HuntingReport.com
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Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Georgia Safaris - Zimbabwe Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
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| Report
ID: |
8804 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
July 1, 2012 to July 15, 2012 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Zimbabwe - Masvingo
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| Hunt Area: |
Save and Broadwell & Matabeleland South |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
John Hunt; Georgia Safaris - Zimbabwe. P.O. Box 58; Gwanda; Zimbabwe; Tel. 011-263-84-247523; Email: geosaf@mweb.co.zw; |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
John Hunt and Kobus van der Merwe |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
John Barth; Adventure Unlimited. 710 Buffalo Street; Suite 807; Corpus Christi; TX; 78401; Tel. 888-346-4868; Fax: 361-852-1766;Email: safaris@trip.net; Web www.ausafari.com |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Buffalo, Cape - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 33" |
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Antelope - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 35" |
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Klipspringer - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 3 8/16"; 11 1/16" SCI |
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Hyena - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 18 9/16" SCI |
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Bushpig - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 6 4/16"; 17" SCI |
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Impala - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: bait |
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Zebra - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: bait |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Leopard - Availability: No males on bait -- several females and one male track, but none on bait. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Plains game were abundant with average to excellent quality. Buffalo hunting was limited to a single small herd with average quality. Male leopard were very scarce. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Good |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
British Airways |
Airline
Service: |
Fair |
| Airline
Comments: |
Carrying firearms on BA through London is very difficult. I'd done it before with no problems. this time it took over 2 hours on both ends to do the paperwork -- after providing full advance notification. NEVER AGAIN! |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
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Amount: |
$16000 |
| Trophy Fees: |
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Amount: |
$12000 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
fees only, ued miles |
Amount: |
$1000 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
transport, taxes, dip/pack, pre-bait) |
Amount: |
$2000 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
Two weeks prior to departure, we were advised that the Savuli camp in the Save had been occupied with political/social unrest and would not be available to us. (This has also been reported in The Hunting Report.) The outfitter moved us to Masapas Ranch in a bush camp for six days, then Broadwell outside Bulawayo for the remainder of the 15-day hunt. Although we'll never know what the hunting at Savuli might have been like, Buffalo at Masapas appeared to be less abundant and there were no male leopard. Plains game at Masapas were very good. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
The bush camp at Masapas was excellent -- both the conditions of the camp and the bush experience. We had a female leopard grunting right next to camp every night and lion, hyena, jackal, baboon and other species frequented the area. The real deal! Buffalo hunting (although limited to a single herd of about 20 animals) was exciting with several long stalks, close-proximity stalking in thick riverine bush, pushing them across sand rivers, etc. Finally got a nice old bull at 160 yards in open ground -- he went 70 yards and fell over dead. Again, the real deal! The bonus of not hunting at Savuli was that I had an opportunity for Sable (at Dingwall Farm) that I had not booked. The disappointment, obviously, was not getting a leopard. All in all, with the buffalo and Sable plus SCI top-20 hyena, Rowland Ward Bushpig and SCI Klippie it was a great hunt! |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
None -- took all the basics and did not lack for anything. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
yes |
| Why? |
You're never guaranteed anything in life, but if you want a quality leopard experience plus the extras, John Hunt can deliver it for you. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Scott Swasey |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 925.964.9040 - 1005 Horizon Ct. | Danville | CA | USA | 94506 E-mail: scott.swasey@sbcglobal.net |
| Hunting Experience: |
Becoming extensive -- Africa, Alaska, Argentina, Canada, New Zealand, Scotland and US. |
| Physical Condition: |
Average to above average for my age. |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
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| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
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ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
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It's mostly stated, above. We'll never know what a Savuli camp hunt would have been like, but there were great experiences at Masapas, Broadwell and Dingwall. I do wonder what the future of Zimbabwe will be and how long there will be quality hunting in areas like the Save.
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|
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Georgia Safaris - Zimbabwe Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
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| Report
ID: |
2916 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
April 10, 2002 to April 21, 2002 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Zimbabwe -
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| Hunt Area: |
Gwanda |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
John Hunt; Georgia Safaris - Zimbabwe. P.O. Box 58; Gwanda; Zimbabwe; Tel. 011-263-84-247523; Email: geosaf@mweb.co.zw; |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
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| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Tony da Costa; Tony da Costas Safari Headquarters. PO Box 427; Minden; NV; 89423; Tel. 775-267-1948; Fax: 775-267-4269;Email: safarihq@charter.net; Web www.tonydacosta.com |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Zebra - Availability: - Trophy Size: Different ranch. |
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Waterbuck - Availability: - Trophy Size: Different ranch. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Leopard - Availability: 22 baits, no hits by male leopard. Can not export female leopard from Zimbabwe. |
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Kudu - Availability: Scarce, a few small bulls. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
John's ranch contains very few plains game animals. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
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Guide/PH
Ability: |
Good |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Good |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Good |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Good |
| Name
of Airline: |
South African Airlines |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
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Amount: |
$6300 |
| Trophy Fees: |
Waterbuck $1,250, bait animals $500 |
Amount: |
$1750 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
For two people |
Amount: |
$3230 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
No-hunter |
Amount: |
$1440 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
Did not take place on Swallowfork Ranch. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Seeing leopard on different ranch, where he could not be shot. Had chance to shoot leopard in head. (would I have a skull left?). |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
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| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
No |
| Why? |
Hunt did not take place on Swallowford Ranch. See comments. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Shaun Morgan |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 517-851-7746 - 3370 Brogan Rd., Stockbridge, MI 49285 |
| Hunting Experience: |
30 years. |
| Physical Condition: |
Good. |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
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| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? Yes |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? Yes |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
Waiting for a response from Tony. |
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ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
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Date: May 9, 2002 To: Tony Da Costa's Safari Headquarters From: Shaun Morgan RE: Recent Zimbabwe Hunt
Tony, I am quite disappointed with the rearrangements of our safari, without giving us notice.
This hunt was arranged to take place on Swallowfork Ranch.
I booked this hunt because of your reference's previous experience on Swallowfork Ranch.
If Swallowfork was taken on chapter eight and the hunt could not take place there I should have been contacted.
Does it really make sense to research an area if you are sent somewhere else?
In our phone conversation you did not seem to find this a problem.
Tony, if you were a client and this happened to you, would you still see no problem?
I paid in good faith and did not receive a hunt on Swallowfork.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW DOCUMENT ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: May 17, 2002 To: The Hunting Report From: Tony da Costa's Safari Headquarters RE: Recent Zimbabwe Hunt
We received this morning your standard fax letter with attachments filed by Mr. Shaun Morgan.
Firstly, if you wish, the outfitter, John Hunt of Georgia Safaris, Zimbabwe can be contacted directly by e-mail. We suggest you get their reaction to Mr. Morgan's complaint.
We provided Mr. Morgan with a list of references, and they all hunted at Swallowfork Ranch in West Nicholson. Georgia Safaris did not advise us prior to Mr. Morgan's booking, that Swallowfork, as with about 98 percent of all white-owned farms in Zimbabwe, have received Section eight notices. This, in effect, notifies the owner that the ranch is targeted for resettlement. This has been an on-going battle in the courts in Zimbabwe.
In going through our file on Mr. Morgan, at no point was he ever advised that he would be hunting on Swallowfork. As a matter of fact, at Georgia Ranch, some of the biggest leopards have been taken. Mr. Morgan hunted at Georgia Ranch for leopard. Furthermore, it is never our responsibility to tell the outfitter in the field, where a client should be hunting. An outfitter best determines where a client should hunt. As a matter of fact, leopard baits are placed in several areas including other ranches. When a leopard takes the bait, the client is immediately moved.
What Mr. Morgan did not make absolutely clear is that he had an opportunity in broad daylight to take a leopard that was lying/sitting on a rock at Georgia Ranch. He fired, but missed his shot. That is the bottom line, insofar as we are concerned. We call a spade a spade, and we will in this instance say that, in our opinion, Mr. Morgan's complaint was one of sour grapes. If he had been successful in the taking of that leopard, he would have come home extremely happy. As a hunter, he should know that there are no guarantees, and that Lady Luck plays a major role in the success of a safari. To be at the right place at the right time is what counts. If one goes to Africa with too high an expectation, the hunt, in our opinion, is destined to be a disappointment.
For your information, we have been booking for Georgia Safaris for over 10 years, and we can count the number of complaints over that period on one hand. We have had other hunters who have gone for leopard with Georgia Safaris and come home empty handed. But, they do not share Mr. Morgan's view of the outfitter. In essence, we bust our butts to have every client return happy. But, in dealing with human beings, a 100 percent happiness factor can never be achieved. We have been in the safari booking business for over 20 years, and know this for a fact.
That, in summation, is what we offer as a rebuttal to Mr. Morgan's complaints. Our reputation in the safari industry for professionalism, integrity and honesty is above reproach.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW DOCUMENT ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: May 27, 2002 To: The Hunting Report From: John Hunt of Georgia Safaris RE: Recent Zimbabwe Hunt
Thank you for your e-mail with regards to Mr. Morgan's hunt report, and for giving me the opportunity to reply.
Georgia Safaris hunts an area of approximately 300,000 acres and we hunt our clients in the areas that we think gives them the best chance of succeeding in harvesting the animals sought. I am sure if Mr. Morgan had hit and killed the leopard that he missed he would have called this a successful safari.
Mr. Morgan shot waterbuck 27 inches, impala 21 inches, klipspringer 4 inches, warthog 11 inches and a zebra stallion.
Mr. Morgan also shot and paid for five impala baits the other 17 baits, at no cost to Mr. Morgan, were put up for him. A female leopard fed for several days on a bait which was freshened up three times in the hope that a male would come in with the female. On two of the other baits, large male leopards walked up to the bait, but did not feed. Mr. Morgan saw the tracks. His professional hunter and myself were convinced they would return. Unfortunately the males did not, but another female fed off one of the baits.
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|
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Georgia Safaris - Zimbabwe Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
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| Report
ID: |
2313 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
June 19, 2001 to July 2, 2001 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Zimbabwe -
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| Hunt Area: |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
John Hunt; Georgia Safaris - Zimbabwe. P.O. Box 58; Gwanda; Zimbabwe; Tel. 011-263-84-247523; Email: geosaf@mweb.co.zw; |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Rob and Derrick |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Tony da Costa; Tony da Costas Safari Headquarters. PO Box 427; Minden; NV; 89423; Tel. 775-267-1948; Fax: 775-267-4269;Email: safarihq@charter.net; Web www.tonydacosta.com |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Nyala - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Kudu - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Zebra - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Eland - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: |
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Warthog - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Leopard - Availability: Leopards did not return to baits. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
A much desirable hunt for plains game. Saw plenty of animals each day. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
Zimbabwe Air and South African Air |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Trophy Fees: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
Contracted tick feaver. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Too many to give only one. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Ankle gaiters to protect from ticks. Tick repellent. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Wonderful people, friendly Africans, high potential for success. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Dominick Calobrisi, M.D. |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 561-391-0430 - 277 N. Ocean Blvd. #101, Boca Raton, FL 33432 |
| Hunting Experience: |
Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico, Spain, Italy, Yukon, British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland, etc. |
| Physical Condition: |
Fair (72 years old). |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
 |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Georgia Safaris - Zimbabwe Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
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| Report
ID: |
2306 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
June 12, 2001 to June 24, 2001 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Zimbabwe - West Nicholson, Matabeleland
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| Hunt Area: |
Swallowfork Ranch |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
John Hunt; Georgia Safaris - Zimbabwe. P.O. Box 58; Gwanda; Zimbabwe; Tel. 011-263-84-247523; Email: geosaf@mweb.co.zw; |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Derrick Herbst |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Tony da Costa; Tony da Costas Safari Headquarters. PO Box 427; Minden; NV; 89423; Tel. 775-267-1948; Fax: 775-267-4269;Email: safarihq@charter.net; Web www.tonydacosta.com |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Two trophies, six feet and seven-and-a-half feet; 17-inch skull. |
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Kudu - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 50 inches. |
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Zebra - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Stallion, large. |
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Impala - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 21 inches. |
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Warthog - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 11 inches. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Eland - Availability: Lack of time; time spent focused on other trophies. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
All fair chase; stalk and spot; lots of leopard; multiple hits on multiple baits; lots of spoor. Georgia Safaris did a great job putting us into "Ingwe." |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
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| Name
of Airline: |
South African Air |
Airline
Service: |
Fair |
| Airline
Comments: |
Lost bags, and guns on return flight; delivered seven days later. |
|
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
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Amount: |
$7000 |
| Trophy Fees: |
Inclusive. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$1600 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
Leopard baits, taxes, etc.: $1,200; dip/pack: $500 |
Amount: |
$1700 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
Short connection between flights, lost luggage. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Leopard; both my uncle and I shot leopards within eight days. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Cold wax gear for leopard blind hunting. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Good camp, good location, great outfitter, very personable. |
|
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Don Toenshoff, Jr. |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 703-250-2557 - 6802 Spont Lane, Fairfer St., VA E-mail: dtoenshaff@msrc.org |
| Hunting Experience: |
Montana, New Foundland, Quebeck, Virginia, New York and now Africa! |
| Physical Condition: |
Average to good. |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
|
|
 |
ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
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Please find enclosed a Trip Report Form for a recent trip to the West Nicholson area of Zimbabwe (about a four-hour drive south of Bulawayo).
I planned this hunt about two years ago with my now, 70-year old uncle. We postponed the hunt last year as our stay would have coincided with the national elections and given the political instability of Zimbabwe, we opted for 2001 hunt dates.
We hunted with Georgia Safaris, and from the get go, proprietor John Hunt ensured that we had a quality experience. Our PH
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