krieghoff.

de
Vol 26.2 Hunting the great continent of Africa Oct/Nov/Dec - Winter issue 2020
Top quality unting a utfitting
 A- A- UE - - -
FRIC MBI BIQ NIA MIB
IA
TH A - ZA ZAM NZ A - NA
- S OU - MO - TA

OFFICE: OTHER CONTACT NUMBERS:

Elmarie Vos +27 82 3737902 James Quin +27 83 441 5536
E-mail: admin@sesafaris.com Robert Stretton +27 82 578 2334
Web: www.sesafaris.com
Address: P. O. Box 53,
MOLTENO, 5500, South Africa

Hunting Africa
 Contents

18 26

Chobe bushbuck image: Divan Labuscaghe

• Published quarterly, a quality journal

presenting all aspects of hunting available
in Africa.
• The traditions and tales, the professional 32 38
hunters of today, and the legends of
yesteryear. Editorial
• Reporting on the places to go, the sport It’s about…YOU 5
available and all the equipment to use.
• Examining the challenges of managing News & Letter
wildlife as a sustainable resource and the Fan Mail By Joe Julian 7
relationship between Africa’s game and its Fan Mail By Rick Holbert 7
people. What’s New for Swift in 2020? 4
Fan Mail By William Archibald 6
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Richard Lendrum John Ledger’s African conservation column
richard@africanhuntinggazette.com Covid-19 Pandemic Wreaking Havoc on African Wildlife and Biodiversity 8

Managing Editor Focus on an Animal

Esther Sibanda Oribi from “Game Animals of the World”
esther@africanhuntinggazette.com
By Chris and Mathilde Stuart 12
Design & Layout
Heinz Bawa Huntress Diana
Namibia 2019: Annie’s Hunt By Rick Holbert 14
Advertising Enquiries:
Richard Lendrum
richard@africanhuntinggazette.com Hunting Stories:: On the hunt in
Namibia 2019 By Philip Massaro 18
South Africa 2019 By Francois van Emmenes 26
Subscriptions Namibia 2019 By Jofie Lamprecht 32
www.africanhuntinggazette.com
Tanzania 2018 By Geoff Wainwright 38
North America South Africa 2018 By Mike Arnold 44
Tel: +1 406-988-0725 Zimbabwe 2011 By Gary Duckworth 48
africanoasis.info@gmail.com Zambia 2020 By Marc de Chaplain 54
South Africa 2012 By Darrell Sterling 60
Africa
Esther Sibanda
esther@africanhuntinggazette.com Goodbye to a Hunter
Gérard Pasanini (1926–2020) By Brooke ChilversLubin 64
Published by:
African Hunting Gazette USA LLC.
Highly strung
36N Idaho St, Ste #1, Dillon, Montana, 59725
South Africa 2019: Bow and Arrow and a Sharpe’s Grysbok
Owners: Brad Voyles and Richard Lendrum By Frank Berbuir 66
Eastern Cape Bowhunting – Sable Lodge By Strang Middleton 70
Printed by
USA – Quad Graphics Inc. Taken on the Wing
Africa – Typo Colour Printing Specialists A First-Timer Reminisces By Ken Bailey 72
© Copyright. All copyright for material appearing in this magazine belongs
to African Hunting Gazette USA LLC. No part of this magazine may be Tales from yesteryear
reproduced without written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions
expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. When Tracks Lead to Trouble By Guy Venter 76
.500 ‘Deluxe’ Hand Detachable Lock Double Rifle
westleyrichards.com
 On Safari with...
Directory of PH Grant Taylor
PH Stephan Stamm
82
86
Advertisers Ph Paddy Curtis 88

Rifles in Africa
Is Bigger Always Better? By Karl Stumpfe 90
AHG - African Oasis ............................. 52 Rigby locked-down and loaded By Diggory Hadoke 94
AHG – Life Membership ..................... 56
On Shooting and Hunting
AHG – Shipping ................................. 16 So, you want to get a Big Bore? Part 2 …By François van Emmenes 96
AHG – subscriptions ........................... 108
Terry Wieland On Ammo
Afton Safari Lodge ............................ OBC Percussion. Rhymes (almost) with perdition 101
Animal Artistry ............................. 10 &11
A Hunter Speaks Out
Bobby Hansen Safaris ............................ 23 Elephant hunting ups and downs By Craig Boddington 102
Bull’s Eye Taxidermy ............................ 75 Getting the Best of Screws By Wayne van Zwoll 106
Facing a Cape Buffalo Charge – In Texas! By Rob Schanen 110
Bushmen Safaris ................................... 65
Craig Boddington .................................. 78 An African palette
A Passion for Wildlife By Cynthie Fisher 114
Dallas Safari Club ................................. 31
Darren K Moore ................................... 43 From the Desk of Hunter Proud Foundation
A Value Beyond the Aesthetics By Zig Mackintosh 117
Discount African Hunts ....................... 47
Eland Safaris ......................................... 34 African Dawn Outfitters
A dawn disrupts the darkness 119
EuroOptik ................................... 17 & 20
Field & Stream Taxidermy ................... 113 Terry Wieland’s One for the road
The Travelling Library 128
Hornady Companies ............................. 21
Impisi Safaris ........................................ 40
Jamy Traut Safaris .................................. 92 What’s New for Swift
Jofie Lamprecht Safaris .......................... 53

T
here’s a new .327/100 grain A-Frame for the 32 Federal Cartridges. This is
Krieghoff ................................. 36 & OBC for use in handguns and straight wall hunting rifles.
Also, for the first time ever, is a 10MM AUTO A-Frame in both 180 and
Kwalata Safaris ...................................... 69 200 grain. These bullets are for use in law enforcement and deadly-game back-up
for hunters.
Limpopo Safaris .................................... 99
There are two new straight wall Scirocco bullets, one for the 350 Legend-170 grain
Madubula Safaris ................................... 81 and one for the 450 Bushmaster-250 grain. These are the very first large-caliber
Scirocco bullets being made. They have a terminal performance window of 1250-
Mashambanzou Safaris .......................... 63 2500 FPS and have a high ballistic coefficient.
Mayo Oldiri Safaris ............................... 46
Contact www.swiftbullets.com for additional product information, product availability,
Monterra Safaris ............................... 6 & 7 and where to purchase. 785-754-3959.
Ndumo Hunting Safaris ........................ 89
Rigby .................................................... 28
Rovos Rail ............................................. 42
Shamwari Safaris ................................... 57
Spear Safaris .......................................... 29
Stormberg Elangeni Safaris .......... IFC & 1
Taxidermy Africa ................................. 100
Trijicon ................................................. 51
Westley Richards ..................................... 3
Wintershoek Safaris ..................... 24 & 25
 Editorial

Preparing for the future

The situation: With mailing costs going up,

advertising income evaporating, there are still
two things we can count on:
1) The magic of African safaris - still on offer
through professional hunting outfitters
2) The passionate support of our readers and
subscribers
So, with this in mind, we are suggesting a way
forward in such uncertain times. We would
rather be open and frank, ahead of time, with

It’s about…YOU
a plan, than explain and apologize afterwards
when nothing can be done.
Our plans include 3 steps:
Step 1 - Moving AHG to a combination of both

I
print AND a digital edition. Print – because we
f ever there was a product fairly and squarely prepared for whoever hunts and
all love the printed hard copies, and digitally
loves Africa, it would be this magazine, the AHG. Cover to cover, it’s there because it enables extra content while offering
to promote Africa and her hunting. We also promote outfitters, the people new opportunities to deliver that content and
who offer and try to provide the very best hunting experiences for their clients, reach new audiences, along with economic
asking them to encourage their clients to contribute stories of their hunts for benefits.
everyone’s interest and enjoyment. And to a certain extent over the year, with some Step 2 - Growing the network in three areas:
luck. Occasionally I have begged (unsuccessfully I might add) when there was a a. African Dawn Outfitters – working to reach
tremendous story that I heard about and wanted to get it shared. Seems like much their hunting clients;
of what happens in this personal and passionate sector is destined to remain a b. International taxidermists, outfitters and
secret among the few involved. I respect that, but if it is too personal, how about gun shops where hunters frequent and
considering that secret story on a “no names, no pack drill” basis? Anonymity meet;
protected, but story shared! c. Asking our readership to help spread the
However, it took till now for one of our loyal readers to make a suggestion – and word;
Step 3 - Building reserves to weather the next 18
thank you William Archibald. While the PH Q&A profiles run regularly - why not
months via the readership and a limited number
ask our readership the same thing? Damn fine idea and so simple!
of African outfitters who share our values
There are readers among you all with incredible stories and experiences that really
Our goal – Raising $180k. With the 50 x
do need sharing. Having travelled and hunted Africa dozens of times with rich African Dawn Members and the readership of
experiences, I bet our entire community would love to read about a good many of subscribers, this is what's possible.
you! So, while you may not have the inclination to do a book, or even a longish Be it 180 subscribers (less than 10% of our
article – we have below a guideline to help you share some memories and thoughts. total) becoming lifetime members, or our team
Please give it a bash! of 50 African Dawn Outfitters investing for
It would be wonderful to receive a profile from a member of our hunting the next year’s African Dawn Membership – or
community, particularly in a world where it’s increasingly important to rely on a combination!
each other a little more. I understand it is a risk – but when it works,
So - in your own time… it will be worth it. What we have delivered over
• Tell us about your background - you, your family. more than 20 years, I hope, goes some way to
• What is it that you love about Africa? prove this.
• What influenced your love of hunting? I am 100% focused on making this work,
and as passionate as ever about wanting to see it
• What countries have you hunted in and where?
work and see African hunting prosper.
• What guns, scopes, and ammo are you using?
If you’ve got to this point, a sincere thank you
• What is your favorite African animal to hunt and why?
for the time. If you wish to email me - or call, I
• What is your greatest trophy? would so appreciate the contact.
• What was your closest brush with danger / death?
• Any lessons learnt that you’d like to share? Regards, Richard@africanhuntinggazette.com
• What do you suggest a fellow hunter can do to prepare for his or her safari? +27 82 653 7185
• Any last words of wisdom?

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 5
News & Letters
Hello Richard
I
read with great interest your PH Q+A.
Why not do a similar article with clients?
Much of the same line of questions would
apply. People like myself have gained a lot
of experience and stories. Other folks, even
on the first safari, would have a completely
different perspective. You have a vast pool of
life members and subscribers to draw from.
Have an exit interview at Afton House? Send
an email Q+A form? Phone interview?
I have taken the liberty of doing a sample
interview of just me, William Archibald, based
on your PH Q+A.
Q&A: It’s all about the client!
AHG: Tell us about you, and your family.
My mom and dad were born and raised in
Philadelphia. Dad never hunted until after
World War II when his family moved to
the South Jersey shore. I was born in 1949.
I started hunting with dad when I was 10.
Wrong guns, lack of proper hunting clothes,
no gloves - it’s a wonder I stuck with it, but it
became a part of who I am.
I married Mary in 1973. Despite what she
says, I did not “marry her for her deer hunting”.
I have a daughter, a son-in-law, and a beautiful
granddaughter. In 2017, Janellea and Aixla
went with me on safari to South Africa. Jan
decided to try hunting. Aixla came along on
some stalks to “prove her toughness”. She was
eight then. Jan is now as addicted as I am, and
so far they have three safaris on their resume.
AHG: What countries have you hunted in and
where?
US, Canada, South Africa, Mozambique,
New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maine,
Montana - Ontario, Quebec, and New
Brunswick - Limpopo twice, North West,
Mpumalanga four time, and Mozambique
three.
AHG: What guns, scopes, and ammo are you
using?
I have a Remington 700 in 270 W that I used
for the majority of my plains game in SA, and
a Ruger Magnum and a Remington 700 in
375 H+H as my buffalo guns. All are topped
with a Leupold vx3 1.5x 5. Barnes Vortex or
Hornaday 130 gr for the .270 and 300gr for
the .375s.
AHG: What is your favorite animal to hunt?
Buffalo, I’m addicted, But Africa, almost
anything. The tiny ten don’t interest me,
though.
AHG: What is your greatest trophy?
My Mozambique buffalo - three years of hard
hunting. I lost one (in 2017), Broke my arm
(in 2018), and finally got him on Day 7 on
an 8-day hunt (in 2019)! Miles on foot, in the
heat, and I had just turned 70.
AHG: What was your closest brush with
danger or death?
Take your pick- Charged by a mad bull
elephant; Guide stepped on a spitting cobra;
Armed poachers at 50 feet in Mozambique
(thank God they ran), and a brush with a black
mamba.
AHG: Any diseases?
No, but in 2018 I fell and broke my arm in
Mozambique. We thought that my shoulder
was dislocated. One PH was pulling on my
elbow and the other was pushing on my
shoulder joint. “Stop, Stop! I felt the bone
move!” Apparently they realigned the bone.
No surgery needed. Hurt quite a bit though…
It took Ripcord rescue 31 hours to get to me,
or rather for me to get to them. Cost me a
sleepless night in a chair. Cost me a total of 5
hours in a Cruiser over rough ground. Cost me
a lot of disappointment in Ripcord Rescue. It
could have cost me my life if my injuries were
more serious.
AHG: What can a client do to prepare for his
or her safari?
Practice shooting, obviously. Work on strength,
endurance and agility. Think 16 miles on
foot in the heat, carrying an 11 pound rifle,
crawling through thick thorn bushes, and a
well-made shot at the end - that’s the potential
you’ll be preparing for. Expect the unexpected.
I expected a buffalo at under 50 yards and he
was three times that.
AHG: Any last words of wisdom?
Quite a while ago, I saw Paul Stones’s “The
Response”. He spoke of the” Bubble” that
tourists are kept in. I thought about it a lot,
and realized that we are “preaching to the
choir”. We are in our own “bubble”. We need
Make Africa your own
Almayne Hughes: +27 71 670 1571 • Natasha Hughes: +27 82 882 9331
enquiries@monterrasafaris.com •
www.monterrasafaris.com
to reach outside the bubble and debunk all the
misconceptions around safari hunting, and
about Africa. National Geographic, Serengeti,
the Lion King, Aerial Africa - they all give a
false impression of Africa. People need to
realize that what they see on TV isn’t Africa,
isn’t reality. (I met Paul Stones in Pemba,
Mozambique last October. We had time to
chat while waiting for our rifles in Joburg. I
was completely surprised to learn that he was
the author of “The Response”. An honor to
meet you, Paul.)
So there. Richard, this is not intended as a letter
Richard,
I
wanted to thank you for the wonderful
article in the latest Gazette. I really
appreciate the continued effort you
have made in sharing Tom’s story. My
family is honored. Please feel free to share
my contact with anyone that might inquire
for information.
Again, thank you.
Best regards,
Joe Julian, President; Julian & Sons
Contact us
Monterra Safaris
to the editor. It’s a suggestion, and something I
would love to see. An example of what your
vast pool of safari hunters could produce, with
some direction from the AHG. I would relish
the opportunity to get different stories, different
perspectives from other safari hunters. You will
also have the opportunity to fill more pages. Please
accept this as a suggestion. Use my idea, or not,
as you see fit.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Keep your excellent magazines coming.
William Archibald
Dear AHG
I
want to thank all of you at AHG for
this as it caps one of the nicest times
I've shared with my daughters. This
is what memories are made of to last a
lifetime. I couldn't be back in Africa this
year (because of the virus) but I will return
in 2022. Again thank you and stay safe.
Rick Holbert
AGH1573
 The Wildlife Game

COVID-19 Pandemic
Wreaking Havoc on African
Wildlife and Biodiversity
By Dr John Ledger
The ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 coronavirus is having an extremely negative
impact on wildlife and biodiversity conservation on the African continent. Restrictions on
international travel have resulted in wildlife-based tourism and associated activities grinding
to a halt and, with that, inflows of critical funding for the management and protection of
wildlife areas and the biodiversity within them have dried up. Donors who have generously
supported protected areas in Africa have seen their own financial resources dwindling as
a result of the global economic downturn, and are having to cut their expenditure. A new
publication provides the grim evidence of this unfolding crisis.

D
r Peter Lindsey from the
Mammal Research Institute at
the University of Pretoria in
South Africa is the lead author on this
collaborative publication by a total of
23 authors with intimate knowledge of
the wildlife and biodiversity situation in
Africa. While there have been published
reports of wildlife benefitting in some
parts of the world due to reduced human
activities, these authors contend that, in
Africa, the net conservation impacts of
COVID-19 will be strongly negative. They
describe how the crisis is creating a ‘perfect
storm’ of reduced funding, restrictions
on the operations of conservation
agencies, cutting off the earnings of rural
communities, and elevated human threats
to nature resulting therefrom.
Lindsey, P., Allan, J., Brehony, P. et
al. Conserving Africa’s wildlife and
wildlands through the COVID-19 crisis and
beyond. Nat Ecol Evol (2020). https://doi.
org/10.1038/s41559-020-1275-6
They say that “Africa has nearly 2,000 Key
Biodiversity Areas and supports the world’s
most diverse and abundant large mammal
populations. Financially, the most apparent
value of Africa’s wildlife and wildlands
stems from wildlife-based tourism, which
generates over US$29 billion annually
and employs 3.6 million people. Trophy
hunting, a subset of the tourism industry,
generates an estimated ~US$217 million
annually over >1 million km2. Tourism helps
governments justify protecting wildlife
habitat. It creates revenue for state wildlife
authorities, generates foreign exchange
earnings, diversifies and strengthens
local economies, and contributes to food
security and poverty alleviation. Tourism
generates 40% more full-time jobs per
unit investment than agriculture, has twice
the job creation power of the automotive,
telecommunications and financial
industries, and employs proportionally
more women than other sectors.” The
paper includes comprehensive tables and
references to back these figures, and should
be of great concern to all who know and
have fond memories of this extraordinary
part of the world.
One of the main sources of income for
wildlife conservation activities in Africa is
donor funding from outside the continent.
For example, the African Parks organisation,
which is largely funded by donor income,
currently manages 17 parks in 11 countries
in Africa. These parks now exceed a total of
13 million hectares - or the size of England!
Lindsey et al. cite the example of the
Gashaka Gumti National Park in Nigeria:
one donor who currently provides some
40% of the operational budget may have
to reduce support because of falling stock
market values, thus plunging the park into
a funding crisis.
Botswana was due to recommence trophy
hunting in April 2020, but now this is on
hold because of the pandemic, with serious
economic implications for government,
community conservation organisations
and employees of hunting organisations.
Government raised US$2.2 million by
auctioning hunting quotas, but this much-
need revenue may now be in jeopardy.
Namibia has made huge progress in
monetising its biodiversity and wildlife
resources through eco-tourism, subsistence
and trophy hunting as well as live game sales.
For community-managed conservation
areas, the pandemic has resulted in a loss
of 90% of their expected 2020 income
of between US$3.5 to 4.5 million, a
serious blow to the viability of communal
conservation areas, in which Namibia is a
shining example on the continent.
These and other equally harrowing stories
from many other parts of Africa are detailed
by Lindsey et al. Rural communities
living around protected areas, hunting

8 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
concessions and other wildlife management
areas are highly dependent on revenue
streams generated by such areas for their
livelihoods. With their economic benefits
drying up, these people will inevitably have
to rely on the natural resources around
them for their very survival. The lesson
from Mozambique, plagued by civil war for
decades, is that in times of need humans will
consume everything that is edible to stay
alive. Anti-poaching measures under such
circumstances become almost irrelevant.
So, what’s to be done to address this
looming disaster? Lindsey et al. have a
number of useful suggestions, of which the
priority is to address the immediate, short-
term challenges:
“African conservation will flounder
unless the international community
intervenes to provide crisis funding,
recognizing conservation as an essential
service and PAs as global public goods. The
developed world is rapidly implementing
mechanisms to bail out impacted businesses
and industries, which in the United States
runs into trillions of dollars. However,
cash-strapped governments in developing
countries lack such potential. Furthermore,
no such mechanisms exist for supporting
conservation specifically. Donors could unite
to create an emergency fund for struggling
wildlife authorities, communities, private
landowners and conservation NGOs. In
addition, key industries underpinning
conservation efforts, such as tourism,
need support, both via tax breaks and
direct financial assistance, provided they
can demonstrate ongoing investment into
protection of the wildlands on which they
depend. Realistically, the developed world
would have to be the primary source of
such funding, from multi- and bilateral
institutions, corporations and the public.
International philanthropic foundations
have an opportunity to intervene, make a
transformational difference to conservation
in Africa and help avert disaster.” rural communities around protected areas what you could do, alone or in unison
My personal experience as a Trustee of in six different African countries where with colleagues and friends, to contribute
the Wilderness Wildlife Trust is that the Wilderness Safaris operates (Botswana, to the survival of a particular area that
generosity of individuals, foundations Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia and you know and love, and have personally
and family trusts towards places in Africa Zimbabwe). This grant will help stave off experienced. Make contact with your
that they know and love is extraordinary. hunger and deprivation for many families outfitter or PH to see how you can help in
Wilderness Safaris, as one of Africa’s whose livelihoods have, through no fault this time of dire need. Your dollar will go
leading eco-tourism operators, has enabled of their own, been cruelly cut off by the a long way in Africa!
numerous people from around the globe COVID-19 pandemic.
to experience the continent and all its Readers of African Hunting Gazette
wildlife wonders. We have just received a include many who love Africa and its Dr John Ledger is an independent consultant
donation of US$180,000 from the Michael wildlife, good people who have hunted and writer on energy and environmental
and Karen Stone Family Foundation, Inc., wild Africa and touched and felt and issues, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
to be used to provide food security to inhaled her unique primeval essence. If John.Ledger@wol.co.za
people in need of such assistance in certain you are one of these hunters, consider

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 9
 AHG1575

www.animalartistry.com
 Focus on an Animal
Oribi from “Game Animals of the World”
.
By Chris and Mathilde Stuart
Based on Chris and Mathilde English: Oribi
Latin: Ourebia ourebi
Stuart’s book, "Game Animals German: Oribi
French: Ourébi
of the World," published by Spanish: Oribi
African Hunting Gazette, MEASUREMENTS
Total length: 1.1 m (3.6‘)
here’s everything hunters need Tail: 6 – 15 cm (2.4” – 5.9”)
to know about the Oribi Shoulder Height: 60 cm (2.0‘)
Weight: 14 – 20 kg (31 – 44 lb)
(Male on average 2 kg (4 lb) lighter than
female.)
12 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
DESCRIPTION
Many races have been described, but most
reflect individual variation and most are
no longer recognised. Because of size and
coloration, Haggard’s oribi (O. o. haggardi)
of coastal Kenya is recognised, but it is not
huntable. The usual coat color is rufous
yellow-orange with white underparts and
inner thighs. The hair is longer on the back
and has a somewhat curly appearance. From
a distance it is often confused with steenbok,
but the proportionally shorter ears and short,
black-tipped tail are diagnostic. The ram
carries short, erect, and partly ridged horns.
DISTRIBUTION
It has a very wide sub-Saharan range, from
Senegal to Eritrea, through much of East
Africa and eastern southern Africa. Huntable
in most countries where trophy hunting is
offered.
CONSERVATION STANDING
Abundant in some regions, with perhaps 100
000 animals in West Africa, but with widely
scattered populations in eastern and southern
Africa. There are substantial populations in
the Serengeti and the Bangweulu Swamp
floodplains (Zambia). Considered to be
threatened in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
HABITATS
Open short grassland with longer grass to
provide cover, as well as open, well-grassed
woodland. Often associated with floodplains.
Shot placement
BEHAVIOR
Live in pairs or small family parties, each with
one territorial ram and up to four ewes. Each
unit uses communal dung heaps and also marks
grass stalks with secretion from a gland in
front of the eye. If disturbed they give a sharp
whistle and run off, sometimes “pronking”,
with black tail prominent, but usually
soon stop and look back at the disturbance.
Even when harassed they do not leave the
boundaries of the home range. Where studied,
territories are small, varying from 0.3 to about
1 km² (74 - 247 acres), but in some areas it is
believed that these are somewhat larger. They
are independent of drinking water.
BREEDING
Mating season: Throughout year, but marked
peaks during rains; in southern Africa mating
April – June; East Africa all months with
March – June peak
Gestation: 210 days
Number of young: One
Sexual maturity: Probably 1 year, but males
breed later
Longevity: Captive up to 15 years 10 months,
several to 14 years
FOOD
They show a marked preference for short grass
and will move if it gets too long, and also will
feed on herbaceous plants selectively.
RIFLES AND AMMUNITION
Suggested Caliber: .224 - .257.
Bullet: Expanding bullet.
Sights: Medium to high-range variable scope.
Hunting Conditions: Expect longer shots in
open country.
Receive this book with your
subscription special, when you sign up.
www.africanhuntinggazette.com
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 13
 Annie’s Hunt
Eland at a water hole.
I
'll admit it. I've fallen in love with Africa
as so many others have. Reading books
on hunting Africa while growing up by
all the greats did nothing but fan the flames
to one day see what it was all about. I had
been back from Namibia for about 6 months
in 2016 when I started making plans for the
next trip. Who would I invite to share the
next trip with me? I planned on going back
in 2019 but the friends I enjoy hunting with
would be finishing their hunt the week before
I arrived. The answer hit me like a bolt.
Would my daughters be interested? I raised
them by myself and they had started going
hunting with me at an early age. Both are
avid shooters and hunters. I contacted my
elder daughter Rachel who loves to hunt but
she explained she didn't really care to travel to
Africa. I can respect her views but wished she
would have been receptive. Then I contacted
my younger one, Annie. Her reply was, “Are
we there yet?” The trip of my dreams started
to come together.
I contacted my PH, Gerrit Breedt of Elandpro
Safaris in Namibia. I booked our hunt for
July of 2019 and started getting the required
14 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
By Rick Holbert
Annie taking delivery of her custom .308
before the trip.
paperwork together. During this time Annie
commissioned a custom rifle build by good
friend and custom builder Pete Underwood.
She supplied a Persian 98 Mauser action as
the base for the rifle, and with his guidance
selected a stock blank of fine-figured walnut.
Upon completion we mounted a Leupold
VXR 2-7X34 Firedot scope. The rifle was
chambered in .308 Winchester. I've been
a handloader for 56 years and the .308 is a
favorite. I put up a load using the Barnes
168grn TSX. In her rifle it delivered 1/2
MOA accuracy. Then as time allowed, I
started teaching her how to shoot off sticks.
During all of this I contacted my travel
argent to book the flight. As I wanted to see a
different country we elected to go thru Qatar
this trip, as they have a flight direct from
Doha into Windhoek, Namibia. Slightly
longer transit time but worth it to me. Ah,
and as far as my rifle - didn't need the power
but wanted to use a classic African cartridge.
I built a pre-64 Model 70 Winchester in .375
H&H. I've got a weak spot for medium bore
rifles. Both rifles were put up with Rhodesian
slings made by good friend Andy at Andy's
Leather. They allow quick loop up to get rock
steady. I started working with Annie on her
equipment for the trip. Boots, gaiters, hard
case for her rifle and all the other gear she
would use.
The big day finally arrived, 5July, 2019.
 Huntress Diana

We flew out of New Orleans, La. to Dallas

Tx. There we made our connection to Qatar
Airways. I must say I was impressed with the
service we received with this airline. Everyone
was most helpful. The food on the aircraft
was very good. We had an 8-hour layover
in Doha, but frankly there was so much to
see in the terminal that the time passed in a
blink. It seems in no time we were landing
in Windhoek, Namibia. After clearing
customs and the gun room we headed out
into the terminal where we were met by my
PH's son Janneman. He and I had hunted
together on my last trip. He's young but a
fully licensed PH. He worked his heart out
to get me on some incredible animals. I
would hunt anywhere and at any time with
him. We hit it off like we were lifelong
friends. Now it's a 5-hour drive to their
hunting ranch, Mooilaagte, to the northeast First game taken by Annie with a proud dad.
of Grootfontein. Knowing what was in store, back out. Later that day we decided to check
and as it was Annie's first trip, I placed her a waterhole. Just toward the end of the day a
in the front seat of the truck so she would very nice blue wildebeest walked out of the
have an unobstructed view of the countryside brush. Annie centered the shoulder in her
and the animals we would see. Ah the look scope and stroked the trigger. The animal
on her face when we would round a corner dropped on his nose. Two animals on her first
and see gemsbok and such just off the road. It day hunting! I can't tell you how proud I was
was priceless. On arriving at the ranch I made of her.
the introductions to Gerrit and his lovely wife We started our second day of hunting.
Makee. Old friend and U.S. booking agent This day we were with Janneman. We were
Pete Underwood was waiting for us as well. walking along a two-track when Janneman
We had a light supper, then time to turn in as motioned us to stop and move behind some
Watching over a water hole.
the trip was catching up with us. brush. At approximately 60 yards we had a
Up and at them, as they say at O dark 30. took the animal cleanly. The handload had small group of Burchell's zebra come out of
Up to the main house for breakfast and hot performed outstandingly. We called for the the brush to our left. The big stallion leading
coffee. Grabbing our gear and rifles it was truck and transported her gemsbok to the stopped and stared at us. He snorted and
time to confirm zeros then head for the bush. skinning shed. While at the main house we pawed at the ground trying to get us to move
Annie didn't disappoint. Three rounds into got a bite to eat and after a short rest headed as he didn't know what we were. Janneman
one hole. Unfortunately the point of impact
had shifted on my rifle, but four rounds had
me re-zeroed and good to go. As Janneman
was guiding another hunter that day, Annie
and I would be hunting with Gerrit. Annie
had the honor of first shot. We had been
stalking through a maze of thorn bush and
were coming up to a section of road. As
Gerrit started to walk out on the two-track,
I saw him look to the right. He set the sticks
up, pulled Annie up to the sticks, whispering
in her ear and half pointing down the track.
As I was about 10 to 12 feet behind them
and behind a screen of brush, I froze as not
to spook whatever they saw. Annie settled
in on the sticks looking through the scope.
She made the shot and I heard the bullet
slap, knowing she had made a good hit. She
turned to me, eyes big, stammering,” Dad,
I got him, I got him.” Gerrit had a big grin
on his face and said she’d shot a really good
gemsbok. About 60 yards is all the animal
ran. Shot placement was a little high but she Annie took this blue wildebeest just before sundown.

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 Huntress Diana

whispered to Annie asking if she wanted a

zebra, to which she said no. He looked at me,
but I had taken a great zebra my last trip, so I
passed. Annie was in awe coming that close to
animals she had only seen in zoos. The brush
was very dry. Namibia was going through the
worse drought they have had in almost 100
years. We didn't see anything large enough
to consider taking that morning. Close to the
middle of the day Janneman suggested we sit
at a waterhole for a spell before going in for
lunch. We had only been there around 30
minutes when I heard Janneman say, “There's Last night at the ranch with PH Gerrit and
your blue wildebeest, Uncle Rick.” Off to wife Makee Breedt.
my left I saw a nice bull coming through the
brush. At 85 yards he stopped to look at the
waterhole. I placed the crosshairs on his neck,
There’s nothing like an African sunset.
and at the shot he dropped in his tracks. The
.375 H&H is a real hammer. After lunch I
some stories (not that they don't already) to
went out with the other client and Gerrit. The
tell about their old dad. Later on when she
other fellow took a rather nice red hartebeest.
looks over her mounts and relives those days
Annie on the other hand went back out with
in Namibia, she'll look back and smile.
Janneman. They spotted a small group of
black wildebeest out in the open. They made
I think it was Harry Selby who said we don't
their stalk, getting up to within some 240
take animals to kill them. We take them to
yards. Annie got on the sticks. Janneman
immortalize them for all time and relive the
pointed out the animal to take. She steadied
One of the locals stopped by to say hello. time we spent in Africa.
up and made the shot, dropping the animal
in its tracks. Needless to say after supper there
was some toasting to do over sundowners
to celebrate some outstanding hunting.
Janneman came to me later to say he figured
I had taught Annie well, and it showed in the
way she conducted herself in the field.
Speaking of supper and meals. I hunt with
Gerrit and his family for a simple reason. No,
they are not like a 5-star hotel. They can be
if that is what one wants and expects. The
rooms are spacious. Hot showers and comfy
beds. His wife Makee could be a gourmet
chef with the side dishes she prepares. But
when I'm at their ranch I feel like I'm home
with family. That counts for a lot with me.
Well we saw a lot of diverse game for the
remainder of the trip. Annie was happy with
the three she had taken and just spent the rest
of the trip looking at the game. I took a cull
black wildebeest and finally had the chance
to collect a very nice warthog. I've seen some
with bigger teeth but this one was symmetrical
and none broken. The dry conditions had
been hard on the pigs in this area.
Well, as is always the case, the time flew
by. Our hunt had come to an end. Even
had I not once pulled the trigger it would
have been a complete success. To watch my
daughter take game like a seasoned pro, using
a rifle she had input on as to how it was to be
built and in what caliber. What more could
a man ask for but to share an experience like
this. I figure someday my daughters will have
 During a
Drought…
By Philip Massaro
 On the hunt

The herd of eland wasn't exactly cooperating. We’d go left

to get the wind and they’d turn right, so we’d have to circle
back and hustle to get on them again, and the light was
fading fast. There was hardly any cover as a result of the
terrible drought Namibia was dealing with in mid-2019,
so when PH Maré van der Merwe spread the sticks, the
distance between us and the bull was just over 300 yards.
I gave six-inches of holdover, broke the trigger of the .300
H&H, and the bull fell out of the scope. Maré and I walked
those 300 yards chatting about the great time we’d had
hunting together, and I knew, as we stood over an eland
bull with horns over 38 inches, that this would be a point
in time I would remember with nostalgia.

I
t was my last hunting day of a week-long
hunt with Jamy Traut Safaris, organized
by the folks at Federal Ammunition
and Bushnell Optics, in order to test some
of their new products, and what a week it
was. In addition to representatives from the
respective companies, as well as Suzie my
wife who is my photographer on most hunts,
there were two other writers from America,
all eager to experience a Namibian plains-
game safari. Our group had cleared customs
in Windhoek fairly effortlessly, and drove the
two-and-a-half hours to Rehoboth, where we
met our host, PH Jamy Traut and his lovely
wife Rentia. This would be my first time
hunting Namibia, and I was excited to see the
country. We would start out hunting Jamy’s
huge Panorama concession, a beautiful,
sprawling area of sand dunes, open pans,
acacia flats and rocky kopjes, and on that ride
into camp I immediately noticed the effects
of a terrible drought.
I’d long known Jamy’s name from hunting
magazines and colleagues who’d hunted with
him before, and we had met one another
briefly at the Dallas Safari Club annual
convention, so I was excited to spend some
time hunting with him. Jamy is one of those
guys who makes you feel like you’ve been
buddies since high school - he and I hit it
off immediately. His lodge at the Panorama
concession is situated on the top of a centrally-
located hill, and has all the comforts of
home, without losing that rustic African feel.

Jamy Traut (L) and Phil Massaro (R) with a Namibian gemsbok.

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 19
On the hunt
Chatting over sundowners, discussing the
finer points of classic African cartridges and
rifles as hunters love to do, Jamy explained
the current situation in Namibia.
“Phil, this is the worst drought we’ve
had in 120 years of recorded weather. It’s
having a drastic effect on the game, especially
the grazers. There’s very little grass left,
anywhere.” That week would show exactly
how right he was.
As there were three of us hunters, Jamy
made sure there were three PHs on hand:
himself, Maré van der Merwe, and Jamy’s
partner Louw Lotter. All the writers would
trade off between the hunters, so everyone
had an opportunity to hunt with each of the
PHs, and while I had a great time with each
of them, Jamy and I came away from this
hunt as very good friends.
Our first day together began with a
hearty breakfast at first light, and then we
immediately got on the Cruiser to look
for a good gemsbok or hartebeest, maybe
even a kudu. Jamy admired the rifle I’d
brought along (actually one of two), a 1959
vintage Colt Coltsman chambered in .300
H&H Magnum, and I’d handloaded my
Massaro and Traut glassing a distant herd
of eland.
ammunition with 180-grain Federal Trophy
Bonded Tip bullets in Norma cases. We
spotted a group of hartebeest mid-morning,
but the wind gave us away. We had quite a
hike up and over kopjes, through the dried
pans, and across those brick-red sand dunes,
and over the course of the day I got to know
Jamy and his son Nicky even better. As we
shared hunting stories, opinions on guns and
cartridges, we were suddenly interrupted by
a gemsbok with horns that were noteworthy.
“We need camp meat,” Traut said. Say no
more, sir! A single .300 Holland ensured
hunger wouldn’t be an issue, and I was slowly
falling in love with the Namibian landscape.
Day two saw my first time of hunting with
Maré van der Merwe, and also saw my first
red hartebeest, taken after a very difficult stalk
on those scrub flats that hartebeest haunt.
We’d spent the morning stalking, crawling,
and duck-walking after this herd - and every
other sort of bipedal locomotion - and finally
managed to get within 275 yards. Again, a
single Super .30 sorted this bull out, a heavy-
horned old specimen; this was the kind of
hartebeest I’d been after for years. A single
raincloud passed overhead, making for an
epic photograph, but offering no relief to the
hard-baked soil.
Day three consisted of Jake Edson of
Bushnell joining my wife and me, along with
Jamy and a skeleton crew on an excursion away
from Panorama, to the Namib Escarpment in
pursuit of Hartmann’s mountain zebra. The
escarpment overlooks the Namib Desert, one
of the oldest deserts on earth, and though
it looks more like the surface of Mars than
that of Earth, the landscape holds much
more life than you’d expect. Kudu, gemsbok,
klipspringer, zebra, leopard and hyena - all
were present in that arid land.
The concession in that area was huge. Jamy
told us they had once driven for two days
along the bumpy two-track, and still didn’t
hit the boundary! We had absolute free rein,
and simply drove until we found a small sand
river.
“We should make camp just here,” Jamy
decided. The crew consisted of Jamy, his
son Nicky, Panda (our tracker) and Colin
(the talented camp chef ), who set up our
makeshift fly camp in about half-hour. At no
time in my safari experience had I been able
to do something like this.
We spent the afternoon in search of mountain
zebra, hiking up and down those beautiful
hills, me just soaking it all in, when we spotted
the first small group. It was Jake Edson who
took the first zebra stallion, using my Savage
.280 Ackley Improved, with 160-grain Federal
Trophy Bonded Tip bullets. Jake’s luggage
and rifles had been delayed four days, so he
was borrowing my rifle, and it served him very
well. Handloaded to just under 3,000 fps, the
.280AI makes an excellent long-range plains-
game rifle, and Jake put his stallion in the salt
with a single shot.
Once the photos were taken, congratulations
extended, and the truck very carefully
maneuvered as close to the stallion as possible,
we loaded him and headed back to our little
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Massaro with an eland bull, taken at just over 300 yards with a vintage .300 H&H
Magnum
piece of paradise on that sand river. After
a delicious dinner by lantern light – blue
wildebeest, salad, mashed potatoes and even
dessert in the desert – Jamy showed us the
open-air sleeping arrangements. Individual
cots, replete with the warmest of sleeping bags,
were set up for us under the stars for what
would be one of the greatest experiences of
my life. It was then that my new-found friend
worked his magic. Addressing my wife, Jamy
said, “Suzie, did you know that many of the
natives sleep with their heads at the bottom of
the sleeping bag, and their feet sticking out?”
Swallowing the bait hook, line and sinker, my
wife inquired why they would do that. “So the
hyenas don’t bite their face off!”
One can only imagine the line of interrogation
I had from my darling wife, ranging from the
safety of our current situation, to my sanity, to
the number of other wives around the world
Mare van der Merwe and Phil Massaro with a good red hartebeest bull.
22 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
importantly, about a half-hour before dawn
- the unmistakable sound of heavy hooves on
the loose rocks.
“Phil, I’m assuming you heard them?”
Jamy asked. Nodding, I suggested we pursue
them as soon as possible. We quickly huddled
around the coffee pot, got dressed, and headed
off in the direction of the zebra herd. We
were fortunate that morning, as it wasn’t long
before we found them feeding on the very
sparse vegetation. At the back of the herd was
the stallion we desired. Jamy and I scrambled
up onto a giant granite boulder. I got into a
prone position, and from about 275 yards I
sent a 180-grain .300 H&H across the valley,
into the stallion’s vitals, followed by a second
ensuring shot.
I was so impressed with the sheer size of
that zebra and the distinctive fishbone striped
being set up as hyena bait, to how I would
pattern that extended across the whole body,
explain to her parents and children that she
right down to the hoof, that and I decided to
had been devoured by scavengers!
ask the skinners to prepare him for a pedestal
In the end it turned out to be her favorite
mount in order to pay proper homage to
experience of the whole trip, and indeed,
such a beautiful animal. We returned to our
one of her favorite
camp for another
experiences ever.
The night sky, when I was slowly falling hearty breakfast, and
headed back out for
viewed from the
escarpment with its in love with the the remainder of the
morning in search
total lack of light
pollution, is just
amazing. The Milky
Namibian landscape of a kudu bull. We
spotted several,
and put a stalk on
Way stretched across the vast expanse of
a couple, but all proved too young to take.
darkness, bejewelled with twinkling stars,
Camp was packed up and we drove back to
falling meteorites and passing satellites. The
Panorama.
sounds of night were equally magical, with
The day after our return I went with Maré
the calls of the nocturnal animals brought
van der Merwe again, and while we were
on a gentle breeze. There was a distant
searching once more for that herd of eland,
hyena, the night insects, and then - most
we spotted the largest springbok ram I’d ever
seen. There wasn't any communication, just
a mad scramble to get off the back of the
Cruiser and cover the 500 yards between us
and that ram. Using the limited amount of
cover available, we got as close as 300 yards,
when Maré stopped and spread the sticks.
I had the .280 AI in hand (Jake’s rifles had
finally arrived), settled it in the sticks, gave
the necessary six inches of holdover, and
squeezed the trigger.
Just out of recoil, I saw the ram drop
to the ground, and if you thought a 16-
inch springbok could make me smile, you
should have seen Maré’s face. I doubt I will
ever find a ram like that again, and I was
absolutely grateful to find that animal among
the thousands of springbok that inhabit
Panorama.
My wife and I spent the last day hunting
with Loew Lotter and his wife, but though we
had a great day out, the rifles weren’t fired. We
had one more of those fantastic dinners that
 On the hunt

are served at Panorama, and when we all gathered around

the fire pit, Nicky brought out his guitar. As I’ve also been
a player for over 30 years, we had a bit of a sing-along.
I was surprised to find that Jamy is a fine guitarist and
singer as well, and we spent the evening trading back and
forth. It was one of those times that won’t be forgotten by
anyone there.
I left Panorama with much more than five
magnificent animals. Apart from the topnotch hunting,
accommodations, and service, I had some wonderful hunts
with one of the best professionals in the industry. Jamy’s
crew delivers above-and-beyond your expectations, and to
say you’ll get what you pay for is an understatement. Jamy
Traut is simply one of those genuine people who knows
how to do his do his job as a PH, and balances it with
the personal touch that makes you want to return. His
business is truly a family business, as the Lotters have that
same approach to their clients, while Nicky Traut certainly
has the makings of a good professional hunter.
I don’t think this was the last time Mr Traut and I will
hunt together, and I’m glad to hear now that the Namibian
drought is over. Jake Edson, Jamy Traut and Phil Massaro at the campfire on the Namib
Though I do have to get even for the face-eating hyenas… Escarpment, an absolutely idyllic setting.

Philip Massaro is an outdoor writer from upstate New York, whose passions include big-game hunting across North America and Africa, and reloading
ammunition and the study of ballistics. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Gun Digest Annual, the author of Gun Digest’s ‘Shooters Guide to Reloading’,
‘The Big Book of Ballistics’, ‘The Perfect Shot for Dinosaurs’ and others, and a regular contributor to numerous hunting and shooting publications, as well
as appearing on outdoor television shows.

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 Buffaloes –
win some, lose some...
By Francois van Emmenes
 On the hunt

T
here are very good reasons why local and
foreign hunters admire the Cape buffalo,
and covet the opportunity to hunt one.
They are, and will always probably be, the most
numerous of all the Big Five, and as a result are
generally more affordable than the other free-
roaming members of this elite clan, making
them a popular choice for a dangerous-game
hunt. Often regarded as Africa’s most dangerous,
and with good cause, buffalo hunting can get
the heart racing and the mouth dry, even for
experienced big-game hunters. Fantastic books
have been written on hunting buffalo – Craig
Boddington’s Buffalo!, Kevin Robertson’s Africa’s
Most Dangerous, Peter Flack’s Hunting the African
Buffalo and Guide to Nyati by the publishers of
African Hunter – all necessary reading for any
aspiring hunter wishing to tackle Africa’s “Black
Death”. One thing all these books have in
common is the shared wisdom and knowledge
that comes from experienced buffalo hunters.
While all of the aforesaid authors may disagree
on which member of the Big Five is the most
dangerous, they will all probably agree that
the Cape buffalo is a serious contender for the
number one spot. This view is supported by
the legends, both past and present, of problem
animal control – game rangers whose job it was
and still is to destroy them in the line of duty.
This, of course, includes the female of the species
as well, not just bulls.
One of the very positive results of the thriving
game ranching industry in Southern Africa is the
abundance of buffaloes available for hunting,
especially in South Africa. The secondary market
for huntable animals has grown tremendously
over the last fifteen years or so. Not every bull or
cow born necessarily qualifies as a “stud” animal
that is retained to breed with or sell on auction,
and these are mostly destined for the hunting
market - likewise with old, non-calf-producing
cows at the end of their life. Good animal
husbandry necessitates the introduction of new
blood from time to time. All of the above leads
to a solid supply of non-trophy buffaloes for the
hunting market. In reality, the hunting of free-
roaming buffalo in large, unfenced concessions is
also becoming scarcer, as well as more expensive.
By that I am not for one moment suggesting
hunting a “tame” buffalo in a small enclosure –
quite the opposite! Southern Africa is blessed
with establishments, that although fenced, are
very large in area and offer the same experience
as would a hunt on a million-acre concession.
During 2019 I experienced two such hunts
with Chivic African Safaris near Phalaborwa in
the South African Lowveld, west of the Kruger
National Park. Outfitter Christo Joubert runs
various large concessions in South Africa and
Mozambique and offers a wide choice of species,
including all of the Big Five, plus hippo and

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 27

crocodile. More importantly to me and
hunting buddy Lodewyk, he offers buffalo to
suit every hunter’s pocket. Old, battle-scarred
Dagga Boys command premium prices and
were more than we could afford to spend on
a hunt. Christo offered us two mature, but
non-trophy bulls at a very reasonable price
and assured us it would be a challenge – the
buffalo on his concessions are as wild as they
get from constant harassment from hunters,
poachers and lion. My own hunt ended
successfully after a few days when I managed
to hunt a bull, sans PH, with only my buddy
Robert backing me up – a story for another
day. (In South Africa it is legal for a local
hunter to do so; foreign hunters of course must
be guided by a professional hunter holding a
valid dangerous-game licence for the specific
province that you hunt in). When Lodewyk’s
turn came he pulled the shot from his .416
Rigby and wounded his bull. The general
consensus was that he shot low on a bull
facing him head on, and an adrenaline-filled,
tense follow-up ensued. The bull bled well for
about half a mile, then the blood petered out.
Visibility was down to a few yards in most of
the area because the mopane trees were in full
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Hunting buffalo cows can be just as rewarding but comes at a much lower price tag. These
two beautiful cows were hunted by my friend Fred Cocquyt and his friend with Chivic
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foliage. All we could do was follow the tracks.
At times we were so close we could smell the
bull, our senses on such high alert we could
almost hear our heartbeats. Walking slowly
ahead, the lead tracker put up his hand, and
everyone froze. In front of us was a small gully
with exceptionally thick undergrowth. From
twenty yards away we could see absolutely
nothing. Inside, a twig cracked, and as one
we flicked our safeties to “off”. But the bull
had gone. Many hours later we caught up
with him again, but by then it was dusk.
Christo called a halt and decided we would
Ernest & Marita Dyason
On the hunt
continue at first light – it would have been
suicidal to pursue the buffalo any further.
Overnight rains wiped out all the tracks and
we never found the animal.
At that time I decided to also hunt a
buffalo cow, and spent two days doing this
accompanied by Johan Espach, a young and
very competent PH, and I worked much
harder during that time than for my bull.
Cow herds with calves in tow are difficult to
approach unseen. They are super alert and
protective of their young. There are many
more eyes to see and noses to smell, and you
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 On the hunt
have to keep your wits about you. The trick
was to identify an old cow without a calf,
something that we could not do with certainty
in the time allowed. I was not disappointed
however – I was hunting buffalo after all!
In August I returned with Lodewyk
to Chivic. This time he decided to hunt
a trophy bull and had set his sights on
something with character. Christo and Johan
told us about a monster of a bull they had
seen previously – huge body with a good
spread and solid bosses. Lodewyk believes it
was divine intervention, and I believed it was
the power of positive thinking, but whatever
the reason, we found the bull on the second
day while traveling on the Land Cruiser to a
new area. The bull stood looking at us from
about eighty yards, his nose up. We continued
driving at slow speed and stopped half a mile
away, downwind from him and stalked back.
When we reached the spot he was supposed
to be, he was gone. Sly old bugger…
We picked up his soup plate-sized tracks,
and Johan stayed on them, eventually catching
up with him an hour later. At this time of the
year cover is sparse, dry leaves plentiful and
buffalo are wary. The bull spotted us, turned
tail and disappeared between the mopanes.
We gave him some time to settle down and
followed, but now he knew we were on to
him, and kept circling to get the wind on his
side, evading us. As we entered a dry, sandy
ravine, Johan pointed at his tracks where he
appeared to have joined a cow herd – not
good news. The cow herd’s tracks were easy
to follow and disappeared into a thicket to
our left. We had to circle around to get the
wind in our favor, but luckily we were now on
slightly higher ground. Eventually we spotted
some cows through the thick vegetation
and sat tight, hoping we would spot the
bull. Half an hour later, Johan motioned us
The author (left) and Lodewyk with his bull.
30 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
Outfitter/PH Christo Joubert and
Lodewyk on our first hunt while looking
for Lodewyk’s wounded bull. In stark
contrast to later in the year, the mopanes
were in full foliage in January. This photo
was taken when we took advantage of a
relatively open area to scout ahead.
forward and through the ravine to get closer.
Now we could see better – at least fifteen cows
with half as many calves, but there were more,
judging by the tracks we had seen.
We crawled forward inch by inch. Lodewyk
was right by Johan’s left shoulder, ready for a
shot at the bull we were sure we were about
to see. The next moment Johan spun around
and shouted, “Get away! Run and stay ahead
of me!” Two cows had seen us and were
coming at a trot. Discretion being the better
part of valor, we did exactly that and got away
from the cows with speed. I was making a
video of the hunt at the time and the footage
as I ran away was quite humorous – blue sky,
brown earth, blue sky… The herd ran in the
opposite direction and we were busted again.
We returned to the vehicle tired, but happy
and took a sustenance break.
Later that afternoon we scouted the area
in the direction the bull had earlier run and
saw his tracks crossing a management road.
This time he was not so lucky. We searched
for about an hour and as we rounded a large
tree he was standing out in the open at about
sixty yards, quartering on slightly. The sticks
went up and Lood nestled the forend of his
.470NE in the “V”. Johan whispered, “Take
him when you’re ready!” The shot went off a
second later. The bull collapsed on the spot,
Lood broke open his double, and the spent
case flew past my face. Lood topped up the
empty barrel with a solid, and at Johan’s
whispered instructions gave the prostrate
bull another shot in the vitals, reloading
again immediately.
We watched the bull for a few minutes,
then Lood swopped his .470 for his scoped
.416 Rigby and shot twice from a kneeling
position. After three minutes we were sure he
was now dead, but did not go closer. There
was no death bellow yet, although this is not
always a sure indication – sometimes they
do not bellow… Johan directed us to walk
slowly to get behind the bull’s back, circling
around him. From about 40 yards away
Lood gave him shot number five and then
one more. Unbelievably, the bull was still
breathing. I followed with a shot from my
.375 H&H, and to be quite certain, Lood
finished with two more from his .416. Ten
minutes later, after seeing no movement, we
approached carefully. The bull was, finally,
dead.
He was a monster. Body like a tank, a good
spread and solid bosses. He had a huge, old
scar around his neck from a poacher’s snare.
His face bore the scars of lion encounters –
truly an old warrior and a great trophy.
You don’t have to come to Africa and hunt
a bull like this to live the thrills of hunting
buffalo. For a fraction of the price you can
hunt a “management” bull or cow and work
just as hard, enjoy the hunt just as much,
and build on your experience.
Contact Chivic African Safaris on
chivicafricansafaris740@gmail.com for an
authentic African hunting and tiger fishing
experience tailored to your needs.
Francois van Emmenes has been hunting
since childhood and has hunted most plains-
game species in his native South Africa. He
has written numerous articles for local and
international magazines on a wide variety of
hunting, shooting, reloading and conservation
matters. He has an extensive hunting book
library, and has a passion for “pre-64” model 70
Winchester rifles, which he collects. He reloads
for all his rifles, shotguns and handguns. He can
be contacted on fvanemmenes@gmail.com
 DSC’s mission is to ensure the conservation
of wildlife through public engagement,
education and advocacy for well-regulated
hunting and sustainable use.

JOIN US!

DSC Convention February 11-14, 2021

info@biggame.org I www.biggame.org I Dallas Safari Club I (972) 980-9800

C O N S E R VAT I O N I E D U C AT I O N I ADVOCAC Y
P for Paris By Jofie Lamprecht

It was the year 2010 at the Dallas Safari Club convention when Paris Jenkins was
in the booth every hour, tussling whether to book his one and only an expensive
plains-game safari with me, or book a cheaper hunt elsewhere.

Image@JofieLamprecht.com
 The
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 On the hunt

I
t was March of the same year after the
show when I got an email from Paris with
a check on the way. Paris arrived a year
later, dressed in his greens and incredibly
well-prepared for his safari – physically; with
his gear, and in his shooting ability. On that
safari we successfully hunted the biggest oryx
of my career, and one of the biggest kudu
with a broken tip for character, as well as a
great warthog. Around the campfire Paris
savored his drink and told me – “I will have
to make a plan to come back.”
At the same DSC show but now in 2020,
I greeted Paris as he marched purposefully
into the booth. He set out his plans for his
fourth African safari with me in 2021 for
a trophy and non-trophy buffalo. On his
second safari we had also taken a trophy and
non-trophy buffalo and his third incredible
hippo and crocodile. And this is where our Paris lining up for his shot on the hippo.
story begins…
Paris and Cindy arrived in Windhoek in Only six perennial rivers form borders of Our rifles checked, I could see Paris was
2019 at the international airport and were our magical arid country – with only two enjoying every second of his time in the bush
met by one of our staff and taken for a night of them having Namibia on both banks of with me now an old friend. We were first
in a wonderful guest house in Windhoek. the river – the Okavango and the Kwando, guests in our newly finished camp, as well
The following day a short transfer to a before they snake their way onwards. Next to as it being a second safari with one of my
commercial flight from Windhoek to Rundu, the Okavango in the deep shade of a riverine apprentices, Jack. What I could sense was a
a two-hour drive from our concession in forest with giant wild fig, knob-thorn and real concern to Paris was the shot placement
Mahango National Park and Mukongo jackal berry trees, our camp stands in the lazy on the croc, and the danger, if the shot were
breeze with sweeping views of the not placed right, of the croc jumping into the
Mentor, shrink and friend Okavango River. A tranquility of its
own, with adventure around every
water never to be recovered again. As a PH
it is my job to coach my clients and friends

– one of the many roles a corner. Yet it has never been home to
me – and could not be - other than
through this, and help where I can to subdue
their concerns to the best of my ability, to
safaris conducted on both banks of try and present the best possible shot for the
PH plays while on safari the Okavango in tents – glamping greatest chance of success. Mentor, shrink
if you will. It is, however, a second- and friend – one of the many roles a PH plays
Camp. It is always exciting to wait at the generation tradition of hunting these shaded while on safari.
airport for old friends, when you know what white beaches, an allure that I have been After taking a great old impala ram in the
to expect, and you know their preferences unable to shake and probably never will. My first few days, we worked on scouting for
and have everything prepared the way they father left his tracks here in past decades, and crocs and hippo by slowly walking the banks
like it. Conversation flows and memories he is missed still. of the magnificent Okavango River. We got
and jokes of their last safari are easily revived
and relived – with much pleasure in jousting
back and forth about the highs and lows
of previous safaris. Any good safari should
have a fair number of both - this is the way
of Africa in the always true old acronym of
A.W.A. (Africa Wins Again).
We were after the aquatic species - hippo and
croc - with an impala for bait. Goats from the
local community would make up the balance
of our baiting requirements. Our pre-baiting
was moderately unsuccessful, not bringing in
any big crocs, with a leopard stealing one bait
and a variety of other carrion-eaters feeding
on the rest. We had seen several crocs in the
territories that were in the size category that
we wanted. Hippo in Mahango – it is simply
a matter of time.
A flowing river is a rare sight in Namibia. Paris and Jofie with a huge hippo bull.

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 35
VICTORY RESTS
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wet a lot, and bogged down in the mud a
few times while on foot – but all was in good
humor, with evenings around the campfire
well deserved, and three-course meals savored
before we fell
asleep to the sounds of cavorting hippo and
patrolling lion.
As a point of concern, croc was not far
from Paris’s or my mind. We had not reached
the halfway point of our safari when, while
negotiating a southern stretch of the river, I
happened to look back upriver, and told our
procession to stop dead. We eased away from
the bank with four sets of eyes inquiring as
to what I had seen. Croc! At least two, one
maybe a good size, on a sandbank under the
cover of a high, 14-foot embankment that
guarded it from view. The perfect place for
these dinosaurs to hide.
We slowly got out of view of our prey
and then formulated a plan. The thick
undergrowth on high bank of the river was
a great but noisy cover. Estimating just how
far back upriver was the big challenge, and I
left our small team behind and started a recon
through the thick bush like a snake. With
bated breath the team looked on as I made
my way in and out. Finally, I peered down
to see a big croc just 20 yards away on the
sandbank. Through the bush I could make out
a big gnarly head with two big bumps for the
nose. I motioned for Paris and Jack to make
their way to my position. Moving sticks and
leaves as they went, it took some time. While
I waited, I studied the croc again. I started
second-guessing myself and looked to where
the croc lay on the bank, in a depression on
the white sand. I realised I would not have
been able to see this croc from downstream.
Paris and Jack made it to my position,
and I got Paris set up. “Look at the shot, at
the angle. You got it?” Paris’s ice-blue eyes
focused in absolute concentration. Then I
whispered, “This is not the one.” We backed
up, and I started the snaking move all over
again. This time I found the island I had
seen earlier, with a croc only slightly bigger
than the one just before – but bigger all the
same. A 25-yard shot. This should be OK for
Paris’s nerves. We got set up, Paris sitting on
his knees on “sitting sticks”. I gave him the
go ahead and got ready for my own back-up
shot. The croc never even knew what hit him.
The ice on the “tough shot” now broken,
we went home for a cold beer after some great
trophy photos. Now for the hippo.
A few days later, sitting in the reeds, we had
hippo on land and in the water 180-degrees
around us, not further from the croc shot.
Their lips plucked grass loudly. The herd
bull was eating water lilies in front of us.
On the hunt
Jofie taking pictures of Paris's hippo.
We had made a firm decision that we were
NOT going to shoot a hippo in the water.
We wanted to have him out on land. The
bull hippo turned from his right to left side
– and I saw something amazing etched on his
thick skin. As the midday sun started baking
our backs, we quietly backed out and left for
camp, lunch and a siesta – “We will come
back later this afternoon and see where they
are in these reeds,” I said.
After a delightful lunch and a short rest,
the pace and enthusiasm was high. We walked
back into the bank of reeds and waded through
some waist-deep channels and started looking
for our target. As the sun started dipping
towards the horizon our daylight was fading,
though not our enthusiasm. A dark spot in
the reeds close to the bank brought our team
to a halt. Movement. One, no, two shadows
moving towards the shallow channel. One
huge, the other smaller. As they slashed into
Paris with his fantastic kudu, with some
character, on his first safari.
the ankle-deep water, the larger was obviously
a bull – lower tusks pushing his upper lips
into two big lumps next to his nostrils. And
then the etching on his side became visible;
the shooting sticks went up and it was on. At
40 yards, Paris made a perfect side brain shot,
and with this single strike of lightning, our
hunting success was secured.
Safety first, we approached the enormous
beast, and then handshakes, high fives and
hugs. I then walked around and showed
Paris – there was a perfect P etched into the
hippo’s thick hide – P for Paris. It was meant
to be. We still had several days to explore this
magical place called Mahango.
All the meat from Paris's hippo went to the Paris, see you soon, for in Africa we never say
local community. goodbye – it is until we meet again, old friend.
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 37
Shooting Sticks and
a Wounded Leopard
By Geoff Wainwright
 On the hunt

We were in Tanzania in Masailand, with a view of the

mountain god - pronounced ol doinyo le eng ai - or commonly
called Lengai, in the background. The Toyota Land Cruiser
was parked a few yards away. I had locked my binoculars
scope onto a trophy Grant’s gazelle. Next to me, was my
client, Mark, his .300 Winchester Mag loaded with soft
points, and we were prepared for a long stalk. “Tafadhali
kupa tu, (Swahili for “Please give me”) the shooting sticks.”
The shooting sticks are an essential part of any hunt. “I left
them at the stream where the vehicle was washed,” my driver
Swai replied!

F
ar from the stream, we left the herd
and drove to the tree-line. Pangas
in hand, Swai and Jackson, tracker-
cum-skinner, jumped down, while Patrick,
the game scout, armed with a shotgun, was
left to guard the truck. Mark and I followed
them into a thicket where dik-dik darted
about. While Swai and Jackson searched
for three long sticks, a Masai cow's turd on
a cattle trail caught my eye. It was a day
old, and impressed into it, was a good-sized
leopard print. At the top of Mark's wish-list,
the trophy of his dreams, was a leopard. We
took up the spoor and followed it to where
boulders had tumbled down from the base of
a high outcrop of rocks. Some green acacia
trees contrasted with the stony background.
All was quiet,
except for a bird
chirp. I glassed the There was just the distant
crags and hollows.
On a stone ledge, bark of baboons
about to bask in
the morning sun, a leopard bellied down.
Only the top of his back was visible above
a rim of rock. I cursed the lack of shooting
sticks, and so let Mark's rifle rest on my
shoulder. An hour passed. The leopard never
stood up, just lashed his tail occasionally.
Thankfully, Swai and Jackson appeared with
newly cut sticks, and we set up. Mark took
his position, barrel resting in the fork. Only
once did the leopard's head rise briefly. With
no high ground available, we returned to a
tree we had passed earlier. Swai scrambled up
to the top to check the position. Mark and I
watched from below.
Five minutes ticked by. Swai shook his
head – no opportunity of a shot from a higher
elevation. He climbed down. In low tones
we discussed new tactics. A plan in mind,
we half-circled the outcrop, found a narrow
ravine and entered it, the rock walls towering
overhead. The air was foul with the smell
of hyrax droppings. We scrambled through
twists and turns, only to find our way choked
with thorn bushes. Our route barred, we
turned back and came across a narrow cutting
in the kopje. In single file, we followed one
another up the steep slope. Between high-
sided boulders, we emerged into a tennis
court-sized clearing surrounded by broken
rocks, with a flat-topped acacia rooted in the
middle.
As we took stock, a movement caught my
eye. Two klipspringers bounded over the
edge and disappeared. We had high hopes of
a shot from above. Swai and Jackson waited
while Mark and
I sneaked to the
edge and peered
over, but saw
nothing. Perhaps
startled by the
klipspringers, the leopard had vanished. Swai
gave a low whistle, beckoned me over and
pointed into the tree. Wedged on a branch
were the remains of the leopard's last kill – a
klipspringer carcass, the hooves dangling.
Time was on our side, and a cluster of
rocks formed a natural blind. With a view
down onto the shelf-like rock, we waited for
the leopard to show himself. Suddenly there
was the bleating squeal of a hyrax. It flashed
into sight, bounded over the lip and vanished.
The leopard was still there. We had found his
domain!
Mark placed his loaded rifle on a rock
within easy reach. We waited for some hours,
the sun hot overhead. Then, our patience thin,
we stood up. From our high vantage point
looking down, the Toyota resembled a child's
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 39
 On the hunt

toy as the sun reflected off the wind shield. and snorting, staring
We quietly left. En route to the vehicle, Mark, in one direction.
a man of high ethical standards, said he did A killer was on the
not wish to bait it. “Let's try to hunt it as we prowl.
found it - by chance,” he said. We waited silently
We spent the rest of the day hunting as the sun changed the
plains game. In the cool of the afternoon, colour of the outcrop.
we returned to the kopje carrying two camp Nothing moved. The
chairs. After clambering to the top of the hyraxes basked on
outcrop, we took cover. Mark spread out the the leopard's shelf.
legs of the shooting sticks and anchored them A sentinel baboon
with rocks. He maneuvered his chair into suddenly barked and
position and rested his rifle on the sticks with others joined in.
a view over the shelf. Satisfied, he cleaned They leapt up onto
the scope's lenses, then we began our wait. A the boulders at the
clapper lark hovered overhead, wings rattling, base of the outcrop
and with a “foo-ee” call, fell earthwards, and swarmed over
swooped over the ground, and settled in a them in a frenzy. Where the hunt took place. Note hyrax droppings on rock faces.
tree. We reached for our
Jackson lit a cigarette, the tendril of smoke rifles and hurried over into small stand of ready, we cautiously approached the kill and
drifting in our favour. Then he passed it to trees, making our way to the edge of the saw sunlight glinting off blood. With high
Swai. All was hushed, and as daylight faded, undergrowth. I glassed above the shooting hopes of finding the leopard dead, we warily
the dark shape of the leopard appeared like sticks, and my heart missed a beat. The peered ahead, but saw nothing. Jackson and
magic. With his back towards us, Mark leopard was within easy shooting range. An Swai took up the spoor and we made good
slowly snuggled impala held in its jaws progress for a short distance.
his rifle against his
shoulder. He waited The air was foul with was being dragged over Meanwhile, after hearing the shot, Patrick
the ground. I moved had driven my vehicle up and joined us.
for the leopard to turn aside and told Mark Shotgun in hand, he helped us to search
side-on and present the smell of hyrax to shoot. His shot the vicinity, but without success. We had
a shoulder shot. But, tore the air to shreds. a wounded leopard on our hands and a
the shot never came.
In one silky-smooth
droppings The leopard growled, potential charge or severe mauling! Mark
bucked high into the refused my request to stay with the truck out
movement, the leopard took a few steps, air, then vanished into a patch of waist-high of harm’s way.
angled down, and disappeared into the rocks. grass. All the while, chaos reigned. Some “I have bungled an easy shot. I know the
We waited in silence till the sky darkened, and baboons leaped off the boulders, others risks and want to experience the challenge,”
we returned to camp. Round the campfire, retreated over the ground. he said. The others showed no reaction, but
my hunter confessed that he had “buck fever” We remained still, waiting for a while. with wits sharpened, we continued on the
and had held his fire. His choice not to shoot, There was no sound, so with rifles held at the spoor.
spoke volumes about the integrity of the man.
My respect for him grew
Before first light, our hunting party
quietly made our way to the top. Mark and
I sat on the chairs, Swai and Jackson on the
ground. As the sun rose, a Heuglin's robin
called melodiously. Mark's rifle rested on the
sticks, and our eyes were riveted on the shelf
below. Our hopes high, we patiently waited.
Nothing. We abandoned our vigil.
Before first light the next morning, we
again left camp, a chill in the air. We arrived
at the base of the outcrop before dawn.
The timing was perfect. With the heights
charcoaled against the night sky, we silenced
the engine to sit and listen only to the
yapping of a distant jackal. As the morning
star faded in the east, the leopard gave a
series of saw-like grunts. Hopeful, we talked
in whispers. Then an impala began to snort
in alarm, and we heard the low, drumming
of their hooves. We could see their leaping
bodies in the gloom. The herd was blowing

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 41
On the hunt
Camp skinner with the leopard.
The way led us between round boulders
two storeys high. It was dark and choked
with thorny scrub, the ideal setting for the
leopard's ambush. Our rifles held ready, we
threw stones. Nothing stirred. There was
just the distant bark of baboons. As Patrick
pointed out the blood splatter with the end
of his barrel, Mark and I searched left and
right. Ever so slowly, our
party moved forward. The
ground began to slope
steeply up towards the
towering outcrop. We used
hand and footholds to
climb. The area was littered
with broken rocks, some as
high as our shoulders. We
had no tracks to follow,
only smears of blood.
After losing the spoor, the
crew spread out, then at
a click of their fingers, we
went on. The leopard was
going to his rocky outcrop
and the tracks took us
onto a precarious ledge.
We shuffled along it and
arrived on his shelf. We
found blood at the narrow mouth of a cave.
The wounded leopard was inside!
We waited for Jackson to return from
the vehicle with a flashlight. With Jackson,
Swai and Patrick stationed at the entrance,
I exchanged my .375 for Patrick’s shot-gun.
Mark and I stuffed toilet paper into our ears
to cushion the blast. Then, caution thrown to
the wind, we entered the cave, the acrid smell
of damp hyrax droppings assailing us. I shone
the torch down the rocky tunnel, shuffled
forward, and cautiously peered round a bend.
Eyes shining in the light, the leopard lay
stretched on the granite floor. As it lifted its
head, I pointed the shot-gun, closed my eyes
and fired. For a few moments, my world went
upside down with bats flying everywhere in
thick dust.
The cave roof was low and allowed only
one man to work. We separated the shooting
sticks, linked them together with our boot-
laces, then pulled and wrestled Mark's leopard
out into the bright sunshine.
Not only was Mark happy. Perhaps there
were many baboons and hyraxes that would
live in peace for a long while.
Geoff Wainwright is a seasoned hunter. He
started hunting in his teens in Zambia where
he became a professional hunter. He was on the
executive committee of the Professional Hunter's
Association and was made an honorary wildlife
ranger. He has hunted in Tanzania, and at the
age of 72 still does the occasional hunt on game
ranches, and contributes to hunting magazines.
His favourite rifles are .375 and .470.
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 Was it a
Unihorn? By Mike Arnold

It was a wonderful day. Bright azure sky, light breeze, and, best of all, we were travelling back
into the mountains that formed one boundary of the 100,000+ acres of the Blaauwkrantz
Safaris property. About an hour out of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, the terrain of the
so-called ‘farm’ (it sure looked like a huge ranch to this born-and-reared Texan) became
thick, lowland brush, open plains, rocky slopes and - my favorite habitat - wildly beautiful
mountainous landscape.

The Mountain Reedbuck were on the upper reaches of the Blaauwkrantz Safaris property.
This view down into the lowlands from which we had climbed illustrates the isolation of
the reedbuck environs.
T
hat’s where we were once again
heading to continue our search for
the Mountain Reedbuck, a small
African antelope. Though not a member of
the Pygmy group, a mature ram only weighs
in around 65 pounds - not much of a target
for a hunter used to shooting at big game
animals at least twice that weight. Having
failed to get a chance for a trophy ram while
hunting in the mountains near Graaff-
Reinet, we were now
focusing our attention
on the rocky slopes of the “When in Africa
main Blaauwkrantz farm.
My PH Arnold you glass”
Claassen, and Jambo our
tracker began glassing the rock-strewn slopes
as we climbed higher and higher, bouncing
our way over the rough track, with Arnold’s
4xwheel drive pickup working overtime on
the steep slope. I would raise my binoculars
Jambo, the author’s tracker, saved the day by recovering the reedbuck trophy.
to my eyes whenever we stopped. This was
really for show, given that I never ever was
the first to spot game. But, as they harp
on in all the hunting shows, “When in
Africa you glass”, and besides, it made me
feel that I was a part of the team – even if
demonstrably the weakest link.
We had made it all the way to the highest
ridgeline when we spotted movement on a
hillside separated from us by a deep ravine.
Arnold or Jambo, I am not
certain who, said it was
Mountain Reedbuck. We
quickly unloaded from
the truck, and began the
usual crouched jog. Not
only does this allow a rapid approach while
keeping the hunters out of sight from their
quarry, it manages to wear out the client
within just a hundred yards or so. (Note to
self: Don’t ever brag to the PH about how
On the hunt
much time you’ve spent on your physical
fitness program.)
Our path led us into a slight depression,
then back up to the ridgeline. Arnold and
Jambo went ahead, to where they could
glass the opposite slope. Immediately they
spotted a trophy reedbuck male lying out
of the wind directly across from us. Arnold
slowly rose from his position on the ground,
and extended the legs of the shooting rest.
“Two hundred yards, directly across from
us, lying side on, with his head to the left,”
he whispered. As usual, it took a bit of time,
but I finally found the little ram in the field-
of-view of my Nightforce scope, which was
turned up to its full 14x magnification.
I’d never practiced
how to judge a
bullet’s path…
Given the wonderful clarity and
magnification of this riflescope, and the
solidness of Arnold’s rest, I was able to
precisely and steadily place the crosshairs on
the exact spot I desired. Sadly, this is when
the beautiful morning unraveled. I had read
numerous tales of how experienced shooters/
hunters always allowed for strong crosswinds
by “holding into” said wind.
Well, there was one heck of a crosswind
that day in the mountains. I did what the
professionals do: I adjusted my hold to
The author’s ram had horns that were a
good bit longer than his ears, earning him
a Silver Award from SCI.
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 45
 On the hunt

allow for the bullet deflection that would

surely occur. The problem was, I’m not a
professional. I’d never practiced how to
judge a bullet’s path when affected by wind,
elevation, temperature, the curvature of the
earth, Druid chants, etc. So, I held into the
wind, and hit the little ram right where I was
holding – way, way too far back.
However, the morning could have been
rescued right there and then if I had settled
down, taken my time, and allowed the little
antelope to drop back down into a resting
position, but instead, I threw round after
round at the small form. In fact, after the
whole sad episode was finished, and we had
the beautiful trophy Mountain Reedbuck in
hand, my PH quipped, “You know, I turned
my ankle on all the brass you left on the
ground.” A VERY relieved hunter with his trophy mountain reedbuck – with two horns!
However, the real hero of the whole affair
was Jambo. After my barrage, the reedbuck he disappeared into the treeline, the radio “Just kidding,” Arnold smirked.
staggered into a copse of trees. While in my PH’s hand crackled to life and Jambo That is the closest I’ve ever come to
Arnold and I kept watch, Jambo quickly could be heard muttering something in shooting someone with malice aforethought.
headed down the ridge, crossed the ravine Afrikaans.
and climbed the slope to the small grove. “What did he say?” I asked. Apart from being a Distinguished Research
He had wisely carried a radio with him in “He says the ram only has one horn.” I Professor in the Department of Genetics of the
case he needed Arnold to reorient him once nearly fainted. University of Georgia, Mike’s real passion is
he reached the opposite slope. Shortly after “Oh crap, I shot off one of his horns!” hunting and writing about hunting.

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Perseverance and
Lucky Stars
By Gary Duckworth

It was July 2011. The bush was unseasonably thick, and hunting a
little harder than usual. Obviously getting leopard baits out was the
priority and so we got onto this immediately. While getting about this
task we hunted buffalo and plainsgame.
 On the hunt

I
was lucky enough to be guiding Norman
and Susan McLaury on a buffalo
and leopard safari in the Savé Valley
Conservancy. Between spending nights in
blinds, checking baits, and hunting all day,
we were starting to feel tired and drained.
Luckily, in the Savé there are beautiful
sights and interesting game to see while on
the hunting rounds, and so we remained
optimistic.
For hunting leopard we needed some
impala and zebra for bait. This allowed
Susan to join in the fun, and soon she had
a couple of plainsgame trophies of her own.
Buffalo was also high on the wish list, and
so we spent quite some time hunting them
while trying to check baits. One bull we saw
in a large herd really stood out, and although
we came close a few times, there always
seemed to be a tree or another buffalo in the The buffalo hunting party
way at the crucial moment. That is buffalo
hunting, though we enjoyed the constant
close proximity of other herd members while
Buffalo was high on
attempting to get that nice bull.
Eventually, two evenings after we first saw the wish list
him, we managed to get ahead of the herd.
it a bit longer, but because of the fading light
We were on top of a termite mound with a
we pushed ahead. Getting to where the bull
decent shooting channel. We stood for quite
had been, we tried to locate some blood, but
a while waiting, as most of the herd grazed
with the herd having stampeded; there was no
through the gap until the big guy presented
chance. We looked as long as we could, but
himself. It was about a 60 yard shot, and
then had to break off the search as light was
shooting off sticks is never easy. A walking
going and we still had to get out to the road.
shot too, was all we had, so Norm squeezed
One of two cheetah we saw with a duiker That evening, when we got back to camp
off. The bull reacted and we waited a few
kill we replayed the video over and over again
minutes for the dust to settle. I usually give
trying to see the bullet strike. The only
thing we could see was a flash of light near
the bull’s front left foot, and so we were
leaning towards a flesh wound on the lower
leg. However, I did take time to caution our
group that it could be wounded anywhere,
and we would need to proceed carefully as
it was now a potentially dangerous situation.
On returning the next morning we had no
option but to search around where the herd
had bedded that night. After about an hour
we found three drops of blood where he had
lain… not a good sign!
We circled around the whole area a couple
times where the herd had slept to check that
he hadn’t peeled off, and after not finding
anything decided to just follow the herd and
try and see him again. He was a very distinct
bull, and so I was confident I would pick him
out if we saw him. We spent pretty much the
whole day cutting the herd and looking, but
to no avail.
That day was long and tense, and
eventually we retired to camp, tired but still
determined.
First light the next morning found us
Great old hog taken by Norm when we were on our bait checking rounds working the herd again. In and out we went,

50 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
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 On the hunt

It was about a 60 yard

shot, and shooting off
sticks is never easy
but couldn’t see the bull anywhere. The wind
was really swirling at around 9:00 a.m. so I
decided we should leave the herd for a while
and try again in the evening. While we were
working the herd I had sent my driver to
check leopard baits. When we got to the road
I tried radioing him, but he said he was still
busy. Instead of waiting for the truck, we
decided to walk through the hills looking for
other trophies of opportunity. After about an
hour or so, we came to another road. Still
the same response with the truck, so we
continued to walk.
Finally, we came to the Gwezi River Susan’s zebra we took for bait and for a beautiful rug
which was dry, and met up with our vehicle.
I suggested that we have some tea and a We did get an old bushbuck we had been of the top safari destinations in Zimbabwe and
sandwich and then drive down the riverbed looking for earlier, though we didn’t get the Mozambique. Mokore Safaris was originally
looking for bushbuck. We hadn’t been driving right leopard to present a shot. No matter - formed by safari legends Barrie and Bertie
20 minutes when we rounded the bend near we still had some great hunting in between, Duckworth, who both continue to play an
where the herd had crossed the river the first and a buffalo hunting tale to remember. active part in the business. The Savé Valley
day, and up on the bank in some very thick Conservancy is one of the largest privately
Acacia schweinfurthii thorns, was our buffalo! Gary Duckworth works alongside his wife, owned game reserves on the continent, and
I recognised him immediately. Melanie and brother, Neil, in managing some continues to thrive.
“Quickly! Shoot him!” I urged Norman.
One perfectly placed chest shot, and the bull
went down. What relief and jubilation!
Although perseverance and tenacity pays
off, all the stars had to align to give us that
chance on our very lucky find.

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 On the
Seventh Day…
By Marc de Chalain

My week in the Zambezi Valley was over way too fast. It was my second
buffalo hunt; the first, in Dande in Zimbabwe, had ended with me
not taking a buffalo, even though the experience was amazing.
 On the hunt

I
arrived mid-morning at Shamwari
Safaris’ Rufunsa camp on the lower
Zambezi mid-morning after an exciting
drive from Lusaka. Being able to travel and
hunt was one of the joys of living in Zambia
during this Pandemic. As I turned into the
Luangwa Valley at the Luangwa Bridge, I got
the first taste of what lay ahead - beautiful
river views, baobabs and ilala palms - truly
Africa at its best. The last section of the road
into camp, from the village of Kavalamanja,
was rough and a bit slower, but I made sure
to soak up the bush and I was already seeing
plenty game tracks. To say I was happy and
excited is an understatement.
The brand-new camp with incredible
views right on a bank of the Zambezi River
was shaded by a thick riverine canopy. The
rooms were spacious and comfortable with
great showers, always a win after a tough day
in the bush, and we spent many social hours
around the firepit.

He took two big steps

forward towards us
After getting settled and meeting everyone,
we headed out for an afternoon drive to
check waterholes in the concession. My PH
for the hunt and owner of Shamwari Safari’s,
Steve Rufus, along with his apprentice PH,
Peter Goneos, had already been scouting for
suitable tracks, so we had an idea of where to
go and check. The afternoon was a great intro
to the area that concluded with a short walk
on some tracks - but no eyes on buff.
The next day was the start of a long week
of 4 a.m. wake-ups and long days in the bush
checking for tracks in the various areas we had
identified as being buffalo locations. There
was a spectacular full moon over that time,
and the early morning coffee at the mopane
fire was unforgettable with views of the silver
Zambezi and airbrushed clouds. We were
almost immediately onto fresh tracks and
spent most of the day tracking and stalking
a small herd. Unfortunately, the wind wasn’t
being kind, and spotting the whole herd
proved very tricky. We were sure there were
some good bulls in the herd based on the size
of some of the tracks, but we just didn’t get a
good look at them all. That’s buffalo hunting!
This routine continued with us stalking
many Dagga Boy groups and herds
throughout the week. Some of the trail cams
we put up caught some great bulls on camera,
but their patterns were erratic making them
tough to locate. We subsequently found,

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 55
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 On the hunt
through both photos on the cameras and
spoor that this probably had something to
do with some lion operating in the area. We
caught these lion on various trail cams during
the week, including them stealing a leopard
bait from high up a tree!. We saw plenty of
good leopard on the various cameras all over
the GMA throughout the week. This will
certainly be a leopard hunter’s paradise.
As the week progressed, we continued to
track buffalo every day, including a 6 km
climb up a mountain behind a group of buff
that eventually gave us the slip. Rufunsa is
not for the unfit or faint of heart! This is real
African hunting at its best - hard and long
tracking and stalks through tough terrain
where everything has thorns or bites. Steven
does, however, have a team of incredible
trackers, supported by a great community
scout, who tracked buffalo for more than only had one brief opportunity to be on there, though we couldn’t see the bulls we
65 km over the week. More than once we the sticks, largely because of swirling and thought were in there, based on the tracks
doubted that they had been able to follow inconsistent wind, and definitely not because we had seen. So we looped around and tried
the specific bull we were after, until they of a lack of good buffalo. again, only to find that the group had split
proved us wrong. These guys could track a We cut tracks early that last day, and up and the bulls were gone. This was now
cat through my lounge; truly amazing skills. managed to get the wind on our side. We going down to the wire.
On the last day of the 7-day hunt, I was ambushed the buffalo and I was on the Nothing for it, but to load up and head
feeling that the hunting gods had decided sticks! The excitement was palpable, with the down to the Luangwa side of the GMA and
it was not to be. Even though we had seen herd crossing an opening about 45 meters look for tracks; as we suspected after not
plenty buffalo throughout the week, I had in front of us, completely unaware we were finding tracks the day before, the group

Zambia ‘The Real Africa’

Steven & Lucy Rufus: +26 09 7827 0832 / + 26 09 7666 4090
shamwarisafaris@gmail.com / www.shamwarihuntingsafaris.com

Brief History of Rufunsa Game
Management Area – Zambia
Luangwa, at the confluence of
the Luangwa and Zambezi Rivers, was
called Feira until 1964. It is headquarters
of a district of the same name in Lusaka
Province.
Feira was probably the first European
settlement in Zambia, but the dates are
not well documented. The Portuguese first
settled on the opposite bank of the Luangwa
at Zumbo in Mozambique around 1720, in
order to trade with the Bwila people, and by
1820 some had settled in Feira. The town
was abandoned again by 1856, when it was
visited by the explorer David Livingstone and
described as completely ruined. It was
resettled in 1887 by John Harrison Clark,
who lived there until 1895.
After Zambia achieved independence the
name of the town was changed to Luangwa,
although the name was resurrected
in 1973 for the Feira parliamentary
constituency covering the town. It has
only one road in or out which connects to
58 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
the Great East Road about 100 km north.
There are no bridges in the area over the
Luangwa or Zambezi, or regular ferry
services.
The town’s location is strategically
important. The Luangwa forms
Zambia’s border with Mozambique
and the Zambezi forms its border
with Zimbabwe. In the Zimbabwe-
Rhodesia War, the Mozambican War of
Independence and Mozambican Civil War it
was the scene of guerrilla activity. Zambia›s
practical support for nationalist guerrillas
led to some incursions into its territory by
Rhodesian and Portuguese forces in pursuit
of them.
Shamwari Safaris Hunting Camp is based
on the banks of the Zambezi, about half a
kilometre from the village of Kavalamanja,
which was the site of Operation Turmoil in
August 1978, a battle between Zimbabwean
guerrillas and Rhodesian Special Forces
(Selous Scouts, SAS and Rhodesian Light
Infantry). The village was a staging post for
insurgents into Zimbabwe.
The Arabs had been trading up and
down there would have had to drink on the
previous night. They had! There were fresh
tracks and a clear direction to their exit from
the waterhole. The game was on.
We checked the roads in that direction to
see if they had crossed. First road - crossed.
So we headed immediately to check the next
road along, and after careful inspection,
nothing. Then, Bingo! They were still in that
section of thicket, and the day was warming
up, so they would be looking to bed down
for a few hours. The wind was, however not
playing ball. We just had to settle down in
the shade of a big mopane tree and have
lunch and wait a while. We tried to sleep,
but the damn mopane flies drove me nuts.
Eventually the excitement and flies had me
and Peter hassling Steve to get up and get
going.
The wind had calmed a bit and more
down the east coast of Africa for centuries,
trading in gold and ivory. They rarely
travelled far inland, using the local people
to bring the trade goods to the coast. When
the Portuguese arrived on the east coast,
they penetrated further inland, using the
same route up the Zambezi as the Africans
had always used. The town of Zumbo, just
south of the confluence of the Zambezi and
the Luangwa, was established in 1546. The
Portuguese at that time traded mainly for
gold and elephant tusks.
The Portuguese met with the local people
at Feira and they were identified in journals
as the Nsenga. The Nsenga people still live
there today and must have traded up and
down the Zambezi River between Feira, the
coast and Lower Zambezi.
Though far from the famous Luangwa
National Parks, the Luangwa District has
spectacular scenery and wildlife of its own.
The Lower Zambezi National Park west
of the town is a rugged wilderness on
the Zambezi Escarpment, and the lower
Luangwa Valley includes unspoilt scenery
and wildlife habitats.

importantly, was consistent. So we took to
the spoor, as deliberate and as quiet as we
could be, and slowly inched along. Almost
immediately we came across fairly fresh
dung, a couple of hours old. We continued
until we twice got to places where we could
smell buffalo. The excitement and adrenalin
were building.
About a kilometer and half into the stalk,
the trackers, Jim and Lazareth, hit the
ground, pointing. We had just found the
group. But almost immediately we heard the
familiar crashing of bush and heavy hooves
on the dry ground. However, this time the
hunting gods were on our side, like the wind.
Because the buff hadn’t scented us, they
stopped almost immediately to look back.
Lazareth got Steve and me into position
quickly, and I immediately saw the group, and
most importantly, the old, broken-horn bull
leading them. They were standing in the shade
of a small mopane clump. Unfortunately,
when I put down my binoculars, all I could
see at the 70 m distance was a black mass
in the shade. Again, raising my binoculars,
I could see the old warrior with the broken
horn staring at us, nose held up. Still unable
to take the shot, because without a scope
on my Krieghoff .470NE I could still only
see a black mass. Then his dominance got
the better of him, and he took two big steps
forward towards us; this put his chest in the
sun.
All of a sudden, I could differentiate him
from the rest, and had a shot. Settling the
dot of my Trijicon RMR on the center of
his chest I was about to squeeze the trigger
when the PH, Steve, said to wait, as we both
noticed the bull stepping forward again!
On the hunt
Another two steps forward - he was Shamwari Safaris is on a most beautiful
very keen to show us who was boss. part of the Zambezi and Luangwa Valleys,
As he stopped, I was waiting, and let offering some of the most authentic fair-
the .470NE talk. The shot hit him just chase hunting you could wish for. Wild and
to the right on the front of his neck, tough Africa at its best. Come prepared, and
entering the chest cavity and hunching you will have the hunt of a lifetime!
him up good and proper. As he came Thanks again to Steve and the Shamwari
down, I settled the RMR dot back on team, as well as @PeteG the appy, for a
him for the second barrel, but with his really memorable hunt and experience I will
head dropping and him turning, my remember forever.
second shot was into the boss and along
the outside of his skin on his back. Marc de Chalain grew up in South Africa
The damage had been done already hunting from a young age as the son of a
though, and he turned 180 degrees and passionate hunter. Marc is a dedicated lover of
went down. We moved forward and I classic old school hunting rifles, particularly big
put an insurance shot into his chest. bores. He has been privileged to have hunted
We waited a few minutes before we in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
carefully approached and checked the
eye. I had taken my first buffalo!
The sensations and emotions are very
hard to describe, but the satisfaction of
succeeding after a long and challenging
week of hard hunting made this all the
more rewarding. It also made me even more
appreciative that I have been able to fulfil
this bucket list item. I have great affinity and
passion for Zambia and the Zambezi River
in particular, so to be able to hunt my first
buffalo in this area made it exceptionally
special.
My bull was everything I could have
wished for. He was estimated at about 10
years old, with a broken horn and one
testicle. His unbroken horn demonstrated a
beautiful drop and curl, which would have
put him most likely over the 40/41 inch
mark had both his horns been complete. The
broken horn has a big knob growth on the
end, making him a truly unique old buffalo
trophy. No true hunter could wish for a
better trophy.
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 59
 If there is Lead
in the Air…
By Darrell Sterling

I was all scheduled to go on my longed-for 10-day African safari. The date was set, the
deposit sent, and travel arrangements had been made. All I had to do now was dream
and wait until it was time to go.

I
was getting closer and closer to my hunt
date, when my knee, which had always
given me some minor trouble, finally
decided to give in. I had wrestled, or coached
wrestling for over 15 years, and during that
time my knees had taken a tremendous
pounding. I had tried cortisone shots, but
the doc said I needed major surgery.
I called Cruiser Safaris to see if I could
postpone the hunt to the following year,
but it was not possible. Bob from Cruiser
Safaris told me that they often catered to
handicapped hunters and that they had
been extremely successful on their safaris.
They would drive the hunter to a blind at a
waterhole, where he would be able to take an
animal coming down to drink. This was not
what I wanted. In my dreams, I had always
imagined a classic spot and stalk scenario,
sneaking through the hot African bush to get
within shooting range of my quarry.
I could have canceled and just forfeited my
deposit to try again next year, like any sane
person might have done, but that was going
to be tough on me financially. I just couldn’t
afford to lose my deposit and miss my chance
to finally hunt the Dark Continent. My
doctor thought I was nuts wanting to try and
hunt, knowing that I would need to walk
miles each day. But I was committed - or
maybe I should have been committed - but I
was not only going to hunt, I was determined
to hunt my way. So I was fitted with a big
brace, given a cane, and off I limped.
I soon learnt in my safari that I could not
silently stalk into position while using a cane
on the sun-hardened dried earth. It made a
thumping noise as I walked, so I ditched it.
But the safari was going extremely well and
every chance I got I was icing my swollen
knee and taking Tylenol. I meet some
wonderful people on that safari, one couple
being Tom and Susan Linton. Susan, as it
turned out, was a nurse who, thank god,
took pity on me and helped me whenever I
was in camp. My leg hurt, but when I found
out that Tom (who was one heck of a hunter)
was gravely ill, my leg didn’t seem like that
big a deal. I was able to keep hunting hard
everyday, thanks to Susan, lots of ice, a knee
brace, Tylenol, and a cane when I was in
camp. I kept grinding away, though each
day, and every mile it got tougher, but I had
fantastic hunter’s luck as every animal I took
qualified for SCI’s record book.
The owner of Cruiser asked if I wouldn’t
mind taking a female blesbok instead of a
male.
He had way too many females and the
population needed to be evened out. I had
really wanted a big-horned, chocolate-
On the hunt
A female blesbok.
colored male, but I was thrilled with Cruiser the gap, but they winded us or saw us, and
Safaris; they had been simply fantastic in off they went into some heavy bush. We
every way, so I was happy to help. continued after them. The game of cat and
We set out that day in our Range Rover, mouse, of hunter and prey was on, and I
driving through the enjoyed every second
concession until,
off in the distance,
I was hobbling of it. Then the herd
split, with a number
we spotted a herd
of blesbok. We got
pretty badly as it was of them moving
out of the thick
out of the truck
and made our way late in the day cover. The other half
seemed unperturbed
towards them. in the brush, even
Blesbok travel in herds, so there are lots of though we had gotten on our hands and
eyes watching, looking for danger, and they knees and had crawled to within 120 yards
spook easily. We used the terrain to close of them.
My young guide wanted
me to take the shot. He was
sitting in front of me, and
the plan was for me to use his
shoulder as a shooting rest. I
argued that he would be deaf
if he hunted this way, but the
blesbok were beginning to stir
and I could tell he was getting
pretty upset with me. I caved
in. My guide shoved ear plugs
in his ears, and I took the
awkward shot at a large female
that ran 20-30 yards and fell.
We congratulated each other,
but I knew his ears had to be
ringing from the loud crack
of my .30-06. I know this is
common practice for African
guides, but I think it is unwise.
I marveled at the long,
curved horns of this beautiful
female blesbok. The species
is tough to hunt as they are
skittish, and small compared
with the other larger plains-
A trophy book ram. game animals I had been
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 61
 On the hunt
Another beautiful African sunset.
hunting. I asked if could pay for another
blesbok if I could take a male. A male and
female mounted together in my trophy room
would look spectacular. It was agreed, and
my guide was told to make sure I got a really
good trophy ram. I was pleased to have the
opportunity, so first we got the female in the
salt, and ice on my knee, then I rested up a
while before going back out into the African
sun. I felt blessed as we rode back out into
the concession to look for my chocolate-
colored trophy.
We drove around for quite some time. If
you’re not hunting a species it seems like you
see them all the time, but when you zero in,
they seem to disappear. We finally spotted a
small group of mostly males with just a few
females that were working their way through
the open veld, and glassed them. I really
wanted a high-scoring record-book ram. If
we looked hard enough we were bound find
one on Cruiser Safaris land - and we did. An
excellent buck. The blesbok were working
away from us, so we had to hustle to get
closer. I was hobbling pretty badly as it was
late in the day, and I had already walked and
crawled around plenty. I was more skipping
than jogging, trying to get into position. The
blesbok were moving, so I had to take a very
quick shot. The round hit the big male, who
stumbled.
The rest of the herd bolted as the shot
echoed through the evening air. The others
running away must have spiked the adrenalin
in my wounded ram, because he tried
his best to stay with the herd, and though
he was moving mighty slow, he was still
62 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
getting out of range. We ran to close the
gap. I ran surprising well as I was flushed
with excitement, and as we got closer I
chambered another round quickly, but fired
before I should have, and missed. I should
have slowed myself down. I rushed trying to
get off the finishing shot, and missed again.
My breathing was ragged, I was sweating
profusely and now I was out of ammo.
Up till then, in the whole hunt I had only
needed one bullet per animal, regardless of
size. I had put in my trigger time at my home
range, so I was shooting great when I arrived,
and had been deadly accurate throughout the
safari. But now? I was horrified . . . and out
of bullets!
My young guide patted me on the shoulder
and told me he was going to sprint back to
the truck for more bullets and would be
right back. A few minutes later there he was,
smiling, sweating, out of breath, but with
Wonderful accommodations.
a few rounds in his hand. I had stood and
watched the blesbok as he moved further and
further away, so we weren’t done running yet.
We took off after him. Africa is full of thorns,
stickers, and everything out there seems to
bite you, and we got torn up running after
that ram. We finally stopped, and ranged him
at 275 yards away when I shot again. The
shot rang true, but still the blesbok did not
go down. Bewildered, I looked at my guide.
He didn’t miss a beat.
“Shoot again,” he said. “If there is lead in
the air, there’s hope.” My next shot finally
dropped this unbelievably resilient blesbok.
The excitement drained out of me once that
ram finally fell. My guide was all smiles, and
sweating like I was.
It took me longer to limp the final 275
yards to see my prize than it had taken me to
cover the mile or so that we had traveled since
we had first left the truck, and my legs were
bleeding from the thorn brushes. My guide left
to get the vehicle, so I had time to investigate
and see where my shots had hit. The blesbok
had been hit with 165-grain Hornady bullets
shot out of a Ruger .30-06. The whole ordeal
from the first shot to the last didn’t take more
than five minutes, but I felt bad that it wasn’t a
swift one-shot kill this time.
My knee swelled up horribly that evening,
but I was a very happy man, and two weeks
after returning home I had successful knee
surgery. Thank you Cruiser Safaris, I will be
back some day - I’m so glad I went.
I swear I can still feel the warmth on my face
as I write this story.
Darrell is a successful big-game hunter who
loves Africa and has taken a variety of big game
animals on multiple continents. He is also a
freelance writer who has been published many
times by numerous outdoor magazines.
The lodge.
 Finest Dangerous Game
and Plains Game Hunting in Mozambique

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Mozambique, Beira International Airport, Beira, Mozambique

Tel: +25 88 253 30796 • Email: info@mashambanzousafaris.com • www.mashambanzousafaris.com

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 63
 Goodbye to a Hunter
Gérard Pasanisi (1926–2020)
PH and outfitter Gérard Pasanisi, renowned for his presence in the Tanzania safari industry,
passed away on 13 August 2020, age 92, in hospital near his home in Nice, France.
F
or as long as I can remember,
the one booth at the Safari Club
International Convention that could
not be overlooked was the large, always well-
placed stand of Tanganyika Wildlife Safaris.
Manned by French PH and safari outfitter
Gérard Pasanisi and hunt booking agent Bert
Klineburger, along with their wives Jeannine
and Bridget, and later with the Pasanisis’ son
Eric who became a well-known PH in his own
right, TWS started exhibiting at SCI in 1981.
The pair of opposites – Gérard,
distinguished, continental, with the look
of a blue-eyed Gallic hawk and Bert, a trim
figure topped with a 10-gallon cowboy hat –
were also familiar, early figures at Game Coin
(Game Conservation International), and later
at Dallas Safari Club conventions.
Pasanisi was known to everyone as the
earliest – and the longest – and undoubtedly
the most important player in establishing
Tanzania’s modern safari hunting industry,
starting with the acquisition of his first
hunting concession, covering nearly half of
the Selous Game Reserve, in 1967. Initially
invited to Tanzania by the Minister of Tourism,
Tanganyika Wildlife Safaris would operate
for some 40 years, famously managing some
25,000 square kilometers of the Selous Game
Reserve, with its generous populations of big
tuskers and good lions, and 17,000 square
kilometers in Masailand, with its long list of
prestigious game species vital to the collections
of serious African safari hunters.
By 1974 Pasanisi was designated
representative of the Tanzania Tourist
Corporation to France, Italy and Benelux. In
1976, he spearheaded the mission to restore
diplomatic ties between France and Tanzania,
and was named Honorary Consul of Tanzania
to France in 1993. His was always the first foot
in the door when any changes came about.
Pasanisi’s business model of limited high-
priced safaris that resulted in relatively low
off-take of game numbers in the top hunting
concessions, which negated overshooting to
meet operational expenses, became the game
conservation prototype of many of Tanzania’s
top hunting companies.
Born in Paris France, Pasanisi and his brother
were members of the French Résistance during
64 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
By Brooke ChilversLubin
World War II. A former mountain climber,
Gérard considered Alpinism a much more
dangerous sport than facing elephants with
his favorite .460 Weatherby. An accomplished
horseman, he recounted to me how he’d made
portions of the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle
pilgrimage on horseback.
In 1967, Pasanisi attended the first meeting
of the future International Professional
Hunters’ Association (IPHA), and became
a founding member in 1969, along with
Baron Alexis von Goldschmidt-Rothschild,
Francois Edmond-Blanc, Bertrand des Clers
and Game Coin’s Harry Tennison. Along
with Tony Sanchez-Ariño, Robin Hurt, Volker
Grellmann, Tony Dyer and other PHs, in
1994, Gérard was also a founding member
of African Professional Hunters’ Association
(APHA) and served as its first Vice-President.
Gérard was also a founding member of the
safari outfitter association, Tanzania Hunting
Operators Association (TAHOA), along
with Robin Hurt, Luke Samaras, Michael
Mantheakis and George Angelides, among
others, and served as its first President. And
he was a founding member of the “modern”
Tanzania Professional Hunters Association
(TPHA), an organization with roots
dating back to the 1960s after Tanzanian
independence, and served as President.
In addition to the safari industry’s creation of
job opportunities for many poor communities
surrounding the hunting concessions, in the
1980s TWS joined in the safari community’s
effort to protect the wildlife areas under their
care from poaching. This became especially
urgent in the Selous once roads for the
petroleum industry began to penetrate the
game reserve in 1985. Pasanisi famously
gained the material support of the French
Ministry of Defense and French Minister for
the Environment.
Pasanisi’s successful anti-poaching programs
culminated in his founding of the Wildlife
Conservation Foundation of Tanzania
(WCFT), and he served as its Executive
Vice President. In 2015, WCFT donated an
additional eight new Toyota Land Cruisers to
the Game Department, for a total of 25. Eric
Pasanisi continues in his path in raising funds
for conservation.
Robin Hurt described Gérard as an icon of
the safari industry, who had “a great stabilizing
effect for the Tanzania hunting industry with
the Tanzanian government. Without Gérard,
the hunting industry in Tanzania would not
be where it is today. He was also an important
friend to the African people of Tanzania who
held him in the highest regard.”
Although the Pasanisis pulled out of
the hunting industry in 2017, which sent
shockwaves over convention floors and
announced the general retracting of big-game
hunting tourism in Tanzania, Gérard’s many
initiatives live on in the photographic safari
industry with the Mount Kilimanjaro Safari
Company and Tanganyika Expeditions, which
are overseen by Eric whom Hurt describes as “a
chip off the old block.”
In addition to his wife and son, Gérard
Pasanisi is survived by his daughter Hélène,
three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
“Mr. Pasanisi devoted his life to fight so
many battles for Tanzania, a country where
his soul will never leave,” wrote MKSC’s
Director, Mr. George Ole Meing’arrai. And
his spirit, along with Bert’s, and all the other
early visionary safari players, will hover over
the convention floor for as long as there are
safari conventions at all.
Brooke ChilversLubin, sporting art columnist for
Gray’s Sporting Journal since 2004, is the wife
of PH Rudy Lubin, who operated in the Central
African Republic for more than 40 years. Brooke
thanks Paula McGehee for her recall of IPHA
and Game Coin history.
• Archery Only since 1986
• One Hunt Per Month Exclusively During the Dark of the Moon
• Wildlife Only Habitat Since 1982
• Over 335 Top 25 Placings
• USA Office

Bushmen Safaris, PTY, Ltd.

3405 E. Overland Road, Suite 150, Meridian, ID 83642
Travis Anderson | travis@bushmensafaris.com | 208-322-5902
Shannon Van Zyl | shannonvanzyl0@gmail.com | 27 82 616 1942
www.bushmensafaris.com
Bow and Arrow and a
Sharpe´s Grysbok
By Frank Berbuir

All hunters have bucket lists of hunts they want to do, and trophies they want to
collect, and usually the buckets are big and the lists are long, and at a certain
point, become even more special.
 Highly strung

W
hen hunting with bow and
arrow it is always a challenge,
but going for pygmy antelopes
makes it even more exciting. After
successfully bowhunting a southern bush,
blue and red duiker, as well as a steenbok
and a klipspringer on several hunts over the
last years, I am on the next adventure this
year for another most sought-after specimen
of the tiny ten - a Sharpe´s Grysbok.
Together with my PH and friend Izak
Vos from Vos Safaris, we are on a nice farm
in the Limpopo Province. It is middle of
August, South African wintertime, but at
7 o´clock, it is already 20 degrees Celsius.
Probably this will be a hot day sitting in
the blind. Izak had set up a blind weeks
before close to a waterhole where several
grysbok trails were visible according the
landowner. Once we sit in the blind, Sharpe´s Grysbok.
it is always a great joy to observe the
surrounding nature and wildlife, especially came to the waterhole - also not on our
when you are in this comfortable, new list, followed after by a group of mountain
360-degree-view-blind where you can see reedbucks with two major bucks. But I had
everything outside but you cannot be seen. been lucky to get one in 2017. However, it
Guinea fowls is always a pleasure
and francolins are to observe these
the usual visitors
in the morning.
It was not what we animals and their
behavior in this
Then, what always
tends to happen is
were looking for beautiful
Then
setting.
things
that those animals became quieter as
appear that we have hunted before the day warmed up.
and are no longer on our list, like the All of a sudden, around lunchtime, we
huge stunning solitary sable bull that noticed some movement around a bush to
approached the waterhole. Three years our right. Cautiously we checked it with
before we successfully hunted a sable bull, our binoculars, and there he stood behind
so it was not what we were looking for. a thorny brush – a Sharpe´s grysbok, this
Half an hour later, a majestic kudu bull small, shy antelope. Izak indicated that I
The view to the waterhole.

Our 360-degree-view-blind.

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 67
 Highly strung
Phenomenal Sharpe´s Grysbok, a happy hunter and his PH.
should not move at all now because the
buck was looking in our direction. For
minutes we sat frozen. Then the bokkie left
his cover and sneaked, forward continually
checking the path to the waterhole to
ensure all was safe. The distance between
him and us was about 50 meters. He would
likely stop at 25 meters from us on his way
to his drinking source. I slowly and quietly
took my bow and set the sliding sight pin
at this distance. Holy moly! I felt my pulse
and rising blood pressure with every move
the grysbok made.
Izak looked at me, raised his eyebrows
and nodded his head. No words were said,
but I knew that I should get ready and stay
calm waiting for the right moment. The
little buck stopped several times on his
way to the water, cautiously checking his
surroundings. Meanwhile I gradually stood
up to put the bow and myself in a correct
shooting position. The arrow was nocked
in and the release was put on the string.
The bokkie finally arrived at the edge of
the waterhole and checked the scene once
more before he lowered his head to drink.
That was the decisive moment. Izak raised
his index finger – it was time.
I pulled the bow to full draw and set the
pin on the vital area of the antelope’s body.
The arrow was released, and a second later
it went through the animal’s body exactly
where I had aimed. The grysbok jumped,
ran off, and after 20 meters he dropped.
What a moment again! I had to take a
deep breath as Izak congratulated me. We
left the blind and walked to where the
68 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
grysbok lay. I kneeled down and examined
this gorgeous specimen of the tiny ten
antelopes. I was more than happy.
Once more, it was an awesome and
challenging hunt and experience with
bow and arrow. I finally had this awesome
Sharpe´s Grysbok. After some nice
pictures, we enjoyed our success with
a cold beer from our cooler box. Again
a tremendous hunt with unforgettable
impressions and memories together with
my friend and PH Izak Vos from Vos
Safaris in South Africa.
Shoot straight, take care, keep well,
always good hunting: “Waidmannsheil”
and “Alles van die beste”.
German hunter Frank Berbuir is passionate
about the outdoors and hunting – especially
bowhunting, which he has practised for more
than 20 years. Although he’s bowhunted in
several countries, he’s become addicted to hunting
in Africa since his first safari in 2004. Frank is
a mechanical engineer and risk manager in the
automotive industry.
Equipment:
Bow: Mathews Z7x @ 70 lbs
Arrow: Carbon Express Maxima
Hunter 350
Broadhead: German Kinetics
Silverflame 125 grain
Optics: Zeiss Victory Binocular &
Nikon Rangefinder
Release: Scott
Camo: Sniper Africa
Description:
Sharpe’s or northern grysbok
(Raphicerus sharpei) is a small, shy,
solitary antelope found from tropical
to southeastern Africa. They are in
Transvaal (South Africa), Caprivi Strip
(Namibia), Botswana, Mozambique,
Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and
Tanzania to Lake Victoria. It is similar
in size to the gray duiker, but has a
stockier body and elongated fur over
the hindquarters. It stands about 45–
60 cm at the shoulders and weighs only
7–11.5 kg. Its coat is reddish-brown
streaked with white eye-rings around.
Mouth, throat and underside are off-
white. The males have stubby horns,
which are widely spaced. Sharpe’s
grysbok has a short, deep muzzle
with large mouth and heavy molar
(grinding) teeth. The short neck and
face on a long-legged body result in
a high-rump posture when browsing.
Although its territorial range is large,
Sharpe’s grysbok is infrequently seen.
Males and females seem to form brief
associations, but the species is usually
encountered singly. Territory is marked
with dung middens. Their habitat
is rocky hill country, but preferring
fertile zones on the lower slopes. They
are nocturnal browsers and spend the
day in the protective cover of tall grass
or shrubs. They are extremely timid
and will run away at the first sign of
anything unusual, although this flight
is accompanied “short stamping hops”.
They move well away from where the
disturbance occurred before stopping
(unlike steenbok, which stop and
look back). Sharpe’s Grysbok likes to
take refuge in aardvark burrows, like
steenbok. They browse on leaves, buds,
herb and fruits in the dry season. Their
food is typically tough (for which their
teeth and jaws are adapted). Grazed
grass makes up about 30% of their
diet. Like the Cape grysbok, which is
slightly bigger and has a thickset body
and a rich rufous-colored coat, they use
a communal latrine and mark sticks
in its vicinity with pre-orbital gland
secretions. Only the rams have horns,
which are 60-100 mm in length.
“We are passionate about what we do and guarantee every
hunter will leave with the experience of a lifetime”.
www.kwalatasafaris.com
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 69
 Eastern Cape Bow-
hunting – Sable Lodge
By Strang Middleton
With our world and lives changing so much in recent times, I was truly fortunate to visit and
hunt from Sable Lodge at Eastern Cape Bowhunting before the whole Covid-19 pandemic
really set in. John and Liske picked me up in Port Elizabeth and drove me to the ranch,
although there is a fully operational airstrip on the property for those clients who might
want to fly in. John and Liske are the main hosts, with a great team in Ed and the staff to
help them. They all made my trip fun and memorable.

T
he Eastern Cape is always a
destination on many serious
hunters’ bucket list as it offers
several species unique to the Cape. That
was my reason for visiting Sable Lodge.
Not only is the property itself magnificent,
but it boasts good numbers of about 30
species of animals including buffalo, sable
and roan. Set among the rolling hills of the
Eastern Cape, the hunting area and Sable
Lodge of ECBH is a superb destination
for any discerning bowhunter. I was truly
impressed by the Five Star lodge and its
amenities. With delectable cuisine paired
with the best South African wines and
an array of activities other than hunting,
Sable Lodge really is a place to bring your
wife or top-end corporate group.
The lodging is one of the finest I have
come across. There are two bars - one for
the rowdy fellas watching
a ball game, and the
second, my favorite,
being the Buffalo Bar for
sitting and enjoying a
cocktail while discussing
the day’s adventures. The
dining hall is decorated
traditionally and makes
one feel like royalty. Meals
are served here daily by
the professional team
of culinary experts. The
executive chef is one of
the best in the trade and
will serve delectable meals
prepared from the game
you have harvested.
A board room is available should
anyone feel the need to have a meeting or
conference at any stage of their safari, but
the wine cellar was far more appealing to
me and seems to solve any problems that
may arise.
An equestrian program offers leisurely
rides, and the on-site spa is the perfect
place to sneak off, relax, and let your
worries fade away while having a blissful
massage! And if that is too relaxing for
you, pop across to the fitness center and
work up a sweat, although I prefer to hike
up a mountain after a Cape kudu or to
approach a huge sable from above. Each
hunter has his own archery locker to hang
his bows and toys at the end of the day, and
should you have an archery breakdown,
there is a fully kitted archery repair and
maintenance room in which John is very
good. How many hunting lodges have a
service like this? Exceptional!
One can warm up on a state-of-the-art
five-stand clay pigeon course and then
follow this with some excellent quail
hunting over dogs - a great way to have a
break day.
Hunting on the estate is done from
well-built, spacious, comfortable and
strategically set up blinds, or one can try
his luck at walk and stalk, or spot and
stalk. The professional hunters know the
property well, and how to hunt it for you
to get the trophy of a lifetime.
I went with an open mind as to what
I might get lucky with and chose to do
my hunting walk and stalk. In March the
grass and leaf cover is at its best and makes
for some excellent stalking opportunities.
The property has hills, outcrops, ledges,
rivers and gullies. The game numbers
are excellent and you will have many
opportunities. In fact, sometimes the game
was too prolific and all the watchful eyes
made stalking difficult - a good problem
to have!
On my visit I hunted a Cape kudu, red
hartebeest, bontebok, copper springbok,
white fallow deer and Cape bushbuck.
The black wildebeest and mountain
reedbuck avoided me and will be a good
reason to return! I did not hunt buff, sable
or roan as I already have several of these.
My shots varied from 8 yards to 72 yards
and this was all made doable by my trusty
Suresight range-finding sight - brilliant

70 www.africanhuntinggazette.com

and worth every cent I paid for it. They
are proudly South African made, and I’m
super impressed with this product – a
must-have if you’re a serious bowhunter.
I was shooting a Mathews Vertix 29” draw
set at 70lbs. My arrows are my favorite
Grizzly Stiks, tipped with 125gr Silver
Flame XLs and Alaskan 200gr, total arrow
weights coming in at 630 grams. These
super-strong, high FOC and tapered shafts
give me great confidence at long shots and
awkward angles. They greatly improve
your chances when unforeseen things
happen- for example…
After crossing a flooded river to get
ourselves closer to an old hartebeest bull,
we ended up crawling along a ditch at last
light, trying to avoid the ever watchful eyes
of a group of impala rams. Fortunately, the
later the time of day, the more their heads
are down, focusing on filling stomachs.
However it was a long and slow crawl, and
the devil thorns took their toll on hands
and knees! We finally got to a point where
we could go no further. and we watched.
Highly strung
started duck to turn and head for safety.
As a result, my arrow hit him forward of
the shoulder and penetrated his neck and
poleaxed him. There is no way a regular
400gr arrow with a poor expandable would
ever achieve that sort of penetration on a
hartebeest bull neck bone… Grizzly Stik
all the way!
John was my personal PH and did a
sterling job. He has two legend dogs -
Biggles and Fatz - for the shots that don’t
work out as planned! He went out of his
way to put me onto game and we had an
awesome time. We would often ride around
in one of the several, well equipped Land
Cruisers and scout for game. If we spotted
something worthy of hunting, he would
give me a radio and say, “Get after it,” and
watch as I scaled the mountains (all be it
slowly) to get into shooting range. The
hills are rocky and if you’re not used to it,
you may end up on your butt!
All my trophies were old animals
and special to me. But my Cape kudu
and bontebok were two trophies that I
had dreamt of taking for many years…
meaningful moments for me.
If you are looking for an excellent bow
hunt with incredible game numbers and
species with a lodge fit for royalty, just
look up Eastern Cape Bowhunting and
take your wife or partner there. I can
assure you, if you wish to impress someone
on a trip – this is the place!
Thank you to John and Liske Ayliff –
your hospitality and attention to detail
was amazing. I arrived as a client and left
as a friend…I will be back next year!
The hartebeest bull was an ancient warrior
with worndown tips and few teeth – the
To book, have a look at
perfect bull. He fed across to our left
and came out at 72 yards. It was now or www.easterncapebowhunting.com
never as the light was fading fast. I came and contact John
to full draw, and my Suresight laser beam John@EasternCapeBowhunting.com
showed nicely on the bull’s rump. The …I will also be happy to chat to you if
sight immediately sets the pin for that you want any advice.
range. Centre everything… squeeze… and Strang Middleton – Zambian Based PH
off the arrow flew. The old bull clearly Strangm76@gmail.com
heard something whizzing his way and
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 71
 A First-Timer
Reminisces
Ken Bailey

Few things reignite your enthusiasm for any activity quite like listening to a first-time
participant describing his experience. Having been through it all several times, it’s easy to
become a little nonchalant, even when it is something as exciting and invigorating as an
African wingshooting safari. So, as Doug Manzer related the tales of his 2019 trip to South
Africa, my passions became increasingly refueled.
 Taken on the Wing

Karen Manzer
Grey-winged spurfowl hunt – Doug found hunting for greywings over pointing dogs reminded him of sharp-tailed grouse hunting.

D
oug’s first African hunting safari game. Over the course of six days, Doug on the higher plains near my home in
was somewhat different from had the opportunity to hunt five species southwest Alberta. They flew well, with an
the vast majority—he hunted of upland birds, five species of ducks and explosive flush, and were usually in coveys
no big game, focusing entirely on birds. two types of geese. At home Doug loves to of two to six birds. The German short-
I was curious about his choice, knowing hunt upland birds “walk-up” style, so he haired pointers that we walked behind
that at home in Alberta, Doug is an avid really appreciated the opportunity to hunt handled them well, with each honoring
big-game hunter. So, given the diversity behind pointing dogs. the others’ point as we moved from covey
and abundance of available large game, “We pursued grey-winged francolin to covey.”
it struck me as a little strange that he’d in the high grasslands. It was gorgeous Doug added, “In a week characterized
choose to hunt birds only. country, a vast area punctuated by tall, by one exciting new hunting experience
“Since we lived in Ethiopia in the mid- rimrock peaks. The greywings reminded after another, I think I most enjoyed
90s, I’ve dreamed many times of returning me of the sharp-tailed grouse we hunt hunting the natural high-plains grassland
to Africa, specifically to hunt for birds,”
he said. “While I enjoy hunting big game,
I more fully appreciate the day-to-day
journey of pursuing birds. It’s been a
romantic aspiration of sorts, my vision of
pursuing upland birds in an amazing big-
sky African landscape.”
When asked to expand on his thinking,
Doug went on to say, “I find the pace
of bird hunting to be more relaxed than
hunting big game, making the overall
experience easier to share with others. My
wife Karen, and friend, Roger, joined me
on this hunt. It seems when hunting birds
there’s less of a focus on achievement and
Karen Manzer

more on the day-to-day enjoyment.”

Species diversity is one of African
hunting’s calling cards, and is as applicable
to bird hunting as it is to pursuing big Early morning duck shoot – There no better time to be afield than just as dawn is breaking.

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 73
 Taken on the Wing
Duck retrieve – Doug Manzer heading back to the blind, duck in hand.
systems where greywings are found.” As
he continued to describe his experiences,
it became quickly apparent that Doug was
reliving each day with the telling.
“Swainson’s spurfowl were the most
common upland species we put up over
the dogs, although we undoubtedly saw
more guinea fowl than we did any other
bird. With that polka-dot plumage they
really stand out. We’d commonly see them
in groups of 10 to 20 birds, though we
encountered flocks as large as 60 or more.
They’re larger than francolin, perhaps the
size of a robust pheasant, and deceptively
fast in flight.”
When I heard Doug’s closing comment
I smiled with the knowing grin of one
who has learned firsthand the challenges
of hunting guinea fowl. “Deceptively fast”
translates to, “I missed quite a few shots,”
and is a pretty common refrain for virtually
all wingshooters when they chase guineas
for the first time. A somewhat unattractive
bird that appears as ungainly as it does
unsightly, few hunters escape a lesson in
humility when they first hunt guinea fowl.
“Guinea fowl,” Doug said, “are far from
naive, and would give Rommel a run for
his money in a land battle.”
Of course, you can’t hail from Alberta
and not have an infatuation with hunting
waterfowl. Doug and his companions
hunted both Egyptian and spur-winged
geese in fields, sitting in portable blinds
surrounded by decoys, not at all unlike
a typical goose hunt at home. For ducks,
meanwhile, they most often pass-shot over
and around waterbodies.
“Yellow-billed ducks were the most
common duck species we saw; they’re very
similar in size to the mallards at home.
They flew in flocks ranging from twos up
to a dozen, generally coming in high and
74 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
Karen Manzer
Karen Manzer
Guinea fowl – Every first-time bird hunter
discovers that guineas are much more
challenging to hunt than you expect.
at full speed. It was exciting, fast-paced
shooting, much different than the feet-
down, landing-in-your-decoys ducks we
experience at home.”
Doug described the teal hunting,
however, as being very similar to what
North Americans have become accustomed
to when hunting the small ducks.
“Typically they’d come in low, just above
the deck, in small squadrons of from four
to six birds. They’re similar to our blue-
and green-winged teal, although perhaps
a little larger.” Recalling his African
duck hunting experiences, he sounded
somewhat wistful.
“I enjoyed the sounds, the views and the
pace of duck hunting while sharing the
sunrise with my wife. There’s anticipation
in a duck blind. Add to this the challenge
of fast-paced ducks blasting through at top
speed, and it makes it difficult to choose
between hunting ducks or greywings.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to, as we’d hunt
ducks one day, then greywings the next.”
When asked what advice he’d offer other
first-time wingshooters planning a safari,
Doug was quick to answer.
“Spend some time shooting clays
before you go; knock the rust off. You’ll
face challenging shooting when walk-up
hunting for spurfowl, francolin, quail
and guinea fowl, and every conceivable
angle and distance when pass-shooting
waterfowl. Consider bringing your own
gun if you normally shoot a smoothbore
with non-standard stock dimensions. I fall
into this category and am glad I brought
my own shotgun. This isn’t the place to
find out a borrowed gun doesn’t fit you
well.” Doug also suggested that novices
bring a toque and a neck-buff for those
cool mornings in the blind. “Lightweight
shooting gloves and a shooting jacket with
wind-blocking material are also nice to
have on hand.”
As I listened to him reminisce, I couldn’t
help but be reminded of the saying, “The
only man I envy is the one going on his
first African safari.” With each story he
told and every hunt he described, I was
reminded of my own African bird-hunting
adventures. And as I recalled those past
experiences, my urge to return as soon as
possible intensified.
Once the world gets back to some form
of normalcy, and we can travel safely to
Africa once more, I will go back to hunt
birds again under that immense blue
African sky.
And given his first experiences, I’d say
there’s a better than even chance I’ll run
into Doug somewhere along the way!
Karen Manzer
Lab and yellow-billed duck – yellow-billed
ducks were the most common and similar
in size to a mallard.
Doug hunted with Reinier Linde and
Garth Lee of Legelela Safaris (http://
legelelasafaris.co.za/) and couldn’t speak
more highly of the experience. While
Legelela offers big-game hunts in South
Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, their
bird hunting safaris are becoming well-
known, or at least they certainly are in
Alberta, where Doug and I live.
 Capturing
Natural Beauty
Corner Melkrivier & Sterkstroom Roads, Vaalwater, South Africa
Tel: +27 14 755 4945 • Craig: +27 82 775 8489 • Trish: +27 83 690 0061
Email: bullseye@icon.co.za • www.bullseyetaxidermy.co.za

Don’t Compromise.
For honest, affordable, high quality workmanship and unbeatable service to match, use Bullseye Taxidermy.
When Tracks Lead
to Trouble
By Guy Venter
 September was dry and the
temperature unforgiving. The
harsh beauty of the sandstone
outcrops rose from the Shashi
(Shashe) River whose banks
were shaded by huge sycamore
figs that provided welcome
relief from the blistering
heat for a variety of different
species.

T
he Tuli Circle was handed to
Rhodesia by Khama in the late
1800s. Originally the resting
place for hundreds of pioneers, hunters,
prospectors and traders, the Tuli Circle
served as the place they waited patiently for
Lobengula, King of the Matabele, to grant
them permission to cross the sandy Shashi
into the country now known as Zimbabwe.
The small makeshift town, lasting a few
years, had formed around a post office, a jail,
a hotel and a few trading stores in the late
1800s. The Circle, an unusual bubble shape
that was originally part of Bechuanaland
(now Botswana), was given to these brave
men and women as a place to rest and
regroup before proceeding north-east to the
rich gold fields and hunting grounds that lay
on the other side of the Shashi.
And as we searched along the riverbank
for sign of elephant activity, we constantly
stumbled onto artifacts that bore testimony
to those great days. Martini-Henry cartridge
cases, medicine bottles, ammunition tins
and fragments of Royal Doulton china lay
strewn about the riverbank.
I was accompanied on that particular
trip by an old friend, whose culinary skills
surpassed those of the finest of camp chefs
I have known. Monty, who was born and
raised on the island of Mauritius, wove
magic with any game meat he touched,
traveling always with a vast array of herbs
and spices, and always able to conjure up a
meal fit for a king, using the most unusual
cuts. As he prepared our eland marrowbone
Image@JofieLamprecht.com

starters and impala tongue main course, we

sat around the fire watching the leadwood
logs quietly burning.
Not far away a leopard rasped, unsettled
by the call of a hyena closing in on his
bushbuck kill.

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 77
 I’VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE SPENT THE PAST 40 YEARS TRAVELING THE
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there is no way to really know who’s the best choice for your hunt if you
haven’t been there, and hunted that.

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Apart from the usual plains game, we
were in possession of permits for both a
trophy elephant and a tuskless elephant. As
both permits were not obligatory we had
decided to look over a few elephant herds,
and if the opportunity presented itself we
would take it.
The elephant in this corner of the country
were of a different genetic pool to their
larger-bodied cousins in the north-west of
Zimbabwe. However, what they lacked in
size, they made up for in aggression. It was
not uncommon to be hunting plains game
and suddenly hear the desperate screams of
the trackers and game scout as an elephant
cow closed in on the tailgate at full charge.
We crisscrossed the network of overgrown
roads for several hours, only finding broken
mopane branches which were a few days
old. Finally, we cut the fresh spoor of a
mixed herd which were heading southeast
toward the Shashi. The ground was rocky
and hard and it was difficult to assess from
the spoor as to the composition of the herd.
We decided that although late in the
morning we should follow them and see if
they had held up in the shade, which would
give us an ideal opportunity to take a look.
We had not gone far when I heard the
familiar sound of a branch snapping a short
distance ahead in the dense mopane scrub.
As we stood frozen and listening intently,
we could hear the faint gurgle of an
elephant’s stomach. It was now close to
midday and the thermals were causing the
wind to eddy unpredictably around us.
As I held my breath for the inevitable, I
felt a cool breeze on my sweaty neck.
Not 40 meters ahead I saw one trunk,
then another and then several, rise up from
the scrub like cobras under the spell of the
snake charmer. It was all over, at least for
now.
The sound of breaking branches and
rolling rocks soon changed to the high-
pitched whine of the mopane flies as they
gathered around the rims of our mouths
and eyes. We needed
to move fast - the herd
had taken off in the “How’s my rifle?”
direction of the nearby
border with Botswana,
he asked
and if they crossed it,
that would mean the end of the hunt, at
least for today.
After a quick drink from Monty’s old
military canvas water bag, we on the move
again, leaving the Land Cruiser further and
The elephant that nearly killed Monty, pictured the following day.
Monty recovering from his experience.
further away all the time. The tracks led
down an old elephant path and down into
a small valley, keeping to the left of a dry
riverbed. There was a pungent aroma of
fresh elephant dung that lay splattered on
the trail. It was clear from the diarrhoea
that they were stressed
to the hilt, a common
sign with elephant.
After about
kilometers the tracks
two
indicated they were
slowing down, probably because of the
calves that formed part of the herd.
The trackers perked up a little. They
needed to be more alert, and with a bit of
luck we could catch the elephant before
Tales from yesteryear
they crossed into Botswana. The tracks
kept along the left side of the dry riverbed.
The bush changed from thick to sparse
and back to thick. As we entered a small
clearing, the trackers seemed to become
confused. Splitting up, they circled back
and forth trying to decipher the puzzle that
lay before them. It seemed that most tracks
led to the right, across the dry riverbed in
the direction of the border.
But something felt wrong.
As we stood on the bank discussing our
next move, I felt the wind swirl and change
180 degrees. At first I was not concerned
as this would have assisted us had the herd
crossed the river as the spoor suggested.
Then the unexpected happened.
There was a loud trumpeting from our left
followed by trees crashing down, and an old
cow with long and slender ivory burst into
view. There was no time for a debate. Our
first instinct was to avoid a confrontation
and the unpleasant bureaucratic process
that would follow. The only option to
achieve this was to slide down the riverbank
and hope that she lost sight of us and turn
around.
As we slipped down the steep bank and
hit the sandy bottom, the trackers, inspired
by the game scout, decided that distance
was the easiest solution. As they scampered
up the opposite bank the cow gained speed,
and sliding on all four feet she skidded to
the edge of the bank in a cloud of dust.
It was very obvious that she was going to
follow through. Monty and I stood in the
dry riverbed, our rifles readied. Monty
was in his element - he and his Holland &
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 79
 Tales from yesteryear
The tusks from the elephant cow after Monty purchased them from National Parks.
Holland .500/465 Royal were ready to do
battle.
It only took the cow a split second to
decide what to do. As she slid down the
bank three or four meters from us, Monty
gave her both barrels. I managed two
quick shots to the chest area with my .375
before she got to the bottom. She seemed
indestructible. As she focused on Monty
and homed in on him, I stepped to the left
and looked for more ammo in my belt.
Monty had fired both his barrels. He took
a few steps back and found himself trapped
against the steep bank with nowhere to go.
He looked towards me, his eyes wild, and
made a snap decision.
It wasn’t about protecting himself, but
rather the valuable rifle he held in his
hands. As he tossed it towards me, the cow
hit him hard with her forehead, sending
him flying onto the sandy riverbed. She
was immediately on top of him and was
trying desperately to run her long ivory
through his body. I heard a loud crack as
the cow’s right tusk shattered in the thick
sand next to Monty’s chest. The cow
screamed loudly as she pushed him along
the sandy bottom, occasionally standing on
him in the process.
It was difficult to take a brain shot as
she had her backside toward me and the
river was too narrow to go around her.
Things turned from bad to worse when
the game scout, seeing he was no longer in
immediate danger, returned to the top of
the bank above Monty and the cow. He
then proceeded to open up on the cow with
a succession of shots from his FN issue
rifle, with Monty below. The 7.62 Nato
rounds hailed down in the general area, a
80 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
few hitting the cow and many striking the
sand perilously close to Monty.
This had little effect on the screaming
cow, the dust flying from her skin when the
occasional bullet struck her. Then to make
things more interesting, a bull, frantic
from the sound of the desperate cow, came
charging towards the chaos. A double tap
from the game scout’s rifle found their
mark on the bull’s forehead. The rounds
did little damage to the bull as they entered
the honeycombed bone matter, but caused
it to turn and run away with no permanent
damage.
Now for the first time in seconds I was
given the opportunity of a side brain shot,
but chose not to as the cow’s head was
against Monty’s chest and I was worried my
solid could deflect to Monty. He was now
held firmly between her knees and head,
and my other fear was that a brain shot
would cause her to die on top of Monty
and crush him.
Then for the first time I saw the cow start
to weaken and lose energy. At this moment,
as if he were Houdini, Monty slipped from
between her knees and squeezed out from
under her. As he extricated himself from
her grip I breathed a sigh of relief although
not knowing what the full extent was of
his injuries. He stumbled to his feet and
staggered away from her, giving me the
chance to administer the coup de grâce.
The matriarch lay motionless.
I immediately rushed to Monty who lay
in the shade of a mopane tree, his face and
shirt covered in blood. As I approached
him I asked the rhetorical question, «Are
you OK?» and was met with the answer
which sums up Monty›s character perfectly.
“How’s my rifle?” he asked, hardly able to
lift his bloodied head from the ground. I
walked back past the fallen cow and dug the
double from the boiling hot sand. Despite
a few minor scratches the gun was in good
order.
Although weak, the relief in his eyes was
clear that his favorite hunting rifle was still
in one piece, but he was in considerable
pain in his abdomen and pelvic area. We
needed to find medical attention urgently.
I ran back to where we had left the Land
Cruiser a few hours ago, and drove back as
fast as possible through the rugged terrain
to the riverbed where Monty lay.
As we loaded him into the front of the
vehicle he groaned from the excruciating
pain, and I feared there was some hidden
internal injury. Each bump along the way
produced another agonised groan.
Finally we reached the Shashi River that
marked the boundary of the hunting area.
We were rather low on fuel and decided to
stop at South Camp, where another hunting
party was camped. They were still out in
the field but the cook obliged with a 20
litre can, and we crossed the sandy riverbed.
I decided our closest medical help would
be a remote Catholic mission about 50
kilometers away. After an hour or so of
bumping down the rough road we arrived
at Manama Mission. We were greeted by
a young German doctor and his assistant
who were glad of a change from the rather
mundane work they were used to.
They took Monty in a wheelchair, and
an antiquated X-ray machine revealed a
fractured pelvis and a few broken ribs. He
had been incredibly lucky that day – perhaps
the soft sand had saved him from worse
injuries. After paying the $2 fee for their
services we arranged Monty’s ambulance
ride to hospital in Bulawayo, where he
spent the next ten days recuperating.
When he was released, Monty went home
to pack his Land Cruiser - he was leaving
the next morning to hunt an elephant bull
in the Zambezi Valley.
Guy was born and raised in Zimbabwe and
began hunting at an early age. After serving in
the BSAP until the age of 22, he took up a life
in the engineering world. After several years
of purchasing hunts through the Zimbabwe
Hunters Association, he decided in 1992 to do
it professionally. He now resides in RSA and
still guiding. Guy is married to Lisa and they
have two daughters, Shari and Jordyn.
 Classic
African Safaris
Without
Compromise
“Now therefore, please take
your weapons, your quiver and
your bow, and go out to the
field and hunt game for me.”
Genesis 27:3

S A F A R I S

+27 33 345 1034

safaris @ madubula . com
www . madubula . com
 On Safari with Grant Taylor
The lion that charged and was stopped a few feet from us
AHG: When and where were you born?
Grant Taylor: I was born in 1980 in Zimbabwe’s
capital city, Harare.
AHG: How did you get into hunting – what
was it that influenced you?
GT: I was raised on a farm and started
hunting at a very young age like most farm
kids. My father had always hunted and was
very influential in teaching us gun safety and
how to hunt properly. I was never in any doubt
as to what I wanted to do in life after my first
few early experiences.
AHG: With whom did you train, apprentice
and learn from?
GT: I worked under Pete Fick of Mokore
Safaris at the time, and with Russ and Geoff
Broom before going on my own. They were all
hugely experienced and giants of the industry.
AHG: The early years of professional hunting –
any embarrassing and interesting experiences?
GT: Embarrassing stories are too many to
mention all in one article. One that does come
to mind was following a wounded old buffalo
bull in the thick coastal forests in central
Mozambique. After several hours on the tracks
and having jumped the wounded bull several
times we were a little mentally drained and
maybe lost a bit of our sharpness. I saw at very
close range in the thick forest what looked like
the wounded bull lying down facing away from
82 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
us. I put the client in position and we both
shot in quick succession only to find it was a
dead tree stump that looked like a buffalo in
the low light of the forest.
Another was before I opened up my own
business as a PH. Working for another
company I had a client that had wounded a
large bushbuck that we were following up
with very little blood to follow on baked dry
ground. We were not making much progress so
we spread out 10 meters abreast and combed
slowly through the bush in the direction the
wounded bushbuck had ran off. As we came
over a slight rise no more than 10-15m in front
of me was a big bushbuck lying down facing
away from me. I was the only person that had
Nice herd of buffalo on the floodplains of the Zambezi Delta.
seen it and I tried to get the attention of the
client who was on my left hand side, but he
wasn’t catching my hand signals. Fearing the
bushbuck would spook and we would lose the
opportunity I decided to shoot the animal,
only to find that my bullet was the only bullet
in the animal. Fortunately in both cases the
actual wounded animals were both recovered,
but that night on the radio when breaking the
news of my mistake to the boss, thinking that
I would be let off the hook, I was told that
I had to pay full trophy fee for my bushbuck
mistake. I still have the shoulder mount of that
bushbuck in my office to remind me not to be
too quick on the trigger.
AHG: Anything you learnt about what not to
do?
GT: I learnt very quickly that a visibly nervous
or excited PH’s energy rubs off on the client,
who then tends to get excited and make
mistakes. Even if the PH is excited/nervous
inside, he must portray a cool, calm demeanor
on the outside which will in turn keep the
client calm and ensure that he makes a good
shot or, better still, hits the right animal.
AHG: Which countries/areas have you hunted?
GT: I have hunted in many areas throughout
Africa including Zimbabwe, South Africa,
Tanzania, Ethiopia, Cameroon and
Mozambique which is our home base and
country of primary operation. There are too
many specific areas to name within these
countries. Most of the areas have been great to
hunt but not all hunting areas are equal, that
is for sure.
AHG: What were some of the interesting
things that happened there?
GT: Hunting Lord Derby eland was always

something that I had wanted to do, and
no doubt it is a truly fantastic animal, but I
will never forget walking up to the first bull
I ever took with a client and being somewhat
disappointed by the body size compared to a
big Livingstone eland bull. Like a sable, they
stand very proud, and with the size of their
horns and huge dewlap it makes people tend
to think they are a lot larger than they are.
One of the most gut-wrenching moments
as a PH was on my first safari in Ethiopia
having wanted to guide a mountain nyala
hunt all my life. Finally I had made it happen
and the client missed a huge nyala within the
first hour of the first morning. But Lady Luck
smiled on us and we got a second chance at an
even bigger bull two hours later at 80 m, and
unfortunately we wounded and lost the bull.
After several hours of follow up and jumping
the bull once, the rain came down and it was
impossible to follow afterwards, and we never
managed to find that bull.
AHG: Where do you currently hunt and what
makes your area and your hunts special?
GT: I predominantly hunt in Mozambique
now as that has been the base of my operation
for the past 16-plus years, but on special request
with repeat clients I do often still hunt in other
destinations. What makes Mozambique so
special to me is that the country is so diverse in
terms of the different habitats. One always has
variety in terms of species and terrain to hunt
in, from the floodplains and palm forests of the
Zambezi Delta to the miombo woodlands and
granite inselbergs of the Niassa Reserve, to the
mopane and jesse bush of the Cahora Bassa
region. Also, the hunting itself is challenging
but the numbers of game are there, and if you
put in the time you will be get the reward.
Often in some of the areas that I have hunted
in like South Africa, you can shoot several
animals a day, and although it’s great fun every
now and again, it would be something I would
get bored with if it was always too easy.
AHG: Client hunts, experiences and memories
– Was there a most annoying, funny, etc.,
experience?
GT: Funny stories, again too many to detail,
in one article, but this was funny for everyone
else in the hunting party but not so funny for
me. We had a client who requested a crocodile
trophy but didn’t want a huge trophy as he
didn’t have the space to mount it and would
be happy with something in the 10-12ft range,
which is not a request one typically gets. We
started the safari in an area of ours for buffalo
and other species which we finished pretty
My bushbuck that I mistakenly shot thinking it was the client’s wounded bushbuck.
quickly, but this area was not renowned for
many crocodiles. However, we had seen in
an oxbow lake that there was a croc in it that
would meet the client’s criteria, so we went to
take a look at it. The whole lagoon was covered
in heavy weed and papyrus and we couldn’t
see anywhere that the croc came out to sun
himself where we would be able to get a shot.
He would sun himself on top of the papyrus
making it impossible to stalk him. We had 7-8
days left in the safari, and the lagoon was only
about 50mx50m, so I suggested to the client to
take the shot at the croc in the water as there
was no current for us to lose the croc in.
We discussed all the possible scenarios and
agreed that this was the best and only way
forward. The client took the shot and the
croc rolled over and sank to the bottom of the
lagoon which was expected. What we weren’t
too sure of was how many days it would take
for it to float, as water temperature and other
factors play a significant role in this. So we left
and came back every day for the next two days
looking to see if it had floated, but nothing.
We tried grappling hooks but with the reeds
and papyrus it was impossible to try and snag
it. Obviously we were all getting a little anxious
about it, especially me as I had suggested to the
client to take the shot while it was in the water.
On the third day we went back with some rope
and a tractor tube, and I was fairly confident I
would be able to convince one of my trackers
to retrieve the animal for me with a financial
incentive, but we had absolutely no takers, and
I was left to go in and sort it out myself.
Now if there is one croc in there, then there
can very easily be another or more that you
On Safari
don’t see. Anyway, I got into my underwear,
put on a brave face, and with the rope around
my waist paddled out to where the croc went
down. Everyone had strict instruction that if I
got taken by a croc to shoot me not the croc as
I wasn’t overjoyed with the idea of being eaten
alive by a croc. Anyway, I jumped in and it was
a lot deeper (and colder) than I thought, but
in the murky water I finally felt the horny back
on the top of the croc’s spine with my feet,
and cold shivers ran down my spine while I
waited for a bite to follow. After a few seconds
nothing happened and I was convinced it was
dead, so dived down and tied a rope to the croc
and we got it out. But that was the last time I
will ever suggest shooting a croc in the water.
AHG: What about any interesting trophies –
where they took place, how the hunt went.
GT: In 2019 I had a good Russian client of
mine, who hunts with me every year, come
for an 18-day safari for lion, leopard, buffalo
and everything else we could offer in our
concession in Niassa, northern Mozambique.
We have hunted together several times and
I know him well enough to know that he
never stays the full duration of any safari, so
I got started on prebaiting prior to his arrival.
Fortunately I did, as when he landed in the
charter plane he told me that he would be
going home in seven days, which meant we had
a monumental task ahead of us. He was also
not his usual enthusiastic self, and for the first
three days of the hunt he seemed very lethargic
and disinterested in the hunt, which meant we
missed several opportunities at species he was
after. That night we had a sit-down together
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 83

The elephant bull we followed for five days solid before getting him.
along with his cameraman and the next day but the adrenalin one feels when you check a
he was like a completely new man. We had bait and find that a big male has fed, and then
only shot one trophy the first three days and setting up and watching him come into the
the next four days we got a beautiful old male bait makes it all worth it.
lion, lovely leopard, buffalo and all the possible
plains game we had in the area. It was just one AHG: What is the best trophy animal one of
of those hunts that everything came together. your clients ever took?
GT: In 2012, with a good client friend of
AHG: Which is your favorite trophy animal to mine, I was fortunate enough to take a single-
hunt, and why? tusk elephant bull that tipped the scales at 102
GT: Got to be elephant, closely followed by lbs. We had heard from some local villagers of
lion. Elephant hunting is like a love/ hate a large elephant with only one tusk, but like
relationship. When you are midway through many of these reports of big elephants, one
an elephant hunt with long hikes every day, tends not to give them too much notice as they
sore feet, dehydration, dust and bugs, only to very rarely turn out to be truthful. A day later
find the elephant is too small or has broken we picked up tracks of 10 elephant bulls and
ivory, you have to turn around and start again. caught up to them late evening. A brief scan
You tend to ask yourself why you are doing of the herd, and we could see a very nice 50-
this to yourself, until you find the right bull, 55lb bull with nice symmetrical ivory as well as
then all is forgotten and you can’t wait to do the big single-tusked bull which at the time I
it all over again. Lion hunting is tough, with thought was in the 80-90lb range. The client was
many long days and nights trying to formulate adamant that he didn’t want the single-tusked
a winning plan, often with a lot of driving bull, so we had a bit of an arm wrestle back
between bait checks and replenishing of baits, and forth over the matter until he decided that
it was the right animal.
Fortunately there wasn’t
any ground shrinkage
when took the tusk
out, and everyone was
super happy when we
got the official weight
of the tusk a few days
later. This is something
I doubt I will ever have
the chance of doing
again.
AHG: Tell us about
a most memorable
A large Livingstone eland bull. Quite a bit bigger than hunt, without naming
the Lord Derby eland in terms of body size. names.
84 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
GT: Probably my most memorable hunt was
with a good Canadian friend of mine who
came for his third elephant hunt in 2016.
We had a pretty slow start to the hunt, and
midway through we got information from one
of my PHs who was doing a leopard hunt, of
three big bulls that had drunk in a riverbed in
an area of the concession where we had little
or no roads. We shot across there and checked
the tracks which by then were 24-36 hours
old, but they indeed were three very nice, so
we decided to start tracking them.
It was early season and the marulas were
still bearing fruit, so we hoped the bulls
wouldn’t head off cross-country and would
stick around the area for a few days, but we
knew we were in for a helluva walk regardless.
About three to four hours in on the first day
of tracking we found where they had rested
up against a termite mound, and we saw
the tusk marks against from one of the bulls
where he had lain down – it showed at least
4ft of thick, heavy ivory sticking out, which
meant that at least one of the bulls in this
group was definitely north of 60lbs and worth
pursuing. This gave us the energy we needed
to keep going.
We walked 11 hours that first day without
seeing or catching up to the bulls. Because of
the lack of roads in this particular part of the
concession we had to mark the last tracks on
our GPS and come back the next morning
and pick up where we left off. This continued
for the next three full days with 10-12 hour
walks without ever catching up to the bulls.
We did find several times where the bulls had
played in mud and a tusk had accidently gone
into the mud, so we would stop and measure
the depth of the hole and the diameter of the
tusks, and it looked like all three bulls would
be shooters.
Late on the fifth day of following them, we
caught them in some thick shrubs moving
back to the marula groves to feed. I quickly
got the client ready while I looked over the
three as they were getting ready to move,
and the wind wouldn’t hold for very long.
I nearly blew the success of the hunt as all
three bulls were spectacular, with the smallest
being easily 60 lb a side, but the biggest-
bodied bull was standing behind the other
two and was considerably bigger than the
others. But I couldn’t see his ivory, so we
quickly manoeuvered slightly and saw that
he was indeed the best of the three and I
motioned to the client to take him which he
did, and dropped him right there. He was a
tremendous bull with just under 80 lb on the
one side and a little over 55 lb on the other,
but he was an ancient old bull and we were
thrilled to have him.

AHG: Have you ever had a disaster of a client?
GT: Fortunately these are very few and far
between but, sadly, they do happen from time
to time. One of the toughest I recall was a
group of three overseas clients who came in
by private charter from South Africa direct to
the camp, one for an 18-day full bag hunt,
and the other two guys for leopard, buffalo,
sable, and plains-game hunts.
The first alarm bells went off when the King
Air landed and the three guys could hardly
walk out of the plane carrying enough empty
whisky bottles to euthanize a horse. Second
alarm bells were when we needed another
whole Land Cruiser just to offload the extra
alcohol that they had brought in for the hunt,
and then they informed me without any prior
warning, that the plane must collect them
in nine days as they would have to return
home early. We started well with two guys
getting great leopard the first night, and then
the partying started. The guy who hunted
the hardest left camp with a total of 4½ full
hunting days out of nine, and thankfully
managed all his species.
The other two guys made it three days
out of nine and got pretty close to achieving
their goals. The rest of the time was spent
consuming industrial quantities of alcohol in
the camp, day and night. At the end of the
hunt two of them were absolutely perplexed
as to why they hadn’t quite succeeded with
their goals for the safari. Anyway, thankfully
99% of the guys are great and enjoy the thrill
of the hunt.
AHG: What are your recommendations on
guns, ammo, or equipment for hunting in
your current camp(s)?
GT: It’s hard to beat a good scoped .375
H&H for a one-rifle battery with a 3-9
power scope with good, quick detachable
mounts. I haven’t used the .375 Ruger much,
but there are not too many places in Africa
that you won’t be able to find .375 H&H
ammo or a spare rifle if things go wrong with
a .375H&H. If you have a budget to spend
on a rifle setup, rather spend the money on
decent optics than spending everything on a
high-end rifle then end up scrimping on the
optics and ammunition. Also, I have yet to
find an outfitter or PH who doesn’t like Swift
ammo, so if your gun shoots this ammo well,
then stick with it.
AHG: Which guns and ammo are you using
to back-up on dangerous or wounded game
and tell us why?
GT: One of my many addictions in life is
double rifles. I have always been fascinated
with them and have been lucky enough to
My Heym .500NE and all the necessary
items for a PH to carry.
build up a small, unimpressive collection
of them. I have two double .500NE - one
is a Heym and the other a Ferlach, and I’m
equally fond of both and use them regularly.
I use reloaded ammunition with Swift
A-Frame softs and Woodleigh Solids and
both have proved perfect numerous times.
AHG: What was your closest brush with
death? If more than one – go for it and
explain!
GT: Like with all PHs there have been many
close shaves, but I am fortunate (touch wood)
to have never been mauled or knocked over
by anything other than a wounded warthog
several years ago that ran me over in some
thick brush while trying to get away. Probably
one of the most frightening experiences I’ve
had was facing a wounded lion’s charge that
fortunately we stopped within a few feet
of us. Thankfully, I have only had to do it
once but that certainly cleared any blockages
in the arteries. The closest I have come to
death was a client’s accidental discharge with
a .458 Lott that missed me by inches while
following up a wounded elephant after he
had assured me his rifle was on safety.
A lot of the time as a PH if you are alone
on a follow-up or with a single client, it’s
much easier to control a situation. Last
year with a big family of clients we were on
tracks of a small group of about 20 buffalo
in some thick, swampy papyrus. We had
bumped them several times in the hopes
that we would push them out of the papyrus
and then begin to hunt them conventionally
On Safari
again. As we approached the herd with the
wind on our backs hoping to push them out,
they jumped and started to run again. As is
usual when a herd stampedes it takes several
seconds to ascertain which direction the herd
is moving.
This time, strangely, we saw the oxpeckers
flying over our heads, which meant the
buffalo were not running away, but in our
direction. We couldn’t see anything other
than a wall of papyrus, and the noise the
stampeding buffalo made in the water meant
they couldn’t hear our shouting. We had
nowhere to go, with no trees to get behind
or any cover. With four clients behind me I
tried as best to shield the family and waited
for the buffalo to break cover, and fired a shot
in the air to turn them, which, thankfully,
they did at two paces. The clients had two
very high quality old Holland & Holland
double rifles that went for a bath in the mud
that day, but thankfully no one was hurt and
no damage to the weapons.
AHG: If you should suggest one thing to
your hunting clients to improve their safari
experience, with you, or with anyone else for
that matter - what would it be?
GT: Practice shooting from unconventional
positions such as off the side of a tree,
off shooting sticks, offhand or over your
backpack, as this is most likely what you
will need to be able to do in the field. Also
learn to shoot with both eyes open regardless
of whether it’s open sights or not. Another
is quick target acquisition, getting yourself
into position quickly while you wait for the
PH’s instructions. Rather have your rifle set
up, and try and locate the animal with your
scope than using your binoculars, especially
if the game is close and moving through the
brush, as you may only have a second or two
to make the shot. All too often clients try to
locate the animal with the binoculars then
put them down, take the gun out of the bag
and then try and locate the animal again
through their scope, by which time the game
is usually long gone.
AHG: What would be your dream safari if
you have one last safari to go on?
GT: I would dearly love to explore Southern
Sudan or Southern Angola. It’s unlikely
that hunting will ever reopen in these two
countries, but they have fascinated me for
a very long time. Southern Sudan still, after
many years of war, has some of the largest
migrations of animals on the planet, and I
have it on fairly good authority that there
are still very big elephant found in the Sudd
swamps.
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 85
 On Safari with Stephan Stamm
African Hunting Gazette: Tell us when and
where you were born, and something about
your family.
Stephan Stamm: I was born September 3,
1973 and raised in Switzerland. My family
comes from an architectural and development
background. However, my father was always
an avid and passionate hunter and always had
his own hunting areas in Europe, as well as
making regular trips to Africa for hunting.
AHG: How did you become a PH? How did it
all begin? Tell us the interesting bits.
SS: I grew up with hunting in my family and
since pre-school age I was in Africa every year
with my father for his hunting trips. In my
early twenties I got involved in the hunting
industry in Europe and got several of my own
hunting areas in the Czech Republic, Austria
and Germany. I started hunting in Africa
in 2007. Shortly after, I got involved with
Luke Samaras Safaris LTD in Tanzania and
from there became a PH and started my own
outfitting operation, Heritage Safaris.
AHG: Which countries have you hunted, what
are your thoughts on them and where are you
hunting these days?
SS: I have hunted in many European countries
and Russia as well. In Africa I have hunted
in South Africa, Cameroon, Zimbabwe
and Tanzania. These days I mainly hunt in
Tanzania where I am a fully licensed PH and
work in partnership with Luke Samaras Safaris
86 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
LTD. I also own a game reserve and outfitting
operation in South Africa.
AHG: What are your recommendations on
guns and ammo - for dangerous game and for
plains game?
SS: For hunting in Tanzania, I recommend for
my clients the most suitable all-round rifle,
being, in my opinion, a .375 H&H with a
good quality scope. Specifically for dangerous
game, if the client can handle it well, I like
the .416 Rigby. For plains game I recommend
the 7mm caliber, which probably has to do
with my European background where these
calibers are very popular.
AHG: Which guns and ammo are you using
to back-up on dangerous or wounded game?
SS: I use a .577 NE Watson Bros. with
Kynoch 750-grain ammunition. Besides this
I also have a Heym .470 and a Sauer .375.
AHG: What is your favorite animal to hunt
and why?
SS: Personally, my favorite animal to hunt
is buffalo, and leopard from a blind. Buffalo
hunts are always challenging, dangerous
and always different, which makes for an
unpredictable and exciting hunt as you
never know what to expect. Hunting a
leopard from a blind takes a lot of work
and calculated plans. One must really
understand and know the behaviors of the
cat to be successful.
AHG: Looking back, which was your greatest
trophy and why? Tell us a bit about the hunt.
SS: I don’t consider the biggest as the greatest
and most successful. More importantly (not
just to me but for most of my clients) is
that the trophy is an old, mature bull or cat.
Besides that, the important thing is the entire
experience of the hunt, from the actual hunts,
to the charter into the camp, the lunches in
the fields, the bonfires, the delicious meals, the
stories, the laughter and, of course, the new
and lasting friendships made.
AHG: What was your closest brush with
death? Looking back: Anything you should
have done differently?
SS: I’ve had several close encounters with
buffalo, but luckily I’ve never ended up being
seriously hurt. I think that has to do with a bit
of luck and a very good and experienced team
of trackers.
AHG: How has the hunting industry changed
over the years? And the hunting clients
themselves?
SS: In the yesteryears of hunting it was all
about getting the real African experience, and
time was not a factor. These days everyone
seems to have very limited time and therefore
want to cut down the duration of their safaris.
However they still want to bag numerous
species in a very short time. This just makes it
a bit more challenging and the safari lifestyle
gets a bit lost.
 On Safari

AHG: What qualities go into making a

successful PH?
SS: I think to be a good and successful PH
one must be very honest and straightforward
with clients. A good PH is also responsible
for showing clients an authentic bush/
safari lifestyle and not just making it about
harvesting the biggest trophy. Besides this,
he must be very familiar with the areas he is
hunting as well as with the behaviors of the
species. Lastly, a successful PH always needs a
dedicated and experienced team with him.

AHG: What qualities go into making a good

safari client?
SS: A good safari client must trust and listen to
the directions of the PH. It always helps to have
a calm and relaxed hunter and not someone who
puts too much pressure on themselves. He must
also be open to really getting the whole African
experience and not only be 100% focused on
getting the biggest trophy.
AHG: If you could suggest one thing to
your hunting clients to improve their safari
experience, what would it be?
SS: I would suggest not to rush the duration
of the hunt. This takes the pressure off and lets
the hunter enjoy all the other great things that
are a part of a hunting safari.
AHG: What can the hunting industry do to
contribute to the long-term conservation of
Africa's wildlife?
SS: I think the industry already does a lot
for the long-term conservation of Africa’s
wildlife.
I think the different groups and associations
must work together. It’s also important that
we as PHs and hunters paint the correct
picture of what we do and what’s behind it
and how it helps the conservation of wildlife.
The industry should also enforce strict codes
of conduct for PHs and outfitters to eliminate
the few that give this industry a bad name.
AHG: If you have a wife, or partner, what is
her advice to future wives of PHs? And what
about children?
SS: PHs are often away from their wives,
children and family. This often puts strains on
relationships. I think it’s just as hard for the
PHs as it is for their families. Luckily my wife
is very understanding and supportive. Also,
not having children makes it a bit easier.
AHG: Any last Words of Wisdom?
SS: Sustainable, controlled and ethical
hunting is a major part of the long-term
conservation of African Wildlife. The only
way this huge part of conservation will
keep going in the future is by getting the
upcoming generations involved in hunting
and educating them on how hunting
conserves wildlife. Get your kids involved
from a young age to instill this knowledge
within them.

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 87
 On Safari
On Safari with Paddy Curtis
African Hunting Gazette: When did your
parents come to Africa?
Paddy Curtis: My parents came out to Africa
after WW2, travelled down from Kenya,
and settled in Rhodesia. My father became a
teacher and Head Master of Ruzawi School (a
private boys’ school), and married Gayle. Their
son Sean works in Brisbane, Australia.
AHG: When were you born.
PC: I was born on 9 July 1959 in Salisbury
(now Harare).
88 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
AHG: What made you interested
in hunting?
PC: I did a lot of birdshooting
while still at school, then later
joined the Game Department after
doing National Service, but then
decided to go hunting after three
years with Parks.
AHG: Who did you start hunting
with?
PC: In 79-80, I started hunting
with Zambezi Hunters Ian Piercy.
I first apprenticed under Bill Wixly
(late) killed in action, then Bruce
Austin.
AHG: What was one of the most useful things
you learnt?
PC: I think getting to know the behaviour of
animals.
AHG: Where have you hunted and where are
you hunting now?
PC: I have hunted Zimbabwe, Zambia and
Tanzania. I am still hunting Tanzania and
Zimbabwe.
AHG: If you had had the chance to choose
any place to hunt, where would it have been?
PC: I think the Selous Game Reserve when
rhino was on licence and there were plenty of
elephants.
AHG: Tell us what kind of hunting you enjoy
most.
PC: Elephant. I enjoy tracking and am always
hoping for a big one.
AHG: What was your best trophy?
PC: It was a 50” buffalo in Masailand with
Alban Scheiber.
AHG: And a client’s best trophy?
PC: I was hunting Masailand with an American
and another PH, with a New Zealand client.
The hunt was going well. One afternoon the
Kiwi client and PH came back very happy with
a 47” buffalo, but I was luckier I brought a 48”
buffalo back to camp.
AHG: Tell us about any disaster you might
have had when on safari.
PC: Disaster? I had meat hanging in the
kitchen in the Zambezi Valley. A big pride of
lions ate it, and the Italian client left the next day
scared like hell.

AHG: Name your favorite weapons and ammo.

PC: I like the .300, .375 (Nosler) (Swift A-frame)
Trophy Bonded Bear Claw Solids.

AHG: What would you recommend for backup

on wounded animals?
PC: I would say .470 Federal Solids, Bear Claw
Solids. I like 12 gauge for wounded leopard.

AHG: Tell us about any brush with death that you

might have had.
PC: In Masailand, had a buffalo with a great shot
in middle of the gut. Being young and thinking I
was bullet proof I went in too fast.
It was already lying down but had gone into
thick korongo. Trackers heard it close by, but I
continued. It charged from 8 to 10 metres.
I had a .458 with solids. I shot for the brain but
bullet whistled through and it didn’t even flinch.
As I put the next bullet in I was flying, but luckily
it hit me dead on with the boss away from the
sharp tips. After I was hit the client put two more
to finish the buffalo. I stood up and blood started
running down my leg.
I started to feel the shock so sat down again.
The client’s wife was an anesthesiologist. I was
split between balls and anus, and she stitched me
up that night. Everything was black and blue. We
got another PH and I drove myself to Arusha to
see Doctor Ali who just gave me some antibiotics.
The PH got malaria so had to continue to hunt,
but the client had to drive as I couldn’t sit too
good, haha.

AHG: Any comment about the future of hunting?

PC: I think in Tanzania the hunting slowed down
a bit with all the trophy fees going up so much.

AHG: If you had your time again, anything you

would have changed?
PC: Looking back I wouldn’t have done anything
different. I have enjoyed the 40 years of a great
life.

AHG: What is your opinion on safaris today.

PC: In the old days everybody had time for long
21- to 28-days safaris. Now they all want shorter
hunts with the same number of trophies.

AHG: What advice would you give to ensure a

successful safari?
PC: I think being able to get on with all clients
and keep them happy. Do your best to get best
trophies and run a good camp, and supervise all
skinning and trophy preparation.

AHG: What is the best kind of safari client?

PC: Best safari clients come to hunt, but don’t
worry too much about inches.
admin@huntingsafaris.net www.huntingsafaris.net
 Rifles in Africa

Is Bigger Always Better?

Karl Stumpfe
When the conversation turns to buffalo hunting, one of the hottest discussion points involves
what caliber is best for nyati. This normally divides the camp into two groups, one promoting
the mantra that bigger is better, and the other stating that all you need is a .375. The
question is who is right and, more specifically, is bigger always better?

down, in other words, buffalo that were still

found alive after following up and had to be
shot again to bring them down. Remember
that we routinely wait a couple of minutes
after the first shot, before we start a follow-
up, so by the time a buffalo is found again,
he would normally have died if the first shot
were fatal.
Wounded and lost buffalo were those that
were shot and tracked, but not found. In one
case, a buffalo that was initially deemed lost
after it was shot and tracked for a day and a
half, was found dead three days later, but still
placed in the wounded and lost category. I
figured that since the vultures and lions found
it before us, after we had given up hope on it,
it should count as a wounded and lost animal.
Of the 66 buffalo in my sample, 28 were
hunted with a caliber in the 9.3 to .375 range
and the remaining 38 were hunted with
bigger calibers.
If we compare the two cartridge classes with
Buffalo hunted by Rion van Heerden, with about the perfect buffalo rifle, a scoped .416 regards to one-shot kills, we see that nearly the
Rigby. It still required multiple shots to kill it. Inserted, is one of the recovered perfectly same number (22 vs. 21) were one shot kills.
expanded bullets. But if you consider that only 28 were hunted
with the .375 class, and 38 with the bigger

A
rmchair experts continually throw
around terms like “energy transfer”,
“energy dump” and “energy release”.
Or brag how they could visually see the more
pronounced effect of their bigger caliber.
I am also a bit of an armchair ballistician,
so this prompted me to look at the data I
have collected during the last few seasons of
buffalo we hunted, to see if I could confirm
the perceived logic that bigger is better. I
had always believed in Ruark’s “use enough
gun…”
To compare apples with apples, I figured
that we should focus on the first shot on a
buffalo, as that remains the most important.
I have excluded all buffalo where the client
requested an automatic follow-up shot or fired
second shots before the buffalo disappeared.
I did not exclude obvious bad first shots by
hunters. I only included buffalo that were
hunted with expanding bullets, as I do not
believe in solids for first shots on buffalo at all,
and advise my clients against the use of such.
Most of these buffalo were hunted under free-
range conditions in Namibia’s Caprivi.
This left me with a sample of 66 buffalo,
which I sorted into two caliber groups, those
hunted with a 9.3 or a .375, and those that
were hunted with a bigger caliber. I then split
these two caliber groups into the following 3
categories: one-shot kills, multiple-shot kills,
and wounded and lost.
To qualify as a one-shot kill, the buffalo had
to succumb after only one shot, and it had
to be found dead or dying within 300 yards
of being shot. Insurance shots on already
down and dying buffalo were not counted as
multiple shots, but for safety purposes only.
I defined multiple shot kills as buffalo that
required more than one shot to be brought
cartridges, the figures lean heavily in favor of
the smaller cartridges. The .375 class achieved
nearly 80% one-shot kills, compared with a
mere 55% by the bigger calibers.
If we look at buffalo that required multiple
shots to kill, the .375 class only needed
multiple shots in five cases compared to the
bigger calibers that needed multiple shots in
13 cases.
In the case of wounded and lost buffalo, it
happened four times with the bigger calibers,
compared to only once with the .375 class of
calibers.
These numbers are also expressed in the
accompanying graphs, where I also split the
bigger cartridge group up into three different
groups just for interest sake. The figures for
.500-plus calibers approaches that of the .375
class, but that may be due to the low number
of buffalo hunted with this class of cartridge

90 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
(five) and/ or to the fact that most hunters
carrying these calibers tend to be more
experienced hunters.
These figures indicate that the hunters with
a plain old .375 did much better on one-
shot kills than the hunters using the bigger
calibers, and further also lost significantly
fewer wounded buffalo than the bigger
caliber group. This does not make sense.
Assuming all other factors being equal, the
bigger calibers should make bigger wounds
and thus kill better. What factors could have
contributed to this?
Accuracy:
As all these buffalo were shot within 80 yards,
and as I believe that all the rifles used were
capable of at least half a minute of buffalo
lung at that range, accuracy per se was not the
issue. Rather, the ability to make an accurate
shot under field conditions may have been
the most important contributing factor. A
scoped rifle is generally much easier to shoot
than an unscoped rifle. Most modern-day
hunters grow up using scopes, and hardly
ever use open sights. A scope has two clear
advantages when it comes to buffalo hunting.
Remember that buffalo are as black as the
ace of spades, coupled with the fact that
they often stand or lie in the shade. A scope
helps you see exactly what is buffalo and what
may be a dead leadwood tree trunk. It also
makes it much easier to precisely place that
all-important first shot. Although it is great
fun to get close enough to hunt a buffalo with
open sights, I would advise against it unless
you are very proficient with these kinds of
sights, but rather install a red dot or reflex
type of sight.
Of the 66 buffalo hunts, all the .375 class
rifles were equipped with scopes, and only
76% of the rifles in the bigger class were
scoped. This factor alone may be the biggest
contributing factor to explaining why the
smaller class of cartridges performed better
than the bigger class. If you see better, you
shoot better…
Shot placement:
As previously stated, an obvious bad first shot
did not disqualify a buffalo from the group. It
is obvious that the bigger calibers accounted
for more marginal and bad shots than the .375
class. A couple of factors may have influenced
this, with the increase in recoil being my top
pick. It is just a fact that the more recoil a rifle
generates, the less likely it is that a hunter can
shoot it accurately. This could be seen on the
shooting range already, where at least half of
the hunters using the bigger calibers were not
comfortable with their rifles. It is not rocket
even though they know the shot is off. I
think they subconsciously believe that the
extra horsepower of their cartridge will make
up for their lack of careful aiming. In effect,
they rely on the impressive muzzle energy
of the cartridge to do the killing for them.
I am not a firm believer in muzzle energy as
a measure of a cartridge’s efficiency. Energy
cannot be created or destroyed, it can merely
be converted from one form of energy to
another. The terms “dumping energy” and
“transferring all its energy” are the most
misleading statements I have ever heard, and
if people believe them, they will hang onto
These cartridges perfectly represent the four
the “more energy equals more killing power”
groups mentioned in the article and graphs. myth. The kinetic energy of a projectile is
From left to right a .375 H&H, .416 merely an indication of the amount of work
Rigby, .450 Rigby and a .505 Gibbs. that projectile can do.
Energy basically refers to the kinetic energy
science, but every single one-shot kill was of the bullet. According to the first law of
because the heart, lungs, or neck was hit with thermodynamics, energy cannot be created or
that first shot. Placement counts. destroyed, only converted. It can be transferred
The heavier weight of the rifle in some of to an object, in the form of heat or work. It is
the bigger calibers could also be a factor. Very basically the ability of the moving object (the
few buffalo are shot close to the truck, and bullet) to do its work on an object (the buffalo),
by the time a hunter has carried his rifle a and the result in the case of an expanding
couple of miles in the thick white sand of the bullet is the work that is done on the buffalo
Caprivi under a blazing hot sun, coupled with and the bullet. This relationship is often
misunderstood,
thus people believe
that energy is the
killer. This is not
true. It merely
indicates what
work a specific
bullet can do, not
how well it kills.
So, when the bullet
hits a buffalo, the
energy measured
in Joules or Foot
pounds (ft.lbs),
is then converted
from kinetic
energy (as the
This massive old bull was hunted with a Ruger No. 1 single shot in .375 bullet slows down)
H&H caliber, and that one shot was enough to get it down and out. to thermal energy
(heat), mechanical
and elastic energy or
the adrenaline of just being among animals work. This is what makes the bullet expand,
that can and will kill you, his shot placement forms the permanent wound channel, and
may not be what it was at the shooting range. creates a temporary wound channel or stretch
cavity. Of these possible conversions of the
The Big Energy Myth… original kinetic energy, only one of them is
Overconfidence in the impressive muzzle deadly to the target (buffalo), and that is the
energy of the cartridge that the hunter was permanent wound channel. If that permanent
using may have also contributed to shots wound channel is not made through a vital
being taken that were marginal at best. Some organ, it is not effective, and it does not
hunters believe all the hype they have read matter how much more energy that projectile
about “dumped’ or “transferred” energy of has “transferred” to the target or what
the bigger calibers, and thus pull the trigger percentage of the kinetic energy was used to
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 91
 NAMIBIA

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 Rifles in Africa
do the work of forming this Graphs and Tables
permanent wound channel. Graph 1:
The temporary wound channel
and the heat transferred, does
nothing to kill the buffalo.
In smaller animals, this
temporary cavity may have a
more pronounced effect, but
not on buffalo or even animals
the size of a kudu. Also,
projectiles that exit, do not
“waste” kinetic energy by not
“expending” its energy inside
the animal, as the maximum
amount of work has already
been done. That energy is
not wasted, the projectile has A collage of expanded bullets recovered
done the maximum amount
out of buffalo, Woodleigh, Barnes TSX,
of work possible, so how can
Peregrine, North Fork, Trophy Bonded
“dumping” or “transferring
of more energy” have made it Bear Claw. Graph 2 (alternative look with same data as graph 1):
more effective at this stage? If
a bullet does not make a permanent wound channel that destroys a vital organ,
that animal is likely wounded, no matter the energy figure.
To put energy further into perspective, let us take the Namibian minimum
for buffalo hunting. The regulations require a rifle to generate 5400 Joules of
energy at the muzzle (note no caliber restriction). This translates to enough
energy to heat roughly 1.3 liters of water by one degree Celsius - all the water
in an immature dik-dik. So, if you “dump” all that energy into a dik-dik (our
smallest antelope), in the form of heat (transferred energy), do you think it will
kill it? I do not think so. It is not the transferring or conversion of the energy
that kills, but some of the work done by that energy in the form of creating a
permanent wound channel. If you “dump” more energy into the equation, it
does not mean that this work is done more effectively at all, because the only
measure we have of the efficiency is the death of the animal.
The Namibian minimum of 5400 Joules of energy translates to roughly 3980
in ft.lbs. My loaner gun in camp has accounted for the majority of the one-shot
kills in the 9.3/.375 class. It is a .375 H&H loaded with 300gr Barnes TSX Graph 3:
bullets at 2 450 ft/ sec. This translates to 4000 ft/lbs, just barely making the
minimum, but it is an extremely reliable buffalo killer. In perspective, it killed
14 of the 16 buffalo that were hunted with this combination, with one shot.
Another example: Hornady’s .450/.400 NE factory ammo does NOT qualify
under the Namibian law, as the energy is only 3733 ft.lbs, but it also kills
buffalo easily. Therefore we need to stop believing ballistic tables and start
believing that the only way to kill anything is to hit a vital organ. Maybe more
so with the big stuff. No buffalo can survive a proper shot through its vitals,
no matter what the common belief is. I did not keep such accurate records for
all the buffalo I have hunted (enough to have a strong opinion), but out of
experience, every single buffalo that did not succumb to the first shot, received
a bad shot.
In conclusion, bigger is not always better if you cannot handle the added recoil
and rifle weight. Use a caliber with which you can shoot comfortably, preferably
with a scope. If that is a lowly .375, you will be fine. You can always have the
scope mounted in quick detachable mounts if
you are more proficient with open sights for a Table 1:
possible follow-up situation. And a .375 class
9.3 and .375 .416 to .423 .458 to .470 .500 and larger
rifle, with proper premium expanding bullets,
mounted with a low-powered scope is about One-shot kills 22 12 5 4
perfect for hunting buffalo if you stick to the
Multiple-shot kills 5 8 4 1
basics and shoot it well.
So - use enough gun, but not more than you Lost/wounded 1 2 2 0
can handle. Total 28 22 11 5

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 93
 Rifles in Africa
Rigby locked-down and loaded
Groundhog Day is how my other-half describes lockdown. Every morning she gets up to
make some effort to construct useful and positive ways of serving her industry while not
being allowed to go anywhere or see anyone. It’s hard to remain disciplined and motivated.
M
any British businesses were faced
with little option but to mothball
everything during the current
virus pandemic, putting workers on 80%
salaries paid for by Government under the
furlough scheme. Most did just that in March
of this year.
The London gun trade closed down
- factories that could not provide the
government-mandated social distancing of
two meters between benches had no choice.
Production ceased. Outworkers, or those
with a bench at home, carried on doing what
they could, but supplies of consumables
became hard to order as the shelves of
the wholesalers emptied, or because there
was simply nobody there to answer the
telephone.
Bucking the trend, the team at Rigby
decided on a very different strategy for
facing down the challenge of COVID-19.
Just before the lockdown was announced in
94 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
By Diggory Hadoke
March, managing director, Marc Newton
asked his staff what they wanted to do.
As a team, they sat down as equals and
discussed the options. Whatever strategy
they adopted, it would have to be one they
decided upon themselves and one they were
happy to implement and adhere to when the
going got tough, as it surely
would.
Nobody knew how long
the lockdown would be kept
in place. Some thought three
weeks. However, four months
later, businesses are only
just beginning to explore
ways of resuming some
version of normal service.
Rigby has, remarkably, kept
production running for the
entire lockdown period, not
only keeping production on
schedule, but finding the time
and creative resources to embark on some
special projects.
Three weeks before the implementation
of the official lockdown policy, Rigby’s
management anticipated the scenario
and started discussing how best to face it
down. Any workers with underlying health

conditions were told to stay at home, as were
those who had a bus or train journey to get
them to work.
The gunmakers decided on a radical course
of action. Rather than endure enforced
isolation at home, with no work to do, they
preferred the option of isolating as a group
in the factory for however long was necessary
to wait out the worst of the chaos that was
enveloping the outside world. That way, they
could maintain productivity for the company
in which they all take great pride of being a
part. Customer orders would be fulfilled, cash
flow would be maintained, morale and a sense
of achievement in adversity would be a bonus
and, of course, they would get fully paid and
even take the opportunity to put in some
useful overtime.
Locking a dozen men in a relatively confined
space for weeks on end is not a plan without
its flaws. Marc Newton’s job now was to make
sure it worked without becoming a twenty-first
century gun trade version of Lord of the Flies.
Marc’s vision was closer to Band of Brothers. A
nice idea, but how did it work out?
Talking to everyone who works at Rigby, it
is clear that the ethos of teamwork and shared
passion runs through everything they do. This
is not easy to develop in a factory setting. Yet,
here there do not appear to be any barrack-
room lawyers or friction between workforce
and management. Rather, they understand
that for one of them to do well, they all have to
do their best, and then the rewards will come.
Marc said: “The guys in the factory are
more of a family than a team, it’s like a
brotherhood. When you throw passion and
dedication into something like this, the rest
takes care of itself.”
Still, structure is needed to make sure some
kind of routine and some rules keep everyone
happy. Marc made sure that overtime was not
excessive. He did not want men working too
much and getting tired or stressed. So, hours
were limited and exercise was timetabled
in the makeshift gym. Rest periods and the
social benefits of a barbecue in the carpark
every evening were huge. Beer was procured
and a bar set up, and Rigby carried on as the
world outside stopped working.
As the only man without the bench skills
to work on the product, Marc rolled up his
sleeves and cooked the meals every day. He
stocked the freezer with half a cow from the
Highlands and the team munched their way
through it, while taking turns to choose a
movie for the evening and opening a beer or
two.
Entertainment was provided by the
apprentice who became the in-house joker,
with light relief by Marc’s spaniel puppy
Spot, who is now so ruined he has had to
be returned to his trainer for some intensive
remedial work.
The team-building benefits of an exercise
like seven weeks in lockdown together
cannot be over played. Every member of staff
got better acquainted with his peers both
professionally and personally, and the bond
created by shared experience is one that will
strengthen Rigby as a company long into the
future.
Now, as the storm clouds dissipate and the
country makes its first tentative steps into the
emerging light, Rigby’s gunmakers are back
at home, delighted to be there, yet secretly
missing their old comrades-in-arms, telling
tall tales around the braai.
These were productive times; with the
luxury of time and the freedom to talk at
length, the team conceived and developed
some ideas for new product lines, special
edition rifles and shotguns.
They also made strides in
maintaining production and
keeping delivery times on
schedule. It has not gone
unnoticed by customers.
Rigby went into the
lockdown hoping to stave
off the worst effects of an
economic crisis. Somehow,
they just posted their best
quarterly sales figures for two
years.
One must remember that
despite the two centuries
of existence that Rigby’s
trade label announces to the
Rifles in Africa
world, the actual company as it is today was
only created seven years ago. It has been an
enormous challenge to build a team that can
deliver the orders generated by the sales team
in a time scale acceptable to customers. To
state it blandly, the major challenge facing
a bespoke gunmaker is to build production
capacity that matches sales ability.
2020 was the year Rigby comfortably
achieved this balance for the first time. The
virus pandemic threatened to wipe out these
advances, but clever management, an ‘all in
this together’ team spirit, and a workforce
determined to face a crisis with a smile on
their collective face has turned adversity to
advantage.
Never a company to stand still, Rigby is busy
expanding the premises, as well as developing
new special editions. The recent success of the
Tsavo rifles in .375 H&H Magnum, and the
Mopane series in .450 Rigby, which all sold
out very quickly, indicates there is demand
for these limited edition projects, and they
will continue.
Reflecting on the experience, Marc said;
“It could have gone one of two ways: either
one or two people bash heads and morale
falls apart, or the experience forms a bond
that makes the group become more than
the individuals within it. Fortunately that is
exactly what happened. I did not want the
team to burn out and I’m glad we got home
while we were still enjoying the adventure.
Now, should it become necessary to do the
whole thing again, I’m sure the whole team
would be up for it.”
And so draws to a conclusion a remarkable
episode in the long story of Rigby, a period
about which, no doubt, the historians will
one day write. This particular tale is one of
triumph over adversity.
For further information about John Rigby &
Co. visit: www.johnrigbyandco.com
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 95
 So, you want to get a Big
Bore? Part 2 …
Single shot, double or bolt action?
By Francois van Emmenes

A Sabatti .450NE with non-automatic safety, ejectors and double triggers. Sabatti received some bad press over early model
regulation issues, but the new rifles are good value for money. The .450NE is the icon of dangerous game calibers.

I
f here is one thing that I have learnt over
the years it is that experience, personal
preferences, and how we hunt will
determine what rifle we buy. Although I collect
rifles and ammunition, I consider myself a
hunter before anything else, and the decision
of whether or not I want to buy a specific rifle
will depend very much on whether or not I can
hunt with it. I also know many fellow hunters
who would collect or buy a rifle purely for the
sheer joy of owning it and would not consider,
for a moment, firing their vintage double rifle
or shotgun, for instance. To each his own.
The choice of which rifle configuration to
buy is very much a personal matter – taste,
the quality on offer, the intended use, future
resale value – the list goes on… There are,
however, a few very important considerations
to take into account before you part with your
hard-earned cash. As AHG is primarily a
hunting magazine, I will look at this from the
perspective of a hunter in pursuit of large and/
or dangerous game. Books have been written –
such is the scope of the subject matter, but let’s
try and condense that in one article.
I do not think there is a gun lover the does
not appreciate the classic, beautiful lines of
the English-made, falling block of yesteryear.
Selous’ writings did much for the design,
and for many years it was extremely popular.
Ruger, of course, made this a tremendous
commercial success with their No1, and it
remains an icon. It is an immensely strong
design, and in its heyday reigned supreme
in shooting competitions. There are no
regulation issues like one could experience
with a double, and generally it is lighter – as
important a consideration today for (mostly
not as fit?) hunters as it was for the ivory
hunters of yesteryear who would beat the trail
for sometimes hundreds of kilometers during
a single week. All else being equal, it will

96 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
 On Hunting and Shooting

potentially handle the same (if not sometimes

better) than a double. It has, of course, only
one shot between reloading, and yes, in the
hands of a competent shooter can be as fast as a
bolt action. In reality though, most occasional
safari clients will not gain adequate experience
with a single shot rifle to be on par with either a
double or bolt action in this regard. The latter
is an important consideration. Yes, the PH
is there to sort out problems when things go
pear-shaped, but it is your bacon on the line as
well… An accurate single shot rifle is fantastic
for non-dangerous game where a follow-up
shot is normally taken at a departing animal.
For dangerous game though, I consider it a
somewhat - if not a major - risk. For the first-
time dangerous-game rifle buyer, it is not an
The author’s custom-built .500 Jeffery on a Brno VZ24 action, 3-position Winchester
option unless he or she is prepared to spend
type safety and Walther barrel. His favorite load is a 535gr soft at about 2300 ft/s
considerable time and effort to become totally
proficient in its handling, and especially in and it is his favorite dangerous-game rifle. Built by Magnum Arms of Nelspruit,
lightning-quick reloading. South Africa.
The double rifle is the the rifle can shoot – yes, this is a great safety
embodiment of the classic big- feature, but if you are unfamiliar with it can
game safari, and will get most cost you your life. Equally so with automatic
hunters’ blood pumping. When safeties - a great feature, but a potential hazard
well built, with proper balance when you are not used to it.
and stock dimensions, it handles You shoot a buffalo bull in thick scrub
like a charm. It is generally and reload as he is crashing through the
more compact than a bolt action undergrowth away from you. In the
rifle, and in situations where excitement you forget to disengage the safety
maneuverability is a concern as you walk up on the prostrate “dead” bull
(think dense, forest-like terrain) minutes later. The PH is distracted or forgets
it has a distinct advantage in this to question your rifle’s status. The bull comes
regard. The major advantage, to life and charges at close quarters while
though, is that it offers an you are jerking away at a trigger that will not
instantaneous second shot, and move… The seconds it takes you to realize
it does so in silence… No need the safety is engaged can cost you your life.
to work a noisy bolt again to eject A simple example perhaps, but it illustrates
a spent case and chamber a fresh the point. Another consideration to ponder
round. How relevant this is for on is the possibility of an unnoticed (or even
the sport hunter visiting Africa is noticed!) double discharge – something I have
debatable. More often than not seen countless times. It can be as a result of a
you will have the opportunity slipping trigger finger on a double trigger rifle,
to reload (without the need for or just a sear that slips and it happens to even
total silence) while your quarry is high-end rifles. If this happens, pray you have
running away or has hit the ground enough time to reload.
Author's Sabatti .450NE featuring the RMR sight. Most current-day double rifle manufacturers
upon receipt of shot number one.
You will most certainly have a will include information on the rifle’s regulation
professional next to you that could back you cocking mechanisms, ejectors versus extractors, ammunition in the box. The current trend
up in case of an immediate charge. automatic safeties, and single or double trigger is to use well-known manufacturers’ bullets
To my mind, the benefit of a totally silent mechanisms. I am of the school that believes to produce acceptable groups at 50 or up to
second shot comes into play for professionals in muscle memory, and prefer a non-automatic 70 yards at traditional bullet speeds for that
doing problem animal control work at very tang-mounted safety, single trigger shotgun or caliber. Access to these bullets or an acceptable
close quarters – also subject matter that could rifle with ejectors. The reason is simple – I have substitute must also be considered, as getting
fill a book. I know a few professional hunters been shooting this configuration my whole life a double to regulate with a different bullet,
who advise clients to carry a soft in one barrel and have so gotten used to it that loading and case, primer and propellant combination
and a solid in the other – advice based on the shooting becomes second nature. Every year can be a cumbersome, but not impossible
premise that their rifle has a barrel selector and I certainly shoot shotguns a thousand times task. Added to this is the fact that a double
the client can therefore choose which bullet more than my double rifle, so the latter has may be regulated with softs and shoot to a
to send on their way first on a buffalo bull, to fit in with the former’s muscle memory. different point of impact with solids – a real
depending on the situation. The choice of rifle Compare this with certain designs that require conundrum in a scenario where both are called
is very important when considering different a cocking piece to be moved forward before for, such as hunting buffalo. To me, a scope

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 97
 On Hunting and Shooting
on a double rifle just looks out of place, but
one has to consider that sometimes function
takes preference over form. I cannot shoot
accurately with open sights any more as my
middle-aged eyes will not allow it. Instead,
I have opted for RMR sights on both my
.450NE and .500 Jeffery – do what will make
you shoot the best.
The proponents of the bolt-action rifle have
many valid arguments. Firstly, they will claim
that it offers more firing power as the magazine
(in some instances) can hold up to five rounds.
A valid point in my opinion. Consider an
animal, not properly hit, running away and
offering the opportunity of a second, third or
even fourth shot – these shots may just make
the difference in anchoring or permanently
incapacitating it, and it getting away. They
will also say that, in trained hands, the second
shot from a bolt-action is only fractionally
slower than that of a double. A further point
is that a well-built bolt action rifle, on an
appropriate action, is far more reliable and
rugged than a double – and this I have to
agree with 100%. My personal belief (shared
by many) is that an intricate design with puny
extractors has no place in the pursuit of Africa’s
dangerous game. Here, the controlled-feed,
dual-opposing front-locking lugs and huge
extractor claw extractor of the “M-98” design
reigns supreme. The difference can become
apparent when temperatures soar to 110
Fahrenheit and your “normal” load, developed
far away from Africa in cold conditions, now
becomes a “tropical” load. A controlled feed
action with its huge, non-rotating extractor
claw offers far more insurance in getting a
case stuck in the chamber out of there. Above
all else, I appreciate the simplistic reliability
of the way a cartridge chambers, gripping
the case rim and keeping control over the
By comparison, the bolt face of a .270
Win Musgrave Model 83, a push feed
design. Notice the puny extractor
claw – not the one you need
when a case is stuck in the
chamber…
98 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
The bolt of the author’s .500 Jeffery holding a cartridge
in place with only the aid of the huge extractor claw.
Controlled and reliable feeding and extraction is crucial in a
dangerous-game rifle.
The recoil of the relatively “manageable” .458 Win Mag in the hands of Christiaan
Swart at a local BASA (Big Bore Association of Southern Africa” shoot. Learning
to manage recoil and knowing where your personal threshold is, is important when
choosing which calibre to buy.
cartridge at all times. Compare this with the used for a plains-game hunt is not the best
flimsy hook extractor claws of many push feed option for an elephant hunt a week later – do
designs - they may not snap over the case head your planning and ensure you are familiar with
properly upon closure of the bolt, or where a it. The same goes for your choice of rifle. For
cartridge does not want to feed (for any reason me personally, the controlled feed, 3-possition
whatsoever). The result is normally a cartridge safety bolt action reigns supreme.
stuck partially or fully in the chamber. You Fantastic books have been written on the
now withdraw the bolt and push it forward, subject:- African Dangerous Game Rifles by
scooping up another round from the magazine Pierre van der Walt (still available in the USA
and jamming that into the back of the stuck from www.outdoorvisions.com), Rifles for
one… Big problems when facing dangerous Africa by Gregor Woods, and of course AHG
game! Similarly, dirt, sand and dust can, and contributor Craig Boddington’s Safari Rifles
probably will, get into your action, and here is and Safari Rifles II – all excellent reference
where you want a design that had its origins in works by highly experienced riflemen.
trench warfare. In the next issue we look at caliber choices,
Bolt actions are also capable of better ammo and practice. Until then, happy hunting
accuracy, not that it is that important when and shoot straight!
pursuing dangerous game as “minute of clay
pigeon” is more often than not all that is Francois van Emmenes has been hunting since
required. In addition, you can feed most childhood and has hunted most plains-game
bolt actions any fodder and do not have to species in his native South Africa. He has written
worry too much about point of impact – a numerous articles for local and international
simple adjustment of the sights are all that is magazines on a wide variety of hunting, shooting,
necessary… Which brings us to a last word on reloading and conservation matters. He has
telescopes: Whatever you choose to use, make an extensive hunting book library, and has a
sure it will afford you the best possible chance passion for “pre-64” model 70 Winchester rifles,
of putting in a clean killing first shot under the which he collects. He reloads for all his rifles,
circumstances you will be hunting in. Your shotguns and handguns. He can be contacted on
high magnification scope on your .375 Ruger, fvanemmenes@gmail.com
 SIZE DOES COUNT
...especially in the hunting world. The number of different biomes you can experience on the 45 000 hectare
privately owned Nature Reserve in the far northern corner of the Limpopo Province, bordering Zimbabwe. The
range of birds you can watch, the trees you can rest under, the expanse of wilderness for hunting and photo
safaris, with families welcome all year round. The quality of trophies on offer, 4 of the Big 5, along with the
investment in your comfort in our luxury camps all add up to making the experience, quite literally, unique.
(References going back 15 years available).

+27 15 534 2403 | office@limpoposafaris.com

www.limpoposafaris.com
info
fo@t
@tax
axiidermyaf
afri
rica
ca..com / www.taaxiidermyaf
afri
ricca.com

Percussion. Rhymes (almost)
with perdition
The world today is awash in ammunition. A rough count suggests that there are more bullet, brass,
and loaded ammunition companies selling their wares in the United States than ever before. Foreign
(Austrian, German, Swedish, British, Russian, Serbian) companies are either exporting to the U.S.,
or have built plants here to supply the American market.
T
here is good stuff, bad stuff,
extraordinarily cheap stuff, hideously
expensive stuff, and everything — in
quality and price — in between. Except for
brief glitches, like the temporary shortage
brought on by plague-panic buying in the
spring, ammunition of all kinds is readily
available just about anywhere. It matters
not where you live or what stores are nearby.
If you can persuade the friendly UPS man
to snowshoe to your door, you can order
ammunition anywhere in the country and
have it delivered.
In such a “land of plenty” environment, it’s
easy to start taking it all for granted and forget
that, in the past, there have been shortages,
and that once upon a time, finding a decent
game bullet that would do the job reliably was
not easy.
Having written this column for going
on twenty years now, I’ve lived through a
lot of this and reported on most of it. As I
was pondering what to write for this issue, it
occurred to me that it might be beneficial to
take a look back — in fact, a look way, way
back — to the days when powder was black,
brass cases nonexistent, and ignition fire
provided by those quaint little gadgets called
percussion caps.
This came about through another assignment
that found me playing with a couple of old
Colt cap-and-ball revolvers — an 1851 Navy
and a Walker. Both were made by Colt in the
1970s, when they were taking a walk down
memory lane and reproducing some of their
greatest hits.
If nothing else, the experience of loading,
shooting and (lest we forget) cleaning these
beasts has reminded me of just how well off
we all are today. Early African hunters like
William Cornwallis Harris or William Cotton
Oswell, shot flintlocks or percussion rifles,
chased Cape buffalo or elephant on horseback,
and had one shot, or two at best, before they
found themselves in a sticky situation. This
was more than just the difficulty of recharging
a muzzleloader on a galloping horse, pursued
by lions, although that was bad enough. There
Black powder and just a few of its
many accoutrements, all of which had
to be lugged on safari. Whatever its
admirable qualities, black powder is
dirty, corrosive, clogs mechanisms, and
fouls bores. Daily cleaning was not a
luxury, it was an absolute necessity. By
comparison today, we have it easy.
was the problem of cleaning them on a daily
basis to prevent the inevitable destructive
corrosion of black powder and the early
fulminates in percussion caps.
If you have not had the pleasure of
attempting to clean a black-powder gun like
a revolver with its many nooks and crannies,
you have not experienced the difficulties faced
by hunters like Harris and Oswell. And all
of this took place when they were a thousand
miles and many months away from the nearest
gunsmith. Maintaining their guns required
many different tools, including turnscrews,
nipple wrenches, cleaning rods, jags, and
brushes. They carried pig lead and molds to
fashion their own bullets and ball, and needed
quantities of oil to keep all the moving parts
actually moving. All of this paraphernalia
needed to be hauled out, if not every day, then
at least every few days, just to keep everything
functioning smoothly.
And, smooth functioning was important
when it made the difference between surviving
a lion attack and not. Like gunfighters of the
Old West, early African hunters paid close
Terry Wieland On Ammo
attention to the well-being of their firearms.
They needed them sleek and frisky, and took
pains to ensure they stayed that way.
I have not used either of the two revolvers
mentioned above in any kind of life-threatening
situation, or even in particular difficulty like
heavy rains or sand storms. But still, there
have been unexpected problems. Percussion
caps come in two sizes, I found: Too big and
too small. They open up like banana skins,
and can fall down into the mechanism and
jam it solid; black-powder fouling finds its
way into flash holes, and causes nipple threads
to rust. Lead shavings clog the cylinder axis,
while black powder blows into crevasses to
flare and sputter when you fire a shot.
Granted, the men who used these guns
knew them intimately and were well practiced
in their use. I am not, and it would take me
years of practice to get to their level. We read
of infantrymen at Waterloo who could load
and fire a musket three times in a minute, and
I’ve no doubt they could do that. But how
many of us could?
When we read a line like “I could see his tail
lashing in the bushes, and hear the low growl
as I struggled to load my rifle…” it means
something quite different when it’s a Manton
percussion gun he’s wrestling with, rather than
stroking the bolt on a Rigby Mauser.
Like any other object lesson, this one
may not stick with me long. While it lasts,
however, I promise the Red Gods I will not
take my modern hunting ammunition for
granted. Cross my heart. No, really.
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 101
 Elephant hunting
ups and downs
Not yet the end of the game!
By Craig Boddington

A group of elephants around a baobab tree. Before 1950, when Zimbabwe had far fewer elephants, they weren’t known to feed on
baobabs. Now every baobab tree bears elephant scars, almost certainly an indication of elephant overpopulation.

April 7, 2020 should have been Botswana’s first Opening Day in six years, just one of
countless events worldwide interrupted by a virus that is killing thousands of people and,
effectively, putting the world on hold. At this writing, it isn’t known when safaris will
resume across much of Africa. However, within the next few weeks there will be a new
beginning. The reopening of Botswana will be a part of this new, post-virus safari season,
bringing some of the best opportunity for big tuskers!

E
lephant hunting is a touchy subject.
Because of widespread commercial
poaching, Africa’s elephant population
has plummeted in the last fifty years. The
worst carnage took place in the seventies and
eighties, when elephants were eradicated from
huge areas. Elephants are slow breeders with a
natural increase about three per cent. Even so,
from about 1990 there were two decades of
steady regrowth. The worldwide recession of
2009 brought on a new wave of commercial
poaching, which has not subsided.
Africa is a huge continent of fifty-four
nations. Elephant management and the
question of legal elephant hunting can only
be properly addressed by the countries that
host them. Elephants may have once occurred
almost everywhere over the continent, but
certainly do not today - the North African
race has been extinct for two thousand years!
Many African countries have no elephants, or
small populations in protected enclaves; other
countries have too many elephants!
Botswana is a classic example of this. A
low estimate of Botswana’s elephants suggests
130,000; higher estimates range from 270,000
to 300,000 elephants. It is believed there are
350,000 to 450,000 African elephants on the
continent. Whether you prefer the high or
low numbers, there are two irrefutable facts:
Botswana holds a high percentage of Africa’s
remaining elephants, and they are grossly
overpopulated. Botswana is an arid country,
and each elephant consumes over 200 kg of
plant material daily. Habitat damage is another
fact, with much of the Chobe National Park
almost as barren as the surface of the moon.
When Botswana (then Bechuanaland)
opened to safari hunting in 1964, elephants
were on license… but there were far fewer
than today. Botswana has never “culled”
her elephants, and has never had a large
poaching problem. These factors, together
with migrating elephants from neighboring
countries, contribute to today’s huge
population. In reaction to the large-scale
poaching elsewhere, Botswana took elephant
“off license” in 1982. With growing concern
about habitat damage, elephant hunting
resumed in 1996 and continued until 2014.
In those years, and today, Botswana’s CITES
quota allows export of 350 sport-hunted
elephants. Even if you take the low estimate,
this harvest had no impact on Botswana’s

102 www.africanhuntinggazette.com

growing elephant population, but it did reduce
human-elephant conflict, and it brought
revenue and employment to rural Batswana.
All safari hunting on government land was
curtailed in 2014. Last year, under President
Mokgweetsi Masisi, Botswana reinstated safari
hunting in accordance with existing game
laws, with Opening Day intended to be April
7… until the COVID-19 virus came along.
Botswana will reopen and good tuskers
will be taken, but she is just one example of
Southern Africa’s elephant situation, which
is far different from most of the continent.
Zimbabwe is estimated to hold 80,000
elephants, Africa’s second-largest herd. A
smaller country, “Zim” also suffers from
elephant overpopulation, with severe habitat
damage in key areas such as Hwange National
Park. With a larger human population,
Zimbabwe has a long history of human-
elephant conflict. “Zim” has never curtailed
elephant hunting, endeavoring to harvest her
CITES quota of 500 sport-hunted elephants.
She also uses Problem Animal Control (PAC)
permits, plus an aggressive quota for tuskless
elephants, viewed as an undesirable and
inherited trait.
Both Namibia and South Africa are large
countries, but with limited elephant habitat.
Both countries have elephant herds that are
near or above carrying capacity for available
habitat, and both use hunting as an essential
management tool. Botswana, Namibia,
South Africa, and Zimbabwe are four of
eight countries that allow elephant hunting;
Cameroon, Mozambique, Tanzania, and
Zambia also offer limited elephant hunting.
UPS AND DOWNS
In the old days, hunting elephant was
considered Africa’s ultimate pursuit. Much of
the great literature of Africana is about elephant
hunting, and much of it came to us from
ivory hunters who focused on elephant, often
to the exclusion of all other game. Elephants
with extremely heavy ivory have always been
uncommon. A “hundred-pounder” became
the Holy Grail, but, historically, bigger
elephants were taken. Realistically, the ivory
hunters (who were often poachers) didn’t
always seek the heaviest ivory because the big
tusks were awkward to carry.
In days gone by, many big tuskers were
taken legally by sport hunters, guided by
competent PHs, both of whom put in the
time looking for heavy ivory. And they hunted
in the right places. The precise conditions that
allow the growth of exceptional ivory aren’t
known - surely some blend of genetics, food,
and minerals - but the best places were known:
Northern Kenya, southern Sudan, northern
Outfitter Michel Mantheakis, Jim Crawford, Boddington, and PH Bernard Sehabiague
with tusks taken on the Ruvuma River in southern Tanzania in 2006. East African
ivory is typically long and thin; Crawford’s tusk, center, are heavier while Boddington’s
are longer.
Boddington’s best-ever elephant was
taken in central Botswana in 2007 with
outfitter and PH Johan Calitz. They
knew this grand old bull had broken
its left tusk. Mismatched ivory is very
common; some hunters care and others
don’t!
Tanzania, northeastern C.A.R.
Not every African hunter sought a big
tusker, but through the fifties and into the
seventies, in the right places, it was routine
to take elephants with tusk weight that
is rare today. In 1956 my uncle took an
eighty-pounder in thenTanganyika. Also in
Tanganyika, Weatherby winner Bob Speegle
told me about taking a ninety-pounder at the
start of his first safari. Between 1954 and his
death in 1965, author Robert Ruark took an
astonishing three hundred-pounders!
A Hunter speaks out
In the 1970s things fell apart quickly,
although few of us saw it coming. In 1973
Tanzania closed hunting, and Kenya closed
elephant hunting. Tanzania would reopen,
but Kenya closed all hunting in 1977. This
cleared the field for the poaching gangs. In
just a decade, each country may have lost
100,000 elephants. At the same time, unrest
swept other areas. Mozambique’s long civil
war ended hunting for fifteen years. Central
African Republic became Central African
Empire, then became a republic once more,
and while this was going on ivory poachers
were hard at work. In the eighties C.A.R.
would become a great destination for bongo
and Derby eland, but the big elephants were
gone.
Some Kenyan hunters turned to Sudan and
got in several good seasons. And then it was
almost over. Escalating civil war made Sudan
untenable after 1983. Poachers were hard
at work there and down in Zambia, where
elephant hunting also closed in 1983. In 1984
a pocket of huge bulls emerged in southwest
Ethiopia. Between 1985 and 1989, eleven
hundred-pounders were taken. In 1989, when
the CITES treaty was signed, Ethiopia closed
elephant hunting.
It was widely believed that elephant
hunting was finished. It was not, but the time
had passed when one could search for a huge
tusker with some chance of success. During
the 1980s Zimbabwe came alive as a safari
destination. She offered the best opportunity
to hunt elephant, but was never a country for
heavy ivory. Mozambique opened elephant
hunting briefly. I took a fifty-pounder there
in 1989, not fully realizing this was the new
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 103

PH John Dugmore with a beautiful Kenyan hundred-pounder, taken in the early
sixties. Such elephants still exist, but were uncommon back then… and are exceedingly
rare today. (Photo by John Dugmore)
standard for “good ivory.” Tanzania kept
elephant on license, but poaching losses had
been severe, and Tanzania would not again
be a hot spot for heavy ivory. South Africa
was also open and, as Kruger elephants
overpopulated, would offer more opportunity.
After independence in 1990, Namibia’s
northern areas started to open up. A few
big elephants were taken in Bushmanland,
and Caprivi became a standard and reliable
elephant destination.
In 1996 Botswana reopened, and until 2014
was the premier destination for elephant.
These years were a new age of elephant
hunting. We accepted that the old standards
were out the window; we dropped our
expectations, and had several good choices. As
hunting continued and Botswana’s elephants
kept increasing, the quality actually improved.
At the end, some outfitters and areas were
averaging sixty pounds. This would not have
been exciting in East Africa in 1960, but in
2010 it seemed fantastic!
Then the bottom dropped out. The
American hunting market is the world’s
largest. Subject to CITES quota, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife was issuing import permits
for sport-hunted elephants from Botswana,
Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia,
and Zimbabwe. (Never from Cameroon or
Mozambique). As the new wave of poaching
swept Africa, import permits were curtailed
for Tanzanian and Zimbabwean ivory. In
the middle of this muddle came Botswana’s
suspension. Gloom and doom were rampant,
and it was widely whispered—again—that
elephant hunting was finished.
I believe the reopening of Botswana will
create another new age of elephant hunting.
104 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
Delayed by an invisible virus, Botswana
will reopen. It will be good, and Botswana
will be just one of eight range nations that
believe elephant hunting is essential to proper
management of their elephants.
THE AFRICAN HUNTING PYRAMID
In March 1977, I saw hundreds of elephants
on open plains along the eastern boundary of
Tsavo National Park. Never since have I seen
such a concentration of elephant, and never
again have I seen elephants in such open
ground! At the time it didn’t mean as much
as it might today; elephant hunting was closed
and, even if elephants were on license, I had
no desire to hunt them.
This was my first safari, so this was a normal
outlook. Almost nobody starts out hunting
elephant! Most African hunters progress like
a “step-pyramid.” The long, wide base is the
affordable, productive plains-game safari,
today the starting point for most of us. We
test the water, look around, and learn what
interests us. Maybe we stay near the base
and do another plains-game hunt for specific
antelopes, but in time many of us want to step
up the pyramid, perhaps to a buffalo safari,
still affordable and very available.
Africa continues to beckon, so in time we
ascend to another level, perhaps embarking on
a leopard safari. As we climb, the steps become
narrower and higher: Less availability, less
affordable… the hunting becoming ever more
specialized. The upper levels vary, depending
on our interests, and how tightly Africa holds
us in her grasp. Today, some would place a
lion at the top of the pyramid, and certainly
the great antelope prizes are up there: Bongo,
Derby eland, mountain nyala. Always and
forever, the African elephant is near the top
of the pyramid.
My progression was normal, at least for
the 1970s. Back then the short, plains-game
safari hardly existed, so my first safari was a
standard, three-week hunt. Over the next few
years Africa changed quickly! I did a couple of
hunts in Rhodesia, Namibia (then South West
Africa), and South Africa. At the time, the
great cats were at the top of my step-pyramid;
I had little desire to hunt elephant. I hunted
Zambia twice, and then twice in Botswana’s
Okavango. I saw elephant, but they didn’t stir
my imagination much. I had the mid-eighties
mindset that elephant hunting was finished.
After an Okavango hunt, I went across to
Victoria Falls and did my first elephant hunt
with Peter Johnstone, a short hunt for a non-
trophy bull.
We took a monstrous old tuskless bull, the
patriarch among a group of bulls. It was an
epiphany, especially with an experienced hand
like Johnstone. Understand, I’d read about
elephant hunting! I’d seen a lot of elephants…
but generally avoided them. Johnstone took
me in so close that the chosen bull towered
above me as I took the side-on brain shot.
Among many lessons, two were key: Seeing
elephants is exciting… but nothing like
approaching to a dozen yards in thick stuff!
And, when you choose the proper elephant
and stalk in close, it doesn’t matter if it’s a big
tusker or a management animal - the hunt and
excitement are the same!
SHOULD YOU HUNT ELEPHANT?
Until you’ve done it, properly and under good
tutelage, it is impossible to understand the
excitement of taking an elephant. Nor the
difficulty of the hunt, often with days and
weeks of tracking, looking, and retreating!
That said, the world at large is aware of the
plight of the African elephant. At the end of
WWII, elephants numbered in the millions.
Today’s few hundred-thousand survivors are a
small remnant, and overall numbers are still
dropping. It is understandable that many
hunters have no desire to hunt elephant, and
are horrified by the idea.
It’s important that to understand that, while
elephant numbers are falling across much of
Africa, there are places where elephants are
seriously overpopulated. Today the technology
exists to translocate elephants. This is being
done, but the costs are astronomical, and in
areas already grossly overpopulated, there
may not be suitable habitat to receive them.
Hunting remains an essential management
tool, bringing funding, employment, much-
needed protein, and reducing conflict.
Elephants are highly destructive feeders.
Experts estimate that it could take decades for

the flora in ravaged areas such as the Chobe and
Hwange Parks to recover. And such recovery can
only start when the elephant overpopulation is
resolved.
Choosing to hunt an elephant today is
a personal decision, and not a bad thing,
because not every hunter can hunt an
elephant. Where elephants are overpopulated,
I submit that there is a greater management
necessity for regulated hunting than for any
species on Earth, except possibly for wild hogs
and American whitetails. All across Europe—
and wherever feral hogs roam—farmers
complain bitterly about a sounder of pigs
in their fields, and all across North America
farmers worry about a handful of deer in their
corn stalks. For just a moment, put yourself in
the position of the African subsistence farmer,
and wonder if you’d prefer a herd of elephants
in your ripening grain?
THE SEARCH FOR A BIG TUSKER
I never acquired “elephant fever” to
the exclusion of all else, but in the new
millennium’s new wave of elephant hunting I
did a lot: Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, and
Zimbabwe. I took “management” animals
and some pretty good tuskers. I never got a
giant… nor did I expect to. For the last two
decades, I’ve followed the rule of “drop twenty
pounds.” Fifty is the new seventy, seventy is
the new ninety. This is not meant to inflate
expectations: There are many good areas
where a fifty-pounder is unlikely… and in
most elephant areas today, you’ve got rocks in
your head if you pass such a bull!
But there are giants! Namibia’s Caprivi is
a great elephant area, but the general range
of mature bulls is in the forties. And yet, in
2019, Namibian PH Koos Pienaar and my
friend Michel Mantheakis took a client in
on a hundred-pounder, almost unheard of in
Caprivi. Northern Mozambique has produced
some big ivory, and southeast Zimbabwe, near
Elephants are highly destructive feeders. Broken and uprooted trees are normal signs of
elephant activity, but too many elephants can quickly destroy a forest.
A hut destroyed by crop-raiding elephants. Human-elephant conflict is a serious issue
in rural Africa. Sport hunting rarely impacts overall numbers of elephants, but can
deter crop-raiding.
the Gonarezhou Park, is known to produce
big ivory. It’s a Park boundary hunt so hit or
miss, but there are big elephants and they do
wander out.
Botswana is good, but with short, thick
tusks, Botswana bulls generally top out in
the sixties and seventies (amazing for today).
Since 2014, Botswana bulls have been
growing ivory. The old tale that an elephant
grows a pound of ivory per year is not true;
in their thirties, an elephant bull can put on a
couple of pounds of ivory per year. So, a fifty-
pounder in 2014 should be a sixty-pounder
today. When Botswana reopens, great bulls
will be taken, but don’t expect miracles. In
2010, Manuel Gavito, hunting in central
Botswana with PH Willy MacDonald, took
a bull with tusks weighing 104x99 pounds.
An awesome tusker, but let’s be realistic: That
bull is the only hundred-pounder taken in
Botswana between 1996 and 2014! In the
coming new season, there will be a lot of sixty-
pounders, a smattering of seventy-pounders,
and a few that are bigger. Maybe there will
A Hunter speaks out
be a couple of hundred-pounders in the mix.
I don’t predict that, but it’s possible. I do
predict a great season that will renew interest
in elephant hunting.
Do I intend to be there? No. I’ve probably
taken my last elephant. A decade ago,
Botswana produced my best elephants, and
I’m happy with them. I wanted the experience
of hunting elephant in Caprivi, so I took
my last elephant there in 2015. It was a
“community quota” meat bull, a fine elephant
to finish with because it was an old bull with
one perfect tusk, the other broken at the tip,
and limping from a poacher’s AK47 bullets.
Hunting an elephant is an amazing
experience. I wouldn’t have missed it, but am
equally happy to decide I’ve done enough.
Honestly, if I knew a place where I had a
reasonable chance to find a substantially
bigger bull, I might be tempted… but I do
not know of such a place! Great tuskers exist
and some lucky hunters will find them, but
they are so rare that finding one is like being
struck by lightning. I’m happy to let others
be struck!
So, the search for a big tusker no longer
applies to me, but I believe that, even today,
elephants must be hunted. You may hold the
opinion that elephants should not be hunted.
Such opinion is your right, and certainly held
by many non-hunters and all anti-hunters. If
you’re a hunter, I wish you’d study the facts
and rethink that position. It’s fine if you have
no desire to hunt an elephant, and equally fine
for me to say that I’m done. But, as hunters,
we need to support the range nations that
believe hunting is an essential management
tool. Insofar as the act of hunting an elephant
goes, it’s not for everyone, but it’s necessary…
and perhaps you shouldn’t knock it if you have
haven’t tried it!
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 105
 Getting the Best of Screws
Important outcomes often ride on things that escape our eye.
Threadlocker Blue makes sense on hard-kicking rifles, even for QD latches. It releases without heat.
I
t flew swiftly, and low. It might have been a
bird. But when it ricocheted off my noggin
into the bush, it didn’t feel like feathers. It
was my rifle-scope.
Once you put something together, you
expect it to stay that way, right? Well, such
naivety won’t cement your marriage. Nor will
it ensure your rifle will shoot where you look,
or even hang onto its sight.
The .416 Rigby had shrugged violently at
every blast. I’d endured the recoil without a
thought to the violence visited on the screws
holding its scope in place. Once that mayhem
had opened a whisker of slack, the result was
certain. Each subsequent shot slammed the
screws’ threads – tiny inclined planes no longer
bound by tension against their mating surfaces
– hard enough to spin them incrementally
outward.
It happened to me again. Not at the bench
106 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
By Wayne van Zwoll
this time, but in the field. Call me a slow
learner.
Dusk was pulling the shades when the
eland bull ghosted into a small vlei a stone’s
toss away. A few seconds later I’d gone from a
crouch to prone, sling taut and sure of a kill.
But the bullet struck with a sodden grunt, not
what I expected from a hit tight behind the
shoulder. I waited until the crashing faded,
then with nightfall nigh, took the track at
speed. The dark splotches were small and
intermittent, with no froth. A hundred yards
in, I knew the hit was poor, the animal lost
to the night. A tracker and I got on the trail
early next morning. Sunlight and deep prints
pulled us along swiftly. The bull jumped 70
steps ahead but charitably trotted off through
low bush that gave me a clear shot to his neck.
My bullet broke it.
Assumption: I had made a bad shot and a
bad call the evening before, and now all was
right with the world. But the next day I muffed
another easy poke. Time to check zero.
From a bench over bags, the rifle put my first
shot to center. Puzzled, I stuffed the magazine
full again. It was then I saw one windage screw
on the Redfield mount no longer grasped the
base of the rear ring. At my nudge, the scope
pivoted to that side half a centimeter.
Duh. If only I’d checked earlier! Recoil had
shifted the scope off center toward the loose
screw, shifting impact for the following shot
more than a meter at 100 meters. That shot
bounced it back against the opposing screw,
yet unmoved. The scope was now properly
aligned and sent the next bullet to point of
aim. But that shot bounced the scope again to
the loose screw…
I should have trusted my calls instead of
shrugging off every other poke.

Not long ago a colleague told of bungling
a shot when her mount’s windage screw
worked loose. A faulty design? No. A windage-
adjustable rear ring behind a dovetail front is a
fine arrangement!
But screws work loose. If you don’t lose
one entirely, you’re one up on me. The scope
that took wing from the .416 was in another
type of mount. No screws holding your rifle
together are recoil-proof.
Excepting congressional or parliamentary
proceedings, there’s no discourse so dull as
talk about screws. But without them the
racier elements of rifles would lie separate and
useless. First, the basics – in English measure,
because the screws of so many popular rifles
and scope mounts are so gauged.
Machine screws have three measurements:
diameter (or gauge), threads per inch (tpi) and
length. Gauge numbers run from #0 (small) to
#10 (diameter of the crossbolt in Weaver Tip-
Off rings). You’ll sometimes find #12 and #14
screws, the #14 about 1/4 inch in diameter. In
“Unified” measure, diameter in inches = .060
+ (.013 x the gauge #). So a #4 screw is .060 +
.052 = .112 outside diameter.
Rifles have long been drilled and tapped
for 6-48 screws, adopted to attach iron sights
and scope mount bases. Now, however, the
smart money is on 8-40s. They’re stouter, so
better endure recoil. More and more bolt rifles
(Kimber, for example) and custom sporters
come drilled and tapped for 8-40 screws. Top-
tier makers of scope mounts, like Talley, offer
rings and bases with 8-40 screws.
There are hard screws and soft screws. Hard
screws brook more torque; but if cinched into
soft metal, they can strip the hole. Drilling
out a screw can test your patience and ruin an
expensive part. Old Winchester 70 receivers
were very hard – a blessing if you must drill
out the remnant of a soft screw, but a challenge
if you must then open and re-thread a hole.
Many shooters over-tighten base screws.
I used to snug them until resistance on a
small-handled driver forced me to adjust my
grip. Then I added pressure in short, gradual
increments until … well, there’s no describing
feel.
A better way: Use a torque wrench.
Gunsmithing houses now list affordable
torque wrenches for firearms. They read in
inch/pounds and can be set to “break” at any
torque level you wish. They ensure screws are
tight but not too tight, and that you snug
screws uniformly.
How much torque? That depends mainly on
the screw and what is absorbing the pressure –
but also on whom you ask! Even the industry
doesn’t speak with one voice on proper torque.
Cinching a mount base to the rifle, I bring
After a vertical bounce to settle the recoil
lug, Wayne torques front guard screws to
45-inch/pounds.
6-48 screws to 25 inch/pounds – more than
advised by Leupold and Badger, but in line
with recommendations by Nightforce and
Warne. Leupold suggests 8-40s be snugged to
28 inch/pounds, or about 20% tighter than
6-48s.
Ring-to-base attachments vary, and so do
torque recommendations – from 14 to 65
inch/pounds!
Ring diameter can make a difference. Weaver
specifies 30 inch/pounds for the crossbolt
attaching 1-inch rings, but according to one
source hikes that number for 30mm rings and
Low mass makes iron sights less susceptible than scopes to recoil shake. But check the
screws often!
A Hunter speaks out
again for 34mm! Talley, whose steel rings are
vertically split, advises 30 inch/pounds for the
bottom screw gripping the base, 20 for the top
screw. For 10-32 screws in its QD mounts, the
numbers are 35 for the bottom, 20 for the top.
Nuts on crossbolts cinching rings to Picatinny
rails, insists one guru, brook 65-inch/pounds.
The caps of horizontally split scope rings
needn’t be tighter than 20 inch/pounds. In
fact, Vortex sends a note with its competition
scopes, warning shooters not to exceed 18.
Leupold and Badger advise 15 to 18. Tighten
these alternately, as you would lug nuts on a
truck wheel, and diagonally on four-screw
rings.
No one wants screws to back out under
recoil. In the Dark Ages shooters were urged
to use iodine to rust screws in place. A sequel
to burning witches. Loctite Threadlocker is
a more civilized option. But Henkel Corp,
which makes this anaerobic adhesive, now has
several kinds. You’ll want the right one.
All Threadlocker bottles are red. It’s a
signature color that dates back many years,
when the only Threadlocker adhesive was a
red liquid. That’s still the most powerful. If
you want the screws to stay put until you heat
them with a torch, Red is your color. I think
Blue a better choice. It’s a medium-strength
Threadlocker that allows you to remove screws
without heating. Loctite’s Green option,
medium-high on the strength spectrum, is
commonly used on pre-assembled electrical
components. Purple, or Loctite 222, has
become popular with shooters, who evidently
view Purple as offering the best properties of
Red and Blue. It should not require heating
to disengage. All these Loctite products cure
within 24 hours, and are temperature-resistant
from -65 to +300 F (-54 to +150 C).
www.africanhuntinggazette.com 107
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A Hunter speaks out

I don’t use Threadlocker on scope mounts,

primarily because I often switch scopes on
rifles for photography. (In fact, I keep screws
oiled, to minimize wear on them and engaging
surfaces). On hunting rifles that needn’t play
the chameleon, Threadlocker Blue makes sense.
Warne does not recommend any adhesive on
screws for its scope mounts. It thoughtfully
reminds shooters that fresh (uncured) Loctite
of any color lubricates screw threads like oil.
The screws are then eager to spin; so if you dab
Threadlocker before cinching them, you may
apply more pressure than your torque wrench
suggests.
Many gun screws, but especially those
in scope mounts, now have “Torx” heads.
Recessed like Allen heads, Torx sockets have
splines, matching those on Torx wrenches.
These splines prevent slippage that so easily
wallows out the flats in Allen-head screws.
Torx screws endure pressure that would distort
slotted heads or prompt a flat screwdriver
blade to hop out of the slot, causing damage.
Besides L-shaped Torx wrenches, you can now
get hard Torx bits for replaceable-bit drivers.
No matter what type of screw head you have,
or how tight it must be, use a hard-steel bit
that fits. A slotted head begs a hollow-ground
bit! Cheap one-piece screwdrivers have soft,
wedge-shaped tips that bear only on the base
and top edges of the slot. Ragged lip edges and
bright scrapes on screws result. A screwdriver
that slips under pressure can also mar what’s
around it. Damage from ill-fitting screwdrivers
drains significant value from collectible guns,
especially if the screws are no longer available
or, as in the case of British double rifles, if
they’re engraved or match rounded breech
contours.
My go-to sources for tools that help with
scope mounting and other gun projects are
Brownells (brownells.com) and Midway USA
(midwayUSA.com). My Brownells screwdriver
kit includes over 100 magnetic screwdriver
bits. A field set in a hinged box comprises a
Use hard, magnetic hollow-ground bits
on slotted screws to prevent slipping and
damage to slot lips.
couple of dozen bits, a long and a short handle.
RealAvid (realavid.com) also sells excellent
driver sets. All screwdriver work is easiest when
the rifle is secured in a cradle. It helps prevent
slippage and costly damage when you tackle
stubborn screws.
Any help you can get securing screws will
seem cheap if you neglect it, and either lose an
animal to a poor shot, or get thumped in the
noggin by an airborne scope.
RealAvid markets this handy, affordable
field kit of drivers and hard, high-quality
magnetic bits.
Goof-proof scope mounting
Burris offers polymer inserts in its
concave Signature rings so the scope
can center itself without damage if the
receiver or mount base doesn’t align the
rings perfectly. To protect a scope from
damage from other rings, lap them or
stone lightly burred ring edges. While
CNC machining can ensure that ring
halves interchange, I keep halves in
original pairs to guarantee a match.
Redfield pioneered mounts with a
dovetail extension below the front ring
that rotates into a base socket. After
applying a dab of grease on the dovetail,
turn that ring into position with a 1-inch
dowel -- not the scope, lest you damage the
tube. After it's aligned with the receiver,
make fine lateral adjustment with the
windage screws clamping the rear ring.
These screws let you tweak alignment so
the scope’s erector tube inside is centered,
giving you maximum adjustment range
from the scope’s windage dial. Centered
erector lenses also deliver the best sight
picture, as you’re looking through the
middle of the glass.
Weaver Tip-Off rings can scar a
scope as they’re snapped over it. Slips of
paper under ring lips protect the tube.
Remove the paper before installing ring
screws. Tip-Off rings are pulled down by
screws on one side after hooking the side
opposite. Tightening these screws rotates
the scope slightly. To counter that spin,
first give the tube a slight twist in the
opposite direction. Check that the reticle
winds up plumb.
Before snugging ring screws, ensure
there’s at least 1/8 inch “clear tube”
either side of the rings to keep them
from pinching lenses and adjustment
mechanisms.

Cinching up a stock
How you snug guard screws when assembling a bolt rifle can affect
accuracy. With the rifle top-side down in a cradle, I insert front and
rear screws and spin them in with my fingers. Then I turn the rifle
vertical and bounce the butt on the floor lightly to seat the recoil lug.
I snug the front screw, then the rear screw. If there’s a center screw, I
insert it now, finger-tight. Rifle still vertical, I tighten the front screw
to 45-inch/pounds (recommended by Remington and H-S Precision).
I give the rear screw 30-inch/pounds. It must merely keep bottom
metal and tang snug in the stock. Experimenting with guard screw
tension, I’ve punched sub-minute groups with the rear guard screw
out of the stock. Center guard screws are happiest when treated gently.
I hold torque to 15-inch/pounds. Muscling a center screw can bind
a bolt, even bend an action. A rifle that’s glass- or pillar-bedded, or
has an alloy bedding block, can be cinched vigorously, front and rear.
Some gunmakers, commercial and custom, recommend 65 inch/
pounds.
After assembling a bolt rifle, check cycling. A bolt that won’t close
or resists rotation may mean the front screw is contacting the lower
locking lug. If so, remove the screw and file it shorter. Don’t take more
metal than you must. Do the same if the rear screw projects into the
bolt race.

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 109
 Facing a Cape Buffalo
Charge - In Texas !
By Rob Schanen

I never dreamed that I would ever face a charging Cape buffalo, let alone in Texas, but it
happened! The bull burst out of the bush, leaves and branches falling away from his head as
he came at me from my front right. I turned to face him, and in a split second he was only
ten yards away. The double-barrelled Fausti .375 came up smoothly, I found the bead, and
I let him have it right in the “tennis ball” – the spot just below his bosses, between the eyes.
The buffalo stopped, but he did not fall. My hands were shaking, my heart hammering in
such a way that I knew it couldn’t be good for me. Even the old legs felt the adrenalin!

I
turned to African PH, Wayne Grant.
“Very nice,” he smiled. “Nailed him
right in the brain. You probably would
have had to step out of the way as he went
down.”
Wayne Grant and Tony English don’t
need much introduction in the safari world.
Wayne is a born and raised Zimbabwean,
now residing in South Africa, and Tony
is from the Natal Midlands in KwaZulu-
Natal. Both guys have been in the game
for a very long time, and I have enjoyed
several big-game safaris with them, both in
Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The realistic, full-sized leopard.
Wayne used to run leopard-hunting
courses in South Africa for professional
hunters needing leopard experience, and
from the experience he gained, he and Tony
developed what they call ‘a practical, safari-
shooting school’.
“A conversation or debate about
shooting is one of those wonderful fireside
discussions, like firearms, or ballistics, that
can go on forever,” Wayne said. “There are
so many different facets, so many diverse
situations, that there never seems to be any
hard-and-fast rules that everyone agrees on,
that would let you say ‘this is the way it has
to be done!’
“However,” he said, “there are a handful
of basics, that hunters must adhere to, to
be able to shoot well and consistently, and
if you neglect these basic rules you simply
cannot be a good, or even reasonable,
marksman.” And that’s why we were there, Wayne discusses running shots on
at the Big Easy Ranch, in Columbus, Texas, wounded buffalo (this buffalo is pulled at
to endeavor to master the basics of practical a good speed on a cable system) The buffalo, mounted on a sled.

110 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
 A Hunter speaks out

rifle shooting, and to get rid of the bad

shooting habits we all had.
With sixty years of professional hunting
experience between them, Tony and Wayne
have seen a hell of a lot of bad (and some
good!) shooting, by their clients. They have
identified the crux of the matter when it
comes to faults made in the field, and it’s
those things the course focuses on. This is
not a long-range school, and no shooting
was done off the bench – it’s all realistic,
practical, bush-conditions shooting.
The Grant-English Safari Shooting
School partnered with The Big Easy Ranch,
and what a good combination it turned out
to be. The two-thousand acre Ranch lies
nine miles north of Columbus, Texas about
an hour and a half from Houston and the
same distance from Austin. It’s a beautiful
property, with bush reminiscent of many
parts of southern Africa. Some areas are
thickly wooded, while other areas are more
open, with thickets of post oak interspersed
with grassy meadows - buffalo country! The
Big Easy is top-notch all the way, and offers Course participants learn to shoot from various real-life positions.
sporting clays, a spectacular nine-hole, par-
three golf course, and a five-star lodge with rifle, any rifle, close at
first-class bar and catering. hand, in your house
On the hunting side, the Big Easy is when you are home.
home to huge Texas trophy white tail deer, The rifle should not
axis deer, blackbuck, aoudad, red stag, as have any bullets in it for
well as other exotics, and for those who like obvious reasons. If you
to fish there are both trophy bass and trout can get into the habit of
(during winter) available. constantly picking up
The course commenced with a serious, that rifle and aiming it
thorough, briefing on safety. Wayne at a spot on the wall, a
recounted how several fun outings, as well leaf outside on a tree,
as several safaris that they knew about, had a flower in the garden
ended in disaster, the result of accidental – your shooting will
discharge, or carelessness. This was one improve. Your hands
of the things that stood out for us on and eyes soon learn to
this course – the constant, unwavering work in unison. You
instruction and warnings about firearm soon stop the bad habit
safety, and happily, no course participant of looking down at the
had an accidental discharge. rifle, then trying to
Our instructors listed the most common find the target. It’s like
shooting faults they see on safari, such as anything that requires
unsuitable equipment, incorrect shooting hand-eye co-ordination
stance, incorrect grip on the rifle, and the – hitting a baseball,
pet hate of many PHs in Africa –hunters’ throwing darts - it
inability to retain the target in their vision requires practice. There
while bringing the rifle to bear. While Folk who grew up with an air rifle is no substitute.”
hosting hunters on my own property in in hand, or those who do a lot of shot- Then the dreaded ‘F’ word - flinching.
west Texas – I have seen this fault time gunning, don’t suffer from this problem. Tony has won several awards for shooting,
and again. Hunters see an animal, then Their firearm comes up into the shooting including the coveted Military Service
look down at their rifle, taking their eyes position without their eyes losing the target. Shooting Champion Award, which
off of the target. They then put their eye to It’s just practice, basically, and sadly, many encompassed all branches of the South
the scope, and proceed to “glass Africa”, as of us part-time sport hunters just don’t have African Defence Force, so he knows the F
Wayne calls it. They can’t find the animal, time, or don’t make time, for practice. word well. Or, more accurately, he knows
and precious seconds are squandered as “That’s no excuse,” Wayne said. “The how not to succumb to it.
they look for it through the scope. best thing any hunter can do is have a “Several things can cause flinching, and

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 111
 A Hunter speaks out
Myself and Tony English.
we tend to bundle them all up under one
heading,” he explained. “People often look
up from the scope too quickly following a
shot, hoping to see their trophy go down;
some people are scared of recoil, and
consequently shy away from the rifle as the
bullet detonates, and some shooters in their
excitement forget everything they have been
told about gentle, steady trigger pull – they
just jerk the trigger, and that indiscipline
will move the barrel enough so that the
bullet misses the target. If all of those things
that cause flinching can be rectified, you
will be absolutely amazed at how quickly a
hunter’s shooting will improve.”
One of the pleasant surprises on this
course was that most of the shooting takes
place with .22s supplied by the school.
“Most hunters we get on safari do not
practice shooting regularly,” Wayne said.
“Just before their safari, they go out to the
range and blast off a box or two of bullets
off a bench, and prolonged shooting of
medium - or worse – big-bore rifles, results
in the shooter anticipating, or shying away
from recoil. In other words - flinching.”
This rang true as I had, several times, found
myself doing that exact thing.
So we went through all the training drills,
and all the different practical shooting
112 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
positions including off sticks
– using the .22s. Once we had
all mastered the basics (and our
shooting scores had improved)
we moved onto shooting with
our medium-caliber rifles.
Wayne and Tony went all out
to make the course interesting,
exciting, and realistic. I have
seen many videos of, and also
participated in, an exercise
where you shoot at a “charging”
Cape buffalo. The buffalo is a
full-sized poster of a buffalo
pasted onto plywood, and
pulled toward the shooter on an
overhead cable or on a rail across
open ground. It was fun, but not
very realistic. On this course, we
knew there was going to be a
buffalo charge, but we were not
prepared for what these guys
had rigged up.
Wayne led each shooter into
thick bush, then crouched down
looking into the bush, and told
them in a whisper what happens
when a buffalo comes at you
through the thick stuff. It all
seemed very real. He explained
what would happen next, and the shooter now
takes the lead, focused on a spot indicated by
Wayne. But of course the buffalo comes at
you from a completely different spot!
Camouflaged with greenery, the ‘target’
is actually a real buffalo shoulder mount,
set at the correct, realistic height, and
Wayne and me.
mounted on a steel sled. The sled is hooked
up to a 4-wheeler, a hundred yards away,
by a thin, hidden cable. At a signal from
Wayne – which the shooter doesn’t see -
the buffalo bursts out of the bush, coming
straight at you, bucking and bouncing at a
disconcerting speed!
The point of this exercise was to drive
home the fact that when a buffalo comes
at you from close range, there is only time
for one shot. There is no time to reload, and
even if you had a double, it would be touch
and go as to whether you have time to get
the second shot off. So Wayne and Tony
schooled us on “waiting to the last possible
moment” and to make sure of our shot. We
were not allowed to fire until our instructor
yelled out, and by that time the buffalo was
only about eight yards away. It was extremely
exciting – and certainly realistic enough that
we would not forget the experience, or the
lesson learned.
There were many useful tips and exercises,
including sitting in a proper leopard blind
in the late evening, and shooting a full-sized,
absolutely lifelike leopard that somehow,
with the use of a hidden fishing line,
magically appeared on a tree limb, next to a
bait, sixty yards away.
When shooting at the leopard, the rifle is
bedded down into a solid rest - two sand bags
(socks filled with sand) which are mounted
on two sets of tripod shooting sticks –
exactly as these guys do it in Africa. Even so,
several of the attendees did not hit the cat’s
vitals! The whole set-up is so realistic and
exciting that some folk succumbed to the
old F word. But as Wayne and Tony pointed
out, it’s better to see and overcome those
hiccups on the course, than when you’re on
safari in Africa, where the chances of getting
hurt by a wounded leopard are very real.
We really enjoyed this course. We learned
a lot of practical useful information, and had
a lot of fun too. Some of us stayed on for an
extra day to hunt a few of the exotic game
animals, enjoy the ambience of the Big Easy
Ranch, and wind down and contemplate all
we had learned.
I will most certainly be bringing some
friends with me next year, so I can prove to
them that it is possible to be charged by a
Cape buffalo in Texas!
Course dates:
16 to 18 January 2021
23 to 25 January 2021
E-MAIL: gandeshootingschool@gmail.com
Field & Stream Taxidermy
3 Industria Rd
PO Box 1256 LouisT richardt 0920 R.S.A.
Tel: (015) 516 1081/1952
International Tel: +27 15 516 1081
 An African Palette: Cynthie Fisher

A Passion for Wildlife

Everything in Cynthie Fisher’s world revolves around animals. Although from the age of three
she grew up in downtown Denver, Colorado - a city girl’s habitat - Cynthie went to college
in northern California, getting a degree in zoology and hoping to pursue a career studying
animal behavior. She also enjoyed sketching animals, even doing some basic taxidermy in
her pursuit of knowledge to help her achieve her goals. She won the first duck stamp contest
she entered, and hasn’t looked back since.

Cynthie has just completed this, her largest painting to date (48 x 60”). “Pandemonium” took months to complete, and she used
over 175 images from two trips to Kenya to design the painting. Prints are available!

114 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
 An African palette

C
ynthie has been a professional
wildlife artist for 32 years. Although
she did not study art in school,
she gained experience by sketching at zoos,
taking workshops, and getting advice from
top biologists who critiqued her early work.
Accuracy in anatomy and behavior is high on
her list, her continued interest in taxidermy
helping her to fine-tune her knowledge of
anatomy.
Cynthie didn’t begin hunting until
adulthood, but her passion for everything
animal was fully released after her first safari to
South Africa. Twenty-four years and 19 trips
to Africa later, she has amassed an enormous
collection, proudly displayed in her large
trophy room in Hamilton, Montana. She has
traveled the entire globe, hunting on every
continent except Antarctica, combining her
love of hunting, biological study, collecting, King's march 24 x 30 oil
photography, sketching and anatomical studies
to help her create strikingly accurate artworks.
She hopes to share her vision and experiences
with those who also treasure the many species
of wildlife - and often they are hunters. She has
a special passion for Africa and all its natural
wonders, and because she loves to paint zebras
so much, she calls herself the “Zebra Queen.”
Her artwork has been reproduced and
donated to more causes than she can count,
and sales have raised hundreds of thousands of
dollars for conservation-minded agencies like
Ducks Unlimited, the Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation, the Wild Sheep Foundation, Safari
Club International, with some sales earmarked
for the African Wildlife Foundation. She is
happy to help raise funds for other African
conservation groups. She firmly believes that
hunters and the groups they support are the
lifeblood of wildlife conservation worldwide,
and is always happy to discuss this with art
enthusiasts, who often are puzzled by how
a wildlife artist can also hunt. “I study the
animal, photograph it, pursue it, eat it, mount
it, paint or sculpt it… and love it!” she says.
Although the majority of her work is
done in acrylic or oil paints, she works in
many different mediums, including bronze,
scratchboard, glass mosaics, mixed media
sculpture, and others. Her very first painting
took about six months; after so many years,
she’s gotten a bit faster! She normally comes up
with an idea after a trip abroad or an experience
in the field, and does several sketches while the
idea is fresh. She spends days digging through
her references, amassing hundreds of photos
to help her accurately portray the scene in her
head. She transfers the sketch to her board or
canvas, and starts the first of several layers of
paint, establishing values and lighting, and can
portray rare and exotic species, like Marco Polo A True Lord - Bronze - 16 x 10 x 10

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 115
 An African palette

sheep and Lord Derby eland, animals that aren’t

easily photographed. It helps that she’s hunted
them and been to their habitat.
A difficult and delicate medium, her
scratchboards have been gaining in popularity.
A board is coated in a thin layer of white clay,
then painted with black ink. Anything sharp
can scratch through the black layer into the
white, and the fine lines that are produced are
permanent. This process can take a long time!
After all the scratching is complete, Cynthie uses
delicate washes of watercolor on the scratched
areas. The level of detail produced would be
hard to achieve any other way, and the black
background makes the image striking.
Cynthie has done over 20 different bronzes,
mostly of more unusual big-game species like
bongos and markhors. She pioneered the mixed
media sculpture technique, using plaster, clay,
wire and board, creating one-of-a-kind wall-
hanging vignettes of some of her favorite species.
Once formed, she paints them in a lifelike
manner, as a means to have a big-game head
in an art collection, without the actual animal
being involved!
And the adventure continues: she is booked
on another Marco Polo hunt in Tajikistan this
winter, and will return to Africa twice next year,
hoping to finally photograph and hunt a bongo
in Cameroon. Spiral horns are a definite passion
of hers, and she is also an avid birdwatcher.
Hunting in Africa is the cornerstone of
conservation there, providing jobs for local
people, food, and protection to the multitude
of creatures that live in the hunting areas. She
hopes to continue to educate people on the
Three grevys 24 x 28
positive role hunting plays in ensuring stable
wildlife populations, and if her artwork can help
her in that goal, so much the better!

Look for her booth at both the Dallas Safari Show

and the Safari Club International in Las Vegas. All
of her available originals and giclee prints can be
viewed on her website. She is also happy to accept
commissions featuring your favorite species.

Email: cynthieart@gmail.com
Website: www.CynthiesOriginals.com
Phone: # 406-375-1445

Rainbow parade 12 x 16

116 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
 From the Desk of Hunter Proud Foundation

A Value
Beyond the
Aesthetics
By Zig Mackintosh

"The National Parks: America's Best Idea" Ken Burns' documentary series, is a masterpiece. The history
of the United States National Parks from 1851 to 1980 is documented in the typical Burns' style. John
Muir, naturalist/philosopher and first president of the Sierra Club was one of the earliest advocates of the
National Parks idea. His three-night camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt (an avid hunter)
in the Yosemite Valley 1903 is considered to be the most significant camping trip in conservation history.

D
uring that trip, he convinced
the president to return Yosemite
Valley and the Mariposa Grove
to federal protection as part of Yosemite
National Park. The trip would have a
lasting impact on the president. Roosevelt
went on to declare five national parks;
signed the landmark Antiquities Act and
used its special provisions to create 18
national monuments, including the Grand
Canyon unilaterally; set aside 51 federal
bird sanctuaries, four national game
refuges, and more than 100 million acres'
worth of national forests.
John Muir's fear for the National Parks
system was that "nothing dollarable is
safe." He was primarily concerned with
the lumber companies' continual threat
to the virgin forests. Stephen Mather, the
National Parks Service first director, took
an opposing view and believed that the only
way to make the parks safe was, in fact,
to make them "dollarable." A self-made
millionaire, Mather believed that if the
national parks concept was packaged and
promoted correctly, not only could they be
conserved but also made profitable, a value
beyond the aesthetics.
The railroad companies were the perfect
allies. Promoting "See America First," they
had been selling the National Parks concept
from the start; more train-riding tourists
equaled more dollars. They were not
afraid to use their political influence with
Congress to achieve these goals.
Mather's strategy proved to be correct;
pragmatism trumped idealism, and today
the American National Parks system is
undoubtedly the best in the world.
In Southern Africa today, conservation
policy is centered around the sustainable
use of natural resources; "if it pays, it
stays" or to use Muir's terminology, it's
"dollarable." The centerpiece of this strategy
is community-based natural resource
management (CBNRM), which has been
adopted across the subregion. Namibia has
shown the effectiveness of CBNRM.
By adopting the conservancy model,
Namibia has more wildlife than at any time
in the past 150 years; the national wildlife
herd stands at around 3 million animals.
The country currently has over 50% of its
land under formally recognized wildlife
management, including its entire coastline.
If Namibia had followed an animal-rights
based, protectionist approach to wildlife
management, only 8% of the current
population would exist in a few isolated
nature reserves.
Wildlife policy in Kenya is controlled
by animal rights institutions that have
little regard for the wildlife they purport
to protect. It is unclear how they managed
to do this. Still, the fact of the matter is
that the people of Kenya did not elect
these organizations into this position
of power, and they have no mandate to
dictate Kenyan wildlife policy. These

www.africanhuntinggazette.com 117
 From the Desk of Hunter Proud Foundation
A typical waterhole scene in Namibia.
Without safari hunting wildlife
populations across a large part of Africa
will be doomed.
The indigenous people of Namibia have benefited greatly from CBNRM.
organizations realize all of the benefits
of their unique status through the ability
to raise awareness and money for their
assorted campaigns with the added bonus
of not being accountable for their actions.
The people who live with wildlife are left to
deal with the consequences resulting from
their shenanigans.
Animal rights propaganda declares that
all is well with the direction that wildlife
conservation in Kenya is taking and that
it is the countries and organizations that
are pro-consumptive utilization that have
got it all wrong. But the facts speak for
themselves.
A recent study by Joseph Ogutu, Senior
Statistician, University of Hohenheim, noted
that over the past four decades, populations
118 www.africanhuntinggazette.com
Professional hunters and operators, the
unsung heroes of conservation.
of almost all the common wildlife species
in Kenya have fallen to one third or less of
their previous levels. Concurrently, livestock
numbers, most notably sheep and goats,
increased by 76.3%.
The number of the 18 most common
wildlife species reduced from a total of
1,809,605 in 1977-1980 to 607,233 in
2011-2013.
The average rate of wildlife loss of
68.1% also gives a false sense of comfort. It
conceals some severe declines in individual
counties such that, by 2016, populations of
many species had been virtually wiped out.
For example, while the national rate of
decline for hartebeest was 84%, hartebeest
numbers had fallen by 88%-100% in six of
the 11 counties in which they occur in the
rangelands. The eland is another example.
Their numbers declined nationally by 78%
but had plummeted by between 85% and
100% in 10 of the 15 counties they inhabit.
Ogutu concludes that the leading cause
of the extreme wildlife losses is the failure
of official policy, institutions and markets
for wildlife and wildlife products in Kenya.
Protected wildlife areas cover only 8% of
Kenya. There are no official institutions
for conserving or protecting wildlife on
the rangelands and where land is privately
owned by individuals or communally.
The people that do own the land have no
access rights or user rights over the state-
owned wildlife on their private lands. This
means landowners get no compensation
for supporting state wildlife, nor are they
compensated for damage to property caused
by wildlife.
So how is it that the Southern African
model of sustainable use is more often
vilified than held up as a shining
achievement. The truth is that animal rights
activists are PR marketing machines. Like
the railroad barons of Mather's day, they
are unafraid to use any means possible to
achieve their goals. They have hustled their
agenda into the court of public opinion by
implementing a variety of strategies.
These tactics include:
• social media cyberbullying,
• the hijacking of governmental policies in
international forums such as CITES,
• endless litigation against government
agencies like the US Fish and Wildlife
Service,
• promoting legislation such as the "Cecil
Bill" in the US congress,
• influencing high-ranking politicians,
• celebrity publicity fundraising
campaigns,
• and the never-ending stream of
preservationist wildlife documentaries
that promote Africa as some kind of
idyllic Eden on mainstream media.
It is not difficult to predict how the animal
rights game plan will eventually play out.
COVID-19 has given a glimpse into the
fate of vast swathes of African wilderness
if sustainable use is eliminated. Large
populations of wildlife across the continent
will disappear, and critical habitat lost forever.
Animal rights activists are playing a
dangerous game of Russian roulette with
both Africa's people and wildlife. And the
real tragedy? The world is not listening and
no one will be held accountable.
 An African Dawn has broken
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impressive commitment to sustainable, ethical hunting practices and
attention to every detail. Guests are treated to luxury, elegance and
privacy. Offering world-class wingshooting, photo safaris, horseback
rides, quad biking, spa treatments and a relaxing sauna. Something for
every taste, pace and passion. www.arugamelodges.com
AXEL ENGMAN SAFARIS
A tailor-made experience with Swedish attention to detail. Raised
in the Swedish countryside, hunting ethics are ingrained and part of
the Axel Engman Safaris approach. Varieties of topography on my
concessions countrywide, offering a full spectrum of species - plains
game, small predators, the Tiny 10 to the Big 5. Tailor-made hunting,
fishing, or photographic safaris await you. Whether your first or
tenth safari – Axel Engman Safaris offers many years of professional
hunting and outfitter experience. www.aesafaris.se
We offer only 20 exclusive safaris per year. Your exclusivity ensures
we hunt sustainably, protecting and improving the trophy quality. 25
plains-game species available with no “put and take allowed.” 25,498
acres privately owned, plus a concession of 93 square miles. All species
listed on our website are available at Bergzicht Game Lodge. To
experience the adventure of hunting plains game and (occasionally!) a
true African thrill of seeing an angry black rhino bull, then Bergzicht
Game Lodge is for you! www.bergzicht-hunting.com
Bobby Hansen was born and raised in Zimbabwe, with 30 years’
experience, operating in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. A
reputation for quality hunts, a tremendous experience, value for
money and exceptional quality animals. He personally guides the
safaris. Camps and equipment are all in immaculate condition.
Professional hunter & tracker George Myemi has been with the
company for 21 years. “Book with me, Hunt with me!”
www.bobbyhansensafaris.com

Boss Safaris and Outfitters was founded by professional hunter
and outfitter, Wayne Muller. It has always been our main goal to
be the most reputable outfit in South Africa. At the end of 2018,
Jacus Visagie, professional hunter, outfitter and dear friend, became
a partner in the business. Boss Safaris makes choosing an outfitter in
Africa a simple, worry-free experience. We handle everything from
your initial booking, to the day your trophies arrive back home.
www.bosssafaris.com
A family-owned operation, founded in 1970 by Frank and Jenny
Bowker. Hunting has been in the family since settling in the early
1800s. Today Frank, Meyrick, Alexis and Lily Bowker carry on with
these traditions in the original homestead that offers wonderful
ambience and warm hospitality to hunting clients. Specializing in
dangerous game and Eastern Cape plains-game safaris, many not
found elsewhere. Offering walk and stalk, bow, handgun, and rifle
hunting opportunities, as well as world-class wingshooting in our
exclusive concessions. Check the SCI record book dating back to the
70s. www.bowkersafaris.co.za
Byseewah offers a total African experience for hunters, fishermen,
and photographers. Hunters stalk game on foot, following the tracks
of antelope, hyena, and the occasional leopard. Byseewah prides itself
on being family-friendly, and offers photographic safaris and nature
walks to those who don’t want to hunt. Ken, who loves to fish and take
photographs as much as he enjoys hunting, organizes expeditions to
the Namibian coast for sea fish and the Zambezi River for tiger fish.
Ken and Lynda treat their guests as family members, bringing clients
back to Byseewah year after year. www.byseewah.com
A family-owned and operated company,
offering custom safaris on concessions
that border the Greater Kruger National
Park in South Africa. This means we
can also take you for a visit to this
incredible place while here on safari.
Christo Joubert began professionally
hunting in 1996 – not selling hunts but
rather offering an African adventure. We
never combine groups – You’re our only priority. Camps are like
an oasis in the African bush, where you relax around a campfire,
listening to the lions, leopards, and hyenas telling their own stories.
chivicafricansafaris3@gmail.com
Chris Troskie Safaris has
been the outfit of choice
for 17 years and our focus
is on YOU. Based in
the Waterberg region of
Limpopo Province, South
Africa, we hunt more than
40,000 acres of prime hunting land directly from our luxurious camp.
We don’t charge by the inch! Huge kudu, nyala, bushbuck and eland
makes CT Safaris the ideal destination for the Spiral Horn Slam. In
addition we offer buffalo, sable and numerous South African plains
game in exclusive expansive hunting preserves. Offering a proper,
real, fair-chase hunting experience. There simply is no substitute for
great experience, and CT Safaris has it… in abundance!
www.ct-safaris.com
Owned and operated by Dawid Muller, a well-known Namibian
Professional Hunter in the hunting business for more than 40 years.
His hunting farm is 60km southwest of Windhoek in the mountainous
Khomas Hochland, an unfenced open area where along with neighbours
farms which are his to hunt, offer 40 000ha. Plus, the exclu-sive unfenced
hunting area in the Eastern Caprivi (now Zambezi Region) between the
Mdumu and Mamili (Nkasa Rupara) National Parks. Personal attention
to every detail, and Dawid’s passion and experience explain hunters’ repeat
visits to Dagga-boy Hunting Safaris. www.daggaboy.com
Never before has a destination of such unparalleled luxury been offered
to bowhunters. Set against the vast rolling hills of the Karoo region, a
five-star oasis surrounded by private bowhunting land is now available
for small groups of passionately dedicated bowhunters and their travel
companions. With a private chef, master sommelier, fulltime masseuse
and photo safari excursions by horseback or overland vehicle, you’ll
leave with the trophies and memories of a lifetime.
EasternCapeBowhunting.com (Password: hunting)
Eland Safaris is located on the scenic family Farm in the most northwestern
part of the Limpopo Province, South Africa, close to the Botswana border.
Starting in 2006 by Alex and Johnny Thomson, Eland Safaris’ six clients
and six full-time workers have grown to average 50 clients annually with
an extra full-time PH and 15 full-time workers. Combined, 30 years’
experience, endorsed by Craig Boddington in 2017, as one of his endorsed
outfitters in South Africa, we are PHASA, and NRA Life members. Eland
Safaris is a bushveld paradise offering over 25 plains-game species and the
Big Five. Something for everyone. www.elandsafaris.co.za
 Epic Hunting Safaris team of outfitters has
the expertise and infrastructure to make your
African hunting safari an unforgettable one! If
you are interested in game hunting, it promises
to be a thrilling experience.
Your hunt will be exclusive, unhurried and
customised to your personal requirements.
Epic Hunting Safari is a family-owned property
which spans a massive area in excess of 42 000
acres and is situated in the majestic Limpopo
province -South Africa. No request is too small
or too large for the Epic Hunting Safaris team- from the moment you
arrive, throughout your stay, we seek to provide exceptional customer
experience.
www.epichuntingsafari.com
25 000 acre, privately
owned, this hunting
ranch has some truly
unique features not
easily found elsewhere.
Unspoiled bushveld area
bordering the world-
famous Etosha National Park means lion, elephant, hyena, cheetah
and leopard are frequently visiting. Etosha View is home to a healthy
population of black rhino. That accounts for having four of the Big
Five. We are proud of the fact that the trophies taken on Etosha
View are up above 80% Gold and Silver NAPHA status. Come and
experience true Africa!
www.etoshaviewhunting.com
I invite you to hunt with us on our three
private hunting ranches that are over
200,000 acres. Home to over 50,000
game animals and over 50 different
huntable species. Our huge game
numbers allow us to offer an outstanding
price giving you the best value for your
money. Our Burchell Game Reserve
(East Cape of South Africa), Burchell
Hunting Ranch (southern Namibia)
and Ishota Hunting Ranch(northern
Namibia) offering a diversity of species, value for money, staff
friendliness, professionalism, client dedication, and commitment
to conservation, will lure you, your family and friends back to hunt
with us many times.
www. frontiersafaris.com
A Namibian-based
company, offering
Tanzania, Cameroon
and South Africa.
Starting in 1999, under
the guidance of Professional Hunter & Outfitter Jaco Oosthuizen,
Game Trackers Africa commenced hunting in the world-famous
Selous Game Reserve of Tanzania. Expanding with other excellent
areas in western Tanzania and Masailand. Now offering in excess
of 120 game species across Africa, Jaco and Magdel Oosthuizen,
along with their team of professional hunters, will ensure that you
enjoy the most memorable time of your life in Africa, as they pride
themselves in original free-range hunting safaris.
www.gametrackersafrica.com
Founded in 1974, this
family-run operation
in South Africa that
has become world-
renowned for delivering
high-quality big-
game and plains-game
hunting to rifle and bow hunters. 55,000 acres of private game reserve
in the Great Limpopo Valley, arguably the finest hunting ground in
the country, with over 30 different wild game species. All roam freely
including four of the Big Five, offering world class, fair-chase hunting.
www.greaterkudulandsafaris.com
The ultimate hunting destination. The
Selous offers staggering numbers of animals,
outstanding trophy quality, and a truly
authentic East African hunting safari as
experienced by the great hunters of yesteryear.
Operating in partnership with Luke Samaras
Safaris in the glorious Selous Game Reserve
in Tanzania, in one of the last great wilderness
areas remaining. 4,000 square kilometers of pristine African
wilderness, set aside for world-class hunting. Our base camp is
situated directly on the banks of the mighty Rufiji River, carefully
structured to provide all the comforts of home with an old-world
colonial charm and grace. Experience the holy grail of hunting with
Heritage Safaris in Tanzania. www.heritage-safaris.com
Graham Hingeston runs HHK Safaris, one
of Africa’s most recognised safari operators.
With exclusive control over some of Africa's
best hunting and fishing concessions, it allows
us to tailor safaris to our clients' individual
demands. All operators are registered and
licensed supplying the necessary services such
as camp accommodation, catering, trackers, skinners, vehicles, and a
Zimbabwean qualified Professional Hunter. In doing so, we ensure
that your trip is a stress free, and enjoyable experience. Hunting in
Zimbabwe is on a sustainable use basis with quotas issued for each
concession.
Come Chase Your Dreams with Us.
www.hhksafaris.com
6000 plus acres of distinct Eastern Cape vegetation. Accessible, yet
extremely remote. Spectacular, varied topography, miles and miles
of river frontage - Africa’s nature is on display. The home of tough
authentic hunting in South Africa’s most popular province. Our logo
describes what we’re about. Easy to recognize, yet a challenge from the
outset; - The endemic eastern cape greater kudu. Smaller, more beautiful
that its larger cousin, but offering a classic experience for the discerning
international hunter. African wilderness is what we offer, time and your
commitment is what you need. www.hotfiresafaris.co.za
 A premium big game safari operator
in Namibia for over 30 years.
Hunting inside the Bwabwata
National Park (Buffalo Area) in
Kavango East region. (old Caprivi
Strip). Plains-game hunting takes
place on the western edge of the Kalahari Desert, eastern Namibia.
(Gobabis area). The 700 000 acre concession on the Okavango River -
is a paradise for buffalo, elephant, leopard, crocodile and hippo, lion,
sable roan and more antelope, and has consistently delivered excellent
trophies for over 20 years. Koos Pienaar - big-game PH for more
than 32 years and his son Kobus – are well-known and respected for
their modest, but absolute brilliance in big-game hunting. Partners,
Christine and James Chapman run the hunting camps personally and
manage the business. www.huntafricanamibia.com
Formed in 1993, John Oosthuizen and Gavin
Hume and have been there since inception.
Both, highly experienced professional
hunters, each having received the prestigious
'Professional Hunter Of The Year' award and
still fully active professional hunters, they have
gained vast experience of hunting conditions
in all the following countries: South Africa,
Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique And
Uganda. Few can match this. Based in Johannesburg, as the hub for
arriving clients who transit to neighbouring areas and countries, Hunters
and Guides Africa continues, through the Bhejane Trust (established to
help monitor and protect the only wild population of black rhino left in
Zimbabwe), to promote Conservation through Hunting.
www.huntersandguides.co.za
Jamy Traut is a well-respected
outfitter in Namibia. A family-
run operation dedicated to
providing a small number of
clients with an unequalled
opportunity to hunt Africa’s
great game. A variety of areas
available in Namibia means
a great diversity of hunting and tourism across Namibia. With its
ethical and sustainable hunting practices, Namibia has become one of
the top hunting destinations in Africa, known for its large diversity in
game, open landscapes as well as cultural diversity and habitats. Jamy
Traut Hunting Safaris is proud to uphold the traditions of ethical and
fair-chase hunting,
www.jamyhunts.com
John Sharp is one of the most experienced
big-game hunters operating in Southern
A
Africa today. While adhering to the strict
ethics of fair chase, John epitomises the
authentic ‘Great White Hunter’ of legend.
A pilot, a crack shot and an excellent
host, John puts the client at the centre
of everything he does. His clients often
come back – not because this man will
ever guarantee a trophy (“the bush is unpredictable’), but because
he lives up to all the legends of the African big-game hunter. As his
long-standing friend, author Wilbur Smith writes: “ I have hunted
with some of the very best professional hunters presently operating
in Africa, but John Sharp is my preferred companion and guide in the
hunting field.” www.john-sharp-safaris.com
Situated in the Kalahari Region
of South Africa, we believe in a
modern world where time and
silence are the most luxurious
commodities, we offer our
guests an abundance of both.
One of the most luxurious lodges you will ever experience, where
contemporary 5-star comforts meet world luxury accommodation
and gastronomic delights. An award-winning wine cellar and
cigar lounge are added luxuries. Guests can engage in many other
adventure activities or indulge in our luxury Wellness Spa. Our
skilled staff have mastered the art of service and the lodge and its
facilities have been designed to offer our clients an unparalleled
hunting safari experience. www.thekalaharisands.com
Welcome to Khomas
Highland Hunting
Safaris. With about
thirty years of experience
in operating hunting
safaris, we would like to
invite you along for an
overview of our unique operation. We are looking forward to taking
you on a journey to our various hunting concessions, with exclusive
accommodation and service to guarantee your ultimate safari
experience. Please feel free to have a look at our website and our
YouTube channel to get a feeling for your next African safari hunt.
Contact PH Philip Hennings for further information.
Mail: philip@khomas-highland-hunting.com
Lowlands Hunting Safaris operates one
of the largest areas in South Africa’s
KwaZulu-Natal Midlands -14 000
hectares. Catering for bow, crossbow,
black powder, rifle and handgun hunting.
30 species available range from dense,
bush-loving bushbuck and nyala, to true
mountain game such as Cape eland,
grey rhebuck, endemic black wildebeest, and mountain reedbuck
in the rolling grasslands all the way to slopes of the Drakensberg.
Experienced to guide your dangerous-game Big 5 adventure, we offer
walk and stalk, ensuring memories that will last a lifetime. At the end
of the hunt – it’s the adventure that we are all about!
www.lowlandshuntingsafaris.com
Madubula Safaris was founded
by John Abraham in 1990.
As one of Africa’s premier
A
operations, safaris are conducted
to the highest ethical standards
only. No compromise. Providing
superior big game, plains game,
bird shooting and photographic
safaris, our accommodation is in
traditional tented camps or luxurious lodges on the finest reserves,
providing superb fair chase hunting. Professional hunters are all
experienced men, the trackers, skinners, camp and field staff are
all skilled and experts in their field - all are complimented by
polite waiters and world-class chefs. All camps and equipment are
of the highest standard, well maintained and stocked to ensure a
comfortable, relaxed stay. www.madubula.com
 Diethelm grew up on the
farm Otjisauona, in central
Namibia and has been
hunting all his life. Katja
studied nature conservation
at the Technikon of Pretoria,
where they met. They have been running Makadi Safaris since
1996 have three children, and the youngest, Nikolai, has just
recently joined the family farming business. With two different,
exclusive hunting areas covering 225 000 acres, of which 95 000
acres is personally owned the offer is unique. And due to our
effective wildlife management programme, which has been in place
for the last 50 years, the area is never over-hunted, allowing for
extraordinary adventure and exceptional trophies. Diethelm &
Katja Metzger www.makadi-safaris.com
At Mashambanzou Safaris you benefit
from a collective 50 years’ experience
and 15 years operational experience
in Mozambique alone. Specializing in
offering safaris from middle income “once
in a lifetime” hunters to the experienced
annual safari goer. We own our own
Concessions in many of the areas we
hunt or partner with the most reputable
operators from the Zambezi Delta to the
lake shores of Cahora Bassa. Our mission
statement is to provide our customers
with access to the best hunting areas with
the complete range of species at competitive prices with the
finest service available. www.mashambanzousafaris.com
In the heart of one of Africa’s
last great wildernesses,
McCallum Safaris with Mike
Angelides offers a wildlife
experience that reflects the
original spirit of the true
African safari. Tanzania,
with its large wilderness areas
and abundant game, offers
visitors the spirit of adventure, excitement, solitude and companionship.
McCallum Safaris has a reputation for excellence, tailoring safaris to meet
individual needs and high expectations by hosting clients in the most
comfortable camps and the best concessions. Exclusively in Tanzania our
hunting camps offer the visitor a luxurious and timeless experience into a
true hunting safari, ensuring that luxury and comfort meet tradition and
authenticity. www.mccallumsafaris.com
Michel Mantheakis
Safaris is a family-
owned company,
established in 2010
and operated by my
wife Nicole and myself. Having learnt from previous mistakes and
successes in our first companies, we focused on creating another
top-quality trophy hunting company with a strong conservation
conscience, offering services on an even higher level. By promoting
ethical hunting together with conservation, we aim at marketing
our safaris to the discerning hunter. Anybody can offer you a trophy
hunt, but only a few will offer you a great trophy hunt. The choice
is yours…
www.mm-safaris.com
Mokore Safaris, established in 1979, with
over 40 years’ experience, is one of the
leading safari companies in Africa. Run
by the Duckworth family, situated in the
world-famous Savé Valley Conservancy
in the south-east Lowveld of Zimbabwe.
Home to the Big Five as well as other
wildlife in a great variety of terrain. Mokore
Safaris also has the privilege of hunting
rights in Sengwa Research Area in north-
western Zimbabwe and Coutada 9 in
central Mozambique. Sole hunting rights
in three of the world’s top-quality game areas, with access to others,
means Mokore Safaris can tailor-make almost any requested safari
within Zimbabwe and Mozambique. www.mokore.com
Monterra Safaris is privately owned, 14
000 acre game ranch in the Limpopo River
Valley of South Africa. Established in the
1980s as the exclusive hunting ground of
an American business owner, his passion
for hunting and conservation lives on as
we offer you the exclusive opportunity
to make Africa your own. You will be
guided by our professional management
team through the entire process of journeying to Africa to hunt its
illustrious game. Our ethical hunting and conservation practices have
preserved the natural environment here for over thirty years.
www.monterrasafaris.com
Motsomi Safaris is a family-run safari
outfit by Pieter & Ria Potgieter. Both
nature lovers and Pieter being an avid
hunter, they decided to share their love
for the African bush, with people equal in
their passion for nature. The sole purpose
of Motsomi is to have our clients back as
friends by giving them an unbelievable
African experience. Motsomi as a team
takes pride in bringing you up close to
the greatest animals to be hunted or photographed, and will take
care of all your individual needs, whether as an observer or hunter, to
ensure that Africa will be a part of you forever!
www.motsomi.com
Ndumo Safaris is a Namibian
company, based in the Zambezi
region (formerly known as the
Caprivi Strip) of Namibia, where
we operate one of few companies
specializing in hunting dangerous
game. Owning and operating
three camps in the Zambezi
area, with one doubling as a fishing camp, puts us in the unique
position to offer the discerning hunter totally free-range areas for
dangerous-game hunting (& fishing). For additional demand outside
these areas, other Caprivi and Kavango conservancies, Damaraland
and Kaokoland conservancies, as well as private ranch land in both
Namibia and South Africa is available. Come hunt with us to make
your dreams a reality! www.huntingsafaris.net
 If your lifelong dream is to take part
in the perfect African hunting safari,
you’ve come to the right place.
Corne Kruger’s Omujeve Hunting
Safaris has three unique lodges and
free-range concessions spanning the
length and breadth of Namibia.
We cover territories ranging from
the wide-open plains of southern
Namibia, the bushveld of central Namibia, and the waterways of the
Zambezi in the far north of the country, all teeming with trophy-
quality species. If you’re looking for an authentic and exhilarating
safari, look no further than Omujeve Hunting Safaris, your trusted
ally out in the Namibian wilderness. www.omujeve.com
The African hunting experience is a combination of adventure and
beauty for thrill-seekers and naturalists alike. The rolling savanna
with scattered acacias under the summer sun, will welcome you to
this exotic and untamed safari land. The call of the African wild
allures with its vivid sunsets and the open plains that teem with
wildlife. www.Africahuntingoutfitters.com
Quagga Safaris is based in the Limpopo Valley, privately owned
and adjacent to Botswana. Hunting is not a job, rather a lifestyle
we all enjoy, and can’t wait to share it with you. A combined 100
years’ experience, personal attention, plus our trophy quality is
your security of a dream safari. It’s reflected in the record books our
80% return clientele. For more than 40 species, let us guide you to
your dream trophy. We consider the field preparation and handling
of your trophies just as important as the hunt. Highly trained and
experienced skinners will take care of your trophies until we get it
safely back to you. www.quagga.co.za
Rob Lurie Safaris is a family-owned
and run business. Rob Lurie,
born and raised in Zimbabwe, is
a fifth-generation Zimbabwean
and current Vice-Chairman
of the Zimbabwe Professional
Hunter’s and Guides Association.
He has been in the safari industry
for 25 years. With extensive experience of hunting and guiding in
Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia and South Africa, Rob
Lurie Safaris also plans safaris in Uganda, Benin, Cameroon, Tanzania
and Mauritius. With us you’re on an adventure of a lifetime, creating
memories along the way, experiencing all that Africa has to give. We
offer bespoke safaris, and we discuss exactly what each individual
wants. Come Live your Dreams with us! www.robluriesafaris.com
Welcome to our home! We live on the
ranch, all year around. We do our supply
runs to the nearest town of Bulawayo,
which is where you fly into from
Johannesburg. Your hunting here is over
32000acres of free-roaming, natural-
living wild animals. The selection of
ROSSLYN SAFARIS quality plains game is wide and plentiful,
· CAWSTON BLOCK · and we also hunt leopard. For 30 years
we have kept close tabs on our populations maintain trophy quality
for the years ahead. Primarily developed as a bowhunting ranch (rifle
hunters are also welcome) we have a dozen waterholes each with a
purpose-built blind / hide. As a working ranch, we have an organic
dairy, chickens, vegetable garden and, of course, the mild--tasting
meat from the game that you hunt. www.rosslynsafaris.com
Experience the opulent elegance of
rail travel on the most luxurious train
in the world. Combining magnificent
scenery with the glamor and excitement
of the golden age of rail travel, Rovos
Rail offers eight distinct scenic safaris
through the heart of Africa. During
the height of wingshooting season, we
operate a unique eight-day sojourn with
a variety of shoots ranging from driven
guinea fowl to challenging waterfowl and hot-barreled, flighted rock
pigeon and dove. Each day of shooting is paired with a leisure itinerary
for those who prefer to further explore the local history, culture and
photographic wildlife. Day’s end is celebrated with dramatic sunsets
viewed from the open-air balcony as the train trundles further across
the wild African landscapes. www.rovos.com
The Boutique Victorian-
style lodge - with its stand-
alone luxurious cottages - is
ROYAL KAROO SAFARIS designed to meet the needs of
REFINED ADVENTURE a modern-day African hunt.
F A I R C H A S E H U N T I N G
25 000 acres in one block, of
privately owned land, plus 100 000 acres of exclusive concessions –
within an hour’s drive. Mountains, densely-wooded valley bushveld,
Karoo veld through to grass topped plateaux, ensure some of the
most varied hunting in South Africa. Our exclusive preserve offers
exciting hunting that is fair chase and done on an environmentally
sustainable basis. A challenging and exciting experience awaits you
at Royal Karoo, bringing you back to Africa time and again.
www.royalkaroo.com
Rungwa Game
Safaris offers you
the finest big-game
hunting grounds in
the world, where nature feels unexplored and unvisited. See Africa
as few people do. Having worked for various hunting operators as
a PH, I gained the experience and vision for what I considered to
be the most important principles in operating a successful hunting
company. By practicing minimum off-take, maximum anti-poaching
and protection of our hunting concessions, the result of this vision
is apparent in the annually improving wildlife population and in the
quality of hunting in our concessions. Rungwa Game Safaris is able
to provide hunters with opportunities for exceptional quality trophies
and I would like to invite you to join us for your safari of a lifetime!
www.rungwasafaris.com
 Safari Trails International operates
in the beautiful malaria-free Eastern
Cape - by far one of the most popular
hunting destinations in South Africa.
With us you will be treated to days
of hard hunting, friendly people and
beautiful scenery. We our hunting
rights to many thousands of acres we
offer over 40 species to both the first-
time hunter as well as the seasoned safari hunters. We use a number of
different lodges around the Eastern Cape, with our main camp being
situated just over an hour northeast of Port Elizabeth. You will be
guaranteed quality accommodations, food and trophies and we have
always encouraged family hunts and welcome young and first-time
hunters. info@safari-international.com
The company is owner-run,
is a member of Mozambique
Safari Operators Association
(AMOS) and has two
Professional Hunters that will
guide your hunt and ensure
you get the most from the time
you are with us. Safari Landia
hunt under those guidelines, which are internationally accepted and
adhered to by all ethical hunting outfits. Experience the thrill of the
hunt in the traditional way - stay in the camp enjoying nourishing
food, refreshments and sound rest, good old-fashioned service and
attention to detail.
www.safaria-africa.com
It must be said that whether it is your first time hunting ever, or
you’re a seasoned hunter, we want to make memories for you. SB
Hunting Safaris aims for you, the hunter, to have an unforgettable
experience. It is our passion to keep hunting alive. For us it is not
about quantity but about quality. We have more than 30 huntable
species roaming over thousands of unspoiled acres that can be part
of your next deluxe African hunting safari. SB Hunting Safaris is a
family-oriented company. www.sbhuntingsafaris.com
Zambia ‘The Real Africa’ - Shamwari
Safaris is primarily situated
alongside the Zambezi River and
escarpment, at the confluence of
the Luangwa and Zambezi Valley.
The area is mountainous and the
hunting is challenging and VERY
exciting. We also have access to
other prime areas including South
Luangwa, Bangweulu Swamps and
Kafue GMA’s Our hunting safaris are led by Steven Rufus, a native
Zimbabwean now resident in Zambia. Steven has both a wealth of
experience and passion for the African Bush, is committed to both
ethical hunting and ensuring that the client’s needs are exceeded on
each and every safari.
www.shamwarihuntingsafaris.com
Owned and operated by Ernest and Marita
Dyason since 1995, Spear Safaris offers world-
class big-game trophy hunting Tanzania,
Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Zambia and
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related to where I’m going, and what I’ll be
doing. In 1988, heading for Alaska to hunt
brown bear from a boat in Prince William
Sound, I took an anthology of Jack London’s
stories about the Klondike. On that trip, it
rained for 21 days out of 23, including 19
days straight. I clearly remember being in the
cabin of the boat, with rain pounding on the
deck and bouncing off the grey surface of the
sea, with a cup of steaming coffee, warm and
dry and leading the life I’d always dreamt of.
Two years later, when I went
back to hunt Dall sheep in the
Chugach Mountains, I took
Jack O’Connor’s Sheep and Sheep
Hunting. We had a base camp
that consisted of a tent, two cots,
a Coleman stove, and a buried
cache of moose meat. We flew
in, one passenger at a time, on
a Piper Cub that bounced in to
land on a gravel bar, brushing
the alders with its wingtips.
Weight was at a premium and
we counted every ounce, but
O’Connor in hardcover repaid
the effort.
Roosevelt obviously read
for enlightenment as much as
enjoyment, while Ruark read for
escapism; as for Hemingway, a
day without words was simply
unimaginable. My approach is a
little different. I read ahead of
time to get myself into the right
frame of mind — a fever pitch
of enthusiasm is the actual goal
— and I read while I’m there to
remind myself that I’m leading
the life I always wanted and now,
in some ways at least, I have.
For years, my inseparable
companion on trips to Africa
was the Complete Short Stories
of Ernest Hemingway. That’s one
book I’ve read cover to cover to cover, and
some favorites like The Undefeated or Snows
of Kilimanjaro I’ve read fifty times or more.
Yet, those two stories particularly I can always
read again and always, it seems, get something
new out of them. That, I think, is the secret
of any travelling library: It should contain
books you can read and re-read, and never tire
of, and always learn something. Sometimes,
what you learn is that from the vantage point
of more advanced years, you now see things
differently.
Terry Wieland’s One for the Road
One of my recurring nightmares is of
being marooned somewhere with no books.
In 1990, my old pal Michael McIntosh
was on his way east from Missouri when
he blew an engine in Terre Haute, Indiana,
and found himself holed up in a motel for
three days with nothing to read. It was a “no
pets” establishment, and he had his dog with
him. He was able to smuggle her into the
room, but she would start to bark if he left
her alone, so there he sat — for three long
book-starved days. Figuring he’d been given
a foretaste of Purgatory, if not actual Hell, he
thought the experience might lead him back
to religion. Instead, it led him to assemble
an emergency survival kit of two bottles of
Scotch and several volumes of Faulkner, and
this became his constant companion on all
future trips.
Regardless of how short any outing is
planned to be, untoward things can occur (as
witness Michael in Terre Haute). One book
I am able to reread endlessly is Hemingway’s
A Moveable Feast, and I still have the little
Bantam paperback I bought in 1966. Not
quite pigskin, but in those days they made
paperbacks to last. It literally fits into a
pocket of a safari jacket, and has been places
even Hemingway never thought of going.
It’s gotten me through sleepless nights in
cheap motels from Sault Ste. Marie to the
New Garden in Nairobi; it’s been read by
candlelight in the Okavango, and on the
night train to Inverness.
As I write this, I’m preparing
for a quick visit to the surgeon’s
knife to replace a hip that
backpacked up too many
mountains and ran too many
marathons. I mentioned this
to a friend, and told him I was
trying to decide what books to
take, in case I was in there longer
than expected. “Oh, you won’t
need books,” he said, “All those
rooms have TV sets.” He might
as well have told me it would
be equipped with a team of
inquisitors and a rack.
Because of my penchant for
working up enthusiasm through
reading, for the last couple of
years I’ve had to avoid Jack
O’Connor and Robert Ruark. I
did not want to start shedding
tears for being (temporarily)
unable to climb mountains
or chase kudu through the
thornbush. Since I am now
assured that hip replacements
and backpacking up mountains
go together like gin, tonic, and
a slice of lime, I’m thinking that
Horn of the Hunter would be a
good one to take, along with an
O’Connor anthology.
But, I also have a couple
of new ones to try: two
autobiographical anthologies by John Hewitt,
my old acquaintance from my early days
at Gray’s Sporting Journal, as well as Steve
Bodio’s A Sportsman’s Library. The danger
with reading Hewitt is that laughing will be
too painful, while Bodio will simply make me
feel inadequate, as usual. Neither is exactly
Thucydides, but the great Greek contributed
this gem of wisdom already: “The strong do
what they have to do; the weak accept what
they have to accept.” No wonder he was in
the Pigskin Library.
africanhuntinggazette.com 127
 Terry Wieland’s One for the Road

The travelling library

Blood, sweat, gun oil, dust and ashes
When Theodore Roosevelt made his celebrated safari through East Africa, more than 110 years
ago now, he took with him a veritable mountain of equipment. From rifles and ammunition to
his tailor-made safari outfits and jars of pickles and horseradish, everything that accompanied
TR has been meticulously listed and analyzed — and, it must be said, ridiculed — but those
were different times.

W
hen one set out from home by
steamship, expecting to be away
a year or more, with no limit on
baggage, travelling into the unknown — in
Roosevelt’s case, at least — one tended to
err on the side of caution and take not just
one of everything, but back-ups as well.
Roosevelt was a prodigious reader, a man
who studied anything and everything. The
prospect of finding himself bookless in a
savage and illiterate land was horrifying, so
it’s not surprising that one entire trunk was
given over to what became known to history
as the “Pigskin Library.”
This collection contained 59 volumes, all
bound in pigskin for durability. “They’re
meant for reading,” Roosevelt growled, and
read they were. In African Game Trails, he
noted that he always had a book with him, in
128 africanhuntinggazette.com
his saddlebags or cartridge box, and would sit
reading wherever he found himself with a few
minutes to spare, throughout the day.
The Pigskin Library was carried in a large
box of aluminum and oilskin, and it took two
men and a boy to lift and carry it. Among the
titles were the King James Bible, Shakespeare,
Marlowe, and the Niebelungenlied. He
had Thucydides on The Peloponnesian War,
Captain Mahan on Sea Power, Carlyle on
Frederick the Great, Francis Bacon’s Essays,
and The Federalist. Homer was present with
the Iliad and the Odyssey. There were three
volumes of Macaulay on history, Milton’s
Paradise Lost and Dante’s Inferno. Novelists?
Twain (2), Thackeray (2), Dickens (2), and
Sir Walter Scott (5). Poets? Longfellow,
Spenser, Tennyson, Shelley, Emerson, Poe,
Keats, and Browning. After lunch in the
field, in the shade of an acacia, he could delve
into anything from The Song of Roland to
Bret Harte’s Luck of Roaring Camp. Theodore
Roosevelt was a man of varied and voracious
tastes. He led what he called “the strenuous
life,” and serious reading was a major part of
it.
Later, he wrote that the pigskin bindings
became stained with “blood, sweat, gun oil,
dust, and ashes,” but instead of becoming
“loathsome” as would a conventional binding,
or distintegrating altogether, they “merely
grew to look as a well-used saddle looks.” To
those who love leather — and which of us
doesn’t? — that says everything.
Other African travellers followed
Roosevelt’s example, although they probably
would have taken books with them anyway.
Ernest Hemingway and Robert Ruark both
mentioned their reading material in their
own, later books about their own, later
safaris. Hemingway’s reading was less exalted,
tending to recent novels, while Ruark’s was
downright plebeian: His favorite reading
material during a warm afternoon, waiting
for a kudu to peek out from the bushes, was
Dashiel Hammett and similar purveyors of
sex, crime, and gore.
It has long been my practice, when I’m
getting ready for a trip somewhere to hunt
something, to get myself in the mood by
reading about it ahead of time. If I’m going
to Tanzania to hunt Cape buffalo, it will be
Ruark or John Taylor; if it’s bobwhite quail
in Georgia, I might read Havilah Babcock,
and for brown bear in Alaska, Frank Hibben’s
stories about Allen Hasselborg on Admiralty
Island.
When the time comes to board the plane,
or point the car west, I’ll be carrying books
Continued on page 127
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