Yo !

Preamble: My great amigo Phill booked this hunt a couple of years ago with Cam Greig who advertises unguided big game safaris in Cameroon. Phill and another chap were to go on this hunt but an illness in the family forced Phill to postpone and his friend went without him. This guy busted his achilles tendon in the hotel the day before he was to go into the bush - went anyways and somehow knocked off a couple of the animals ... Sucker must be one tough hombre. Anyways .. a year or two later I met Phill in Calgary and we began the long long journey to Northern Cameroon.

I will speak only of my part of the trip.

Rifle: Ruger left handed Hawkeye 375 .. laminated stock ... Burris illuminated Euro Diamond scope. It was mostly impossible to get factory shells in Canada for the 375 Ruger so I took mostly reloads .. (Hornaldy) with a few solids brought along in case an elephant tried to take me out.

Airlines used: Air Canada (who charged me $50 for having a rifle along) and Swiss Air from Montreal/Zurich/Doula/Yaounde. Phill and I damn near got off in Douala that night ... that would have been soooooooo bad ...

Eventually we got to Yaounde and Daniel (the manager) met us at the luggage and took us to get our rifles cleared. This involved two sets of officials and bribe money was involved. We were told that the airports are a cesspool of humanity and some sure fit that category ... Other officials were very nice. From there we spent the night at a $55 hotel (Xavier) that must have been something about 50 years ago but it was obvious that no money had been spent on upkeep since the fifties.

From there we had about a 15 1/2 hour train ride north. We had sleeper accomodations and it was fine. The train seemed to stop often and there were always folks hawking stuff. The bananas were tasty. I had never ridden on a train before and thought that it must have been a little like sleeping during an earthquake ..

I looked on this trip as an adventure and a chance to see a culture that was certainly different than what I had experienced in such places as Angola, Zim, Namibia, and South Africa. In the first 14 days we saw a total of about 11 white folks, half a dozen albinos, and smokers were so rare that they must number 1/500 ... amazing, really. Also saw a traffic cop go nuts and kicked the hell out of some poor loser's car .. front and side.

Later there was a three hour automobile drive which eventually ended in a village. After spending the night there and getting our guns blessed by the chief .. we drove another five miles (GPS) and got out for the hunt.

I wanted a savannah buffalo and that was all I needed to make me happy and content. I have earlier shot cape buffalo, Australian water buffalo, and a different kind of water buffalo in Uruguay.

We had ten porters/skinners/trackers waiting for us and eventually most of our gear was loaded into blue barrels for packing .. along with food and all kinds of other stuff that a person would need on a walking safari .. far from any road or (hopefully) people.

That first day we set off in the hot sun late in the morning and walked hard for a couple of hours. It actually took a bit longer than that and I must admit that I was bagged by the time we reached the spot where we would put up camp. Cam had suggested that we bring hammocks so I did that very thing . Everyone else seemed surprised in my choice and I never really enjoyed it very much. It was great to rest in but tough to enjoy sleeping ...

The way the trackers hunt was to walk at top speed for hours and hours .. They called it hard walking . Much of the ground was totally covered with golf ball sized termite mounds that were very tiring. Luckily I had some great boots (Titanium ... ) with strong ankle support and that helped. Back at camp we immediately took our boots off and put on sneakers .. we spent a lot of time making sure that our feet were doing well and we did O.K. there. Daniel was surprised that we weren't bothered all that much by blisters as he said most folks are. The trackers had nasty little tight .. almost plastic type runners and seemed to do just fine. Although they seemed to lack traction on the rocks.

That afternoon I got a 60 yard shot at a huge bushbuck ram that was bedded behind a giant rock. I could see 1/3 of his body and using my new fancy bog pod ... steady as hell .. I slowly squeezed off a shot and .. to my immense amazement - I hit the damn rock .. about 6 inches low on it, too !!! The lucky ram boogied and I was left to ponder on that one. I do not remember pulling the shot and have come up with the wild supposition that one of the legs gave out when I shot .. that it wasn't screwed tight ... I felt bad that the men would have no fresh meat from me that night but it was O.K. to miss. I already have a big bushbuck on my wall ... so I'll get over it.

On the way back to camp .. around 5:30 p.m. with darkness soon to follow .. I was about three feet behind the tracker and as I was stepping forward I saw that I was about to step either on or inches away from a viper !!! Aaarrghhh ! The tracker had not noticed it. I leaped so violently to the immediate side that I got a temporary side ache !!! So I came within inches of getting myself killed that first day in the bush ... The water guy took his panga, cut down a small tree for a club, smucked the snake, cut off its head with the panga, buried the head, and took it back to camp for vittles.

The men had told us that there were plenty of roan and plenty of buffalo. I was to later understand that 'plenty' meant any number larger than 0 but not discounting the fact that it could be 0.

Over the course of the hunt we would walk 8-10 hours a day .. They walked fast and when we hunted in the 'mountains' - well, I felt that I was being given day long beatings every day ... We would often walk for two or three hours without seeing a fresh track or even much for old sign. There was a lot of poaching activity with lots of snares being found .. one day we came on 3 poachers and five dogs up in the mountains where we were told that the game had all gone. There wasn't much sign there either as I am sure that poachers with dogs would move game out in a hurry. I saw another poacher another day and there were lots of old camps. Another day we came on a herd of zebu cattle in the concession. The herdsguy ran off and for a while the damn cattle followed us around.

We were told that there would be few animals and that the locals hunted. This was all true and when later we were told that there was in fact a lot of game - well, we never saw that at all.

One of the guys in camp was our cook and we ate some wild game .. rice and spaghetti .. and a few freeze dried meals that I had brought.

Our clothes were washed daily - good job ! We bathed daily and used Bond medicated powder to avoid getting chaffed .. it was great advice and worked perfectly.

I wore loose baggy clothes and we would wet our hats and sometimes our shirts in assorted springs to keep cool. We were also told to drink a minimum of one gallon of boiled water a day .. I did, Phill didn't and he chose - poorly.

Eventually I got onto a small herd of five buffalo and the first animal I saw was the old bull. Broadside ... in a little clearing .. at about forty or fifty yards ... I shot him in the shoulder, he went down, got up, shot him again in the shoulder, went down, tried to get up and I whacked him in the neck ...

For the last year I had been having some rather lousy luck on my hunting trips ... it all changed right there !!! I was ecstatic !!!

Sadly my damn memory card had gone to hell in my camera. Luckily the tracker then ran five miles back for a replacement card that I took another 530 photos with .. (I shall try to salvage the other card tomorrow ???)

The only part of that buffalo not used was part of the lower jawbone ... everything else including hoofs and hide (hair burned off and then cut into strips and smoked) was either eaten or taken back to the village later.

I also watched the men eat a confiscated baboon that we took off some poachers ... and when they got a monkey from somewhere .. well, it was tossed into the fire to get rid of the hair ...

All very interesting ,,,,

There was one hartebeest dragging a snare around that three of our men eventually took their spears and ran it down and killed it .. it was tasty.

Game:

Lord Derby Eland - a few tracks

Roan - two spotted from far off ... we tracked roans four or five times but were unable to come up with a sighting.

Buffalo- one herd of five

Elephant - some ancient sign

Small game:

Oribi - a few small ones .. maybe ten in total over the hunt

Duiker (rouge) - a couple of fleeting glances

Bushbuck - maybe 6 or 8 in total .. one good ram spotted that I missed.

Waterbuck - no sign

Warthog - a few tracks

Red River Hog - one track

I got my second wind about day four or five and that really helped.

For me ... and I have been to Africa on 12 or 14 safaris ...so I have something to compare... it was a great adventure ... I loved it ... loved our 'staff'.. they were hard working, honest, cheerful and respectful ...

The hunting was very hard .. very little game .. but since I came for buffalo .. it worked out perfectly for me.


I saw many many interesting sights ... and it was the perfect culmination (for now) of my African hunting that began in 1977 in South Africa back when things there were a bit less groomed ..

I would rate it ... as an adventure/hunting trip ... for a guy who wanted to experience remote Northern Cameroon without a guide or vehicles ... a walking safari... a 9/10. More game would have been nice.

I doubt if my amigo would rate it much higher than about a 3/10 .. Just a guess.

My lady asked me last night who I would/could recommend the hunt to .. actually, no one ... But for me it was perfect ... Everyone is tougher than me physically (actually I am tied with the Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man) but I try hard and that counts for a lot ...

I am glad that I did it ... My great friend Lorenzo has offered to post some of my photos so I shall send him some ...

Good hunting !!!

Scruffy,
One of the biggest parts of hunting is one's attitude, and you certainly have it in spades! What a refreshing break from the usual whining and complaining encountered on a "slow" hunt. I'd share a camp with you anytime. Plus, if there happened to be any dangerous game in the area, I like to hunt with someone who runs slower than I do!!!

Sounds like a wonderful adventure. Pity those areas don't hold more game! It's a bitch to slog about and not see much at the end of the day....

Scruffy,

Glad to hear you got your buff! Sounds like a wonderful trip for an old rogue like yourself. Those poachers probably ran so hard because they thought you were the ghost of some old conquistador stumbling out of the bush. Ky and I will have to get the full story from you some time soon. It's our turn to buy too, IIRC.

Dean

Scruffy,

You do have the right attitude. Most folks I work with would be quite unhappy with the end results. You on the other hand saw beyond the lack of game and focused on an adventure that few will ever experience.

Did you ever get your brown bear? I have 3 avaiable for this fall if your interested.

Mark

Brown bear .... We'll talk ...

Good to hear that you got a buffalo, but it doesn't sound like a hunters paradise.

It sounds like it could have been even more of an exciting hunt if you ran into more game. Sounds like an adventure just to get to camp!!

Richard,

Quite an adventure my friend...

The camp



Richard trying to recover his breath during the hunt..



Breakfast (or dinner ?)



Black hands because of the burnt grass and trees



Zebu cattle following the hunters



The game scout rifle, circa 1928 ??



The guy who speared a hartebeest



Richard's bed



Poacher's camp



Supper



Phill's face says a LOT about the tough hunt these two brave (or crazy) men went into..



Endless fields of termite mounds the size of golf balls makes the walking very difficult



Richard using his vest to protect his face from the sun while tracking roan.



Waterboy and courious ant hill..



Richard with the rest of the safari members



Natural viagra made of roots by the staff..



Richard and his ol'bull. To tired for pose.



A close look from the buffalo horns



Meat drying on racks...yummy



The only thing that escaped from being eated, the buff under jaw.



A tough and happy guy...



Well that's all folks !!
Sorry for any gramma error (or horror? )

L

Very cool trip Scruffy, and those pictures tell it all! I bet after a few months the scope of your adventure will set in, and the memories all the sweeter. Hopefully for your partner too!

To those that read this report, please keep in mind that this was probably an $8-9K trip + airfare for each hunter, not cheap but not a $40K+ lord derby eland hunt either. But as you said Scruff, one needs to buy into the "adventure aspect" and not expect miracles.

Well done to both you gentlemen!

Helluva hunt, Scruff!! Looks like a lifetime of memories were made while there!

These hunts are high on my to-do list.

Way to go Scruffy!!! I'd hunt with you any day! Good attitude=solid character

That's one of my dream trips, no doubt.

Regards,
Scott

What an adventure!
Glad you got your buff.

Well done Richard

That's what it's all about! The hunt is the adventure and trophies are a bonus. Well done!

Richard! WOW!

All I can say is, you are still my HERO!

I wouldn't have gotten a minutes rest in that hammock! I'd be waiting for something to slither down those trees and join me. If you try that again, you may want to consider a Hennessey Hammock! I have one for bivouac hunting around here (g-bear burritos!), and would be a lot more comfortable with it in a place with lots of creepy-crawlies and snakes!

Hope to hear all about this one in person some-time! When is the LA gun show this year?

Cheers
Chris

Thanks for sharing. WHAT A HUNT!!


Jamie

Now that's what I call a proper hunt - well done!
We all do it the "soft way.

Yo, Canuck !!

The LA gunshow was two weeks ago .. first one I missed in many years ... I think Calgary is coming up in about a month .. always good to see old friends there ... Beer is on the Iceman !!! ( I hope ?!) I'll check out that Hennessey Hammock ....

Great report scruffy
Sounds like a great hunt to have done.

TerryR

So did you bring my buddy Phill back alive?

quote:

Originally posted by Canuck:If you try that again, you may want to consider a Hennessey Hammock!

Chris, not to hijack and feel free to pm/email me, but pls tell me more, this one maybe? http://www.rei.com/product/696121

Would you consider this instead of a ground setup if spending 3-4 nights at a shot backpacking in Africa? Any trick/tips or oh-by-the-ways to what they call "Hammock Camping"? How about the learning curve?

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:

quote:

Originally posted by Canuck:If you try that again, you may want to consider a Hennessey Hammock!

Chris, not to hijack and feel free to pm/email me, but pls tell me more, this one maybe? http://www.rei.com/product/696121

Would you consider this instead of a ground setup if spending 3-4 nights at a shot backpacking in Africa? Any trick/tips or oh-by-the-ways to what they call "Hammock Camping"? How about the learning curve?

Sent you a PM re. hammocks;

Cool report;talked to Cam about these hunt's;more intrigued than ever.Game numbers are a bit of a concern,but what an adventure!

Did you try calling for any of the duikers?

What an adventure! I enjoyed your report very much.

Richard, congrats on your bull! What a hell of a trek you made. Looking back I know you accomplished more than just hunting...you took a true safari!
Cheers,
David

Yo, Palmer !!!

In point of fact I did walk out of the bush with our great friend Phill - and he was alive !! He is one tough hombre but did have a lot of trouble drinking enough water to stay hydrated - an absolute must.

Ghost of an old Conquistador ?? Ha! Ha! I love it !!!

We didn't try calling in a duiker but one tracker there was the guy that called in those duikers for Jim Shockey when he had that hunt (in the south) that was televised.

A person goes into these hunts not really knowing exactly what was going to happen.. Looking back ..I was not hunting Lord Derby eland and I wouldn't have shot one if it had tried to bite me ... but with so little game around ... and poachers in the hills .. I think that it would have been best to take a couple of porters ... a bottle of water purification tablets .. that frickin' hammock .. and head off into the hills and stay up there .. (instead of the two- three hour walk one way there and back daily) ... there are eland in that country and Cam and some client each killed one a month or so previously.

But I came for buffalo ... and saved enough money from a guided hunt to continue hunting for far away exotic animals ... and experience the people and the country ....

Congrats on a unique and tough adventure safari Scruff! Man, I don't know if I could pull that one off but you guys kicked butt! Nice and well-deserved buff trophy.

Bill, the one in your REI link is the exact model I use. Since scruffy may be interested, I thought I'd post here instead of PM.

Check out the manufacturer's site though...
http://hennessyhammock.com/

Tonnes of models, lots of tips and instructional videos.

The new "Deep Jungle" ultralight model looks aweseome.

They are proudly made in Canada.

I'd definitely use this on a jungle trip without hesitation. The are awesome for hunting with your camp on your back (unless you're hunting dall sheep!).

If you (or scruff) have any questions, feel free to PM.

Cheers
Chris

ps: Scruffy...I'll be at the Calgary show for sure!

Now that hammock looks like the real deal !!! Might have saved me quite a lot of insect bites ... I wonder if it costs more than the $18 one that I got at Wholesale Sports ???

What an adventure. Thanks for posting this out-of-the-ordinary report. As said before you are one tough dude. Great photos!

Wow! Sure enjoyed the story about your hunt. I got tired just reading it! congrats!!

wonderful report.

I tip my hat to you. Great to see there are still some adventurers left in this ever shrinking world.

With Richard roaming around it's a miracle that nobody got hurt

Scruffy,

I have spoken with Cam about this hunt and just may do it. I think the train ride would be an adventure, moreso if it occurred in the daytime.

Your attitude and fortitude made this hunt a success and you are to be commended for both. Congratulations on your trophy buff and your survival.

My take on the limited game is a bit different. How far does one travel in the cruiser on an average morning before finding fresh spoor when pursuing buffalo. What if there was no cruiser? I'll bet even some of the best hunting fields would become much less of a slam dunk. Just a thought.

Adrian,

You are absolutely right about the cruiser covering so much more ground to locate fresh spoor. Good point.

I want to congratulate Scruffy on a good hunt. A foot safari is a whole different ball game form the "Toyota" safaris that most people do today. At your age to pull this off is quite a feat!
I also need to apologize! I hunted the exact same area in January and we had tremendous luck. I hunted only for a 2 day period and took an eland and saw some other game. My friend hunted for the full time and took eland, buffalo, heartabeast, duikers and bushbuck. I thought Scruffy was in for a tremendous hunt.
Why the difference you might well ask? I called my main tracker and asked what went on. He said that after we left and before Scruffy got there the local representatives of the king sold the right to some people to come into the area and set up camp. There should have been no people in the zone at all! I have since communicated with the king and I am assured the people will all be moved back out and we should have less interference again. His representatives were just doing this unauthorized to raise some extra cash--sounds like politicians everywhere!! I will confirm this in April. I would never send anyone into a zone that has people in it, it just does not work. Really too bad on the timing of that, as it went from a great area to a marginal area very quickly. The game are all migratory and simply moved out when people moved in.
This is the problem everywhere in Africa as people are looking for places to set up house they move into areas we hunters would prefer to have left alone. I have about 10 different places I hunt but have abandoned at least 15 really good places that became over run with poachers. Fortunately the king of the north of Cameroun is helping me on this one so I think I should be able to control this from happening again, and apologize to Scruffy as I thought he was set up for a really good hunt after what I saw in the area less than a month before hand.
I will confirm the situation and continue to hunt private concessions until this is sorted out. I did offer the private concession to Scruffy, but the buffalo are not as prevalent there and even though the smaller plains game are more common Scruffy was most interested in the very large game. Having seen plenty there only three weeks before he came I thought we had a good game plan.
Camshaft

Yo !

I would much rather shoot one buffalo than the four different antelope that are allowed in a year. Stuff like bushbuck, duiker, kob etc. Not even close on that one. So I was and am totally happy in that regard. It would have been more fun to whack some game every day or two for the fresh meat aspect ... I know that the men would have loved that ... probably more than even me and I love wild game meat ... but they had the buffalo to munch on so in the end it is all good. I am so appreciative to have been able to do that hunt .... As the porters/skinners have referred to you as ....

Thank you Mr. Cam ...

Oh, yeah .. I am not nearly as old as I look ... I couldn't be ...

We still have to settle up on the trophy fees.
Will send you a PM.
Cam