Last stalk of the 2011 season this last week-end, and a very nice Zebra for my friend Jürgen. That was Tika’s first encounter with blood (new long legged Jack Russel), under Domino’s supervision (well, I am sure you all know Domino by now …), she did good and has lots to learn still… Read the rest of this entry »

A lot has been said lately about intensive rhino poaching in South Africa. A lot, but still not enough and we all have to contribute towards stopping poachers killing our assets. Already over 400 rhinos have officially been poached this year, possibly a lot more with all the carcasses not found yet. Poaching is the worst thing a hunter has to fight. I guess I don’t have to mention here that it is mostly the hunters being really concerned about poaching activities. It is very easy to combine hunting and poaching, to blame the whole word and to do nothing. For us, fighting this curse is an every day job. Without hunters, species in South Africa like bontebok, black and white rhinos and much more would have probably disappeared.
It boils down to a very simple fact. A game reserve, whether into photographic safaris or hunting, will very seldom invest huge amount of money to introduce or re-introduce white rhinoceros. They will only do so if the species has a financial value. Surplus will be hunted or sold on auction (often to other reserves managed through hunting). The day that value disappears, the specie will be in great danger. Only the wealthiest game reserves would then be able to keep rhinoceros with no need to get a return on their investment. Others won’t be able to afford that financial risk.
Rhino hunting in South Africa has always been strict, it is now even more with new rules and regulations in place, double-checking all aspects of the legitimacy of the hunt. This is a good thing.

Harvesting a rhino in South Africa contributes greatly to protect the whole rhino population in the country. Read the rest of this entry »

I lost a friend this week-end, a faithful companion for so many years. Our 15 year journey that took us across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique just came to an end.

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This is the story of an exceptional elephant safari. When reading this article, always remember that elephant hunting is a serious business, strictly ruled and regulated. All trophies taken during this hunt where done against our yearly CITES quota for the concession. Our quota for Navaisha concession bordering the Gona ReZhou National Park is for 5 elephant males for the year. Taking these animals in a week, a month or a year results to the same game management achievement.

Extra-ordinary elephant safari…
… Izak arrives in Harare with a friend and his challenge is to try to get 3 big elephant bulls in 14 days. Cessna pilot Giles welcomes them and takes them to his C206 for a short flight to Gona ReZhou National park where pro hunter Lloyd and his team will take over.
The 35 minutes drive between the landing strip and Lloyd’s camp are spent discussing the great elephant movement that occurs in the area at this time of the year. Amarula trees are dropping their fruits and elephant just cannot resist them. Water is also abundant right now on the 250 000 ha concession, this is the BEST time to find those big tuskers that Izak is looking for.
Day 1, 06:00 AM, our team leaves camp in search of Izak’s first big tusker. Only 20 min later, some large and worn elephant tracks are crossing the road. Lloyd has a big smile on his face, he knows that area and its potential so well. It will only take 35 minutes to find that big bull, his tusks are shining in the beautiful morning light. Adrenaline rushes right up, this is a shooter … 50 meters … 30, then only 25 … the barrel of the .416 Rigby is raising slowly, shot goes off and the giant bites the dust. Izak is only 2 hours into his safari, and he has just taken a very nice elephant bull. Read the rest of this entry »

Springfield MASS was our last show in the USA for 2011. It looks like the economy in the USA is finally showing signs of recovery, with more bookings than in previous years. Let’s hope that a full recovery is on its way!
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Here we are again, back in the noisy game call hall in Harrisburg PA!!
You will find us on the same booth # 4320 as previous years. Come and check out our 2011 safari options, from pygmy blue duiker antelope on the Eastern coast of South Africa, to huge tusker elephants on the border of the Gona ReZhou National parck in Zimbabwe. Read the rest of this entry »

The Yankee Classic was again a great venue to meet all of you this year, thank you for your support and thanks to all of you that bought a raffle ticket from us at the show.  Read the rest of this entry »