years shoot out at Chirisa

Jim Doran had graciously offered to help me pre bait for Lloyd Godlis as he was on the Mr Chui run, as we left a monster hit the bait put up another quarter of Zebra and went fishing with Lloyd to Kariba taking Jean with us. Arrived back three days later at Lemco to find Jaws had smoked that bait as well, refreshed it and waited for his return nothing. Meanwhile back on the ranch I had taken on the mother of all flu bouts, we sat in three or four other blinds it was impossible too much noise .Finally our original man arrived back at the bait 12 days later it just goes to show how big the areas these dominant cats control. At 9 bells he was on it like a rash sounded like the whole San Diego Zoo was munching. Lloyds shot was perfect and we found him in long grass stone dead we celebrated long into the night

Back to the Omay with Don and Brian Mullet for leopard unfortunately time was against as the team only stayed 8 days we had done some pretty extensive pre baiting. It wasn't long before I was in the blind with Brian, we sat two whole nights and no luck we were both on our knees the third night was interesting to say the least. There was a bush fire which turned out to be our saving grace, at about 9 o'clock Brian whispered to me that there was an elephant standing next to the blind on his side. Looked out and she wandered off, 20 minutes later he informed me there was an ele calf eating the leaves on the blind. The rear end went into the crimp mode, we sat not even breathing and waited, there was nothing we could do finally it moved off a big sigh of relief at 12 o'clock Brian surrendered I was sorry I had Steve check the bait the next day he had been back. Its always a privilege guiding the Mullets , time was against us and we failed

Back to Chirisa for a buff plains game hunt with Lee Hamman and his son. We lost Lees buff which was sad, its all about the pay line we were way to high, we tracked him for a day and a half no luck. Lees son was on the mark and we took a brute Lee evened the score with a great Kudu, good hunt worked hard

John and Colleen Luckason arrived for a fun hunt, the plot was to look as many ele as possible the old fashion way. John had already taken a 70 pounder in Botswana. We looked at 52 ele bulls and came up with a 40 plus which did not have symmetrical tusks John turned him down,this was a real hunt long walks every day upfront and personal with Mr Ele great clients. I always look forward to this type of hunt

Back to Sijarira and Chete for a tuskless and a cow buff with Tony Marsh from Canada also a fun hunt which we cleaned up in 3 days. Tony was amazed at how much lead a cow buff can absorb, this buff was wounded initially and she tried every trick in the book to take us out a classic

Moved straight across to Chete for Larry and Nancy Baird. Croc and Buff for Larry and Sable for Nancy. With Tony Marsh I had spotted a monster croc on the lake shore built a blind before Larry and Nancy arrived, we moved in early in the morning and Jaws slid onto the bank. Larry dipped him several times and he still made the water, we got the boat and found him. Mat the apprentice went in and we had ourselves a nice trophy close to fourteen feet. Larry's buff was a sod who also took lead. 5 hours later in a running gun battle we finished him off in the thickest Jesse in Chete. Nancy next for her sable this was a tough one tracking was difficult and the leaves underfoot cost us many hours finally Nancy smoked him magnificent trophy well done

Across to the Omay for buff for Euro from Finland this guy can shoot believe me and we shot a once in a lifetime buff absolutely magnificent great shooting, classic buff hunt in extreme heat

The last hunt of the year was with Keith Fahl and Karen for Ele, we were back in the Omay the heat was on. Our longest follow was for six hours uphill all the way! Finally we caught up with an ele with great tusks 40 inches sticking out, the weight wasn't the issue it just looked good. Keith put him down brilliantly great hunt great clients lots of fun

What a season as usual great clients lots of classical hunts the old fashion way. HHK this year produced quality trophies unbelievable. This is a professional outfit, I know I am biased believe me we have a great bunch of pros working for the company. Remember there is a huge difference between a hunter and a professional hunter. George and Clive continue to get better they also had an awesome season .The tragic news to all of us was the passing away of Jan. Graham`s wife in the middle of the season. From all of us Hallamores keep the faith my friend.On a final note we are contrary to the CNN [ The Communist News Network] still safe to come to and HHKs clients suffered no problems whatsoever.

Wishing you a happy Christmas and New Year,remember our bread and butter is repeats and your referrals.

Best regards

Lou and Jean

quote:

John and Colleen Luckason arrived for a fun hunt, the plot was to look as many ele as possible the old fashion way. John had already taken a 70 pounder in Botswana. We looked at 52 ele bulls and came up with a 40 plus which did not have symmetrical tusks John turned him down,this was a real hunt long walks every day upfront and personal with Mr Ele great clients. I always look forward to this type of hunt

Me too!