Hunt dates: 3/9-22/2010
Location: Save Conservancy Zimbabwe-Hammond/ARDA area - Zambezi Hunters
PH: Ian Gibson
Species taken: buffalo, eland, wildebeest, zebra, kudu, duiker, impala baits.
Species hunted, but not taken: leopard, bushpig, warthog
Rifles: .375 (eland, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra), .30-06 (kudu, duiker, impala)
Travel Agent: Steve Turner - Travel With Guns

We drove from Harare six hours south to the Hammond camp. I'm glad I got to see the country by driving. Previously I've just flown an air charter up to Chewore and that really doesn't give you the feel for the country, the sights, the smells (mostly good), and how the people are trying to cope with a country hanging on by a thread. No real police "road blocks", just several, what I would call police "hassle points", but no problems passing through them.

The Hammond camp was very nice; food was excellent the whole time. Jonny Hulme, his parents, and the appy PH Peter were all a pleasure to visit with and are exceptionally good hosts. The area was lush green due to the recent rains. We got a couple of light rains while we were there that actually helped with the track ID. Most of the hunting was what I would call "pulling" through waist high to shoulder high grass. A new experience for me, but made the successful kills all the more rewarding. The area has lots of granite kopjes that make the terrain very interesting.

Some of you know I've had a couple of frustrating experiences with eland, so I considered the hunt a success within the first hour after sighting in the rifles when a good bull was on the ground. It wasn't a "bang-flop" scenario, he did give us a short chase and died hard and brave, but I was able to get in follow-up shots that put him down for good.

We tracked buffalo herds and individual dagga boys several different times and for quite a while each time, but my solo bull was spotted from the truck, tracked about 300 yards and shot (a few times) at about 25 yards. He missed 40" by an inch, but he angles back quite a bit, which I think adds character. He was old and big, so I was very pleased.

We had 5 leopard baits working towards the end, but only females and cubs were occassionally feeding. It was still pretty warm and the baits were going off very quickly. Oh well, that 's hunting. 'Gives me an excuse to keep going back.

All in all a great trip and hunt. Not everything died to one shot, but nothing was lost - to me that is a blessing. Ian only backed me up on the buffalo, which I expect and appreciate.

I can't say enough about how nice the Hulme family is and how hard they try to run and continually improve a hunting area.

On the way back, we ran several errands around Harare, including seeing Andy Hunter for dip and pack arrangements. Many on this forum have sung his praises and I've never had anything but very fast and efficient service from him. (www.zimbabwedipandpack.com) Driving around Harare it hit me what it reminded me of - a small version of Mexico City - just different color faces.

Steve Turner with Travel With Guns answered his phone EVERY time and was a perfect gentleman reminding me what to do during my travels. All flights were roughly on time and didn't experience any real problems; just the normal delays, SNAFU's and "shamming" from the African ground staff. The World Cup should be a real "hoot" - glad I'm not going through JNB then. If any of you are, plan to relax and drink heavily.

Lastly, what to say about Mr. Ian Gibson? He loves to "pull the piss" out of you; sometimes a royal pain in the ass; hardly ever stops to "smell the roses" (unless it's fishing), but he's one of the best and most experienced PH's in Africa. Other PH's always ask his opinion about hunting the things that bite, claw, and stomp. He's not a promoter or a showman. He just knows how to hunt.













Brake repair by committee

Reminds me of a joke, "How many Zimbos does it take to fix the truck?"

Congrats and welcome home.

This is the first that I've heard of Ian Gibson guiding for ZH. Has he joined them full time or was this a specialty guiding arrangement?

Good looking time.. Let's see some more pics of that buff!

Congrats and welcome back.

Congrats on some great trophies Cazador! What a stud Eland.
Regards,
David

Congrats.

It is a fantastic place. I was there in October. It is interesting to me that your leopard experience was exactly the same as mine. I wonder what is up with that. The males must either be educated or shot out.

I love that kudu. I think it may be the same one I saw 2 or 3 times. What did he measure?

Love that buff.

Congrats again.

Looks like a great trip

That eland is outstanding.Lets see some more pictures of that buffalo.Looks like you had a great trip.Congratulations!!

Congrats on a great trip and welcome home.

Beautiful eland. Sounds like you accomplished a lot in 14 days.

Congrat's on a good trip & report. It seems like vehicle problems (even small) are the norm in Africa. The only problem that we had, was every couple of days one of the tires needed to be pumped up. The PH said that the tires were only about 3 weeks old, but had rock cuts already!
No big deal, he carried a tire pump that ran off of the battery and we just "aired up" a few times.

Thanks all for the kind words. Here's a couple more of the buffalo.



Will - Ian is still with Chifuti. This was a special, pre-season arrangement.

Larry - Yes Peter, the appy, said that he'd seen that kudu a few times and people had passed him up. I think he measured 53 1/2. Not a monster, but I'm proud of him.

quote:

Originally posted by Cazador humilde:
Thanks all for the kind words. Here's a couple more of the buffalo.



Will - Ian is still with Chifuti. This was a special, pre-season arrangement.

Larry - Yes Peter, the appy, said that he'd seen that kudu a few times and people had passed him up. I think he measured 53 1/2. Not a monster, but I'm proud of him.

I dont know how you measure monsters but a 53 inch buff is a monster among monsters
you sure its 53 and not 43?

43 is a hell of a buff. guess it does not matter
it a great buff in any event.

Excellent. Love the buff but they are all great . Congrats on going early and making it happen.

Jeff,
I believe he was speaking of the kudu bull he took.

I like that muddied up ol' hard headed bull. Is that a bullet hole in his muzzle? Is there a story you're holding out on us??

quote:

Originally posted by Scottyboy:
Jeff,
I believe he was speaking of the kudu bull he took.

I like that muddied up ol' hard headed bull. Is that a bullet hole in his muzzle? Is there a story you're holding out on us??

Nah, just missed in between his eyes, yes, at 25 yards. Rearranged his sinus, poor bastard, but missed the brain. Thus began the barrage, but he never got out of a 10 yard circle. Next Ian fired, then I followed up with 3 more. Finally got the bellow and it was all over. We were one happy group. He measured 39".

Congrats on some fine trophy's mate.
When I last hunted with Ian in 08, He said he was looking forward to hunt the Save.

Mate that a fantastic bunch of trophies most of all the Eland with a big "tuft" well done. I look forward to hunting with Ian one of these days

Welcome home and congratulations on a great hunt. Thanks for sharing your excellent pictures.

Jason

that eland is awesome, I love that guy. All your trophies are great. One day I will get on that elusive buff hunt.

Welcome home. Congratulations on your Eland,Buffalo,and your other fine SAVE tropies!

Great trip, congratulations.
All excellent trophies.
That's an old warrior of a buff!

Great pics...congratulations on the trophies !!!

Thanks for the report and pics;love that Save. Leopards ,I believe, are getting tougher there. Jim

Great trophies all of them. Thanks for sharing. I'll keep dreaming....one day....

A tightly curled Kudu, a super Eland, a buff with a deep curl; sounds like success to me.

Congratulations on a great hunt. Gibbo is a great guy.

Really enjoyed your report. You captured the essence of the hunt with well chosen pictures and words and what a fantastic eland. I go next year to the Save and I'd be delighted with such a great eland.

Well done and thanks for the report. I bet your planning your next trip already !!

Excellent trophies, well done. Fantastic old buffalo. You deserve a whisky or two!

Glad you had a great hunt. I hunted with Ian in the Zambezi Valley in 2008 for Leopard and Buffalo. I agree Ian is a hell of a PH. I agree with your comment on him not stopping to smell the roses. He is a walking fool. And he only has one speed. But he knows his stuff. I had a great time with Ian and almost booked your same hunt with Ian. Great job again.

I enhanced one for ya. Congrats

Thanks Slider. I just took my old, small camera. Next time I'll take the good camera. 'Appreciate your help.

Caz,
Great hunt and well done, my friend. I also stayed at Hammond camp and really enjoyed the accomodations! The private outdoor showers at the chalets were the bomb. Nothing like washing the African dust off under the African stars! And the Hulmes are great folks.

Also some great trophies... I like that buff. Sorry about the cat but the leopards have PhD's in hunter education in the Lowveldt. But it gives you a reason to re-up and head back. Not that any of us really need a reason other than we just love to hunt...

Once again, good show!

Thanks bwana,
Yeah, I picked the outdoor shower too. First landscaped shower I've ever had. I took pictures I liked it so much.

Fantastic kudu, well done

GREAT Eland!! I'm jealous.....

Congratulations,Cazador! Nice animals.

Great trip, great trophies and great report. Thanks and congrats!

What a wonderful hunt. Congrats. I can't wait for a chance to hunt the Save.

Great trophies. My PH has been twisting my arm to come and hunt the Save. Now I can see why!