LAST EDITED ON Feb-22-10 AT 09:37AM (MST)[p]
Probably against my better judgment to post the story behind my #3 all time RCI (Reptile Club International) record book bull given all the negativity surrounding high fence hunts and all but I'm dang proud of the effort that went into the harvesting of this reptile. Some of the details of the hunt are as follows:
Date of Hunt: July 12 - August 15, 2007
Location: South Central Costa Rica
Outfitter: Rio Bigshell Guide Service
Weapon: 300 Weatherby Magnum - 220 grain solids
Weight: 978 lbs.
Species: South American Bamboo Tortoise
RCI score: 128
The hunt was conducted inside a 12,000 acre high-fenced, deep-mote enclosure about 15 miles south of Changuinola. I know many of you think this kind of hunting is not sporting but let me assure you they have no clue the boundaries are there and even if they did it would take them at least a few months to make the crossing.
Most days we hunted in elevated blinds overlooking food plots and feeding stations as still hunting was almost impossible due to the thick vegetation. I've been in the jungles of Belize, Tasmania and the Congo and they don't begin to compare. We?d arrive at the blind 1/2 hour before sunrise, and only leaving our blind well after sunset. On the 32nd day, this bull and 4 others arrived very methodically at one of the food plots located a scant 40 yards from our stand. After looking at well over 200 bulls of all sizes we knew this was THE ONE.... if I could pull off a spectacular shot. Just as I was getting ready to shoot, an errant breeze came from behind us and swirled down to the feeding, unsuspecting pod. At this point I knew a charge was imminent and readied myself for that one moment in our hunting careers that we all hope for, but one that could also mean the difference between life and death. The big bull put his head down, snorted and plodded towards us at... well.... a snails pace. He hadn't made it more than 1/2 step before I touched off a single shot, giving him the proper lead, hitting the big bull in the upper shoulder, dropping him instantly. To say I was happy would be a huge understatement and I immediately ran down to the bull and was astounded by the size of him. There was no ground shrinkage there!! As you can see by the picture he is a gargantuan specimen and by cross checking the number on the ear tag we later found out he was one of the original animals released into the enclosure in 1937.
Anyway, thanks for letting me share what is my most memorable hunt to date. I don't know if I can ever top this great beast but in June I'm heading back down there for a 4 week rut hunt. I know he doesn't compare to some of the bigger species that Roy, Eel and some of you have taken but I'm damn proud. If anyone wants any more info on the outfitter or hunting Bamboo Tortoise feel free to email me or send me a PM.
Trying not to look to far ahead but would anyone else be interested in a Himalayan Soft-Shelled Loggerhead hunt in Nepal in the spring of 2011? Bhutan Outfitters has a 21 day hunt special for a groups of 4 and they have 2 hunts left.
Probably against my better judgment to post the story behind my #3 all time RCI (Reptile Club International) record book bull given all the negativity surrounding high fence hunts and all but I'm dang proud of the effort that went into the harvesting of this reptile. Some of the details of the hunt are as follows:
Date of Hunt: July 12 - August 15, 2007
Location: South Central Costa Rica
Outfitter: Rio Bigshell Guide Service
Weapon: 300 Weatherby Magnum - 220 grain solids
Weight: 978 lbs.
Species: South American Bamboo Tortoise
RCI score: 128
The hunt was conducted inside a 12,000 acre high-fenced, deep-mote enclosure about 15 miles south of Changuinola. I know many of you think this kind of hunting is not sporting but let me assure you they have no clue the boundaries are there and even if they did it would take them at least a few months to make the crossing.
Most days we hunted in elevated blinds overlooking food plots and feeding stations as still hunting was almost impossible due to the thick vegetation. I've been in the jungles of Belize, Tasmania and the Congo and they don't begin to compare. We?d arrive at the blind 1/2 hour before sunrise, and only leaving our blind well after sunset. On the 32nd day, this bull and 4 others arrived very methodically at one of the food plots located a scant 40 yards from our stand. After looking at well over 200 bulls of all sizes we knew this was THE ONE.... if I could pull off a spectacular shot. Just as I was getting ready to shoot, an errant breeze came from behind us and swirled down to the feeding, unsuspecting pod. At this point I knew a charge was imminent and readied myself for that one moment in our hunting careers that we all hope for, but one that could also mean the difference between life and death. The big bull put his head down, snorted and plodded towards us at... well.... a snails pace. He hadn't made it more than 1/2 step before I touched off a single shot, giving him the proper lead, hitting the big bull in the upper shoulder, dropping him instantly. To say I was happy would be a huge understatement and I immediately ran down to the bull and was astounded by the size of him. There was no ground shrinkage there!! As you can see by the picture he is a gargantuan specimen and by cross checking the number on the ear tag we later found out he was one of the original animals released into the enclosure in 1937.
Anyway, thanks for letting me share what is my most memorable hunt to date. I don't know if I can ever top this great beast but in June I'm heading back down there for a 4 week rut hunt. I know he doesn't compare to some of the bigger species that Roy, Eel and some of you have taken but I'm damn proud. If anyone wants any more info on the outfitter or hunting Bamboo Tortoise feel free to email me or send me a PM.
Trying not to look to far ahead but would anyone else be interested in a Himalayan Soft-Shelled Loggerhead hunt in Nepal in the spring of 2011? Bhutan Outfitters has a 21 day hunt special for a groups of 4 and they have 2 hunts left.
