HuntingReport.com
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Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Safaris Chelet 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: |
7653 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
January 31, 2010 to February 6, 2010 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Benin Djona area |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Jose Chelet; Safaris Chelet. Consolat Del Mar 12-03700; Denia; Spain; Tel. 34-96-578-0500; Fax: 34-96-578-9357; Email: chelet@telefonica.net; Web www.safaris-chelet.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Francis Mollet |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
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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: |
Roan, Western - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 72 cm, camp best ever. |
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Buffalo, Central Savannah - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Average. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Bushbuck - Availability: Had to leave early. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Great shape, minimum poaching noted. |
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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: |
Good |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
Air France and Delta |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
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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: |
Had to leave early. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Record book roan on day one. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Sunblock. Hydration pack. Be in shape. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Everything was great, no problems. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
David Polke |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 203-808-2230 - 66 Murphy Lane, Southbury, CT 06488 E-mail: ldpolke@aol.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
Global. |
| Physical Condition: |
Very 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? |
| 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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Great people, from booking the hunt in Reno last year to my stay in camp. I felt like family. I had my two primary animals in two and a half days. Roan numbers are very good but wary. Buffalo herds 15-25 animals but only 1-3 males per herd, hard to sort out. Already working on booking a hunt in their Cameroon area for 2011. Game meat everyday for dinner cooked to perfection.
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Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Safaris Chelet Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
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| Report
ID: |
7235 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
March 25, 2009 to April 9, 2009 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Cameroon Kika and Manbele |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Jose Chelet; Safaris Chelet. Consolat Del Mar 12-03700; Denia; Spain; Tel. 34-96-578-0500; Fax: 34-96-578-9357; Email: chelet@telefonica.net; Web www.safaris-chelet.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
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| Booking
Agent (if any): |
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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: |
Bongo - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 27 inches. |
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Duiker, Blue - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Sitatunga - Availability: Lack of rain. Few fresh tracks to follow. |
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Buffalo - Availability: |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Good |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Good |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Good |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Good |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Good |
| Name
of Airline: |
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Airline
Service: |
Good |
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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: |
Lack of rain - booking should be later. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Shooting the bongo on the first day of the hunt. Seeing gorillas four times. Watching Pygmy trackers at work. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Follow outfitters recommendations. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Manuel Camacho |
| Contact
Information: |
5255 SW 60th Pl., Miami, FL 33155 |
| Hunting Experience: |
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| Physical Condition: |
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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 Safaris Chelet Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
7236 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
March 10, 2009 to March 23, 2009 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Benin Alibori - Djona camp |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Jose Chelet; Safaris Chelet. Consolat Del Mar 12-03700; Denia; Spain; Tel. 34-96-578-0500; Fax: 34-96-578-9357; Email: chelet@telefonica.net; Web www.safaris-chelet.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
|
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
|
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
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|
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
 |
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Roan - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Western roan. |
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Bushbuck, Harnessed - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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Kob - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: Western kob. |
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Hartebeest - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Western hartebeest. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Buffalo - Availability: Running out of time. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Good |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Good |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Good |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Good |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Good |
| Name
of Airline: |
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Airline
Service: |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
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: |
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| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Shooting the roan bull on the first day. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
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| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Very good value for your money. |
|
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Manuel Camacho |
| Contact
Information: |
5255 SW 60th Pl., Miami, FL 33155 |
| Hunting Experience: |
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| Physical Condition: |
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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 Safaris Chelet Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
 |
DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
6695 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
April 1, 2008 to April 17, 2008 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Benin Djona area |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Jose Chelet; Safaris Chelet. Consolat Del Mar 12-03700; Denia; Spain; Tel. 34-96-578-0500; Fax: 34-96-578-9357; Email: chelet@telefonica.net; Web www.safaris-chelet.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Patrick Rival |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
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Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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|
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Buffalo - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: NW Savannah buffalo. Medium. |
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Roan - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Western roan. Medium. |
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Hartebeest - Availability: - Trophy Size: Western hartebeest. Very big. |
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Bushbuck, Harnessed - Availability: - Trophy Size: New SCI World Record. |
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Kob, de Buffon - Availability: - Trophy Size: Medium. |
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Reedbuck - Availability: - Trophy Size: Nagor reedbuck. Medium. |
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Warthog - Availability: - Trophy Size: Red warthog. Small. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Duiker - Availability: Grimms duiker. Didn't have a shotgun. They run too fast for scoped rifle. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Jose Chelet has greatly improved the game populations in his area since he bought it with anti-poaching and cooperation with locals. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Good |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Good |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Good |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
Delta and Air France |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
| Airline
Comments: |
Gun and bag arrived promptly both ways due in large part by International Journeys who did paperwork before flights. |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
For 12 hunting days. |
Amount: |
$13700 |
| Trophy Fees: |
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Amount: |
$8000 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$2600 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
CITES $3,150, Tips $1,500, Motels $200. |
Amount: |
$4850 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
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| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Buffalo hunt - these are cheeky, tough critters that hang in the thick stuff. Ours charged. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Be prepared for mid-day 115 heat or more. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Benin is an undiscovered gem with great West African game and Chelet does a great job. I'm booked with them in 2009 in Cameroon. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Bruce Keller |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 830-995-4449 - PO Box 291346, Kerrville, TX 78029 E-mail: kilrkelr@hctc.net |
| Hunting Experience: |
Considerable. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent. |
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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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Enclosed you will find a hunt report for a safari I just returned from in the country of Benin in West Africa. The report gives an overview of the hunt in general, but as this is a country that is still in its infancy as far as hosting American hunters, I thought it will be of some value to expand on some points.
I booked this hunt at the 2007 SCI Convention directly with the safari operator, who had a booth at the show. I was recommended this company by my old friend, Dr. Phil Ripepi, who had hunted with them previously. He loved the country and the hunting when he was there, and when he heard that I was going to book with them, he said he would go along with me.
The experience turned out to be everything he told me it would be. This is a destination for the experienced African hunter who is looking for a good bag of West African game. The hunting is not easy, due to the lack of burning and density of vegetation and though some game is spotted from the vehicle while driving to the hunting areas, it is usually on the run, and vanishes quickly into the thick cover. Most hunting, especially buffalo, is done by picking up fresh tracks in the early morning and following them. It generally took two to four hours to catch up with the herd, where they are found lying up in the shade during the heat of the day. Herds range from 20-50 animals, and sorting out a shootable bull in the thick stuff is extremely difficult. Once they are up and moving, it's almost impossible to single out one for an ethical shot without wounding it or hitting more than one. We preferred to look for a single track or small bachelor herd, which was not as common as finding a large group, but afforded a better opportunity to isolate a good bull for a shot. The terrain is quite flat, so stalking is not physically difficult, but the extreme heat, often in the 105-115 degree range, makes extended stalks arduous, and constant hydration if critical.
The western roan is a very desirable West African species that most people have pursued in the CAR or Cameroon where success rates are rarely near 100 percent. In Benin, however, one can expect to see 20-75 each day, and the biggest problem is shooting too early. Another species found there is the western Hartebeest. During our hunt, we encountered two different variations of these animals. One is the dark reddish, solid colored one that is common to the CAR and Cameroon. The one I shot, which is quite numerous in the areas we hunted, is a lighter brown color with a distinctive white chevron that runs between the eyes across the bridge of the nose. The eyes also have white halos around them. After enough of these are taken by sport hunters, SCI might want to look into this as a possible different subspecies for inclusion as a separate record book category. The harnessed bushbuck are quite numerous also, and we encountered several very large males while tracking buffalo in the more heavily vegetated areas. One in particular got my trackers and PH very excited, prompting me to forgo the buffalo at the moment and take the shot. We later discovered that he beats the SCI World Record by over an inch, making him a great bonus to the safari. Interestingly, later in the hunt we encountered another huge male bushbuck, and after watching him for 15 minutes, decided that he was even longer than the one I shot, though not quite as massive, so I let him walk.
The Nagor reedbuck and West African Buffon kob are rather scarce in this area, and I took the only mature males I saw of each species. They also have a warthog that they call a red warthog. The females, which are closed to hunting, are distinctively orange in color. The males, of which I took an average boar, are a light pinkish color, though I believe this is due in large part to the red dirt they root in. They do, however, have long, blond and black mane which is different from the normal, dark warthogs, but I do not believe they are a different subspecies.
Chelet Safaris may not be one of the bigger safari operators in Africa, but they prove the point that size doesn't matter. They do a wonderful job of providing a first class experience while hunting in a very unique and interesting country. We were satisfied with the hunt that we are planning on hunting with them in the Cameroon in 2009.
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