TANZANIA: Splitting a Full Bag In Tanzania

[Daisy]

After dropping the gazelle off at the skinning shed, we checked a leopard bait that was close to camp. The baits were hung during the safari right before ours by Mike and his Russian client, a friend of Putin. The Russian hunted elephant, leopard, buffalo and plains game and got everything he came to hunt. It was interesting to hear the views the Russian had expressed to Mike about the world topics of the day.

The fresher of the two baits in the tree was almost totally consumed by a female leopard but Mike said she had been accompanied by a large male leopard earlier so we would continue to feed her in hopes that the big male would show up on the camera as well.
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We continued south to look for more game. The migration seemed to be in full force. Wildebeest, Grant’s zebra and topi were everywhere. The herds were very large and the ground was covered with tracks - like superhighways of tracks. It was incredible to see and the gals were enjoying it as well.

This would be a good time to talk about Jim and his firearms. Jim is a dedicated handgun hunter. He took his 10’ brown bear with me with a handgun. He’s also taken moose and deer with me with a handgun. He will use a rifle when conditions require it but prefers to use a handgun. He can shoot a handgun more accurately than most people can shoot a rifle. Mike was quite impressed. The owner of Bushman, Talal Abood, owns several businesses in Tanzania and is connected quite well. He and his office staff were able to get special handgun firearms permits for Jim so he could bring and hunt with two handguns. The handguns were a Thompson Contender in 375 JDJ and a Smith & Wesson 500 revolver. Jim also brought a 7mm PRC rifle. By the way, I do have Jim’s permission to post his pictures.

Shortly before lunch, Mike and Jim were able to get within handgun range of a nice Grant’s zebra stallion. The migrating herds rarely stop and he made a great walking shot. Grant’s zebra are beautiful albeit a bit smaller than some of the other species of zebra. We also now had some great leopard bait to hang.
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Is there a “Rut” per se for large cats?

 

[Scott CWO]

Wow, what can I say... just read through from the beginning. This is not only an adventure to be proud of, but one with such great results. From Buffalo to a huge leopard, a top impala, a massive lion and a great bull elephant, with many other species mixed in, only one word comes to mind: "Waidmannsheil"!

Well done to all involved, thanks a lot for sharing your story and I'm looking forward to hearing about your next trip (though to top this one, that will be a challenge).

Waidmannsdank! Thanks for the kind words.

Yes, I don’t think I will be able to top this safari and my Zambian hunt last year. I have considered LDE and roan but nothing planned. I need a rhino for my Big 5 but that’s a pretty easy hunt.

 

[Scott CWO]

Congrats Again Scott. I was actually thinking to myself that you should write a book, or two. Your guiding exploits alone would make for a good read

Yes, I’ve got some crazy stories and not just about Africa.

 

[Jerycmeach]

What an amazing hunting adventure! I am envious of your hunt report; it is exceeding well done! I have been busy with my Kansas outfitting business for the last three months and this is the first time I have had a chance to look at AH! I have missed so much! I was able to have James Freeman; my Botswana apprentice PH from my April elephant hunt in NG 13, come and guide for me in Kansas this season. It is crazy ti realize I have been with James foe four months this year! One month on my elephant hunt and three months chasing whitetails in Kansas! Wow! All these friendships, hinting connections, and business relationships all have their beginnings for me in this wonderful site!
I have booked two back to back hunts for bongo with Mayo olderi for this coming July! This report has inspired me to try and do better in my hunt reports! I exhibit at deer real shows each year and at the wild sheep show in Reno I am next to two Kodiak brown bear outfitters. One of the outfits is Dick and Sam Roher of Rohers bear camp. I got my Alaska guide license in 96 but just never shot my own brown bear for a multitude of reasons. I have decided it is time to take the double rifle feom my recent elephant hunt in Botswana and hunt a brown bear on Kodiak. So I will be doing that hunt this May and like I say I hope to do just 10 percent as good a job as Scott has with this report! Congratulations again Scott for a fantastic hunt and report! Im envious!

 

[Scott CWO]

Is there a “Rut” per se for large cats?

Not really. Sometimes the lionesses in a pride will synchronize to rear cubs at the same time but breeding can take place any time. Same for leopards as in there’s no defined breeding season. I have read that snow leopards will breed only at certain times due to rearing cubs in the warmer months.

 

[Scott CWO]

Congrats Again Scott. I was actually thinking to myself that you should write a book, or two. Your guiding exploits alone would make for a good read

The story about a guy bringing a blow up sex doll to deer camp would be worth the price of the book all by itself! Trust me.

 

[Justhunt]

Thanks for sharing a great hunt. Congratulations.A really good read.

 

[TOBY458]

Excellent write up and trophies! Congratulations to you both!
Do you know what bullets your friend was using in his 500 S&W on his elephant?

 

[Skshyk]

Excellent write up and trophies! Congratulations to you both!
Do you know what bullets your friend was using in his 500 S&W on his elephant?

Great question, I would like to know my self. I would imagine solids most likely Cutting Edge raptor bullets.

 

[Scott CWO]

Excellent write up and trophies! Congratulations to you both!
Do you know what bullets your friend was using in his 500 S&W on his elephant?

Buffalo Bore 400 gr monolithic solid (copper). Their dangerous game load.

 

[Scott CWO]

Great question, I would like to know my self. I would imagine solids most likely Cutting Edge raptor bullets.

Buffalo Bore 400 gr monolithic solid (copper). Their dangerous game load.

 

[Greenhorn]

What a cool adventure, you did such an excellent job on the write-up and pictures as well! Thank you so much for sharing with us; every hunting report I read always gives me another reason to go back. If you ever need someone to edit your hunting footage, let me know! @Scott CWO

 

[TOBY458]

Buffalo Bore 400 gr monolithic solid (copper). Their dangerous game load.

Just proves that all the arguments about 375 vs 416 vs 458 are kind of senseless. All of those rifle calibers have WAY more power and penetration than a 500 S&W. Yet the 500 did just fine with proper shot placement.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Congratulations Scott on an amazing hunt and thanks for sharing with us.

 

[Scott CWO]

Congratulations Scott on an amazing hunt and thanks for sharing with us.

Thanks Mark. I will give you a call to catch up.

 

[Scott CWO]

What an amazing hunting adventure! I am envious of your hunt report; it is exceeding well done! I have been busy with my Kansas outfitting business for the last three months and this is the first time I have had a chance to look at AH! I have missed so much! I was able to have James Freeman; my Botswana apprentice PH from my April elephant hunt in NG 13, come and guide for me in Kansas this season. It is crazy ti realize I have been with James foe four months this year! One month on my elephant hunt and three months chasing whitetails in Kansas! Wow! All these friendships, hinting connections, and business relationships all have their beginnings for me in this wonderful site!
I have booked two back to back hunts for bongo with Mayo olderi for this coming July! This report has inspired me to try and do better in my hunt reports! I exhibit at deer real shows each year and at the wild sheep show in Reno I am next to two Kodiak brown bear outfitters. One of the outfits is Dick and Sam Roher of Rohers bear camp. I got my Alaska guide license in 96 but just never shot my own brown bear for a multitude of reasons. I have decided it is time to take the double rifle feom my recent elephant hunt in Botswana and hunt a brown bear on Kodiak. So I will be doing that hunt this May and like I say I hope to do just 10 percent as good a job as Scott has with this report! Congratulations again Scott for a fantastic hunt and report! Im envious!

Thanks Jerry. Good luck on the bear hunt! I hope to read about it and see a picture of your giant bear.

 

[Scott CWO]

Just proves that all the arguments about 375 vs 416 vs 458 are kind of senseless. All of those rifle calibers have WAY more power and penetration than a 500 S&W. Yet the 500 did just fine with proper shot placement.

Good point

 

[WMU05]

What an amazing hunt and recap! Thanks for sharing. I can't get over that impala...

 

[DLSJR]

Congratulations again, Scott! That lion will always be one of the finest and most memorable animals you’ll ever be fortunate to take. Very happy for you. You guys had an exceptional hunt, one not likely to be equaled by either of you again. Be glad it wasn’t wetter!

Mambas…. That’s the one animal that scares the you know what out of me. I had a close call with one in Botswana in 1989, and if I never see another I’m OK with that (even though I’ve seen several since). I don’t particularly mind cobras or puff adders, but Black Mambas terrify me. They’re just plain evil as far as I’m concerned.

 

[Scott CWO]

Congratulations again, Scott! That lion will always be one of the finest and most memorable animals you’ll ever be fortunate to take. Very happy for you. You guys had an exceptional hunt, one not likely to be equaled by either of you again. Be glad it wasn’t wetter!

Mambas…. That’s the one animal that scares the you know what out of me. I had a close call with one in Botswana in 1989, and if I never see another I’m OK with that (even though I’ve seen several since). I don’t particularly mind cobras or puff adders, but Black Mambas terrify me. They’re just plain evil as far as I’m concerned.

Thanks Dan. I’m always grateful for your counsel during our phone conversations.

Yes, mambas are the worst. The damn things have attitude! It literally stood its ground against a Land Cruiser!