 HuntingReport.com |
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Thungatha Safaris Group 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 |
 |
| Report
ID: |
4352 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
August 1, 2004 to August 14, 2004 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Zimbabwe |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Wayne And Seam Grant; Thungatha Safaris Group. PO Box 1348; Bulawayo; Zimbabwe; Tel. 011-263-9-43109; Email: thungsaf@mweb.co.zw; |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Graham Robertson |
| 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: |
Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Good. |
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Warthog - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: Fair. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Game condition good. |
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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: |
Fair |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
South African Air |
Airline
Service: |
Poor |
| Airline
Comments: |
Airbus 340.600 poor aircraft. |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
Daily rate $500. |
Amount: |
$7500 |
| Trophy Fees: |
$2,500 leopard, $200 warthog. |
Amount: |
$2700 |
| 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: |
For bait - calves impala etc. |
Amount: |
$800 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
No problems. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Hunting with a PH who is a real cat man, really knows his business. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
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| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Great leopard areas. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Charlie J. Stevens |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 919-596-0977 - 1024 South Landing Drive, Leasburg, NC 27291 E-mail: a061298@allstate.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
25 years around the world. |
| Physical Condition: |
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 |
|
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Thungatha Safaris Group 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: |
3360 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
May 19, 2003 to May 26, 2003 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Zimbabwe Massi Unit 4 |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
|
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Wayne And Seam Grant; Thungatha Safaris Group. PO Box 1348; Bulawayo; Zimbabwe; Tel. 011-263-9-43109; Email: thungsaf@mweb.co.zw; |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Wayne Grant |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Charlie Dixon; Expeditions International. 5680 Bull Road; Dover; PA; Tel. 717-292-4847; Fax: 509-996-2787;Email: nancijodixon@juno.com; |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Buffalo, Cape - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 43 inches, score 119 1/2. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Lion - Availability: Lioness. I was too slow when they were close. Next shot was at 200 yards and I hesitated too long trying to get a dead rest. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Good. We saw 40 to 41 inch sable about every other day, 30 to 50 pound elephants every couple of days, big kudus and lots of lions tracks. |
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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: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
South African Airline. |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
| Airline
Comments: |
Lost luggage on way back. |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
$800 a day. |
Amount: |
$5600 |
| Trophy Fees: |
One buffalo ball, two impala bait, two kudu ?, one baboon. |
Amount: |
$2850 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
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Amount: |
$30 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$1680 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
Camp tip, dipping and package doc, fee and 2% tax. |
Amount: |
$817 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
We planned on hunting sable at the Gwawi unit, but it was taken from the white owner last fall and shot out, by the police and army. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
After a four-hour hike on day two, finding my buffalo among the herd, then spending the rest of the week baiting and tracking lions. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
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| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Wayne Grant is the best hunter I ever hunted with. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
John White |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 717-747-0012 - 3301 Messersmith Rd., York, PA E-mail: whitejewel@aol.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
This was my seventh African hunting trip. |
| Physical Condition: |
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 |
|
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Thungatha Safaris Group 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: |
3275 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
April 15, 2002 to April 16, 2002 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Zimbabwe Matabeleland Bulalimamangwe |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
|
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Wayne And Seam Grant; Thungatha Safaris Group. PO Box 1348; Bulawayo; Zimbabwe; Tel. 011-263-9-43109; Email: thungsaf@mweb.co.zw; |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Wayne Grant |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Charlie Dixon; Expeditions International. 5680 Bull Road; Dover; PA; Tel. 717-292-4847; Fax: 509-996-2787;Email: nancijodixon@juno.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: 160 pounds. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
This is ranch country so the leopards were well fed. |
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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: |
Delta and South African Airlines |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
Debbie Gracy with Gracy Travel in San Antonio, TX did all the ticketing. |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
$375 a day for 14 days. |
Amount: |
$5250 |
| Trophy Fees: |
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Amount: |
$2500 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$600 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$5350 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
3 cattle baits, non hunter fees, tracking dogs. |
Amount: |
$4200 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
It rained the whole night and I spent in the blind. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Getting a super leopard the first day. The leopard was a cattle killer and killed 16 cattle in the last year and a half. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
|
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Wayne Grant is the cat man. I had bad luck last year and Wayne gave me a free hunt this year. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
John White |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 717-846-1896 - 3301 Messersmith Road, York, PA E-mail: whitejewel@aol.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
Average. |
| Physical Condition: |
Very 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 |
|
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Thungatha Safaris Group 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: |
2750 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
July 15, 2001 to August 3, 2001 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Zimbabwe Matabeleland Bulahmamangwe |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
|
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Wayne And Seam Grant; Thungatha Safaris Group. PO Box 1348; Bulawayo; Zimbabwe; Tel. 011-263-9-43109; Email: thungsaf@mweb.co.zw; |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Wayne Grant |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
|
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
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|
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Approximately 200 pounds. |
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Crocodile - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 14 feet. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
The area Wayne hunts for leopard produces very large leopards. |
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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: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
SAA |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
$450 per day. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Trophy Fees: |
$2,500. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
$2,000. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
No problems. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
|
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
|
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
|
|
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
|
| Hunter
Name: |
Ron McKim |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 916-624-9220 - P.O. Box 548 Rocklin, CA 95677 E-mail: ron@mckimhomes.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
Have been to Africa seven times. |
| Physical Condition: |
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 |
|
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Thungatha Safaris Group 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: |
2267 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
May 29, 2001 to June 14, 2001 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Zimbabwe Near Bulawayo Plum Tree and Shangani |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
|
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Wayne And Seam Grant; Thungatha Safaris Group. PO Box 1348; Bulawayo; Zimbabwe; Tel. 011-263-9-43109; Email: thungsaf@mweb.co.zw; |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Wayne Grant and Kevin Du Boil |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
|
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: Slull 17 inches plus. |
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Reedbuck - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Horns 14 inches. |
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Tsessebe - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Horns 14 inches. |
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Warthog - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Tusks seven and a half inches. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Bushpig - Availability: Low priority on my part. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Very little plains game at Plum Tree, but excellent leopard there. Best leopard hunt ever! |
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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: |
Good |
| Quality
of Food: |
Excellent |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
SAA. |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
Very reasonable. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Trophy Fees: |
Very reasonable. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
Very reasonable. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
$1,285 per person roundtrip from Atlanta, GA to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
|
| Problems
of Hunt: |
None. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
After six years of hunting leopard, I finally took a "monster cat"! |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
|
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Absolutely because Wayne is the best. |
|
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Ralph Kieley |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 701-352-3126 - P.O. Box 653, Grafton, ND 58237 E-mail: rdkieley@polarcomm.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
It was my eighth trip to Africa, and seventh to Zimbabwe. |
| Physical Condition: |
In great shape for hunting (55 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 Thungatha Safaris Group 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: |
2733 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
May 13, 2001 to May 27, 2001 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Zimbabwe Matabeleland Bulalimamangwe |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
|
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Wayne And Seam Grant; Thungatha Safaris Group. PO Box 1348; Bulawayo; Zimbabwe; Tel. 011-263-9-43109; Email: thungsaf@mweb.co.zw; |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Wayne Grant |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
|
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
|
| License
Required: |
|
|
|
GAME
DESCRIPTION |
|
| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 16 4/16 180 pounds. |
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Sable - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: 40 inches. |
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Kudu - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 50 inches. |
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Impala - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 22 inches. |
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Warthog - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 12 inches. |
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Reedbuck - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: 12 inches. |
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Antelope, Klipspringer - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Five inches. |
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Varmint - Availability: Average - Trophy Size: Jackal. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Plenty of animals. Excellent leopard area, many klipspringer, baboons, good amount of kudu. |
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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: |
South African Air and Air Zimbabwe. |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
| Airline
Comments: |
SAA was excellent, Air Zimbabwe questionable. Watch your bags. |
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COSTS |
|
| Hunting
Fees: |
340 per day for 14 days. |
Amount: |
$4760 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$6600 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$1480 |
| Charter Airfares: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
Tips. |
Amount: |
$700 |
|
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
|
| Problems
of Hunt: |
|
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Getting large tom leopard first night in blind! Seeing numberous other game animals. Getting unexpected sable! |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
|
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
Very good ph and safari outfitter; especially hard worker for large leopard. |
|
|
HUNTER
INFORMATION |
|
| Hunter
Name: |
Warren Mabey |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 856-769-4099 - 5 Hedgerow La., Pilesgrove, NJ 08098 E-mail: wmabey@erols.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
38 years. |
| Physical Condition: |
Excellent. |
|
|
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 Thungatha Safaris Group 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: |
891 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
July 5, 1998 to July 21, 1998 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
Zimbabwe Zambezi Valley Dande, Plumtree, Shangani |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
|
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Wayne And Seam Grant; Thungatha Safaris Group. PO Box 1348; Bulawayo; Zimbabwe; Tel. 011-263-9-43109; Email: thungsaf@mweb.co.zw; |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Wayne and Sean Grant |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Thomas A. Hunt; Hunt, Thomas A.. 206 East Street; Foxboro; MA; 02035; Tel. 508-543-0294; Fax: 508-543-4410;Email: hunttheworld@juno.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 - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Over 300, 109 SCI |
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Leopard - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: Six feet, six inches |
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Hyena - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: SCI |
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Bushbuck - Availability: - Trophy Size: |
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Impala - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 23 inch SCI |
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Reedbuck - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: common reedbuck, 15 inch SCI |
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Duiker - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: SCI 5 1/8 inch |
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Tsessebe - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: SCI 16 inches |
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Warthog - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Bushpig - Availability: Concentrated on leopard. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
All game in excellent shape, plenty of food and water. |
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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: |
Amercia, South African Airways, Zimbabwe, Sun |
Airline
Service: |
Excellent |
| Airline
Comments: |
All provided excellent service including handling of firearms. |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
daily rate |
Amount: |
$5950 |
| Trophy Fees: |
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Amount: |
$6150 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
frequent flier miles plus $850 for five internal flights |
Amount: |
$850 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
Two non hunters, baits, dip, pack, tips, additional beverages, government 2 percent daily rate |
Amount: |
$1855 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
Not a problem but a long ride (vehicle) from Dande to Plumbtree camp, twelve hours. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Surrounded by hundreds of buffalo. Sounds of the night, sharing the hunt with my wife and 18 year old daughter. Hearing leopards calling. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
What the PH advises is more than adequate. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
I did recommend the hunt and brought one along who wants to go back. I am spreading the word as loud and as forcefull as I can. This is why I wrote this. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Robert A. Mariani |
| Contact
Information: |
34 Hazelmere Road, Roslindale, MA 02131 |
| Hunting Experience: |
I have hunted for 45 years all over the United States, Alaska, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. This was my second African Safari. |
| 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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I feel compelled to add information not contained on the basic form in order to express some views that I feel are of great importance to any future hunter interested in hunting leopards. Let me begin by stating that my 17 day hunt was divided among three camps and two Professional Hunters, and this is only my second safari. But not my last. After my success with buffalo and other game in the Zambezi Valley with Wayne Grant, I ventured to the south west portion of the country bordering Botswana. The area is called Plumtree, and is a part of the Motopo Hills region. This region is alleged to have the highest concentration of leopard in all of Africa. My PH was Sean Grant, the younger brother of Wayne Grant.
The leopard camp is situated on a dry river bed in the heart of cattle country. The owners of the ranches that are hunted on provide additional food for their cats via the young calves. They are not overly concerned since they claim the trophy fee which far exceeds the loss of cattle. As a result of this so called marriage, leopard abound. As of this letter, Sean has been 100 percent on leopard the past three years and 90 percent the preceding four years. He is establishing a reputation which his brother Wayne established over a 20 year period in a much shorter time frame. Sean is almost obsessed with keeping his 100 percent record intact. There is no foul play here. All laws rules etc. are followed to a T. Sean was badly mauled by a wounded cat last year. I think the encounter has added impetus to his zeal for success. If you are looking for the opportunity to score on a leopard, 110-180 pounds look no further. Sean and Wayne are definitely the CAT MEN.
One of the exciting parts of the hunt is the manner in which Sean and Wayne set up their blinds. Traditionally a tree is selected with bait positioned so that a leopard, coming in at dusk, will be silhouetted by the ascending sun. This usually means the blind must be fairly close to the baited tree. Sean and Wayne usually set their blinds up 100 to 125 yards from the bait in a very secluded setting. This makes sense, affording the cat seclusion and allowing the hunter or PH an occasional cough or grunt without disturbing an incoming cat. One can even take a nap, which I did. If the breathing becomes too loud ... Snore.. Sean or Wayne will poke you. After the bait is set and the blind is constructed, the two Grants vary. Wayne ties 40 pound fishing line to the bait and runs it to the blind where feet is attached to a stout branch. This is similar to a fisherman watching the end of his pole for a bite. Sean places a very sensitive microphone next to the bait and runs the wire up to the blind where he has a car battery for power and transformer with a volume control to intensify the sounds. Any animal sound at the bait is picked up and transmitted to a set of head phones which are placed between the PH and client. Sean is able to discern the various sounds made by any varmint chewing on the bait. Both of us in the blind have a mattress to stretch out on and ample blankets to keep warm. One can take his or her binoculars or spotting scope and track satellites while listening for your cat. The various animals that sneak a meal from the bait lends an air of excitement to the hunt, and provides the hunter with the opportunity for additional species if he/she so desires to take something different. My hunting companion took a ratel. Not an easy animal to get. He will have a mount created with the leopard and ratel confronting each other.
Both Grants feel very strongly about staying in the blind for the night. They state that 80 percent of the leopards taken come in between 6 and 9 p.m.. The other 20 percent come in between 9 and before sunup. If you want a leopard bad enough, they feel the 20 percent is as important as the 80 percent. Lots of cats. Big cats. Opportunities for other meat eaters, and kudu bulls over 50 inches, Burchelis zebra, blue wildebeest, Southern impala, spotted hyena, caracal, civet, genet and honey badger can be taken from their leopard camp in Plumtree.
For further information, the Grants can be contacted at Thungatha Safari Group PO Box 1348 Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Phone 011-263-9-43109 Fax...011-263-9-74373
I hope this additional information will be of assistance should a subscriber request reports on leopard hunting or the Grants.
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