I'm leaving soon for a hunt in southern Zimbabwe near where crocodile is on the wish list. There may be a chance to hunt in Mozambique next year.

Although it may be difficult to say depending on area, etc., are trophy crocs hunted in Mozambique generally larger than southern Zimb? Or is it the other way around?

Many thanks in advance for the help!

It's a quessing game because different areas in Zim might be better than in Mozambique. But I'll give you an educated quess. I have a friend who is a PH in RSA and Mozambique. His units in RSA are on the Zim border and his units in Moz. (Tanz. border) have a lot larger croc's.

just make sure you have a cites tag for zim, as there are not a lot available.

Croc size depends on just a few things;

The crocs ability to live a long time without getting shot.

The crocs food supply, which is usually sufficient.

The crocs age, big crocs will be 40-80 years old.

D99 is obviously correct in saying that huge crocs are old crocs. That said, 40 years ago, Zim was Southern Rhodesia and Moz was Portugese East Africa. Rhodesia was civilized compared to PEA. Civilization probably had a greater impact on old crocs than did civil wars, and therefore one might expect older crocs in Mozambique. There are monsters aplenty on Cahorra Bassa, and I have no doubt elsewhere in Moz.

You can take 14-15 foot crocs in Moz in the right concession, but those are much harder to find in Zim. If croc is a priority, I would go to Moz.

Or Tanzania for that matter

Point of interest: Female crocs grow larger than the males so when you are shooting a 15+ footer chances are it will be a female

We've so far taken 8 Nile Crocodile from Lake Chamo in SW Ethiopia. None have been less than 17 feet long. None that were less than 18 feet had their complete tail but were anywhere from 1/2 to 1&1/2 foot. The two over 18 feet were 18' 2" and 18' 7" which is the new SCI record #1 and #2.

Rich Elliott

if you're in the southern part of zim be very very sure you have your cities permit - there's very few issued for that area. most of what you will see there will no go over 12' with a occassional female going to 14. I took a very old male there a few years ago that was a bit over 12' and last year saw a really big 14', but no permit was available.

quote:

Originally posted by Rich Elliott:
We've so far taken 8 Nile Crocodile from Lake Chamo in SW Ethiopia. None have been less than 17 feet long. None that were less than 18 feet had their complete tail but were anywhere from 1/2 to 1&1/2 foot. The two over 18 feet were 18' 2" and 18' 7" which is the new SCI record #1 and #2.

Rich Elliott

Holy Crap Rich!!! Do you have photos?

BOWHUNR

BOWHUNR,

Just for you as it's been posted before. Here's all 18 feet and seven inches of Mr. Big.



Rich Elliott

Many thanks to all for the very helpful comments!