09 May 2016, 22:01
reddy3757 weeks of hunting in Burkina Faso and Benin
This is the 4th year I have been hunting with clients in Burkina Faso, but have arranged Burkina hunts for clients for several years even before that. I have taken more American clients to Burkina than everyone else combined!This year was a bit challenging and several clients were naturally concerned after the terrorist attack in Ouaga. Fortunately none of our clients were directly affected, but one client in particular had a hard time with Air France, first cancelling his flights and losing his luggage both coming and going!!
We shot some great trophies this year and also some really exceptional buffalo. For some reason we saw large numbers of roan in big herds which of course make them difficult to approach! I think the biggest was around 28". We also shot what I believe will be the new SCI no. 1 Nagor Reedbuck, it is yet to be officially scored but beats the current record comfortably!
I will let my photos tell the stories from my time spent there this year. This is not a full season report.
A terrific buff shot by a client on his first day in Africa! His first african trophy at that! I dont think he fully realized what he had shot!
loading a buff as the winch had broken!
every animal is weighed and measurements taken by the game dept. The wt is in kilos so this buff was 1131 lbs!!
An old Kob, very nicely shot at over 200 yards off sticks.
Oribi
There are quite a few crocs in the small waterholes! I have never seen a really big one but am sure they are there!
Nagor Reedbuck in the skinning shed
The same client shot a super roan on day 3 and his hunt was done!
Western Bush Duiker. I would say this is the most challenging animal to hunt in Burkina. They are always on the move.
Small herd of Kob
I was hoping he wasn't dead but he got up shortly afterwards. He seemed to like to lie down in the cool mud as we saw him do this later on as well.
Sandgrouse chic. We saw many birds with little chics
Chasing away some eles!
One of the largest baobabs in our area. Many of them are stunted compared to what you see in Zim and other places
Protected Hippos!
Olive baboon
We shot this buffalo after running after them for over a mile. One shot with a 458 at about 100 yards dropped the bull.
Sing Sing waterbuck
Harnessed bushbuck shot with 358 winchester. The 358 winchester performed very well in Burkina with 250 grain nosler hand loads
Everyone wants a red buffalo but they are not as common as the black
Bee keeper with his hives, of course there are too many bees now swarming around the swimming pool!
Look at the face on the right hand face of the rock - Mount Pagu
A young bull
A hornbill
A very good Western Hartbeest
Some of these herds like to chase you!
I shot an old broken horned bushbuck!
The harnessed bush buck have lovely markings.
Some village lasses
Trying to find the bull
Even the cows have horns so better be careful before you shoot.
We got busted again!
This is yet to be scored but it looks like it will be the new SCI. no.1 Nagor Reedbuck!
Only the night before the client was saying reedbuck never did anything for him! next morning he shoots a potential world record!
After being hit with a going away raking shot, we followed this buff for about 3 kms, before jumping him. The PH, client and I fired simultaneously and then the bull turned and ran alongside us. A barrage of shots from a 375H&H, 458 Win and 416 rem mag dropped it. I am not so sure if solids are the best choice as we could see many shots just going through him without seeming to have much effect!
Another fine old buff - 500/450 H&H royal - 108 years old made for the clients grandfather.
The largest buff we shot this year!
rough bird shooting
Sing sing waterbuck
There he is again having his afternoon nap in the water
Oh boy we disturbed them.
A good warthog for Burkina
Siesta time
After finishing up in BF, I went to Benin for another 14 days where I shot this roan. A client of mine shot a buff and roan over there.
In closing Burkina Faso offers hunters an African safari at an exceptional value as well as a unique and fun experience. However the important thing is to go with an open mind and go with the flow. I realize it is natural to compare ones experiences but comparing West Africa v/s Southern or East Africa is like comparing apples to bananas. All the animals shown here were shot with local PHs and I have to say they will easily compare very well with some of the best trophies taken anywhere in West Africa this season by any PH.
We still have some prime spots open for the coming season. Jan to April 2017.
Thanks for looking
Arjun Reddy
www.huntburkinafaso.com
30 Ivy Hill Road
Brewster, NY
Tel 845 259 3628
