I just returned from a 21 day Safari in Zim in the Chewore South area with Roger Whittall Safaris. My P.H. was Richard Tabor. I used my Model 70 Winchester .375 with Swift A-Frames and Barnes Monolithic Solids. I had hunted with Whittall Safaris in 2000 at both Chewore and Humani. I hunted a couple times in Africa since then but decided to Return to Chewore for my Lion hunt as it was the the place that I thought would offer a "Real" lion hunt in a primitive area. I also trust the Whittals and admire him for his efforts in starting the Save
conservancy and his on going battle with the so called War Vets.

MY safari had its ups and downs but it ended on a high I'll never forget. It started out by checking out some baits that were hung from an elephant hunt. We saw lions the first day on one of the baits but not the one that some tracks indicated was around. We spent that day and the next two hunting buffalo for more baits. I killed a cow on day three and shot two more on day four. Unfortunately we lost one of them on a poorly placed shot too high on the shoulder. I hadn't lost an animal in Africa before and it was hunbling and sad. The other was poorly shot also and had to be followed up the next day in the thick Jesse. Even though it was a cow it was intense as you couldn't see at all in some places. We bumped it three times before we could get a shot. Richard hit it with his 470 NE as it was quartering away. It then spun around and came running right by us (not at us) but only 10 yards. He hit it again. As it ran by me I shot at the black mass and was lucky to spine it. We hung both these cows and continued to gets on three of six baits but only saw lioness and cubs. We moved baits to replenish the promising sights.

We had a lioness run up to us as we were sneaking up to a bait sight to about 20 yards with an angry growl. Both guns were up but she called it off.(Thank God) The next day we were upset at finding a road cutting crew from another outfitter that hunts in the Chewore South unit camped only 100 yards from our most promising bait. They even had a game scout with them. Richard told them to pack it up as they would be reported to their boss. The next day we came back and they were still there and we tore the camp down with them. Needless to say,the lions were long gone.

The following day brought both good and bad events. It rained hard all night and morning. They said it was almost unheard of for this time of year. That morning I got a great buffalo bull of 37" that had very deep drop and heavy,hard bosses. Unfortunately, the warm rain sped up the rotting of our baits and most of them were ruined. By the way, the rain also brings out the Tsetse flies like you cant believe. We took the bull back to camp to cape it and skinned it out. I believe that the bull and subsequent baits we hung lasted much longer with the hide off. I recommend any one hunting lions to take the time to skin them as the meat seems to last much longer. The next morning I shot a beautiful Zebra and we hung it and had four baits working again. This was about the time that the lion sign began drying up. We were finding a few tracks and tracked a group of three for three hours that morning and bumped them once. I would have liked to see the one that had the BIG tracks. The zebra was hit by a female leopard near the ones we had tracked that morning. The next morning our zebra bait was gone. Chain and all. We tracked the two legged thieves for a while but decided it wasnt worth it.

The next three days were spent checking baits (no hits) and pursuing tuskless cow elephant. I had never hunted elephant as I had no desire to and probably never will again. But, I now know why tuskless cow hunts are quickly becoming one of the most popular hunts in Africa.
We got on a group the first night and I had one within 20 yards but brush blocked my frontal brain shot. It moved off with others. Many times, we were into groups of 30-50 elephant cows and calves. We were surrounded many times. There were were several times we moved off quickly and one where we had to RUN. I have never sweated so much. The third evening we got into a big group in heavy cover and bumped them about three times. We were fortunate to have them trot across an open pan as we came out in to the clear. Richard and I each put a bullet into the boiler as she quartered away and a couple into the hips as she ran off. We caught up fairly quickly and I had to shoot her several more times and finally was able to pit her down with a side brain shot. It took 15 hits to put her down and all but a couple were well placed. It was traumatic and a few tears were shed as she hung on to life as long as she could. I dont think I want to hunt elephants any more. I'm glad I did though as it was the most exiting hunting I've ever had. The cow gave us the baits we needed badly to carry on the hunt. the next morning we butchered the elephant and hung the baits. We also took down a rotted buffalo bait and made a Hyena bait out of it.

The next morning we found two hyenas on the bait and I hit it in the hind leg. We tracked it for hours but could never catch up. I was beginning to question my shooting and re-checked my rifle. It wasnt the gun. The light was poor but I should not have made a hurried shot like I did. It was sad (and expensive) to lose another fine animal. The next three days or so were checking and moving baits with no luck. I was able to shoot a nice Impala Ram and another for the game scouts meat allotment. That same evening I got a "Sod" Hyena at a lion bait. Richard said it was one of biggest hes ever seen. We are now to two days in the hunt with not much happening.

On the 21st and last day off the hunt we had no luck in the morning. By now I knew that my getting a lion was not meant to be. I was OK with that though as I had experienced every other thing except pulling the trigger on a classic lion hunt in a wild and remote area. We were taking a nap and were woke up quickly with a report that one of the staff had seen a Male lion in a dry river bed near camp while he was collecting firewood. We quickly drove down to the river and snuck on to the bridge. I was hoping to see him 50 yards from the bridge.
As it turned out, he was 160 yards,but,still there and quartered toward us just laying there. Richard glassed him and said he was a large mature male with a good bib and sides but a little sparce on top. He (I'm sure) was a little concerned about the distance but said to take a shot if I felt comfortable. Luckily I was able to take a prone position on the road with the curb as a rest. I said a quick prayer and took the shot. He got up and ran off liked a raped ape with no sign of being hit. When we got down to where he had been laying,we found no sign off blood. I was relieved and glad that I had missed. Just then, one of the trackers found a small piece of meat and a couple drops of blood where he ran into the bush. My heart just dropped. I felt as low as I ever had in my life. I had just put every one into a terrible situation. Richard was as cool and calm as could be, as he explained to me how he,I and the tracker and game scout would follow up and what to do if things got ugly. We started into the Riverine as we started tracking this lion. We had not gone 75 yards and Richard said to look ahead. There he was, laying dead. I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. I was speachless. We later found out that my little prayer had been answered as he was shot through the heart. It was 2:45 on the last day with less than three hours of light left.

That night was a bit of a blur as we had a great party. We were able to share the moment with two other hunters who were in camp hunting elephant and buffalo. I'm sure Roger had to bring in more beer for later hunts. I want to thank Richard Tabor and Roger Whittall Safaris for an unforgettable experience. My wife, Marla, was with me every step of the way and we believe that some how, it was meant to be.
If any one wants any more information feel free to call me. (541)895-5299 CHUCK SWENSON, Creswell Oregon

Link to Photos

Great report, BUT WE NEED PICTURES

Chuck, CONGRATULATIONS! Excellent story. We await the photos.

Congratulations! But yes, we do need photos.

Congradulations Chuck,
So many of your experiences are so similar to things that have happened to me over the years.
Great stuff.
ozhunter

Very good report, congrats !!
L

Good job! Sounds like the safari was a success even before you bagged the lion!

Excellent...look forward to your pictures!

Sorry for the delay of the pictures. My son is working on it. They will be on soon.

Chuck

Great report,

Congrats on your hunt. PLEASE hurry with the photos for us in withdrawl!

BTW, I hunted with Richard in Oct last year in Chewore and Humani. I am hunting with him again in Sept this year. He is quite calm and cool when things are exciting, eh? And the Whittall's are first rate folks.

JPK

Great report!!! Thanks for the note on my tusks making it to Harare.I was enthralled with the beauty of Chewore. Sure would like to go back!John Clader (bwana dogo)

Sounds like a hard hunt with a great ending. Hope you bought the wood collecting staff member that spotted the lion a beer.

A hunt of a lifetime...What a great trophy and we are all waiting for pics...

Mike

Nice report! It's great to have hunters who honestly report their experiences, both the highs and lows!

Chuck,

I hunted that area you reported on with Barrie Duckworth who shares it with Roger Whittal. It is a very remote area with fair game densities. The best part is that the game is not too skiddish because it sees very few people. Obviously witnessed by your lion. We actually saw 4 male lions there just riding around. Two of these let us video them from the truck for about 5 minutes. Two more males walked through the edge of camp as we were having our sundowners around the roaring fire in front of the brightly lit dinning area. The hyenas would come into camp right after lights out and make so much noise drinking from the bird waterers that I had them all emptied so I could sleep. Very wild indeed!

I considered rebooking there for 28 days for lion and elephant but Zambia got in the way. They take some surprisingly great lions there along with good leopard hunted the traditional way(No lights), buffalo 38"-40" and elephant in the 40-50 pound class. Plains game is not thick but some good kudu and eland are there along with impala, warthog etc.

The best thing about this hunt is price. You probably will get the best full bag safari for your money here as anywhere in Africa.

Congatulations on a an 11th hour lion and all the rest. Chewore was my first wilderness hunt and it is good to see it is still pristine.

Mark