RogerHeintzman
AH fanatic
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2009
- Messages
- 750
- Reaction score
- 416
- Location
- Aberdeen, South Dakota
- Media
- 47
- Member of
- SCI (Sioux Falls, SD) RMEF, NWTF, NRA, NTA, BCSC, SDTA, NDTA, P&Y,
- Hunted
- Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Canada (Ontario,British Columbia,Manitoba), USA (Colorado,Montana,Wyoming,Texas,South Dakota), Africa(Limpopo,NW Province, East Cape, Kwazulu Natal,) Namibia x3,
This hunt was booked through Jeff Martinell, dba: Big Game Consultant, Inc. Hunt is with ZimAfrica Wildlife Safaris, Zimbabwe.
Six days before leaving the US, we get a e-mail from Rebecca owner of ZimAfrica Safari wanting us to change our flights from Victoria Falls North Camp to Bulawayo South Camp, or it is a 6 hour drive to south camp, no explanation why.
We contacted booking agent Jeff of the request, his only reply was, "Not my doings". NEVER offered to check into it and get back to us, why? This is where things went "SOUTH". We checked with our travel agents to change the itinerary's, nothing but a mess and spendy. We replied back to Rebecca that we can not make the change on such short notice unless she is willing to pay all the expenses. Never heard back from her so we kept our original flights to Vic Falls and will wait to find what the reason is when we arrive.
Now the report.
Monday August 18th, 2014
I arrived at Sioux Falls airport for New York LaGuardia. Right off the bat I get a scare from the ticket agent thinking I can not take my firearm into New York. I mention I never had a problem before. Upon further inquires, it was now OK to bring in. The problem was a year ago, but now that Bloomberg's gone, so is the ban.
I am off to Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park, Matesi Unit's, for a group 3x1 Cape Buffalo hunt with two other hunters. At $8,000 each, 7 day hunt, I can afford this, but not the $15,000-$16,000 hunts.
Tuesday August 19th,
I met up with my other two hunters at JFK, Mike and Ryan from North Carolina. I met Mike in 2010 at the Afton Guest House. Mike was also doing a 10 day hunt with Cruisers Safari in the Limpopo Province. We became friends and wanted to share camp again some day.
Wednesday August 20th,
Flight to Joburg went well, no passenger beside me, just long. Immigration line was very very long. Lots of Chinese, I mean LOTS!
Joburg employee found us, apparently looking for us and moved us to the front of the line or we would of missed our connecting flight. It ended up our flight to Victoria Falls was delayed due to mechanical problems, they had to pull another plane out of the hanger. Couple hours delay. Full plane to Vic Falls.
The immigration lines were long in Vic Falls for Visas. Again a employee found us and moved us to a short line. Gun permit was easy, everyone wants a tip!
PH Franswa meet us at the airport and off to North Camp of ZimAfrica Safaris. Thought we where driving 6 hours to South Camp, since we did not change the flights? I guess back to the original plan. We sighted in our rifles and all three were right on.
Another hunter, Brian from Virginia was in camp, he hunted a non-exportable Ele with his bow. 18-20 pounder. He did a broadside lung shot and tracked for a couple ours, then at 9 yards, a straight on charging brain shot. We accompanied Brian, PH, Tracker and skinner to skinning shed and they chopped opened the skull to find the broadhead. Perfect brain shot, broadhead in the center of the brain and perfect shape.
Our Buffalo permits are to be ready in the Matesi Unit 5 office by 10:00 am Thursday.
Thursday August 21st,
First day of our hunt. Up at 6:15, quick breakfast and off for the 2 1/2 hour drive on shit roads to hunting area. Permits are to be ready by 10.
Two single cab bakke's so one hunter usually rode in the back of the truck. Cold long ride. PH Rusty was a maniac driver, my apprentice PH driver not much better, good thing they kept the bakke between the ditches or someone would of been killed. Mike told Rusty he wanted to get back to camp in one piece, he slowed down some, but the next day it was the same.
Going to be a hot day.
We had to sign in at the park entrance each day at the cost of $80.00. Then to the Park Office of Matesi 5 for the permits. Of course, the permits are not ready. Never did get the permits, day one lost of hunting.
Friday August 22nd,
Up at 3 and leave at 4 and get to Park Office by 6:30. Now we had to wait for game scout. Finally got started at 8:00 am and it is still a hour drive to hunting area.
We found fresh buff spoor, but the buffs were in a photo only area for tourist. Not a good thing. Game Scout and Tracker tried to push the buff's out of the photo area, they crossed the road but soon turned back to the safe haven of the photo area.
We checked a water pan and salt pan but seen only Elephant, Baboons and Zebras. Lots of windshield time.
It is now 5:30pm and we are to be out of the hunt area by 6:00 when the park closes and we are over a hour into the area. The PH's drove like mad men for there are penalties for being late.
Saturday August 23rd,
We drove, drove and drove some more looking for buffalo. Never seen a one. We visited the area we found the buff on Friday, but they were still in the photo area, safe and sound. We never got out of the bakke and walked at all.
Hoping to get back to camp earlier so I could hunt Hyena at the skinning shed. I did not get to hunt the Hyena because they still had the bags hanging around the skinning shed that scares them away. Took the bags down with hopes to hunt Sunday evening.
We seen many lions this day and a pride of 6.
They are trying to move our hunt to Matesi Unit 1 because unit 5 has no promise. Apprentice PH Titous said if we get into unit 1 the fat lady will sing, that many buffalos. Titous has done many cull hunts in all of the Matesi Units so he knows them well.
Sunday August 24th,
Still in Unit 5, another day another flop. Not a single buffalo. Supposed to get our permits changed to Unit 4 for Monday. Resident buffalo here. Game Scout said they saw 1000 buffalo and lions made a kill.
Wayne, operational manager finally showed up in camp tonight. We had a discussion about the unorganized hunt, lost hunt time, permits and vehicle issues. I will not get into the "BULLSHIT" we were told here, but if anyone would like to PM me If you have serious thoughts of hunting with ZimAfrica or booking with Jeff, please do.
I did not get to hunt the Hyena at any time.
Monday August 25th,
Got an extra hour sleep, Unit 4 is a hour closer from camp. Arrived at Camp Lodge of Unit 4 for permits and Game Scout. As usual, permits are not ready. Waited until 9:30am for permits to be final. It is 2 hours drive into hunt area before we find buff spoor which is from the previous night. We followed the spoor forever in hilly country, got a good work out, the fun stuff. We then found good spoor from the morning.
We found the buffalo, but many elephants are between us. We are able to take pictures and video of he ele's, just awesome! We got winded and the ele's moved out.
PH Rusty, Mike and Ryan took off on the stalk. Ryan got off two shots but was unable to stop his buffalo. Not long after, Mike anchored a buff with one shot from his CZ550, 375H&H. PH , Ryan, Tracker and myself looked for blood of Ryan's buff but found nothing.
Sun was setting so PH decided to leave Mike's buff till morning. Strike one of the hunt!
Tuesday August 26th,
Two days left of our hunt.
Yup, your guess was right for leaving a buff in the bush overnight. A Hyena ate both shoulders and hind end out of the buff. His belly was so fat he could hardly run. Strike one for PH.
The buff was cut in half, loaded and took back to the camp skinning shed.
We are now off to find spoor of the previous day. I am first up then Ryan if he should get another chance. Finding the buff's we were able to cut in front of them and they feed at 40yds. The bull was behind the cows so I could not get a shot. They winded us and off to the races it was. We got ahead of them again, but they passed behind us. Now the Game Scout knew they were headed to the Dekka River for water. We hustled to the river just in front of the buffs. Rusty and I slid down the hill side on our butts to get into position for a shot. The cows cleared my bull at 125 meters, resting my Remington 700, 375 H&H on Rusty's shoulder, I let one fly. Rusty said I flinched and shot too far back. To me the shot was good. The bull and herd took off.
The herd run up the hill and stopped, a big bull stood wide open. Ryan had Mike's rifle and was able to anchor this bull.
Now we hurried up the hill to spot my bull, we had not gone far and the tracker points into some trees next to the river, my bull had only gone a very short distance. Facing away from us I put another shot into the bull and dropped him. Examining my first shot, it was perfect placement. These are just tough animals.
It was 1 hour walk for PH back to get his bakke and Titous was 2 hours back at skinning shed. We were out of water and tired, and I would not have it any other way!
Our buff hunt was done on day 6 of a 7 day hunt.
Wednesday August 27th,
We slept in this morning. Relaxed, packed. We are going into Vic Falls for lunch, see the Falls, Bungee jump, Gorge slide and settle the contract with Wayne.
Now here is strike two of the hunt! Mike mentions to Wayne while settling the contact that he needs a buff cape because PH left his buff in the bush over night and Hyena ate it. Wayne's response, you'll have to buy one. NOT the right answer! Supposedly PH is going to find Mike a cape?
Thursday August 28th,
Now for strike three of the hunt. While PH Rusty is loading the bakke for our return to Vic Falls for our flight back to Joburg, he walks all over my gun case!
We hurried through the open air market for a few things for the grandkids.
Checked in our rifles and waiting for our flight to leave.
When we arrive in Joburg, Mike and Ryan will head back to the US and I onto Kimberly, RSA, NWP for my Lioness, Sable, Copper Springbuck hunt. So stay tuned for this report too.
Six days before leaving the US, we get a e-mail from Rebecca owner of ZimAfrica Safari wanting us to change our flights from Victoria Falls North Camp to Bulawayo South Camp, or it is a 6 hour drive to south camp, no explanation why.
We contacted booking agent Jeff of the request, his only reply was, "Not my doings". NEVER offered to check into it and get back to us, why? This is where things went "SOUTH". We checked with our travel agents to change the itinerary's, nothing but a mess and spendy. We replied back to Rebecca that we can not make the change on such short notice unless she is willing to pay all the expenses. Never heard back from her so we kept our original flights to Vic Falls and will wait to find what the reason is when we arrive.
Now the report.
Monday August 18th, 2014
I arrived at Sioux Falls airport for New York LaGuardia. Right off the bat I get a scare from the ticket agent thinking I can not take my firearm into New York. I mention I never had a problem before. Upon further inquires, it was now OK to bring in. The problem was a year ago, but now that Bloomberg's gone, so is the ban.
I am off to Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park, Matesi Unit's, for a group 3x1 Cape Buffalo hunt with two other hunters. At $8,000 each, 7 day hunt, I can afford this, but not the $15,000-$16,000 hunts.
Tuesday August 19th,
I met up with my other two hunters at JFK, Mike and Ryan from North Carolina. I met Mike in 2010 at the Afton Guest House. Mike was also doing a 10 day hunt with Cruisers Safari in the Limpopo Province. We became friends and wanted to share camp again some day.
Wednesday August 20th,
Flight to Joburg went well, no passenger beside me, just long. Immigration line was very very long. Lots of Chinese, I mean LOTS!
Joburg employee found us, apparently looking for us and moved us to the front of the line or we would of missed our connecting flight. It ended up our flight to Victoria Falls was delayed due to mechanical problems, they had to pull another plane out of the hanger. Couple hours delay. Full plane to Vic Falls.
The immigration lines were long in Vic Falls for Visas. Again a employee found us and moved us to a short line. Gun permit was easy, everyone wants a tip!
PH Franswa meet us at the airport and off to North Camp of ZimAfrica Safaris. Thought we where driving 6 hours to South Camp, since we did not change the flights? I guess back to the original plan. We sighted in our rifles and all three were right on.
Another hunter, Brian from Virginia was in camp, he hunted a non-exportable Ele with his bow. 18-20 pounder. He did a broadside lung shot and tracked for a couple ours, then at 9 yards, a straight on charging brain shot. We accompanied Brian, PH, Tracker and skinner to skinning shed and they chopped opened the skull to find the broadhead. Perfect brain shot, broadhead in the center of the brain and perfect shape.
Our Buffalo permits are to be ready in the Matesi Unit 5 office by 10:00 am Thursday.
Thursday August 21st,
First day of our hunt. Up at 6:15, quick breakfast and off for the 2 1/2 hour drive on shit roads to hunting area. Permits are to be ready by 10.
Two single cab bakke's so one hunter usually rode in the back of the truck. Cold long ride. PH Rusty was a maniac driver, my apprentice PH driver not much better, good thing they kept the bakke between the ditches or someone would of been killed. Mike told Rusty he wanted to get back to camp in one piece, he slowed down some, but the next day it was the same.
Going to be a hot day.
We had to sign in at the park entrance each day at the cost of $80.00. Then to the Park Office of Matesi 5 for the permits. Of course, the permits are not ready. Never did get the permits, day one lost of hunting.
Friday August 22nd,
Up at 3 and leave at 4 and get to Park Office by 6:30. Now we had to wait for game scout. Finally got started at 8:00 am and it is still a hour drive to hunting area.
We found fresh buff spoor, but the buffs were in a photo only area for tourist. Not a good thing. Game Scout and Tracker tried to push the buff's out of the photo area, they crossed the road but soon turned back to the safe haven of the photo area.
We checked a water pan and salt pan but seen only Elephant, Baboons and Zebras. Lots of windshield time.
It is now 5:30pm and we are to be out of the hunt area by 6:00 when the park closes and we are over a hour into the area. The PH's drove like mad men for there are penalties for being late.
Saturday August 23rd,
We drove, drove and drove some more looking for buffalo. Never seen a one. We visited the area we found the buff on Friday, but they were still in the photo area, safe and sound. We never got out of the bakke and walked at all.
Hoping to get back to camp earlier so I could hunt Hyena at the skinning shed. I did not get to hunt the Hyena because they still had the bags hanging around the skinning shed that scares them away. Took the bags down with hopes to hunt Sunday evening.
We seen many lions this day and a pride of 6.
They are trying to move our hunt to Matesi Unit 1 because unit 5 has no promise. Apprentice PH Titous said if we get into unit 1 the fat lady will sing, that many buffalos. Titous has done many cull hunts in all of the Matesi Units so he knows them well.
Sunday August 24th,
Still in Unit 5, another day another flop. Not a single buffalo. Supposed to get our permits changed to Unit 4 for Monday. Resident buffalo here. Game Scout said they saw 1000 buffalo and lions made a kill.
Wayne, operational manager finally showed up in camp tonight. We had a discussion about the unorganized hunt, lost hunt time, permits and vehicle issues. I will not get into the "BULLSHIT" we were told here, but if anyone would like to PM me If you have serious thoughts of hunting with ZimAfrica or booking with Jeff, please do.
I did not get to hunt the Hyena at any time.
Monday August 25th,
Got an extra hour sleep, Unit 4 is a hour closer from camp. Arrived at Camp Lodge of Unit 4 for permits and Game Scout. As usual, permits are not ready. Waited until 9:30am for permits to be final. It is 2 hours drive into hunt area before we find buff spoor which is from the previous night. We followed the spoor forever in hilly country, got a good work out, the fun stuff. We then found good spoor from the morning.
We found the buffalo, but many elephants are between us. We are able to take pictures and video of he ele's, just awesome! We got winded and the ele's moved out.
PH Rusty, Mike and Ryan took off on the stalk. Ryan got off two shots but was unable to stop his buffalo. Not long after, Mike anchored a buff with one shot from his CZ550, 375H&H. PH , Ryan, Tracker and myself looked for blood of Ryan's buff but found nothing.
Sun was setting so PH decided to leave Mike's buff till morning. Strike one of the hunt!
Tuesday August 26th,
Two days left of our hunt.
Yup, your guess was right for leaving a buff in the bush overnight. A Hyena ate both shoulders and hind end out of the buff. His belly was so fat he could hardly run. Strike one for PH.
The buff was cut in half, loaded and took back to the camp skinning shed.
We are now off to find spoor of the previous day. I am first up then Ryan if he should get another chance. Finding the buff's we were able to cut in front of them and they feed at 40yds. The bull was behind the cows so I could not get a shot. They winded us and off to the races it was. We got ahead of them again, but they passed behind us. Now the Game Scout knew they were headed to the Dekka River for water. We hustled to the river just in front of the buffs. Rusty and I slid down the hill side on our butts to get into position for a shot. The cows cleared my bull at 125 meters, resting my Remington 700, 375 H&H on Rusty's shoulder, I let one fly. Rusty said I flinched and shot too far back. To me the shot was good. The bull and herd took off.
The herd run up the hill and stopped, a big bull stood wide open. Ryan had Mike's rifle and was able to anchor this bull.
Now we hurried up the hill to spot my bull, we had not gone far and the tracker points into some trees next to the river, my bull had only gone a very short distance. Facing away from us I put another shot into the bull and dropped him. Examining my first shot, it was perfect placement. These are just tough animals.
It was 1 hour walk for PH back to get his bakke and Titous was 2 hours back at skinning shed. We were out of water and tired, and I would not have it any other way!
Our buff hunt was done on day 6 of a 7 day hunt.
Wednesday August 27th,
We slept in this morning. Relaxed, packed. We are going into Vic Falls for lunch, see the Falls, Bungee jump, Gorge slide and settle the contract with Wayne.
Now here is strike two of the hunt! Mike mentions to Wayne while settling the contact that he needs a buff cape because PH left his buff in the bush over night and Hyena ate it. Wayne's response, you'll have to buy one. NOT the right answer! Supposedly PH is going to find Mike a cape?
Thursday August 28th,
Now for strike three of the hunt. While PH Rusty is loading the bakke for our return to Vic Falls for our flight back to Joburg, he walks all over my gun case!
We hurried through the open air market for a few things for the grandkids.
Checked in our rifles and waiting for our flight to leave.
When we arrive in Joburg, Mike and Ryan will head back to the US and I onto Kimberly, RSA, NWP for my Lioness, Sable, Copper Springbuck hunt. So stay tuned for this report too.
