I am mostly starting this thread to force me to organize my notes and thoughts and write a report. This was the second trip for my wife and I to Cameroon in 2008. In June I killed my Bongo (which arrived in early december and is off to the tanner now). This latest hunt was in the north and by shear blind luck I completed my life long wish list of must hunt animals. I will get on the photos etc. soon but the short answer is:
France and Air France were great (God I hate saying that). US customs is a giant double cluster and makes me ashamed. Mayo Oldiri did a great job. My PH (same guy from my Bongo, Mike Currie) was a perfect babysitter again. I shot a Sing-Sing waterbuck 26, Western Hartebeest 21, and the last 3 on my lifelist--- a Roan 26, a 15+ inch Harnessed Bushbuck and a 50 inch and change Lord Derby Eland. Now I have to get the report done! Happy New Year.

Welcome home and congratulations. I can't imagine ever being able to complete a life long wish list. Look forward to the report and photos.

Congrats !!!
Please story and pictures !!

L

Pictures and story, please. Your comment about U.S. customs doesn't surprise me. I have traveled all over the world and the rudest I have been treated has been by Immigration/Customs. Somehow they seem to confuse being an asshole with efficiency. My wife is half French and this year we returned from France with some of her French family. The way they were treated was embarrassing.

Dates 12/22-1/4
Location: Cameroon
Outfitter: Mayo Oldiri
Camp: Mayo Nduell
PH/Babysitter: Mike Currie
Travel: Susan Hill(ret.) of Gracey Travel
Targets: Lord Derby (Giant) Eland, Harnessed Bushbuck, Western Roan.
Weapon: Mod. 70 375 H&H and handloads of 300 grain Silvertips (added the silvertips because it drives "smart" people nuts)

This was the second part of a 2 part trip I booked directly with Mayo Oldiri Safaris. The first half was a forest hunt for Bongo which we did in June/08. Again we flew from Idaho to Seattle then direct to Paris(cdg). Again great service and no troubles from Air France or the French. We spent a few days in Paris again on this trip before flying down to Douala on December 20. We hit a slight glitch and arrived one bag short. It will turn up. On the 22nd we flew to Garoua on an internal Cameroon airline. Just like Southwest airlines here, no seat assignment. The flight sets an all Cameroon record and leaves ON TIME! This causes a problem because nobody is in Garoua to pick up me and my wife, plus a husband and wife from Texas, plus 4 Mexicans. The guy from texas is using a camp gun (smart) so me and the mexican guy with his parties guns are taken into bureaucratic custody with our guns and his ammo. We are led to an abandoned part of Garoua International to face a guy in a spiffy blue uniform. I'm first. I open my case read off the serial number of my rifle. Ol Blue reads along on my gun permit and they match. He says ok and then asks where is my ammo. I tell him Air France stole it. He chuckles and turns his attention to my mexican compatriot after stamping my gun permit. His paperwork is not "perfect" there is some yelling by Ol Blue. We are eventually release to another guy. This is a gendarme/cop and he makes us fill out a declaration like we do when we land in Douala. He stamps our paper and then asks "what about me" we play ignorant and get out. He is chasing us and begging/yelling when we get back into sight of our party. Suddenly we are stopped by a big sucker in a green uniform and he grabs us and hustles us out of sight. Damn, almost made it. This guy puts us in an office and thankfully he only speaks french so we play the ignorant smiling tourist card. Its working and he is ready to cut us loose when the cop walks in (what about me). He speaks english. The jolly green giant is with INOFOR, basically he is a fish and game cop. He does his thing and stamps each of our permits with 5 different stamps and corresponding signatures. Then he and the cop really start begging for bribes. The mexican guy eventually hands the cop a petit caudeux (SP) and I make a show of not having anything before handing the giant a crumpled bill. We leave quick and make it back to our party. The texan had had the good sense to call Mayo and report what has been happening and it is not long before Sadi arrives to take us to Mayo's safe house. The 3 groups then take off in different vehicles to their different camps.

A nice 5+ hour drive before we roll into camp and meet up with Mike who we haven't seen since June. Mayo Nduell is the oldest hunting camp in the north. I tell Mike we have a serious problem. We are missing a bag and it has my ammo in it! He has some 375 in camp thankfully. He asks what else was in the bag? I tell him nothing critical just most of my wife's clothes. I put on my spare scope and we sight it in with the camp ammo. Not great.

December 23: First day of hunt. The area is not greened up and a lot of it is not burned yet. There is one area that has been burned early by illegal cattleherders and is green and a herd of maybe 24 eland are using it. We head there and see for the first time Lord derby eland tracks and how they feed. Apparently they like young leaves of certain trees. They find a tree up to 6-7 inches in diameter, push their forehead against the tree and twist their neck which traps the tree between their horns and brakes the tree. They then nibble the fresh leaves and stems. Its impressive, and you can track a herd feeding by looking at the path of destruction above ground level. We follow tracks for a few hours at most when I spot some Roan. Oops they are Eland. I see my first Lord Derby Eland, all cows and young. They disapear when the wind swirls. We keep at it until 1:00 then head back for lunch. In the evening we hunt another area and while stalking a Roan we stumble on a Sing-Sing waterbuck. I shoot him. Bad news is he had rubbed the hair from under his chin to mid neck. Apparently it is the result of the male waterbuck resting his head on the females back and pleading for sex as he follows her around. Makes a good story anyway.
Day 2: I spot a nice Harnessed Bushbuck on the drive to the Eland area, maybe 11 inches with excellent horn shape. We stalk him, but no luck. Lots of game here we see most or all of the following every day of the hunt: Kob, Warthog, Oribi, Western Hartebeest, Nigerian Bohor Reedbuck, Harnessed Bushbuck, Western Roan, Sing-Sing Waterbuck, and Grimm's Duiker. We see occasionally, Red Flanked Duiker, West African Giraffe and Lord Derby (or Giant) Eland. We go for another long walk with no Eland at the end and in the afternoon hang the Waterbuck to see if it brings in the Lion Mike has been hearing.
Day 3: Merry Christmas! Out we go again at 5:30 as usual. We find tracks and go walkies until 1pm. We lose them and head back to the landcrusier for lunch which we ate in the field except for a couple days. This morning on the way to the Eland area we spotted and chased a couple poachers and got their loot. so lunch is augmented to celebrate Christmas with whole sun ripened Porcupine and Grimm's duiker. My wife tried the Porcupine and I took notes for her doctor when we got home. That night we got our Christmas present. Our bag showed up! I have my "good" bullets.
Day 4: I check my regular scope with my silvertips and they are perfect. I love using them partially because they drive African PHs crazy. Mike thankfully was no exception. He is only partially placated by the list of game I have taken with them without a single hick up. (When I started my Must-Hunt list in 1996 I bought this same 375 that I used here and 1700, 300 grain silvertips. I have used them on everything from ground squirrels to Polar Bear with no problems. Only about 75 left.) Anyway, we went walkies for eland for 5+ hours today without testing them. Then in the late afternoon we checked the waterbuck. Hyena, Leopard and Lion all walked on the 2 track within 20-30 yards but no visitors. Another PH who usually hunts this camp said he has tried many times but it has always been the same result. Not even a hyena.
Day 5: I have to get up earlier now to patch my feet before breakfast. The ground is covered in roundish hard dirt worm mounds. It is like walking on golf balls. We try for my bushbuck on the main road but he outsmarts us again. We search all over for eland tracks then decide to blind hike cross country in the hopes of cutting fresh tracks. We are a few hours into the current death march when an eland calf runs right by us. We move in on the herd 3 times but although Mike gets glimpses of the big bull, I do not. I do see lots of eland up close. Mike says there is a very nice bull in this herd. They eventually get our wind and they are gone. On the way back to camp that evening we spot a nice western hartebeest and put the sneek on him and get the shot on tape. Mike is surprised the silvertip exited, says it must not have hit a rib going in or comming out. I really get him when I say that I am too, I have never seen that happen before.
Day 6: Mr. bushbuck is not home this morning. We actually see eland from the cruiser while searching for tracks. We go after them for at least 6 hours and see them several times. We finally catch them resting under some trees during the afternoon. Hiding from the brutal equitorial sun I bet. We get in on them and search for the bull. We are very close now. Suddenly a damned baboon starts barking off to our left and the eland move out. We didn't see the bull. I still have not seen him. Damn all baboons to hell! Late lunch at camp and out for bushbuck which I see but cannot stalk successfully to save my life.
Day 7: Up early again, look for bushbuck but he is gone, probably one of the multitude of leopards got him. We actually see eland again while driving along looking for tracks. It is a new group of 5 younger bulls, but mike says one is good. We get in on them I can see them. I get on the sticks and wait. Mike says he is to the right of that one looking at us. "You can't see him but he is heading to the opening you are aiming at". I am ready. I have a 1/2 an eland of space for an opening. Mike says here he comes, thats him. I get on his shoulder and squeeze. He suddenly jumps and wheels around I see him do it but I cannot stop the shot bang I shoot into the bushes. I just missed an entire Lord Derby Eland. Top that if you can! Mike says I don't feel good about the shot. Me neither. No bullet impact sound nothing but running eland. We follow them for a few hours and Mike and the trackers confirm--I suck. I missed an entire eland. I do not feel so good. I try to tell myself that at least I didn't wound and lose it. It doesn't really help me. The trackers eventually loose the tracks a long way from the road. Me, Mike, my wife and a porter sit in the shade while the trackers get us sorted out. My wife says is that an eland? She points we look and see something comming up behind and to the side of our path. Oh shit poachers! Mike grabs his rifle and takes off with the porter to intercept. There are 3 and Mike runs them into our 2 trackers. They throw spears at the trackers and escape. They recover the poachers kit including pots, shoes, trott line with hooks, 3 spears and their food. We walk back to the road and have a spear throwing contest. We drive a few hours and search for more eland sign and actually see the big herd we have chased every day, and this time I see him. He is huge compared to all others I have seen both in body and horn. He trotts off with the others and he doesnt look like the eland I shot at. He is bigger than all the eland I have seen on this trip in the way a cow elk is bigger than a small whitetail doe. We chase them until we run out of day.
Day 8: Back for eland again. While searching for tracks a reedbuck runs past. Mike says he is very good. I am concerned about the Eland spooking from the area. Mike says he is not, so I work into position and cleanly shoot an animal much smaller than an Eland. Mike tells me our driver had a dream last night that he would be driving into camp today with an Eland. I tell Mike he got the tan part right and load the reedbuck into the cruiser so he can drive it back to the taxidermist. Off we go on another 4 hour hike in the equitorial sun. We brake for lunch at 1pm and a 45 minute seista. We start up again but only go a 100 yards when we find a tree fresh broke by Eland. The trackers have a look around and waive Mike over. One of them sees a tree shaking 300 yards away. Eland! Mike a tracker and I move in. It is serious because Mike carrys the shooting sticks only and the tracker packs his 416. We see them right away. Cows and young males with a few calves as well as a bull. But we don't see him. They spook and we slowly follow. We catch up again, we see him now. No shot. They trott off and we follow. They stop but they are way out there. Mike sets the sticks and I assume the position. He says they are definately over 200 yards. I judge them 225-250, no less. I am aiming at a small opening maybe 15 feet accross. I see cows and young bulls. Where is he? Mike says he is comming from the right. I think to myself, its just like before. He steps out and he is unmistakable. He turns slowly angling sharply away. I am on him. Mike says shoot if you can. I can and I do. Everyone hears the impact and the eland are gone in recoil and dust.
Everyone comes up and we head to the spot. No blood. Mike and I spread out and follow the churned earth. I watch as far ahead as I can see. I hope to see him standing sick somewhere. I look down to check my footing and a Lord Derby Eland is laying 10 feet from me on his side legs out, head down. He is dead. Redemption. We did it. Its December 30, 2008.
Day 9: Day off. Go fishing and catch Nile Perch. yummy.
Day 10: New Years Day 2009. Same routine with no pressure. Out we go to search for bushbuck or roan. We hunt the river system for bushbuck then drive to another area and walk only a 100 yards max and sit overlooking a river valley and begin glassing. Maybe 15 minutes later Mikes waving and one of the guys runs for the truck. I run also and get my gun. Back to Mike, its a bushbuck. I see them 3. Mike says shoot it. Shoot it now before it gets into the tall grass. I flop down and aim. I can see it has horns. I ask is that the one? Mike says yes, so I shoot before he makes it to cover. Down he goes. Then Mike says "Thats a @$%&#$ monster bushbuck." Man are they excited. We hike down the bank and over to it. He is right its bigger than I expected. We take lots of pitures and pack it out whole. That evening we try for Roan but no luck.
Day 11: Up early for Roan. No bulls out and about, but a couple tribes of baboons need new leadership. Revenge for day 6 is ours! That evening Mike and I stalked and killed a nice Roan and thereby filled my license.
Day 12: Fished morning and evening, Nile Perch and catfish.
Day 13: Fishing early I caught a Nile perch and Mike caught a monster catfish. 2 hunters from Mississippi arrive with Guav Johnson, we have a nice lunch and drive to Garoua to start the long trip home. I will leave out US Customs and TSA because they do not get to ruin my memories.

you are killing us slowly here...ever sooooo
s l o w l y......
p i c t u r e s
p l e a s e

I really enjoyed your report. thanks for taking the time to write it.

Great report and congratulations on completing your wish list. Now you can start a new wish list; I hear sheep hunting is all the rage these days.

Can't wait to see the pics!

Photos!

Congrats on a very successful hunt. Great pics too!
LDK

SG,

Great story! and pictures. The Eland is beautiful.

Tim

great hunt and love the pictures and report.

Holy smokes, what a hunt. Your LDE makes me want to cry.

quote:

US customs is a giant double cluster and makes me ashamed.

I am sorry to hear of your experience. I have been lucky in that all my dealings with US Customs has been great.

Brute of an eland bull!! Congrats!

quote:

We are missing a bag and it has my ammo in it! He has some 375 in camp thankfully

Try that with any of the "latest greatest" cartridges. Gotta love the H&H.

quote:

in 1996 I bought this same 375 that I used here and 1700, 300 grain silvertips.

That is the wildest thing I have heard in a while, 85 boxes! I bet you always know where they are going to land.

Those are magnificent trophies. Well done.

Great LDE, well done.

Jbrown,

I purchased 1700, 300 grain silvertip bullets, not loaded ammo at I think $17/100 including shipping. I made my own handloads with them.

SG

Fantastic eland and bushbuck! Not to mention your other fine trophies.

Congratulations!

Very, very nice. Well done sir!

Thank you for making my day !!!
Great pictures !!

L

Beautiful Eland. Great pics.Well done.

regards
Caracal

WOW WHAT A GREAT TRIP AND TROPHIES.
JOB WELL DONE

Congratulations

Magnificent eland

Terrific bushbuck.

You don't do justice to the Roan that looks smallish on the picture, though it's one of the biggest antelope, second after Eland. No reproach, I have seen other pictures of Roan with this poorlooking. By the way the trophy is excellent too, over 80 cm, no doubt.

Have You met PH Herve Houdebine? He is working for Mayo Oldiri. He guided me twice in the CAR.

I attached additional photos. In 2, you can see the effects of the Harmmattan sand storm which looks like smoke in the background. We met Herve twice (one in June in the forest and again in December in Garoua), and he is very nice. He is by all accounts a "rising star" at Mayo Oldiri, as is Mike Currie.

Sorry about the double giraffe, but it is a good photo.

Very nice!

That eland looks just "AWESOME"

I'm stunned! Congratulations on a great safari. Thanks a lot for sharing all these wonderful photos and stories with us.

Fantastic animals, congrats to you.

Thanks for the great report and pictures! I am jealous!

That bushbuck is fantastic! Congrats on a great trip!

Pete

quote:

We met Herve twice (one in June in the forest and again in December in Garoua), and he is very nice. He is by all accounts a "rising star" at Mayo Oldiri, as is Mike Currie.

I am happy that Herve is performing. Has his English improved?


As I told you, here is a poor picture of a Roan (Koba). Thanks for offering better pictures of a real good trophy.

My!! an extremely good bag. A pity the bushbuck is so awesome, it tends to eclipse the unusual high quality of your bag.
Congratulations again.

Jbderunz,

Herve's english is completely passable now. I wish I could say the same for my french.

You were quite right about the original photo of the Koba, The stalk on him was very memorable.

You are absolutely correct that the Bushbuck overshadows the others. I never thought you could find a trophy that would overshadow a 50+ inch Eland, but by shear luck I did.

I am leaning strongly towards registering the bushbuck in the record book. I have never registered anything but a harnessed bushbuck with over 15 inch horns is unusual.

Fantastic report,and very fine trophies!
Congratulations are in order

Outstanding!

Congratulations!!! Those are beautiful animals. I will be at Mayo Nduell on the first of Feb. It will be my second hunt with Mayo Oldiri Safaris. They are great outfitters. My PH will be Guav Johnson. I was excited before but now I'm foaming at the mouth.What did you choose for footgear? I got some huge blisters.
All the Best Chet

Chetroy1,

I used above the ankle light weight hiking boots (vasque?). I have extremely narrow low volume feet so blisters are a fact of life even with customs like Russels. Where did you hunt with them before? What are you after now? I got lots of hot spots and so every morning I patched my feet and went hunting. I found the worm mounds are not nearly as bad as people say. It is just long distance flatground walking in very high heat. I would like to hear about your last hunt and plans for this one. Others would also I'm sure. I did see a big Korrigum when I was there.

I'm sooo jealous, I love the silvertips part of the story!

Hi SG Sorry to take so long to reply. Having computer problems. Anyway, I hunted in the Mayo Oldiri camp. I liked this hunt very much, the people were great and the hunting was very good. My PH for this hunt was Barry Style who has been a good friend and a guide for several African trips. It was,however, filled with bad luck. The hunt was in February 2007 which was very cold on the East coast, my initial flight (from Pittsburgh) was canceled and I ultimately missed the connecting flight in Newark. These missed flights made me almost exactly 24 hours late getting into Douala. This meant that I missed the
once weekly flight to Garoua. The upshot is that I had to hire some guys to drive me up to Garoua. The local Mayo Oldiri guys arranged this transaction. The drive took 26 hours plus 4 hours of sleep in a local hotel. This series of unfortunate events cost me four days of hunting. As if that wasn't enough-I wounded an Eland on the fourth day of hunting and we followed the spoor for four days to no avail. Depressing. Anyway, I did take a nice Harnessed Bushbuck as well as a Waterbuck, Cob, and a Red Duiker. I must go back for Eland and Sable though. I was very excited to read your story and see the great photos. Gotto go-popups are driving me crazy. All the Best from Chetroy