Here are the pics of bcolyer's Botswana elephant. Story added here at top for cohesiveness.


Bcolyer

"Where to begin ??

First of all.....the hunt was more than one could even hope for! It had everything: Tension, excitement, anticipation, danger, a little TIA thrown in....IT WAS PERFECT.

Our hosts & PH Graeme Pollock was the absolute inbodiment of professionalism and understanding of what a client is looking for. We are no longer clients.....we are friends.

I CANNOT RECOMMEND SAFARIS BOTAWANA BOUND STRONGLY ENOUGH.....IF......hunting in Botswana remains an option for any of us. Given the opportunity....I would and will certainly go back!

Company: SAFARIS BOTSWANA BOUND
Owner & PH: Graeme Pollock
Supporting Staff: His entire family was with us. Amber, his wife is worth 10 staff members!
RECOMMENDATION: GO...if you ever have the chance!!!!!!!!
Area: NG 47
My hunt dates: April 2 - 12 (The start of the season) Best Time!!
Conditions: Dry....this was a terribly dry year and still the hunting was great.
Elephants: ALL OVER THE PLACE. Fortunately we saw the BIG ONES FIRST!!
THIS IS A DANGEROUS GAME CONCESSION. Buffalo by the score.
I have killed a 44" + Buff.....If I had it all to do again.....I would go to this area. Hundreds and hundreds of Buff a day. Big Bastards!!!
Lions.....We saw multiple Leopards - during the DAY!!!
Facilities: Absolutely Great
Food: Marvelous
Pressure from other hunters: Zero....0!
Supporting black staff: Excellent
Tracker: Bushman.....the Best!
Those Present with Me: MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDAUGHTER.
There Impression: They wept and wept when we finally had to leave.
Travel Agent: Steve @ Travel with Guns

My Overview and Thoughts:
TIA.....This Is Africa!! About the only problem incurred was.....MY DAMN AMMO DID NOT SHOW UP!!!!! IT WAS IN A LOCKED BOX. INSIDE MY LUGGAGE......and you guessed it. United Airlines and the screw-ups at TSA. Did not get my bag to me until my Elephant was ALREADY DEAD!!!!!
When we got to Bots....Steve @ Travel with Guns, and Henry with "Rifle Permits" got all over my problem with the bag and ammo. But the hunt was on, so what do you do.
AMBER POLLOCK SAVED THE DAY......SOMEHOW, she rounded up some .416 Rigby ammo for me to use.
It worked perfect.....I DO NOT KNOW WHO LOADED
THAT STUFF.....but it was Hotter than Hell, but sure got the job done.

FIRST DAY OUT.....We saw 3 big Tuskers cross into NG 47. Absolutely NO DOUBT, these were the type of Elephants we were looking for. My girls were present with me.......THE HUNT WAS ON.
LONG...............story short. The season opened officially at 12:00 p.m. The Elephant was dead @ 1:15 p.m.

YOU LOOK AT THE PICTURES - AND JUDGE FOR YOURSELF. It's a 10 day hunt, should I have waited longer. I DO NOT THINK SO. NEITHER DID GRAEME. His first words to me was - "You WILL NOT SEE ANY BETTER THAN THAT"!

So far the Bull has proven to be the best in the last 4 years. 42"+ from Lip to Tip. 17"+ circumfrance at the LIP.

Weight still unknown.....BUT, here is the thing - I DO NOT GIVE A SHIT WHAT THEY WEIGHT. I KNOW THEY ARE BIG ENOUGH!!! AND....MY GIRLS WERE RIGHT THERE! And as I have said da thousand times before....You could give me a 100 pounder....but without them present, it would mean absolutely NOTHING to me.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT IS LIKE TO SEE YOUR 8 1/2 YEAR OLD GRANDAUGHTER PLAYING MONKEY BARS ON YOUR DEAD BULLS TUSKS!!!!!!!!! FOR HER AND YOUR DAUGHTER TO HELP YOU CUT OFF THE TAIL.
Anybody got $1,000,000.00 KEEP IT. ELEPHANT NOT FOR SALE AT ANY PRICE.

I CAN NEVER, NEVER, NEVER get those moments back. I have pictures to last a lifetime and then some.....and memories for eternity.

Quick facts: Put the sneak on the Ele resting under a tree. About the time I was going to stick one in his ear, he started turning and moving around. Waited him out. He turned side brain shot @ 30 yards. Stuck onE right where you should. Right in front of the ear hole. He staggered but did not drop. Quickly stuck one on the frontal. To Damn high. Pissed him off. Came charging with piss and death in his eye. At 9 Steps shot him right between the eyes. Piled up Elephant!
With MARVELOUS PICTURES OF HIM IN THE FRONT ON CHARGE POSITION. DAMN THOSE LOOK GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
After pictures, we pushed, pulled, wenched, etc. etc. him on his side for more pics.

I am at work.....and have to go right now, but will write more later on the numerous other GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS HUNT."

Nice bull... look forward to your report. Looks like it was fun for the entire family!

heresy!!! everyone knows you can't kill an elephant with a scope sighted bolt gun- simply isn't done, old chap. it's a double or stay home- NOT!!!!

Nice! Looking forward to the report.

Mark

Congrats for you. Looks like the entire family was able to share the moment...best part of the experience I bet! A nice bull is always worth a "Atta Boy " and you now have mine !

Where to begin ??

First of all.....the hunt was more than one could even hope for! It had everything: Tension, excitement, anticipation, danger, a little TIA thrown in....IT WAS PERFECT.

Our hosts & PH Graeme Pollock was the absolute inbodiment of professionalism and understanding of what a client is looking for. We are no longer clients.....we are friends.

I CANNOT RECOMMEND SAFARIS BOTAWANA BOUND STRONGLY ENOUGH.....IF......hunting in Botswana remains an option for any of us. Given the opportunity....I would and will certainly go back!

Company: SAFARIS BOTSWANA BOUND
Owner & PH: Graeme Pollock
Supporting Staff: His entire family was with us. Amber, his wife is worth 10 staff members!
RECOMMENDATION: GO...if you ever have the chance!!!!!!!!
Area: NG 47
My hunt dates: April 2 - 12 (The start of the season) Best Time!!
Conditions: Dry....this was a terribly dry year and still the hunting was great.
Elephants: ALL OVER THE PLACE. Fortunately we saw the BIG ONES FIRST!!
THIS IS A DANGEROUS GAME CONCESSION. Buffalo by the score.
I have killed a 44" + Buff.....If I had it all to do again.....I would go to this area. Hundreds and hundreds of Buff a day. Big Bastards!!!
Lions.....We saw multiple Leopards - during the DAY!!!
Facilities: Absolutely Great
Food: Marvelous
Pressure from other hunters: Zero....0!
Supporting black staff: Excellent
Tracker: Bushman.....the Best!
Those Present with Me: MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDAUGHTER.
There Impression: They wept and wept when we finally had to leave.
Travel Agent: Steve @ Travel with Guns

My Overview and Thoughts:
TIA.....This Is Africa!! About the only problem incurred was.....MY DAMN AMMO DID NOT SHOW UP!!!!! IT WAS IN A LOCKED BOX. INSIDE MY LUGGAGE......and you guessed it. United Airlines and the screw-ups at TSA. Did not get my bag to me until my Elephant was ALREADY DEAD!!!!!
When we got to Bots....Steve @ Travel with Guns, and Henry with "Rifle Permits" got all over my problem with the bag and ammo. But the hunt was on, so what do you do.
AMBER POLLOCK SAVED THE DAY......SOMEHOW, she rounded up some .416 Rigby ammo for me to use.
It worked perfect.....I DO NOT KNOW WHO LOADED
THAT STUFF.....but it was Hotter than Hell, but sure got the job done.

FIRST DAY OUT.....We saw 3 big Tuskers cross into NG 47. Absolutely NO DOUBT, these were the type of Elephants we were looking for. My girls were present with me.......THE HUNT WAS ON.
LONG...............story short. The season opened officially at 12:00 p.m. The Elephant was dead @ 1:15 p.m.

YOU LOOK AT THE PICTURES - AND JUDGE FOR YOURSELF. It's a 10 day hunt, should I have waited longer. I DO NOT THINK SO. NEITHER DID GRAEME. His first words to me was - "You WILL NOT SEE ANY BETTER THAN THAT"!

So far the Bull has proven to be the best in the last 4 years. 42"+ from Lip to Tip. 17"+ circumfrance at the LIP.

Weight still unknown.....BUT, here is the thing - I DO NOT GIVE A SHIT WHAT THEY WEIGHT. I KNOW THEY ARE BIG ENOUGH!!! AND....MY GIRLS WERE RIGHT THERE! And as I have said da thousand times before....You could give me a 100 pounder....but without them present, it would mean absolutely NOTHING to me.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT IS LIKE TO SEE YOUR 8 1/2 YEAR OLD GRANDAUGHTER PLAYING MONKEY BARS ON YOUR DEAD BULLS TUSKS!!!!!!!!! FOR HER AND YOUR DAUGHTER TO HELP YOU CUT OFF THE TAIL.
Anybody got $1,000,000.00 KEEP IT. ELEPHANT NOT FOR SALE AT ANY PRICE.

I CAN NEVER, NEVER, NEVER get those moments back. I have pictures to last a lifetime and then some.....and memories for eternity.

Quick facts: Put the sneak on the Ele resting under a tree. About the time I was going to stick one in his ear, he started turning and moving around. Waited him out. He turned side brain shot @ 30 yards. Stuck onE right where you should. Right in front of the ear hole. He staggered but did not drop. Quickly stuck one on the frontal. To Damn high. Pissed him off. Came charging with piss and death in his eye. At 9 Steps shot him right between the eyes. Piled up Elephant!
With MARVELOUS PICTURES OF HIM IN THE FRONT ON CHARGE POSITION. DAMN THOSE LOOK GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
After pictures, we pushed, pulled, wenched, etc. etc. him on his side for more pics.

I am at work.....and have to go right now, but will write more later on the numerous other GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS HUNT.

What a great attitude ! Some should learn from you,I am so glad for you,you had the hunt of a lifetime and with family present,money does'nt buy you everything in life but rather how you look at things that make it worth it,congratulations on a great adventure

Brilliant attitude and very well done.

Very very nice
Congratulations!!
Sharing with your family makes memories for a lifetime.

Congratulations on a great hunt

Well done Brennan...well done!!!

Great report and so nice to share this with two other generations. Any sadness from your daughter or granddaughter seeing the Ele down?

Brennan. Great to hear you all back safe and sound and with luggage !!. It was an honour to share pants with you ! = BC had his luggage lost luckily we are the same pants size, in case some of you were wondering !!. On the day we saw this bull I knew we would not do better and we now have 10 bulls down and yours remains the longest and possibly the heaviest. The rains were not kind this year so we are working a bit harder this year with more than normal tracking. There were 2 bulls and we took the better one , the hunter in the other camp took the other bull a few days later. Brennan it was a great hunt and I am realy honoured to have hunted with you and your family who embody true sporthunters = you guys make hunting the great sport that it is with your enthusiasm fun and ethics, your knowledge and extensive reading on what you were hunting showed through your quiet and sporting nature. Layne and Linda are apples that did not fall far from the tree, my 9 year old son met a friend (Layne= 8 years) that shares his love of life , hunting , animals and respect for nature. I predict friends for life across the big lake , even after we become worm food !! Speak to you later
Graeme

What is the real test of life? Here it is: "IF YOU HAD IT ALL TO DO OVER AGAIN - WOULD YOU DO THE SAME THING". My answer is ABSOLUTELY YES, when it comes to hunting in Bots and with Graeme!

Things I forgot to mention:
-I killed my Ele wearing my PH's clothes !!!
-My daughter & grandaughter had NO regrets about seeing that dead Bull.
-My grandaughter wants to move to Maun, has something to do with a boy named Shane.
-My girls boo-hoo every night because we are not still there.
-My wife wants Graeme's wife to move to New Mexico permanently.
-Amber Pollock arranged an Easter Egg hunt for the girls on Easter Sunday -- AFTER my grandaughter shot a Gemsbok!
-SBB equipment is first class. Most of the tires are 14 ply so you do not have to constantly stop for punctures....Ring a bell for any of you guys who have been there a lot.
-The guys at camp (on the camp staff), made absolutely beautiful ELEPHANT HAIR BRACELETS for my entire family the day after we shot the Ele. I am wearing my Elephants hair right now.
-I like to hunt.....but heck.....I would go to Buffalo camp in NG 47 just to take a photo safari. How sick is that.....and what does that say about the opportunity to see Dangerous game!
-There are NO FRICKIN' PEPPER TICKS!!
-The beds are comfortable.
-The food is gourmet.
-My girls WENT CRAZY listening to the stories of visiting PH's at night in camp telling memories of their lifetimes of adventure. I am having to make crap up just to stay in the game.
-There were NO mosquitos.
-IF MY OLDEST DAUGHTER was not getting married this coming weekend.....I think they would have already booked the two Buff hunts for next year.
I think her mind is just a little pre-occupied.
She is completely harmonal to let that opportunity get away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-I would do this hunt again at twice the price.
-We went to Victoria Falls for 5 days after the hunt. If you do not do that when you are there you have missed your chance!
-Amber (Graeme's wife) busted her butt to help us fix plane tickets to get to Vic Falls a little early.
-MOST IMPORTANTLY.......MY GIRLS WERE TREATED WITH KINDNESS, RESPECT......AND EQUALNESS AS HUNTERS WHILE WE WERE THERE. SBB went out of their way to see they had opportunities to hunt plains game after the Bull hit the ground!
THAT WAS NO IN THE PACKAGE.....YOU CANNOT BUY THAT!
I have got to quit....I could go on forever.
I'm just going to go look at my pictures some more. Most of which Graeme took the time and trouble to snap.

Thats a hunt you won't be able to top easily. I'm glad to read the exitement in your words. It says a lot about you and your experience.

Congratulations on a very beautiful bull!!! Did you continue to go out everyday of your 10 days?

I'm so happy to see you are raising 2 huntresses!

We just need more photos and more antedotes from you hunt.

Best regards, D. Nelson

a happy client !Great ele looking forward to more photos!

Graeme is definitely a great guy, and obviously you had the time of your life - congrats!!!!!!!

Awesome report! What a great experience for your entire family! It's easy to tell from your writing that you're on cloud 9!

Congratulations on what sounds like the safari of a lifetime!

Great bull. great story. After you digest this one plan the next one. You only get one shot at life.

Congrats! Such a fine hunting experience.

Brennan - Congrats my friend, great job and what a beautiful bull! Awesome report and photos. I could sense your enthusiasm in every word you wrote. In taking Linda and Layne along, you have given them a great gift, and left quite a legacy. Not only have you benefited the hunting community by raising THREE huntresses so far, but you have shared with them what may be the pinnacle of your hunting career (maybe ONE of the pinnacles?). Imagine the memories they will have of you and this hunt and the entire trip! Indeed, THIS is the IMPORTANT stuff!!! You've made me rethink my future trips over there, and if I'm ever lucky enough to hunt elephant, the hunt will be shared with loved ones, and hopefully a young hunter will be included in the party! It was a pleasure to meet Graeme at DSC in 2011. You definitely picked the right PH in Graeme, and the right area.

Great job Brennan, Linda, Layne, Graeme and Amber. I'll start saving today for my elephant hunt!

Glen

Brennan,

What life long memories. What a blessing to have your daughter and granddaughter on an ele hunt. The pics are priceless to say the least.

Mike

Great job, Brennan and gang! When you slow down and take a breathe, give me a jingle. I'd love to hear about the hunt.

Your grand daughter is a spitting image of my little girl, just a few years older.. In a few more years, and mine will get to hunt Africa as well. Great job taking that little one. I'm sure she is hooked for life now.

Outstanding!

How can one not smile reading your report and looking at the pictures. Just happy all around!

It goes by too quickly doesn't it....sounds like you are on the hook for an annual trip!

Baxter is being kind enough to post up a bunch more pics for me. As soon as he gets them posted, I'll try to make comment on what is going on......circumstances.....etc.

Thanks - Baxter

Well done!

A little commentary on SOME of the added pictures:
Pic #10 - The typical water hole on NG47, on about any given evening. Absolutely NO SHOOTING around the water points. SMART CONSERVATION techniques to keep big game calm and readily visible. Shoot up the water points and screw up the whole deal.
Pic #12 - Trying to roll the big bull onto his side for those great 'tusk up' pics. You just had to witness the pushing and pulling to get him over onto his side. Woah-baby!
Pic #13 - One of the camp staff who fashioned our traditional Elephant hair bracelets out of MY Elephants tail !!!! He also made a pendant and rings......AND the old traditional skin bracelet from the smaller end of the tail. Since I've gotten home - I HAVE NEVER had so many girls (nurses, - I work at the hospital) take hold of my hands and arms!!!!!! If I wasn't married for 40 years to the best woman in the world - I COULD BE PICKIN' UP CHICKS!
Pic #14 - Layne's Steenbok
Pic #15 - Laynes's Gemsbok
Pic #16 - Graeme and my girls. Everyone was ALWAYS SMILING.

After the hunt was over and we made a visit to Vic Falls:
Pic #17 - Layne at Livingston Falls, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. (Let her try to explain this to the other 3rd graders back at school). I wonder what was more valuable - 5 days Jackin' around in Vic Falls, or 5 days at school???
Pic #21 - "HIGH TEA" on the veranda at Victoria Falls Hotel overlooking Batoka Gorge and the Bridge.
Pic #22 - Layne's first Tiger Fish on the Zambezi.
Pic #24 - Lyn's first Tiger Fish on the Zambezi.

I left out the pictures of the MARKET, HIPPO'S, ELEPHANTS & CROCS ON THE ZAMBEZI, THE BOMA, BUNGEE JUMPING, SHOPPING, THE BIG TREES @ ZAMBEZI NAT'L. PARK, CROSSING THE BRIDGE, MEALS @ VIC FALLS HOTEL & JUNCTION JUNGLE...ETC. ETC.
But I think you get the idea.

Fantastic!

I love it when all the family go hunting.

Great Photos and a great family experience

Beautiful elephant...and beautiful photos...

Very nice. Very nice indeed. I can't wait for my Botswana trip in August.

It is me or are those tusks extraordinarily light? They seem to have a lot less of the black "stuff" I see on elephants elsewhere . I wonder that a characteristic of elephants in Botswana? Perhaps their diet in that area does not stain the tusks as much as other places?

I love the shape of the tusks. Seems like you all had a lot of fun. Not much can beat that.

Great short story! I love the charge position pics and how cool to have family right there. I am preparing to soon go on an ele hunt but I doubt my wife wants to be anywhere near me while hunting them!

I did the same hunt last year at this time with my wife and son but we did the elephant in the Caprivi. Spent a few days in Vic Falls also.Trip of a lifetime.

If the timing is right I would go back at my own expense and video someone elses hunt.The most fun I ever had with my clothes on.

Great Report.

Hey Brennan you finally did it! Congratulations on a fantastic hunt and a great report. Looks like your daughter and granddaughter really enjoyed the trip also.

Great trip Brennan, and pics too! I'll bet that's one trip the girls will never forget. Congrats, David

Makorokoto Brennan! Fantastic bull and a most memorable safari

Congrats Brennan, a dream come true for you.
Well done!
John