I was beginning to put my PH on a pedestal as I had asked and he had given. First, my buff and then, my tuskless. I would test his powers with my next request – eland.


I wanted a 70 yard shot with my double. Phillip informed me he would try but even getting within 100 yards was not going to be an easy task. Day 6 was spent chasing eland – 2 different groups who eluded us. We did manage to spot the 2nd herd late in the evening but they were already aware of our presence. The morning of day 7 we spent following fresh tracks. After a few hours, we spotted eland feeding quite some distance off. More ass dragging as we tried to approach the spread out herd. An impala and a cow eland off to our right spotted us, and after an eternity, clamored off without somehow spooking the rest of the herd. My double was quickly traded for the 458 as the bull was about 100 yards off. Standing, quartering to us, the shot was a little forward but stammered him. I worked the bolt and let 2 more rounds fly as he and the herd took off. Ryan says my second shot looked like it connected. As we track, I get a little more than discouraged. Very little blood and we go quite a ways. Phillip is continually scanning the fields\bush ahead. He sees the bull laying down, head up, and watching us. As we approach, he springs to his feet and makes his retreat as though shot out of cannon. Both the double and Phillip’s 416 are flinging lead when he goes down. Two insurance shots later to the spine\chest, and this massive beast is mine. Hard to describe the elation I felt after just minutes earlier feeling so dejected and unsure. He is massive, both in body and horn. Phillip is just as excited as I am as to his size. Although excellent work from Phillip, he has now lost his god-like stature.
It was 100 yards and not 70
It was with the 458 and not the double
WOULDN’T TRADE A MINUTE OF IT THOUGH!!!!!! Phillip did get me a GREAT bull with a good bit of forehead hair. A requirement he laughed at when I told him I wanted it (good brush) specifically for pictures, despite the fact the eland was going to end up a bronzed euro mount.






The rest of my hunt would be solely using the double. Day 8 I missed a good impala with the double, off sticks, at a distance a 12 yr old could have drilled him in the eye with their Red Ryder BB gun! Oh well, shit happens. Day 9 I made up for it though. A single shot from the double at about 130 yds drops an ancient impala in the spot he’s standing. Everyone comments how absolute old he is and that he probably wouldn’t have made it another year. While not a trophy in size – he was small and narrow but had mass and was well broomed off – he was a trophy as to his age and the fact of taking such a mature ram at that distance with the double. (We tried eating him but shoe leather is easier to chew – take it from an old Navy vet).



I also used the double to take a big male baboon (George) at a little over 100 yards up on a cliff face. The bullet hit him square in the shoulder as he was walking broadside.




Day 10 was to be more of a photo safari but couldn’t resist that morning when we drove up on a lovely impala ram. Getting out of the cruiser and setup on the sticks, the double dropped him in his tracks with a Texas heart shot as I didn’t think he’d wait around much longer or turn broadside.




That last evening we spent taking pictures and relaxing in the river bed. The perfect ending as 16 elephants crossed the river about 400 yards behind us – 14 of them bulls!







Phillip and the crew at ITS are top notch. From Leonard and Vusa, trackers who were superb, to Tom, the waiter, who was always waiting when we drove into camp with cold drinks and a wet washcloth to wipe off the dust. From Matthew, who daily kept after our laundry, to Luis, who made some absolutely awesome meals. The area was abundant in plains game. Unbelievable numbers of Kudu, impala, and bushbuck! Elephants and buff were quite prevalent too. Leopards, although we didn’t see any, were making their presence known everywhere. Tracks indicated a female walked past my chalet. Several spots, footprints of big males had Phillip drooling and he kept asking me if I wanted one.




Although Phillip has never failed to put his hunters on a good male, my focus was elsewhere.
I highly recommend Phillip and the crew. Chirisa is an awesome place for hunting anything from plains game to dangerous game and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back. I look forward to sharing the campfires with them again (as well as the Gin & Tonics and Brandy!)

I miss Chirisa!

Steve - Much congrats to you and Phillip, I am glad that all went pretty well.

quote:

I miss Chirisa!

Ernest, to this day, I can't get that image of you in your red, white, and blue pajamas out of my head!!! :-)

Great report, fantastic pictures! Enjoyed reading it very much, showing it to the SWBO. She's going with me in three days to Namibia and your reports are very well timed to further whet her interest, and keeping me nervous as HELL getting ready.

Thanks for taking the time to write these.

I ran into Steve in Harare on my way back. His description didn't do the real story justice. Nothing like photos to show the whole package. We had a great conversation concerning Chirisa and Chewore South. That Sabbati really is a tack driver, Steve. Buff is awesome as well. You should share some Gomez stories as well!


Dutch

quote:

You should share some Gomez stories as well!

Some things are better left out of print! HAHA.
Can't wait to see your hunt report as well. Was great meeting and sharing stories with another AR member who has the same interests.

Gorgeous Eland...

It is nice to see a mature eland trophy. Great shooting.

Mike

Beautiful pictures and a great, old eland.

Thanks for posting.

That is a very nice eland indeed. Well done to all involved on a successful safari.

hahaha - 100 yards... 70 yards... I lost my stature over 30 yards - STEVE really??!! hahahaha

Hmmmm, Steve, you can come and call buffalo with me anytime! The fire will be kept going for you.

What a pleasure - and yes, that is an AWESOME eland! (useless impala almost gave us away!) Nicely done!

I had a fantastic time when i hunted there to! just wish i could do it again sooner than later

Congrats on a fine safari. Love the Eland.

Question: what brand of red dot sight did you use? Any comments about it.

Really good stuff and great set of trophies.

quote:

Question: what brand of red dot sight did you use? Any comments about it.

It was a Doc Optik. Love the sight - easy acquisition and comfortable to use. The only thing I noticed and do not like - the picattany rail mount. The side ears extend beyond the top of the sight for protection but I was constantly catching the "ears" on my short pockets.

Great safari, congradulations

Congrats on a great hunt. Nice work by you and Phil.

Great Eland! They eluded me and Phil last year so Mr. Smythe must be honing his skills or just got lucky!!

Well done. Great pics and report. Thanks for sharing!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Hunt99 - Definitely lucky!! Nobody said I was any good!!

Another great report; thanks!

Gordon,
BTT so it's easier for you to find the story.
As stated, highly recommend Phil and his group of guys at ITS.

hunteratheart,

Nice report, trophies and adventure. Seems that young Mr. Smythe is providing some great safaris.

Mark

Well done Smythie!

Great report and excellent pictures. I am glad to see someone else using a Sabatti, I shoot a 450NE and it is fast becoming one of my favorite guns. Again great report and good shooting.

quote:

am glad to see someone else using a Sabatti, I shoot a 450NE and it is fast becoming one of my favorite guns.

For those of us dreaming of Africa and the days of using a 2 pipe (on a budget), the Sabatti is great. Many of us have gotten past the initial bad reports and have a great fitting\shooting gun. I'd have to say my Sabatti fits me better than any other gun I have and is a straight shooter I quite enjoy. Congratulations on having one you enjoy shooting too.

Big congrats on what looks and sounds like a great hunt. Hell of an eland! Thanks for sharing.

Wow! I must have missed this somehow! Great report and pics!

Beautiful Eland.
Great report. Thanks.

Part 2 was a good as Part 1. Really nice eland Steve. Seems like your PH was simply outstanding, and so were your trophies.

By the way, what is it about baboons wanting to handle rifles?

quote:

what is it about baboons wanting to handle rifles?

Don't know but the comments most people give sure make it fun! I've had a number of people say how freaked out they are at the baboon photos. Wanted to do the hear\see\speak no evil with George but it just didn't work out. That would have been funny!

Steve, I got similar feedback on the baboon photos.
Our tracker was almost beside himself with mirth when he had the chance to pose "Uncle Bob," as the PH promptly named him. He was so old he had but one canine.