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JULY 2024

Contents 

• Editorial - Richard Lendrum 
• Product News
• South Africa Plans to Grow Biodiversity Economy - Dr John Ledger
• Previous AHG Winner: Big Bongo & Wonderful Experience - Steve McGrade
• Current Spiral-horn Safari Winner
• First Time Bow Hunting - Derrick Poor
• Epic Wildlife Photos - Drew Butterwick
• Andi's First Safari - Andi Neagle
• One for the Road - Terry Wieland
• African Dawn Catalogue Editorial
• African Dawn Outfitters 2024

A picture tells a story!

This month’s cover animal is probably one of, if not THE, most maligned animal in Africa. The land equivalent of the vulture. Portrayed as evil by Disney, these are Africa’s supreme opportunists. Scrounging, stealing, and where necessary hunting their own. Fearlessly going about their work, taking on Africa’s apex predator for food whenever they can. We have three different species of hyena (spotted, brown and striped) but this one for sure, is the heavy weight member of the group.

While not on any first timer hunter’s dream list, they generally only make it onto the hard core, repeat hunters’ wish list as they develop a passion for the depth and variety of our game.

Featuring two images this month - different angles, distinct poses while they go about their day, both pictures conjure up two very different emotions of how one views this spotted member of the hyena family.

The power of an image. I thought they were both outstanding and wanted to show off this incredible member of the African animal kingdom. Adaptive, strong social structure (dare I add, run by the alpha female) ,and steadily becoming more and more respected for what they present as a hunting challenge. While they came into the government camp at Wankie National Park as it was then (now called Hwange), chewing bumpers and tires off cars, there was one incident that in Botswana. Campers, where the father fortunately woke in time to find his child being dragged out of her sleeping bag off into the night. He chased both down, saved her life, and while the experience scarred her emotionally and physically, she survived. It only sunk in how horrifying it was when I had my own kids.

On a lighter note, our home patio in Bulawayo was adorned with full mount, albeit very shabby – affectionately called Hugo. I am not sure how we got him, but Hugo was a deterrent for any wannabee burglars. Hyenas (and owls – I am not sure why) were omens of bad luck in some local folklore and while we never closed the gate on our 3-acre garden in all the years I grew up in Bulawayo, I am not sure whether it was Hugo or just a particularly magical time to be growing up in Bullies as we called it, that kept the property from being targeted.

Here's to a great July. Enjoy the read, plan your next trip, and if you are recently home, please send in a short story of your hunt – this is where we can share it!

Regards,

Richard Lendrum

Previous AHG Winner: Big Bongo & Wonderful Experience

By Steve McGrade

I wanted to write and tell you what it meant to me and my son to come to Cameroon on safari. First, I must thank Mayo Oldiri Safaris for donating the trip to the African Hunting Gazette drawing. Your willingness to provide such a trip as this to a hunter and, in my case, my son, demonstrates the depth of your generosity and your love of hunting. We were treated as if we had purchased the hunt and could not have asked for a better safari experience.

First Time Bow Hunting

By Derrick Poor

My buddy Charles and I arrived in South Africa for a seven-day bowhunting trip, this being our first visit to South Africa. What a beautiful place, we could hardly contain all the emotions and excitement upon arriving. After landing, Afton lodge members met us at the airport and took us in for a great one-night stay with wonderful food and delicious cold beer. The next morning, we were picked up by our outfitter (Dries Visser Safaris) and set out to the designated hunting area.

Epic Wildlife Photos
By Drew Butterwick

Andi's First Safari
By Andie Neagle

I had the best experience with my dad coming to South Africa to hunt with Dave Freeburn Safaris. My dad began a tradition with me and my three sisters about 10 years ago. He takes us individually on a daddy-daughter vacation after we have finished the 8th grade. For my vacation, I chose to come to South Africa for a hunting safari. I chose this because my dad has been on several hunting trips there and has told me about how amazing they are. We flew into Johannesburg from Houston, Texas, on Qatar airways. Dave met us at the airport and drove us to the hunting ranch. That is when my hunting adventure began.

One For The Road
By Terry Wieland

Never having hunted elephant myself  — at least, not intentionally — I’m hardly qualified to offer much more than some very circumspect opinions on what to do or how to do it in that regard. I will, however, offer this piece of advice: When hunting in elephant country, carry an elephant rifle. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a rats-and-mice safari chasing some arcane variety of dwarf duiker, carry an elephant rifle. Trust me. No matter how jaded a hunter might be, your first encounter with an elephant when you are on foot and under-armed is a memorable experience.  

Who are the African Dawn Outfitters?

The African Dawn Program is about promoting hunting in Africa, not just through what we publish, but with the outfitters’ cooperation in this program… and it is for your peace of mind.

International travel consumes two precious commodities – personal time and money. And when you are a hunter, things can get tricky when there are further considerations like rules, regulations, details and differences between each country and their species. It is important to have a good outfitter, and whether it is your next hunting safari, or your first one, there are many outfitters to choose from. In fact, there are over 500, so how do you find a reliable one, the one that is right for you?

To help you, we decided to promote and work with approximately 10% of this continent-wide group of outfitters. We have listed a limited number of an esteemed group of established and reputable African outfitters and they can be found in this Catalogue. To familiarize yourself with this list, we also offer monthly publications, and monthly trophy gallery posts (Trophies Fresh from the Veld). To ensure you receive these updates, sign up www.africanhuntinggazette.com.

If you are an agent looking for an outfitter to represent, you’ll be safe contacting one of these outfitters.

If you are researching for your next safari, be sure to contact any one of listed outfitters directly. It will support them and save you money by booking with them. Please tell them that it was by them being an African Dawn Member that contributed to the decision.

Our website www.africanhuntinggazette.com has a detailed overview of them all, and you know where to contact me if you need to know anything more.

For now, just enjoy the read.

Richard Lendrum - Publisher African Hunting Gazette

[email protected]

2024 African Dawn Members

• Lake Albert Safaris
• Madubula Safaris
• Makasa Safaris
• Mashambanzou Safaris
• Mayo Oldiri Safaris
• Mike Currie Adventures
• Mokore Safaris
• Monterra Safaris
• Nick Nolte Safaris
• Northern Operations Africa
• Pete Barnard Safaris
• Richard Cooke Safaris
• Rob Lurie Safaris
• Rolling River Safaris
• Royal Karoo Safaris
• Safaris de Mozambique
• Shamwari Safaris
• Spear Safaris
• Stone Hunting Safaris
• Thierry Labat Safaris
• Watts Trophy Hunting Safaris
• Wow Africa Safaris