Dates; 25.07.08 to 11.08.08 incl.
Area; Makuti, Northern Zimbabwe.
Outfitter; Charlton McCallum Safaris.
P.H. Alan Shearing.
Rifle; Winchester Mod 70 .375 H&H
Bullets; Softs, Remington 300grn Swift A Frame. Solids, Norma 300grn Barnes Banded Solids.
Species Booked; Buff Cow, Buff Bull, Sable, Leopard. (18 Days)
Species taken; as above plus Zebra and Baboon.
Other species seen; Warthog, Klipspringer, Grysbuck, Eland, Reedbuck, Gennet, Dyker, Kudu, Impala, Hippo, Civet, Mongoose, Lion, Elephant,

Following my extremely enjoyable and successful introductory Buff hunt last year at Makuti with CM Safaris and Alan Shearing ( see previous hunt report (Buffalo Virginity Lost In Zimbabwe) it was an easy choice for my outfitter and P.H. for this year.
A friend called Julian Fenton also wanted to come along for a Buff and a Tuskless and so the "plan" was made. My wife, Teresa and a dentist friend of Julian's called Steve would also come along as observers.
I had been following the political situation avidly since our last visit, but unlike some of the hysterical amongst us I had based my assessment on factual information from people on the ground rather than the media reports from the US or here in the UK. I think that we should all remember that it is not just other countries that can have their news slanted in a particular direction when it suits a political agenda or a ratings slot. Please don't think that I am playing down the bad bits over there, but I would always recommend that we do our own research rather than depend solely on media reports.
From the time that we arrived to the time that we left we didn't have one moment's concern and experienced nothing but pleasant and helpful officials and locals. Everyone made us feel extremely welcome. My wife and I would return tomorrow given half a chance.
OK , that's enough of arm chair hunter bashing -- now down to the facts.
We flew from London to Johannesburg with BA and then on to Harare with SAA. We used Air 2000 Hunt Support's meet and greet service at Joburg and we were checking in at the SAA desk within forty five minutes of touching down from London. In fact the whole trip both ways went like a dream.
We were met at Harare by Buzz Charlton of CM Safaris and Nick from Altair who was to fly us up to Kariba where our hunting vehicles were waiting to take us the 80klm or so to camp. The paperwork at the airport was completed pleasantly and quickly and we arrived in Kariba about 50mins later. It was great to see Alan again and to catch up on the news.
When we originally booked the hunt Julian's PH was to be Rex Hoets who I had meet last year and who I had recommended. In the interim period the plan had to change when it was found that Rex's wife was due to give birth to their baby around the same time as the hunt. Buzz assured me that he had a worthy replacement lined up called Collen Ven Der Linden. I did various searches on Collen on the forum with no result, but as I have never had cause to doubt Buzz's word we duly met him and his tracking team at Kariba and off we went to camp. In the end result my faith in Buzz was well justified and Julian was delighted with Collen in every aspect. All of the PHs at CM are first rate and Collen is a worthy new member of the team. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend or to hunt with any of them.

AREA

For those who don't know it Makuti is a Parks hunting area in northern Zim about 70klm east of Lake Kariba and 60klm south of the Zambian border. The area is hilly to the point of being mountainous and makes up the edge of the escarpement that over looks the Zambezi valley. It has everything from rocky outcrops and cliffs to jess bush and mahogany forest with the majority of the ground being sparsley wooded grassland.
The rains had been good this year and the grass was plentyful, thick and eight feet high in places. Where there had been extensive burning the new growth showed through fresh and green and gave a good focus for the grazing herds.

DAY 1

After breakfast the two hunting vehicles take the famous "death ride" down the escarpment road to Morangora to collect our game scouts. The road gains the nick-name because of the number of truck wrecks that occur on an almost daily basis on the one mile or so stretch of the main Harare to Chirundu road that snakes its way down the side of the Zambezi valley escarpment. Needless to say there had been two more since the previous day and the local police that guarded the mangled wrecks waved a casual hand as we drove by. Yard for yard it must be one of the worst accident black spots in the whole world and comes as a stark contrast to the beautiful and deserted hills of Makuti that we are to hunt for the next eighteen days. We sign in at the Parks Office, collect our scouts and beat a hasty retreat to the hunting area.
We do the usual sighting in session and then off to hunt. Leopard bait is first on my list and so after lunch Alan and the boys elect to follow the spoor of a small Buff herd that they identify as having crossed the road about twelve hours earlier. I thought this a big ask this late in the day, but I know better than question their ability so the opinion was kept to myself. Good move, because within an hour or so, and after some awesome tracking by Nyati and Nieson we bump them in a hollow and the hunt is on. I manage to get on the sticks twice, but can't just get an angle on the right cow before they move again. Eventually at about 5.20 with light fading fast we get in close and just as I get on the sticks we hear a vehicle. With a quarter of a million acres to go at ( which is probably nearer a million if you flatten the hills out) the other hunting vehicle finds itself about to bust our stalk by driving up the hunting road that the herd had just crossed. Fortunately at that moment the cow we had selected stopped at about 70 yards. She turned and gave me a quartering facing shot and I put a Swift A Frame just on the inside edge of the leading shoulder. She lurched, staggered about ten yards and then went down. The insurance was paid and then a hasty recovery operation saw us back in camp just on dark. A perfect start.





DAY 2

We spend the whole day hanging five leopard baits at sites that Alan had already preselected.
Some were based on spoor sightings and others as a result of leopard feeding on lion baits that Myles had been using for his client a few weeks earlier. As this was my first Leopard hunt I found the whole site choice thing and hanging methods fascinating. I like to think of myself as a hunter rather than a shooter and I get more enjoyment out of the build up to the shot than the shot itself.

DAY 3

First day of bait checking.
On the way out of camp we spot a flock of guinea fowl and the game scout is asked if he wants any as rations. He confirms and I am given Alan's .22 and despatched to provide the goods. Three shots at about 80yds and at rapidly departing targets produce clouds of feathers and little else. All on the truck find it highly amusing and take no notice of my protests about the low angle of the sun and its effects in the scope etc. The trackers are despatched to check for casualties and come back giggling with just a feather or two.
All leopard baits checked with a hit on one, but it's a female.
We do the first of what are to be many drives down the extremely steep and rough track that leads up and over several hills and eventually down into the valley of the Ruyese river. The journey takes over an hour and entails several first gear, low box climbs and descents. The journey may be a backside buster and a vehicle breaker, but it takes you to the very end of the road system and into a fascinating land of steep sided grass covered valleys. The several springs that cut gorges into the hillsides contain thick green riverside jess and forests of massive mahogany trees. When you walk up some of these springs it is quite magical because the massive trees create huge caverns that seem surreal. You find yourself in a huge silent and cool tunnel with just the sound of the crystal clear water. ( I have just read back the description that I have written and realised what a profound effect the place had on me )
We put up another leopard bait and then did an exploratory walk that lasted about four hours. We saw bushbuck, klipspringer and the trackers flushed a lion.
DAY 4

Checked baits. Two more had been hit, one by a female leopard and the other by a lion. All the bait had gone so we replaced it, but this time out of lion reach.
In the afternoon we went out in the direction of Kariba and saw reedbuck, impala and warthog.
Celebrations in camp at night as Julian had got his tuskless. In the four days since their arrival they had looked at over 100 elephants. We saw elephant every day.

DAY 5

On the way to check our second bait we spot a small herd of sable. They run, but we see a decent bull amongst them and decide to follow. I am treated again to a dazzling display of tracking over mixed ground and through six feet high grass which results in us finding the herd feeding amongst the trees.
Nieson spots them first and then Alan leads me on the final stalk. He can see most of the herd, but not the bull. Alan's patience is endless and we wait for what seems like hours while he glasses and glasses again searching for the bull. He eventually slowly turns and indicates where the bull is lying down in the long grass about 80yds away. Alan whispers that he will have to stand him up and I get ready on the sticks.
At the third of Alan's whistles the bull slowly gets to his feet. I wait to get an outline as it faces us at an angle, but the outline doesn't complete and I realise that the bottom half of its body is still covered by the grass.
There is no time to wait and as I squeeze the trigger I know that I have made that usual error under pressure of shooting at what you can see rather at where you know you should be aiming. It lurches and goes, taking the herd with him. I tell Alan that I think I was high and he agrees.
Alan only moves a few yards and then starts to glass again for what seems like even longer than before.
Eventually he indicates through the trees to where the herd have stopped no more than a hundred yards away. He whispers that he hasn't gone far as the herd has calmed and some have even started to graze again. He glasses some more and then moves very slowly to get a different angle and then suddenly points with the hand held down by his side. The bull is laying down behind a tree about sixty yards away and I can see a clear dark head and shoulder silhouette as I switch on the illuminated reticle and finish the job through the base of the neck.
I don't know any other PH or guide who would not have been tempted to move forward sooner than Alan had. All I do know in hind sight is if we had done we would have lost that sable. When we examined it my shot had been high and whilst it looked ok on one side the bullet had angled backwards and was lodged under the skin on the other having missed the top of the lungs. Whilst the shock had been enough to dissuade the bull from going more than thirty or forty yards after the shot there was hardly any blood loss and a follow up with the usual timing would most probably have resulted in the loss of the animal. The successful result was all down to Al.



After lunch in camp we check the rest of the baits. We now have three females feeding and another bait has been finished by a lion. We decide to abandon that one as the tree is not high enough for a relocation.
When we got back to camp we had a visitor in the form of Justin Drainer. Justin videos hunts for CM and was stopping overnight in camp on his way to Harare rather than play Russian roulette with the night drivers on the main Harare road. He said that since his arrival earlier he had put up a bait in an attempt to feed the now infamous Makuti camp female leopard. Alan and Collen glanced at each other with one of those "Oh Yea" looks, but said nothing.
Good thing really; because while we were eating dinner there was a loud rustling sound from the tree and when Collen put his big maglite on it , there in her full glory was a beautiful female leopard who continued with her meal totally unconcerned right in front of us at what my range finder later proved to be exactly 34yds. We all felt privileged.
Rogan the camp manager took some fantastic video footage that you will no doubt see on some upcoming CM video.
Justin just smiled and went back to his own meal.
The leopard came back to entertain us for another two night after that and then there was a loud commotion in the middle of the night which was next day tracked to be a major punch up with several hyenas. She didn't come again and we all hoped she was OK.
It never fails to amaze me that you can feel genuine concern over the well being of one animal when you are doing your utmost to kill another. There is no doubt that it is still possible to passionately love wild life and yet still pander to your natural hunting instinct. Non hunters can't understand it, but it sits easy with me.

DAY 6

Whilst on our way out of camp to start our daily round of bait checking we pass the same flock of guinea fowl in the same place as before. I hoped the others hadn't seen them, but I should have known better.
With restrained smirks they insisted that I try to make up for my poor performance of the other day and I was handed the .22. The quarry were already "on their toes" at the sight of this rather reticent armed Englishman and the two shots produced the same result as the previous effort. The trackers nearly fell out of the truck laughing and needed some persuading by Alan to even go and assess the damage. They came back with another feather or two which they held aloft to further add to my embarrassment.
My time would come !!
Hung another bait down at the Ruyese in a huge mahogany tree on the side of the river that had a perfect potential blind site on the opposite bank.

DAY 7

Bait checking as usual.
When we visit the site of the first lion hit that we had repositioned to a higher branch Alan and the trackers fall around laughing. When I can get them to make sense they show me the signs where the persistent lion had returned and had made a full blown assault on the tree to again claim his free dinner. This time however he had just managed to get up the trunk of the tree to the bait branch, but when he had reached out to grab the bait he had fallen and taken out a substantial dead branch on his way down before landing in an undignified heap and making off. The thought of it started me off as well so we all chuckled the way back to the truck.



Having checked what we referred to as the "easy" bait sites with just the usual females feeding we made the long drive down to the Ruyese, but unfortunately no hits. There was some good new though in the form of fresh spoor from a big Buff herd that had passed through earlier. We had a quick lunch and then took up the chase. Their route followed the spring from its confluence with the Ruyese upstream to its source near the top of the Chemakunguwo hill in a direction that took us back towards camp. This was one of those enchanting mahogany forest caverns that I described earlier. We followed them as they criss-crossed their way along the stream bed and then through open grassy areas and along elephant paths that clung to the sides of the valley. The scenery was breath taking (and so was the effects of the climb at times) We used up our water before we reached the top, and Alan didn't even hesitate when he refilled the bottles from the spring assuring us that it was the purest water that we would find. We subsequently drank from these springs on a few occasions during the trip without any adverse effects. The springs in this area were crystal clear and we were surprised to find four different species of fish in the pools and even some freshwater crabs, some of which were about five inches across the shell.
We caught up with a group of six Dagga Boys first that had held back from the main herd. They were resting in some thick jess and we looked them over before Alan decided that they weren't any better than I had shot before and so we moved on. He looked at the time and our progress and then sent Nyati back for the truck so that he could drive around and meet us at the top.
We eventually caught up with the herd of about a hundred as they rested at the very top of the hill as it eased out into the plateau. We got in close and Alan did his usual on the glasses. We moved several times to gain a better angle, but it was eventually decided that that special one was not there. Still, it had been a great hunt and my waistline will no doubt have shown a benefit from the six and a half hour walk.
We left the herd and took a line that would have us cut the nearest hunting road.
Just before we reached the road, there, right in front of me was a dead guinea fowl. I suddenly realised where we were. I held it aloft with much acclaim and insisted on more searching. This searching produced the remains of two more corpses. This was my turn !!
"You may be the best trackers in Zim on the big stuff, but your shit at birds"
I assumed the broad smiles and hand shakes as apologies and we all poked fun at each other until the truck arrived.

DAY 8

On the way to check baits we spot a big Buff herd in defensive formation in the middle of a burned open area. The spoor on the road completes the storey; they had been hassled by lion for most of the night.
We follow them until they lay down and look them over, but nothing excites us so we leave them to some peace.
At last we have a hit off a big male. The site is our least favourite as it is quite open with little cover for the leopards approach to the bait. The only reason that it was chosen was because the cat had fed on a hyena bait left by our friends.
We build a blind and sit that night, but without result. This is a Parks area and so no hunting after dark. This makes things far more difficult, but also far more of a challenge.

DAY 9

Early start in the blind. Nothing shows, but spooring shows that he came during the night.
On the way back from checking the baits at the Ruyese I miss a grysbuck by hitting the rock that it was lying behind. (that is my official account and the subject of some discussion between me and the trackers as you can imagine)
Back at camp we find that Buzz Charlton has arrived with his client Bill Campbell and his son Billy. It is good to put a face to another AR member.

DAY 10

In the blind before dawn, nothing.
Another bait that has been regularly fed on by a female now has a big male as well.
We build another blind and sit that night, but nothing.

DAY 11

In blind before dawn, but nothing.
On checking in daylight we are amazed to find that nothing at all had fed during the night so we can only assume that they were close at hand when we built the blind and we had scared them off.
Whist checking our previous blind site Alan and the trackers decided that the tom had worked out our presence and was making a long loop around before coming to the bait because of the open nature of the area. It was decided to move the blind further away. This would mean a relatively long shot distance for leopard of 93yds, but the dead rest I had was sound and we decided to give it a go.
Alan had explained the importance of identifying the sex of any leopard on the bait before shooting as the PHs face a $2,000.00 fine if the client shoots a female by mistake. "We only shoot when we have seen nuts" was his phrase. Whilst this distance will make identification a bit more difficult we have a degree of safeguard as we only have a big male feeding".
Sat that night, nothing.

DAY 12

We were in the blind as usual before dawn.
Just as there was enough light to see the bait a cat climbed into the tree and stood.
"There he is" said Alan - "wait, wait"
Suddenly there is a loud growl from behind the bushes on the floor about thirty yards in front of the blind.
"Don't shoot !!!!, don't shoot!!!!"
He needn't have worried I wouldn't have squeezed that trigger until I had his clear go ahead.
The old man had brought his girlfriend this time and not only that, she had her daughter with her as well.
As it was to transpire the male was more interested in having his way with the female than he was in food
( I think I can remember that feeling) The two females however proceeded to provide us with some fantastic entertainment in full daylight.
The young cat wasn't strong enough to lift the Buff leg on to the branch and so she leaned down head first and walked her front legs down the meat whilst balancing her back end on the branch. She fed her way down the meat in this fashion until she over balanced and did a front summersault off the branch, just managing to stop her fall by catching hold of the swinging meat with her front claws. She hung there for a few seconds like a trapeze artist before realising that this presented another good meat eating opportunity and continued to feed. She obviously began to feel relaxed in this new position because she suddenly lost both her concentration and her grip. She hit the ground from about twelve feet with an almighty thud. Not only did her feeding methods need some practice, but her mother obviously hadn't taught her that cats should land on their feet. She was obviously a young lady of determination because without any hesitation, and in one lightening and continuous movement she -- ran up the trunk, along the branch, down the meat, did the summersault, grabbed hold and fell off (with an even louder thud !!)
It all happened so quickly that she didn't even have the opportunity of a single mouthful.
By this stage Alan and I had our hands clasped over our mouths and were choking with laughter.
The game scout who was sitting on the floor behind us was totally unaware of the comedy show out front and was giving us some very quizzical looks that only fuelled us more.
The young female hadn't finished yet and decided that she could reach this meat from underneath if she could just jump high enough. Time after time she leapt up and just managed to grab the meat before repeating her full on the back crash to the ground.
While all this was going on the male was calling close by, but the only time that he showed himself was when Alan saw the tips of three tails walking off through the grass at curtain call.
What a fantastic show and what a privilege!!!!!
We followed and glassed a herd of approx 60 Buff that afternoon without finding a shooter.
Sat at blind in the evening, but only females fed while the male serenaded from the sidelines again.
When we got back to camp we found that Bill C had shot his tuskless.

DAY 13

Sat at blind before dawn. Same scenario as night before.
Took out the teams combined frustration during the day on a big dog baboon that thought he had hidden away successfully in the top of a big evergreen leaving the rest of his family to take whatever shit was to come their way from the passing interlopers. He must have been very surprised when the 300grn Swift arrived. I think the trackers enjoyed it most.



Back at camp Bill C had shot and lost a big eland bull. They had tracked until dark and would resume the following morning. I only made very brief reference and consolation to Bill as we all know that sickening feeling when it happens and no amount of discussion helps, in fact it makes it worse. Better to leave it until there is an outcome.

DAY 14

No blind sitting this morning so lie in until 04.15.
Went to check two baits that Buzz had kindly hung for us at Gorta Gorta gorge which is an hour and a half drive out of camp towards Kariba. Nothing .
We are now desperate for fresh bait as our original baits have either been eaten or are rotting.
We look for a trophy buff bull or a zebra.
We search for most of the day and visit all of the areas where we have regularly seen Zebra, but the law of sod is in force and we only find one small group which we follow, but get busted by some Kudu cows.
On our way to sit in the blind that afternoon our luck suddenly changes when we pass a small herd of zebra in some trees close to the road who allow me to do a swift manoeuvre which results in an offhand shot at all of 50yds. We have bait.


The blind sitting produces nothing, but elation back in camp when we see Bill’s eland hanging on the rail.
Twelve hours of superb tracking had paid off.
Now was the time to talk the whole thing through and Bill gave us the full details. I wont describe further as I am sure he will be posting his own report. Suffice to say that there was a great general feeling at dinner.

DAY 15

Sat at blind before dawn. Nothing.
This calls for a major change of plan.
Alan decides to do a blanket baiting down at Ruyese. He has always favoured this area and the lack of hits on the two baits we have there has left him bemused, especially with the good spoor that we have found. He has always been of the opinion that the remoteness of the area provides our best chance of a cat in daylight. He decides to add another two baits at remote springs that have shown good spoor and have probably never been baited before. To hang each of these baits entailed a cross country drive away from the nearest hunting road until we couldn’t drive any further. The trackers then carried the front quarter of a Zebra down into and then out of a one hundred and fifty feet deep gorge and then on for a further two and a half kilometres. These guys really work for their clients !!
I was knackered just carrying my rifle.
In between hanging the two baits, we found, tracked and glassed a buff herd, but no shooters.
When we got back to camp we were told that the staff who had checked our other baits had found that a big cat had hit one of the baits at Gorta Gorta. They had built a blind for us and we were to sit the following morning. As the walk in and blind would be new to us Bongi, Buzz’s tracker would lead us in.
Oh good, another 03.15 wake up !!

DAY 16

Away from camp at 03.45. One and a half hour drive and then the walk in.
I should explain that Gorta Gorta gorge is just what it says on the tin; it’s a gorge.
The one kilometre walk in the dark to the gorge itself is bad enough, but the massive mahogany trees that grow in the gorge and the hills above the gorge collude to ensure that it is as dark as a coal mine. By this stage I was well used to walking distances through the bush in the dark, but this was to be different.
We walked closely one behind the other and as we entered the trees what little light there was completely deserted us and Alan and Bongie infront dissapeared. I am blessed with very good night vision, but at one point I had to put out my hands to ensure that I wouldn’t walk into anything. Very much to my surprise I touched Alan’s back, but I couldn’t see even his outline. How we managed that few hundred yards until we cleared the trees again I will never know.
Unfortunately that was the most exciting part of the morning because nothing appeared at the bait.
By 08.30 we were eating our bacon sandwiches while glassing the valleys towards Kariba and by 09.00 we were hot on the trail of three Dagga Boys which we tracked for six hours non stop. We caught them three times, but each time something busted us. The tracking was magnificent as always and I had to be careful not to start to take it for granted. The trackers were still hard on the track when we had to call them off at 15.00 so we could get back in the blind by 16.00. Nothing showed. We did the hour and a half drive back and then rolled into camp to enthusiastic and enquiring looks at 20.30. – Just another day at the office !!

DAY 17

We had a lie in today and only left camp at 06.00. Rogan , the camp manager and Nieson one of our trackers took a spare vehicle and set out to check our baits for us while we concentrated on buffalo.
We had looked at lots of buff over the previous days and had seen many superb young bulls over 40ins, but all had been soft. Whilst we had the time on our hands we had been very selective, but now was the time to lower our sights a little. The first good mature bull that presented itself was going to get it.
We drove the road that snakes to the top of the Chemakunguwo hill so that we could glass a huge area of the concession. We had only gone half way up when our game scout spotted a herd below us. We drove back down, parked the vehicle and mapped a course that would see us intercept the feeding herd.
We knew the area that they were feeding into intimately as they would pass within a hundred yards or so of one of the baits that we had been checking daily.
Alan led us as we crouched along a stream bed to get in front of the herd. We had to stop at one point when we ran out of cover, but this gave Alan plenty of time to glass and make his assessment.
We waited for about ten minutes while they grazed past and then did a sort of crouched sprint to gain the lost ground.
We were eventually in position and we left the rest of the party while Alan and I made the final stalk in fairly open ground. I got on the sticks and Alan indicated a bull at the front of the herd that initially walked towards us and then stopped with his front end behind a tree facing to our right.
The rest of the herd was moving to our left so I was confident that he would follow and in doing so would move into a clearing about sixty yards away. He did just that and at my shot he hunched forward and started to go down. The usual adrenalin cut in and he regained his feet and staggered another ten yards before standing and swaying from side to side with his back to us. The combination of his totally relaxed condition at the shot and the Swift A Frame taking the top of the heart and both lungs meant that he made no effort to go any further. I used the other two solids in the magazine to ensure that he was put down quickly.
After all of the isolated locations that we had hunted he was lying exactly 52yds from a hunting road. The trackers laughed when I insisted on cutting the recovery road in. He was a good mature herd bull of 38ins and while not the biggest I have shot he was the culmination of several excellent and exciting hunting days. Everything had gone perfectly from spotting the herd, to the stalk, shot and easy recovery, and it was still only 09.00. Perhaps our luck was changing?



We took the Buff back to camp and then set off down towards the Ruyese for a radio update from Rogan on the state of the baits. We kept trying the radio, but without response and we started to get a strong feeling that something was on. About three quarters of the way along the track we eventually got through to an over excited Rogan who told us that as they approached one of the baits there was a male and female Leopard feeding and that they had watched them leave and climb the hill away from the bait tree.
They had started to make a blind for us when they saw the two leopards returning and had sneaked out without being detected. He then said the words that had Alan immediately change into Michael Schumacher “you had better hurry because they have nearly finished the meatâ€
My wife was on the back of the truck with the trackers and she said afterwards that she has never experienced a road journey like it. Alan was not going to let all that hard work go to waste and if they finished the meat they would probably not return. We did the rest of the road journey in record time and then Alan and I sprinted the majority of the 2klms to the site before undertaking the most delicate stalk I have ever experienced. Imagine attempting to sneak up on two leopards !
We could have relaxed, because when we arrived they weren’t there. We immediately called up the others on the radio and we built the quickest and quietist blind in history. No one said a word.
The others left and Alan and I sat. It was 14.00.
The blind was built on the bank some ten feet or so above the sandy bed of the river. The bait tree was on the opposite bank on the point of where another dry river valley joined. We looked across at a steep hillside covered in thick bush and to our back we had walked in through thick grass about eight feet high. The distance to the bait branch was about 50yds.
I was prepared for the long wait and so I was almost dossing when after an hour I heard that unmistakable gutteral sound. I looked at Alan and he mouthed the word I was expecting – elephant.
He slowly reached for the rifle that he had propped up in the corner and eased his way to the door of the blind. After a few minutes he returned to his seat and made that “gone away†gesture with his hand. He told me later that they had passed within fifteen yards or so of the blind as they followed the path that crossed the river. His good advice of a couple of days earlier rang in my head “never build a blind on a pathâ€
I had mixed emotions at the time. I was concerned in case they unexpectedly found us within their attack zone and attempted to give us a good stomping, but I was also annoyed that they could bust our leopard session. In the end it all worked out and added another memory.
At 17.20 Alan moved his hand where I could see it and turned and mouthed the words “at the base of the treeâ€
There, about forty five yards away lay the most beautiful tom leopard in full sunshine. I was just starting to study every hair when the female walked out from the shadows and rubbed herself up against him like a house cat does against your leg. He responded by rolling over on his back and cuffing her with a gentle paw. They then layed side by side facing us.
“The one on the right†whispered Alan
“The one on the right – shoot himâ€
“What now?†I asked
“Shoot himâ€
As I put the cross hairs under the cats chin I thought that this was not going to be an easy shot. Fortunately at that moment he got up and walked towards us down to one of the pools of water in the river bed. I had to lift the rifle out of my shoulder and peep through the bottom part of the scope to be able to still see him.
He lay there facing me and very slowly lapping water. I could sense that Alan was showing some concern as he could no longer see the cat and he made an enquiring glance at me which I responded with a shake of the head. I learned later that he thought I meant that I couldn’t see it either when I thought he was asking if I had a shot.
The leopard slowly stood up and started to walk back to the tree. He then stopped and sat up giving me a perfect side profile. The cross hairs found the centre of the shoulder and the rifle went off. I say “went off†because I can’t remember making any conscious decision to squeeze the trigger it just happened automatically.
It is amazing what you are aware of around you at a moment like that. Logically you would think that the recoil from a 375 would mess up everything, but I can vividly remember seeing the cat being flattened and at the same moment Alan levitate from his chair. I can even remember the look of wide eyed shock on his face.
“What happened?†he said
“It’s down†I replied
“Whereâ€
“On the rocks below you “
He came and glassed through my shooting gap while explaining that he wasn’t ready for a shot because he thought that I couldn’t see it. He thought the rifle had gone off by mistake.
He then said those chilling words; “Oh shit, Oh shit.â€
“Whatâ€
“I can’t see nutsâ€
“ What do you mean you can’t see nuts, It’s the one you told me to shoot – I never took my eyes off itâ€
We walked down to the leopard and he slowly pulled its legs apart and then gave a huge sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness for thatâ€
Alan said that when it was down he started to doubt his original assessment because the cat didn’t look that big. In the final analysis the cat was in fact a younger male than we had thought. It’s downfall had been that it had a particularly large track.
The boys were called up on the radio, but they were already on their way having heard the shot. Big smiles, hand shakes and laughter all round. These guys had earned it big style. They had put in tremendous amounts of hard work.
There was still enough light for photographs and then Ronald the game scout and Nyati took their turns at carrying the cat back to the cruiser. Nyati celebrated his leg of the carry by running the whole way. We couldn’t keep up.
On the way back the trackers hatched a plan where we would arrive in camp with our usual stoical faces and loudly make arrangements for yet another early start.
This we accomplished very well with everyone offering their usual amount of regret, support and reassurances. Buzz did query our rather early arrival, but Alan saved the day by blasting all the elephants in Makuti for chasing us out of the blind in mid session.
After ten minutes, and when the autopsy had subsided Nyati walked up with the other guys in tow and loudly asked if they should now unload the leopard from the truck.
We were all called a lot of names and then the party started.





DAY 18

Headache, late breakfast and then the shooting competition for the trackers, game scouts and PHs.
The stupid hat that we took as a prize last year went down that well that we decided to repeat the performance.
These guys really take these competitions seriously and not only was the winning scout delighted with his prize, but he wore it on the truck all the way back to the Parks Office.





Conclusion
We had a fantastic and a hard working hunt. We had our frustrations and our rewards and all our successes were well earned.
The area is as “real†as it gets. The hunting was challenging, but I would rather have it that way than be done in the first few days.
The whole team worked their socks off and I have never met anyone as tenacious as Alan Shearing. The guy won’t give in.
Many thanks to Alan and the whole CM team for their professionalism.


Other memories from the trip worthy of mention;
- The food in camp; Absolutely excellent, Crispen the chef is a magician.
- New Swarovski Z6i 1.7-10 x 42 scope -- outstanding!
- Swift A Frame bullet performance --- awesome , I can’t imagine me ever wanting to use anything else in future.
- Those fucking tsetse flies !!!

Quote of the trip;
From Ronald the young game scout when I pointed down to some droppings and asked him;
“What’s that Ronald ?â€
His reply was;-
“ I think you will find that it is shit from a small animal sir “

Great animals and a nice report.

Gotta love this answer though!

quote:

Quote of the trip;
From Ronald the young game scout when I pointed down to some droppings and asked him;
“What’s that Ronald ?â€
His reply was;-
“ I think you will find that it is shit from a small animal sir “

Great report! Once again I am homesick for Africa.

Great report, thanks for posting.

Congratulations!!! Great report and photos.

Great trip and outstanding report!

Very nice report. Congratulations on a great hunt. That had to be a real treat to see the leopard feeding from the dining area in camp. I love Makuti, I just wish that they could iron out some of the hills.

Great report Robert! You worked your tail off on this hunt, and kept giving it 100% till the last round - well done!

It was a pleasure spending time in camp with you and Teresa, and I will be in touch in regards to Scotland. I would also like to trade picture DVD's as I am sure Teresa took some excellent ones in Mana Pools with her camera.

I will indeed hopefully put together a report if/when I catch my breath at the office, but until then I hope you don't mind me adding a few picts from my hunt w/CMS.

Regards,

Bill








https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1411043/m/227100909

quote:

Quote of the trip;
From Ronald the young game scout when I pointed down to some droppings and asked him;
“What’s that Ronald ?â€
His reply was;-
“ I think you will find that it is shit from a small animal sir “

Logic like that is why Alan and his team are the best in the business.

Congratulations on a great hunt! My wife can't wait to get back to Makuti and hunt with Alan.

Was the lion hitting your bait on the Ruyese? We saw several lions down there last year while we were chasing buffalo.

Congratulations and well-done on your Big 2 safari in Makuti! Great trophies and ethically hunted!

Excellent hunt and report Robert. I was interested to hear more about what happened with the camp leopard. I didn't know she put on a show for you at dinner! Very cool.

Hopefully, Alan spared you the whole talk about dead sable looking like donkeys on the ground? He's funny and a good man to share a hike or campfire with. Did he fix the left seat cushion in his truck yet? That thing just about crippled me.

Makuti with Alan 2 years in a row? I have to admit some jealousy of that! Congrats on some great memories.

Congratulations on your hunt, it sounds like you earned your trophies!

I was also going to say that when Alan and I hunted Makuti last June, it was our first hunts there for everyone (Buzz, Myles and Alan). They have really gotten to know the place well since then. I remember when we found those mahogany groves that you talked about. Truly a beautiful and peaceful place.

I also thought that Guy (the appy PH last year) did a great job building and cleaning up that camp. Pity that he quit CMS to go raise chickens! Did they complete that boneyard out past the campfire yet? I ask because you mentioned the hyenas coming in close and messing with the camp leopard. Great memories.

Thank you for the very detailed and informative report. Congrats on a great hunt!

JPK

R.Jolly

Good trophies and a very well written report.

Congrats!

Mark

R.Jolly, Great hunt specially the leopard. Thanks for sharing.

To answer Lhook7's question. We did see plenty of lion spoor down at the Ruyese and the trackers flushed one from the jess bush in front of us, but the ones that hammered our baits were on the main road out to the tarmac and at a site close to the Makuti dam.
Yukon; When my friend Julian saw my sable in camp he said "who would come all this way just to shoot a goat" He changed his opinion when he shot his a couple of days later.
My plan to save my backside in Alan's truck was to roll up my fleece and use it to even out the hollow in that famous front seat. The good news is that ours was the last hunt for the old green lady as Alan left us to collect his replacement truck in Harare. If only that truck could write, her hunt report for the past seven years would be worth reading.
The hyenas at Makuti are fast becoming a highly sought after trophy. They leave their spoor on all the roads, but never show up on baits when you target them. They then rub salt in the wound by walking through camp at night whooping and laughing. I really want one !!!!!!

Thanks for sharing your well-written story with us.

Robert,

Sounds like you had a great time.

Congratulations.

Hi Robert,

Great report. Congratulations on a great hunt. Thats a nice looking sable. What did it measure? Nice Tom to.

Let me know if you want some prices for your next hunt.

Mike
Mike Taylor Sporting

Thanks Mike
Sable was 37"
Not the 40+ that we were looking for, but as I have said before the hunt is always more important to me than the measurements.
Regards
Robert

Wow, what a great report!

very nice report!
reading it was like being there with you.congatulations..

You're an excellent author! Thank you for sharing your hunt with us.

Great report and pictures. Thanks for sharing them!