Cajun Hunter
AH senior member
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2022
- Messages
- 83
- Reaction score
- 219
- Location
- Grosse Tête, Louisiana
- Media
- 6
- Member of
- SCI NRA
- Hunted
- Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa
Just last night returned from what I think is my most memorable trip. It was my first hunt in the Omay along the banks of lake Kariba. Had booked the dates better part of 2 years ago to hunt with Dalton & York. This was my 16th time in Africa and I am currently planning 17&18 for 2026 and 2027. No brag intentended in mentioning the number trips as I know there are AH members who have many more under their belt and some who have yet to go. It’s those who are planning or hoping to be able to go that I hope to influence by sharing my incredible experiences through this medium. I’m appreciative for Jerome having the vision to put this together!!
Back to the hunt—Plans were to hunt Tuskless, Buffalo and Hippo. Omay has an abundance of game and we were successful with 44” Buffalo on the first day. Hunting conditions were moderate relative to difficulty. We were at some elevation, hunting the valleys down to the flood plain at the lakes edge. Footing was a bit tough in some areas due to the rocks and the leaves were very dry making it hard to be quite on stalks. Visibility was good and all shots were under 50 yds. Second day we found a very old cow elephant which was completely dry and tuskless. So two days in and 2 great animals were in the salt. Each and every day upon leaving camp, it was like living in a Toyota commercial. There were times the front tire was off the ground. Roads were but mere trails. Ridding in the vehicle was tough!! Killed a good Hippo bull on the 4th day and spent some time chasing poachers. We discovered and removed 75 snares and worked side by side with D&Y ‘s anti poaching team. Also spent a day on the lake fishing and removing illegal fish nets. Caught more poachers there as well. We had done distribution of the meat to local villages from the 3 animals already harvested so when I told York with the time remaining I would hunt another; he suggested we move to another camp. That way villagers in another area would have an opportunity to benefit from a kill. Two days later we killed possibly the biggest Hippo I have ever seen. I typically don’t have any trophies brought back stateside but these tusk are coming home at some point ! All total we fed more than 750 families with the animals I harvested. I am frequently asked by folks who have never hunted Africa; what happens to the meat? I have included one pic of a hippo and then 2 hours later, what is remaining answers that question.
Our accommodations at camp were sufficient for our needs as we had running water pumped from the lake and lights from solar power. Food was good. Hunting was exceptional. York himself was my PH and hunting with him was a pleasure!!
I’ll end this with an update from my previous trip, “ The Hunt from Hell “ The outfitter contacted my wife and told her that we have a free buffalo hunt to be booked next year. Funny he reached out to her and not me??
I don’t think I’ll bite!
Back to the hunt—Plans were to hunt Tuskless, Buffalo and Hippo. Omay has an abundance of game and we were successful with 44” Buffalo on the first day. Hunting conditions were moderate relative to difficulty. We were at some elevation, hunting the valleys down to the flood plain at the lakes edge. Footing was a bit tough in some areas due to the rocks and the leaves were very dry making it hard to be quite on stalks. Visibility was good and all shots were under 50 yds. Second day we found a very old cow elephant which was completely dry and tuskless. So two days in and 2 great animals were in the salt. Each and every day upon leaving camp, it was like living in a Toyota commercial. There were times the front tire was off the ground. Roads were but mere trails. Ridding in the vehicle was tough!! Killed a good Hippo bull on the 4th day and spent some time chasing poachers. We discovered and removed 75 snares and worked side by side with D&Y ‘s anti poaching team. Also spent a day on the lake fishing and removing illegal fish nets. Caught more poachers there as well. We had done distribution of the meat to local villages from the 3 animals already harvested so when I told York with the time remaining I would hunt another; he suggested we move to another camp. That way villagers in another area would have an opportunity to benefit from a kill. Two days later we killed possibly the biggest Hippo I have ever seen. I typically don’t have any trophies brought back stateside but these tusk are coming home at some point ! All total we fed more than 750 families with the animals I harvested. I am frequently asked by folks who have never hunted Africa; what happens to the meat? I have included one pic of a hippo and then 2 hours later, what is remaining answers that question.
Our accommodations at camp were sufficient for our needs as we had running water pumped from the lake and lights from solar power. Food was good. Hunting was exceptional. York himself was my PH and hunting with him was a pleasure!!
I’ll end this with an update from my previous trip, “ The Hunt from Hell “ The outfitter contacted my wife and told her that we have a free buffalo hunt to be booked next year. Funny he reached out to her and not me??
I don’t think I’ll bite!
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