Outfitter: Luke Samaras Safaris
Country: Tanzania
Location: Masailand
PH's: Francois “Franco” Loubser and Norbert "Cheetah" Reiner
Dates Hunted: September 2-12, 2010
Broker: Wendell Reich
Rifles: Studdog-- Rifles Inc. Custom .375 H&H
Gdog—Ruger-based Custom .416 Taylor & Ruger .375 African



My dad(Studdog) and I were together on this trip and had a fantastic time. After hunting several years ago in the interior of Tanzania we found the heat & humidity was too much for our liking. Masailand was wonderful on this count, providing cool mornings for stalking and even cold evenings for sleeping-just great for us being from Michigan.

Our main hunting objective was buffalo. We were out for a good experience, not necessarily huge trophies. Dad and I both reinforced with our PH's that what we were looking for was in this order:

1. a great experience
2. good, hard bossed, old buffalo
3. close shooting( meaning well under 100yds.)

We had heard from others about Luke’s operation and reputation, and that this area was known as the "Formula 1"(meaning ultimate) place for buffalo hunting. We were not disappointed.

Dad was paired with Francois (Franco) Loubser, and I with Norbert (Cheetah) Reiner. It was a classic battle of knowledge and wisdom(OLD) vs. energy and exuberance(YOUNG). This matchup provided great smack-talk throughout the week.

The day we arrived, we met the Nosler crew led by Bob Nosler. I think there were eight in the group, board members and friends. They seemed to have had a great time. We shared lunch with them which was very enjoyable. If like me, you ever purchase products wondering who is behind them it was great to meet the actual manufacturers. After meeting the crew I will use more Nosler products-just because of the team we met--fun, nice guys.



The first couple days, we each stalked many buffalo in herds, and in smaller groups and individuals ("Dagga Boys") which Franco and Norbert refer to as "Ninjas"- because they are dangerous and can strike quickly from out of nowhere. We each turned down shots for various reasons these days-- funky horns aka. “unique trophy”, and shots obstructed by brush. We were also stymied by buffalo bolting just as we got on the sticks ( maybe just bad timing or inexperienced hunters). We also passed on several plains game opportunities on these days as it was definitely buffalo first. Through all this we were definitely having a ball.

As the third day rolled around my dads luck turned and he got a great super thick bossed old buffalo. The buffalo was very old, and Franco determined that he would not have lived much longer, and that it was a good thing they took him. For my part, Norbert(Cheetah) set me up on a wonderful and huge Impala at 80 yds., … and I missed. Actually worse, because we found some blood drops, but he was long gone. I felt like shit. I have missed game before and felt this feeling, but it was worse this time as the setup was perfect, lots of time, and broadside. Our top tracker Paulo, said the shot was high so I took a shot off the sticks to check the zero on my .375 Ruger and it was dead center, but 5” high. The next day we went out to confirm this from a better rest, and sure enough the same thing. Probably a bad combination of me shooting high, and the rifle shooting high. I adjusted the scope, shot one shot dead-on perfect and we back in business. Around the fire that night I remarked that while dad should be very pleased with his old buffalo, that Norbert and I had slightly higher standards.

On the fourth day, we saw buffalo at 6:30am from the truck and were off. We were on the buffalo by 6:35. We evaluated one and determined he was too young and also dismissed a cow. Just then one of the trackers said “down in the Karunga”(ditch/dried out riverbed). He was a good one, and just before I got on the sticks Cheetah said” no, there is a bigger one on the right”. I couldn’t see him down in the dark ditch to our right. Paulo came up to me and moved my position around a small tree and I saw him looking up at about a 45 degree angle at maybe 40yds. I fired my .416T at his right chest/shoulder for a quartering shot down through the vitals. The buff leaped out of the Karunga and up the considerable slope in front of us. Cheetah(this is where Norbert got his new nickname) leapt up the hill after him with me following. As soon as we reached the top, he was looking right at us, standing broadside at 30-40 yds, NOT looking happy. Norbert and I fired in rapid succession, bang, bang and he was down. The 400gr. TSX really did the job as we recovered the perfectly mushroomed bullets. He was giant. Not only his 44” spread, but his body as well. He is a phenomenal trophy-more than I wished for.

In the afternoon of day four, we went out later than normal more or less to scout for an hour or two for Day 5. The trackers seemed to think we were just out for a short joyride and I assumed the same. I only brought my .375 Ruger just in case we found the right Zebra or Grants Gazelle even though we were scouting buffalo country. Well you know what they say-never assume. We were driving only 30 minutes when one of the guys in the back of the truck banged, and said “Ninja”. He was only 40 yds. off the road laying in a thicket. We dismounted immediately and made our way only a few yards back to where he was seen to take a look. I fumbled to load rounds, and hand extra bullets to the trackers and get to Paulo and the sticks while Norbert evaluated him. After just a few seconds, Norbert says “he is old and big, take him.” Easier said than done. While I am trying to find him in the scope at only 30 yds., Norbert says “shoot him!” and as soon as I see him he stands up, and I fire at his shoulder. THIS IS the type of miss I have experienced before-a rushed shot I wanted to get off before he was gone. He ran off. I was thinking, “Oh shit, I hope I got him good.” We proceeded cautiously in the direction we saw him running and in maybe 2 minutes one of the trackers says “there”, pointing right over my shoulder pointing to our buffalo broadside at 40yds. I fired quickly, and off he went through some heavy brush. We found good, bright blood where he was standing, but now we had to find and finish him. We were in a large area, maybe the size of a few football fields of knee-high white grass. Unfortunately within this, there were several dark, thick brush and tree areas-just like the one he was laying in when he was first spotted. We proceeded to track the buffalo and methodically clear one brush patch at a time. Norbert was earning his money now—BIG TIME. He had his hands full, trying to control the trackers and game scout while keeping me engaged, and of course keeping us all safe. We were now also losing light at an alarming rate. We stopped to listen for him and threw rocks and dirt chunks, hoping to see him move or charge the things we were throwing. I will be perfectly honest. At this point, I am scared to death and on super-high alert. I noticed my mouth was dry. I am worried about the shots I took, worried that I am the only one other than Norbert with a rifle, worried that if we get charged I need to shoot, and frankly really worried about being safe and not shooting Norbert or Paulo or anyone else. Luckily this only lasted 20-30 min. and we found the buffalo lying dead in the third brush pile we went through. Whew! Another great buffalo at about 40” spread, and really old. Both bullet holes were about an inch apart, behind the shoulder, a little high but through the lungs. At the fire that night, the old guys accused us of being road hunters and that we probably hit the buffalo with the truck.

On day five my dad got into a gunfight with a buffalo, shooting maybe 10-11 times before he went down. He kept running from place to place, and my dad kept throwing lead. (this was VERY funny as dad and I had an ongoing debate throughout the week as to how many bullets one should have on ones’ person while hunting-- and he thought “more was better”). I guess he was right. Now we each had 2 buffalo--WOW!I stalked many Zebra this day and shot a great stallion that afternoon. I got some great pictures with masai children the happened by. One of them had a sticker on his forehead, looking like a dork. I guess kids are kids, wherever you go. Around the fire that evening, Norbert and I made known that that as gentleman hunters, we prefer to kill cleanly.

On day six we were all out of buffalo and were just looking for another Zebra, an Impala and a couple Grants Gazelles, which made for a great competition. This was easily accomplished with us getting the second Zebra and Impala and the first Grants Gazelle. Plains game was plentiful as we turned down dozens of animals looking for “a little bit longer or wider or bigger”. After this, dad and I discussed getting out of camp early. Neither of us really enjoyed the plains game hunting. Although we were happy to get some nice trophies, we didn’t find it particularly interesting. In fact, it was a little anticlimactic after the excitement of buffalo hunting. At the fire this night, Norbert and I joked that the old team had fallen right into our plan--we didn’t want to shoot the first Grants Gazelle, because now we knew what we had to beat! Of course the road hunter jokes came flying back at us then.

Day seven came and we spent the morning searching for the right Grants Gazelle to no avail while dad manned the phone trying to arrange flights home. That afternoon we saw the “right” Grants and took him. We were pretty pleased and Norbert thought it looked pretty similar to my dads- very nice. I was convinced it was waaay bigger. Unfortunately, dads Gazelle was indeed bigger and thicker, but it was all great fun. That night, we had a great goodbye dinner of Grants Gazelle steaks complete with a cake with frosting.



Overall we thought that this experience was wonderful. There is very little we would have changed. We ate very well, every night. We thoroughly enjoyed sundowners each evening. The combination of great weather, great camp staff, great hunting, and great PH's made this experience, well, GREAT!

Great report! where are the pics?

pics added.

Very nice
Thanks

Seems like you had great time with your father in a woderful place. Your first buffalo is an excellent trophy, congratulations.

G-Dog,

i'm glad you and your dad had such a wonderful hunt. he sent me the pics of his no. 1, and your no. 1 a few days ago. (He never said a word about the two of you doubling on buff. I'll get him for that. All I could say is wow!

Great report, too.

Hunting with Dad, it doesn't get much better than that! Congratulations on a great hunt and some fine trophies.

Wonderful animals!!! Congratulations on your hunt!!!!!!!!!!

Brett

Good looking buff in a wonderful area.. Congrats!

Great buffalo! Congratulations on a fine hunt with your Dad.

Great report, sounds like you and your Dad had a fantastic hunt.
Great Buffalo

Congrats on your safari.

Is the pink dressing gown for the Masai?

Lol! The pink robe was supplied--not by me.

I still don't know what the hell it was for?

I thought I was excited before, but this is ridiculous. I leave for Tanzania to hunt with Luke in the Selous and Masailand in 26 days. Those buff are incredible. I don't think I can stand it.

Vince,
If your experience even remotely resembles ours, you will have the time of your life. I have heard that their area in the Selous is also fantastic.

Have a great time! I am envious of you.

Congratulations on a fine trip, and absolutely super buffalo!

Congratulations to father and son both.

Great old buffalo bulls! Nice going!

Outstanding buffalo!!Congrats on a great trip.

In regard to the robe, I was wondering about the Nosler folks........ Fantastic report, amimals, pics!

Really great buffalo, nice job!

Looks like a great hunt, don't know how I'll make it until 2012, I want to go NOW!

Fantastic report and pics! Outstanding trophies!

Congratulations!

Incredible buffalo for both you and your dad!

What a great experince to share; I cannot wait to take my son.

I do love those beautiful Grant's.

BTW: Did you see any lesser kudu or gerenuk?

Thanks for sharing!

Hugh

Love that buff.

Hugh W,

No on the Gerenuk, Yes on the lesser Kudu.

Gdog,

Aren't you glad to have met me and talked about Africa, three or four years ago. A father and son safari is a lifetime of memories.

Congratulations on a fine safari to you both.

Mike

Awesome trophies, hunt & report. I really like the buffs and the grants. My son is now 11 years old & I wish i can hunt with him like this in 10 years time!

Thanks for sharing.

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:
Awesome trophies, hunt & report. I really like the buffs and the grants. My son is now 11 years old & I wish i can hunt with him like this in 10 years time!

Thanks for sharing.

Nakihunter:

By the time he's 21 (10 years down the road) one could wonder if hunting will still be the same as it is today - note: the difference on how it was 25 years ago and today can compare to day and night - my advice would be "make hay while the sun shines" and consider taking your kid out when he's 14/15.

George and George,

Great report, great safari and nice trophies. George III you are racking up some big trophies. So who will get the biggest elk? I love the monogrammed safari shirts.

Mark

Fantastic trophies!!! You both did very well. Loved the photos and report.

Congratulations, D. Nelson

what a great trip! Congrats on the fantastic animals and thanks for the report.

Super report! My father and I spent most of July, 2009 in the same camp, and to be honest, I'm envious. Thanks for bringing back great memories.

Glad you and your dad had a wonderful trip.

Very nice report. Congrats to both of you.

wonderful buffalo. One of the most beautiful I've ever seen

Thank you all for the comments. I wouldn't be nearly as poor without your tremendous support.

Although I don't post a whole lot-I am always inspired by all of your stories discussions as well. Thanks to all.

We are very appreciative of the assistance and advice we had from Wendell Reich of Hunters Quest. He was extremely helpful in picking the "right" hunt for us. studdog.