Dates: Oct 28 - Nov 1
Booking agent: Theo from SkinAfrika
PHs: John from Benkoe Safaris
Styger from Tsoma Safaris
Travel agent: Shawn from Gracy Travel
Crossbow with lumenok shafts and 100 gr Muzzy broad heads
Animals seen: lion, sable, gemsbok, warthog, zebra, blue & black wildebeest, eland, springbok, steenbok, hartebeest, blesbok
Animals taken: lioness, warthog

From our first talks about this hunt, Theo and I seemed to hit it off right away. He answered all questions as soon as he could and was upfront with everything. Seemed like every week We were on the phone together. Mostly him just checking in, making sure I had any questions answered, and updating me.
Theo arranged pick up and drop off at JoBurg with Bill and Nalie Smit who were absolutely fabulous to get to know and spend time with.
On arrival in camp at Benkoe, I had a bit of resighting in the crossbow as it seems Delta was a bit tough on the luggage. After a few shots and on target, I had John and Styger take me around the concession. For a few hours, we saw nothing but older tracks and were actually running the roads, creating tracks, in hopes when we came back in the morning, the lioness had crossed ours. All of a sudden I saw my lioness stand up in some brush about 50 yards off the road as we drove by. Quickly stopping and getting out, we found her a few yards further out as she crawled into some heavier brush.
We spent some time working around her until I had a small slightly obscured opening I thought I could sneak an arrow through. With John and Styger at the ready in case of a charge, I managed to slid an arrow in behind her left shoulder which exited in the right shoulder. She took off the opposite way after a few choice growls/roars. Dark, heavy blood made it look like a good arterial hit. We followed after a few minutes and after about a hundred yards stopped to give her some more time. Catching a quick drink aft summoning the truck up, we pushed on. Several times we jumped her, heavy pools of blood where she laid each time. After about 250 yards, she finally had enough and stayed in a small thicket. Her head was starting to droop as the blood loss was taking it's effect on her. We moved in and out of cover until I was able to sneak another arrow in her at a hard quartering away angle. Behind the left shoulder and exiting in her brisket, she absolutely came alive. Tearing brush, growling/ roaring, and bent on destruction, she finally came out and offered a broadside shot as she was busy shredding the brush in front of her. I snuck a third and final arrow into her lungs and she slumped quickly to the earth beneath her. She was mine at last.
With word out to Theo, he quickly updated my wife and kept her in the loop of my progress and what was going on.
I ended up shooting a small warthog the last day as meat for the staff. The steenbok I had spent time after had successfully eluded me as did the gemsbok we were after. A very good hunt despite that fact - after all, it's not always about the kill, but the time and experience had.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Theo and SkinAfrika for booking. He has a genuine concern about his clients and works to get good deals. He was constantly communicating not only with me but with my wife as well while I was away (I didn't have international coverage) This eased my wife's mind and made our being apart easier on her.
I'll post a pic or two here later this weekend ( Theo has already posted one under the Outfitter/hunt section if can't wait)

Couldn't happen to a better guy...very happy for you my friend

Congratulation - awesome cat!

Nice Sable too

That's awesome man good for you!

We all can't afford a Lion hunt in Tanzania.

Did you get to choose which Lioness you wanted or is that up to the PH?

No choice on lioness but that was fine with me!

Did you have to kill at the first opportunity of were you able to take your time and look around a bit?

As I only had a week off from work, I was quite glad to get her right off the bat. Allowed me to do some sight seeing around Benkoe's properties and come along jackal hunting one night.

I would like to do something like this in the future but I would like to stretch the experience out a bit more.

Did you see allot of other game?

PM sent

H at H:


Wow .... that was some hunt!

From how you described it the 'cat was back in the bag' between a late lunch and dinner - that's record-breaking time

That is one seriously handsome Sable though cannot figure out the white object sticking out of its left ear or is it a spot?

Your Warthog must have produced a dinner fit for a King - just the right size for a BBQ spit - Man my mouth waters just thinking' about it!

It must be how the brush or something is showing behind the sable on the right. On the left, it must be a spot. I Looked at other photos and there is nothing there. As I shot the warthog on the last day, 15 minutes before we called it quits, the staff enjoyed her!

Fulvio,

With all due respect.

Here: http://forums.accuratereloadin...043/m/3791031571/p/1

Ty

quote:

Originally posted by Thomas "Ty" Beaham:
Fulvio,

With all due respect.

Here: http://forums.accuratereloadin...043/m/3791031571/p/1

Ty

This is a legal hunt,and a great alternative to those not wanting to spend $ 70K on a lion hunt.

This was not a CANNED LION HUNT, which is illegal in SA, meaning that it was NOT TRANQUALIZED and was roaming a large area, was not shot off the back of a pick up.

CONGRATS on an awesome lion hunt on foot.

Dont worry chaps. There is always some royal POES who honestly believes it is his place to criticize and condemn every action that he does not personally agree with.

Well done on your Lioness

[/QUOTE]

You might not agree with this BUT This is a legal hunt, CANNED LION HUNTS as you are alluding to are illegal in SA. This cat was NOT TRANQUALIZED and was roaming a large area, was not shot off the back of a pick up.

CONGRATS on an awesome lion hunt on foot.[/QUOTE]

Dave:

Who said it was a canned or illegal hunt? It sure has all the makings of being a canned one and even if it was, who gives a shit?
No mention was ever made or "alluded" about it being TRANQUILIZED or shooting it from the back of the truck either!

The hunter simply had a really lucky break to arrive in "camp", check his equipment for accuracy and 3 hours later "bagged" his cat in time for dinner!


You my friend are too quick in jumping to conclusions and "allude" that I was "alluding" that this may have been a canned hunt.

Speak of the Devil and he shal appear.

Fulvio,

What you did is the same thing you always do, which is to take snide pot shots at anyone who hunts
inside of, or within 150 miles of a piece of wire.

Pissing in someone's hunt report is LOW BROW, NO CLASS, JIVE AZZ !

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:



Dave:

Who said it was a canned or illegal hunt? It sure has all the makings of being a canned one and even if it was, who gives a shit?
No mention was ever made or "alluded" about it being TRANQUILIZED or shooting it from the back of the truck either!

The hunter simply had a really lucky break to arrive in "camp", check his equipment for accuracy and 3 hours later "bagged" his cat in time for dinner!


You my friend are too quick in jumping to conclusions and "allude" that I was "alluding" that this may have been a canned hunt.

[/QUOTE]

quote:

Originally posted by Thomas "Ty" Beaham:
Fulvio,

What you did is the same thing you always do, which is to take snide pot shots at anyone who hunts
inside of, or within 150 miles of a piece of wire.

Pissing in someone's hunt report is LOW BROW, NO CLASS, JIVE AZZ !

+1


Hunteratheart
Thank you again for sharing your hunt and the experience you had. Im sure that many people are reading this thread and enjoying it and are thankfull that you shared it.
Dont let 1-2 jerks spoil this hunt for you. The Vast majority of people are good and im sure they will tell you so.

Since when did you lot become moderators?

You might not agree with what Fulvio says but he has every right to say it and whilst you guys have every right to disagree and voice your disagreement with his comments, you have no right to tell him what he can and cannot post.

As for whether it was a canned hunt or not: I won't go into my own personal opinions about that or those that take part in it because most of you know them but the truth is no-one here knows if it was definitely captive bred or drugged etc or not so to suggest it was or wasn't is nonsense.

Dave,

Mate, you said that 'a canned lion hunt is illegal in SA'. Unfortunately, that's not true. The spineless prick Vsn Schalkwyk removed lion from the list of 'dangerous animals' on the act at the last minute because he was kak scared of the threat of prosecution from the lion breeders association and so (sadly) canned lion hunting isn't illegal in RSA.

Hell, people can't even agree on an exact definition of what is and isn't canned.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
Dave,

Mate, you said that 'a canned lion hunt is illegal in SA'. Unfortunately, that's not true. The spineless prick Vsn Schalkwyk removed lion from the list of 'dangerous animals' on the act at the last minute because he was kak scared of the threat of prosecution from the lion breeders association and so (sadly) canned lion hunting isn't illegal in RSA.

Hell, people can't even agree on an exact definition of what is and isn't canned.

Steve
I have to strongly dissagree mate.
Nature conservation has set out definate guidlines as to legal practices to hunting captive bred lions.These have been accepted by both USFW as well as CITES. So yes there are legal as well as non legal lion hunts.

PHASA has just been in the process of tracking down a youtube poster involved in an illegal canned hunt and they had him prosecuted.

lets leave this so that this hunt report does not get Bastardized.

Dave

There's a few provincial restrictions but nothing of any real consequence and certainly nothing to prevent people releasing captive bred lions for people to shoot. (note, I don't use the word hunt)

The current national act (can't remember it's name ATM) stipulated set (long term) wilding periods & minimum land areas etc that would have very effectively made canned lion shooting illegal and at the last minute, the breeders association threatened to sue both the minister personally and also the governmunt and van schalkwyk simply crossed lion off the list of dangerous animals in the definitions to avoid the legal confrontation.

Therefore according to RSA & van schalkwyk, lions are not dangerous!

I'm not aware of a single provincial game act that says captive bred lions (or any other species) may not be released into a properly fenced area & then shot shortly thereafter but if you are, I'd be interested to know which ones........ Admittedly, I've been retired for a while now so could be wrong but I don't think I am.

Unless the subject is raised further, this will be my last post on the subject here for the obvious reason.

Thanks for the report

I met H at H in Joberg when we were both headed home from Zim. He hunted with Phillip Smythe at that time and we both had great hunts. He is a great guy with a real passion for hunting and I'm really pleased that he got his lioness.

Dutch

I should add those hunts were in 2012.

Dutch

Hunteratheart glad you enjoyed your hunt and had a great time. Just remember that that is what is important as far as the ones you seem to have a problem with your hunt that is exactly what it is THEIR PROBLEM! Just ignore them.

First congrats on your lioness,

I do have a question though. Being an avid bowhunter I would like to know where your first shot went? Ive seen deer carry a perfect shot for a long way. Just wondering if you one lunged her or something.

quote:

Originally posted by Hunting the Box H:
Dont worry chaps. There is always some royal POES who honestly believes it is his place to criticize and condemn every action that he does not personally agree with.

Well done on your Lioness

Congratulations on your lioness, sir!

quote:

Being an avid bowhunter I would like to know where your first shot went?

First shot was about center body height and about 3" behind the left shoulder. It exited mid right shoulder. This should have caught the back end of the one lung as well as the other. Again, blood was a heavy red like arterial and not pink, frothy like would just be lung.

Dutch, Dave, and others - thanks for the support. These will always be controversial. With the looming USFW decision and costs for a Zim\Tanz hunt, I could not afford to miss this.

Congratulations!! Nice lioness, was that a cobra?

John, yes it is an Egyptian cobra. We were trying to occupy the same patio space before it met it's timely death shortly thereafter.
Right on front patio at the main lodge where the kids play. The afternoon after this, they lost a dog in the backyard to a snake bite. Don't know how true, but they said the gardener kills about 1 snake a day while they are there. Apparently they have cobras, puff adders, mambas, and various other nasties. Glad this was the only one I encountered and I sure kept my door to my chalet closed after that!
BTW, nice talking with you the other day and I'm sure you'll be happy with the services Theo provides! Happy hunting my friend.

Thanks Steve for the info. We booked for buffalo and sable, and I hope your deer hunt went well.

Look, I think anyone should go and do whatever teh want to so long as it is legal where they are doing it. Congratulations huneratheart on a successful adventure. I mean that.

But I've got to agree with Fujo in genteral. I don't want to hunt cats within 100km of wire. Just me. Not judgmental of others who disagree.

quote:

Therefore according to RSA & van schalkwyk, lions are not dangerous!

I hear it's the pet ones that are the most dangerous.

That, of course, assumes they are not drugged.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Look, I think anyone should go and do whatever teh want to so long as it is legal where they are doing it. Congratulations huneratheart on a successful adventure. I mean that.

But I've got to agree with Fujo in genteral. I don't want to hunt cats within 100km of wire. Just me. Not judgmental of others who disagree.

quote:

Therefore according to RSA & van schalkwyk, lions are not dangerous!

I hear it's the pet ones that are the most dangerous.

probably true. i hunted leopard years ago with a Zim outfitter named Andy Connelly. he also had a lion breeding operation in a different area that catered to nature lovers and advertised walks with young, pen/hand raised lions in the veld . he was missing an arm- removed by one of his "pets"

Steve:
Are you planning a full body mount? If so, I have a great taxidermist that did my lion. Made the form fit the lion and not the other way around. Came out great. I'll send a pic if you pm me your email address.


Dutch

quote:

Originally posted by Dutch44:
Steve:
Are you planning a full body mount?

Dutch

Yes - decided on Critter Creations here in Chambersburg. My original taxidermist does good work on deer/elk, but wanted someone specializing in cats. PM sent for pics though

This is like reading a hunting novel.Hunters there are for each hunter a dream whether it is bred lions or free roaming.Lets respect each others feelings.As a young man I have been taught by my parents if you can't say something good rather keep quiet.I am happy for Steve he is a real gentleman. I believe in delivering what I promise and I am with my hunters all the time while they'r hunting.To me my hunters become my friends I really miss talking to Steve.My service will be complete after I get the photo of Steve's full mount.I really deliver.Try me.

Well said, Theo.

Dutch