~Edward R.~
Hunt Journal

Sept. 24 - Oct. 14, 2003

DAY #1 & 2: Left Cleveland. 3 plane rides later (21 hrs.) arrived Bulawayo. Met by my PH Guide - Tim Schultz, and Trackers - Buta Sibanda and Edward Nyaht. Immediately left on a 5 hour trip north to Malindi Station, Area 37. Accommodations were an old Rhodesian R.R. Sleeper Car from 30 years ago. We had water and electricity as it was just off the railroad bordering the "Hwange National Park". The camp included a cook, waiter, and other staff.

DAY #3: I harvested a young Kudu for camp meat and leopard bait. We hung baits and looked for elephant. We located a small herd with no males. They made noticeable noise while breaking branches and eating. However, once they smelled us the whole herd disappeared without a sound. Later at a water hole we discovered a 10' crocodile sunning himself. We got very close for photos before he departed. A partially eaten baboon explained his reluctance to leave.

DAY #4: After checking baits the trackers located the prints of a large elephant. We followed the footprints. He was joined by two more bulls. After tracking them 5 miles we came to a driveway marking our area border. As we started our hike back to our 4X4 I noticed an elephant crossing the drive into our area. We located the tracks and I was informed that 3 had crossed, and, they were the same elephants. An hour later we sighted the largest old bull and I was able to harvest him. We spent the remainder of the day retrieving the 4X4 and started processing.

DAY #5: Returned in the A.M. to complete processing. During our 6 hour absence lions helped themselves. It took all day to finish up, and 4 trips with the 4X4 to transport the meat. Scraps were left for lions, hyenas, and vultures. Upon return to camp the locals were cutting up and drying strips of meat.

DAY #6: Due to lack of leopard sign we left, heading south. On the way we halted at a gov't. Checkpoint. To avoid lengthy unloading and searches my guide gave the official some meat. In Bulawayo I stayed at a nice camp (with dining room) operated by a former Professional Hunter (PH) Guide.

DAY #7: Tim informed me that we had to remain in Bulawayo as no fuel was available in this city of 500,000, thus forcing another overnight. Much later diesel was located. I salvaged the day by visiting a taxidermist, purchasing textiles for my sister, and having dinner (cost $12,000 Zimbabwe dollars) with my Outfitters secretary.

DAY #8: Traveled 5 hours southwest arriving at Tuli. After picking up our gov't. Game Scout rep. - Isaac Bhiki, we harvested a Zebra. We then hung leopard baits and camped on a totally DRY ½ mile wide river. I also met my cook - Gumbo, and camp hand - Thomas. For water we dug a hole in the river sand. Overnight it filled.

DAY #9: Looked for leopard spoor and tracked eland. We played hide and seek with an eland herd for most of the morning. Then they spooked andbolted over the hill in a stampede, never to be seen again.

DAY #10: Repeat of day 9, except I missed an eland in the bushes. On the way back to camp I spotted springhares (with long tails), banded mongoose, a koribustard, and a steinbuck. As always I saw zebra, kudu, wildebeest, and impala. Just at dusk we spotted several eland crossing from Botswana into Zimbabwe. I harvested a bull (37" horns).

DAY #11. Since one bait showed a leopard hit, we built a blind for that evening. As dusk I saw much game. including a jackal and ostrich.

DAY #12: On our way to the blind I harvested a steinbuck. I donated it to my gov't. scout for his families food. Our night in the blind was unsuccessful.

DAY #13: At the insistence of my Game Scout I harvested a hyena as he wanted the tail (something to do with native superstitions). Just after dark two giraffes came up behind us to investigate the blind. Eventually we threw rocks to get rid of them. Needless to say a leopard never showed up.

DAY #14: Constructed another blind at a new location. Again no leopards.

DAY #15: Another night in the blind. No leopards, but hyena investigated us until they realized what we were. We heard lions roaring all night; however none came close to us.

DAY #16: Replaced all baits with impala I harvested. Experienced several flat tires caused by spines on acacia bushes. Spent another night without seeing any leopard.

DAY #17: As luck would have it we found sign of 5 leopards hitting 2 of our baits. We decided we needed a good nights sleep and would build a new blind the next day.

DAY #18: We finished building a blind and entered it at 4:00 P.M. We were on one side of a dried up creek bed with the bait on the other side. My PH Guide wanted this arrangement to better view a leopard in case it came straight toward us after dark. At approximately midnight I could hear what sounded like a dinosaur coming. I looked out of the blind as it passed. A giraffe walked right by without noticing us. It looked like noise from the giraffe would kill my last night of hunting. However, 4 hours later a male leopard appeared in the moonlight and I lucked out with a single shot.

DAY #19, 20, & 21: Traveled to Bulawayo, then up north again to visit Victoria Falls, and boarded for my flight(s) to U.S.

Finally, if you ever visit Zimbabwe make sure you have a well established contact with connections on fuel purchasing. You cannot get any fuel (or truck parts) unless you bring it with you. Next year - Zambia, maybe.