Also in Botswana, another subscriber reports hunting elephant in CH8, the concession previously held by Akunamatha and suddenly put up for re-tender this past July. You'll remember a consortium of operators picked up the concession and are working it together. Last month subscriber Brad Miller reported on a successful safari there. This month I heard from A. Paul Reed, who was in camp at the same time as Miller. Reed says he snagged a last-minute cancellation safari to CH8 this past September. He hunted with Greg Butler Safaris and Peter Holbrow Safaris, booking agent Jeff C. Neal (918-299-3580; www.jeffcnealinc.com). He reports shooting an elephant that should weigh about 43 pounds. He says he saw and stalked 12 to 15 bulls every day despite some brush fires that seemed to affect elephant movements. Most of the bulls he saw ranged from 40 to 50 pounds. He says that is what hunters should expect to see here, although a truly big jumbo is a possibility.
Reed gives Greg Butler and PH Gareth Flemix high marks, saying Butler is underrated as an operator: "He is an excellent leader in the bush, coordinating camp staff, PHs and clients, and is reasonably priced as well." Reed goes on to describe Flemix as having "the right stuff" and being among the next generation of great PHs. He says Flemix tracked elephant on foot for several hours, getting within 15........(continued)
