Location: Senuko Block, Save Conservancy, Zim
Outfitter: Shangaan Hunters
Booking Agent: Ron Oliver
PHs: Glenn Stockil (Senuko Mgr), Jim Mackie (Freelance), Jason Frost (Appie)
Dates: July 25 - Aug 7, 2010 (14 days)
Rifles: Winchester M70 375 H&H (2), Winchester M70 p-64 30-06, Kimber M8400 30-06
Ammo: Federal TSX (300 gr in 375s and 180 gr in 30-06s)

Summary
This hunt was booked in 2008 as a Buffalo/Sable combo for myself and a friend. Our research showed that the Save was a great place for this combo, as well as a pile of other animals. It was my second African hunt, so my "wish list" wasn't too long, but my buddy was on his first trip, so being in an area with a lot of species available was important.

When we arrived we were told that the flourishing Lion population had taken a big toll on the Sable population over the last year or so, and that we probably wouldn't be able to find a mature Sable. This was disappointing to say the least, but we were there to have fun and hunt, so we hunted what was available. We were offered the 2 remaining Leopards they had on quota at trophy fee only, to make up for the Sable. My buddy took the offer and started baiting on the second day, and ended up getting a Leopard. I wanted to concentrate fully on Buffalo hunting, and didn't get my bull until the 9th day, which was too late to start baiting on a 14 day hunt.

The Buffalo hunting was fantastic, with an estimated 1,000 Buffalo on the place at one point (3 big herds of ~300, plus a smaller herd, and at least 30 Dugga Boys we found tracks of in groups of 2 to 12). I wanted to hunt the Dugga Boys, and it was actually a case of too many Buff, as the big herds moved in the first couple of days and made finding Dugga Boy tracks very hard for the better part of a week. The weather was unusual as well, with thick clouds on several days, and even rain on two days. The unstable weather made the wind an absolute pain in the ass. We tracked Bachelor groups for 5 days, always bumping them late in the morning in incredibly thick bush, the wind always giving us away before we could get a shot. After we pressured the Dugga Boys for several days, they started moving into the herds, and I ended up shooting a great old warrior out of a herd on the 9th day. Hunting the herds was a lot easier, because you could usually see some part of the herd before the wind got you, and they also seemed to bed down in much more favorable locations to approach.

Overall it was a terrific hunt, and a wonderful place to experience. Below is an attempt to record the animals we took and saw, with my perception of the relative abundance of each species. This is just a snapshot in time, based on 28 combined days of hunting. I hope I don't misrepresent the animals that are available or the relative likelihood of a hunter getting a chance at one, but I do want to give as much information as possible for anyone considering hunting this area.

One note is that I did hunt Eland and Kudu without success, but it was sortof a half-hearted attempt. I held out hope for the Sable, and I already have 2 excellent Kudu, so I set my sights for only exceptional representatives for either Eland or Kudu. I passed a great Kudu early in the hunt. I think anyone going to this area with either of those on their list have a very good chance of getting a great trophy. I only hunted them because I ended up with a lot of time on my hands and figured I might as well give them a try.

Animals Taken
Myself: Buffalo, Impala (3), Klipspringer, Duiker, Genet, Civet
My Buddy: Buffalo, Leopard, Eland, Kudu, Impala (4), Zebra (2), Blue Wildebeast, Baboon, Bushpig, Genet

Animals Hunted but not Taken
Myself: Sable, Eland, Kudu, Grysbok, Bushbuck, Warthog
My Buddy: Sable, Warthog

Animals in Great Abundance (this is relative, and some animals are nocturnal, so even though they are around, they may not be visible unless you're specifically hunting them. Some are also migratory across the area):
Impala
Zebra
Giraffe
Buffalo
Elephant
Lion
Leopard
Baboon
Klipspringer
Duiker

Animals in Relative Abundance (see a few some days, or none, or a lot some days, should have very good chance to get a good representative. Again, some are nocturnal so you may only see them at night):
Eland
Kudu
Blue Wildebeast
Grysbok
Genet
Civet

Animals present but not Abundant (You have a chance, but it'll be tough)
Sable
Bushpig
Bushbuck
Warthog

Pictures to follow shortly

First, some pics of the landscape. This is Lowveldt - about 1,800 feet above sea level - generally flat with kopjes/gomos in various sizes and densities scattered about. Mopane forest and scrub interspersed with grassy meadows and Acacia savannas. Temps were mid to high 70s each day with mornings in mid 50s (F).

As you can see I loved the hills and boababs for photos

As many of you know, the Senuko Lodge had a fire last September. About 1/3 of the guest chalets and the main dining/bar area were burned. These are still under reconstuction, but there were 1/2 dozen chalets unharmed, and one was retrofitted for dining/fire-sitting-arounding.

The Dining area:




Fire-sitting-arounding area:


Private Chalet:






View of Buffalo herd drinking from my front porch:


Few more camp pics:

Pics of the animals I took:

Impala #1:


Impala #2:




Impala #3:




Klipspringer:


Duiker:


Civet:


Genet:

And my buffalo. He was exactly what I wanted - huge bosses, deep drops, and really old.







Closeup of the bosses with my 375. I whittled the stock by hand and installed and finished myself. It was a real treat to hunt with a gun (stock) I made 100% myself.




And this is me with my buddy's Leopard, and him with my Genet, taken the same night. I thought it was a cool picture.

And finally pics of my buddy's animals. We nicknamed him "Snare" because his Eland and Kudu both had snares around their necks when he shot them, and his Buffalo had had a snare around one of his bosses.

Buffalo (notice the right boss worn down from him rubbing it and 2 deep grooves worn into it from the wire):




Leopard:




Zebra (2):




Kudu:


Eland:


Baboon:


Bushpig:


Genet:


Wildebeast:


Impala:

Well done. Sable are tough in the Save. I've chased them 30 days without success.

I departed Senuko's airstrip on 7-26 so I just missed you.

Welcome home.

Looks like you two had a great hunt. Congratulations, and thanks for the report/photos!

Good hunting

Congratulations on a successful hunt. Nice pics!

Great pictures.....and you're buddy's Eland is awesome!!

Looks like you gys had a great time, Congratulations.
Three animals with snares, sounds like they're having some problems with the poachers.

Looks like you guys had a whole lotta fun!!

We flew into Senuko Aug 8 so we just missed you. I think I shot the Leopard you didn't:

http://forums.accuratereloadin...9421043/m/1361020931

As good as it gets.

quote:

Originally posted by LRH270:
We flew into Senuko Aug 8 so we just missed you. I think I shot the Leopard you didn't:

http://forums.accuratereloadin...9421043/m/1361020931

You should pay me rent on the Leopard

I read through the post you linked...we saw your Kudu a couple of times, but couldn't get a shot at him. He's a great trophy!

COngrats. Looks like you guys had a great hunt. I guess Jim is still wearing that Under Armour hat I gave him 3 years ago...

Very nice animals, thanks for the report.

Nice Eland, where is the pic of my little scrotum sacks bald head?

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:
Nice Eland, where is the pic of my little scrotum sacks bald head?

I think that one went over my head

Great looking hunt!
I am 4 weeks out from having a very similar hunt as yours. I hope to have the same success!

Congrats and thanks for sharing. I really like your old buff.. gnarly old bugger.

Geat pic of the dark giraffe bull too.

quote:

Originally posted by TrademarkTexan:

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:
Nice Eland, where is the pic of my little scrotum sacks bald head?

I think that one went over my head

505 refers(I think) to Jasons Bald head. Brad was the one who shaved it....the result of Jason entering a bet I beleive..........if not, then i am as lost as you are!!

Looks like a hellavu good time. Congrats to all there.

Ben

Thanks for a great write-up and photos! Wonderful trophies!

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by TrademarkTexan:

quote:
Originally posted by 505 gibbs:
Nice Eland, where is the pic of my little scrotum sacks bald head?


I think that one went over my head


505 refers(I think) to Jasons Bald head. Brad was the one who shaved it....the result of Jason entering a bet I beleive..........if not, then i am as lost as you are!!

you are correct, maybe Jason learned to look further to the future before talking sh*t. You have to admit ZF, he did look like a little scrotum sack when he took his hat off.

Congratulations on a great hunt. The camp setting looks fantastic.

Congratulations, looks like you had a great hunt. My wife and I met you guys at Afton house on the way to Zim, and were on the flight with you the next day. Travis, that's a nice Leopard. We set some baits but all we attracted were lion cubs. I shot a great old Dugga boy, over 40 " and a beautiful sable at Savuli in the Save.

A leopard in exchange for a sable sounds like a pretty darn good deal to me. Looks like a great hunt!

Nice job on the stock, BTW! Very nice lines to it.

[/QUOTE]
you are correct, maybe Jason learned to look further to the future before talking sh*t. You have to admit ZF, he did look like a little scrotum sack when he took his hat off.[/QUOTE]

He did indeed. Funniest thing I have ever seen.

quote:

Originally posted by George Wood:
Congratulations, looks like you had a great hunt. My wife and I met you guys at Afton house on the way to Zim, and were on the flight with you the next day. Travis, that's a nice Leopard. We set some baits but all we attracted were lion cubs. I shot a great old Dugga boy, over 40 " and a beautiful sable at Savuli in the Save.

George, it was great to meet you and your wife, and I'm glad to know you had a great hunt.

We actually ran into a couple of guys at the Zim airport on the way out that had been hunting on Mokore and they told us about your buff and sable.

quote:

Originally posted by zimFrosty:

you are correct, maybe Jason learned to look further to the future before talking sh*t. You have to admit ZF, he did look like a little scrotum sack when he took his hat off.[/QUOTE]

He did indeed. Funniest thing I have ever seen.[/QUOTE]

This is the best pic I have...Jas was very camera shy, and now I know why!

Although, he must be a world champion hair grower if he was shorn recently.

Thats MY BOY........

Congratulations! You took some great trophies. I love those old bulls! The leopard and genet photo is hysterical!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Great pictures. Thanks for the report.

A few more pictures posted for ZimFrosty