Niassa Report- Kambako 2012 -AS Live as I can Make it...

______________________
DRSS
______________________
Hunt Reports

2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112
2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012
DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191
Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771
Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141
Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141

01 August 2012, 07:52

chilcotin hillbilly

I love getting home from work and getting an update on the lions. Nice looking cats, both of them

01 August 2012, 18:18

Bwanamich

You are to be respected for your patience and efforts in ensuring you are hunting the right lion! This is what lion hunting should always be like.
Good luck with the remaining days Tim, you deserve to be rewarded!

01 August 2012, 18:24

Todd Williams

Hang in there Tim. Hopefully the right lion will make an appearance! Good luck!

01 August 2012, 21:58

h kittle

Great reporting. What a great sable. Can't wait to read more.

Hartley

01 August 2012, 22:17

Tim Herald

One of the best days ever on safari as far as seeing game today. Just tons of animals moving. 30 sable, technical difficulties and my lack of concentration cost me a great 40ish inch eland, saw 300 buff, and probably 20 species. It was just a great day with no shots fired. Only problem now is we don't have a lion on bait...
In a normal safari area without the stringent rules here, we could have killed sable, lion, buff, plus lots more in 4 days, but I think that is why it is so good.

Cameraman's bag is in route on the road, so finally we will have some equipment. No photos today...hopefully something will turn up tomorrow...cheers for now...

01 August 2012, 23:47

Tim Herald

Forgot to add, we saw and filmed an albino Cape Buffalo calf today...incredibly cool!

02 August 2012, 00:30

jeff h

tim who are you hunting with there? look back did not see it on the thread

02 August 2012, 07:36

Tim Herald

Kambako Safaris...Stu Taylor PH...

02 August 2012, 07:51

Skip Nantz

02 August 2012, 08:18

Antlers

Tim, congrats on a fine trophy sable!

02 August 2012, 10:28

Dmitriy

quote:
Forgot to add, we saw and filmed an albino Cape Buffalo calf today...incredibly cool!

No photo?????

02 August 2012, 19:33

graybird

quote:
Originally posted by Dmitriy:
quote:
Forgot to add, we saw and filmed an albino Cape Buffalo calf today...incredibly cool!

No photo?????

I agree! Tim has turned into a TEASE!!!

02 August 2012, 20:02

DLS

Those last two days sound about as good as hunting can be. Seeing two nice lions up close, listening to them roar like that, then the next day seeing so much game. About the only thing that'd make it better is more lion pics, with Tim in them!

02 August 2012, 21:01

Tim Herald

Sorry, I didn't get a still photo of the white buff.

Today I had the most exciting hunting morning of my life. We went and refreshed a bait that had not been hit, and after we drove about 300 yards, I looked to my left and there was a huge black maned lion standing on a rock outcrop at 50 yards. Of course I was yelling for Stu to stop, and we glassed him for a few seconds, then he laid down. Finally he turned and slinked over the hill.

He was the lion of my dreams! They don't get MGM's here, but he had a very full, completely black mane.

So we go back and add more meat to the bait, and Stu and I get out and put out a trail cam while the trackers went to drag an opposite direction. In 3 minutes they are back and say they have seen the lion very close, so Stu tells them to take the truck away.

We get behind some palms, and get on the sticks. WIthin 2 minutes, here he comes straight at the bait! He walks straight at my gun barrel, and stops at 40 yards. Safety is off, crosshairs 2" below his chin, and I am waiting on the word, but it never comes. Finally he swung his head to his left and trotted off.

His face was not scarred, and Stu just did not want to call him 6 years old. He feels that he is 100% 5 or older, but no scarring has him worried. He said he is the best dark maned lion he has ever seen here, and one of the best 2 manes here that he has ever seen.

Yes- I am disappointed. To take that animal out of a blind, coming at us, etc. would have been unreal, but if he isn't 6, he isn't 6. We are going to review footage with other PH's, etc., and if we all determine that we think he might be 6, we will hunt him again. I feel sure he hit the bait. Spent the rest of the day hanging hippo and dreaming about that site picture of the great cat in my scope. No matter what, I will never forget one single second of that encounter. off to the shower...

02 August 2012, 21:13

Caracal

quote:
Originally posted by Tim Herald:
.....
Yes- I am disappointed. To take that animal out of a blind, coming at us, etc. would have been unreal, but if he isn't 6, he isn't 6. We are going to review footage with other PH's, etc., and if we all determine that we think he might be 6, we will hunt him again. I feel sure he hit the bait. Spent the rest of the day hanging hippo and dreaming about that site picture of the great cat in my scope. No matter what, I will never forget one single second of that encounter. off to the shower...

Damn that's bad luck, Tim!
I'm hope you'll get a 6yrs old which is even bigger

02 August 2012, 22:00

A.Dahlgren

quote:
Stu just did not want to call him 6 years old. He feels that he is 100% 5 or older

He have never seen the lion before but can judge his age by months...I dont want to criticize but that must be tough..Hope you get a old one Tim

02 August 2012, 22:03

Frostbit

quote:
Originally posted by Tim Herald:
Sorry, I didn't get a still photo of the white buff.

Today I had the most exciting hunting morning of my life. We went and refreshed a bait that had not been hit, and after we drove about 300 yards, I looked to my left and there was a huge black maned lion standing on a rock outcrop at 50 yards. Of course I was yelling for Stu to stop, and we glassed him for a few seconds, then he laid down. Finally he turned and slinked over the hill.

He was the lion of my dreams! They don't get MGM's here, but he had a very full, completely black mane.

So we go back and add more meat to the bait, and Stu and I get out and put out a trail cam while the trackers went to drag an opposite direction. In 3 minutes they are back and say they have seen the lion very close, so Stu tells them to take the truck away.

We get behind some palms, and get on the sticks. WIthin 2 minutes, here he comes straight at the bait! He walks straight at my gun barrel, and stops at 40 yards. Safety is off, crosshairs 2" below his chin, and I am waiting on the word, but it never comes. Finally he swung his head to his left and trotted off.

His face was not scarred, and Stu just did not want to call him 6 years old. He feels that he is 100% 5 or older, but no scarring has him worried. He said he is the best dark maned lion he has ever seen here, and one of the best 2 manes here that he has ever seen.

Yes- I am disappointed. To take that animal out of a blind, coming at us, etc. would have been unreal, but if he isn't 6, he isn't 6. We are going to review footage with other PH's, etc., and if we all determine that we think he might be 6, we will hunt him again. I feel sure he hit the bait. Spent the rest of the day hanging hippo and dreaming about that site picture of the great cat in my scope. No matter what, I will never forget one single second of that encounter. off to the shower...

Tim,

That visual memory will never fade. Trust me!!

Cheers
Jim

02 August 2012, 22:06

Tim Herald

Anton,

Stu just wants to know 100% he is 6 or older. They get a big fine and lose quota if they shoot one younger. He is doing his best, and we are going to look at the footage shortly as a group and try to see. It was tough, but I respect the heck out of these guys for the way they do it. This cat would have been shot immediately almost anywhere, but you gotta know the rules going in I guess. It was still just an incredible experience. I could have smoked him and I know it. If I go home empty, it will be tough, but I have that site picture, and will be back next year...I still have a week...

02 August 2012, 22:15

Frostbit

quote:
Originally posted by Tim Herald:
Anton,

Stu just wants to know 100% he is 6 or older. They get a big fine and lose quota if they shoot one younger. He is doing his best, and we are going to look at the footage shortly as a group and try to see. It was tough, but I respect the heck out of these guys for the way they do it. This cat would have been shot immediately almost anywhere, but you gotta know the rules going in I guess. It was still just an incredible experience. I could have smoked him and I know it. If I go home empty, it will be tough, but I have that site picture, and will be back next year...I still have a week...

Tim,

I cut and pasted your post to a thread I'm starting in the Lion conservation forum. I didn't want yours to end up getting crapped on.

I look forward to the rest of the report. The "live feed" is fun to follow.

Cheers
Jim

02 August 2012, 22:17

FishN4Eyes

Hope he is at least 6 after further inspection!

Good luck, great "live" feed!

03 August 2012, 00:08

Tim Herald

Guys...4 PH's, Ozhunter and me all looked at both videos we got in depth. One PH was Johnnie Johnson who has been there and done it all, and we all agree, it was the right call.

From what I understand, of the quota here- they are allowed one "mistake" cat a year if it is 5 years old, but it does carry a $5000 fine. There is loss of quota on other circumstances.

All is good, we shouldn't have shot the cat, though he is beautiful.

03 August 2012, 00:46

larryshores

I hunted with Johnnie in 1991. He is one of the best PH's I have ever hunted with. My best safari ever.

03 August 2012, 02:36

L. David Keith

Exciting hunt Tim, congrats on the Sable, what a toad! Fingers crossed on the Lion. Your in the right place with the right people for sure.

Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris
http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333
Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com
NRA Benefactor
DSC Professional Member
SCI Member
RMEF Life Member
NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor
NAHC Life Member
Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer
Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt:
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262
Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142
Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007
16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more:
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409
Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311
Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added
http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941
10 days in the Stormberg Mountains
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322
Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson

Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running......

"If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you."

03 August 2012, 05:22

SBT

What a geat hunt. It must have been very difficult to pass up the latest lion, but I'm proud of you. You guys are doing it right!

I have found retirement to be the perfect occupation, but reports like these make we want to go back to making some money.

03 August 2012, 05:51

Matt Graham

Looking good Tim - I am sure you will get what you want with that kind of patience. Say G'day to Adam for me...

03 August 2012, 06:54

Todd Williams

Hang in there Tim.

03 August 2012, 08:09

gunny

Tim, you can go ahead and whack him. If anybody says anything tell them Mark Young said it was OK.

03 August 2012, 08:16

Frostbit

quote:
Originally posted by gunny:
Tim, you can go ahead and whack him. If anybody says anything tell them Mark Young said it was OK.

03 August 2012, 18:12

Grafton

Tim, you have an excellent attitude towards all of this. I am not sure how I would feel about hunting lion under such conditions as a certain amount of the joy of "hunting spontaneity" is gone...but thats probably just a character flaw on my part

I respect your attitude towards the rules of such a high stakes game. I wish you the best of luck.

Sounds like they need to cull a bunch of young lions so there will be more of the old ones around

03 August 2012, 18:42

Buzz Charlton

wow- thats tough Tim! Having been on the receiving end of the "save the lion campaign" with regards to age of the cat, I sent in two skulls of lion shot last season to 3 individuals considered experts in lions and lion aging.

This including Chap Esterhuizen who has been heavily involved in the Save lions and now is Zimbabwes leading Gov vet focusing on wildlife and lions in-particular and even with the aid of unlimited time, tape measures , magnifine glasses etc we had ages varying from 4 to 6.

So my question is how the heck to do you make a call in the bush even if you have the unlikely situation of perfect light and at 20 yards? Like me or not for saying this- If it is mature in my eyes and acceptable to my clients eyes I will take it and be happy with it!

If areas like the above and some Tanzanian areas that have these strict rules then I feel that once a lion has been unsuccessfully hunted they should not be aloud to re-sell these hunts as re selling a single lion 5 times over as seems to happen leads me to think that this may be a financial decision rather then a conversational one!

All that said Tim I really hope that in your remaining days you find a blind, geriatric, toothless, arthritic lame lion that is not totally bald - then may be, just maybe ,he will pass the test and you will shoot your hard earned trophy! Good luck Tim you do deserve one for sure!

03 August 2012, 19:42

MARK H. YOUNG

quote:
Tim, you have an excellent attitude towards all of this. I am not sure how I would feel about hunting lion under such conditions as a certain amount of the joy of "hunting spontaneity" is gone...but thats probably just a character flaw on my part

Grafton,

I could not agree more but there was no other alternative for them.

Gunny,

I'm sure the Kamkako guys are waiting on my recommendation on anything they might do. Not!

Tim,

Great adventure so far.

Mark

03 August 2012, 21:40

Tim Herald

Only saw 2 lioness today. Also some tuskless and 2 young bulls. I shot a Bohme Zebra about an hour before dark, so there's another rug and 2 more lion baits.

Buzz, I tend to agree with you, and believe me, my PH is very frustrated. He was all about me shooting the lion, it is the Reserve's rules and they have to play by them, right or wrong. They only book 3-4 lion hunters here a year, period. Now if I don't kill, they might let someone already here upgrade if an old lion is seen, but they don't sell another lion hunt...

03 August 2012, 21:52

L. David Keith

Love your Zebra Tim, my idea of a dream rug, congrats. I sure hope Orion smiles on you and a king walks into your sights. Continued success. BTW, tell us something about the ammo and rifle your using??? I'm well familiar with what you shoot but details add to your quality reports.

03 August 2012, 21:55

graybird

I love the look of the common zebra without the shadow stripes!!!

Maybe tomorrow is the day for ole Leo!!!

03 August 2012, 22:11

Tim Herald

I am shooting TC's new Dimension- bolt action that you can change barrels/calibers. This was the .300 Win with 200 grain Accubonds. Flattened the Zebra and the sable went about 150ish yards, but I shot it just a little high. It got both lungs...bullets have been nicely mushroomed just under skin on far side.

03 August 2012, 22:22

L. David Keith

I just purchased some 160 grain Accubonds for my .280 Rem. They have performed extremely well here in the US and in Africa. Very happy for you on your Sable, maybe that same patience will yield Simba.

04 August 2012, 01:45

Dave Fulson

First thing first, I sure as hell hope you get your lion Tim, you deserve one! Second, Buzz must stop reading my mind !! I agree with his post to the last word. We have done the very same thing with skulls, and we get the same results-confusion and then 'expert' pissing matches. I AM NOT a lion expert, yet I have hunted and filmed them in most of Africa where they are hunted. The PH is in a hell of a spot, as is his client( even experienced and informed guys like Tim) But some of the adventure and mystery is leaking out of this sport when the PH has to flip through his photo book to verify the info on the every lion in the hunters scope.See TGT. Is it wrong? Jury is still out on that. Is it money or conservation driven? Probably some of both depending on the outfit. But I will tell you this, you plug that 5 year old black maned guy and you will not get any harsh words from me!
Wishing You all the luck Tim, I think you deserve it.