This is my report and few pics as well. I went on the trip with Tim and Skip. Tim pretty much said it all. Great times were had by all and I can't wait to get back. I'll be picking up lots of extra work until I cant arrange the next trip.

Well, I just recently returned from my trip to Zim with CM Safaris. We had a blast and it was truly a memorable hunt. I hunted with 2 friends and we had the camp to ourselves. This was my second trip to Africa and my first DG hunt. We had some problems with bags and none of our guns showed up until day 3 and my luggage did not show up until then as well. That's J'burg unfortunately. My gun has still not arrived home either. Pretty frustrating to say the least. I did not kill my Sable or Elephant but it did not take away from the trip at all. I had a great time and am trying to figure out how to pay for another trip over. I highly recommend CM as everybody was extremely professional, courteous, organized, and friendly. I can't imagine a better group to hunt with.

Hunt Dates: July 30-Aug 8

PH: Rex Hoets (Buzz Charlton and Rich Tabor were the other 2 ph's in camp)

Hunt Area: Dande North Days 1-3 and 8-10; Dande East Days 4-7

Species killed: Cape Buffalo, Hyena, Baboon

Species Hunted and not killed: Trophy Bull Elephant, Sable, Bushbuck, civet, warthog (my African nemesis apparently)

Species Seen and not hunted: Klipspringer, Duiker, Impala, Kudu, Lion, Cerval Cat, Jackal, Wild Dog, Zebra, Roan, Bushpig, Greysbok

Animals killed by hunting partners:
Buddy #1(Buzz PH)-Tuskless Ele, Leopard, Buffalo Bull, Buffalo Cow, Hyena, Baboon

Buddy #2(Rich PH)-Zebra, Warthog, Impala, Cape Buffalo, Hippo, Hyena, Klipspringer, Sable

Day 1 found me chasing an immature 34-35" Sable Bull right off the bat, we got close and could tell that he was not what we were looking for. We also pursued buffalo to no avail. We caught up with them in the thick "Jess" and were unable to do anything with them. Go real close but did not close the deal. Has a fun day and saw one female and 2 male lions among other animals.

Day 2, another day in the Jess. Chased and Caught up with Buffalo all day long but could never get them out in the open to make a positive ID on anything.

Day 3, we were told by Tim and Buzz about a herd that was in the hilly region of the property and out in the open the night before so we headed that way. Caught up with them about 3/4 mile from where they had been when last seen. Got busted by wind and cows on several occasions but did ID 2 "shooters" in the herd. Followed them up and over a small mountain and then caught them going over another one. Made a move and got on the opposite ridge from them. We then actually caught a break for once and they spooked towards us. They ran up the draw onto our ridge and got really close. The cows were about 15-20 yds and in the wide open looking at us. When we finally found the bull we were looking for, he moved up above the herd a little and out in the open. I made the shot at about 35-40 yds. He ran about 10 yds and I had my Bull!

At that point, I worked a deal with Buzz on a trophy Elephant that was left on Quota in Dande East. We moved that afternoon over to that camp and chased Ele on Days 4,5,6 and the morning of the 7th. We were unable to catch up to any of them. They like to come into the area at night and eat the Villagers crops and Massau? Berries and the return to Mozambique at night. The wind blows from the East and they walk into it preventing you from getting ahead of them and also making it very hard to catch up to them. We caught them one day right on the border and got to 100 yds or so but the wind shifted and gave us away and that was it. Oh well! We also found a Sable dying in the bush and there was nothing we could do about it. Pretty sad but if we had shot it to put it out of its misery then we would have had to pay a trophy fee on it. We went back in the next day and he was dead. There were femal Leopard tracks around but she had not fed. No signs of a male so we moved on after some pics. He had broken both horn tips off while struggling and he measured 37" with 9.5" bases.

On Day 5 we saw a really nice Roan Antelope which was a magnificent animal. They are protected in Zim so no shot but very cool anyway.

We returned to the Dande North camp the last 3 days and chased Sable. My Buddy had shot a tuskless and the ribs were left for hyena bait. We slipped in the 8th morning and smoked a nice hyena. Skull measured 18 1/8". Everybody in camp shot a hyena which was quite an accomplishment since the PH's say they have much better success on Leopard and Lion than Hyena.

We were in Sable everyday and saw one 45"+ plus Bull but we were unable to connect. All of the PG are very spooky due to the Lions. We watched several herds of animals from great distances that would run and spook for no apparent reason.


Sunset


Scenery-just below the top of the hill was where the Buffalo fell.



Buffalo, 38.5" wide, 14 & 13.75" bosses



Everybody's Buff


Hyena


Sable-I was messing with the other guys a little and took a few pics.


Group pics



Glassing


On the Elephant trail



The Guys


Shooting Contest: USA vs Zim, of course we won!


Last but not least-Leopard Bait

Congratulations Lee - sounds like a great hunt and some wonderful trophies. The hyena is the one that has alluded me and they make great rugs.

Hunting with Rex I'm sure it was educational and strenuous. Despite his very dry sense of humor he's a great guy.

Congrats on what sounds like a great hunt all the way around.

Rex was a great guy and we had a blast together. Thanks for the kind words guys.
Le

When are you going back???

Good stuff Lee and great photos. It was a blast for all...

BTW Mike, Tim really talks you up now for passing on the Leo! Ha!

Will, I'm waiting on you to go back. Get everything lined up for a big Ele hunt and we will book. I'm sure it won't be hard to convince Tim and Skip to go back. I'll call you in a bit.

I think the whole team thought I was an idoit -- and they are not far off -- for not sitting for a feeding leopard. But it was time to move on to Moz. All worked out in the end.

Good show!

Congratulations on your hunt!

Brett

Very nice pix. Congrats on all of you getting your buff.

Good for you, great pics there.

I hope your guns get back quickly.

Sound like a great trip.

You collected some really nice animals.

Please post the mounts when done.

I think I had better contact them for a trip next year.

Great hunt! Plus you had the benefit of having in camp some of the best guys in the business.

Well done and welcome home.

Lee, great to see you had a good trip, better start working double shifts for the next one!

Congrats on your buff. Hope your gun make it home.

Thanks Roger. Good to hear from you. Gun has still not made it home! I've already picked up an extra shift since I've been back. Gotta keep working.
Lee

Congratulations on a great safari!

Well done on a great adventure.

Lee,

My wife and I enjoyed meeting you on the backroads of Dande! You left an indelible picture on our collective memories - a beer in both hands, a grin a mile wide, and the quote of the trip - "This place is the real deal!" We agreed completely, and your words became our favorite synopsis of the whole trip!

May our paths cross again in similar circumstances...

Dave

Acer/Dave...when we gonna see your report? Dying to know how you did...When we left you guys had already had more male leopards feed in 3-4 days, than we did in 9 days!

Great meeting you and the Mrs. and hope it turned out to be as great as it started for you...

Dave, thanks for the kind words. It was great meeting you as well. Hopefully we will run into each other again. I was pretty excited at the time after having chased the Buff through the Jess for a few days and then finally connecting on top of the mountain! I hope I didn't scare you too much! I agree with Tim, I'd love to see/hear your report as well.

Lee

Congrats on a great hunt. I hunted there in 08 with Chifuti when they had the unit and I can say it's about my favorite concession I've hunted in Africa.