Mulberry Grove Safari-Richard Holmes Owner/PH
Clifton, RSA
http://www.mulberrygrovesafaris.co.za/

Dates Hunted: May 11-May 18, 2002

Animals Hunted/Taken:
Springbok 11.50"
Impala 22.50"
Lechwe 30.25"
Cape Eland 38.25"

Animals Hunted/Not Taken:
Genet Cat - Never saw any

Method of hunt:
Spot and Stalk

Weapon:
Browning A-Bolt .338 Win Mag
230 gr Win FailSafe bullets

Shot Distances:
Closest ~85 yards (Impala)
Furthest ~220 yards (Lechwe)

Weather:
Mild - High 70's Low 50's

Side Trips:
Mountain Zebra National Park
Bushman etchings on property
Peter Flacks Trophy Room

A few photos:
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/SnakeLover/bradlechwefull.jpg
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/SnakeLover/bradelandhead.jpg
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/SnakeLover/bradtamspringbok.jpg
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/SnakeLover/bradimpala.jpg

My wife and I hunted there after purchasing the donated hunt at a local SCI auction. We were the only folks in camp during the entire hunt. He does not take many hunters each year, and therefore trophy quality seemed above average.

Richard was very accomodating in all aspects - he new the flaura and fauna, took the time to explain distinctive characteristics/habits of each of the animals, and made sure we hunted ethically (no hunting from trucks!).

Rifle/bullet combination performed well. Only bullet recovered was from lechwe and retained 229 grains. Used Harris BiPod with longest legs and would recommend to others as it was high enough to see over grass.

He also managed the hunting area Bankfontein, owned by Peter Flack. Any hunter that takes an animal from that property is allowed to tour his trophy room, which was awesome!! SCI World Record Rhino mounted lifesize in center of one room. Took one roll of film just of his trophy room. Property contains over 20 species and saw many, including waterbuck, nyala, and mountatin zebra. I took both the eland and impala on this property. Marion (his wife and cook) prepared eland steak for us on last night and was better than Ruth Chris' here in the states!!

He uses Taxidermy Africa http://www.taxidermyafrica.com/ for dipping/crating and their service was great as well. Peacock's were friendly to work with, timely communication and prompt response to questions. John Peacock is SCI master measurer and he measured all animals for me before shipping, since the lechwe was top 10. Received stateside end of August, 2002.

Fauna & Flora handled customs clearing stateside and got to my taxidermist quickly. John Meehan was contact.

Flew into PE. Gracy Travel handled all reservations and I really thought Shawn Westcott did a nice job, getting us upstairs bulkhead seats for additional leg room.

8 day hunt $1050
Trophy Fees/Other $4960
Tips $ 600
Airfare $2620 ($1310/person)
Taxidermy Africa $ 551
Tracker Int'l $ 297
Fauna & Flora $ 484
Total Cost: $10,562

We really enjoyed ourselves and would recommend to other couples.

SnakeLover,

Congratulations, looks like a great hunt.

Regards,

Terry

Snakelover

Congratulations on a great and thanks for a great report.

It was in fact a great hunt, one that I still reflect fondly on. I just returned from the Reno SCI show and was able to relive a lot through talking with other hunters.

To top it off I found out that the lechwe is the new #4 in the world, missing #3 by 1/8"!! My wife says that is good because she was afraid of seeing my picture in the SCI book.