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Dates: June 16 - 25, 2005 Area: Hammond and Mkwusine Blocks of the Save Conservancy, Lowveldt of Zimbabwe. Terrain: Mixed lowveldt with mopane woodland and riverine bush, scattered kopjes. Temperatures: Lower 50's to lower 80's. Quite warm for June with two days of scattered rain showers. Accomadations: Excellent facilities at Hammond with comfortable chalets and lodge facilities built since 1996 by the American owners of this block.    Game hunted: Kudu, Eland, Blue Wildebeest, Zebra, Bushbuck, Warthog, Impala, Waterbuck, Klipspringer, Baboon, Jackal, Duiker Professional Hunters: Buzz Charlton and Peter Barnard This was a very enjoyable hunt for me in an area of Africa where I started my African hunting career 11 years earlier. It was also a hunt that had none of the usual pressures for me to find a good trophy of a certain species since I had taken everything several times before with the exception of a Limpopo Bushbuck. My father and I hunted 2X1 with Buzz and my good friend and first-time hunter in Africa, John Hoffman hunted 1X1 with Peter Barnard. Dad's main objective was a big kudu bull, which he scored on the 5th day and John wanted one of everything and had perfect first-timers luck! His kudu went 55", wildebeest measured 29.5", a great old eland bull and a huge klippie with horns almost 5" long. We tried something different on the trip over that did NOT work out. To try and avoid the SAA nightmare we were to fly KLM to Amsterdam, have a two hour layover and then fly Amsterdam to Jo'burg. 747's all the way and hopefully more space for my 6'3" frame! Also, no hellish stops in the Verde Islands or in Capetown that always slows your progress. Alas, our flights from Houston were delayed to 7:00 pm from 3:40 pm causing us to be rerouted through Continental flying to Newark and then to Paris! We then had to kill 7 hours in Charles DeGaulle before we caught a SAA flight to Jo'burg! We missed our overnite at the Afton House, slept on a bench in the aiport in Paris, but luckily, the plane to Jo'burg was only one-third full so we were able to stretch out and sleep for the 10 hour flight down. We made our connection to Harare just fine but as might be expected, even using Optima, John's luggage was a no show in Harare! Oh well, we would adapt and make the most of it! The flight back was no problem and I kidded John that I arranged the trip to Paris and Amsterdam just for him! He wasn't buying it. but all is well that ends well. What does all of those flight problems mean? I have no clue! I am eager to hear how those who fly SAA out of Dulles do. Seems there is no easy way to make the trip over. On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | ||
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In spite of problems with luggage, we chartered into camp using CATS 206 Cessna with no problems. I handed my .375 H&H over to John and lent him a change of clothes to compliment what he brought in his carry-on. Dad and I shared his .300 Win mag. And the hunt was on the next day. I made a stalk with Buzz on a small herd of zebra the first morning. After sorting out the stallion and manuvering around I took him with one shot from the .300 shooting 180 grain Nosler Partitions.  That afternoon, on the riverine stretch of the Mkwusine block, Buzz spotted a nice waterbuck bull with two cows. After trying to persuade my Dad to take him and having no luck, Buzz and I bailed off the 'cruiser and stalked him for 30 minutes as he led his cows into deeper bush. He finally emerged from a jess thicket at around 170 yards and the .300 worked it's magic again. One shot in the shoulder and he was down as evening began to descend on the first day.  On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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Day 2 started with our recon into the Hammond block again. We saw lots of zebra and wildebeest, impala and giraffe. We also ran across a monster kudu but Dad just couldn't get out of the truck and cut him off from cover quick enough. Later that morning, we spied a good wildebeest bull. He and his band of females kept blowing Dad's stalk on a big group of zebra so Buzz insisted Dad shoot the wildebeest. Once again, Dad deferred. He had his list of animals he wanted and doesn't believe in targets of opportunity. If I was built like that I would have alot more money in the bank! After we drove off, Buzz kept muttering about the big wildebeest bull we let get away and to keep him quiet, I volunteered to go back and shoot him! Back goes the cruiser and inside of 15 minutes I am on sticks and put the old boy in the salt.  On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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It was now Dad's turn and he came back with a vengance taking a nice zebra stallion and what turned out to be the biggest impala of the trip...23.5"! Meanwhile I broke our unlucky streak on kudu with a nice, heavy bull in the Hammond block.  On day five, Dad was hunting with Buzz when John and I came upon a sick buff bull he and Peter had seen earlier and I reported on in an earlier thread. We wasted no time in taking the bull. John took the first shot and he and Peter were kind enough to let me shoot backup with Peter's .416 since John had my .375!  On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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Russell, Congratulations on a great hunt! Buzz seems to be a very hard working and focused PH. That was a really nice wildebeast. I am sure you are proud. Thanks for the update and pics. Wow! Just posted this at the same time you posted the Kudu photo! I know you are pleased! Hugh | |||
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Other game taken included another nice kudu bull (we had six on license)...this bull was shot on the run with Peter's .416. I centerpunched a small mopane tree but still managed to down the bull by hitting him right behind the ear...couldn't do it again if you paid me!  And a great bushbuck ram that we stalked for over an hour, early one morning, culminating in a 150 yard shot with my .375 shooting 285 grain Grand Slams.  We shot four or five baboons each and they are alwys fun to hunt. I have a thread about hunting them on the African Hunting forum if you care to read about it. On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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Last but not least, when you are in Africa, remember the hunting is just a part of the reason to be there! There are so many things you see and savor as part of the experience. Elephants crossing the river with their calves...  [IMG] A pissed off ele bull having his way in a sugar cane field!  Giraffe in the early morning sun...   And miles and miles of Africa...   These things keep Africa special and are the reason I return year after year to experience them again and again! On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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Great pictures and an excellent report from what sounds like a wonderful hunt. Thanks for posting. | |||
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Bwana Nice hunt! Good documentation and nice photos. The Save is a special place. One of our clients who has hunted all over described it as "The Garden of Eden" for hunters. Regards, Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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Cool pictures and great report! I'm curious to know what you'd do differently, as far as the travel plans go...I'm heading there in '06... Awesome animals.... | |||
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David, I am headed back in '06 to hunt leopard in the Sapi...good Lord willing. Right now I guess I would try the SAA flight out of Washington Dulles direct to Jo'berg and transit through to Harare. The lady with Optima scared the heck out of me when she said that the day before we flew out, she had 35 hunters flying in to the RSA and it took them 8 hours to get through Customs and the Police gun checkpoint. Many of them missed connecting flights! TRANSIT through South Africa if you are not hunting there until this ridiculous mess is straightened out! I feel for the RSA hunting industry because I feel this will have an impact on next year's bookings. On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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Hi Russell Great hunt - and report . Glad to hear it all went well , and you got home safely . Best wishes . Brad Brad Rolston African Hunting P.O. Box 506 Stella 8650 Kalahari South Africa Tel : + 27 82 574 9928 Fax : + 27 86 672 6854 E-Mail : rolston585ae@iafrica.com | |||
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Great hunt, great report, great pics! I would really like to see a pic of the small, I mean BIG, klippie.... If it`s possible.  Anders Hunting and fishing DVDs from Mossing & Stubberud Media: www.jaktogfiskedvd.no ..and my blog at: http://andersmossing.blogspot.com | |||
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Is the exit hole between the horns? If so you are a very lucky fellow! I enjoyed your photos and story. Thanks. | |||
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Very impressive trophies and beautiful country. Thanks for sharing! ~Ann   | |||
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Very nice pictures and wonderful story. Sounds like you had a great adventure. Got'er done | |||
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I hunted in the conservancy twice. Once in 1997 and again in 2000.Both times with Roger Whitall at Humani.This is the very finest area I have ever hunted.The terrain,the diversity of wildlife,and the people there make it so. I hope to someday get back to the conservancy.I hope it survives the tragedy that is gripping Zim now so that in the future I can return. We seldom get to choose But I've seen them go both ways And I would rather go out in a blaze of glory Than to slowly rot away! | |||
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great photos and a great reoprt. congrats on what appears to be a very successful hunt. | |||
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Wow, those pictures of 'MMBA' (miles and miles of bloody Africa) really took my breath away! Nice trophies, and photography. I don't know what you have done to deserve those 2 fantastic kudu, but good on you! | |||
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 Great narrative and photos. Just the sort of thing to up the interest in going. 2008 or bust. If you are going to carry a big stick, you've got to whack someone with it at least every once in while. | |||
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Great report and photos. THANKS!!! Phil | |||
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Thanks everyone for your nice comments and compliments. It was a fun hunt for me and it is always special to introduce a hunting buddy to his first safari in Africa. I can still see the broad grin across John's face as he turned to me after everyone else had turned in for the night. "Russell, you said it would be the hunt of a lifetime, but I think you underestimated it! This is simply unbelievable. I am thoroughly hooked on Africa!". Ahhhh, another one bites the dust. NitroX: You have sharp eyes, my friend. I was very lucky the bullet exited btween the horns doing only minor damage to the scalp and a .416 diameter hole in the skullcap. I was also lucky there was a solid up the spout! Ann: Did I understand correctly that you are hunting with Buzz later this year? If so prepare to have a ton of fun or perhaps several tons of fun chasing cow eles through the jess! Another fun picture to leave you with....  No comments please on which of these two characters is more dapper! On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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And last but not least, a farewell toast to a perfect hunt.......  From "The Hammond Camp Gang" ... Peter Barnard, John Hoffman, yours truly, Kenneth "Kudu Slayer" Marshall, and last and cetainly not the least..Buzz Charlton! On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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Yes! Buzz picks me up on August 16th, hope he doesn't forget to rescue me from the airport. I sure hope a skinny little guy like Buzz can keep up with me.  ~Ann | |||
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 What a hunt !!!!!!!!! Great pictures and better report !!! It's always good to see people who really knows how to enjoy their lifes eh? Congrats L | |||
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Fantastic hunt!!! Great photos! Thanks for posting. Regards, Dave | |||
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I thought I would post some pictures of my buddy, John Hoffman's trophies now that I have them in my possesion... John's kudu, his first African animal on safari, was an honest 55 inches. He and Pete were both happy!  John's eland was also a brute...and the only animal he shot with his McMillan Talon in .300 Weatherby...that what you get for losing your luggage.  John ended up with three of the spiral horn species of Zimbabwe...no qouta on Nyala in this part of the Save....but he did get a nice bushbuck.  After shooting a 28"+ Blue Brindled Gnu, I thought I was the Gnu champ...but in typical first-timer fashion, John took the biggest Blue Gnu the manager had seen on the concession...with my gun no less.  Warthog? Yeah another great trophy!  And a huge Klippie....  But, he who laughs last, laughs best....sorry Johnny-boy!  On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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Very nice --congratulations to your friend. Thanks for posting. | |||
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Congratulations to all of you and nice photos. I guess it must have been wounderfull hunting plains game in a Big 5 area.How big was the area? Hamdeni  | |||
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Hamdeni, The total Save Conservancy is close to a million acres with no internal fences. The two blocks we hunted totaled around 65,000 acres. Speaking of the Big Five...they will have some great elephant bulls in another 5 to 10 years!  And he may not be one of the Big Five but he is definitely "dangerous game"!  On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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Some of the best photos I've seen from a hunt. i wouldn't mind a try at that Croc. Absolutly great wildlife pictures. congrats on a great hunt. Lance Lance Larson Studio lancelarsonstudio.com | |||
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Great pictures,enjoyable descriptions to read and partake.Nice trophies. Thanks | |||
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superb bushbuck!! and the others arent too shabby either.....Thanks for sharing | |||
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Nice report and excellant photos! Thanks for the post  John There are those that do, those that dream, and those that only read about it and then post their "expertise" on AR! | |||
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