Folks this won't be my usual long winded report. I am just back in the States, and me and my partner came home empty. My buddy shot a big bull the 1st day, hit him high on a frontal brain and lost him. They tracked him over 15km, and it just happened. On day 3, they ran into and filmed a 70 pounder, but he had shot already and was done on ele at that point.

I tracked bulls almost every day, but they were leaving the park in the dark, and going back right before daylight. We did get within 75 yards on a group of 5 bulls, but they were in thick scrub mopane, and headed to park. We never got a look at their ivory. My buddy killed a bushbuck and a great waterbuck over 30".

That was the gist of the hunt. Now let me give some observations on the trip...

It was incredibly hot - over 100 degrees many days and super humid. This was dangerous, and we did have some heat/physical issues.

Nixon and his crew are great. I have never hunted with anyone who hunts harder, and Nixon personally is a super guy. I feel he is very knowledgable, and he was straight up about everything. All the controversy here about him over the past few years; I think he is a fine and honest guy, he runs a good camp, and I do plan to go back and try it again with him. I think he has gotten a bad wrap on AR by a lot of hearsay. Everything with us was run to the letter or the law, period- and there were times and places where things could have been bent or whatever. That was never discussed, brought up, insinuated, etc. He even has some opportunities over there that he could take advantage of and make some money, and he will not do the hunts because he said he wants to do things the right way and keep a solid reputation, even if such things were legal. He just doesn't want any call for negativity. I also think in the past months there have been folks throwing out high numbers for some of his quotas on animals such as lion, etc. Those numbers are not right. For example, he has 2 lions on quota (and has 3 areas). He has those promised to 2 hunters (both from AR). While I was there, he had another hunter who wanted to buy a lion hunt, and he turned him down saying his quota was promised. If he wanted to bend rules, this would have been an easy one for him, as I am sure if a guy really wanted to in that part of the world, you could get an extra permit. He didn't even think twice- answer was no - sorry, can't do it. That was a big hunt to turn down.

Anyway, I could go on and on, but I did want to say that I think they are running a good operation no matter what bad wrap they might get here, and this is coming from a guy who just returned from an unsuccessful elephant bull hunt. I am certainly objective...

Tim,
We were all wondering what was happening on your hunt. To bad no elephant for you. But, that's why we call it hunting not killing. Thanks for the report!
Chuck

Sorry for the results.

That is tough country in that part of Zim. When it is that hot, it had to be tough.

Sorry for the bad luck Tim. It's a long way to go to come home empty handed.

Frontal brain shots are both tricky and difficult I took an Elephant in that area with a heart lung shot with a 375 HH with a 350 grain Barns solid down in 50 yards. Sorry about the loss of your trophy. Sounds like a great hunt however. Good report on Nixion

Good news on Nixon. I was doubtful prior to your trip.

Dang it,
That is why they call it hunting. I ve been pulling for you to get a big one. I've even been checking the weather to see if you were getting rained out.
I am glad to hear positive report on the operation. Cant wait until August!

Tim - Sorry man, just all-around bad luck! Your buddy wounds a big one, then comes across another 70 pounder, and you just can't connect? Damn man, that's just bad luck. Sometimes that happens - but I am sorry to hear it for ya my friend. I was really hoping you would connect on a big tusker.

I too have the same sentiment about Nixon, great guy, and hard worker. I have a copy of his entire 2012 quota for all 3 areas, you are spot on. He is selling only what he has, and nothing more. As you know, I am one of the two hunters that has booked a Lion hunt for 2012. I will be there in June, hoping to connect on Simba. Maybe, maybe not, but Nixon has been very straight-forward about the hunt/possibilities, etc.

Tim, thanks for the report!

Welcome home Tim. I was sure you were going to get a big one. Sorry for the bad luck.

What is the progress on the new camp in Sengwe?

Malipati is a good area, however it is quite small. I would hunt 1 x 1 if you decide to return.

Jeff

Thanks all...I am somewhat disappointed, but it is life and as much as I get to hunt, this happens. I can live with it, and I am planning to go back next year, but not in super hot February.

Scott, I visited Sengwe camp on Day 2. It was in rough shape, but he just had a crew in there to start cleaning it all up. I think Jack may be staying there next week. I think personally I would prefer the Malapati camp (not communal), but if you are hunting Sengwe, it sure would cut out a lot of truck time.

BB - I actually almost always hunted Sengwe and my buddy hunted mostly Malapati.

A bitter pill for sure Tim. FWIW Peter thinks April is the best month. I hunted there in Feb and it was balls hot.

Jeff

Tim:

The only "bad" news is from Llamapacker. As time goes on, we can all see he is nothing but a liar.

Anyway, I hope you write a story on it. I know I would enjoy it.

I hunted with Nixon April 2008. It was hot then, but tolerable. Can not imagine the heat in Feb.

No question Nixon is a stand up guy.

Sorry about the elephant.


dale

Tim,
Tough luck buddy but it happens to all of us if we hunt long enough. Good area, good game concentrations and good PH but when lady luck doesn't smile, it just doesn't happen. Sorry but it makes success all the more sweet when it does happen... I keep reminding myself of that regarding lion!
Cheers,
Russell

Sounds like a great excuse to book again. That 70 lb'r is still waiting.


Dutch

Sorry to hear of your unlucky hunt.
If booked when temperatures were more tolerable, would the hunt have been enjoyable? Example; a proper Elephant tracking hunt?
Regards,
Adam.

yes ADAM...

Heck Tim...better luck next time.

Early season boundary hunt...high risk high reward. Maybe next time Tim! Congrats on getting back to Africa, everything else is just gravy.

I am sorry for your partners misfortune, it happens, but it is going to sting for a while.

Tim
Nothing like hunting the jumbos
You did the hunting
You will kill one next time.
See you in Alaska in Sept. will bang down a couple big moose and a griz.
See ya
Larry

quote:

Posted 25 February 2012 03:13 Hide Post

[quote]Early season boundary hunt...high risk high reward. Maybe next time Tim!

A very true comment- Myself and Bill did an early season ele bull hunt in Deka Tail which had a boundary with Wankie.

Like you Tim we did not shoot but we had a heck of a hunt- tracked up some real monster bodied bulls most days turned them down and did the same the next day! We also had the frustration of following bulls that crossed back to the Park before sun up- its all in the hunt. While a trophy bull on the ground is the obvious and hopeful outcome it is not a measure of the success of the hunt!

Bad luck to Skip- again it happens- it just should not happen to such a nice guy!! Were they aloud to follow into the park? Cheers Buzz

Right you are Buzz...and yes. They got permission from Parks and followed the bull about 15 km the next day, he didn't slow down and was in a straight line the whole time...it was bad luck.

I just got word that Nixon's next client whacked a nice dugga boy on day one...glad things may be improving there and hopefully when Jack gets there it will be good.

Tim,

Thank you so much the post. This information will help me and others make a better decision. It's tough having your sights set on a mighty set of ivory, and come back empty. But you handled it with class Tim.

Just rotten luck on your hunt. I feel for you brother, been there. But I guess that's what makes the success all the sweeter.

Alex and I are heading out the door in a few minutes, off to the promised land. From what I hear, there might be something other than elephant worth looking at.

I hope you whack a monster the next time. Good hunting

Tim,

Sorry to hear about you not getting you elepahnt and your buddy not recovering his. As you know I have experienced the same as both of you.

When we were with Nixon in late October and early November the temperature was over 100 when we got there. We did not have the high humidity. Then we got some rain and that hurt the hunting, but made the temp more tolerable.

As to Sengwe II, unless Nixon brought in some different help than what he had when we saw the camp it isn't ever going to be completed.

Welcome back.

Hartley

Thanks for the full report as well. You know what to expect on a hunt and I appreciate your write ups.

Hey Tim,

Thanks for the report, sorry for the bad luck. If you hunted Sengwe you probably came upon a spot with my blood on it. I will be there in two weeks, I'm bringing extra bandages.

The buff are drawing straws to see whose turn it is to wrestle you this time!!! :-)

Have fun Butch. I heard John killed a jumbo today. So he got buff and ele in about 5 days. Good for him, and shows how bad my luck sucks!

Thanks for the post Tim.

I'm sorry Tim, if I came home empty handed without a shot opportunity I would not be in good spirits and somewhat disappointed would not capture the emotion. All the platitudes, e.g., hunting is hunting, just bad luck, maybe next time, etc., aside, this just plain sucks. I know you have to be more judicious than most in your comments and tone, I respect that, but traveling half way around the world and coming home empty handed has to hurt.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
I'm sorry Tim, if I came home empty handed without a shot opportunity I would not be in good spirits and somewhat disappointed would not capture the emotion. All the platitudes, e.g., hunting is hunting, just bad luck, maybe next time, etc., aside, this just plain sucks. I know you have to be more judicious than most in your comments and tone, I respect that, but traveling half way around the world and coming home empty handed has to hurt.

There is disappointment, but I am sure he is glad he went. You only buy a chance...

Yep Mike - definitely disappointed, but it absolutely was no one's fault, it was just bad luck I guess. My partner saw 2 bulls in 3 days over 60lbs. The next guy in camp killed a buff and an ele in 5 days. I was just the guy on the short end. I plan to go back (when it isn't quite so hot). All that aside, doesn't make it easy to swallow, but not much I can do about it...

We had a similar experience in Tanzania in 2006 hunting ele.... Disappointing for sure, but an incentive to keep trying.

Best regards, D. Nelson

Tim - Sorry you missed out on a big bull, but as you know, it does happen.

Hopefully we can get you a license/big deer this fall!

Thanks for the report, Tim.

Tim, unfortunate you didn't connect with a Tusker but that area can be kind to a hunter when the luck is on yourside!! This February was uncharacteristically hot so I wouldn't necessarily deem it a bad month to hunt that area. The one advantage that John may have while he is there now, is that the Marulas are in full fruit and this makes those Jumbo move bigtime!

If one were to follow the Mwenezi river (river in front of Nixon's camp)upstream for 45 miles, you would be on Nuanetsi Conservancy where I am and I can appreciate it when you say Feb was hot!!

Better luck next time.

Cheers,
Brent

quote:

Originally posted by MANDLAZIM:
Tim, unfortunate you didn't connect with a Tusker but that area can be kind to a hunter when the luck is on yourside!! This February was uncharacteristically hot so I wouldn't necessarily deem it a bad month to hunt that area. The one advantage that John may have while he is there now, is that the Marulas are in full fruit and this makes those Jumbo move bigtime!

If one were to follow the Mwenezi river (river in front of Nixon's camp)upstream for 45 miles, you would be on Nuanetsi Conservancy where I am and I can appreciate it when you say Feb was hot!!

Better luck next time.

Cheers,
Brent

Note taken.
It also reminds me of previously tracking Ele past Maruala trees in April.
Cheers.

Brent, during what month(s) are the Marula fruits available?

They were dropping when I was there, but there were still plenty in the park. I think they need to clean up the park fruit, and then they hammer them outside...