When we heard of the big jumbo, we immediately contacted Doug Scandrol, who said the one big jumbo was only part of the good news. Seems by May 9 the following elephants had already been taken in Pandamatenga: a 68 x 65-pounder (Bob Fay); a 72 x 70-pounder (Larry Johnson); a 62 x 56-pounder (Stan Atwood); a 71 x 68-pounder (Tim Haley); and a 75 x 70-pounder (Jeff Brody). So, what is the secret of this area? Pamela Atwood's husband, Stanford, had this to say about it in a recent letter:
"Pandamatenga is virtually surrounded by parks and areas which are not hunted, and elephants (mostly bulls) pass through it from one park to another, feeding on the ripening fruit of mogongo trees, which are plentiful in the area. The area is rapidly becoming well known for producing big bulls, especially early in the season while water is still abundant and the mogongo fruit is ripening...."
The only other sizeable elephant we have heard of so far is a 60-pounder, also taken in Botswana. The lucky hunter was Robert Tonti, who connected with his jumbo on a safari with Hunters & Guides, PH Gavin Hume in early April. Other hunters who connect with jumbo in Botswana this year are urged to file Hunt Reports right away.
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