Hunt days: October 1st thru the 10th.

Safari operator: Mokore Safari's, Garry Duckworth, PH

Game taken: as measured by Garry, a 38 1/2" Buffalo, 29 1/2" Waterbuck, 35" Eland, 27" Wildebeest, (2) Zebra, 3 3/4" Klipspringer, 20" Impala, 2" Grysbok, Baboon, and a Genet.

Game hunted but not taken: Kudu, Bushbuck and Duiker.

Firearm: Remington model 700, .375 H&H, borrowed Ruger model 77 22 Hornet. varied ammo used in both.

In short this was the most memorable trip I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Safari is an adventure I am sorry I have waited this long to be a part of and something I can't wait to get back to.

A few years ago when Mark Young was living here in Dillingham, we discussed the idea of a trip for me. After he moved to Cody, Mark and I continued the conversation and he presented me with three options, all of which he thought would make a good first hunt for me. I can't remember what the other two optiond were, frannkly I don't really care, the option we chose, Mokore Safari on the Save Conservancy, was I think the perfect one.

I left Dillingham on the 27th of September for the forseeable yet un avoidable three day grind of traveling around the world. Please forgive my language,... the trip down riding in coach f__king stunk. The bright spot was when I arrived in RSA and fell into the waiting arms of Air 2000 and Bruce with Gracy Travel. Seriously now, somebody say again on AR why they don't need the meet and greet service/ assistance with gun registration from Air 2000! The fellas from Air 2000 had the paperwork done and ready to go, and the interaction with the authorities was nil for me as they did all the talking. I stood off to the side with my patented blank look on my face and before I knew it we were done. Bruce from Gracy Travel escorted me thru Customs and outside the airport for my first cigarette in 36 hours, and then escorted me with my gun case and suitcase to the HEAD of the line in front of about 300 other people to re check in my luggage and person for the final flight to Harare.

Upon arriving in Harare, of course my suitcase didn't make it, but my guncase did as well as my ride to take me to the Save. So far so great! I get to go hunting, who needs clean shorts!

The ride thru and out of Harare was un eventful. I got to see one of Bob's well fenced and heavily guarded houses, and I nodded off for most of the five hour ride there. We arrived at Mokore well after dark, and inspite of a very friendly welcome by a good chunk of the Duckworth family, I ate quickly and excused myself to go nap.

The next five mornings after my arrival I was awakened at 4:30am or so for a quick bite to eat, a quicker swab around the teeth with Garrys tooth brush, and a pleasant early morning ride in the Land Cruiser that resulted in the Eland, a Zebra, Waterbuck, Impala, and much Dagga boy hunting. As I understand it it was the usual story, drive until we cut tracks and then follow on foot until we found them. I'd guess that each day yielded two or three stalks that were goofed in the end due to birds, Zebra, wind change, my big dumb white ass, smaller bulls out front that Garry labeled "Rubbish,", etc,... I was and remain so very impressed with the talent of Gift and Jeff our two trackers, and to be sure Garry. On the morning of the fifth day we cut tracks with the Cruiser, followed them for a couple of hours on foot, and after butt scooting in a few more yards closer, I was lucky enough to make a 25 yard one shot kill thru the heart of my buffalo under the careful supervision of Garry.

The remaining five days yielded the very fine company of Mark and Sadie hunting with Neil Duckworth, my missing luggage, (another Duckworth/ Gracy Travel victory,)and succesful hunting for the Wildebeest, the Klipspringer, another Zebra, the Genet, Baboon and the Grysbok last. We worked quite hard at finding a suitable Kudu, and Garry specifically advised me to not shoot a 55" bull as it wasn't mature yet, and another 50" bull that had one horn broken off. The smaller game was a suprisingly big treat for me, and if I was to be disapointed about anything, (I'm not,) I think I'd be as disapointed to not get a Duiker as a Kudu. The evening of the 10th was a sad one for me as I knew early the next morning I'd be on my last ride out of camp instead of just off for a mornings hunt. Our trip up to and thru Harare was again un eventful, and our luggage, (Mark, Sadie's and mine,) were briefly goofed again, only to be saved by the Air 2000 representative. Did I mention that I really like Air 2000?

For the return to the states I got to travel with Mark and Sadie to London, and then after a pleasant layover in their company we headed to our gates and parted ways.

If I can summarize accurately, (yeah right,) I'd say that my trip couldn't have gone any better. Mark Young put together a fantastic hunting plan, Air 2000 and Gracy Travel were competent and wonderful, the hospitable Duckworths made me not miss my luggage in the least, and Garry Duckwoth as a PH has my highest recommendation.
I hope that quite soon I'll be able to return to Mokore and hunt with Garry again, with the possible deviation being a trip with Garry over to Mozambique to hunt their concession.

Yukon Delta has generously offered to post some pictures for me.

I guess I'll leave it at that for now and add more later if needed.

Very nice,

I especially like your wildebeest very thick horns which makes him look smallish. Nice old boy congrats.

Congratulation on a great trip, I like your buffalo well done.

Scott, Congratulations. Excellent assortment of game. Sounds like a wonderful trip with great folks.

Great report, Scott... AND, you managed to do something most on here, including myself, cannot do: you gave all the pertinent facts and caught the essence of the hunt in less than 3,000 words.

Your lack of success on kudu may well be tied to the anthrax outbreak that nearly decimated the species in the Save five years ago. I've noticed that very few, if any, Save operators will admit it had a significant effect, but I saw very few kudu when I was in the Save in '04 -- certainly fewer than the area is reputed to hold. I also saw very few duiker, but I think they mostly have fallen victim to the outbreak of "snare-itis" that has invaded the area.

I love the PH shirt!

Thanks for the report and pictures.

Scott,

"Well done" It was a pleasure to share the experience with you but I must say now that I've seen the pictures you and Jimmy the rhino could be brothers.

Mark

Sweeeeeeeeet! Looks good.

Thanks for the kind words folks, I think I'll be re living so many of the moments and adventures for quite a while.

Mark, as an aside, I can't remember the total I owe Sadie for the friendship payment. When you and I were on the subject down in camp you were telling me that you paid her an amount monthly to be allowed in her presence, so for the five days I got to spend with you two you thought that a percentage of your amount would be appropriate, what was that number again?