| Day 1 |
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We went on a very long drive up “ficks road” on the very small off chance that we would see a sable in the escarpment and or an unusually big buff. It was very dry there and only elephants and klipspringers were seen.
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| Day 2 |
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We went down to a spring where I had seen 2 buffalo bulls on a previous hunt –one of which was a very good one. We found fresh tracks but of five bulls. After 3 hours tracking we caught them and Rick took a 30 yard shot of the best of 4 that we could see. Unfortunately it had its head down with the horn obscuring the vitals. Unbeknown to us the bullet went through the horn and a bit of the ear and neck – not a fatal wound at all. An inch or 2 higher and it would have been a perfect shot.
Bongi and Norest tracked them with minimal blood for another 3 hours where we found 3 bedded down. Our bull was not there – he had left the group with a mate. So we followed the other 2 bulls for 2 more hours. As we crested a hill Bongi spotted one bull lying under a shady tree 30 yards away. We finally saw a bit of blood so Rick took another shot, this time there was no mistake! There was a medium sized gunfight and the bull only, managed 50 yds before he died! Then to carry out the trophy. A very good hunt indeed |
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| Day 3 - 6 |
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we got news that there was a spare elephant bull tag so we hunted bulls for a few days and also put up some leopard baits. We got into a group of 15 bulls (and got chased!) but nothing in the 50+ range. We also got in to a group of 4 bulls, 3 of which were in the late 30's early 40's range but not big enough.
Of the 7 baits we had out we had 5 females feeding but no big toms. |
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| Day 7 |
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overcast and quite windy. Normal morning checking baits – no toms. So in the afternoon we went for a walk. Well within 100 yds we walked in to a female leopard at 10 paces!!! Another hour in to the walk and we bumped a big tom. Rick very nearly got a shot – close!!! At the end of the 4 hour walk we got chased by some ele cows and saw bushpigs. |
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| Day 8 onwards |
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hunted – bushbuck etc… saw more bushpigs. Looked like a good tom had fed so we built a good blind.
3:00 am wake up and into the blind by 5:00 am – no cat! He never came back. That afternoon we went for a nice walk then joined Bill, Dirk and Jimmy for a sundowner. Flew back to Hararethe next day. |
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| Client Comments |
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Magnificent hunt with great PH Alan Shearing, and great cameraman Shaun Buffee.
Good trackers, fine hunting - very good combination.
- Dick, October 2008 |
