December buffalo hunt Zimbabwe

[Timbo]

@Timbo like so many things, it may largely be what you make it. Control what you can, do your best to insure against what you can't. I did 12 days in November in Bietbridge East... we sweltered in the heat and froze from the wet and cold nights after cold rains. But to date it was my fondest adventure, successfully hunting elephant and buffalo in Zimbabwe. The day after a good rain was always the best hunting and ussually cool. Good day to go on a 10 mile walk.

Take one of those cooling sleeping mats, plenty of strong insect repellent, spray your clothes with pymethrins, cool clothes but also stuff to warm you after getting soaked by cold rain, plenty of good wool blend socks, an extra pair of shoes or two, and the lightest but best rain gear you can get. But be sure it is quiet and tear resistant. As I'm sure you know, in Africa everything bites, but the plants bite you the most (well ok, near the river the insects will give it a go for first place

Oh and in the remote camps it is difficult getting clothes to dry when it rains, so may be some time between clean underwear

From what you have said so far, it sounds like you will have a great adventure! Enjoy every bit of it... one final point. I got a bit down after not getting to take a shot after several days tracking a good bull. But then I remembered something I heard Ivan Carter say, that at that mid point point when things can seem a little bleak, you have to stay positive and push through to persevere in the end.

Amazing advice! Thanks ActionBob - I appreciate it. Having not hunted in the wet over there, I certainly will act upon what you've said.

One thing though, back in 2013 we hunted a lone bull one afternoon, that was never more than 50-100yds ahead of us. We could hear him, but never actually saw him as the cover was too thick. He was so switched on, and cheeky, that he led us in a circle back over his own tracks and we eventually lost him!! I've always wondered if he had the drop on us all along - because of the fickle air currents - he got wind of the smell of insect repellent on our clothes?

 

[Timbo]

https://www.globalrescue.com/


Plus, how many people get to say they were in a country during a coup. Should make for good stories the rest of your life.

That bit also gives an unusual edge to this hunt!! Heck! This hunt would be one of the very first under the new fledgling Zimbabwe.

 

[ActionBob]

Amazing advice! Thanks ActionBob - I appreciate it. Having not hunted in the wet over there, I certainly will act upon what you've said.

One thing though, back in 2013 we hunted a lone bull one afternoon, that was never more than 50-100yds ahead of us. We could hear him, but never actually saw him as the cover was too thick. He was so switched on, and cheeky, that he led us in a circle back over his own tracks and we eventually lost him!! I've always wondered if he had the drop on us all along - because of the fickle air currents - he got wind of the smell of insect repellent on our clothes?

Well if you get into the pepper ticks you may be glad to have some bug spray I would often forget to apply it but after returning to the truck covered in little ticks, it was nice to have some spray.

As for critters smelling you... it would drive me nuts when one tracker would light up a cigarette when we were taking a breather on a long track. When i brought this up to the PH, he shrugged his shoulders and said if the wind is wrong they're going to catch your scent anyway.

 

[Pondoro]

Yesterday 20 something foreign journalists were refused to enter Zimbabwe. They were stopped at the airport and sent out of the country on the same plane they arrived on. This happened with a norwegian journalist and his camera man. They filmed the whole incident and it was broadcasted on the news here. No explanation offered.

The norwegian crew had a go from the Zim embassy in Sweden to enter but got turned back anyway..

 

[Timbo]

Well if you get into the pepper ticks you may be glad to have some bug spray I would often forget to apply it but after returning to the truck covered in little ticks, it was nice to have some spray.

As for critters smelling you... it would drive me nuts when one tracker would light up a cigarette when we were taking a breather on a long track. When i brought this up to the PH, he shrugged his shoulders and said if the wind is wrong they're going to catch your scent anyway.

Thanks ActionBob! You're right - I'll use it at the end of each day. But it is annoying about what you've experienced. I'm dead certain that that buffalo kept our scent all along. Just got another post of reporters being turned away at the airport - not good - that could happen with increasingly higher probability as each day goes by to me too.

 

[Timbo]

Yesterday 20 something foreign journalists were refused to enter Zimbabwe. They were stopped at the airport and sent out of the country on the same plane they arrived on. This happened with a norwegian journalist and his camera man. They filmed the whole incident and it was broadcasted on the news here. No explanation offered.

The norwegian crew had a go from the Zim embassy in Sweden to enter but got turned back anyway..

Oh hell!! Not a good sign. I'll see what happens over the next week. No point in going if I get turned back at the airport. If it gets worse, I may defer. Fingers crossed!

 

[Philip Glass]

Amazing advice! Thanks ActionBob - I appreciate it. Having not hunted in the wet over there, I certainly will act upon what you've said.

One thing though, back in 2013 we hunted a lone bull one afternoon, that was never more than 50-100yds ahead of us. We could hear him, but never actually saw him as the cover was too thick. He was so switched on, and cheeky, that he led us in a circle back over his own tracks and we eventually lost him!! I've always wondered if he had the drop on us all along - because of the fickle air currents - he got wind of the smell of insect repellent on our clothes?

A doctor that hunts a lot told me animals smell our breath and everything else doesn’t matter. I always wondered why so many PH’s and trackers smoke and never worry about it!

 

[Philip Glass]

Well if you get into the pepper ticks you may be glad to have some bug spray I would often forget to apply it but after returning to the truck covered in little ticks, it was nice to have some spray.

As for critters smelling you... it would drive me nuts when one tracker would light up a cigarette when we were taking a breather on a long track. When i brought this up to the PH, he shrugged his shoulders and said if the wind is wrong they're going to catch your scent anyway.

I use the Avon Skin So Soft lotion that has SPF and insect repellent. If you are in an area with lots of insects you just put the lotion on and you’re pretty good all day. No bugs no sunburns!

 

[Timbo]

A doctor that hunts a lot told me animals smell our breath and everything else doesn’t matter. I always wondered why so many PH’s and trackers smoke and never worry about it!

Methinks they've obviously learnt to associate our smell with danger. Lions and man are the 2 predators buffalo avoid.

 

[Timbo]

I use the Avon Skin So Soft lotion that has SPF and insect repellent. If you are in an area with lots of insects you just put the lotion on and you’re pretty good all day. No bugs no sunburns!

Thanks For the advice! I'll get some.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Oh hell!! Not a good sign. I'll see what happens over the next week. No point in going if I get turned back at the airport. If it gets worse, I may defer. Fingers crossed!

 

[ActionBob]

Oh hell!! Not a good sign. I'll see what happens over the next week. No point in going if I get turned back at the airport. If it gets worse, I may defer. Fingers crossed!

A good thing about Zimbabwe is that hunters are much more welcome than reporters

I do hope it works out for you to go, but yea you will need to watch developments closely. I suspect you are in for a bit of a roller coaster ride on this type of news. And I'm guessing those reporters were flying into Harare. I'd still think Vic Falls and/or Bulawayo would be not as tense a place to fly into.

I think several of us are rooting for you to go and be successful!

 

[Timbo]

View attachment 209262

Well that sounds a bit ominous! It doesn't sound like they're all going to be gathering for tea and biscuits?

 

[Timbo]

A good thing about Zimbabwe is that hunters are much more welcome than reporters

I do hope it works out for you to go, but yea you will need to watch developments closely. I suspect you are in for a bit of a roller coaster ride on this type of news. And I'm guessing those reporters were flying into Harare. I'd still think Vic Falls and/or Bulawayo would be not as tense a place to fly into.

I think several of us are rooting for you to go and be successful!

Yes! I can feel the support - which is great! Thanks! My PH says everything is still ok on the ground, but we've agreed to a back up plan if the political situation and/or weather turns nasty.
But it's damn frustrating!! He's very confident of a bull in a good area - and to me it's sooo close, yet, because of bloody Bob, so far away! (AGAIN!! Aarrgghh!!)

 

[Mbalabala Safaris]

I just had clients arrive in Vic falls with weapons and there was no problems with weapons etc.....

Lin Stanton

 

[BRICKBURN]

I just had clients arrive in Vic falls with weapons and there was no problems with weapons etc.....

Lin Stanton

Exactly. I'd most certainly stay away from the "rally" in Harare.

 

[Timbo]

I just had clients arrive in Vic falls with weapons and there was no problems with weapons etc.....

Lin Stanton

That sounds encouraging, that things are still stable over there. But my problem is with the authorities over here in Australia. Not only do I need State Police clearance, but Customs, DFAT and the Dept of Defence clearances too!! And we're talking about a privately owned and licensed firearm, as part of my personal luggage!! Each department will also bugger about and "go slow" to deliberately frustrate us hunters.
Therefore, given the short notice, I don't have the time to get authorisations to take my 458 over this time around.
In answering this way, Lin, I hope other viewers here will learn something of the requirements needed if they wish to hunt in Australia.
Best of luck with your hunt!

 

[Timbo]

Exactly. I'd most certainly stay away from the "rally" in Harare.

I've only ever been once into Harare, but as there wasn't any game to hunt there, I've no intention of ever going back!!!

 

[BRICKBURN]

If you get bored hunting, grab your camera and head to Harare.

 

[Timbo]

If you get bored hunting, grab your camera and head to Harare.

Bored of hunting buffalo? I'd rather stay hunting while they sort things out for themselves. It'll all be covered by the TV anyway.