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Lunchtime, Day 6

I was going through day 4's post last night and saw how badly it was done. I'm sorry - writing is not priority 1 at this point in time! Anyhow, I have brushed it up a little and got the tenses right this time, I think. On to the hunt.....

Day five was a very relaxed day, as has been day six, so far. We have been scouting about all over Humani - driving and walking - and have seen a lot of game, but nothing has been taken since the last leopard. It is a good thing - everyone is having a wind down after all the excitement. There is still work to be done but there is now plenty of time at our disposal. Advised by his PH's, the Captain turned down several kudu bulls yesterday evening, and Rick did the same this morning. The biggest seen by Pete and Rick was about 54 inches and they are holding out for something better. In Pete's words - 'that is a second last day bull!' Rick has also passed up a couple of decent waterbuck bulls. We haven't seen a really great bushbuck yet, but it is bound to happen at any time. This morning I hunted with Pete and Rick, and we spotted two kudu bulls sparring at a waterhole. The fight had everything to do with a small herd of young girls that were hanging around close by. It was a grand sighting and I managed to get it all on video. We also saw a python whilst walking through the bush. It was not overly large, probably about eight foot. I must head off back to camp now, I'm sure things are going to hot up again sometime soon.

An aside: Two buffalo and two leopard have just become available here in the Save Conservancy. Another operator who we sometimes deal with has had a big cancellation. If anyone is interested in hunting one or more of these animals, please email me or send a private message and I'll give you more details. The deal is very reasonable and I think it's a great opportunity. The area is A1 and there would also be plainsgame available.

Cheers,
Dave

I enjoyed a super afternoon hunting with Rick Rice, PH Peter Wood and tracker Isaac. Getting the wind just right, we walked a fair distance throught the remarkable block of land that is known as Bedford. Starting at a point close to the middle of Bedford, we worked our way through fever tree and mopani forest down towards the Save/Turgwe junction. Along the way, we surprised a massive waterbuck (Pete reckons 30" plus), and that buck played cat and mouse with us till sundown. Three times we bumped the buck, and three times he gave us the slip. We were treated to a remarkable display of tracking by Isaac and Pete, over hard, grass-covered and imprint unreceptive earth. It was quite a spectacle I must say.

An inquistive young elephant bull disturbed the tracking session later on this evening, and I managed to get some cool footage of the hunters in the foreground and the elephant in the background with ears splayed. Time ultimately called the shots and we were forced to abandon pursuit of the waterbuck at sundown. We shall be taking up where we left off early tomorrow morning and I just know we are going to get this buck. He is a very worthy specimen and well worth the effort. We could go out and find another, but we are all determined to get this particular trophy.

The Captain and his team got onto some kudu bulls once again, and the Captain very nearly took one of them. Circumstance dictated, however, and a shot was not taken. We shall see what the morrow brings on the kudu/waterbuck front.

Goodnight. I don't know about any of you, but I am going to sleep well. I shall send you some more pictures tomorrow - just general photos of the camp and area, and maybe a trophy pic or two, depending on how the day pans out...

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