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Sable - Chewore South
16 January 2008, 20:27
BwannaSable - Chewore South
I've booked a hunt to Chewore South for June and July of this year. The hunt is booked with Chifuti (they just got this area this year). I have a Sable booked, but it's quite expensive. I have an option to waive out of the Sable and stick with Buffalo and Hippo (to be hunted in Chewore North).
Does anyone have experience with Sable in the Chewore South area? I would like information on success rates, trophy quality and number of animals. Is this where I want to hunt Sable, or should I wait for a later safari in another area?
Thanks all.
16 January 2008, 21:42
MARK H. YOUNGBwanna,
There are sable there but the densities are very low. I saw one bunch in 14 days of hunting Chewore South. If the sable increases your daily fee save the buck and book a sable where you are pretty much assured of at least getting a shot at a nice bull.
Mark
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https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 16 January 2008, 22:42
David HulmeI agree with Mark Young.
Dave
16 January 2008, 23:24
BwannaMark and David,
Thanks so much for you input. I was told that the sable there were no bargain, but that I would likely have a shot at one if I hunted hard. I'll follow your advice. That's the direction I was leaning anyway.
Ryan
17 January 2008, 03:35
AK HunterI have hunted sable in Chewore South. I was on a buffalo/sable/plains game hunt. No, the population densities were not high (we saw 3 different herds during the entire hunt) and I did not see any huge bulls. But I enjoyed hunting them in the wild Zambezi Valley as opposed to a ranch situation.
Of course trophy size is important to me, but its far from the only thing. I'm a hunter, not a collector. The quality of the hunting experience should also be a consideration.
I have had the opportunity to shoot larger bulls in other areas, but I will never regret taking a 37" bull in Chewore for my first sable.
I guess for me the decision would come down to:
1) Is the daily rate much higher with sable on the list?
2) Are you planning to go back soon where you will have another opportunity at sable?
The price of sable seems to just keep going up. I used to think $1000 was a lot of cash for a sable! Those less expensive sable in other areas may not be such a good deal by the time you get back to Africa.
17 January 2008, 05:15
L. David KeithIf your holding out for a 40+ incher, look elsewhere and devote 10 days to hunting Sable. You may get a great one the first day and can use the other time to hunt other game. Then again, it may take 10 to take a big Sable. LDK
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17 January 2008, 05:18
BwannaAk Hunter,
Yes, the cost with the sable was close to 7K more. I didn't want to get in a situation where I might hunt 14 days and not see a sable. Plus, given the paucity of sable in those areas, I think there will definately be quota available when I get there. If I see and nice sable, I'll shoot it as an animal of opportunity and pay the upgraded daily rate and trophy fee.
I've been in areas with big sable in the past, and will be in the future. I don't know, it's kind of a cost benefit analysis. Everything goes up and I've kicked myself in the past for not taking something that was offered when I was in an area already.
17 January 2008, 07:01
JPKquote:
7K more. I didn't want to get in a situation where I might hunt 14 days and not see a sable. Plus, given the paucity of sable in those areas, I think there will definately be quota available when I get there. If
I've hunted sable in Chewore South, ie had one on quota, but somehow we never gave it great effort, just two or three days worth tops on one 16 day hunt. Saw only cows (ewes?) and young. Saw some nice tracks but we were always busy with leopard or buff or ele when we saw them.
I wouldn't pay $7k to have one on quota. But don't count on the quota being there either, last time I hunted there no quota was available (I hadn't "reserved" one and when we checked the book the concessions quota had been filled.) Feel fortunate if it is and you get to use it!
JPK

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17 January 2008, 20:32
AK HunterI would not pay $7000 extra just to have a sable on license. I know the price of sable just goes up, but that seems like a lot of money.
I expect that the outfitter has but one or two on quota per year in that area. The year I hunted they had just one.
17 January 2008, 22:17
Bill Cquote:
I would not pay $7000 extra just to have a sable on license.
It's probably like a $3500 trophy fee plus a $3500 "uplift" to cover day rates. If so, and both payable IF/when shot, not a terrible arrangement.
18 January 2008, 04:16
308SakoBwanna, I hunted Chewore North in 1991 and the Hippo were tremendous, and the Buffalo plentiful, Sable were seen on but one occasion in 18 days... The Chewore South is however somewhat different habitat as I understand it, so perhaps there may be a higher concentration. Besides, that was a long time ago now...
He went 43" green was second best in the North that year.
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18 January 2008, 05:41
BwannaYes. The 7K total would be for the additional trophy fee and daily rate.
18 January 2008, 09:04
crbutlerWhen I was there in september, I did not see a single Sable, but then I was not really looking for one. They had one left on quota then, which led me to believe they are pretty tough to find, but one of the guys there before me had shot a really nice one. There are LOTS of buffalo there though.