23 June 2013, 22:22
pagosawingnut2013 trip to Zimbabwe Now, with pics
Before I even post this hunt report, I know I'm gonna catch crap because of no pics. For some reason, Photobucket doesn't want to let me post photos and there was really nothing spectacular to post anyway so please cut me some slack. If I can get the links fixed, then I will correct the oversight.I have never posted a hunt report before so hopefully I don't put everyone to sleep but here is my attempt.
Dates 1June13 - 11June13
Place Chewore South, Zimbabwe
Outfitter Chifuti Safaris
Animals wanted Cape Buffalo, warthog and impala, bushbuck, big Kudu
Animals taken Cape Buffalo, warthog and impala
Animals seen: Cape Buffalo, elephant, bushbuck, waterbuck, Kudu, too many birds to list, a honey badger, leopard and a small pack of wild dogs. What a treat!
This was my second trip with Chifuti Safaris to the Chewore Area. I wanted to go hunt with the PH that hunted me 2 years ago on a trip I never should have been on, Clint Edwards. I had all the arrangements made, the trip was paid for and then 5 1/2 weeks before the departure date, I had a pretty catastrophic motorcycle wreck, leaving me with 8 broken ribs and separated shoulders, punctured lung and all. Still determined that Oxy-Contin would get me through it all, I went and had a very enjoyable time with Clint. He took very good care of me and made it so I could complete my hunt, even at a snails pace. So, now he would get a chance with me somewhat healthy.
I used United airline miles to book my tickets for first class and in doing so, one never gets the dates exactly right so I had an extra day in camp to rest up, take in the familiar sounds and sights of the monkey I can't seem to get off my back. Why is it we don't have mopane wood here? Would that make the desire to go back so often a little lessened? Anyway, after the charter flight out of Harare with all my luggage and guns intact, we were met at the Chenji airstrip by Gary Schultz. Gary and Sandy are the Chenji camp managers and they are a delightful couple. Sandy makes sure that everything runs smoothly, that there is plenty of beer in the cooler, Scotch on the bar, food on the table and that the water is hot if you simply need a hot shower. She does 3 or 4 people's jobs in one body. Amazing. Leaving Harare, it's hard not to notice the permanent haze that seems to fill the sky. some days not quite as bad as the smog in a big metro area but others, it tends to filter the sunlight. Settling into camp was a breeze and soon, I was starting to feel the grind and tension erode. I felt as if I was home again. Breakfast, lunch and the inevitable after lunch siesta that seems to be the main course for the day and it was range time. For the hunt I had brought 2 new-to-me rifles that were untested. I had several hundred rounds through them at my range but neither had ever been blooded so this was to be their christening. One a Blaser R8 in .416 Remington and the other a new Searcy Field Grade in .500 NE. All of the ammo was handloaded by me with the CEB's in solids and the NonCon. I felt like my loads were more than sufficient in the .416 (all shots in one big ragged hole at 50) but wished for a little more time with the .500 Nitro. The 535 grain Non Cons were within 1" for 4 shots at 50 yards and the 570 gr solids were not quite to 1 1/2 at 50 yards but I keep hearing that "minute of buffalo" stuff and decided it was good to go. At the range, it was confirmed that my rifles were still on with no need for adjustment so it was almost sundowner time back at camp.
Getting back to camp, I got a chance to meet the other hunters there from virtually around the world. Robert, who lives in China and his brother Caleb, who live is Viet Nam were on their first Dangerous Game hunt. I understand that they had so much fun, they have already booked a spot for next year. Talking to them briefly led me to understand that there MIGHT be some animals left but they had taken quite a mixed bag while they were there.
I won't bore you with the details of the evening routine. It was the same each and every night. A nice cold choice of cocktail around the fire, enjoying appetizers before a delicious and filling supper, another choice of libation and off to bed.
Even though this was my 6th trip to the Dark Continent, there was very little sleep on the first night, not even jet lag. the amount of excitement I was going through had me awake before "Given" started my fire for hot water at 4am. I was able to wait long enough for the water to get before dressing and pouring myself a cup of coffee while waiting on breakfast and my ride.
Having been there 2 years prior, I recognized some of the country we were driving and stalking in. If felt good to be back "home". Late in the morning of the first day, we came across fresh buffalo sign and apparently did not take a long enough African lunch for them to start feeding again. We busted them out of their beds within a mile from the cruiser and the chase was on. All we got to see was the wrong end of the herd in front of us all day long. Swirling winds kept them just out of reach and it was decided that tomorrow was another day. Getting back to camp found Robert and Caleb long gone and Morgan and his lovely bride in camp awaiting their first DG hunt. I wish I could get my wife to come along, I think they had a great time.
Day 2 brought pretty much the same results as day 1. The winds were not in our favor anywhere we went. And while we did actually get close to buffalo, the wind would get them moving for the entire day. Note: If you buy a double rifle from Butch Searcy and ask him to build it heavy, he will. Just a little warning.
Day 3 started off to be a repeat of the previous days. Until the wind settled down. While moving from one pan to another checking for sign, we came across a herd of buffalo standing in the middle of the pan in front of us. Not only that, but there were buffalo pouring out of the jesse behind us enroute to the pan. We decided that this might be a good time to sit and glass for something good. I don't know what your particular desire on a buffalo is but mine is Hard Bosses, Good Drop and a tight curl. It would be nice to have all that and a 45" bull but the drop and bosses get me. There was nothing in that herd that met my wants so we left to get ahead of them so we could have more time to glass in case we missed something. We drove to the Maura river and set up where we could watch as they came to water again. Not without a little difficulty though. This was our first encounter with elephants. They were in the river and didn't want us trespassing and for once, I was glad to feel the wind tickle my neck.
After looking over the entire 150+ herd, there wasn't anything that picqued my interest so we retired back to a cold drink and a warm fire.
A good night's sleep and a hot shower brought day 4 to it's beginning. It started off the same as the previous 3. Driving for tracks, following up sign, checking the wind. The trackers decided that the tracks we were looking at had been left an undetermined time before us but soon enough that we needed to follow them up. I decided to let the Searcy rest that day and grabbed the Blaser for it's own armed hike. I questioned my decision when the jesse turned totally chaotic. It got thick. The wait a bit bush had ME leaving a blood trail that the lions could follow. But it eventually thinned out and I was glad for the scope on the .416 when it opened up somewhat. After a forced march the length of the Bataan death march, we finally did find the herd we were searching for. For once, the wind was steadily in our face, the buffalo had no idea we were even incountry. After glassing and moving further around them, we got to see the majority of the herd and decided that the last bull in line was a good old, hard bossed bull. Big bodied and with great drop so I got on the sticks and let loose with the .416. Distance was about 55 yards and the 370 gr CEB did it's work. I took the bull through the top of the heart and after 12 -15 yards, it piled up. Giving it a minute, walking up on it and paying the insurance, I had my 4th buffalo.
Barely over 34" wide but 14" bosses! One happy camper was I. Walking out to the road was a piece of cake and after loading the bull onto the cruiser, we headed back to camp. In case any of you are wondering how the CEB did, it will work for herd shooting (the NonCon in 370 gr) My bull retained the rest of the bullet after it shed it's petals, completely destroying the lungs.
Back at camp, probably one too many celibritory sundowners (are you starting to get the theme here) and off to bed.
day 5 was a set up day for bushbuck. We did get to find/see some but none bigger than what I already have so another repeat of the evening. We did happen upon 7 Wild dogs. This was my first sighting and they are something else. The stopped and sat down about 40 yards in front of the cruiser. definitely something you don't get to see in Colorado.
Day 6 was a repeat of day 5 with the exception of catching some really nice dagga boys in the river. None of them big enough to make me want to spend the extra money, but nice still yet. We did get into the second herd of elephants walking back to the truck that afternoon. We thought we had if figured out where they all were but we missed a young, angry bull on our other side. The sound of the 570 gr Solids going into the tubes is definitely reassuring. Problem resolved by us leaving the area. No Harm, No foul.
day 7 brought me a 140 yard shot on an average warthog. I hit him just a little far back and it required a second shot to finish him but the .416 worked again. My taxidermist wants to try and mount one sitting down and this one will fill the ticket.
day 8 had us again, sitting for bushbuck. No joy. Again, the 15 or 16 inchers were on holiday.
My last hunting day was day 9. (self imposed)
Needing to blood the Searcy, I decided to leave the Blaser in the truck. Checking pans, following tracks, avoiding more elephants, frantically searching for the lions that left those very fresh tracks in front of us brought us to a pan where a small bunch of impala were easing their way into the pan. Getting set up without being see was a challenge but after pulling that off, I got a 55 yard shot into an impala ram that will go about 21+.
Shooting an impala with a .500 Nitro is a little backwards but it worked. I think I finally used enough gun. The results weren't as dramatic as I expected but I don't think there is enough impala to make the CEB NonCon lose it's petals. After a short 60 yard run, the ram was down and I was done with this trip.What is it that keeps calling us? Is it the sights, the mopane smell, the tsetse flies.........Now I'm back to planning the next hunt. Maybe one day, I will get Africa out of my system. I hope not.
Thanks for your patience. If I can get the photos to download, I promise I will and now it's time to wake up.
There, I figured it out.
