Zimbabwe Hunting Safari Adventure - Part Two
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Lions and Leopards – Up Close and Personal By: DJ Part 2 – Lions and Leopards, up-close and personal After delivering my Impala Buck to the skinning shed, it was time to scout out the pan, just beyond where we had setup our Hyena baits. This large flat area of elephant grass and scrub trees was known to hold good Sable. Darren had seen good Sable in this area before. It was about a 10 miles across some local flatlands, a bit of rolling hills and then down to the pan’s main trail. This would be an easier ride than the cross country trek we took the prior day where we were crossing streams, climbing hills and blazing trails. Following the main trail to camp we circled around the back side of the field and exiting the safari truck. The team composed of Darren the PH, our two trackers, the government game scout and myself started to peel off our cold weather layer that insulated us against the cold winter morning. Thirty five degrees is not uncommon during the African winter, but warming up into the 70’s by mid day is just as common. With our vehicle covered in outerwear, the team headed down a well worn game trail that paralleled the grass. This gave us a reasonable opportunity to see anything working the edges. The grasslands can be both safe and extremely dangerous for game. It offers the safety of the cover, but doesn’t prevent game from walking into a deadly close encounter with a predator as we would soon experience. Working the edges of the grassland requires quiet stalking, an eye for movement and the ability to stay low and out of sight. About a city block into our stalk we spotted the black rump of a mature Sable bull. As luck would have it, the business end of the Sable was totally obscured by a rather thick clump of brush. The inability for us to see his horns left us wondering just what we had. After a few brief minutes, the Sable turned to look back. I can only presume he heard us talking. I’m not sure who was more anxious, us or him. Once our eyes met, we both reacted. He ducked into the grass which was twice as tall as he was, while I tried to pull up the rifle to make a shot. He was faster. That left Darren and I looking at each other with wide eyes and eager grins. Darren motioned for the team to follow him at a brisk trot. Down the trail we went while still   paralleling the grassland. Circling in about a 500 yards down, Darren instructed one of our trackers to climb a tree and see if he could identify which way the Sable went. His dark black coat should stand out nicely against the dull yellow of the grass. The dexterity of our tracker was amazing. Up the tree, limb to limb bending slightly under his thinly weighted frame he reached a vantage point. Pointing is hand he looked down at us and motioned the direction of the sable. In only minutes we were headed into the grass on an interception route. It can’t be this easy I thought, as I pushed back the ten foot poles of grass... Read more...

Everglades Wildlife
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
There are very few places on earth that are as filled with wildlife as the Everglades, which are located in South Florida. The total acreage of the Everglades including expansion, land and water, are 1,509,000 acres (2,358 square miles), located in the Dade, Monroe, and Collier counties. From the American alligator to the rare Cape Sable seaside sparrow, the wildlife in the Everglades is abundant. In terms of the amount of Everglades wildlife, there are nearly 45 species of mammals that frequent the areas around the Everglades, in their numerous bays, sounds, coastal estuaries, and offshore waters. There are hundreds of different species of fish and thousands of species of marine, estuarine, and freshwater invertebrates that call the Florida Everglades ecosystem their home. There are also in excess of 50 types of reptiles and almost 20 different types of salamanders, frogs, and toads that live in the wetlands in South Florida. With all the wildlife that is found in the Everglades, it can be said that the area is one of the most biologically rich areas in all the United States. Read more...

First Buck With A Bow!
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
I have been filming and bowhunting for about 10 years now and it seems whenever I came across a big buck, I was filming someone else. I finally connected last week! If you are an avid reader on my Field Journal (and who isn’t, really) you know I took my wife and kids up North to do some work and hang a new stand. I hunted that stand my first day up there and had no action until 4:30pm. The only deer I saw was a buck and he started making a scrape about 70 yards from me. I grunted to him and he didn’t even look up. It seemed like he was totally uninterested in me.After a few minutes, he moved up the trail a bit and started a new scrape. After working that one over, he made his way towards my stand. When he got to 25 yards and his head was behind a tree, I drew. He quickly hit the hooks and put his nose in the air. Even though I am extremely scent conscious, he knew something wasn’t right. He turned and looked as if he was going to run so I gave him one more grunt. Read more...

Making A Trophy Deer Shoulder Mount
Wednesday, 02 July 2008
A hunter appreciates the importance associated with having a shoulder mount of the deer he or she hunted. It is a memento of an unforgettable hunting expedition. When you harvest a trophy deer, you may want to do a shoulder mount in order to preserve the magnificence of the animal. A good hunter needs to have detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the deer to be able to skin, gut, and dress the animal for a full body, shoulder, or head mount.Before skinning the head, the most important step is to take accurate measurements. Take measurements from the center of the nose to the front of both eyes. Take measurements from the nose to the sides of both the antlers. Then measure from the nose to the back of the skull. Also measure the circumference of the neck, about three inches behind the head.Now refer to the “skinning for a shoulder mount” article for instruction on how to cape the deer for a shoulder mount. Read more...

Summer Food Plots
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cultivating food plots is an ideal way to provide much-needed forage for wildlife through late summer and attract these animals before hunting seasons begin."Planting food plots is a part of good land management," said Ben West, associate wildlife specialist for Mississippi State University's Extension Service. "Warm season plots can provide a number of benefits, such as preventing soil erosion and providing forage for many game animals when food quality and quantity are low. They also can provide a nesting habitat for smaller animals, like bobwhite quail."Landowners often overlook the value of warm-season food plots, but since deer population levels are so high in late summer, finding adequate forage may be difficult. Native plants do not produce as much nourishment until fall, when acorns and nuts are plentiful. Read more...

Zimbabwe
Monday, 24 August 2009
  Zimbabwe. The African Experience – PART ONE - by DJ As our plane landed in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, my anticipation of the hunt was quickly over shadowed by the burning desire to get up and out of another airplane. I don’t mind flying but after 22 hours of sitting in these aluminum tubes with all their annoyances, I was thankful to stand up and walk a bit. Walking has never been an issue for me. Slogging through the Alaskan Arctic tundra or forging streams and climbing hills in British Columbia is a welcome pleasure compared to the confinement of flying. Overall I guess it beats the other travel alternatives by a country mile.              As our wheels touched down and we taxied to our designated spot, it was apparent that this semi modern airport seemed rather out of place against the rural African landscape. Simplicity and effectiveness abounded. No frills here, but none were expected. Pay your visa fee, apply the stamp to your passport, claim your luggage, clear your firearms and into the waiting hands of your outfitter.           Now, I’ve been picked by guides in every kind of vehicle imaginable, some were well appointed and ready to hunt and some barely able to keep the rain out due to the severe rust holes and junk yard quality condition. This time, it was a well kept but older British Land Rover. Visions of early 1950’s elephant hunting in Kenya flashed through my mind. This is exactly the kind of start I was hoping for as we moved out of the airport on towards Matetsi Unit #2, which would be our final hunting destination deep in the African bush.                   Unit 2 is a complex mixture of grasslands, low rocky basins and rolling rock strewn hills. It’s located in north western Zimbabwe bordering Botswana. Our migration to camp takes us through, high savanna with broad tall grasses, dotted by flat topped tress where nesting birds of many types are often found surveying the dangerous lands below. Read more...

Zimbabwe Hunting Safari Adventure - Part Three by DJ
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Zimbabwe Hunting Safari Adventure - Part Three by DJ Part Three… Crossing Paths with a Record Book Sable As we welcomed each new sunrise from behind our makeshift blind, peering through the fleeting darkness as morning’s new rays bathed the African bush, the promise of another wild African adventure began to unfold. In the distant darkness the huff of lions at the bait, once a point of concern, became common and almost welcomed. As the light chased the darkness, the night hunters moved into the shadows for a day long nap. With the coast clear, we moved forward and inspected the bait. Again no hyena tracks only lion. With two Hyena tags burning a hole in my safari pants, I became resigned to the fact that it was time to change our strategy. Leaving the bait, Darren and I return to the trail. Our trackers, waiting in the distance, are trained to bring the safari vehicle either at the sound of a rifle shot or 15 minutes after sun up. Stowing our gear in the fully supplied Toyota 4x4 we agree to make a push deep into the hills of Matetsi Unit 2 and pursue the large Sable male that eluded us the prior day. Unit 2 can be described as a mixture of large flat pan’s with cross cut riverbeds buffered by gently rolling hills. Boarding Botswana to the west and a managed forest lands to the north, this clump of densely brushed wilderness proves excellent habitat for a myriad of species. Without fences, large herds of mixed game species roam freely across these nations borders. More importantly, MU2 is well known for holding large sable bulls. This is the key reason I’ve selected this area from all others in Africa. Since arriving and covering many miles, we’ve seen mostly immature males, small family groups composed of females and calf’s, except for the brief sighting and unsuccessful stalk on what appeared to be an excellent bull. As the hours rolled by I starting to second guess myself, did I pick the right area? Was this the right month? Was it too dry? Noticing my concern, my PH reminded me that mature male Sable Bulls are very territorial. They can sometimes be seen traveling within a family group or more commonly out alone inspecting their range and driving out any trespassing rival males. But “they are here and haven’t gone anywhere”, Darren reassures me.  Read more...

Tarpon Fishing
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
I was able to do some fishing for a little while this evening with a friend Capt Danny Brown, His Dad is Capt Gregg Brown who both are guides in the Florida Keys and friends with Captain Tw. I went down this weekend to originally work on the house in Key Largo and figured I had a little time this evening to try my luck tarpon fishing. I have had plenty of success fishing with my friends Capt. t.w., country 6068 and keys angler on several game fish like snook,redfish and trout but never have I landed a tarpon yet and that all changed this evening. We got out to the fishing spot at about 6:00pm and drifted along side the bridge using small crabs and mullet for bait, we must of fished for at least an hour or two with no hits. The tarpon i am told are more active very early morning and late evening i guess you would say like a whitetail there similar in there feeding times. The sun was hitting the horizon and you couldn't have asked for a better sunset, it was a beginning to a beautiful evening. About 8:30 pm the sun had gone down and I could hardly see my bober but the moon was full and lighting up the water it was very quiet and we were just sitting there enjoying the view, about this time i heard a fish explode like someone just threw a bolder off the bridge in the water Danny yelled out fish on i grabbed the rod set the hook as hard as i could and watched this monster come out of the water completely it was amazing to say the least. Read more...

2008 Halibut Adventure by DJ
Saturday, 23 August 2008
Well all, I’m back in the blue waters of the KANO inlet nestled among the wooded rain forests of the Charlotte Islands. The skies today are steel gray with low clouds that swirl and hang over the islands trees like the smoke from a smoldering forest fire. The wind is low and the ocean is at peace. The waves remind me of a pond more so than the fierceness the north pacific in this area is so known for.As our float plane arrives and water skies along the surface to the side of the HS Salmon Seeker, we all breath a sign of relief as we exit the small craft. The crossing over the Charlotte’s well timbered peaks is always an exciting ride. This time, we did it in heavy clouds and fog. Flying too low out here could mean an unplanned meeting with disaster. Once upon the Seeker, which was an old Government Exploration ship converted into quaint yet compact state rooms and an equally compact galley, we quickly stowed our gear and collected our Mustang survival suits. Well worn by countless prior guests, these yellow waterproof outfits are a two piece setup with bibs under a hooded storm jacket. Made to protect you from the cold, wind and water, they really do their job. Once dressed for success we’re out to the boats. Read more...

Choosing a Flats Fishing Guide
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
Flats fishing can be an enjoyable, memorable, and well-spent time out in the ocean. However, whether you are a novice or an expert, you may wish to use a flats fishing guide. A flats fishing guide can help you learn how to flats fish or help you perfect your technique. When choosing a flats fishing guide, there are several things to look for. The first thing to consider is money. The price to hire a guide will vary from company to company. You must examine their expertise and time in the business and measure this against the price they are charging as well as your own budget. Second of all, make sure you do not hire a company that guarantees you will catch a fish. No one can guarantee that you will catch a fish, but what a company can guarantee is that at the very least you’ll have fun trying and learn a few things about flats fishing while doing so. You should also inquire as to whether or not the guide will provide the tackle and equipment. Most companies will provide these items, but you are better off double-checking on this. In most cases, you will be required to bring your own lunch, beverages, and sun protection. As far as fishing licenses go, the captain’s license will be enough coverage for you and will allow you to flats fish. Read more...

The Thrill of the Airboat Ride
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
An old-fashioned airboat ride is one of the best ways to see the rivers and marshes of areas like the Florida Everglades – as scenic a place as you could ever hope to visit. Airboats are a long-established part of the scenery, and there’s nothing quite like hopping on to one to get a tour round the wildlife and scenery of these beautiful waterways. An airboat ride is a thrill for visitors of all ages. There’s no reason to sit on a boring barge when you can see the rivers and marshes from a genuine old-fashioned airboat. The distinctive shape of the big rear propeller is about as close as you get to a symbol of the Florida Everglades, short of the alligators themselves – and you don’t want to get too close to them! Visitors consistently say that taking a ride in an airboat was the most exciting and memorable part of their whole trip. The thrill of the airboat ride is how close you get to nature and the great outdoors, with the wind in your hair and the spray from the water adding to the experience. Read more...

Trolling For Mackerel
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
Trolling for mackerel can be an extremely productive way to hook one of these big feisty fish. However, for anglers who have never trolled before it can also be an arduous and unusual experience. It generally requires large boats and specific equipment which most fishers don’t accumulate for themselves alone. As a result, most trolling for mackerel is done as part of a guided expedition.For those unfamiliar with this method of landing the big fish, trolling consists of having the boat pull the bait, be it a lure or live bait, through the water as opposed to having the angler cast the bait using a rod and reel. Trolling for mackerel is mainly done in open deep saltwater where the larger kingfish are more readily found although modified trolling techniques can also be employed closer to the shoreline. Read more...

Bass Fishing in the Everglades
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
Most anglers agree that bass fishing in the Everglades is a unique and captivating experience. Many people visit this unique environment expecting the stereotypical swamplands of old black and white movies; what they find is one of the country’s most extraordinary natural formations. Thousands of kinds of fish, dozens of endangered species and land forms unlike anywhere else in the United States can all be found in the Everglades. These surroundings also provide some of the best largemouth bass waters in the country; however, anyone who spends time bass fishing in the Everglades will discover more than just an angling adventure. Read more...

South Indian River - Nov 22,2007
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
Fantastic weekend weather found many anglers hitting the water to enjoy both the sun and fishing. Monday bought some rainy and windier days to the Treasure Coast. It's still great to live and fish in Florida! Looks like some nice weather for the holiday weekend ahead of us. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! We found ourselves in some great weather this week. Sunday I had Vincent Serio and David Brasher on the boat for the Teen Anglers Tournament. They both caught a good number of fish, but David ended up with the better day. Read more...