August 10 – August 26, 2012
Ume Camp - Omay North, Zimbabwe
Martin Pieters Safaris
PH Dalton Tink
Travel – Steve Turner @ Travel with Guns (Jo’Burg to Bulawayo & Vic Falls to Jo’ Burg)
Houston to Jo’burg via Atl. & back on mileage points. (Yeah!)
Gear – Winchester 70 Safari Express in 375 H&H & Barnes 300gr. TSX & RN Solids

Animals Hunted - Cape Buffalo & whatever’s good.
Animals taken – Buffalo, zebra & Chobe bushbuck

(Let me apologize in advance for the length of this report. I did not keep a journal, and this will have to serve the purpose.)


My wife Keli and I finally set off for our grand adventure after many months of anticipation. We had hunted twice
in South Africa, the first time at several game ranches in Limpopo, and then in a totally free range area in KwaZulu
Natal. The game farms we hunted in Limpopo were fenced, as is customary, and while they were of sufficient size to provide a challenging hunt, and we had a wonderful time, it left me with a little feeling of uneasiness. I found the area in KZN much more to my liking, and though we didn’t see as many different species of animals, the animals I hunted were at home in their natural range.

I really never thought that I would be able to hunt dangerous game, in the wilds of Africa. It seemed to me to be out of reach, just a kid’s fantasy. I have been enamored with African hunting since childhood, thanks to the various books and authors with which you are all familiar. I was raised in a manner to be conservative with my money (read – tight), although recent introspection has made me want to spend all of my kid’s inheritance!

I booked this hunt after viewing an ad placed by Martin on this board, offering a 7day buffalo hunt, combined with a trip to Nehimba in Hwange Nat’l Park. Nehimba is a private concession owned by Martin & Candy Pieters, located within the park boundaries. The trip concluded with a trip to Victoria Falls, where we were to be guests at
Gorges Resort, overlooking the gorge downstream of the falls. Our trip to Jo’burg was non - eventful, and we overnighted at Afton House. The usual steak dinner, and off to bed. (It seems the steak was much better than before! I took it as a good sign.) This was our first time traveling with Ambien. I recommended it to my wife after reading comments on this board. I just want to say thanks to you guys, as it was a godsend. I have never been able to sleep so well prior to the big day! Annelise dropped us at O.R. Tambo in plenty of time for our flight to Bulawayo, and her man on the spot whisked us right through. Overnighted at Southern Comfort Lodge in Bulawayo. We enjoyed a very nice dinner and conversation with Craig and Lesley Hunt, owners of the lodge.
Craig is a licensed Zim. PH, and although he no longer guides, was a very interesting man to talk to. (He also had a sweet buff on the wall that he took while he was getting his license. I think it was 46”. The sum total of his advice to me; “If you see a buff like that, shoot it!”)


One of Martin’s drivers (Sunday) picked us up at 8 am. We had been told that Lake Kariba (Ume Camp) was 5-6 hrs. drive. Wrong. 11 hours later, after very few stops, delay in meeting our appy for transfer to a cruiser and miles and miles of bad road, we pulled into Ume Camp. Pitch dark, and no time to check zero on rifle. Our PH, Dalton Tink, met us at the cruiser, and took care of the unloading of gear, as well as getting us settled in and sat
down to a wonderful dinner. We were not to see the camp in daylight until the 3rd day.

Ume Camp - Omay North








Day 1

Up at half 5, then off at daylight to check the rifle. Not a nice sturdy bench where I could impress the PH with my
outstanding marksmanship, but a set of shooting sticks set up at 50 yards. Oh well. I didn’t embarrass myself. Dalton wanted to see one soft and one solid, and they were within a half inch or so of each other. We were both pleased. Off to cut buffalo tracks!

Our journey took us to an area known as Sangano. This is an area that is extremely hilly with rock ridges. Lots of ups and downs. The trackers cut the spoor of a couple of dugga boys! As it was quite a drive to this area, it was already about 9:30ish. We loaded up and took the track. Godzi, Dalton’s head tracker and Gol, a council game scout, took the lead. Dalton followed next, then me and finally Keli. We had not gone 200 yards (wind at our back) when several oxpeckers got up not far in front of us. With the bad wind, and the consensus that the bulls were not too far ahead, the decision was made to pull off the trail and wait for a favorable wind. Back to the truck, all of 3 minutes. A tarp was spread and tied across trees for shade, and the trackers broke out meali meal and meat to make themselves lunch. Keli and I rested in the shade, finally having some lunched packed for us in the cooler. I attempted to nap, while Keli wrote in her journal. We got a slight windshift around 1:30. Back on the track. We hadn’t gone 75 yards past our first stopping point when we found where the bulls had been bedded down! Apparently, we had gotten a little too close. The next 4 hours were spent on the track. The two bulls split up, then apparently regrouped. Just before dark, they crossed a river bed holding water in low spots, and never slowed down to water. Dalton decided that we were not to catch up to them today. Back to camp for a late dinner and welcome sleep.


The Guys



End of a hard day, drive back to camp.





Day 2

The 2nd day found us not quite as far from camp. Still, we left before daylight. The guys were trying to pick up spoor in a recent burn area low in a valley between two ridges. They settled on a small herd that had passed sometime in the night, with the tracks showing possibly a decent bull or two. On the track again. Tracking today was across relatively flat ground, save a ravine or two. The ground was mostly sandy, and the trackers were able to move at a very good pace. We covered a lot of ground, finally spotting a buffalo cow just before noon. My first sight of an African Cape buffalo! Unfortunately, she had her first sight of me as well! The wind was not the best, and we were never able to get in front of the group. We spotted another cow or two, but they were always way in the front. An hour or so later, the buffalo crossed a boundary that we were unable to cross. Back to the truck, and lunch in a nice shade in the middle of the Tiger Bay jess. It is a simply awesome area, teeming with elephant sign as well as buffalo. The trackers cooked another mess of mealie meal and stew, while Keli and I ate out of the chop box, and grabbed a quick snooze.

Afternoon found us looking for sign a mile or so from a river bed. The guys cut some tracks and determined that the buffs were probably headed for water. We skipped ahead to the river’s edge, and tried to cut their spoor. As we were taking the rifles out of the cases to walk the river, I spotted a large waterbuck not 75 yards away. I got Dalton’s attention, and he decided that we must go after that waterbuck, as it was very good! We crossed the river quickly, attempting to catch up to the waterbuck. The brush grew thick, and we were not able to proceed.
Going back to our original plan, we proceeded along the brushy riverbank, maybe 100 yards or so away, paralleling
the bank. We saw a couple of young kudu bulls, nothing else. Apparently the buffalo had turned or stopped and bedded down before hitting the river. We arrived at a road after a couple of miles, and Dalton returned for the truck while we waited with Godzi in the riverbed. Just before Dalton returned, we had an elephant very close in the brush.

Godzi has been gored through the leg and busted up by a buffalo that he was able to kill after playing dead while culling buffalo for the council. He was placed in a wheelbarrow and taken 5 miles to a place he could get treatment. However, he is deathly afraid of elephant! It turns out that Dalton was chased by a cow elephant with calf on the way back for the truck. So far, we’re getting our money’s worth!

Day 3 (AKA MY BIG DAY!)

I have made no mention of my mindset during the hunts. Sleep had been very difficult. I discovered that hunting Cape buffalo, for me, is a different game than hunting whitetails, hogs or elk. Maybe it’s due to the recent streak of accidents experienced in Zimbabwe and other places by PHs and their clients. Maybe it’s because my wife is tagging along behind me, against my better judgment. Will I be able to make the shot when the time comes, without screwing the whole thing up? Many times on the spoor, I would find myself intentionally thinking of something else, so as not to become paranoid! I hoped when the opportunity came, that it would be quick to the sticks, (or tree, or rock!) and done. No time to get mental, just shooting from instinct.

Dalton had decided the night before (make-a-plan) that, based on the various ages of spoor we saw the first day at Sangano, the dugga boys were living in that area. They had good cover, very little pressure and ample water supply. We wanted to be there at first light to cut their trail, and get on them as soon as possible. Wakeup 3:45 am. He was confident that we would be successful today. I gotta say, I didn’t get a lot of sleep! An hour and a half drive, then the guys spread out to find the bulls. They each had 2 way radios, and the tracks were cut within 20 minutes! We regrouped on the sign, and at 6:30 started to follow. The bulls had joined up with a small herd of cows and calves that had passed through, and the spoor was obviously very fresh, even to me. (OK, I could tell the piles were new!) The progress was very slow, as if still hunting whitetails. A couple of times we came to areas where they had bedded down. The smell of cattle was noticeable a time or two. The area is very hilly, with rock groins and tight trails. The good thing is, if you’re quiet, you could sneak right up on a resting buff. The bad thing is…….

One hour into the hunt, just over a slight rise in front, you could hear the noise of buffalo. Not sure if it was a stomach rumble, or a low , but there was no doubt that it was buffalo. Godzi and Gol got low, and Dalton passed of his rifle to Godzi and took the sticks. He motioned me forward, and staying down, we proceeded over the rise.
(Day 1, I had mentioned to Dalton that if he thought my buff needed more killing after my shot, please fire away.
Now his rifle is 50 ft. behind us. Guess I’m on my own!) I could see the sun shining off of a cow’s horn at 30 yards.
The bull was just to her right, standing broadside. First buffalo bull I’ve ever seen! The sticks were set. Dalton could tell right away that it was a good bull, and told me to take it through the shoulder when it stepped forward. The bull’s head and neck were in full view, with his shoulder behind some trees. The buff would turn his head to look at me, then would turn and look straight ahead. Again at me, and again straight ahead. Licking his nose. Just one step…. That’s all I need! I noticed that my crosshairs were very still as I waited for him to step forward. My knees, on the other hand…. Chew the gum slowly!

The bull decided that something was not right. He did not step forward, but turned and swapped ends, moving quickly in the other direction, along with the cows. I had not even checked out the shooting lanes in the event that that happened. (Would have been a good idea). A 6 ft. gap, “Take him now!” by Dalton, then a shot by instinct behind the shoulder, downhill. The bull lurched hard, and then joined the cows in a run up the hill to the right. He was obscured by brush as I let fly with a solid, but shot high and over him. He crested the hill and was gone. Crap!
Replaying the shot in my head, wishing I had gone through the shoulder. Trying to grab a couple of solids out of my belt carrier behind me. Dalton saying the shot looks good. Maybe 30 seconds pass, then a bellow! Close and loud! I have never heard a more welcome sound. Trackers jumping and happy, PH happy, client and wife very happy! Dalton and Godzi take off, running to the sound. The hill is very rocky and steep, and I tell myself to slow down, don’t hurt yourself now in the excitement. The bull had gone about 80 yards total, and was piled up with his head arched over his back. Dalton had me put another into his sternum, then he followed with another insurance shot.

Done, and what a beautiful bull!












Much celebration in our little group. All the pictures taken, the guys started on the skinning and quartering in order to get the bull down the hill. In less than 30 minutes after the shots, people started showing up, eager to help in exchange for meat. There must have been at least a dozen people, from small children, to women with babies on their back, to elderly women. It was a good feeling knowing that none of the buffalo would be going to waste. Total elapsed time from start of skinning until buffalo in cruiser and heading for camp – 1 hour. Dalton estimated this bull at 800 – 850 kg.












The afternoon was spent watching the head skinner do his thing and the guys making biltong. Around 4 pm, we left camp on the boat for an afternoon booze cruise up the Ume toward Lake Kariba. We had a wonderful time, spotting many species of game, including some elephant bulls that we were able to pull within 20 to 30 ft. of in the boat. Even managed to coax a mock charge out of a young bull in full musth. Nice & relaxing with a bottle of red wine and a wonderful sunset. I highly recommend it!


Day 4

Dalton had asked what I would be interested in hunting, now that I had collected my buffalo. I really didn’t care, as
long as it was a really good animal or a really challenging hunt. He asked if I had considered a zebra. I told him that I have wanted to hunt the Hartmann’s zebra in the hills of Namibia, as I had heard that they are a very challenging hunt. The zebra that I have seen in South Africa would not have offered much of a challenge on the places we were hunting. He thought that the zebra in Omay North would provide all the challenge I would want.
We agreed to give it a shot, and set off early this morning for a burn area about an hour away. It seems the zebra would come down at night to eat the green shoots that were sprouting in the burn, and then retire to the top of the ridges and hilltops to spend the day. The hunt began with a steep climb to the top of one of the ridges, followed by 5 miles of hoofing it, trying to find zebra in the 4 ft. tall grass. Finally bumped some zebra, but could not get close or get a shot due to high grass. We did manage to see our zebra, all the way down in the valley, and hightailing it to the next range! Gaining some respect for these zebra!


Day 5

Daybreak found us back on the face of another ridge, climbing to reach the top and another day of chasing. Dalton has stated that we will not be coming home today without a zebra. Could not get close to any at all from 7 till 12:30, despite seeing them a couple of times. We took a break for lunch and water, as we had walked quite a ways. I was looking around just after lunch for a place to rest and take my boots off for a while, when Dalton asked if we were ready to rumble. Sure, WTH! Keli decided to sit this afternoon out, and remain at the truck with Tongai. We drove a few miles to another set of ridges, and proceeded to make the steep climb to the top.

Not long after reaching the rolling plateau at the top of the hill, we spooked a small herd at 2 to 3 hundred yards. They did not waste any time in getting the hell out of there! As did the next group that spotted / winded / heard us 30 minutes later! Damn, these zebra are wary and nervous! We took off at a quick pace, trying to cut off the zebra that had just went over the hillside. Reaching the edge where we should be able to see them if they had stuck around anywhere close, we could not see hide nor hair. We were just about ready to return to our trail, when Gol (gamescout) spotted 5 zebra standing in the shade of a tree across a small valley.

They were not the zebra that we had spotted earlier, and had no idea that we were anywhere around. PH identified the stallion standing slightly apart from the 3 mares and colt, and asked me if I could make the shot. He ranged the shot at 250 meters. To be honest, I hesitated. I was sighted dead on at 50 yards for buffalo, and had practiced out to 200 yards. I knew where my bullet was at that distance, but we’re talking another 75 yards or so, off sticks. Told him I would like to get closer. After surveying the lay of the land, Dalton concluded that we were as close as we were going to get to these zebra. We could go find more, if I wanted. Quick thoughts in my head; I’ve got unsuspecting zebra in front of me, I’ve got a nice valley to shoot across, and I have time to collapse the sticks and sit down. Let me see if I can hold tight while sitting. After moving just a bit to clear brush, I find that the crosshairs are moving a little, but never leaving the heart / lung area. I decide to take the shot, and have Dalton confirm the yardage again. We agree to hold about a foot high, near the withers. Got off a good squeeze, and saw the stallion drop before we ever heard the bullet slap! Damn, it feels good to make a good shot under pressure! We left Gol at the spot, and proceeded across the valley, as he could direct us once we came up out of the brush. No trouble in finding the zebra. The 375 had taken him about 4 inches left of the chevron, at just the right elevation. Handshakes all around. A conservative estimate of 10 miles covered today, up and down hills.
15 to 16 miles in two days, just to catch up with a zebra! A very worthy animal in the Omay North area!






Day 6

Day 6 found us trying to catch up with the waterbuck that had eluded us earlier. We saw some beautiful areas, and lots of game, but the waterbuck we saw were all too small. No luck with the big guy! Returned to camp for lunch and a nice nap. While Dalton grabbed some quick shuteye, I sat out by the bar, glassing a couple of bushbuck across the lake. The males were fighting, while the female remained oblivious. Dalton wakes soon, and we decide to take the boat and see if we can beach it across the river, then make a stalk on the rams. The wind was perfect, and we were able to sneak to within 80 yards of the remaining male. We looked at him for quite a while, Dalton deciding that he was not quite mature enough to take. On boarding the boat, we decide to check out another cove close by. Sure enough, there is a bushbuck male tucked into the brush under a tree! (I can’t see him, but I believe you!) We beach the boat, and make a stalk. Dalton heads to the beach, and gets me on the sticks. “See him, just tucked in the brush, under the tree, behind the rock?” NO. Hell no! The ram finally moves his head, and I am able to start piecing him together. He is very SMALL, quartering away, and jammed into a brushtop. Also, he’s about 180 meters. Dammit Dalton, How about a 50 yard shot sometime? No spot to sit here, I touch off just as the crosshairs seem to settle on his chest for just a second. No response at all from the bushbuck, other than the fact he backs up slightly deeper into his bush. Shot just in front of him! Crap. He gives me time to work another shell in, and I manage to make a good shot on him this time. (I thought it was too far back, but turns out to be perfect). Back to the boat, then on to recover the bushbuck. He lay just where he was hit. It turns out that he was a little smaller than we had thought prior to the shot, but he had presented a very interesting stalk and hunt, and I am very glad to have him!





Day 7

Another day of pursuing the waterbuck, but found nothing of any size. One more booze cruise up the river for photos. All in all, a very relaxing day to end the hunting portion of our safari. We distributed largess to the crew, and had a really nice meal and campfire with the other guys in camp. Keli and I have had a wonderful time! Quite a bit of lion roaring tonight as we sleep.


Dalton Tink





My wife , Keli




Nuff said...






Day 8 thru 10 – (Nehimba)

Half 6 found us headed out of Ume camp for good. The guys, Godzi, Tongai and Gol, in the back to be dropped off at their houses for a much needed 10 day break. We continued on with Dalton to Nehimba, a private photographic concession owned and operated by Martin Pieters and his wife Candy, located in the interior of Hwange Nat’l Park. Hwange Park is the largest park in Zimbabwe, approximately the size of Belgium. Nehimba is located about 50 to 60 Km. from Main camp at the main entrance to the park. I must admit, as we pulled into Nehimba, about 8 hours after we left Ume camp, Keli and I were somewhat apprehensive. The elephant devastation near the camp, along with the winter landscape, painted a bleak picture around the lodge and chalets.
It had the look of a lunar landscape. Never were 1st impressions more wrong! We arrived at the lodge, and were greeted by a maître d bearing lilac scented warm wash cloths and a very nice tropical drink! We are no longer in Texas! The service only got better, and it is the very definition of luxury! Martin and Candy were perfect hosts.
Their children were there, as was Martin’s mom, Lyn. She is truly a very elegant and interesting lady, and she and Keli hit it off quite well. The food and lodging exceeded any expectations that we had.

The attraction of Nehimba, however, is the animals! 50 to 60 elephant at a time, some right off the deck, drinking out of the pool! Dagga boys, up to 33 at once, at the pan. All looked nice to me! Lions a short drive away. Kudu, zebra, impala, warthogs, sable, roan. Lions in camp the last night, at the generator. Hyena standing on our porch, their pads loud on the wood, then back to dirt. Incessant yipping! The park has very little surface water during the dry season, and the Pieters are in the process of drilling boreholes to provide water for the pans. I believe Martin said that they would be able to pump about 170000 liters / day in the near future. The park service does not provide the funding needed, and Nehimba is taking up the slack in providing pans for year round use by the huge number of elephant and other animals in the area.

The food and drink, as well as the conversation with the staff and other guests, were just wonderful. Fellows, I cannot recommend it highly enough if you are including your wife or girlfriend on your safari. Major brownie points to be gained and you will love it also!


A few pics from Nehimba.































Nice Sundown!






Our hosts, Martin and Candy Pieters and their children, Jason and Camryn. Jason has quite a handshake!



Day 11- 12

Leaving Nehimba at half 5, sad to be going. This landscape, which looked so bleak 3 days ago, has really grown on us. Was good to meet new friends, and Keli left with several new Facebook contacts.

On to Victoria Falls! 3 days at Nehimba had left us isolated from the harsh reality that is life for the Zimbabwe natives. We were reminded soon as we left the park and set out for the falls. Our destination today is Gorges Resort, which is located 10 to 12 km downstream of the actual falls. I was initially disappointed not to be staying in Victoria Falls, but soon realized that it is so much nicer to be staying out here, isolated, enjoying the peace and quiet. Dalton got us dropped off around 10 am. He saw that we got squared away with our room and that all was well. We said goodbye to Dalton, as he had another huge drive to make to his home. (Total for the day was about 1200 km. Yikes!) Dalton is a very good hunter, with a great deal of energy and enthusiasm. I would recommend him to anyone that likes to take a trail and go!

The daughter of the couple that own and operate Gorges Resort, Karry, acted as our personal tour guide for the Falls and shopping around town. Keli picked up some nice fabrics for decorating, as well as bangles and bracelets. We also managed to make time for high tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel, an old hotel dating from colonial times (1904), that has maintained all of its British charm.

Our chalet at Gorges Resort overlooks rapid 19. 230 meters straight down, right off of our balcony! Across the gorge, Zambia. It is a really nice, relaxing place. A perfect spot to wind up a safari. Debbie and Chris were super hosts. (Chris is a licensed PH that had spent his hunting days in the Luangwa Valley . Great stories!)
They lined up a driver to have us at the Vic Falls airport in plenty of time for our flight.
(Timed 36 hours of travel until we arrived in our drive.) All in all, a really wonderful trip.

Drew








Musings

It’s a damn long way from Bulawayo to Ume camp! Been there, done that! Will charter next time if I can find someone to share costs!

Don’t take melarone just before bed and after drinking! Tim Burton / Alfred Hitchcock would be proud!

Make sure to bring more tip money that you think you’ll need.

Don’t plan on getting any money in Bulawayo.

I believe that Dalton Tink is the youngest fully licensed PH in Zimbabwe. He was 24. Dalton is Martin Pieters’ cousin.

The warthog is my nemesis. 3 safaris, zero warthogs. We had located a nice one on this trip. By the time we got around to hunting him, he had changed apartments. Someday....

We shared camp with 2 other hunters from Utah, Steve and Rick. Both .edu guys. College professors.
Who would’a thunk it? Actually, they were very good hunters and excellent campfire companions! They delight in offending their PC colleagues. Steve took his bull on day 1, right up the …! Rick took a bull on day 3. It was obvious from the track that the buff was sporting a snare (actually 2), and it was decided that this was the buff to take. Turns out it was a very nice bull.

We left camp at 4:30 the morning that I killed my bull. Somehow, I knew that this was the day. Very nervous and apprehensive. Dalton was playing Keith Urban on the cruiser stereo via his Ipod. (Wilds of Africa?) Normally, I don’t listen to music as I’m going hunting. I kinda like to be alone with my thoughts. Oh well, when in Rome….. Was a 1 ½ hr drive……I know it has only been a couple of weeks, but I have heard a couple of those songs since I returned home. They take me instantly back to that time and my buffalo. I suspect that will always be the case. Strange property of music..... I did ask him to load some Gary Stewart, in case I come back.

Nice way to start off your buffalo career! A very sporty first buff...

I've been to Zimbabwe several times and South Africa multiple times and Tanzania and I've yet to kill a Bush buck!

looks like a great trip.

brought back fond memories of my buff hunt at Ume camp 2 years ago. main difference was it took 9 days of walking in 110F heat to seal the deal( mid Oct hunts are a bit warm). gotta love the area, though- any animal you get, you pretty much earn with sweat equity. who is managing the camp now???

Congratulations on a great hunt and a great report.

Well done Martin for putting together your dream safari. Great first buffalo, report and photographs.

Great report and nice pics,thanks for sharing.

Well done Sir on taking a GREAT Buffalo Bull! And thank you for a great report also!

Amazing pictures and report; thank you!

Excellent 1st buff!

Well done mate fantastic bull!!!! I spend a day in that camp after getting my bull on the first day on the Umi river and was nearly sick looking at all the monster Bushbuck over the water from camp and no tags left Would love to go back and chase the buff from that camp with Martin some time.congrats once again

Very nice hunt and well organized side trips as well.

Congratulations, great report. Dalton was an apprentice in camp last year when I hunted the Omay.

Edited to add:

I stayed in that same cabin at UWE and Dalton had a full head of curly blond hair last year.

Here he is with Mike (the then UWE Camp Manager) and Pierre (PH) at the serious business of fishing.

Very nice report. Great buff. Congratulations

Congrats on an excellent buff in one of my favorite concessions to hunt them! It really would have been a pity to shoot a bull on day one and miss out on the buffalo hunting experience. You enjoyed it in spades! Well done and good to see Dalt is a fully licensed PH now. Great safari and it looks like the memsahib had an excellent time as well!

Great hunt and thanks for posting your report.

Thanks all for your kind words. We had a blast.

jdollar - Allen Moody was the camp manager. The staff call him Shumba. (beard and hair? mane?) He was hunting while we were there, so I only visited with him in passing on the roads.

As for the memsaab, she made every step we did. She didn't go on the last stalk for zebra, but climbed to the spot after the shot to take pics. She also rode no less than 35 - 40 hours on the hump in the land cruiser. Yikes!

Cheerful in all weather, Never shirked a task. Splendid behavior. She's a keeper.

What a wonderful report. Great photos and hard work always pays off.

Keli, you are hooked on Africa and your husband on buffalo hunting.

Mike

Very nice. Great hunt, great buff, had the wife along, and a really nice hunt report. Just good stuff!

A very proper bull. Well done!

Excelllent trophies, wonderful story line, spectacular photos...made me feel as though I was there. Thank you for your posting.

Paul

Very Nice, Congrats
Nice to put a name with a face on Martin.

Nice Buff, congrats on your success.

Flipper Dude;

Congratulations on a wonderful buffalo no matter if it was your first or last!!!! (But I know it won't be your last.)

Great report and pics!

Best regards, D. Nelson

A few more pics for Keli

In her natural environment…..


People eager to help with zebra……


The happy couple….


Another strikeout on a warthog….


Good kitty……….


What, me worry?


The pan is a busy place.

Drew -- what a great report,and much-enhanced by the high-quality photos that I know Keli was mostly responsible for! You and Keli were great campfire and dinner company during our time at the Ume camp. I hope we'll find some chance to share a campfire and stories in the Omay or some other place again one of these days.

For those interested, Steve has posted his reports on our hunting experiences with Martin Pieters' crews on the 24 hour Campfire forum, where he tends to spend much more time (look for Utah708). I'm overdue in getting my own report assembled for this site. Despite having spent a number of years reading posts on AR nearly every day, I've mostly been what my wife refers to as a "lurker"... looking on quietly from the sidelines. Once I figure out how to post photos and find the time to assemble a report I will get one posted here. But, I think I'll wait just a while now, to let this one fall back someplace behind the front page so mine won't look so lame by comparison!

Cheers,

Rick

Congradts on a nice bull. Excellent side trips too.

Drew and Keli, it was fantastic spending time with you in Hwange, we look forward to next year!
Mart

Well done on your Buffalo
Congratulations!

Great report, well done!

A proper hunt, with fine trophies and memories. Beautiful buff.
I particularly enjoyed the photo of the gal with the meat on her head and baby on her back. That's a real TIA moment.

Great hunt and report, and some really outstanding photos. To my untrained eye your buffalo is the best-looking of any of those appearing in all your photos.

Thanks jwm. I didn't measure the bull, but Martin said that he would score very well in SCI. His tips curled around past horizontal and swept back away from his face. This prevented him from wearing the tips at all.