I have been back from my hunt in the Selous for about a week, but have been a bit busy at work after having a few weeks off. I have finally got a little time for a report.

We hunted in block L1 in the Selous with Dingwall safaris. Our PH was supposed to be Gary Hopkins, but they had a few problems and we ended up hunting with John-Martin Venter. John was a great PH and worked really hard for us. John is not affiliated with Dingwall safaris, but was contacted at the last minute to hunt with us.

On this hunt I was using a CZ 550 in .375H&H loaded with 350gr. Woodleighs. My father was using his CZ 550 in .416 Rigby loaded with 410gr. Woodleighs.

The first day we tracked a couple of groups of buffalo but ended up not seeing any shooters. We started seeing a lot of game the first day, which was most enjoyable. Throughout the week we were able to see almost all the game in the area with the exception of lion and lepard.

The second day we looked for spoor most of the day and finally got some fresh tracks after lunch. We tracked for a few hours but ended up loosing the spoor in the long grass. We started heading back to camp and spotted some heartabeast. They looked at us for a few moments and then they were gone. We decided to go after them and try for a shot. After about half an hour we caught them and were able to get within about 70yds. of the beast bull. I shot and he made it about 50yds. before falling. No buffalo, but a great day!


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On our third day we cut spoor of 3 dugga boys early in the morning and took off. We tracked them for about 2 hours and caught up with them. My father, Mark was going to shoot first so he and John made a successful stalk and he shot his bull in the chest at about 70yds. The bull went down after going about 50yds.We got the bull loaded and had lunch, then we followed the remaining two bulls but never caught up before dark.

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Day four and we were out early looking for spoor. We cut tracks about 9:00 and followed them until about 4:00. These buffalo didn't stop all day and as far as I know are still going. This walk was named "The Death March", and just about killed dad.

The fifth day dad decided to stay in camp and recover from the previous day's walk. We cut spoor about 8:00 and followed for about two hours. We caught up with the buffalo but there were no hard bossed bulls. We went back and started looking for more tracks. At about 11:00 we came across fresh spoor and at 2:30 we caught up with them and spotted a good hard bossed buffalo. We stalked to within 50yds. and the wind swirled a little bit and gave them a little smell. This was enough to make our bull come forward and face us giving me a good chest shot. I took the shot and the herd took off in a cloud of dust. Moments later we heard my bull give the death bellow and we found him about 100yds. away. One of my dreams had finally come true.

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Day six we spent hunting plainsgame. After a few failed attempts we were able to get within range of Zebra. After a very slow and careful stalk we got within 200yds. of a beautiful stallion. I took the shot broadside and he was down about 50yds. away. After obtaining my zebra we focused our attention back to heartabeast. Dad and John made a good stalk on a herd and singled out a good bull. Dad made a good shot at 170yds. and had his bull. The remainder of the day was spent looking for wildebeast, but with no luck.

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Day seven was spent looking for and following wildebeast all day. These things seemed to be pretty clever and proved to be a challenge. It was my father's turn for a chance and he got lucky just minutes before dark. We spotted a herd and made a hasty stalk that resulted in a rushed but true shot. The bull was down without any daylight left to spare. As much as I wanted one for myself it didn't happen, but I was thrilled to see dad get his.

http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i68/THORNELL123/troph...iew¤t=wild.jpg

Overall we had a great trip despite a few bumps at the beginning of our hunt. I was really excited to hunt in Tanzania and do it all on foot the right way. Know I am just counting down until my next forray into the bush.

I met both of you for breakfast at the Sea Cliff Hotel before your hunt. Glad to see you had a successful and enjoyable hunt. Thanks for the report.
Bobby

Good to hear from you Bobby. If I'm not mistaken you were going to do some more hunting. How did it go?

Thanks for sharing your hunt. Hunting Wildebeast can be a real challenge, they are called "wild" beasts for a reason.

Thornell:

It was a delight to get to meet you and your father. Your trip would have been successful if you had been alone, but I know that it was extra special because you got to share it with your dad. I'm looking forward to taking my daughter to Africa next year. Can't wait!

I, too, didn't get a wildebeest. I 'm glad to see that someone did!

Thornell, Glad you guys had a great hunt. It was good to meet you and your dad. Our hunt went well also and I will post more soon. Really nice trophys!

Glad to see the Wildebeast your Dad took. He was pumped up about it and I can see why. Your Buff's, Hartebeast and your beauty of a Zebra are all very nice trophies. Glad your hunt was so successful and it looks like both rifles did an excellent job. Talk to you soon, David

Very nice animals. Your buffalo looks exceptional. Had to be very special hunting with your father. I wished that I would have had more opportunity to hunt with mine before he passed away. Again congratulations on a fine hunt.

Thornell,

I spoke with LDK last night and he had told about your safari. Glad you and your dad had great success. Glad to hear the 350's worked well in the 375. Unless I change my mind, that's what I'll be using for by buff in '09.

Congratulations,

David Walker

Nice hunt and great memories to make with your Dad. My father and I have been on six safaris together and I cherish them all... don't know how many he has left in him.

Thanks for all the good comments fellas.

David, I hope to meet you in florida with LDK next week if everything works out for us.

Bwanamrm, it's nice to be able to hunt with our fathers, and hopefully we will both be able to make many more safaris in their company.

As bad as I hate it, I won't be on the fishing boat with ya'll next week. Too many irons in the fire right now. I really wish I could swing it though. Good luck.

David

x2 David, next time your up this way, or I'm coming down to Blake's, I'll give you some fillets. My freezers will be full and I'd be more than happy to share some with you. Maybe next year you can make it with us. Call me when your rifle is finished. I want to hear about it.
Good hunting,
David K.

LDK, Sure thing. Maybe when it's done, I can take a ride up there. Maybe we can get together with Thornell and whoever else would like to join us for dinner and a few lies. Good luck to you fellows on the trip next week. Give me a call when you return to let me know how it went.

By the way, went chasing goats this morning. Didn't see any goats, but did almost get a shot at a nice bobcat. Sneaky little SOB.

Good hunting uhmmm.... fishing,

David W.

Dinner and lies, sounds go to me!

It's a deal then, if we can get LDK out of the house. You know he's kind of a home-body. Can't get him out to go anywhere? HAHA. Man stays on the go more than anyone I know. Especially for the next month or so.

You two figure out a time and date.

David W.