Since I was posting pictures anyway, I thought I'd offer up a refresh of some from my June 2004 hunt in Namibia with Vaughan Fulton. The original report can be seen here. I had such a great time, I can't help but bring it back up...

First destination: Farm Felseneck for impala.

My dad's first impala, which was basically a cull because of the missing horn (camp meat I guess!):


A couple days later, Dad scored on a nice trophy. Picutured with him is Helgaard, the manager and PH at Felseneck,


Though I didn't get an impala (long story), I got to see this mamba (not the tradeoff I would have preferred).


We also got laughed at by this giraffe. I guess we weren't particularly impressive to him...


After Felseneck, we traveled to Vaughan's concession near Etosha Park. We were welcomed into camp...


We were greeted to some pretty spectacular scenery there. Here's one nice sunset:


Here's some of the typical countryside with zebras in it:


Trophy pictures in the next reply to ease things a little.

Okay, here goes some more!

On the first afternoon in camp, I killed my first African animal, this Hartmann's zebra stallion:


A couple of days later, Dad followed suit with his zebra:


My second trophy was this dandy springbok (nearly 17"):


Once again, Dad followed mine up with one of his own:


Although I hadn't planned on a gemsbok (I shot a 37" cow here in NM), I couldn't pass up the opportunity at a matching bull:


Then finally, after hunting them for the better part of the week, the old man scored on this nice old kudu. Vaughan aged him at 11 years. He was a battlescarred old warrior that did my dad proud.


The day after that, it was my turn to follow Dad, which I happily did with this nine year old kudu bull. Although his horns weren't particularly long, they sported the right combination of width, curl, and the white tips that I find very attractive in a trophy. There were larger bulls around, but this fellow got the nod as we were scheduled to leave the concession the next day.




Our last day dawned clear and bright, and we ventured off to find Dad a gemsbok. We didn't find a suitable candidate. We did however, eliminate a jackal:


I also shot a second springbok. I wanted a rug of one of these little guys, but after watching Vaughan dance a jig when he measured my first one, I opted for a shoulder mount. So this guy volunteered to become the rug I wanted.


That wrapped up our time at the concession. We traveled back south to hunt red hartebeest. Further pictures in another reply.

We rounded out our Namibian safari with a couple of days at Farm Mecklenberg near the Windhoek airport. There we targeted primarily red hartebeest, though some nice warthogs convinved us to try for them too.

First, we noticed the terrain was much flatter.


That was nice for spotting, and we soon located some hartebeest. After a nice stalk through the tall grass and bushes, Dad took this nice bull:


We hauled him back to the ranch headquarters to be processed. There we were greeted by these banded mongoose waiting for their share of the spoils.


After taking care of Dad's trophy, we headed back out to look for an oryx (for Dad) or a hartebeest for me. At last light, I made a 200 yard shot on this slightly smaller bull.


Dad still had not taken an oryx, and the plentiful warthogs had us itching to hunt them, so we extended our stay by one day to see what we could do. Though the oryx never did cooperate, Dad shot this nice old warthog boar.




Though we waited out the day at a likely looking waterhole, we saw only a one-tusked warrior and a smaller (about 7") boar that I passed on. That closed out the day and our hunt.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Very nice photos. I can't wait to get there in May. I sent you a PM.

Desert Ram,

What make of camera did you use? I am just about ready to buy a Fuji 5100 with 4MP and a 10X optical zoom.I am going to hunt with Vaughan in May and hope that my pictures come out a good as yours.

John

Any of you heard from Vaughan recently? I can't get a hold of him by phone or email. I'm supposed to be going in Sep. but need to send a deposit.

I've been trying for the past several days, with no luck either. He and the family might be away on holiday this time of year.

Thanks for the comments guys. Lucky - I used a Kodak Easyshare (I don't recall the model #). It's a 3.2 MP with 4X optical zoom. You're definitely on the right path with 10X optical zoom. My 4X left me wanting for a little closer shot in many cases. My dad just got one with 10X optical zoom (a Minolta I think) and it rocks. 4 MP should be excellent, as it will print some nice 8X10 trophy pics when you get back.

I have been trying to get in touch with Vaughan for a couple of weeks now by email with no luck. I'll try the phone this weekend.

quote:

---

Originally posted by KevinNY:
Any of you heard from Vaughan recently? I can't get a hold of him by phone or email. I'm supposed to be going in Sep. but need to send a deposit.

---

Vaughan will be home tomorrow. I just spoke with someone at his house, and as of an hour ago, was at the border crossing in Angola.

When he sees how many FAXs, emails and phone calls he has to reply to he may leave again.

Thanks Mike.

quote:

---

Originally posted by McCray:
When he sees how many FAXs, emails and phone calls he has to reply to he may leave again.

---

Hunting season starts on Feb. 1 - he might just leave for camp early...

Vaughan is home now. I spoke with him today. He's very excited, as he's building a new camp that will have larger tents made of canvas, double beds, hot and cold running water, and flush toilets. He's had a well drilled, and the pump is solar powered and pumps @3000 liters of water a day. No more having to haul water.

His first hunters arrive the first week of April.

Great hunt and photos! That warthog boar really looks impressive (to me who hasn't seen one in the wild) I'd definitely go for a mount, really scare the crap out of visitors to the game room, walk them in with the room lights out and place them nose to nose with the old "tusker" and flip on the lights...LOL

Re: Vaughans new camp.

Hopefully he will build the camp on the hill top up from the new well and not near the river. I think the view from the hill top would be spectactular. You would be able to watch the Elephants and other game in the river bed foraging on the Ana trees.

I know you are comming back to Africa, especially after the very nice trophies you got in Nam(Africa). I noticed some very good shot placement. Lochi and I are waiting for you. The planning have started, all we need is to get you so you can have a good time.

Wimpie

Having fun in the bush starts by having fun on the range.

Great pictures!! Thank you very much, I really enjoy them.

Namibia is a hunting paradise!!

L

DesertRam,

Looks like a great safari and you got to see a bunch of beautiful country. Very nice photos. I hope to spend some time with Vaughan in the next year or so myself.

Regards,

Mark

Wimpie, Lorenzo, and Mark:

Thanks for the comments. I did have a wonderful time with Vaughan. He was the consumate PH in my opinion.

Wimpie, I'm waiting with bated breath for my next visit to Africa. Lochi assures me that he and you have much in store for me. I'm looking forward to it very much. See you in July!

Mark, you will have a great hunt if you opt to hunt with Vaughan. I've been trying to convince the wife that I need to return to hunt with him in the Caprivi, but she's determined that a vacation to Italy and Greece is in order before I get another safari. She has been so supportive of my "addiction" that I can hardly argue with her...