My 2016 hunting season

[Thor Kirchner]

Another great season has come to an end. The abundance of wildlife and trophy quality seems to continue improving.

I cannot say how proud I am to be part of the team that achieves this every year.

I would like to thank all of our clients who make this possible with their support, without them there would be no wildlife here.

Our conservation efforts are constantly being challenged not only by on the ground poaching and politics but also by overseas politics. We will keep fighting it and do our best to prove what we are doing is right.



It has been a very dry season and the river dropped to the lowest level we have ever seen it. Fortunately, this doesn’t have much effect on the wildlife. In the Lower Luangwa Valley, we have more than enough habitat and grazing to keep our animals fit even in dry seasons.

This year I had John Aus./NZ assisting me as manager. This made it possible for me to do more hunts in other areas.

My first hunt this year was in Mwanya about 250 km up river from Munya. I was PH for Mvu Safaris on a 7 day buff hunt booked by Werner V Noordwick. The hunt was in early May. This time of year, buff hunting is hard but make for exciting hunting in tall grass. I will let the photos tell the story.













After Mwanya it was back to Munymadzi to prepare for Don's arrival for his leopard hunt.




Don took one of the biggest Leopards ever shot at Munyamadzi.





This was Don's third try after Leopard. Munyamadzi made it work for him.
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I also helped out Kwalata safaris on a short hunt for a black Lechwe in Bangweulu:



My next safari would be on Munyamadzi with Eddy. Eddy had long dreamed of taking a buffalo with his Heim Double 500. Eddy decided to bring his son, Hunter, along on this safari to hunt some plains game. Hunter was a very good shot and both Dad and son took some fine trophies.

As the buffalo was the priority of the safari we concentrated on this for the first couple of days. We got this beautiful old worn down kakuli on the second afternoon after lots of tracking and stalking.























After Eddie and Hunter's visit, John and Ron arrived at Munyamadzi. John had been to Africa hunting several times but this was Ron's first time. They both had a great time here and took quality trophies.

Ron got a bit spoiled though taking this Beautiful old kakuli within the first hour of hunting. It was not a trophy we could turn down:























After John and Ron's hunt at Munyamadzi I went across the river into West Petauke GMA operated by Mopani Safaris and assisted with 8 by 7 Safari.
The client I guided wanted to hunt buffalo and was keen to hunt hard. And hard it was. This ended up being the hardest hunt I did this season. But on day 5 after 135 km of walking and tracking we finally got this great bull 4 hours before the charter was arriving:



During this period Andrew was busy hunting with Max at Munyamadzi and they also got some great trophies. I was fortunate enough to assist on the buffalo hunt.









For the next safari I was hired by Kwalata Safaris to do a 21 day hunt where we would hunt 4 different areas to get a variety of game. We managed to finish this safari in 11 days.

We started of in Bangweulu on a day hunt for Black lechwe. Unfortunately my camera had run of battery, so I didn't get a photo of the Lechwe. After the Lechwe we flew to Mwanya for Leopard, buffalo and PG including the endemic Cookson's Wildebeest.





Mwanya has got stacks of buffalo and you can be quite picky with what you get here. Merle had shot many buffalo before but nothing over 40'' so we took our time to get a big one after passing lots of good buffs. Merle got 4 of the Big 7 in the span of 48 hours in Mwanya.











Merle told me that he would be interested in a croc but only if it was over 14 foot. So we somehow found him this 14'2 lizard:



The following day he got keen to try for a hippo on land.

We started by walking the banks of the Luangwa at first light. Saw quite a few hippo move into the water but didn't get on the bank. When we thought it was all over we sat down to wait for the vehicle. After a few minutes a bull came strolling towards Merle. After getting the go from me, he fired his J Rigby 416. The hippo took off and after 4 more shots, he expired.



The day after the hippo we organized the charter to pick us up early to take us to the western province for Sitatunga. Here Zaeed, the owner of Kwalata, has a private unfenced ranch that has Sitatunga. It had been a long time since last I had hunted Sitatunga so I was very excited for the hunt. The place is called Illinda and is, in my opinion, the best place in Zambia for free range Sitatunga.

We couldn't pass on this great bull on the first morning and second sitting.



After the swamp goat was down we flew back to Lusaka and arranged a Kafue Lechwe hunt for the following day in Blue Lagoon. We were very lucky to get this great bull as they are getting scarce.



In October I got to hunt another area I had not hunted before. This area was Chikwa right up at the top end of the Luangwa. The drive there from my camp was 13 hours but very scenic.

The area is operated by Ivory Safaris and the hunters were long time clients and friends of Jeff Rann. Jeff was not able to do the hunt due to other commitments so he hired me to do it.

This area is also a fantastic area for buffalo. And the client took some amazing trophies. We only had 7 days so we were quite busy.



The first Buffalo we got was one of the most beautiful buffalo I have ever hunted.





Chikwa also is very good for Eland.







After this it was back to Munyamadzi for me. I had a few leftover licenses at Munya that had to be utilized. Herman and Renier came on a short safaris to hunt these animals.









That would be the end of my season. I must say it has been one of my best ones. It is great to see Zambia's hunting industry running at full throttle again. And some fantastic trophies have come out of here.

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and great New Year.

 

[spike.t]

hi @Thor Kirchner congrats on a bunch of great trophies good to hear your hard work is paying off and your place is getting better and better you in town jan ? if so will have to go for a beer . have a good christmas and new year cheers mike

 

[cpr0312]

Thanks for sharing @Thor Kirchner ! Some great trophies and beautiful areas!

 

[CAustin]

Great pictures! Congrats to all the hunters!

 

[Brent in Az]

All that hard work paid off, with many nice trophies. Looks like some good hunting in Zambia!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Well earned success as a Hunter and Outfitter. A reputation that is well deserved.
Thanks for sharing your season.

Merry Christmas.

 

[Ridgewalker]

What a great season you had! Here's wishing your next is at least as good as this!
Merry Christmas and a successful 2017!

 

[enysse]

Congrats, on the great season! Those puku are very nice and heavy! Zebra is stunning, with all those stripes. And who would want a sitatunga like that one above!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

And who would want a sitatunga like that one above!

I do!

Some great old buffs in there Thor!

 

[spike.t]

I do!

well phil you need to get your ass to zambia and stop poncing around in that SA country....

 

[Wheels]

Great looking animals.

Congratulations on a great season.

Merry Christmas.

 

[rinehart0050]

Looks like you had a great season! congrats and thank you for sharing

 

[dory]

Good to see you ha a nice quiet year in Zambia !
Man , some of those animals are what dreams are made of !!
How big was that first Kudu ??
He looks huge !
Cheers Dory .

 

[Thor Kirchner]

Good to see you ha a nice quiet year in Zambia !
Man , some of those animals are what dreams are made of !!
How big was that first Kudu ??
He looks huge !
Cheers Dory .

That kudu was 56 inches. The luangwa has great kudu and you can easily get a kudu over 50'' there.

 

[Shootist43]

Contrats. you and your clients had a great season. Thanks for sharing.