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Blog Posts > Travel > The Great African Adventure, Part 9: Leaving Chobe

The Great African Adventure, Part 9: Leaving Chobe

WTA Team

| January 3, 2017

WTA Team
January 3, 2017

Sunday May 18^th Moving Day Chobe River Front

We wake up extra early, head out and climb the rocks to the Bushman Paintings and watch the African rise and show us her rosy face. Pictures are taken of the 2000 year old paintings of the giraffe, buffalo, Mopani Worm and Sable. It is an incredible anthropological site. Cheri loves this. I sit in my spot and try to take it all in so I can remember every detail. We head back to our camp and the fellas load up the Green Mamba and we are off to the Chobe River Front for our last camp.

We head up the main Chobe road through 2 small villages and arrive around noon. We stopped and gathered fire wood. It is fun. I run around the 2 small ponds a little bit for some exercise. I’m certain I will get scolded but instead I get a big round elephant poo tossed at me. Close Call! We see some new birds….Pied Babbler, Rock Pratincole and the Pearl Spotted Owlets – cousins of the facial cleansing towelettes. We help set up camp and honestly Cheri and I are really more trouble than we are worth – but we do give it a good try – and it feels as though maybe we are contributing!

The Last Camp

Once again our camp is lovely – up on a ridge that overlooks the Chobe River. There are elephants nearby and a busy troop of baboons are very interested in my shoes which I have left by the door of the tent. Cheri and I do a little laundry and I watch them look at my pajamas hanging on a branch…I’m hoping they will put them on someone’s head! We drive down to the water’s edge for Sundowners and a game drive. It is a beautiful place for a cocktail and we just take it all in. There are giraffes, baboons, elephants, many birds and a beautiful sunset. I’m trying very hard to remember every detail.

Monday May 19^th

We take our leisure at the fire in the morning, drinking coffee and chatting. Clinton and Dad are telling stories of adventure in the wilderness…. I love the stories of who they are. We head out and bumble along. We see some new birds a black breasted snake eagle, Schwarro Herron and a blue wax bill. We see a raft of hippos and yet another journey of giraffes and a family of elephants with one very little guy…very cute. We drive through the water…I love this…and come upon a big water monitor lizard. And this time I don’t scare him away. We get really close and get to see his feet, tongue and weaponry. Very Interesting Fellow!

We have coffee on the beach and then continue to drive through the water’s edge. I look out over the Chobe River and just feel incredibly happy. That afternoon we come upon a huge male elephant in musth and Clinton gave him a lot of room to navigate around us. Even though I have seen elephants every day they still fascinate me. This fellow meant business. Dad said that he was very proud of himself. I don’t know… he seems irritable to me…not at all like those elephants playing in the water. We had our last Sundowners on the beach and it is a little bittersweet – ok maybe more than a little. When we arrive back at the camp Lawrence and Degree are making a fun dinner for us. They let Cheri and I help cook and it is very festive, delicious of course it is wonderful.

The Final Night

No sleep tonight, I lie away and listen to the night sounds and I think about all that I have seen. It occurs to me that all of my life I have had this misguided belief that humans have the corner on the market in the way of bravery, kindness, family bonds, joy, friendship, perseverance and sacrifice- qualities that we try to develop within ourselves. I have seen every one of those fine things undiluted in this place…from that brave little lapwing on day one to a mother lion and her pride. We’ve all got our stories…I hope that I can live this story…

Tuesday, May 20^th

We wake early and make a quick soiree through the Chobe Riverfront and look for some lions which are not to be found. We head back to our camp, fetch the loaded trailer and the six of us drive to our drop off point where Dad, Cheri and I will head off to Victoria Falls after a boat cruise and leave our guide, Clinton and Lawrence and Degree. We drive along and see a Sable for the first time – he is a beauty – and I believe a farewell gift to us. There are not many things I hate but goodbyes are one.

We arrive too soon, give quick hugs all around. Degree is on top of the Green Mamba tossing down our bags and just waves with both hands and a big smile. I can’t look in his eyes so I just wave and walk away with a sharp sadness. I will miss my African friends, their warm kindness, generous laughter and their deep abiding love for this beautiful place they call home.

And one day I will come back.

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My journey began in Anchorage, where I stayed the night before flying into the bush. The outfitter has a liaison in town to help with any last-minute needs, so no rental car was needed. The next morning at Merrill Field, I boarded a turboprop (they use caravans, not tiny Super Cubs) for the 1½-hour flight into hunting country.

At the airstrip, the crew waited with Kong—a massive military deuce-and-a-half that can ford rivers, plus Polaris six-wheelers. After a stop at the roadhouse to organize, we headed to moose camp, about four miles upriver.

The camp itself told stories of 50 years of hunting. Cabin walls covered with dozens of hunters’ stories, as far back as the ’70s. Old regulation books showing $50 polar bear licenses. Boxes of ammo, left behind over decades for anyone who might need them. Four cabins with wood stoves surrounded the main lodge, and there was a creek-fed shower with endless hot water. A crate of beer stays ice-cold in the stream. It’s glorious. Remote Alaska with just enough comfort to keep you hunting hard every day.

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Day two took us seven miles up the creek on six-wheelers, somewhat technical riding through river crossings and over rough terrain. Near the old sheep camp, we spotted a sow with three cubs and various black bears, but no boars.

Then everything changed. Rounding an alder-lined corner, our guide hit the brakes. A black bear ahead was acting strangely. It was actually approaching us. Behind him, a grizzly was hunting him, panting from the chase. The black bear, caught between predators, escaped up the cliffs.

The grizzly sat on its haunches, exhausted, looking between us and the black bear as it escaped. This bear was in full predator mode, seemingly calculating whether we might be easier prey. Then he simply lay down for a nap, 400 yards away, completely unconcerned by our presence.

For 34 minutes, I stayed behind the gun. Time passed slowly as we talked through every scenario: “If he does this, we’ll do that.” Finally, he stood and turned broadside at 415 yards. One squeeze, perfect shot placement. He barrel-rolled down the slope.

This was it—the animal I’d wanted forever, taken in a sequence I couldn’t have scripted better. Pure euphoria.

We had two bears down and over a week left of hunting. Day three was Jordan’s birthday, and we decided to get him a bear tag from camp. This would be his first hunt behind a rifle. We picked up a great black bear in no time. Jordan’s demeanor totally changed as he went into hunt mode and put a perfect 350-yard shot right into the bear’s heart. Top-tier birthday!

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On the second-to-last day, I spotted a huge black bear doing loops through berry patches on a steep face. After multiple failed positioning attempts, I opted to go solo while Jordan and our guide filmed from a distance. The bear, hearing me crash through the alders below him, thought I was another bear invading his berries. At nine yards, with his hackles up and ears flat, I put an arrow through his front shoulder. Our group’s fourth bear.

Four bears in four days. An incredible adventure. This was the outfitter’s first year focusing on Fall bear hunting. The populations are thriving (evident from the moose without calves), and they’ve wisely increased tag allocations.

I came to Alaska with a lifelong dream of taking a grizzly. What I got was something I couldn’t have imagined: multiple species, incredible encounters, and memories that transformed a dream hunt into something beyond dreams. The grizzly lying down in front of us, completely unafraid. Jordan’s pure joy at his first bear. Stalking with my bow, close enough to hear the bear growling and clacking its jaws.

Some hunts meet your expectations. This one created new ones. When you book with WTA, you’re not just booking a hunt, you’re setting yourself up for adventures you can’t even imagine.

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In June, I had the privilege of hosting 11 hunters on an unforgettable black bear adventure in northern Saskatchewan. As a consultant with Worldwide Trophy Adventures, I spend all year matching clients with the best outfitters in North America, and this camp is a perfect example of why we do it.

Our trusted outfitter in Saskatchewan operates in a massive 3,000-square-mile zone along the untouched boreal forest. It’s rugged, remote country stacked with an incredible population of mature black bears. Locals born and raised in northern Saskatchewan are the heart of the operation. They’ve spent decades fine-tuning the experience, from stand placement to trophy care.

We went 12-for-12 on big bears. Every hunter filled their tag. The biggest bear of the week tipped the scales at 436 pounds, with a skull that will easily make the Boone & Crockett record book. In total, four hunters took B&C-class bears, a testament to both genetics and expert management.

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Off the stand, the camp atmosphere was outstanding. Good food, great camaraderie, and plenty of stories made the week memorable. Meat, hides, and trophies were handled smoothly and professionally, another reason we confidently send WTA clients to this outfit year after year.

If you’re serious about hunting big Canadian black bears, Worldwide Trophy Adventures is your trusted resource to do it right. This trip proved it: elite guiding, incredible trophy quality, and a setting every hunter should experience at least once.

Canada remains one of my favorite places to hunt, and after June’s trip, I’m already counting down the days until I can go back.

WTA is booking now for next spring and summer, and this hunt fills fast. Call 1-800-346-8747 to secure your spot on one of North America’s most exciting black bear hunts.

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