Outfitter : Duckworth, Mokore
Agent : Mark Young, Marks Exclusive Adventures
PH : Dalton McLintock
Area : Mozambique, C9 plains game & C14, buffalo
I had heard a lot about what the Duckworths were doing in Moz and was fortunate to experience a buffalo relocation while there. It is mind blowing the work and money that the Duckworths are pouring into conservation.


Dalton and I were calling this the Old Guys hunt because, first, I'm the Old Guy and we were hunting for the Old guys. I like the old weird stuff so it was great fun, not after inches but one horned reed bucks and impalas along with anything else that was old.

I had not hunted in Moz before so Mark worked it out where I would hunt C9 for PG and C14 for buffalo. It worked out great, got to see two totally different parts of the country, different camps.
It rained the first two days in C9, not seeing much but was able to try for a kudu but the only thing we got was wet. Dalton keep saying " they aren't moving, normally we see a lot more game." Well, the third was clear and beautiful and animals were every where. The hunting started off rough, I missed two easy shots at bushbucks. It was not the rifle, it was me and I could not figure what I did wrong. Dalton had to be thinking, I'm going to hunt buffalo with an old man who can't see the game and can't shoot. Fortunately, 30 minutes latter,a bushbuck with a death wish showed up and I made a good shot. That lifted everybody's spirit and things began to click. Before lunch we took a bushbuck, warthog and waterbuck.
The next day we went to C14, with the rain the roads were almost impassable, a 6 hour drive turned into an eight hour ordeal. After putting up our stuff and grapping a small lunch, we went window shopping just to see what was out there and where the buffalo were. The camp manager told us some huge numbers so I'm thinking, if we see half that it will be unbelievable. Well, I was blown away by the buffalo we saw. In a couple of hours there were groups of 100 to 200 feeding out in the flood pans. With the high grass, you could sneak up to the edge of the pan and the buffalo would feed by close. There was also a lot of PG which I was not expecting, sable waterbuck etc. I could tell this was going to be fun.
It rained some more the next day but still spotted 700 buffalo plus had the opportunity at 9 dugga boys but I was having to much fun to end it so soon. With the rain it was getting harder to move around so we were concerned you would not be able to hunt some ares and with hunters coming in the next day, it was decided we would try for the first good bull that was seen.

One thing about this area, the grass is high, 3 - 4 feet making it easy to sneak up close. On one bull we decide to see how close we could get. Using bushes and with the bull's head in the grass eating we were able to move to about 30 yards, I was on the sticks practicing when Dalton says let's get closer. We closed the distance to close to 15 yards and he never knew we were there. Right off the bat the next morning a group was spotted feeding in the short grass, as we were going to check them out a bull jumped up just in front of us, stood broad side. Dalton threw up the sticks and said he was a good one, I shot, the bull started running, Dalton shot, the bull went down. In a short time we heard the most beautiful sound a buffalo hunter can hear, the death bellow. Did I mention the high grass, we could hear him but we could not see him even though we were within a few yards. Talk about intense, 5 yards from a downed buffalo before I could see him and put in an insurance shot.

The drive back to C9 was much better, roads dry quickly with just a little sun. I was able to take a kudu and several other animals including the one horned impala on the last day.

Had a great time shared a lot of laughs and experienced many African sunsets.



Camp in C14, very different, rustic but comfortable with outstanding food.



On the back of the dining area ,you could fish and caught a few cat fish to add to the fun


On the last afternoon of the hunt, they go up on this high rock knob. What a way to end a safari.

Folks,

Randy is toning down his enthusiasm. He was very impressed with C9 and C14. He was bubbling over when I called him after the hunt and this was from a guy whose shot a lot of African game in several different African countries.

Randy,

Great report. Let's hope Uganda is as good. I know it will be an adventure for sure.

Thanks for letting me be a small part of your adventures. Following hunts I book is the next best thing to being there.

Merry Christmas!

Mark

From one Randy to another, well written. I certainly enjoyed sharing camp and some stories with you.

Looks like a great time, thanks for posting!

looks like a fun time. When we hunted there dalton was in camp an was hunting with another hunter but he was fun to have around. We had some good laughs with him and doug. I would hunt with any of the Ph's we met there in camp

Randy, Good Job!! Thanks for the great pictures and stories.

I can tell that you had an awesome hunt with an excellent outfitter!

I am an old guy too and will go to South Africa for some cape buffalo in April. The flight over there is not for sissies!

Thanks again for the post, Brian

Thanks for the report and photos. Congratulations on some fine trophies!

Did you just get back, or was this hunt earlier this year?

Great report, Randy. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Merry Christmas!

I went in Sept. just dragged my feet posting the report.

.

Congratulations on a successful hunt! And thanks for taking the time to post!

Cheers

.

Great hunt!

Could you tell me what you saw in the way of elephant, lion and buffalo in C9 specifically?

quote:

Originally posted by Bama15:
I went in Sept. just dragged my feet posting the report.

Thanks - I was wondering about the rains and tall grass conditions.

Great trophies and a great hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
Great hunt!

Could you tell me what you saw in the way of elephant, lion and buffalo in C9 specifically?

As far as buffalo, we saw several small groups of bulls. While I was there they brought in I think 100 and plans are to bring in some more next year but those won’t be hunted for over a year. They do have several bulls on quota but they are growing the numbers. Elephant, saw several calf cow groups, no big bulls. Lion, I didn’t see any, they guys before me saw lion several times. They hunt 1 lion a year and Dalton, my Ph, said they don’t bait much, there is so much PG that the lions stay full. They call some and that seems to work best. If you want to spot and stalk buffalo, C14 is the place. Hunt some Pg in C9 then move to 14 for the buffalo.