Monster Sable in South Africa?

**tap** · 02-19-2011, 10:17 AM

I'm currently planning on making a trip to south africa to take my family on a safari. My family has their plans for the hunt but all I can think about are monster sable.

I've found sable over 50" in zambia but the price for them is well over $25,000! I am now hoping to find a place in south africa that has sable at or over 46 inches. Does anyone know of such a place where the animals are truely wild? I've heard of places where your outfitter is releasing the so called trophy from a truck on one side of the ranch while you are hunting on the other side? I know these animals aren't cheap but $25,000? Can anyone help me to find a place that would accomodate my wife and 3 kids. Keep in mind my younges is 3 yrs old.

In addition I would like only reputable outfitters. My first african experience with numzaan safaris was a disaster and I want to avoid safari companies like that at all costs.

Thanks for any help in advance

**Caracal** · 02-19-2011, 10:54 AM

I don't know any place where you can get a free range sable with 46" or more. From my point of view a 40" sable is stil big but most sables in south africa are on fenced farms (don't know if animals on fenced farms are wild enough for you). If you want a big big sable i would try in sambia.

**Frederik** · 02-19-2011, 10:58 AM

tap,

You are asking for a very tall order why 46" and over if someone can "Guarantee" a shot at a bull like that it will unfortuantely be a bull that was used for intense breeding or the same bull bought from a breeder and dropped off on a property for you to hunt. I'm not syaing they dont exist but you are asking for a lot.

**lbgsafaris** · 02-19-2011, 12:09 PM

Hi There

With all due respect any thing in the 46" range is a very tall order
all over Africa.
First of all you will not pay even close to $25000.00 for a 46" Sable
in SA the record Sable price on auction in SA was +- $42000.00
for a 50" Sable bull and WILD in that class is out of the question
it will be a bull from a breading program. Sorry to give you this news
but is it true.

If you are looking for a good Sable Bull that will be Wild I recommend
Mozambique. There they come in up to 45" if you get a really good Bull
but 40 to 42 is the average.
You are more than welcome to contact me for any further help on your Sable

Thank you Bossie

**tap** · 02-19-2011, 12:52 PM

i am more than happy to hunt high fenced as long as there is a large thriving herd of sable and its a challenging hunt. wherever i pick i will send my ph ahead of me to ensure its the type of hunt i am looking for. the place with the 50 inch sable was nchila game reserve in zambia which appears to be a dsile breeding herd and of which i have no interest in. i am aware of 46 inches being a tall order but that is my goal. it took 3 trips to africa to finally find a 60 inch kudu so patience is something i am used to. I am just hoping i can find a property with a large herd of sable say 150 or more animals. does such a place exist in south africa? if i could find such a place and the prospects existed for a monster sable i wuld be more than happy.

**lbgsafaris** · 02-19-2011, 01:42 PM

Tab

As a true hunter you have the right attitude to hunt all over the world although your order is tall and far from reaching I am sure you will pursue your dream I like your attitude.

Even if you have to come back you are willing to do so that is good.
I do not think there is somebody with 150 or more Sable in SA.

**sestoppelman** · 02-19-2011, 01:57 PM

Tap,

Patience? 3 trips for a 60" kudu? You call that patience? Some guys never see one that big! It took me 3 trips to get one over 50, barely. Largest kudu I have seen in 5 trips is maybe 56, maybe. As to the sable, if you would be dissapointed in one under 45 inches, you better have lots of time or lots of luck. Anything over 40 is considered very good and will make SCI. Good luck!

**Spiral Horn Safaris** · 02-20-2011, 02:29 AM

Hi Tap

This is a tall order but can surely be done.

PM sent!

Best Regards
Louis van Bergen

**KMG Hunting Safaris** · 02-20-2011, 04:08 AM

Hi Tap,
A 46" is definately a tall order.I will second Louis van Bergen from the above post. He is one of the regular poster here on AH and knows his stuff. I'm sure he will be able to make a plan.

Best Regards
Marius Goosen
KMG Hunting Safaris

**hunting** · 02-20-2011, 05:26 AM

Hi Tap welcome to the forum, i hunt a area in the Free state, this area belongs to Nature conservation about 37000 hectares big. Every year they do have a auction and they sell some animals in the reserve . They sell only two Sable in a year in this reserve i am sure they do have more than 100 completely wild Sable i have hunted a number of Sable in this reserve, but not only Sable last year December i took a monster Kudu also in this reserve. My point is i spend some time every year hunting this area i have seen good Sable and i have hunted good Sable in the reserve but i have never seen a Sable 46 or bigger my best was 43 and a bit. It is good to have your mind set and to focus on your goal but to hunt a wild Sable that will go 46 will not be easy. But please keep us updated on the progress you make in finding the monster you are looking for, it surely will be a animal to remember for the rest of your life, and i hope a hunt too.

**tap** · 02-20-2011, 09:23 AM

I have a sable area located in Zambia near the Angola border. I would love to hunt this place but this safari is geared more towards getting my kids hooked on hunting. My wife and I are contemplating a buff hippo croc hunt next year at which time we can hunt sable there. I'm just not sure though. Buff don't intreats me. I like hunting animals that take a week or more just to see one which is why my last 3 safaris were kudu only hunts. Everytime I am in buffalo areas it seems as if they are easily tracked and easily found. For this reason I can't justify a buff hunt but since my wife is interested we will do it. Heck she doing a leopard hunt this year and I think that's about as boring as it could get but to each his own. I'm just hoping sable are as difficult as the grey ghost. Who knows. I may get over there and find that sable hunting isn't challenging and decide not to shoot one. I'm just not sure at this point anything could ever be as challenging as my 60 inch kudu.

**Bushbuck** · 02-20-2011, 10:56 AM

Hey Tap, would you post a pic of you and your Kudu? I would love to see it.
thanks

**sestoppelman** · 02-20-2011, 11:02 AM

I hope this doesnt sound rude but one word comes to mind when reading posts by Tap. That word is jaded.

**INGOZI** · 02-20-2011, 11:05 AM

As far as great genetics and fair chase hunting, you will have to go far to find a better operation than Pete & Lynne at Nchila Wildlife Reserve in Zambia. They have some fantastic Sable which are most definitely not "tame". Many will agree that Zambia is one of the great destinations for trophy Sable, but that being said, setting your bar at 46" is rather high for a first time Sable hunter.