COUNTRY: Mozambique

AREA: West border Gonarezhou national park Zimbabwe, North border Save river, near the town of Mavue, The largest nearby town was Massangena (gov. scout lived their), 100,000acres private land leased by Imofauna.

DATES: 6-16-09-7-1-09

OUTFITTER: Imofauna Safaris, Inafrica Safaris

PH: Kan Coetzee

GAME: Buffalo, Hippo, Croc

GAME TAKEN: Buffalo, Hippo, Kudu, Impala, Bushbuck, Blesbok

WEAPONS: 375 custom, 458 Lott custom, 500 Jeffery custom

FLIGHT: Delta NON stop 777

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My First trip to Africa, and first African hunt with Inafrica, or Imofauna Safaris. PH Kan Coetzee. I landed in South Africa and was picked up and driven to there farm in the Waterburg mountains in the northern part of South Africa. The farm was very nice with excellent accomadations. I did a little target practice there on a Blesbok and a Bushbuck, but was more interested in getting into Mozambique. It took us a few days to prepare and gear up for the 14hour drive, half of it basicly 4 wheel drive 2 track roads. We had to bring everything, their is nothing in this part of Mozambique except their was cold beer in some of the bush towns. Once at the bushcamp in Moz and finaly locating the Govt. scout we were hunting buffalo it was slow only single lone bull tracks, so we decided to go after a Hippo the word had spread we wanted a problem hippo so a local had been camped out watching this big bull and 2 cows. Another local lead us to this guy. I shot the Hippo at about 25yds right at dark. The next day after a few hours of dragging then wenching we got him to shore and realized he was a monster 27" tusks 72" SCI. After we were done we went back to the buffalo on are way in to a water hole we spotted some kudu cows, the last group we saw had a bull with them so we were looking for him and we spotted him but he was behind a tree. I ask Kan if that was the bull and he said thats him. I said should I shoot, He said you could take a chance, so I did. The only shot was a high and far back lung shot but I took it. The trackers found blood then I saw him facing away and just shot he didnt even flinch. The trackers found him again so I shot again still not even a flinch we went to the spot and found little blood and it was dark. That night was not fun thinking my kudu was either alive wounded and every leopard, lion, and hyena was shredding him to pieces. The next day we looked for Buffalo tracks first, No one saw the horns on this kudu except me, to me he looked big but i guess not a priority. no buffalo tracks so finaly we go to the spot where we last saw him at the 3rd shot. 50yds from there he laid dead shot through the heart and right shoulder on a 1/4 away shot. Kan walked up to him first and said its a 60" kudu. I said no way. He got his tape out and 63" is what it said and only jackels got to him and no cape damage. Now we were back on Buffalo only we had one close but could not seal the deal so thinking my Buffalo would have to come on a nother trip we went out the last day Tracked Tracked and finaly got a break when Kan and I spotted some leaves moving I thought it was just a bird but Kan said its him. He sneaked out the back of the thick bush but their was an opening so I fired one into the shoulders Kan then shot for his spine but it didnt even phase him I moved in for a closer shot, The buffalo must have heard us or seen us and charged us I shot 2 more times and Kan shot 2 more times he went down thrashing and struggling then died 20' from me after 6 shots none of wich we had a clear head shot 2 of my bullets were recovered one in the opposite shoulder just under the skin and one solid in the stomach.

This hunt was exactly what I wanted some close and dangerous encounters with big 5 and some plains game as well I just didnt expect 3 record book animals. All game seen was quality. Kan and I have been friends for a few years but now seing him operate in the bush, its just like everyone told me he is good and knows how the animals move and what to do when they move to ensure a shot.

I had trouble finding much on Mozambique this is why Iam posting what I can. What i did see on here about Inafrica safaris was BS they have buffalo tags about 10 per year along with lion and leapard. I saw something about they dont have quotas in that area thats garbage I personaly saw the buffalo and croc license for Mozambique.

Once I get My trophies back I will add to or post a new post about how smooth the transaction was and what fees I was charged.

anyone needing more info email me direct or send a message.



Mike
Bijou Creek Gunsmithing
www.bijoucreek.com


15 1/2" Bushbuck best part of S. Africa, beer and wine 2nd place. 458LOTT might have been a little big for this bushbuck

SOUTH AFRICAN TARGET PRACTICE

21" Horns, My first kill in Mozambique

Trackers, me, and the Govt scout. and the kudu

Kan and me

3 SHOTS none of wich made him even flinch like he was hit, even the 1/4 away through the shoulder he didnt flinch. You can see the tiny entrance low and back on the liver area for a 1/4 away shot. They werent perfect shots but thats all i had, after having a 54" kudu at 25yds and not getting a shot I realized Kudu dont give you the perfect shot even at 25yds. I will take what I can get when it comes to kudu. I traded my 375 for my 458lott for kudu from now on, if the shots not perfect I will shoot through the tree he is behind, and at least have some more energy down range.

27" tusks

A lot of protein starved people w/ machetti's waiting for us to hurry up.

I finally got my Bull, Last Day and He charged us to 20' The PH was even shaking after that. Best hunt of my life. To me even better then the 63" kudu.

senior Jack (aka gov. scout) and Isaac a young kid but the best tracker their.

I wanted to get the buff with my iron sighted 500 jeffery but because there was not a lot of buffalo here at this time, I had to use my scoped 458lott just in case of a long shot, shot, only ended up about 35yds but i didnt have the 500 with me. but I had to get a picture with my 500 next to the buffalo. Next time I will have a detachable scope on my 500jeff just in case.

Hornady DGX, DGS one was in the skin on the opposite shoulder 1st shot. the solid was in his stomach shot into him on the charge. 2 shots in the neck were pass throughs I assume from kan and his 470nitro after I shot the solid into him on the charge he turned to the side and kan fired two back to back shots I fired one more solid and cant tell you were that one is, Iam sure i hit him he was only 20' but i didnt watch them skin the buffalo but I should have to examine the damage and trauma caused by these bullets. I am happy with the hornady bullets but like i said next time I will have my 500j with 600gr woodleighs 2300fps for buffalo.

That is quite the kudu!!!

Congrats.

Congrats on a fantastic hunt!

Georgious kudu and a beast of a hippo!!! Nice report.

Brett

Great report! Beautiful kudu, and a helluva hippo!

Mad Dog

Some great trophies!

Mike,

Congrats on a very fine hunt...

quote:

Originally posted by dla69:
That is quite the kudu!!!

Congrats.

Don't forget the bushbuck!!

Congratulations on a great hunt. Amazing kudu and bushbuck.

Greg

That Kudu!

My jaw dropped.

Well done.

Mike, You make some very nice rifles at reasonable cost. Tom from Georgia speaks very highly of your work. I just might have to separate him from one of his Bijou Creek Big Bores!

PS: I'll be in Mozambique this October on a similar safari...Biebs

Well, you have spoiled my sunday with that kudu !!
I can't stop dreaming with that monster.
CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!

Mozambique seems to be a prime destination for serious PG hunters.

L

Nice trophies and that kudu is over the top!

Well done! Looks like a great hunt and an unbelievable kudu.

Mike, that is the holy grail of kudu horns you just broke the 60 inch barrier... Outstanding and my congratulations on such a super lifetime trophy...

Mike

This is a GREAT KUDU. Congrats

Seloushunter

Very nice... Congrats on a great hunt.

'Target practice'?

no matter where you go or how often you hunt kudu again you will never even see one that big.
Once in 3 lifetimes kudu
Congrats!!!

Excellent hunt. All great trophies for sure, but that kudu is a trophy of many lifetimes. I'm willing to bet that out of all the 30 thousand plus members here, maybe one or two folks if that, can match a 63" Kudu. Congratulations. jorge

Great Kudu!!

quote:

Originally posted by Kamo Gari:
'Target practice'?

Yes I wanted to go sight in my rifles just because Iam goofy about that after any type of travel even though my scope was in my carry on and my detachable mounts seem to work good I still wanted to sight in. The PH said we will go sight in on a Blesbok so instead of the range we went and shot him with my buffalo riffle to make sure it was on. before heading into Mozambique. Didnt mean to sound like I was just out shooting plains game like they were paper targets.

Mike,
Very nice trophies congratulations on your safari.

I haven't seen many live kudu, but out of the thousands of kudu pictures I've looked at, I've never seen a pair of horns shaped like that. They look like they have two full spirals, which is just beautiful. Congratulations on a fantastic hunt!

Mike,

That is one of the nicest looking Kudu I've ever seen, congratulations.

Beautiful bushbuck! The kudu and the rest are spectacular as well.

Congratulations

What WONDERFUL trophies!!!!

(Glad I'm not competitive ... I could hunt a lifetime and never even see some of these big fellas)

quote:

Originally posted by Lorenzo:
Well, you have spoiled my sunday with that kudu !!
I can't stop dreaming with that monster.
CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!

Mozambique seems to be a prime destination for serious PG hunters.

L

You did more than spoil my day: You spoiled my PH career! That is a kudu that I dream of getting for any client! Or myself for that matter!

Congratulations!

Andrew McLaren

Congratulations on a great hunt, and an unbelievable kudu. We know it isn't all about inches, but dammit, sometimes size does matter!

Thanks for all the comments. This was my first trip to Africa and hopefully not the last. It truly was a Hunt of a lifetime especialy once I finally found a buffalo shot him, and he charged us! i could not beleive it, after he was down I felt My safari was complete and if i never get to go back I can be happy with this safari for a lifetime.

"Kudu's" to you Mike! Great Trophys my Friend (and Gunsmith!)...Next time,"brang a wild thang" ,a Custom .600 Overkill! ..Keep up the Good Hunts and Great Guns! Safarikid

Outstanding Kudu, congratulations.