Hunt Dates: June 30 - July 9, 2010
Area: Bubye Valley Conservancy (Lemco), Zimbabwe. Ngali Camp
Rifles: Whitworth .375 H&H with 300 grain FailSafe and Winchester Model 70 .30-06 with 180 grain FailSafe
PH: Brent Hein www.brentheinsafaris.com
Trackers William and Friday, Gamescout Mika

After last season, three lionesses were added to the quota at Bubye Valley Conservancy. Last January, I made arrangements with Brent Hein to hunt one of them and to bring along my 13 year old son, Blake for his first safari.

In 10 days, we saw 39 lions, including 2 males we disturbed at their kill. One of them made quite a determined charge at us from about 70 yards. An impressive sight, with full sound effects that you not only hear, but truly feel in your bones. Fortunately, Brent was able to turn him at seven paces with a shot in the dirt and rather than becoming dessert, we were able to walk away with the gift of another of those private video loops that will play in our minds forever.


After the Charge - Still thinking us over as we approach in the truck.


A big male we encountered staking out a water hole.

I shot a very nice lioness on the first afternoon after we had worked all day hanging large chunks of giraffe around the area. The rest of the safari was focused on Blake's hunt for plainsgame.

We also took time out to fish one day, for the annual White Knights vs. Black Aces fishing competition. Not sure who won this year - I can say that the bream definitely lost. The gamescout Mika won the shooting competition and on the last day, we raided a beehive. The honey was among the best things I've ever eaten. Very complex, with a touch of smoke used to calm the bees.

This was my 7th hunt with Brent since 2001. Lacking reedbuck and oribi, we have taken all of the big game species available in Zim while hunting together. Brent has known Blake since he was five years old. Blake has grown up listening to stories, not only about my hunts, but also about Brent's life. So, when the opportunity arose to take my son along on a hunt for lioness, I didn't hesitate. But, it was particulary special for Blake to go on his first safari with Brent.

David,
wonderful report and great pictures. What a waterbuck!

Fantastic! A Trip of a lifetime, and who better to spend it with than your son.. we need more of these memorys,and more young men like your son to follow in our trails, congratulations to both of you...Butch

Great report and wonderful hunt.

How did he like the honeycomb?

Very nice.

The kudu looks massive. What did it measure?

Great photos !

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Very nice.

The kudu looks massive. What did it measure?

Very nice? Exceptional. The lion in the photo is a brute. Some really nice stuff here and great to see that Zimbabwe still can offer hunting like this.

David and Blake, my friends:

I took my girls to Zimbabwe and South Africa two years ago. We didn't take as much game as you fellows did, but I'll bet you didn't get a spa treatment at the Victoria Falls hotel like Anna and Emmy did!

Great hunt, great animals, great P.H. and a great way to spend time together!

Now there is a kid with some great stories for the first day of school. Nice job!

Larry, the kudu measured 55 1/2.

Andrew, we saw two other males that were the equal of the one in the photo. Unfortuately, they didn't hang around to have their picture taken.

Ernest, we really did have a fantastic time. Good luck to you in Chete. I had a wonderful hunt from that Chete Gorge camp and I hope you do the same.

Wonderful. If I'd been introduced to Africa at 13, there's no telling how different life might have turned out.

Impressive Kudu, and a very nice waterbuck.

Wow! That was a great trip!

Clarence

Awesome pics! Kudos on getting the youngster out in the field.

David, outstanding safari and with your son. Life long memories. Those lion pics are super.

Mike

David,

Great trophies, photos and report. Enjoyed the evening with you and Blake - and hearing some of the Lion experiences when they just a day or two old! You've got a fine young man as a hunting partner, and I'll bet many more enjoyable experiences await...

Best regards,
Emory

Congratulations to you and your son. What a lucky young man to not only get to go to Africa but also take some great trophies.

Congratulations on the best of times!!!!

Regards, D. Nelson

Congratulations on a great trip. Excellent pictures. Looks like the trackers had as much fun as your boy.

Congratulations on a fantastic Safari, great trophies, photo's and report. I can see why you keep coming back.

Fantastic hunt with your son. Great kudu & water buck too. i wish i could do a trip like that with my 12 year old!

What a hunt! That would be one of the greatest meories in any man's lifetime. Congrats to all.

Ben

David, congratulations on a great trip/hunt and Blake will indeed have something to show the girls up Kerrville way. Great pics and amazing the loss of vegatation in the Bubye from June to Aug/Sept. Good to see some more of Africa coming back to the Hill Country. Will have to see ya'll's trophy room one day. The pic's are awesome as well and thanks for sharing your trip.

Not trying to mix in religion, but God surely made his countenance to shine upon you to give a son and a safari like that one!
Love that kudu n particular.

What wonderful memories for both you and your son. That is a great Kudu, looks even bigger than 55".
I've told my son that I'll take him hunting in Africa when he's 12 years old. Two more years, can't wait.

Fanstastic safari that you and your son had. He now has the bug BAD, I'm sure!!

Those are beautiful pictures, and awesome scenes from what I'm sure was a terrific time. Thanks for posting.

Truly a remarkable safari...

Very nice way to spend time with your son.
Congratulations on the fine trophies

It's about time you let Blake join you in blowing his college fund. It looks like you guys had a great trip. That kudu looks a lot bigger than 55" and the waterbuck is a monster. I'm about a year behind you with the first trip with my son; I hope we have half the trip y'all had. Thanks for sharing.

David,

Thanks for sharing Blake's first safari...His smile says it all!!!

There's nothing better than a father & son safari!

Congratulations to the both of you

Great photos. Were you guys trying to bait crocs, standing in the water with rods in hand?

One of the best hunting reports and set of pics that I have seen here on AR! Congratulations!

Hell of a Kudu!! Congratulations!!

I love that Kudu! And a fantastic Water Buck!

Congrats you and yours!

David,
I've been waiting on this report... thanks for posting! What a special trip for a father and son to share. The picture of Blake's trophies and the grin on his face says it all. However my favorite picture is the one of Blake asleep in the bush... a classic! A great time shared by father and son that he will tell his kids and grandkids about for years to come. Well done on the lioness as well.
Cheers,
Russell

Wow what a great hunt and some exceptional photos, thanks for sharing. I have hunted from Ngali camp with my father and one day want to take my son to share the same experience with him.

I am sure that your son will always appreciate this trip.

Congratulations, David - and Blake!

You guys had amazing success, and clearly enjoyed yourselves!

Great photos, too.

Best,

Good job on everything. Lioness on the first day, not too shabby!

Sandals to hunt in? Tougher men than me!

Good hunt and good report.

Great report, your son will never be the same.
Good luck trying to leave him home on your next hunt.