My friends Shawn and Jo Anne Bird met us at the riverside and we offloaded our bags from the boat onto the trucks and headed for Choma. After a stopover in Livingstone to retrieve some bags left at the hotel we had a quick lunch of pizza then off again. In Choma we met up with our second PH Richard Ducket. Richard has hunted dangerous game for years while operating his tobacco farm as well. By now it was 3 PM and Shawn said the short route to Dendro through the Kafue National Park was still impassible due to late rains this year so we would arrive in camp after dark. Once we left pavement it was 100 K’s on dirt and the deeper we got the worse the roads were. Now my children truly feel like they are in Africa!
The camp cook Charles had a wonderful meal prepared and after dinner everyone was off to bed. The camp setting is lovely, right next to a long oxbow lake under a canopy of huge trees. The lapa is built around a large tree with an inviting bar to one side, then step out onto the green grass towards a fire pit and brie.
It was decided to sleep in until 7 and let everyone get settled in then go to the range for a few shots.
I broke the news to Debra last night by the fire she would be hunting buffalo this leg of the trip, something she wasn't expecting. Early on she said this trip was all about the kids so she wouldn't hunt. That sentiment changed when she got the support of all the family as a buffalo has been on her list for many years now. We’ve hunted them several times but she never connected with a mature bull.
We checked the 300 Win Mag for the kids to use and Debra had a few shots with a Mauser based custom 375 H&H she would use on the buff. It was a heavy gun with a muzzle break so very comfortable to shoot. After the range time we went out on a drive and saw Waterbuck, Impala, Puku, Warthog and a female Bushbuck. Shawn wanted to check a Leopard bait and when we got to the Impala, it was devoured. There were 566 pictures on the game camera and we got to see everything back in camp. Due to the light hunting pressure these cats were feeding in the daytime. Amazing how technology has advanced in the hunting world. I thought back to my leopard hunt in ’86 in the Gwaai Valley when we hung baits and checked the spoor for size. Then building a blind and sitting for the Leopard hoping it was a mature male. Due to the proximity to the park and the density of game on Dendro, Leopards are plentiful here so the hunting is excellent. Back to camp for a late brunch and short rest then back out at 1:00.
Grant was up first for Puku or Impala. Late in the day he connected with a nice, mature Puku ram after several stalks. One stalk very exciting as Richard approached behind the cover of an ant mound, Grant in the middle and I was at the rear with the video camera. As we got to the mound, Richard was quickly backing up and pointed just in front with the sticks said "that's what we call a Black Momba". He was sunning on the side of the mound, about 5' long. He quickly slithered away from us as we retreated.
We arrived in camp just as the sun had set so we sat by the fire and enjoyed the evening sounds. After dinner we sat by the fire and Richard discussed the next day's plan and how we would go about hunting Buffalo. Debra was focused, discussing shot placement and getting mentally prepared for the hunt.
The Buffalo at Dendro were not transplanted but in fact are the native Kafue Buffalo that were caught inside the fence some 20+ years ago. These buff are wild and wary so we were in for a good hunt.
Up at 5AM, the brisk morning air was exhilarating as the camp started to come to life. I took Debra a hot cup of tea to enjoy while she dressed and the kids all gathered round the fire, sipped tea and coffee quietly while thinking about the day.
Just as the light appeared in the eastern sky it was approaching 5:45 so we were off. We picked up the head scout Abraham and we started off slowly driving looking for fresh tracks. Shortly before 6:15 we could see well but the sun had not quite risen when we spotted three old Dugga Boy’s bedded off the road 100 meters. We carried on past them for half a K and quietly slipped off and made a plan. Debra loaded up while Shawn and Richard checked the wind and discussed an approach. After several safaris, multiple blown stalks and never an opportunity it seemed her buffalo hunt would be simple from here. We moved slowly, taking more than a half hour to make the approach, constantly checking the wind. Abraham spotted one of the bulls ahead, still laying down about 75 meters away. Just as Richard set the sticks, the bull was on his feet and having none of this. The crashing the three bulls made was intense as Richard gathered up the sticks and advanced at a quick pace. Within a couple of minutes we were on the bull again but he was in heavy cover and there was no shot. They flushed once more like a 6 ton covey of quail and we were after them. Slowly we advanced, moving now in a button hook fashion to keep the wind we got another opportunity in less than 10 minutes. Again the Bulls were in heavy cover but we could clearly see the legs and belly line in the brush broadside at 50 meters. Debra asked which way he was facing and as Richard confirmed she settle on the sticks for the shot. Just as the safety went off so did the Bulls once again staying one step ahead of us.
The grass is very thick this year from the late rains and we had a tough time tracking the Bulls so we moved slowly and carefully, stopping to listen while in pursuit. We lost them for nearly a half hour when Abraham spotted two of the Bulls slowly walking ahead in the brush. We button hooked again to get out front but lost them. After a quick discussion it was decided we should pick up the pace and try to bump them. Not 5 minutes into the brisk walk Abraham locked up and pointed into the high grass 80 meters ahead, the old bull.
Quickly the sticks when up and Debra was on him, the safety off and she and Richard whispering about the shot. I had the video camera on the bull but he was tough to see with the morning sun shining on the tall grass. An oxpecker was giving the bull some grief and he shook his head, that was the moment. Debra followed back from his ear to what she knew was the shoulder, dropped one third then a bit more and the shot rang out.
You could see the bull react to the 375 and the three of them blew out in a strong run with the wounded bull lagging behind. Richard and Abraham and I were convinced it was a good shot so we gave the bull about 15 minutes and advance to the place. It took a while but we picked up blood and started trailing him about 8:25. The bush was thick and in between the grass was over 6’ tall in some places. The blood was dark red so we discussed the shot. I suggested maybe liver, Richard thinks maybe the shot nicked an artery but no lung blood was showing yet.
Of course we moved slowly, intently scanning the bush ahead and to the side. Debra would periodically turn and look behind, all the stories she has heard over the years of wounded buffalo circling round she was ready.
We bumped the bull about a half hour later, still with the other two Dugga’s. They crashed away and we advanced to the place they were standing to find steady blood and plenty of it. The tracking was easy but we were all amazed the bull was still up. About 20 minutes later we bumped him without being able to get off a shot and now he was alone. He began to lead us in to deep, thick bush making visibility difficult. Abraham spotted the bull slowly walking but before Debra could get off a shot the bush swallowed him up. Quickly we got around front and found him laying down but the thicket so dense a good shot wasn't to be had. He finally saw us and was off again, but not far now, maybe 50 meters.
We advanced quickly but carefully and again Abraham spotted him down. As he rose up Richard said to Debra “Shoot” but the thicket was dense and she had trouble making out the shoulder. Shawn whispered "see the red patch, shoot the red patch". The blood from the initial shot barely glistened in the shaded thicket but that was all she needed to hear and the shot rang out. I could hear the report and the Bull was off, then a crash followed by the bellow. Reloading and advancing we got to within 15 yards of the grand old bull and a finisher was delivered. Debra finally had her Buffalo after a fitting hunt. From the time we got off the cruiser thinking this would be easy it was four hours and ten minutes! The 375 was spot on the shoulder, breaking the bone but later discovered the soft had fragmented and traveled downward getting low lung and artery. These Kafue Bulls are the biggest bodied Cape Buffalo I have ever encountered in 30 years of hunting. He was 1800 pound if an ounce and his massive bosses polished from years of rubbing. She sat and admired the bull while thanking Richard and Shawn for a great hunt.
Within a half hour all the children arrived and congratulated Mom on the successful hunt and a long photo session ensued.
Shawn Bird, Debra and Richard Ducket with the old bull.
Family Photo
