May 29—June 13, 2014
Location: South Africa, Limpopo, Alldays area
Outfitter: Intrepid Safaris, Phillip DuPlessis (AR member)
PHs: Harry Fourie and Phillip DuPlessis
Rifles/Ammo: Win Model 70 Custom, 375 H&H, 300gr Swift AFrame handloads
Dakota Model 76, 450 Dakota, 500gr Swift AFrame handloads
Game sought: Buffalo and general plains game

This was my 5th hunt with Phillip after a long absence due to the passing of my wife and med problems.
I wasn’t sure I could pull off another African trip after fighting A-Fib for 7 months, losing 25 lbs and falling into a miserable out of shape condition. Its tricky enough to hit 72, but to add on physical limitations makes it tough not only on the hunter but also the PH who is trying his best to put you in range of great animals.

After several discussions with Phillip we reached a plan to accommodate my physical limitations and yet hopefully pull off another great experience. The buff hunt would be the big challenge since my walking endurance was greatly limited. This would be my 6th buff if successful so I had nothing to prove on my tracking experiences.

The interesting prehunt range practices showed no problem with my 375….the 450 Dakota was another story. It has been the buff and ele gun I’ve used on previous hunts, but now it really hit me on recoil. So range practices were limited to a few token shots off the sticks with the 450, just to remind me that it was the buff who was really going to get hurt.

Phillip and Harry had patterned somewhat the daily routine of a big bull. Particularly a general travel corridor the bull used in late afternoon towards a water hole. So they constructed a blind in the corridor hoping, that with luck, he would be visible as he came through the heavy thorn.
Long story short, on the 6th day of my hunt, he showed and the 450 did the job again with a broadside shoulder shot at 30 yds. The bull ran about 50 yds. Harry and I heard the crash as he went down deep in the thornbush. We waited for about 15 minutes before we left the blind and quickly found him.

No ground shrink on this bull…he was massive in body and has a deep curl and boss….this will be the best buff I’ve taken….a really great animal !!




The remainder of the hunt wasn’t all in blinds, some minor spot and stalks were accomplished. Neither was it anticlimactic…..some really nice plains game were taken.

A beautiful Impala ram.


A huge Blue Wildebeest.



A low 50s Kudu bull.


A great Gemsbok bull just shy of 40 inches.



Phillip, Harry and Intrepid staff did it again… another great set of experiences with a top notch outfitter.
With lots of luck there will be next year’s hunt, and the planning is already underway.

DAMN Nice trip and trophy's Bob, You did great and I have to say I hope at 72 I'm going like you are.
Congrats all around.

Congrats Bob. Keep on rolling.

Thanks for the post.

Congratulations..Very happy for you Bob
Well done!!!

Excellent trophies and well done for 72 years young.

Beautiful animals, Bob!

Congratulations on a wonderful hunt and beautiful trophies. Hope I can do that at 72! Kevin

CONGRATS ON A GREAT HUNT...THAT BUFF WAS SOMETHING ELSE..THANKS FOR SHAR'EN

Are you sure you meant 72 and not 27? Fantastic buffalo!



Regards

Wow - impressive and inspirational.

Mike

Nice buff. Congrats. AIU

Congratulations. I have hunted with Phillip twice, the first one was in 2004, my first African safari with my son Ahmed Sultan. Phillip was instant liking and the relationship continues. Planning to take my grand sons on hunt with Phillip soon.

Congratulation on great safari, kudos to do it under such an adversity as tough illness and passing of your wife.
You are the inspiration to all of us.
Milan.

Congrats Bob on a great hunt. Super trophies. My dad is 73 and I have been trying to get him to make the trip over with me just one time. He just has a mindset that he cannot take the travel or do the hunt once there. I will use your report as an example and hopefully get him motivated to experience the wonder of Africa. Thanks for the report.

Bob;

Congratulations on your determination and fine trophies.

My husband will turn 75 and I turn 68 later this year and we will be celebrating the occasions in Zimbabwe hunting buffalo. My husband has also been dealing with A Fib as well as being nearly blind. As you have done, we will keep hunting with the help of good PH's, albeit maybe not as conventionally as we used to.

My condolences for the loss of your wife, but I admire your strength to carry on. You have my deepest admiration!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Hat off ! Well done

Well done Bob, great that your PH's thought out the box a bit and you could have such a rewarding hunt

Uncle Bob as always it was great having you over! you did not mention the beautiful sable you shot thou! Looking forward to next year, That big Tom has your name on it!

Bob, great trip!

Nice trophies! Congratulations

Well done! Hope I am still shooting buff at 72!

Great job and trophies! You overcame and you made a plan that worked for you. Excellent buff.

Bob, great pictures and congratulations, Nice rifle too.

I failed to mention that the 375 custom rifle is one of Jim Kobe's fine pieces of work...a beautiful rifle that is dead nuts accurate.

Thanks much!

Jim

Bob, yes...he's not much to look at, but he builds great rifle! :-)

Congrats on a great hunt. Hopefully you have many more ahead of you

Bob.

Great reading and good for you. Very admirable you returned to Africa and hunted once again.

Congratulations on some fine trophies, your buff is grand.

Looking forward to your next hunt report. Leopard is it?

You have my respect.

Jytte

Outstanding! Great job and some fine trophies. Congrats.

Great trophies. Great pics. Well done. Congrats.