I've just returned from Zim this morming. There remains no reason to postpone or cancel a hunt. Economic activity is up from my last trip, more traffic on roads in Harare and the hiways we were on. Parks and Wildlife vehicles were in better shape, with fuel, and anti-poaching patrols were more common.

Every official from imigration to customs to police to Parks and Wildlife officers and game scouts were freindly and corteous. Police roadblocks were no more common than in the past and police were courteous and businesslike at the few poadblocks where we had to stop, mostly we were simply waived through.

No issues in Zim with my rifles which arrived on time and were cleared in and out without issue. My rifle case was opened in transit, I think at Dulles, and some slight damage, dings and scratches, done to both stocks, probably from lying one rifle on the other. One lock was not replaced. This is the last time I'll use TSA locks on my rifle case, unless mandated.

All in Zim bemoan the political situation and all want Mugabe gone, this feeling is widespread and openly expressed, even by Gov't employees, which is a change from my experience in the past.

As is typical of good operators, supplies in camp were plentiful and fuel no issue. Roger Whittall outfitted my camp, btw. I purchased the hunt at the Zim auctions with Roger and PH Rich Tabor acting as my agents.

For those heading out, the late ending and heavy rains have the bush THICK and we had dense ground cover, making tacking difficult. Be prepared for some up close excitement.

I'll post a report when I've had a chance for some sleep and catching up here.

JPK