Very delayed report, but better late than never .... Been months since I've been on here, and it seems Buzz has already posted some of this! My first post with pics, so hopefully it works because I've tried to incorporate several.

Area No.1

Outfitter: Charlton McCallum Safaris
Area: Dande Safari Area and Dande East
PH: Rich Tabor
Camera Man: Justin
Dates: 17-30 June 2014

A most outstanding safari that exceeded our every expectation. I wanted Hunter to experience a proper elephant hunt, and having watched Buzz’s videos in preparation for my first hunt, we booked with CMS. Hunter does things his way, and seldom yields to peer pressure. He loves double rifles, and despite my insistence that he use a red dot sight, he insisted on iron sights. So, at the age of 13, we started shooting plywood elephants – first with a .22 LR, then a 9.3 X 74R, then a 450 3-1/4” NE. In January of last year, I decided he should have some proper instruction and we visited Monty Kalogeras and his Safari Shooting School. As luck would have it, Dr. Kevin Robertson was there that weekend. Kevin had made a slide show specifically for Hunter detailing elephant and buffalo shot placement, and he was present and participated in the entire course.

Hunter turned 15 the day we arrived in the Dande Safari Area. Day one was perfect – tracked and had a close encounter with a bull ele, then later that day interacted with another bull and a tuskless. It gave Hunter some confidence after getting close and having some shot placement discussions with Rich. The reality of elephant hunting sunk in as well – lots of walking!

Then came day 2 where we found tracks from two buffalo that had just left a pan at the sound of the truck. Rich and his trackers picked one and four hours later, after bumping the bull 7 times, he decided enough was enough and charged. Hunter put in two shots quickly, the first slowing him and the second breaking his shoulder and stopping the charge at 12 yards. Rich then calmly placed a bullet through the bull’s left eye and ended the drama. Very exciting hunt, especially for Hunter as this was his first experience with buffalo!

Day 3 brought more interaction with 2 more ele bulls, and Hunter took his elephant bull on day 4 after some absolutely incredible tracking by Norest and Tedias. Tough situation, with the bull standing between two cows and fairly thick brush, but Hunter’s first shot took him in the heart (bullet and heart recovered), and he hit him 3 more times (Monty would be proud of how fast he reloads the double). The bull didn’t make it more than 2 body lengths from his original position.

We then moved to Dande East for another buffalo, and while looking over some buffs in heavy cover, Justin our camera man noticed a big bull off to the left. Rich got Hunter to within 15 yards and Hunter double-lunged him with a single shot from his 450 NE. The bull collapsed 100 yards away and measured 45”. Unbelievable!

Hunter also took a Zebra (tracked just like the buffalo) and a hyena.

I made Hunter read Richard Harland’s book “Ndlovu – The Art of Hunting the African Elephant” immediately after booking this safari. It was certainly a very pleasant surprise to find out Richard was at one of the other camps, so we asked if there was a chance to perhaps have tea and meet him. Instead, he spent an entire day on the Zambezi River with us. What an honor. I’m not sure a 15 yr old truly comprehends how blessed he’s been. Richard caught a very nice Tiger, and finally, at the end of the day, my Tiger curse was lifted and I managed to land one as well.

We witnessed some incredible tracking, the best I have ever seen. Only one time did we not find and evaluate the animal we were pursuing, which happened to be zebra that day, and the only reason we didn’t is because Rich called the trackers off so we could go hang a hyena bait. Rich is outstanding and proved to be the perfect match for Hunter – very calming attitude with quiet, straight-forward instructions that do not cause undue nervousness. Justin was also great – always somehow capturing the action without ever letting his presence be known. He’s also fun to be around and Hunter learned a lot from him about other wildlife we were not pursuing.




































Area No. 2

Outfitter: Martin Pieters Safaris
Area: Omay North Concession
Ume Camp
02-06 July, 2014
Victoria Falls
07-09 July, 2014

Following the father-son elephant hunt in the Dande Concession, Hunter and I chartered to the landing strip near Tiger Bay on Lake Kariba in Martin Pieters’ Omay North Concession. My first dangerous game safari – elephant – was with Martin in the Omay Concession, and I planned then to return and take a hippo on Lake Kariba. I also wanted to do some fishing again, so I asked Martin when we booked if at all possible, we would appreciate some fishing time as well. Our PH Mike picked us up at the air strip and announced we were headed to Ume Camp. I smiled immediately – Ume Camp is one of my favorite places on this earth, and also home to 3 boats!

Even though this was just arrival day, we ended up on the lake that night and landed 8 sharptooth catfish. Hunter was thrilled to be fishing – his other passion.

Day one started with checking the .375 H&H and a mistake on my part. After multiple plane flights and 2 weeks of getting bounced around in a truck, it was shooting 2-1/2” high at 100 yards. Instead of adjusting the scope, I pronounced it good enough and off we went. I just told Hunter to remember it was high and he may have to aim a couple inches low if we took a water shot. Should have adjusted it right then to be dead even at 100 yards ….
Later that day we caught a couple groups of hippos out of the water and stalked close with the doubles. Neither group had a decent bull, but late in the afternoon we found a bull in the water with a right tusk so long it had broken through the top of his upper jaw and was sticking out 1-1/2”. It was late afternoon, so we backed out.

Day two found us back and he was with 4 cows, all in the water. Although Hunter wanted to shoot a bull with his double, I made him give that up and take the .375 H&H. This bull was worth giving up the land-based hunt for. After beaching the boat and stalking in close to the pod, we waited for over an hour for a shot at the bull. The distance, however, was significantly less than 100 yards, and when the bull finally presented a very tight side brain shot (not much exposed), Hunter aimed low like I had suggested and the bullet spanked the water well before the bull’s head. The pod submerged immediately, but Mike quickly got Hunter set up on sticks right at the water’s edge and one by one the cows briefly surfaced to check their surroundings. When the bull finally surfaced, his exposed tusk gave him away and Hunter gave him an immediate frontal brain shot. His head went back and he sank quietly below the surface. Two hours later he popped up like a beach ball and the recovery commenced.

The balance of our time was spent fishing, and Hunter managed to land 4 Vundu catfish, one of which probably topped 50 lbs. Much to the disappointment of the local crowd that gathered, he released the fish. On one particular day, we hooked up 14 times on Vundu, but only landed 4 due to the submerged trees and trash they automatically head for. Great time and memories Hunter will never forget.

While there, another hunter completed a 3-week safari and took an exceptional lion, a leopard, buffalo, hippo and on his last night, a very nice elephant with beautiful tusks that probably pushed into the upper thirties. He too had completed the safari of a lifetime.

From the Omay, we traveled to Victoria Falls for 2 days of activities arranged for us by Martin’s wife, Candy. The lodge was excellent (Victoria Falls Safari Lodge), and we had dinner at the Boma, did the “Walk with Lions”, a helicopter flight over the falls, and ended it with a sunset cruise on the Zambezi. A very fitting end to an outstanding adventure.

It appears only the final few loaded, so I'll try a few more again:

Now that I seem to have it figured out, here's the rest from the Omay ....

Always great seeing fathers introducing their kids to the outdoors! It was a pleasure to meet both of you in the CMS camp back in June. Some very fine trophies. Well done!

What a fantastic trip! Congratulations to you both, and I echo Russell's sentiment that it is great to see a father spending quality time with his son - well done. My boys and I talk all the time about the days we spent in the bush....best investment that I ever made.

Speaking of which, you could not have picked better outfitters than Buzz and Marty to hunt with.

All the best, Bill

Looks like you had a great hunt and got some nice trophies!

Nothing gets better then a father and son hunt. Congratulations on making the valuable preparation before safari.
Hunter fine shooting Dad also. Sure would enjoy meeting you two guys at the Dallas Safari club convention.

Mike

Great report Dad, you're doing a great job!

Fine report and just goes to show that CMS is one of the finest operators in the business.

My favourite are the two dagga boys and congrats to your son.

Hi Jerry and Hunter

Thanks for posting the great report! It was a pleasure having you both and as Bill and Russell said what a pleasure having a Dad and son hunting together! Hunter was an awesome shot and proved it in the bush! Glad that the second half of the hunt was also a great success! Looking forward to seeing you both in Dallas and the good news is that Rich will probably be there also!!!! Cheers for now

The baboon picture is awesome. I'll bet your son shows that to all his high school buddies.

What a hunt. All trophies are great, but my favourite is the big buff. Congrats to the CMSafaris and Martin Pieters team too.

Congrats to father and son on the hunt!!! and Congrats to Rich and Mike. Have hunted with both Rich and Mike both are excellent PH's and CMS and M. Pieters are top shelf companies.You started a successful hunt by picking those two companies.

Just wonderful

Morten

You spoiled the kid...just as it should be! Great memories for you BOTH. Awesome!

Great trophies and photos.

Huge congratulations to all involved. Would you adopt me?

way to go Hunter fantastic trip

quote:

Originally posted by retreever:
Nothing gets better then a father and son hunt. Congratulations on making the valuable preparation before safari.
Hunter fine shooting Dad also. Sure would enjoy meeting you two guys at the Dallas Safari club convention.

Mike

Appreciate all the comments. I'll definitely be there - wandering around trying to convince myself I need something new .... Hunter will be there eventually - not sure how many school days we'll let him miss! Sounds like Rich will make it, so we'll be by the CMS booth a few times. As a family we lack leopard and crocodile to complete the dangerous 7, so that's the latest focus ....

Hi Jerry and Hunter
Great report of a great hunt. It was good to meet you both in camp and see how much the experience meant to you both.
Regards
Rob

Congratulations. I like that big Buffalo.

The baboon got a nice trophy too LOL

Just outstanding!

I am with you on Ume Camp in the Omay, it is a fantastic place!


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Congrats on a great safari for both of you. I hunted with Rich shortly after you guys so was able to hear some first hand accounts from Rich. I really enjoyed the report and pics.

Great report and great safari.

Good photographs- It is so good to take a look at well-known places

Best regards,
Rinat

Fantastic!

...great Report.
Can you write some words about the doubles (Heym?)

Best wishes.

The "B."

I'm not sure one can experience a greater Safari than a father and son hunt, and with DG in the mix... incredible!!

Absolutely fantastic!!!!!

Best regards, D. Nelson

quote:

Originally posted by bwanajay:
Congrats on a great safari for both of you. I hunted with Rich shortly after you guys so was able to hear some first hand accounts from Rich. I really enjoyed the report and pics.

Appreciate the comments. Hopefully Rich's account sounded like mine! I see you're from Sinton, Texas. I migrated south from Ohio and in 1988 I entered the oil field in Sinton, TX - working on the Welder Ranch .... Small world!

quote:

Originally posted by Bockhunter:
...great Report.
Can you write some words about the doubles (Heym?)

Best wishes.

The "B."

You bet. Both are Heym doubles, and I found both on the internet used. I shoot left handed, my boys shoot right handed, so sharing rifles becomes a bit more complicated. Hunter loves doubles - his passion is bow hunting with a recurve, so a double with iron sights, to him, resembles bow hunting. At first I thought a 450/400 would be best for him, but he kept growing. A rather well-known PH and TV personality looked at him at age 13 and suggested a 450 3-1/4" would be more appropriate. That was hard to find, but a .458 Win Mag wasn't. We found a good deal on a Heym double chambered in .458 Wim Mag and had JJ Perodeau convert it to a 450 NE. He re-regulated it for 450 grain North Fork solids and added a mercury tube to the stock. Turned out to be very comfortable rifle to shoot. Mine is also a Heym - a LH 470 NE PH model. It too showed up on a forum for sale, in San Antonio, for a reasonable price. I'm more comfortable with a red dot sight, so mine has a Docter sight mounted on the rib. Very good composite groups and it fits me very well.

Look like you had a great safari! I'm jealous of those catfish!! All I've ever been able to catch are minnows compared to them!

Awesome safari - congrats!

Well done!!!

Those are some really awesome pictures and a bunch of great memories you will always have. Very nice!

The picture of you with your son standing next to you reminds me of the one of me with my god grandson. Was 13 and 6'1" already. Made me look like a gnome. Glad to see kids get to experience this kind of thing.