Mike and Karen Egan

Hi Guys.

 

So much has happened this year leading to me not sending out any newsletter. I am going to try and make it up to all of you.

  

My year started on not such a great note with Mike and Karen Egan from Winnipeg, Canada. Mike booked a non-trophy Elephant hunt in Zimbabwe. We struggled to get the permits for the hunt and started on some PAC (problem animal control) hunt for Hippo and Crocodile.

 

Mike and Karen enjoyed some sight-seeing and some bird shooting before we headed to the southern part of Zimbabwe for the Hippo and Croc and were to move to the Gonarezhou for non-trophy Elephant. 

 

We spent the last night of our touring part of the trip in the northern parts of Kruger Park, we headed for Zimbabwe.  It took forever getting through the border, and then had a few more hours before getting to camp.  Once we were there we found out our permit had not been issued, so Andries out Zimbabwean PH headed to Harare to collect the permit. However this took a few days as it does in Africa.  We made the most of the time and we were able to hunt a Hippo and a Crocodile.

 

We learnt that the locals had a problem with a bull Hippo eating their crops and a couple of Crocodiles eating dog’s, and kids. Anything they could get hold of.  We got to the area and found the Hippo’s tracks and followed them to a big pool in the river.  We moved in quietly to take a look to see if we could see him. Yes!  There he was.  He had sensed there was something up and gave us the slip a couple of times.  Working through the thick bush we found a spot to wait him out without knowing we were there. He finally gave Mike a brain shot from the back. BANG!  His head lifted out of the water to give Mike another shot.  A few ripples in the water and all were quiet.  Darkness soon fell so we had to return in the morning to recover him.  With the help of a canoe we were able to get a rope on his leg and winch him out of the water.  Great going Mike! There was also a huge Croc in the same pool but with all the noise he vanished, so we walked up the river to look for another problem Croc. We saw him and sat in ambush for him.  Finally he made his way out of the water to give Mike a great opportunity on him.  3 quick shot from Mike and it was all over. He was by no means a monster, but Mike will have saved a few dogs and others. The villages cheered when they saw the Croc.

 

  We finally had our permit and were off after Elephant.  This was not to happen as there had been no communication between the parks guys and the outfitter in the area.  With another day wasted he agreed to let us hunt.  There had been so much hunter pressure on these animals that they only walked and fed at night.  We followed fresh tracks everyday but to no avail as the Elephant knew they were safe back in the park.  We finally gave up and headed back to South Africa very disappointed.

Sometimes safaris don’t go the way you plan them and it’s out of your control when dealing with greedy government officials.

Mike and Karen thank you for your loyal support and look forward to seen you back in our hunting fields. 

 

Kind regards

Pringle’s Legendary Safaris Team