Hello all,

Hunting Company : Pelandaba Safaris (myself)
PH : Ishmael Tshabalala
Additional observer/hunter: Ryan Phelan
Date: tuesday 2nd Feb 2010

Low down : i operate Sengwe 1 through my Zimbabwean hunting company Pelandaba Safaris, i recieved a call while in the states that there was at least two buffalo that needed to be take care of - 1 crop raider, 1 wounded one, i promised to come up as soon as possible. i had to go up to Chiredzi for a meeting with council and would only have Tuesday availalbe to shoot both animals. below is a report of the buff. all meat went through to the communities and people who were directly effected


Having just returned from crop raiding and wounded buff hunt - did i hear you say "crop raiding and wounded buff hunt and not shoot?" yes a hunt and not a shoot - i know that in a lot of places PAC animals are dealt with at night in the fields but we managed to pull them off in the late afternoon and early morning.

Both buff were shot in the same day within a couple of kilometers from each other, either in the maize fields or on the outskirt of the field.

Due to meetings with Chiredzi Rural District Council i would only have Tuesday to pull the two hunts off, i was accompanied by Ryan Phelan who is a hell of a nice chap and a PH from Howick South Africa, i use his father Paul Phelan for all of my hunts and i must say we had an awesome time. my PH Ishmael would do the hunt while we would assist

We started off at 03h30 in the maize field hoping to ambush the bull at first light, amongst all the snoring (we were 9 in total) we had arrive to late and the bull had left the field. a decision was made to move off to another field where we would be able to track the buff into their hiding places as the bull had gone into some really nasty thick bush.

we hunted in an open area adjoining the maize field (see pic below) and spent an hour and a half tracking the crop raiding culprit through the head high grass - she circled back to the field where we were able to sneak up to within 18 yards. we had an arrangement that we would both shoot simultaneously and that the shooting would only stop when the buff was good and dead.



On the first two shots the cow put her head down in the dirt and gave a bellow, just after that point she raised her head where i took a brain shot, the shot passed under the eye and just missed the brain concussing her, the bullet then continued on and smashed her spine. one buff down - one more to go



During the initial stalk my tracker bob nearly had his ankle taken off by a Gin trap, see below - for reasons that can only be explained as the gods smiling on us, he stepped on it but it did not get him and closed under his shoe.






After taking the cow back to camp for processing we spent the rest of the day trying to avoid the 40 C heat by showering in cold water and hidding from the sun.

Flat dogs floating around right in front of camp



Our sleeping arrangements - it was far too hot to sleep anywhere else



That afternoon we headed back to the spot where we knew the bull would come out into the field, he was eating crop circles into the maize and had eaten massive amounts - for an area which only produces one crop a year that is a massive loss, not to mention the drought the area is experiencing at this time.

We waited in the crops and as stated by the game scout the bull came out exactly on time, no time was wasted and once again the shooting commenced, we hit him hard in the boiler room on the first two initial shots and he took off hurting to our right, my second shot was an attempted brain shot as we were using this as an experience builder and kept shooting till we need not shoot any more, needless to say the 450 gr, 458 bullet was deflected and you can actually see the mark on the left hand side of the boss. my third hit the bull high. Ryan pulled off a great head shot to end the hunt even though the bull needed just roll over he kept on going

The bull pictured below - unfortunately by the time my driver arrived with the car and camera it was dark



Below the wound on the bulls leg - must have caused considerable suffering and agony, no wonder he chased the locals around and hammered their crops.



Sun set on wednesday.



Bullets recovered from the buff cow.



Left - Solid PMP. Found back leg, through chest and rumen
Middle - Barnes TSX 450 gr - head shot, through skull and spine. note no petals. penatration 20" max.
Right - Barnes TSX 450 gr - chest shot, through to rumen, stopped after pentration bone in the back leg high up. well performed
In closing i had a great time, even though it was a hit and run and the amount of good buffalo that we saw during the hunt was awesome. it is a reassuring feeling to know that the area produces excellent results and you can have a great time doing the hunts, even though the bull is a nice bull i enjoyed the cow hunt more as the stalk and ending was great - we took the cow at 18 yards!

Thanks to Ryan for coming along on the hit and run as well as to all my crew who tagged along and partook in the hunt, i had a blast and you guys rock.

Best fun you can have with your shorts on

.458Aubs:

I am a bit confused. Did this hunt, as I gather from the initial posting, occur in Zimbabwe? If so, who was the Zim PH/outfitter on this hunt? You mentioned the two "Phelan's" but IIRC they are not accredited Zim PH's.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

I have hunted in the Chiredzi Conservancy and know a number of the PH's/outfitters there.

Who was the outfitter and PH on this hunt in Zim?


Thanks,

RCG

RCG

This is not and was not a paying hunt. i operate the concession and have the rights - Sengwe 1, my PH is Ishmael Tshabalala and you are correct in your scrutinising regarding the Phelan's but as Zimbabwean law has it, another PH may be present on a hunt as long as there is a licensed Zimbabwean PH conducting the hunt, and of course the community game scout. and as per my contract with Council and Chief Sengwe i need to take care of ALL PAC animals, all be it lion, elephant and buffalo

PS - ishmael is taking the photo, here is one of me and him - he is behind me to the right(im the white guy in the photo)and the community game scout is far right - and yes i own Pelandaba Safaris, you can mail me at aubrey@pelandabasafaris.com sorry my website is currently under construction

But thank you for your open crit, we need more people like you asking question which would help avoid certain ugly situations with hunts being illegal, trophies being conviscated, etc.

Finally, a hunt report. Buffalo, too!

Seems like years since we've heard anything other than Nixon v. llamapacker.

Please keep them coming, I need my Africa fix.

Congrats and well done.

Amen, Will!!!

quote:

Amen, Will!!!

Please more hunt reports

Aubrey Nice report. It is good to read something fun again.

quote:

Originally posted by matt u:

quote:

Amen, Will!!!

Please more hunt reports

I'll make a deal with you guys. If you will all chip in on the weddings for my two daughters who are getting married this year, I will go to Africa, hunt Cape Buffalo and write up a detailed hunt report.

Neat hunt. That is an interesting trap. I like the way they beefed up the worn out trap springs with the coil springs. Was it chained/wired to a log for a drag? Is it possible to bring something like that home?

Grafton,

they used half mil galvanised steel wire that was attached to a small stick that was shoved into the ground - it had hair on it from a monkey that was its previous victim.... but rather nasty in all accounts

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:

quote:

Originally posted by matt u:

quote:

Amen, Will!!!

Please more hunt reports

I'll make a deal with you guy. If you will all chip in on the weddings for my two daughters who are gettin married this year, I will go to Africa, hunt Cape Buffalo and write up a detailed hunt report.

Marriage is meant to enrich(wealth).They should pay for your safari with the new found cash.

BTT. This is better reading than llamapacker v. Nixon.

quote:

This is better reading than llamapacker v. Nixon.

I agree Will
lets see if we can talk Aubrey into some more Buffalo photos

I know Ryan and his dad quite well. I have known Ryan since he was 10 or 12. He is a hell of a nice guy and a damn good hunter. He really enjoys it. I would hunt with them anywhere any time.

Ask him to tell you about the last time he was in Reno. I took him out for a drink or 20. Plus a few lap dances. Paul called me the next morning wanting to know what I did to Ryan. He was asleep in the bath tub!

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I took him out for a drink or 20. Plus a few lap dances. Paul called me the next morning wanting to know what I did to Ryan. He was asleep in the bath tub!

Aubs

Great report my friend. ................ but I'm gonna have to show you how to catch some of those flatdogs you have outside camp on rod and line!



Now THAT'S a whole lotta fun!!

Steve:

As we were leaving the fine establishment,the White Orchid Ballet as I recall, I remarked to Ryan that I must be pretty stupid. He want to know why. I told him that with all the money I had spent, I could have gotten him laid and had enough money left over for a deposit for a hunt with him. He broke out laughing.

Seriously though, Ryan & Paul are both serious hunters. You could do a lot worse than going with them.

Larry,

Damn but I'd have loved to have been a fly on the wall to see that!

Matt

We have just been asked to sort out some more PAC buff, so give me till the end of the month and ill have another report or three.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I know Ryan and his dad quite well. I have known Ryan since he was 10 or 12. He is a hell of a nice guy and a damn good hunter. He really enjoys it. I would hunt with them anywhere any time.

Ask him to tell you about the last time he was in Reno. I took him out for a drink or 20. Plus a few lap dances. Paul called me the next morning wanting to know what I did to Ryan. He was asleep in the bath tub!

Ha ha ha, he told me that story, and app it was a night to remember(or parts that he did) and that the ladies were FINE, and i said to him man that name sounds familiar....

As to Paul and Ryan being good guys - ill 2nd that one. we get along really well and i use Paul for all of my hunts and we do a fair amount of business together. shit i even bought my 458 from the old man.... lol


Steve: i was thinking of that, i have some serious tackle but what to do with the croc once i have him on the line. i was thinking glock 23, in 40 s&w but would land up in hot water sooner or later.... im happy to be the learner

Aubs,

I don't use hooks at all and rely on them swallowing the bait..... then once you get 'em onto land, you get the line between length of flatdog and rod tip straight and PULL..... after a few tugs, they regurgitate the bait and head back to the water.... By the time you've rebaited, the same one is often back for more.

Francolin are the best bait and after than, guinea fowl.

Regarding the tackle.... the heavier the better. I currently use a 30 lb class rod but in all honesty, that's far too light to make the most of the possible action.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
Aubs,

I don't use hooks at all and rely on them swallowing the bait..... then once you get 'em onto land, you get the line between length of flatdog and rod tip straight and PULL..... after a few tugs, they regurgitate the bait and head back to the water.... By the time you've rebaited, the same one is often back for more.

Francolin are the best bait and after than, guinea fowl.

Regarding the tackle.... the heavier the better. I currently use a 30 lb class rod but in all honesty, that's far too light to make the most of the possible action.

Funny you mention no hook - we shot a monkey and attached him to an empty 5 l water bottle with some nylon string. hadn't moved till we left - but that said we didnt check it. ill phone camp and ask if they have seen the bottle cruising up and down stream

Aubs, Sorry I could not make it with you, regret always comes toooo late.

Well done on a good hunt!

C'mon 458!!! You mean you actually went on a hunt and didn't go poaching with the wrong PH who stole all your stuff and then you didn't pay him and stirred up a lynch mob and set the government on him(and you)???? Can this be real?

How refreshing to get a great hunt report again with the emphasis on "HUNT"

JCHB

quote:

Originally posted by JCHB:
C'mon 458!!! You mean you actually went on a hunt and didn't go poaching with the wrong PH who stole all your stuff and then you didn't pay him and stirred up a lynch mob and set the government on him(and you)???? Can this be real?

How refreshing to get a great hunt report again with the emphasis on "HUNT"

JCHB

Well i was handled by a Zim traffic cop on the way out, he got a R 100 out of me, but i had the satisfaction of telling him his fortune.

Re the PH, well i do have one complaint regarding that, when we were waiting in the maize fields Ishmael (my PH) and John (community game scout) were snoring louder than i - i blame them for not getting the wounded buff in the morning.