Hunt Dates: August 1-10, 2015
Outfitter/PH: Brent Hein www.brentheinsafaris.com
Tracker: William
Game Scout: Crispin
Travel Agent: Steve Turner www.travelwithguns.com
Rifles: Whitworth .375 H&H, 300 grain Barnes Vor-Tx
Winchester Model 70 .30-06, 180 grain A-Square
Area: Fimbiri Section, Bubye Valley Conservancy, Zimbabwe

This was a special hunt for us because it was a high school graduation gift to our son, Blake, and it was also an opportunity for my family and Brent's to be together on safari. Brent and I first met in 2000 and this was our ninth hunt together. Over the years, we've covered most of the major hunting areas in Zimbabwe. Brent has known Blake since he was four years old and I have had the pleasure of watching his kids, Megan and Kyle grow up. Several years ago, Brent and his wife Michelle asked me to be godfather to Kyle. So, it was special after all the ground we've covered together both literally and figuratively to have the opportunity to share this trip with our families.

The plan was for 2 buffalo and plains game. I shot my buffalo late on the first afternoon. After cutting spoor on the road and a short walk, we encountered two dagga boys, one of whom was walking unawares in our direction. At about 30 yards, Brent put up the sticks, assuming I would shoot him in the chest. However, for whatever reason, I decided to mix things up and shot the bull on the bridge of his nose, about an inch and a half below eye level. His reaction was not what I expected, as he tossed his head and trotted off into a thick stand of mopane. When Brent asked me where I'd shot, and I told him, I received the "look". I'm usually good for a couple of those on every hunt and this time was no exception. After a brief follow-up during which I put two more shots on the shoulder, Brent decided to end the foolishness and we all ran up to within 10 yards or so and shot the old bull, finally putting him down.

Blake shot his bull on day three in much more textbook fashion.

The rest of our days were spent hunting plains game and exploring around the lakes and kopjes of the Fimbiri and Malangani sections of BVC. My daughter, Ava, took zebra, wildebeest and two impala with one shot each from the .30-06.

This was my fourth hunt at BVC since 1999. Plenty of game, camps are first class and it is just a fantastic place. The owners have made a big commitment to the conservation of lions and rhino - we saw both, in addition to the rest of the Big 5 during our hunt.

On the last evening we went for a drive and as the sun was setting we encountered a large herd of buffalo at a water hole. At our approach, the herd thundered off a ways and settled in the trees, watching us. After glassing them for a couple of minutes, Brent suggested that Blake and I run up to them - “just mind the wounded cow”, the one with the claw mark across her backside. I grabbed the camera and we were off, straight at the herd, pushing them crashing through the trees. We ran at them three times, raising a hell of a dust cloud, buffalo bawling and trees snapping, until I started to get the feeling we might be getting ourselves surrounded. I was able to snap a photo of a cow that didn’t seem too amused before we backed out. As we headed back to the cruiser, we encountered Brent and his tracker William walking our way, rifles in hand. That’s when I got the “look” again. “I didn’t think you were really going to do that.” “You and I did it our first hunt together”, I said. “Yeah, we were carrying rifles.” Good point, but running with the bulls Zimbabwe style with my son is something I’ll always remember.

Rather than carry on, I'll follow with a few photos to tell the story. We had a great time and it was a privilege to be there with Brent and his family.

Excellent

Mike

Brent is a terrific guy! Nice to see you have all decided to wear his famous african hunting boots!

Special hunt indeed. That first buffalo is a fantastic trophy, well done.

Love that lion photo.

I would personally frame your second photo - the one sitting admiring the downed buffalo. For me, that photo captures the conclusion of s successful buffalo hunt with all of the thoughts and emotions pouring out of your mind as you admire your old warrior nyati. It brings back so many really great memories. Thanks for sharing.

Wonderful trip!!! That is why I go!!!

David
Congrats on a great family trip. You all took some fine trophies.

Nice to meet you also.
Chris

Well Done Guys...Congratulations

Awesome David. Thank you for sharing.

Ski+3

Great photos and trophies. Thanks for sharing.

Fantastic family hunt! That's something that will be remembered for the rest of their lives.

Great job, Dad!

What a fabulous trip, to enjoy both families together is special. What is the story behind the lady with the muddy hand and the pic were they are running down the road? BVC is a very special place.

Memories for a lifetime!!! Well done!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Really wonderful photos, thanks,

Brilliant safari David!
I took my family on safari a few years back and the experience was totally different than going solo or with a good friend.

I'm awfully jealous! None of my family hunts and my wife doesn't like to fly. Congratulations.

Great hunt. Great family. Congrats!

You made my day with this report. Recognized the location of some of the photos. Fimbiri and Malengani are special places. Wish I was going back, lots of good memories there!!!
I thought the "look" was only used on me. lol

The smiles on your children's faces told the story of that hunt. Couldn't help but smile myself. Congratulate Blake for a fine first buffalo David. I am sure it is the first of many.

Mason is off at TAMU now. We dropped him off at his dorm Sunday. When Blake settles in we need to see they get introduced to each other.

Well done on a wonderful family adventure!

Wonderful, just wonderful. I think Brent would be a great PH to hunt with.

Superb report. Really fine Buffalo you took there and the pictures are amazing. Well done.

.
Outstanding photographs! Thanks for sharing and congraulations on a great Family hunting Holiday!

.

quote:

What is the story behind the lady with the muddy hand and the pic were they are running down the road? BVC is a very special place.

My daughter wanted to visit a homestead outside the hunting area. When Crispin, the game scout, approached the woman and her grandkids to see if it was okay to look around, she was working at something - I didn't see what exactly, but her hand was muddy.

They were running down the road, goofing off after Blake shot the duiker in the next photo.

Russell, we moved Blake in last Sunday too. We definitely need to get those boys together!

7Mag - Sounds like he gets a lot of practice with some of us!

Mike, I have definitely had some good times hunting with Brent over the years. Thanks.

Thanks, everyone for the kind comments!

Anyone wanting advice on how to take "Pic's" on their Safari, should just refer to this thread! I am as impressed with pic's as I am with your hunting report.

An absolute amazing job at "capturing" the hunt!!

Thanks, Jason. I appreciate the compliment.

wondeful family safari! And great trophies too. Amazing Eland and lot of pigs...

Looks like some wonderful trophies and some fantastic photos! Congratulations on the memories made with your family.

Wonderful hunt, and even better photos. Thanks for sharing!

I'm honestly not sure it could get much better!! Congrats to you all.

The pic of the boy in between two trackers is my favorite.

Very nice eland.

Wow, what a special hunt. Great trophies and memories.

That's just great David, thanks for sharing.

That's a safari most will only dream of experiencing and the quality and age of those Buffalo are fantastic. How long were the horns on that eland??

WOW!!

quote:

How long were the horns on that eland??

We didn't measure any of the trophies. Blake shot the eland after a two hour stalk of a large herd. We were about to give up, as the eland mixed in with some zebra and wildebeest, when the bull gave him a shot.

Thanks for sharing a special time afield.
Brent is a hoot to be around. It is so much fun to see him and hear his stories.

Great trip, great photos and great trophies all around. Those are a very nice pair of old buffalo that anyone would be proud of.

David, congratulations on the hunt of a lifetime. I know you've put in a lot of work over the years building up to this special safari. I'm happy for you and grateful that you took the time to put your report together. You've raised the bar for all of us.

This report is so much better than just about anything I've ever read in a hunting magazine.

Forrest

wow - all the pictures had not fully loaded on my device the first time I saw it.

The lion picture is amazing in a set of amazing pictures.

Would it be possible to get the lion picture in a email without compression.

Amazing.

Thanks,

Mike

Superb safari and pics David. A hugr S Texas yeeeha for you and the families. The BVC is indeed a great choice and Fimbiri/Malangani superb camp and hunt area. As I recall you had hunted there before. Thanks for sharing your safari and fam with us. Guess nothing better to do now than plan the next one.