joker2400
AH veteran
This hunt started in 2024 when I bought a 7 day management elephant bull hunt offered by Game Trackers Africa in the SCI Michigan Chapter annual banquet auction. I scheduled the hunt to take place early September on this year. I figured this would be a good way to get acquainted with free range DG hunting. As I was flying a less than ideal route (GRR-DTW-ORD-CDG-JNB-MUB) I felt it would be prudent to rent a rifle. The rifle in question was a custom suppressed .375 H&H on a CZ action with Zeiss glass. I would be shooting hand loaded Rhino solids.
Upon my arrival in Maun I was met by Allan to head to camp. On the ride he updated me that the hunting would be tough due to the amount of grass and lack of tracks in the concession and felt we should take the first reasonable opportunity we get. The drive was about 4 hours and we got to camp which would be a rustic lodge adjacent to the hunting block.
We spent several days finding tracks and following tracks, either from the road or water, to no avail. The tracks were incredibly hard to stay on due to the large amount of grass around the concession, but the trackers did a spectacular job. Surprisingly only a couple cow/calf tracks. Most tracks appear to be bulls worth evaluating.
On day 4 or 5 (I don't remember exactly) we spent the day driving and walking the block looking for tracks without a single fresh track being found. Afterwards we settled in on the shore of the lake for some sundowners. Just before the end of shooting light a herd of about 20 elephant bulls came cruising in for a drink, including a couple large bulls, even one that really got the PH very excited. We looked at the game scout as it might be close and she gave us the thumbs up. We grabbed the rifles and hoofed it towards the elephant about 1.5km around the lake. As we closed into about 70 yards the herd startled. We think they had caught our movement. We stopped in the bush and waited. The herd turned around and started to filter past us at about 25 yards.
"Shoot the first." As a young bull walks in front of it.
"Shoot the third." As the rest of the herd envelopes him, leaving a large bull alone in the back.
"The one in the back!"
I let loose with a shot about 1/2 of the way up the shoulder crease. The bull let out what can be best described as a growl and fell to his knees. I had discussed the first night with Allan about backing me up if he felt it was indicated. His .500 Jeffery deafens me at the same time I hear the tracker say "they are coming!!" at the same time I was trying to send a 2nd shot into the bull as he was up and moving. Needless to say I was quite distracted and somehow missed.
At this point I figured I should see what was going on next to me. Well I see the remaining bulls moving towards us (presumably trying to escape down this trail we are on) and Allan swearing at his rifle. We all run across a little ravine as the herd thunder behind us at about 10 yards. Once we are in the clear and the elephant is still up I put 2 more into the boiler room and he goes down. We walk up to him and pay the insurance.
Laying your hand on your first elephant is a very difficult feeling to describe. Possibly the most sobering experience I have had with the conclusion of a successful hunt. It definitely causes you to reflect on how you got there and the animal in front of you.
We took some quick pictures as by the time we had sorted everything out and got around the elephant it had become quite dark. We decided to come back in the morning for more pictures and to ensure it was fully harvested.
We came back through the village and informed them that there was meat by the lake. As we were wrapping up pictures a pair of guys came over to tell us they knew where some elephants were causing issues. Allan told them "We think we have found a track over there, can you confirm it for us?" as he is point towards the bull. They walk over and exclaim when the see the bull. They then run (actually) home for supplies and bags for meat. The flood starts soon after. We stay until about 10am, well over half the bull is gone by then with more people on the way.
I had decided to switch my flight to Kasane from Maun and use my last bit of time in country to go to Chobe National Park. Allan dropped me off at the guest lodge and I went on a river cruise and game drive from there before having dinner with him, his family, and Namibian outfitter Byron Hart on my last evening. Byron seemed like a good guy and I wouldn't hesitate to book a hunt with him.
Upon my arrival in Maun I was met by Allan to head to camp. On the ride he updated me that the hunting would be tough due to the amount of grass and lack of tracks in the concession and felt we should take the first reasonable opportunity we get. The drive was about 4 hours and we got to camp which would be a rustic lodge adjacent to the hunting block.
We spent several days finding tracks and following tracks, either from the road or water, to no avail. The tracks were incredibly hard to stay on due to the large amount of grass around the concession, but the trackers did a spectacular job. Surprisingly only a couple cow/calf tracks. Most tracks appear to be bulls worth evaluating.
On day 4 or 5 (I don't remember exactly) we spent the day driving and walking the block looking for tracks without a single fresh track being found. Afterwards we settled in on the shore of the lake for some sundowners. Just before the end of shooting light a herd of about 20 elephant bulls came cruising in for a drink, including a couple large bulls, even one that really got the PH very excited. We looked at the game scout as it might be close and she gave us the thumbs up. We grabbed the rifles and hoofed it towards the elephant about 1.5km around the lake. As we closed into about 70 yards the herd startled. We think they had caught our movement. We stopped in the bush and waited. The herd turned around and started to filter past us at about 25 yards.
"Shoot the first." As a young bull walks in front of it.
"Shoot the third." As the rest of the herd envelopes him, leaving a large bull alone in the back.
"The one in the back!"
I let loose with a shot about 1/2 of the way up the shoulder crease. The bull let out what can be best described as a growl and fell to his knees. I had discussed the first night with Allan about backing me up if he felt it was indicated. His .500 Jeffery deafens me at the same time I hear the tracker say "they are coming!!" at the same time I was trying to send a 2nd shot into the bull as he was up and moving. Needless to say I was quite distracted and somehow missed.
At this point I figured I should see what was going on next to me. Well I see the remaining bulls moving towards us (presumably trying to escape down this trail we are on) and Allan swearing at his rifle. We all run across a little ravine as the herd thunder behind us at about 10 yards. Once we are in the clear and the elephant is still up I put 2 more into the boiler room and he goes down. We walk up to him and pay the insurance.
Laying your hand on your first elephant is a very difficult feeling to describe. Possibly the most sobering experience I have had with the conclusion of a successful hunt. It definitely causes you to reflect on how you got there and the animal in front of you.
We took some quick pictures as by the time we had sorted everything out and got around the elephant it had become quite dark. We decided to come back in the morning for more pictures and to ensure it was fully harvested.
We came back through the village and informed them that there was meat by the lake. As we were wrapping up pictures a pair of guys came over to tell us they knew where some elephants were causing issues. Allan told them "We think we have found a track over there, can you confirm it for us?" as he is point towards the bull. They walk over and exclaim when the see the bull. They then run (actually) home for supplies and bags for meat. The flood starts soon after. We stay until about 10am, well over half the bull is gone by then with more people on the way.
I had decided to switch my flight to Kasane from Maun and use my last bit of time in country to go to Chobe National Park. Allan dropped me off at the guest lodge and I went on a river cruise and game drive from there before having dinner with him, his family, and Namibian outfitter Byron Hart on my last evening. Byron seemed like a good guy and I wouldn't hesitate to book a hunt with him.
Waidmannsheil on a great bull and a memory that lasts a lifetime. Thanks for sharing it with us.
