Just finishing my safari and joined yesterday

[godwincp]

While I truly envy your two months in two wonderful countries I really admire your attitude on life and being your own man and surrounding yourself with like minded people. You’re definitely in the right place on AH.Com.

 

[Franco]

This was the main purpose of my hunt in Zambia; all the animals taken up to this guy were bait, and it takes a lot of bait to hunt lions.

We had 4 bait sites with good activity. For whatever reason there were a lot of lions in the area. Cameras showed some good prospects and we started building blinds. We had a bit of a setback when, without any notice, a local conservation organization used one of our sites to dart and collar one of the big males.

This matter has not gone away and is now far above my pay grade. Needless to say the GMA Operator was not happy.

Fortunately for us, the other baits were still active and we (the PH) decided we should build another blind.

Not wanting to arrive too early, in case the lions were nearby - we got to the site at 10:30 AM.

Loaded with poles, grass, tarps, ropes, and more bait, we pulled up and stopped about 40 yds from the bait. Looking across and out the driver side window, I could see most of the bait had been consumed - almost an entire hippo hindquarter had been consumed in one night.

The PH cautioned us to be quiet as we began to exit the vehicle.

Exiting the passenger side, I heard one of the guys still on top - "There's a lion, on the left, at the edge of the grass".

I turned my head to the left and there he was, in broad daylight, about 40 yds out, on his side - head raised, staring directly at us. Directly at me to be more specific.

I pulled my rifle out of the seat and took aim.

"Don't shoot, never shoot a lion laying down, I need to make sure he's good" I think that's what the PH said.

My attention was focused elsewhere. 40 yds away was a male lion; through my scope I saw the fixed stare of his gold/green eyes. All I could think was, I am outside the vehicle and the closest to him.

"Everybody, just don't move" - I don't know who said it, but it seemed like excellent advice.

"I need to get a look at his teeth" - I heard the PH whisper. IS HE SERIOUS? And just how do you plan to accomplish that? I didn't say it - I was too afraid to move my lips, but I sure as hell thought it.

Almost on command, the lion opened his mouth, yawned, licked his lips, and laid his head down and went to sleep. I guess a hippo hindquarter will have that effect.

NOW WHAT? Do we send one of the guys to wake him up? Do we walk up and shoot him, tie a rope to him, what?

"Do not take your rifle off him, he's good, he will stand up to move out of the sun, when he does - shoot".

Sounds easy, stand rock steady, crosshairs on a napping male lion 40 yds away. I watch his nose twitch and his ears wiggle to ward off the Tsetse flies, and I am jealous - I never figured out how to wiggle my ears. I suffer the wrath of the Tsetses.

Rifle clenched, scope fixed on the lion, his eyes open. Will he stand? No - he raises his head and gazes in our direction. My first thought is, great - he's had a nap and now he's hungry.

I try to imagine what he sees and what he's thinking. I know he sees the vehicle, does he see the guys remaining on top as people or part of the vehicle? Does he see me or do I blend in with the background?

In an instant I have my answer, his gaze turns to a stare and it's straight at me.

"Just wait - he'll get up". The PH's words are barely audible, drowned out by the throbbing of my heart beat in my ears. I could hear myself sweat.

Through the scope I see him blink and try to match his rhythm.

That scene from the movie "Tombstone" where Doc Holiday faces off against Johnny Ringo begins to play in my mind, I hear Val Kilmer's line - "Say when". Dear God, please let me be Doc.

As if on cue, the lion's front paws squeeze and I see his leg muscles tense as he pulls them beneath him to stand. Front legs straightened, red-dot on his shoulder - I squeeze. Through the scope I see him fall, I reload and fire again.

The lion lies motionless on the ground. I breath, reload, and I'm joined by the PH who cautions me to hold position.

Just when I think it's over, I hear, "Guys, don't move - there's 2 more coming through the grass to the left".

2 females had been hiding in the grass and were now headed at us. Fortunately they stopped and ran off once reaching the edge.

I would like to say this was a piece of cake - just another day of hunting. I'd like to, but I can't.

I've shot animals at close range; an elephant at 21', a hippo at less, a cape buffalo at about 30'. These all happened so fast there was no time to think - just react. Training takes over and when it's over you actually feel pride and a sense of accomplishment. Events like those are why we train.

Nothing prepares you for a standoff with a lion. There is way too much time to think about all the ways it can go wrong. I am just thankful nothing went wrong that day.

 

[rinehart0050]

View attachment 556829
This was the main purpose of my hunt in Zambia; all the animals taken up to this guy were bait, and it takes a lot of bait to hunt lions.

We had 4 bait sites with good activity. For whatever reason there were a lot of lions in the area. Cameras showed some good prospects and we started building blinds. We had a bit of a setback when, without any notice, a local conservation organization used one of our sites to dart and collar one of the big males.

This matter has not gone away and is now far above my pay grade. Needless to say the GMA Operator was not happy.

Fortunately for us, the other baits were still active and we (the PH) decided we should build another blind.

Not wanting to arrive too early, in case the lions were nearby - we got to the site at 10:30 AM.

Loaded with poles, grass, tarps, ropes, and more bait, we pulled up and stopped about 40 yds from the bait. Looking across and out the driver side window, I could see most of the bait had been consumed - almost an entire hippo hindquarter had been consumed in one night.

The PH cautioned us to be quiet as we began to exit the vehicle.

Exiting the passenger side, I heard one of the guys still on top - "There's a lion, on the left, at the edge of the grass".

I turned my head to the left and there he was, in broad daylight, about 40 yds out, on his side - head raised, staring directly at us. Directly at me to be more specific.

I pulled my rifle out of the seat and took aim.

"Don't shoot, never shoot a lion laying down, I need to make sure he's good" I think that's what the PH said.

My attention was focused elsewhere. 40 yds away was a male lion; through my scope I saw the fixed stare of his gold/green eyes. All I could think was, I am outside the vehicle and the closest to him.

"Everybody, just don't move" - I don't know who said it, but it seemed like excellent advice.

"I need to get a look at his teeth" - I heard the PH whisper. IS HE SERIOUS? And just how do you plan to accomplish that? I didn't say it - I was too afraid to move my lips, but I sure as hell thought it.

Almost on command, the lion opened his mouth, yawned, licked his lips, and laid his head down and went to sleep. I guess a hippo hindquarter will have that effect.

NOW WHAT? Do we send one of the guys to wake him up? Do we walk up and shoot him, tie a rope to him, what?

"Do not take your rifle off him, he's good, he will stand up to move out of the sun, when he does - shoot".

Sounds easy, stand rock steady, crosshairs on a napping male lion 40 yds away. I watch his nose twitch and his ears wiggle to ward off the Tsetse flies, and I am jealous - I never figured out how to wiggle my ears. I suffer the wrath of the Tsetses.

Rifle clenched, scope fixed on the lion, his eyes open. Will he stand? No - he raises his head and gazes in our direction. My first thought is, great - he's had a nap and now he's hungry.

I try to imagine what he sees and what he's thinking. I know he sees the vehicle, does he see the guys remaining on top as people or part of the vehicle? Does he see me or do I blend in with the background?

In an instant I have my answer, his gaze turns to a stare and it's straight at me.

"Just wait - he'll get up". The PH's words are barely audible, drowned out by the throbbing of my heart beat in my ears. I could hear myself sweat.

Through the scope I see him blink and try to match his rhythm.

That scene from the movie "Tombstone" where Doc Holiday faces off against Johnny Ringo begins to play in my mind, I hear Val Kilmer's line - "Say when". Dear God, please let me be Doc.

As if on cue, the lion's front paws squeeze and I see his leg muscles tense as he pulls them beneath him to stand. Front legs straightened, red-dot on his shoulder - I squeeze. Through the scope I see him fall, I reload and fire again.

The lion lies motionless on the ground. I breath, reload, and I'm joined by the PH who cautions me to hold position.

Just when I think it's over, I hear, "Guys, don't move - there's 2 more coming through the grass to the left".

2 females had been hiding in the grass and were now headed at us. Fortunately they stopped and ran off once reaching the edge.

I would like to say this was a piece of cake - just another day of hunting. I'd like to, but I can't.

I've shot animals at close range; an elephant at 21', a hippo at less, a cape buffalo at about 30'. These all happened so fast there was no time to think - just react. Training takes over and when it's over you actually feel pride and a sense of accomplishment. Events like those are why we train.

Nothing prepares you for a standoff with a lion. There is way too much time to think about all the ways it can go wrong. I am just thankful nothing went wrong that day.

Amazing. Congrats!! Thanks for sharing and well done!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Welcome and congrats on your hunt! The lion story.......wow, just wow.

 

[Drywaller44]

View attachment 556829
This was the main purpose of my hunt in Zambia; all the animals taken up to this guy were bait, and it takes a lot of bait to hunt lions.

We had 4 bait sites with good activity. For whatever reason there were a lot of lions in the area. Cameras showed some good prospects and we started building blinds. We had a bit of a setback when, without any notice, a local conservation organization used one of our sites to dart and collar one of the big males.

This matter has not gone away and is now far above my pay grade. Needless to say the GMA Operator was not happy.

Fortunately for us, the other baits were still active and we (the PH) decided we should build another blind.

Not wanting to arrive too early, in case the lions were nearby - we got to the site at 10:30 AM.

Loaded with poles, grass, tarps, ropes, and more bait, we pulled up and stopped about 40 yds from the bait. Looking across and out the driver side window, I could see most of the bait had been consumed - almost an entire hippo hindquarter had been consumed in one night.

The PH cautioned us to be quiet as we began to exit the vehicle.

Exiting the passenger side, I heard one of the guys still on top - "There's a lion, on the left, at the edge of the grass".

I turned my head to the left and there he was, in broad daylight, about 40 yds out, on his side - head raised, staring directly at us. Directly at me to be more specific.

I pulled my rifle out of the seat and took aim.

"Don't shoot, never shoot a lion laying down, I need to make sure he's good" I think that's what the PH said.

My attention was focused elsewhere. 40 yds away was a male lion; through my scope I saw the fixed stare of his gold/green eyes. All I could think was, I am outside the vehicle and the closest to him.

"Everybody, just don't move" - I don't know who said it, but it seemed like excellent advice.

"I need to get a look at his teeth" - I heard the PH whisper. IS HE SERIOUS? And just how do you plan to accomplish that? I didn't say it - I was too afraid to move my lips, but I sure as hell thought it.

Almost on command, the lion opened his mouth, yawned, licked his lips, and laid his head down and went to sleep. I guess a hippo hindquarter will have that effect.

NOW WHAT? Do we send one of the guys to wake him up? Do we walk up and shoot him, tie a rope to him, what?

"Do not take your rifle off him, he's good, he will stand up to move out of the sun, when he does - shoot".

Sounds easy, stand rock steady, crosshairs on a napping male lion 40 yds away. I watch his nose twitch and his ears wiggle to ward off the Tsetse flies, and I am jealous - I never figured out how to wiggle my ears. I suffer the wrath of the Tsetses.

Rifle clenched, scope fixed on the lion, his eyes open. Will he stand? No - he raises his head and gazes in our direction. My first thought is, great - he's had a nap and now he's hungry.

I try to imagine what he sees and what he's thinking. I know he sees the vehicle, does he see the guys remaining on top as people or part of the vehicle? Does he see me or do I blend in with the background?

In an instant I have my answer, his gaze turns to a stare and it's straight at me.

"Just wait - he'll get up". The PH's words are barely audible, drowned out by the throbbing of my heart beat in my ears. I could hear myself sweat.

Through the scope I see him blink and try to match his rhythm.

That scene from the movie "Tombstone" where Doc Holiday faces off against Johnny Ringo begins to play in my mind, I hear Val Kilmer's line - "Say when". Dear God, please let me be Doc.

As if on cue, the lion's front paws squeeze and I see his leg muscles tense as he pulls them beneath him to stand. Front legs straightened, red-dot on his shoulder - I squeeze. Through the scope I see him fall, I reload and fire again.

The lion lies motionless on the ground. I breath, reload, and I'm joined by the PH who cautions me to hold position.

Just when I think it's over, I hear, "Guys, don't move - there's 2 more coming through the grass to the left".

2 females had been hiding in the grass and were now headed at us. Fortunately they stopped and ran off once reaching the edge.

I would like to say this was a piece of cake - just another day of hunting. I'd like to, but I can't.

I've shot animals at close range; an elephant at 21', a hippo at less, a cape buffalo at about 30'. These all happened so fast there was no time to think - just react. Training takes over and when it's over you actually feel pride and a sense of accomplishment. Events like those are why we train.

Nothing prepares you for a standoff with a lion. There is way too much time to think about all the ways it can go wrong. I am just thankful nothing went wrong that day.

Excellent writing, congrats on that wonderful lion. Would love to hear more about those other close encounters.

 

[TRAVEL EXPRESS]

Welcome to AH, @Franco! We look forward to you sharing your stories!

 

[Franco]

Franco, welcome to the best hunting site on the web. I’m surprised that you hear about us previously. Tell us a little more about you and your rifles.

Thank you

I am a newcomer to hunting, having only gotten into it 5 years ago. I did a bit of bird hunting along the way, but it was when I turned 65 I decided to give Big Game hunting a try.

My Big Game rifles are:
Heym 500 NE Double (due next year)
Heym 450/400 Double
Heym 458 Lott
Heym 375 H&H Mag
Heym 300 Win Mag
Wthrby 300 Mag

 

[Northern Shooter]

Thank you

I am a newcomer to hunting, having only gotten into it 5 years ago. I did a bit of bird hunting along the way, but it was when I turned 65 I decided to give Big Game hunting a try.

My Big Game rifles are:
Heym 500 NE Double (due next year)
Heym 450/400 Double
Heym 458 Lott
Heym 375 H&H Mag
Heym 300 Win Mag
Wthrby 300 Mag

A Heym guy eh? Very nice.

 

[mark-hunter]

I am a newcomer to hunting, having only gotten into it 5 years ago.

Quite a start!

Well done, Sir!
Not to mention the choice of fine firearms!

 

[Franco]

Excellent writing, congrats on that wonderful lion. Would love to hear more about those other close encounters.

This was the last (2nd) hippo I got on my recent hunt in Zambia.

We had seen him on previous trips up and down the river, we just never could get close enough to him.

We decided to try a stalk. That required crossing the river (Kafue) to one of the many islands, walking up the interior of the island to a spot nearest his pod.

After quietly sneaking into position, we watched and waited. Then we waited some more. The pod was a mere 40 yds away, grouped tightly in the water - but this guy was nowhere to be seen. So, we waited some more.

Those of you who've hunted hippo will understand. For those who haven't, shooting hippos in the water isn't the easiest thing to do. First and foremost - the hippos don't make it easy. They don't just stick their heads up and say, "Here I am - shoot me".

They are more like the carnival game Whack-A-Mole, where robotic moles randomly pop their heads out of a board for a split second, and you have to whack 'em with a mallet. It's actually kind of fun.

So here we are with the organic version - "Whack-A-Hippo", only they're not popping their heads up. So we wait some more.

Further complicating the process is identifying a big bull - not as easy as it sounds. There are obvious clues, size being one of them - but there are some big females (and that's all I'm going to say about large females).

If calves are present, they will be right next to their mamas.

The best indicators are the tusks; easy to see if they open their mouths. If not, there are 2 bumps, humps, lumps, sockets - whatever you want to call them, aft and outboard of the nostrils. These indicate the tops of the tusks; if they are level or higher than the nostrils - big tusks.

In the case of this guy - the tips of his tusks actually protruded through the tops of his bumps, humps, lumps.

After 2 1/2 hours of, "Is that him?", we decided none of them were him and went to plan B.

We could hear hippos downstream at the end of the island, so we sent one of the trackers to check. He returned with a big grin.

We packed up quietly and made our way to the far end. This end of the island was not as welcoming as the previous. We were fighting our way through thick brush, overgrown vegetation, vines, thorns, it looked like a set from "Jurassic Park".

Elephants are frequent visitors to these island and leave their evidence behind.

Pushing our way through behind the tracker, we emerge to find an opening near to the water's edge where the ground is flattened and covered in hippo evidence - it's a hippo nest!

A well worn path leads a short distance to a muddy, well-used chute which leads directly into the water. The chute is covered by dense, low hanging branches offering a perfect hiding spot. It would prove a bit too perfect.

Accompanied by a couple females, this big guy was swimming around in the middle of the river, about 40 yds out.

I took up a position on the edge of the chute and set up the sticks, 1 for the fore stock, and a second to stabilize the butt.

Remember I said shooting hippos in the water isn't easy? You have to hit them in the brain, which is not a large target.

Rifle set, we wait. "Whack-A-Hippo" starts moving around - he's actually getting closer.

He's up, he looks - he submerges and pops up closer. He's at the 40, he's at the 30, he's at the 20 - I have the PH pull the back sticks, he's at the 10. "Holy shit - he's right here" - the clarity of the water reveals a shadowy mass rapidly approaching shore. The bow wake parts as his huge head emerges from the water - he's coming up the chute and guess who's standing in the way.

I lift my rifle off the sticks, swing down at the top of his head and squeeze the trigger.

I shoot with both eyes open - it makes finding a target through a scope at that range fairly easy. To be honest I don't even know if I was aiming through the scope - he was right there.

Direct hit. Blood erupts from his head as he drops back into the water. Blood continues to flow, alerting the crocs to a fresh kill. Does it get any better?

"Bloody well done", "Damn", "Hell of a shot", the air is filled with accolades, and expressions of relief, as my back and shoulders take the slaps of congratulations.

I look at the PH, he says nothing, he doesn't have to - he just smiles.

 

[Rickmt]

Damn Franco , you are living the life ! Welcome to the forum !

 

[Franco]

Damn Franco , you are living the life ! Welcome to the forum !

Thanks - it's definitely had it's moments.

 

[Franco]

A Heym guy eh? Very nice.

When I made the decision to go hunting in Africa I had the good fortune of meeting Chris Sells of Heym USA. He was extremely generous of both his time and knowledge, educating me to the philosophy of double-gun shooting, and the importance of shot placement vs calibre.

The fit and balance are perfect.

My Heyms shoulder quickly and right on target - no moving around to get it right. The recoil is a direct push rather than a rise, allowing me to stay right on target. In my 5 years of ownership I have never had a misfire or a jamb.

I have considered a Rigby, or Holland & Holland, or several other similar rifles; but if bought one, it only be to say I own one. I'll take my Heyms into the field any day.

 

[mark-hunter]

@Franco

A side question:
Many of seasoned hunters never got idea to go hunt in Africa.
Africa is unknown continent to many hunters. Some are also Afraid to travel to this continent.
You made decision to go to Africa in your first 5 years of hunting.

How did you get to that decision?

 

[Franco]

We caught this bait thief at first light. Hyena tracks were everywhere, so we decided to try for one.

We had a pretty fair sized collection of carcasses and old bait piling up, as well as the ever present threat of vultures so we set up a bait dump in the middle of an open field.

Hyenas responded immediately, so we drove to the site at first light - stopping short and walking the remainder of the distance.

This big dog was at the edge of the field about 220 yds out.

 

[Franco]

@Franco

A side question:
Many of seasoned hunters never got idea to go hunt in Africa.
Africa is unknown continent to many hunters. Some are also Afraid to travel to this continent.
You made decision to go to Africa in your first 5 years of hunting.

How did you get to that decision?

Mark,

Good question.

Yes, I made that choice in my first year of deciding to go hunting - but it was in my 65th year of living.

I had a challenging and rewarding career in aviation - 40 years of airplanes, helicopters, gliders, balloons, and blimps - on land and sea, across multiple continents.

Concurrently, I flew a wide variety of WWII aircraft on the airshow circuit.

I built a hot-rod and a monster jeep - I was at a what's next juncture.

It was not a goal, aspiration, or life-long dream; the closest analogy I can come up with is "Wild hair...".

My wife's response was, "You're going to do what?".

That was late 2017, I joined DSC and SCI, attended both conventions in 2018 - found an outfitter, bought rifles and gear and headed to Tanzania.

I quickly realized this was something I enjoyed, not just the hunting, but the people associated with it in all aspects. My wife and I have not missed a DSC or SCI convention since.

I should point out, although I was not an active hunter for close to 45 years - I was no stranger to hunting or shooting. My father and uncles were all avid hunters and gun collectors. I hunted with them often as a child and into my teens. Other than the occasional trip with them to the pheasant club, as an adult, once I began my flying career I never seemed to have the opportunity.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I'll try just posting one picture at a time, that way I can write something about each one.

This Sable was taken on the recent Zambia hunt. Nice old bull, showing some secondary growth - not that I know what that is - it's what the PH said. He was alone in a stand of trees, facing us about 250 yds out. I hit him center chest, he went about 50 yds.
View attachment 556765

Secondary growth is the tight horn rings next to the skull. Usually an indicator of age. That old boy must have been living on marshmallows and soup. Did he have ANY teeth left?

 

[Franco]

Secondary growth is the tight horn rings next to the skull. Usually an indicator of age. That old boy must have been living on marshmallows and soup. Did he have ANY teeth left?

He didn't have much for teeth, and the tips of his horns showed quite a bit of wear.
The skinners brought me a 375 slug but it wasn't mine - it was an old lead bullet. I shoot TSX's. I don't know where they found the slug - mine would have ended up in the stomach if it stopped.

 

[mark-hunter]

Good question.

Franco, thank you for reply.

I must say I admire your spirit.
Maybe, I know only one man, with this type of positive spirit, and this was my mentor and professor at college. I am now 52, and he is now in his 90-ties. he is still driving motor bike, sailing boats, and travels. We meet twice per year to exchange the news, and he always fascinates me with something new!

And i also find similarities in your story with mine.
I am deep sea ship captain, now on drilling rig, and although I started my hobistic activities early (started shooting age 12 with granpa, shot my first roe deer age 18) started fishing and boating earlier, at the age 7 or 8, and as the years gone by, now I am shooting coach, issf shooting judge/referee, member of hunting club, admin in my shooting club, ex free diving spear fishermen, scuba dive instructor, and I still have a feeling I lost a lot of my life spent at deep sea, and in shipping and offshore service. I travelled in the line of duty to 63 countries, all continents.

I made my first safari, in 2017, age 46. This was after I realized I can afford it, and when I realized that safari is realistically possible - thanks to internet.

I went in 2017 to Africa first time, but it took me few years to prepare before I made the trip, first by reading the books and various materials about safari, then also by taking good education on this web site, and other web sites. So, I got interested in African safari maybe with the age of 42, or 44, till I made first trip. (so far done 3 safaris, and planning next one)
Of course my plains game safaris are not even close to your true big game adventure in African wilderness, I experienced hunting plains game in Namibia only.

Once again, I admire your spirit, and congratulate on fantastic hunt.

Looking fwd to your next inputs.

 

[Shootist43]

Franco, that was one He** of a hunt!! What is next on your list of animals to be taken? When, where and with whom? BTW that is an impressive battery of rifles.