ZIMBABWE: Buffalo - Hwange Consul Area

[Timbo]

G'day all,
Has anyone hunted buffalo in the Hwange Consul area (north of the Nat Park and south of the Matetsi Units) recently? I'm planning my first buffalo hunt, and I'd like some advice of the area and quality of trophies.
Thanks!
Timbo

 

[Bobpuckett]

I've never hunted the Hwange Consul Area, who is the Outfitter that your planning to hunt with maybe someone knows something about them.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I've never hunted the Hwange Consul Area, who is the Outfitter that your planning to hunt with maybe someone knows something about them.

Much more likely to get info from this reference point.

 

[Timbo]

Thanks for the advice. I have the names of either of the PHs I'll be hunting with; a Dave Anyot or Scott Bailey. If you have any info about these guys I'd appreciate it.

 

[Timbo]

Thanks. I've been told the PH's names (see recent post) and I think they're freelance PHs.

 

[Buff-Buster]

Timbo,
Not sure about Dave Anyot, but I hunted with Scott Bailey in 2007 for 14 days in Zim. Excellent PH. He was working for Matapula Safaris at the time. I also know he was working for Martin Peters last year (2012) in the Omay. Almost booked a hunt with Martin just to be able to hunt with Scott again. Wound up going to Mozambique instead mainly because Martin didn't have anymore croc on quota (wanted to do a hippo/croc combo). Don't know anything about the Hwange Consul Area? Martin maybe able to add as he has built a photgraphic safari lodge somewhere in that area.

 

[Timbo]

Thanks for the info Buff-Buster! I'll follow up on these leads. Much appreciated. Timbo

Timbo,
Not sure about Dave Anyot, but I hunted with Scott Bailey in 2007 for 14 days in Zim. Excellent PH. He was working for Matapula Safaris at the time. I also know he was working for Martin Peters last year (2012) in the Omay. Almost booked a hunt with Martin just to be able to hunt with Scott again. Wound up going to Mozambique instead mainly because Martin didn't have anymore croc on quota (wanted to do a hippo/croc combo). Don't know anything about the Hwange Consul Area? Martin maybe able to add as he has built a photgraphic safari lodge somewhere in that area.

 

[chixy]

Timbo,
I did a 10 day hunt with a Dave Amyot in Zim last year, my first hunting trip to Africa. This was in the West Nicholson area. I had 10 plains game animals on my wish list and got most of them. I found Dave to be a great bloke and happy to recommend him. Funny thing was he wasnt supposed to be the original PH, and yes he was free lancing or sub - contracting, apparently a double booking by the outfitter. I was with a mate, and even though we had booked a 2 on 1 hunt, due to the stuff up Dave managed to arrange another PH and tracker to be called in, so my mate and i ended up doing 1 on 1 hunts. The set of Lightforce spotties we brought over (without charge) certainly got us off on the right foot.

I'm not an experienced African hunter so cant really make comparisons for you, but if its Dave Amyot you are referring to then as i said i found him great value.

 

[MARTIN PIETERS SAFARIS]

Timbo

Hwange council concession belongs to Matupula hunters, David and Scott are freelancing so unless they have bought quota from Matupula, then I suggest they narrow down the area to be hunted as there are a lot of ' farms' and questionable areas between Gwayi and Vic Falls.
Get them to tell you precisely where you will be hunting, camp, concession, area!
Make sure so that everyone is happy.

Mart

 

[Timbo]

Hi Chixy,
Your info is very reassuring.
Thanks.
Tim

 

[Timbo]

Thanks! Will do.

 

[jepetto62]

Hi Timbo,

I know Dave Amyot pretty well. He is (was?) normally working for ZimAfricas and is a very good PH. He guided my son (13) for a successful buffalo hunt and I have hunted hippo with him last year. So, no worries on that side.
Concerning the area in which you will hunt, as one post mentioned, there are some borderline operations in the area, operating out of quota. Some are genuine also, but there is a tendency to have SA operations coming in and out, "renting" Zim PH, shooting with clients and leaving asap with trophies. So a proper enquiry is in order and I would NOT hunt with a SA operation there (it is likely, very likely to be hunting on stolen properties).
Dave is a very honest person, so this would vouch for the legitimacy of the operation.
Just one word of caution, the Hwange/Gwaii area has buffalos, and some very nice ones, and lots of other game (incredible elephant area). But also two main herds (100s of buffalos) which come and go. I have hunted there and you can one day see hundreds of buffs, then nothing for a week or more. Depending on the season (read water in the Park or not), you will have a hard time being successful. I would personally not go there early in the season, certainly not before July, which is when lone bulls will start moving out of park. Also, be aware that this region had LOTS of rain this year and grass is going to be very high until late.
Hope this helps

 

[Timbo]

Thanks for the detailed and recent info that's greatly appreciated. From what other guys say here Dave and Scott are decent guys - and I'm happy to know that. But yes, the issues regarding the area concern me. A year or so ago I was robbed (no other word for it) after a SA based PH disappeared with a lot of my money- and this AFTER we had both agreed to defer the hunt - because I was seriously injured at work some months before the hunt began. This very bad experience has left me extremely wary of areas, and operators, near the SA border.

Hi Timbo,

I know Dave Amyot pretty well. He is (was?) normally working for ZimAfricas and is a very good PH. He guided my son (13) for a successful buffalo hunt and I have hunted hippo with him last year. So, no worries on that side.
Concerning the area in which you will hunt, as one post mentioned, there are some borderline operations in the area, operating out of quota. Some are genuine also, but there is a tendency to have SA operations coming in and out, "renting" Zim PH, shooting with clients and leaving asap with trophies. So a proper enquiry is in order and I would NOT hunt with a SA operation there (it is likely, very likely to be hunting on stolen properties).
Dave is a very honest person, so this would vouch for the legitimacy of the operation.
Just one word of caution, the Hwange/Gwaii area has buffalos, and some very nice ones, and lots of other game (incredible elephant area). But also two main herds (100s of buffalos) which come and go. I have hunted there and you can one day see hundreds of buffs, then nothing for a week or more. Depending on the season (read water in the Park or not), you will have a hard time being successful. I would personally not go there early in the season, certainly not before July, which is when lone bulls will start moving out of park. Also, be aware that this region had LOTS of rain this year and grass is going to be very high until late.
Hope this helps

 

[jepetto62]

Again, if the operation is run by a Zim operator I would feel comforted...
But I would not go there through a SA based operation. They have very often little morality and more than once no proper paper/authorizations. they just make deals with the land owners (meaning friends of Mugabe who received lands stolen to their rightful owners), go there, shot whatever and drive back to SA with the trophies hidden in the truck. I have seen it with my proper eyes (it was by the way an interesting experience) as my PH (Zim, legal and with hunting rigths) tried to stop it...
There are some leagl operations there and very good hunting, but some due diligence is required.