3. AFRICA SAFARI CLUB OF FLORIDA
KUDU MAGAZINE
Volume Ll Number 3
Table of Contents
Chances 8
Bwana Mkuba 12
Leopard Hunting in Zimbabwe 14
Conservation Force—2016 First Quarter Report 16
Namibian Minister Makes Case for Trophy Hunting 21
Take’em 37
ASC Member Trophy Room—Joe Lunsford 38
2016 ASCF Scholarship Awards 44
Shiller Martin 46
The Classic Outdoors Gentlemen 48
4. 4
President’s
Message
Members,
This is the time of year when our club elects our new leaders.
I thank you all for allowing me the pleasure of serving as your presi-
dent. It is an honor to be a part of our group of true world class hunters!
With the passing of the last of our founding members, Schiller Martin, we
must pause for a moment and consider-- where we are and what might
we do to assure that our club traditions are carried on into the future.
Thanks to Bob Ferris, we are having speakers again for our dinner meet-
ings. I feel that this brings us closer as a group as we share experiences,
and also helps to educate us, as well, as to the pitfalls, and priorities we
need to consider when booking hunts in all the wonderful far-away plac-
es that we dream of hunting for the big one!
The survey from last month will be reviewed for your thoughts about im-
provements, if any, you would like to be considered. If you have any ide-
as, please bring them up to a board member. We WOULD like to hear from
you.
Best of luck to the next president. I will be sad to pass on the “BWANA
MKUBA”, but my wife is glad to see it passed on to someplace where she
doesn’t have to look at it!
Here’s to good, safe, hunting and enjoyment in the great outdoors!
Duane Drawdy
5. 5
Editorial
Gentlemen,
As this years club season is coming to an end, I would like to thank our
outgoing president, Dwayne Drawdy, for an outstanding job. Next year is
going to be an exciting year under the leadership of Wilkie Gilbert. As a
board member I would like to challenge all members of the African Safari
Club to get active in the different committees, especially the fundraiser.
This club will only grow and continue to be as strong as our members
make it.
Bruce Nager
6. 6
The KUDU
Is published by:
Africa Safari Club of Florida
All Inquires should be directed to:
LISA ABBATICCHIO
Executive Secretary
P.O. Box 452043
Sunrise Florida
Phone 954 414 9039
Fax 954 733 8051
Editor: Bruce Nager
Publisher: Jerry Gillman
Part 2—Leopard Hunting in Zimbabwe
Page 14
8. 8
Eighteen year old Nick Murray from Hopskinville, Kentucky joined me at Fox Brown Outfit-
ters for a once- in-a-lifetime fully paid hunt. His Grandparents, Tommy and Roberta, reached out
to the United Special Sportsman’s Alliance and Bridget got in contact with me. When I called
Nick on Thanksgiving morning to tell him the good news, he thought it was too good to be true.
It takes months to put a hunt like this together because the families have to work around the doc-
tor appointments, travel time, and various other obligations.
Nick is currently home schooled and has earned enough credits to be a junior in high school.
Quite impressive due to the fact that he has received twenty-five surgeries due to complications
from the Spina Bifida, including his most recent one that took out a large portion of his intes-
tines. He refers to Vanderbilt Hospital as his second home. He constantly suffers muscle spasms
that at times are violent. His hobbies include Tae Kwon Do, watching MMA fights and next
month, starts sled hockey in Nashville. Furthermore, he has a love for dogs, wildlife, and, of
course, hunting.
Chances
by Tim Davis
9. 9
“Don’t pass on any chances you have”
Day 1: shot and road the ranch. “Best vacation I have ever had”, said Nick. We enjoyed
a dinner of wild pork and spoke of the sights and sounds of the day. At dinner that night
Nick stated to me that “there are no limitations, if you want to do it, just do it”. Wise
words from such a young man.
11. 11
Day 2: sleepless night for Nick who was tossing and turning, burning with excitement. Nick
would be shooting my model 788, 308 that he proved capable of shooting the day prior. We saw
red stag and hinds, axis bucks and does, black bucks, fallow deer, buffalo, whitetails and gators.
After many attempts on the animals mentioned above, the one that gave Nick the best oppor-
tunity was a female waterbuck. Nick took aim and patiently waited for me to give him the
“OK”. I told him the following. “Remember to breathe, aim, small on the shoulder squeeze.
“Ok, take her!” KABOOM, down went the old girl. Nick yells out, “Alright!” and throws up
his arms in joy and the .308 went for its own ride (Nick threw up his arms to celebrate). I
stepped over to Nick’s side to congratulate him and he said “Feel my heart, it’s pounding out of
my chest”. My response was, “Welcome to the brotherhood of hunting!” I looked over at Tom-
my and Roberta and they are holding one another and as tears of joy ran down their cheeks,
Tommy stated this was a once in a lifetime experience. That afternoon we rode the ranch and
replayed the day’s events each time we saw a waterbuck. To end our day we came across a herd
of 300 to 500 head of red deer, Tommy yells out “It’s like dances with Wolves, right, Nick?”
All of this was possible because of all those who attend the sixth annual Fish Fry at Cardinal
Gibbons, corporate sponsors and donors. Special thank you to Dillon and Chelsie at Fox Brown
Outfitters.
Sometimes chance meets opportunity and
dreams come true.
12. 12
The Passing of the Bwana Mkuba
to our New President for the
2016—2017 Membership year
Wilkie Gilbert
13. 13
At the May meeting, the club held it annual elections
and elected the following Officers and Board of Direc-
tors for the 2016—2017 Membership Year
Wilkie Gilbert—President
Bruce Nager—Vice President
Neil Chianese—Secretary
Tom Sawyer, II—Treasurer
Bill Charland
Brad Runyan
Duane Drawdy
Jerry Gillman
Jody Moore
Board of Directors
Officers
Steve Greep
Keith Martin
Larry Maurer
KimPeterson
14. 14
Part Two: Leopard Hunting In Zimbabwe
BYO Bait: How The Hell Can We Pull This One Off?
By Don Bitz
The two remaining animals on my SCI African 29 bucket list went unchecked
until now for a reason ... they both are most often taken as separate, dedicated hunts for
the best chance of success, combined with the fact that over the last few years the inter-
national anti-hunting effort has been relatively successful closing off entire countries to
elephant hunting. On top of it all, two of the most popular destinations - Zimbabwe and
Tanzania - were closed last year to all ivory importation into the USA, even completely
legal tusks taken by American sportsmen at great expense now become the property of
the respective governments (or whoever else can abscond with them) in the countries
which they were harvested.
Forget the hunters, this, as I were to discover
first-hand, has needlessly created many hard-
ships for the locals and has even contributed
to the famine that plagues Zimbabwe due to
the serious decline in agricultural production
in that country. The reasons for this of course
are not in the purview of a hunting report
like this, except as it raises challenges and
concerns relevant to the safety and success
of the hunting experience in and of itself.
This particular decision to hunt both jumbo and the cat simultaneously,
immediately following the (above) Namibian Horseback Hunt, as it were to turn out, is
a testament to the logistical prowess of Jacques Senekal of African Maximum Safaris as
Walla in the local village while Francois
returns with the brandy.
15. 15
Continued on page 22
well as the talent, fortitude and determination of his senior professional hunter, Wernher
'Walla' Albertse as I was soon to discover. I'm also pretty sure that without this relationship
we have developed the past few years we wouldn't have pulled it off. But with the two-
year goal of completing the African 29 closing in on us fast (May 2013 we began) there
was a burr in our saddles to go all-out on the home stretch.
Now, Jacques has an excellent Zim camp for use just outside of the Robbins Camp
(Hwange National Park) along the Matetsi, that I have hunted before. I know of at least
one elephant and several big cats that have been taken there, but although it has plenty of
big cats and the buffalo are nearby, it's not the most reliable property for jumbo. (I hasten
to add that Jacques has also secured a new and exciting free-ranging buffalo hunting area
bordering Kruger Park in the RSA that I'm anxious to hunt as well.) However since we
were attempting the "impossible", the decision was made to employ the services of a pro-
fessional leopard and elephant specialist, Heath Jardine, lifelong resident Zimbabwe PH.
Heath's outfit would secure the hunting area(s) as well as the permits, having literally been
raised on a nearby farm, his knowledge of the area would prove to be a priceless asset.
Walla and I were greeted at the Victoria Falls airport after a short flight from Wind-
hoek by South African PH and Heath's "assistant" Francois, a fine PH in his own right,
who would be providing his support for the hunt as well. During the two-hour drive to the
hunting camp Francois explained that the ellies were indeed in the area in large numbers,
in fact several trophy bulls were watering every evening immediately behind the camp in a
large opening, we could sit there and
watch them, the issue on our elephant
was finding the non-trophy bull that I
sought. (Why pay to hunt trophy bulls
and give the ivory away due to the ban
on importation?)
As far as the leopard, well there were "some tracks in
the area" but no pre-baiting had been done (the PH's
had just arrived the day before us) so I got the distinct
impression the success on the cat was an open ques-
tion. Then again, cats are never a guarantee.
Arriving at the camp (literally just
yards from the park border a few miles
from the main entrance, literally just a
couple miles from where Cecil the Lion would meet his demise a few weeks later) we were
to discover some rather unique accommodations - old, fully restored rail cars under a mag-
nificent thatched enclosure complete with dining area over-looking the watering hole with
an open-air lounge at one end and a small gift shop at the other. The dining was excellent,
Remodeled Presidential railcars make good hunting camps.
16. 16
The African Safari Club of Florida supports organizations that serve to protect the rights of
hunter’s and your right to hunt and import Big Game Trophies into the USA. One of the organizations
supported by ASCF dues, donations and fundraisers is Conservation Force. Conservation Force
continues to be an important legal voice fighting for the rights of Hunters throughout the World.
PART 1: First Quarter Report
19. 19
HEALTH NOTICES FOR AFRICA
Polio in Madagascar— According to the Global Polio
Eradication Initiative, Madagascar has reported 9 cases
of vaccine-derived polio. CDC recommends that all trav-
elers to Madagascar be fully vaccinated against polio. In
addition, adults who have been fully vaccinated should
receive a single lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.
Yellow Fever in Angola— The Ministry of Health in An-
gola has reported an ongoing outbreak of yellow fever in
Luanda Province. The government of Angola requires all
travelers older than 9 months to show proof of yellow
fever vaccination on arrival. In addition, CDC recom-
mends that all travelers aged 9 months or older be vac-
cinated against yellow fever.
Cholera in Tanzania—The Ministry of Health and Social
Welfare in Tanzania is reporting an ongoing outbreak of
cholera. Cases have almost doubled in the last two
months.
21. 21
The Minister of Environment and Tourism, Hon. Pohamba Shifeta this week plead-
ed earnestly with environmental lobby groups against hunting, to put an end to
what he explained would be detrimental to the conservation of rhinos and ele-
phants. He made the plea in response to a lawsuit filed by the American lobby
group Friends of Animals to set aside the importation of black rhino horns in April
2015.
A recent court ruling in the District Court of Columbia, Washington DC, dismissed
an application by a consortium of US-based non-governmental organizations, on
the grounds that no impact was found on the conversation of black rhinos, Shifeta
explained. Said Shifeta, "The NGOs jointly applied to ban the importation of black
rhino products. A first attempt was dismissed, not on merit but on legal standing."
Making a case for hunting, Shifeta argued, "our programs are known to be good
projects. Our species of both black and white rhino are on an increase and there is
nothing to worry about. Our conservation efforts are clearly known. We have ethi-
cal hunting programs."
He added, "Conservation programs will be harmed if hunting stops," explaining that
hunting supports 82 conservancies and accounted for 60% of income. "Imagine if
you take that away." "It is not fair to use a shotgun approach, each country should
be treated on its 'morals'," Shifeta pleaded. "In accordance with our legislation and
policies, the proceeds generated by means of trophy hunting should be reinvested
into the conservation of that species. This fund pays for black rhino conservation
projects approved by the Fund's board, such as law enforcement and anti-
poaching units, community benefits and surveys."
A recent visit by the Economist to the Zambezi Region confirmed Shifeta's claim,
with conservancies heading their own anti-poaching units while generating sizea-
ble incomes from the proceeds of trophy hunting. Said Shifeta "our story has been
hailed across the globe as it also seeks to empower Namibian citizens, particularly
those in rural areas through employment creation and income generating activities.
Delivering the judgement this week, Judge Amy Berman Jackson said the conser-
vation lobby application was dismissed because the permits were issued by the
Namibian Government after considering the possible impacts on conservation.
"The court recognizes the plaintiffs' sincere commitment to the preservation of en-
dangered animals, and this ruling does not suggest that there is no relationship be-
tween the importation of trophies of endangered animals and protecting these spe-
cies. “But the relationship between the particular permits challenged here, which
authorize the import of spoils of hunts that were entirely within Namibia's control,
and plaintiffs' feared diminished enjoyment of black rhinoceros in Namibia in the
future is too attenuated to confer standing on plaintiffs," Jackson added.
Namibia: Minister Makes Case for Trophy Hunting
22. 22
We awoke early the next morning to get the lay of the land and look for something
we could shoot for bait. Walla was scratching his arms and legs incessantly at the break-
fast table.
"What the hell happened to you?”
"I don't know, look at this!"
"What the hell happened to you? You have chicken pox?" I
asked, making note of the literally hundreds of red bumps on his
arms and legs. "Holy crap!"
"I don't think so, there's nothing on my chest."
"Bed bugs!" I declared, "go check under your mattress."
"Already did, nothing." "Nothing on me, Heath? Francois?"
"Nope."
"Lets just go hunting," Walla says.
Built in the 90’s from early 20th century “Presidential” railcars, the Malindi Station
Lodge.
Continued from page 15—Leopard Hunting in Zimbabwe
24. 24
I was delighted when I saw Heath's Zim truck, an older but very well maintained
Land Cruiser with (almost) all of the accommodations of Walla's "white truck of death"
HiLux I had put many thousands of miles on in SA. The New Zim hunter would be
well-advised to pay extra attention to this little detail when selecting an outfitter - in Zim-
babwe the law requires one to employ the services of a resident PH and hunting can ONLY
be done in a properly licensed Zimbabwe truck. Problem is, there's a huge tariff to bring
them or parts for them into the country so many are very old and in very bad states of re-
pair.
It didn't take long to dis-
cover, despite the great accommo-
dation and transportation, the situa-
tion on-the-ground in Zim has dete-
riorated the past couple years. Alt-
hough the country itself is finally
moving into the digital-age when it
comes
to licensing and permitting (I'm
told), the plains-game (a.k.a. bait)
situation at least in this area is
bleak. Although we traveled nearly
100 miles a day (all on dirt of
course) checking for tracks, etc., by
day three, all we managed to hang
was a single kudu cow.
The elephant situation wasn't looking much better either. Despite the dozen bulls behind
camp, the non-trophy pachyderms were spending their daylight hours in Hwange Park and
only moving into the hunting area during the night. This would just about preclude the way
I had hoped to hunt them, tracking and moving in for the brainer I had been practicing with
Heath's expert tutelage on the many skulls surrounding the main camp. It seems Mr.
Jardine is one of the go-to guys for park cull operation, with something around 100 bulls
on his resume using various doubles and bolt guns, his “field learning” demonstrations of
the brain in relation to the ear-slit and zygotic arch on the skull as well as in photos was the
kind of hands-on, real-life instruction every new elephant hunter should have!
Rhodesian farms have deteriorated
significantly.
25. 25
The bright spot in this situa-
tion was a bachelor herd of five
shootable, mature bulls that were
spotted by locals (Heath's local
friends) coming into the water on
their farm right at sundown.
Should push come to shove, we'd
set up an ambush at the hole and
pray they did just that, so we were
freed-up a bit to focus on cat bait.
The fly in this ointment was
that we hadn't seen fresh leopard
track in days. One of the kudu
quarters was hit by a lion, but that
was just about all the feline action
we had since day-one.
Bachelor bull ambush pending.
26. 26
The outlook was bleak. To say I was disappointed with the situation is an understate-
ment, so for lunch on day four I read heath the riot act. The farms were not being kept up
after the farmers were kicked-off, the wells were mostly all dry (pumps stolen) and without
fresh grass and crops virtually all of the remaining plains species were poached out to the
point we literally had to chase the poachers as well as another resident PH "scout" out of
our hunting area. With nothing to eat the locals were catching and boiling small leopard-
tortoises to survive, say nothing of anything of substance for a cat to prey upon. Obviously,
prospects were dim.
There was one critter in great abundance, however - baboon. Hundreds of them - very high-
ly educated baboon - no doubt due to simple fact that they were the only live meat in the
region. So Heath stopped the truck (on day 4) when we came across a troupe in the road, I
managed to take the big one before they ran off.
On the fifth day we took heart however, a female leop-
ard finally came in for a taste of our kudu bait. Stripped
it bare. Early-on we had scouted and hung one of the
four baits in a 'leopard tree.' Heath knew about this kitty
scratching-post in the middle of no-where, a tree some-
one many years ago had discovered in this particular lo-
cation and had liked it enough to construct a bare-bones
blind exactly 60 yards away - about 10 feet up in the
crotch of a tree - so the obvious thing to do was to hang
a bait.
Walla really, really liked this location and was taking bets that, if we even got a hit,
this would be the place. He was right. Still, it was a female, but the potential was there, the
male wasn't too far away, possibly in the Park which was just a few hundred yards away.
Now the pressure was on to keep tying on the feed-bag.
The second big male baboon came the next day at 200 yards. They were getting
more and more educated and it became apparent they would allow us no closer, should we
need another. Was the .280 and I up to it? Walla and I were pretty confident, but these other
guys had never see it it done. But at least we had more baits in the trees! Question was,
how would they work? Would a cat climb a tree for a monkey? We’d hang one and find
out, that much was a certain.
Now , with the baboon in the truck, it was time to go all-in on this location. We were
going to take one in the kitty-tree or we weren't going to take one. "Hey,
27. 27
whatever," I thought, "all this for a female we can't shoot?". Something to do anyway...
The bait bucket was getting
just a bit ripe, however Heath
said it was perfect for what he
needed and prepared a drag
which we drove to the edge of
the park and back-and-forth
along the border for a mile or
so.
Our drags were hindered by
the daily downpour of rains
washing them away, remnants
of the earlier season that did-
n't seem to want to go away.
No doubt this had some effect
on our lack of success so far. Still, we had to try.
More rain. It came down in buckets on the way back to camp and we got soaked. Still,
we swung wide around the baboon spot, worked our way in but it became obvious they would
let us no closer than where we were at - 427 yards distant. Feeling a bit cocky (nothing-to-lose
is more like it) and confident of my sighting on Johnny's 300-meter gong in Namibia, I cranked
the Leupold CDS dial on the 4x12 VX-R to 430, popped down the bipod and popped the cap
under 62 grains of H4831, letting the 160 Accubond loose at 2925 fps... "Head shot," I called.
Thwack! Down came the baboon just as everyone started chanting "Sniper, sniper, sniper."
Damn if I didn't hit him square on the chin.
"You smoked him proper," Heath says with his understated British accent, "but what
about 500?"
"Looks like we'll find out tomorrow," I replied, "Walla, you willing to go pink-slips,
this .280 Ackley against your pet Sako .338 on a 500 yard shot?" Now I had him thinking...
even though we both knew I couldn't bring the .338 back to the States.
Checking the baits in the morning - day 6 - nothing. Drags washed out. Crap, can't we
just catch a little break? Everything and anything Mother Nature was working against us. (Out
comes the gut bucket for some more dragging…)
Every day we’d do the scent drags - every
night the rain would wash it away.
28. 28
"Lets just hunt elephant tomorrow... but first! Don't we have a bet going, Walla?"
"Hmmmm..." You could cut the air with a knife, "Naw, I'll pass."
So we drove to baboon-central once again, only this time they started scattering as
soon as they saw us. Letting them settle down before they get too upset, "What's the range?"
I whispered.
"550 or so on the laser..." Walla replies.
"We have to do exactly 500," Heath declares, "Everyone get out and lets quietly push
the truck."
"502, where Don sits, 498 from me - that’s good."
"Walla, you sure? I know you love this rifle, and you've seen me miss some pretty
easy chip-shots..."
"Ummmm, no I don't
think so."
Okay, here we go...
CRACK!
(one-thousand-one, one-
thousand-two, one-thousand-
three, one-thousand-four, one-
thousand-SMACK)
"You got him," Walla
says with his deep, Afrikaans
inflection, "Holy Hell ... that's how you shoot a baboon!"
Good thing, too. I secretly had some doubts about 600... at least with a 12X scope!
So after this little diversion, with more bait in that wagon we make a quick detour to
hang it and head back to camp. Now, it wasn't making any sense at all to me why there were
three professional hunters, two trackers and a government "parks minder" along with myself
bouncing along in the truck every day so I decided to take issue with it.
29. 29
Since Walla's bug bites weren't getting any better (though few if any more more were ap-
pearing), Walla really could use a visit to the local clinic to see what the hell was going on with
this reaction he was having, all the red bumps on his arms and legs. I insisted he at least get it
looked at, even though the cortisone cream was helping and he wasn't running a fever, better safe
than sorry.
It was decided that on the way into the clinic the next morning Francois and Walla would swing by
the scratching-post bait to check it while Heath and I dragged some brush around the trails to see if
we could get a handle on the movements of that bachelor group of five bulls. By dragging the pe-
rimeter roads we'd be able to clearly see who was coming in and out, from and to where and when
they were doing it.
That plan didn't last long, as Mr. Spots was in town. It didn't rain
last night and the cat found the drag right up to the bait. That ba-
boon was literally ravaged, tracks were everywhere. He had not
only feasted on the prize we left him, but sauntered about the wa-
tering hole next to the tree blind and washed everything down the
hatch, about 5 am this morning as near as they could tell.
BOOM!
Heath already had everything in the truck, remote-controlled
lights, a remote motion detector, wire and rope, so we lit out to the
kitty-post and started in. It was day 7 and appeared we were in for
a long one...
Walla was right, this was the spot after all. Now, I don't know how many cats he's brought in
for clients, but I'm pretty sure it numbers in the dozens. I've seen the photos. This wasn't the big-
gest cat ever but it passed the cigarette test.
Upon seeing the tracks, he lays a Marlboro
in the tracks and declares, "he's big enough, track is longer than a cigarette." He shows me. Let's
do it.
What began to unfold was truly a thing of beauty, two of the best professionals in Africa, as-
sisted by some extremely experienced trackers, surveying the macros as well as the micros of the
situation and meticulously checking and confirming that everything is properly in it's place.
If its bigger than a Marlboro
he’s a shooter!
Continued pn page 33
31. 31
I want you to send in your
hunting articles and pictures to
the Kudu Magazine today!
Lisa Abbaticchio PO Box 452043, Sunrise Fl 33345—2043
or
email to jerry@sfcsweb.com
33. 33
Continued from page 29
Zimbabwe Leopard Hunt
The Cat Tree - more than a dozen lion and leopard
have fallen from its limbs over the past few decades.
The wind is in our face from the blind, the lights and detectors are hung and hidden
properly. The remains of the baboon is wired into place with the duiker, at just the right angle
to the blind so he has to jump onto the horizontal limb just so, and show us his nuts. Close
enough so he can reach it, yet hard enough to reach so he cannot abscond with it and drag it off
before we get a shot.
Heath directs the trackers to get busy on the rickety old blind. They shore it up for a min-
imum of noise. They go far back into the forest to cut limbs so not to disturb the baiting area.
They make sure we have a shooting lane, and pack a dense covering of fresh tree boughs, com-
pletely blending the wooden structure into the tree it resides in.
I stay out of their way in the truck. I know better that to disturb a professionals' concen-
tration. Let them work if you want results, there will be plenty of time for 'splaining when the
deed is done. Honestly, watching Walla, Heath and the trackers checking and double-checking
everything was alone worth the price of passage.
We had one shot, literally as well as figuratively, and we all knew it. If and when that cat
jumped into the tree, the outcome would all be up to Bwana not to muck it up. As if that was
not enough pressure, the entire surroundings was a mixture of thick six-foot tall reed grass and
heavy forestation. Wound a leopard in this stuff and lives are on the line. You'd never even see
it coming.
34. 34
The scene was set, this entire leopard hunt, if the time came, would all boil down to one in-
stantaneous, yet deliberate 60 yard shot.
We head back to camp for lunch, a power nap, and back into the blind by 3 pm after check-
ing the AfricaHunting.com shot placement guide one last time for the hell of it.
I climb into the blind with my rifle, sit in
the chair and check the sight picture and
bipod height on a supporting wooden
beam. Perfect. Lift the butt when the cat
isn't looking and shoot. Walla sits behind
me for the video, Heath to my right in the
light show control seat. We're ready.
Now, in Wayne Michael Grant's book Into
The Thorns, the author pokes fun at hunt-
ers that spend all this time, preparation and
money falling asleep almost immediately
upon settling in. Not me. No way I'm
sleeping, not now anyway. On the way in
Walla says he expects the cat about 5 pm, Heath scoffs. This is a morning cat, but you never
know. Walla says he's seen many "morning cats" taken before 9pm. In fact, he says, the vast ma-
jority of his cats are shot before 8 pm.
Me, I'm rooting for an early bird. Sitting there in the blind reading my iPad at 4pm or so I
have to cough. I pop in a lozenge. Damn, this sucks, I'm a terrible blind-sitter. No water, thanks, I
don't want to pee. I knew this would be the hardest hunt of the Africa 29, sitting quiet for hours on
end. I start repeating to myself, "If you want a cat, don't cough... if you want a cat, don't cough.
Don't move, don't make a sound, don't cough."
It only works for a few minutes. So I focus harder, like a meditation. I focus on my iPad.
iPad says its just 5 pm. I hear a noise. Leaves rustling in the wind? A flock of birds take off in the
distance. Heath's motion sensor goes off and he nudges me. More birds.
I move my eyes up to look at the bait tree just as one of the most beautiful animals in the
world leaps with a single bound onto the bait branch. A big flock of birds in the bait tree, thinking
about having a meal themselves, suddenly takes off and the cat jumps down. He immediately
looks back into the tree, he's hungry and realizes it was only the birds. He walks around the bot-
tom of the tree a bit, marking his turf, within a moment he's back in the tree, standing at a perfect
broadside.
The Set Up - Heath and I in the blind discussing strategy
with The Cat Tree just 60 yards off in the background.
35. 35
The birds in our tree take flight. The cat looks over for moment, he's looking right at
us standing with the sun gleaming off his golden coat, we're frozen at the sight. Are we
busted? Nope. He's hungry. Mr. Spots lays down on the limb, scratching and pawing at the
bait on the far side, barely within his reach. Damn, he could care less about that duiker, he
wants more baboon.
BALLS! It's our male!
I look at Heath, Heath mouths the word SHOOT. The cat could care less about our tree,
he's busy looking the other way, trying to get at the perfectly placed bait. I raise the butt to
my shoulder, quietly two-finger the 700's safety and peer thru the 6X-set Leupold to wait
for my chance.
Something clicks under Heath's chair in our rickety old blind (you can hear it in the
video). He sits up on his front legs, his ass on the limb and turns his head to look right at
me over his shoulder. I figure its now or never. The boys insisted I use the .280 on the cat,
despite the fact that my trusty .375 Dragon Slayer is in camp, because they want to "see
what it'll do." Shot placement is critical, he's angling away to the right and I can't get both
shoulders.
36. 36
I can't get both
shoulders but I can put
that little red dot on his
right shoulder just below
the junction with the
spine at this angle and
squeeze.
The cat fell, liter-
ally paws up, into the
dirt with minimal skin
damage. Shoulder, lungs
and spine, out the base of the neck on the far side. The only movement was a slight twitch of
his tail.
Cat in the salt on Day Seven
ONE DOWN - ONE TO GO
37. 37
Take ’em
By Tim Davis
Thirty two years ago, I was six years old and my Dad’s shadow. October
was the kick off to hunting season with dove where I was assigned to be his bird
boy and sometimes he would allow me to shoot a single shot 20 gauge that
kicked like a mule (I shot the John boat but that is another story). Early Novem-
ber, I spent hours in the tree stand with Pop pursuing white tails at WD Ranch.
(Looking back, my months were influenced by what we could legally hunt: dove,
deer, turkey, squirrels and quail my old man is the best quail shot I have ever
seen and I guide for them) But by Mid-November it meant DUCKS!
You have to be a little bit "off" to be a water fowler…. the weeks of scouting,
waking up at 2 AM, decoys, dogs, boats etc. My father was an avid duck
hunter and throughout the years had many friends that loved to pursue ducks just
as much as he did, such as WD, Billy Mcgee, Lou Huey, Wilkie Gilbert, Mike
Ladd, Keith and Schiller Martin, Brian Davis and now myself. I will never forget
when my father came home on a Thursday afternoon and informed me and my
brother that we were going to the opening of duck season in Moore Haven Flori-
da. In the early 1980s, duck season always opened on Thanksgiving weekend. At
the time it was legal to shoot lead shot and the federal government had instated a
point system in which you had to be at half ass lawyer to understand which ducks
and how many you could actually harvest.
The night before the hunt I was so excited that I could barely sleep. The time had
finally come to where I would now be a part of the waterfowl community. The ride
to the Moore Haven boat ramp seemed like an eternity but once we arrived, I ex-
ploded from the truck and began loading the boat like I had done it hundreds of
times before. I remember his strategy that day, as if it was yesterday. We would
take the Moore Haven canal to the monkey box, just past dynamite and ease into
Cochrans and look for a good head to hide in. That boat ride for a six-year-old
was uncomfortable to say the least; it was dark, cold, and extremely foggy that
day. My father gave me the Q beam with the instruction, "Son just keep this
Continued on Page 42
39. 39
This edition of the Kudu Magazine features Joe Lunsford’s
World class trophy room. Joe is a long time member of the
African Safari Club of Florida. Joe is an African hunter hav-
ing made nine safari trips to Africa . Joe’s trophy room in-
cludes species from around the World. Special thanks to
Joe for hosting the ASCF April dinner meeting at his
wonderful home in Boca Raton .
42. 42
pointed off the bow of the boat." Easier said than done. From time to time
in the complete darkness all I could see was the glow of my father’s cigarette.
The marsh nowadays is my second home, but then it was so foreign…. strange
sounds, off smells, and of course darkness. We got to our hunting destination
and my brother and Uncle Mike blinded up 100 or so yards from us. My father
said "OK, boy, get the decoys out and get ’em ready". Dump the bag out, untan-
gle the strings and hand them to me,” he said. As always, my father was teaching
me what to do and when to do it. Make sure you don't clump the decoys together
in the water the birds need room to land.” "Yes sir" I replied, still not sure what to
expect. Just to the east the marsh began to glow in colors that I had never seen
till then. It was not long until whistling wings were overhead and ducks pitched
into our spread. "Almost shooting light boy, get your gun out and load it”. "Yes
sir". "Keep it pointed in a safe direction until I tell you to take ’em." Yes sir Pop, I
like that take‘em "I said with a huge grin on my face. Dad smiled and proceeded
to dump two teal into the decoys. "Kill ‘em with their feet down, that's what my fa-
ther taught me. A huge flock of ringers are heading towards your brother. "Over
you Brian!" birds rained down from the heavens. I like this Pop, can I try to shoot
now? “Ok, get ready, these birds are working. Cock the hammer back and re-
member to lead ‘em, feet down. He whispered,” wait, wait, TAKE EM!”
Take’em
Continued from page 37
43. 43
Advertise in the Kudu Magazine
This is the last issue of the Kudu magazine for the 2015—
2016 membership year. Take advantage of our special dis-
counted advertising rates and place your ad in the Kudu
Magazine now for the 2016—2017 membership year . If you
place your ad before June 1, 2016, discounted rates apply.
After June 1, 2016, rates will increase a minimum of 10% for
all ad spaces.
Put your ad in front Big Game hunters and adventurers that
traverse the globe each year in search of Big Game.
Non-member 2016-2017 full color ad rates:
Business card: $175 ½ page: $400
¼ page: $325 Full page: $600
* Rates include all 3 issues for membership year 2016 –2017
Member 2016-2017 full color ad rates
Business card: $75 ½ page: $200
¼ page: $125 Full page: $300
To take advantage of these great rates and help support the
African Safari Club of Florida, please mail your payment to Li-
sa Abbaticchio at PO Box 452043 Sunrise, Florida 33345-
2043 and email your artwork and your ad instructions to
jerry@sfcsweb.com.
44. 44
Each year the ASCF provides scholarships to students seeking masters
and doctoral degrees in wildlife studies at the University of Florida, Au-
burn University and Utah State University. Each University was chosen
based upon its leadership in the fields of wildlife studies and the diversity
of study that each university offers. Since its inception, the ASCF has
funded more than $150,000 in scholarships to men and women. Today,
several of these students have provided to our club presentations, which
were excellent, not only from a sense of their knowledge, but also be-
cause of the education each of us received. Our criteria for scholarships
requires: study in a current post graduate program, evidence that the
student has a valid hunting license, the transcript of the students’ grades,
a short statement on a hunting experience, and a short statement of the
student’s area of study. Each January or February, these very lengthy
applications are reviewed by the scholarship committee and after hours
of discussion on such excellent students which is sometimes difficult, we
award scholarships to the very best students, who will in the future
shape the policies of the game and fish commissions that directly affect
each of us as sportsmen. What better way to shape that future than to
provide financial support to students who have a love of the outdoors.
Auburn University Awards:
Jenifer Price ……..$3000
Jeffery Sullivan ….$2000
University of Florida Awards:
Wesley Boone …. ..$4000
Kevin Kloda ………$1000
Utah State University:
Michael Kohl….$2000
Brett Panting….$2000
Robert Lewis….$1000
45. 45
Dear Mr. Alexander,
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the generosity of the African Safari
Club in funding the 2016 scholarship for an Auburn student. I am honored to
be the recipient of this award. This money will be incredibly important for
helping me to fund my remaining time at Auburn University while I complete
my Ph.D. in Wildlife Sciences and Management.
I have been very fortunate in my opportunities while at Auburn to learn and
participate in the rich sport of hunting. Since I was not exposed until my 20’s,
I feel especially grateful for the many hunters who have mentored and encour-
aged my passion. It is organizations like yours that foster the next generation
of conservation-minded hunters, who will strive to continue the proud legacy
of hunting. I hope to mentor and support others non-traditional hunters and
this award will help me further my efforts. I will also continue my current re-
search regarding the application of decision analysis tools to the improvement
of programs aimed at increasing hunter recruitment and retention.
Thank you again for the African Safari Club scholarship. I greatly appreciate
your contribution to my education and the next generation of hunter-
conservationists. I will work hard to honor your scholarship and contribute to
our hunting legacy through my career and outreach efforts.
Warm regards,
Jennifer Price
School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
What better way to shape that future than to provide financial support to students who have a
love of the outdoors, wildlife conservation and sustainable hunting.
If you would like to make a donation to the scholarship fund, please select the school of your
choice and mail your tax deductible gift to ACSF, PO Box 452043, Sunrise Florida 33345-
2043.
Many of our members and supporters that have passed away have left generous gifts and en-
dowments to fund the ASCF non profit efforts including the scholarship program. If you are in-
terested in setting up an endowment as part of your will, please contact us at
jerry@sfcsweb.com.
46. 46
In remembrance of
shiller martin
aSCF founding MEMBER
June 13, 1933 - March 23, 2016
Schiller was the genuine article. I respected him so much that I
bought at auction everything that he may have donated over thirty-
three years. Just to illustrate what really genuine guy he was, I
remember in 1985, he donated a Marlin 44 vintage 1879. I bought
it and then, Schiller called me to have lunch and at the lunch he
gave to me the written history of this firearm, which was extensive-
ly researched and then a box of 44 black powder ammunition that
would fire well with the rifle. He did not have to do this, but he
did. I also bought at auction "shore-bird" carving; again I got a call
from Schiller and again met him at his office and he gave to me a
history he wrote on the carver of the statue and what it represent-
ed. He was very aware of the history and each article and took
great pleasure in providing this to me. He was the genuine article,
just like everything he donated, which to him had great meaning.
Bob Ferris
I remember Schiller from our first meeting. When I joined ASC he was one of the guys with Jack Beal who in-
terviewed me to make sure I was good enough for the Club. They were real hard asses until we got drunk and I
ended up paying the bill. A long night. Mostly, I remember Schiller from duck hunts at the Lake. We would all go
out myself, Cummings, Derrer, Charland and Schiller. We would put out our hunters and all raft up and drink
Bloody Mary’s and don’t think we fired a shot.
Robert J. Lodge
I did not know Shiller all that well. I knew him from the club and the board but not on a personal level.
However I do know Keith. In my opinion, your kids are a direct reflection of the type of person you are and
ultimately your legacy. Keith is an incredible person. He is kind, caring, generous. A loving father and family
man. I do not know one person who does not like Keith.
Mike Little
47. 47
On March 23, 2016, the African Safari Club of Flor-
ida lost it’s last founding member. Shiller Martin
shared many special moments with our members
during his more than 50 years with the club. Below
are memories and special thoughts about Shiller
from some of those members. Shiller may be
gone, but his service, commitment and dedication
to our club will never be forgotten!
“I VIVIDLY RECALL THE DAY WHEN I WAS JOINING THE ASC
AND HAD TO MEET THREE MEMBERS AT CHARLIE’S STEAK HOUSE FOR COCKTAILS AND I
WAS NERVOUS TO SAY THE LEAST WHEN SCHILLLER, ED BUCHSER, AND LOUIS GAINEY
WALKED IN.
AFTER INTRODUCTIONS THEY BEGAN TO GRILL ME ABOUT THE NORMAL AND CUSTOMARY
THINGS AND IT WAS THE FIRST TIME MEETING SCHILLER AND HE IMMEDIATELY MADE ME
FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH HIS SMILE IN A KIND AND PROFESSIONAL MANNER…….I PASSED
THE INTERVIEW AND THANKFUL I BECAME A MEMBER OF A CLUB WITH MEMBERS AS FINE AS
SCHILLER WAS.
OVER THE YEARS I HAD THE PLEASURE OF JOINING SCHILLER AT HIS HOME AT THE LAKE
FOR DUCK HUNTING WEEKENDS AND HE ALWAYS MADE ME FEEL WELCOMED. I SHARED
WITH SCHILLER AT ONE OF THOSE WEEKENDS THAT MY WIFE WAS A DUCK PERSON AND AT
THE NEXT MONTHLY DINNER HE BROUGHT ME ONE OF HIS DECOYS AND TOLD ME TO GIVE IT
TO SUSAN. FACT OF THE MATTER WE STILL HAVE THAT DECOY AND EVERYTIME I LOOK AT IT
I WILL REMEMBER ONE OF THE NICEST AND CORDIAL GENTLEMAN I EVER MET.
Mike Zoovas
Do you know what I remember so vividly about Schiller? He was so kind
and such a gentleman, I remember way back that one ladies night holiday
party that was at Lauderdale Yacht Club, he had taken the time to get me
a corsage for the event. It was such a sweet gesture and I have never
forgotten it.— Lisa Abbaticchio
I did not know Shiller until after he had been in the club for more than 30 years so I never
had the opportunity to hunt with him. I can say that Shiller always had a smile on his face
and was well liked by everyone. When Shiller was at a club meeting, you always noticed
the guy with the big smile. He loved the ASCF and was active for more than 50 years! I
remember last year when he was introduced at one of the events as a founding member
and he stood up with a big smile on his face and struck a shooting pose.
Jerry Gillman
48. 48
THE CLASSIC OUTDOORS GENTLEMAN
By Fred Fanizzi
I had the good fortune of getting to know Mr. Martin through his sons Schiller, Keith,
Greg and Dane. Although Mr. Martin was my father’s long time investment broker, it
was not until the mid-1980s that I was invited to the Martins hunting cracker cabin in
Moore Haven by his son Dane. For the remainder of my high school years and for at
least ten years after graduation, frequent special invitations to spend fall weekends
and special Thanksgiving holidays with the Martins in Moore Haven and Ocala be-
came my most cherished early hunting and outdoor memories. My family were not
hunters and it was the Martins who included me in what became an almost obsessive
past time. All I could think about back then was going hunting and the opportunity to
spend time with this great family.
Mr. Martin always took the lead and set the tone for fun times in the woods. I greatly
recall making those fall Friday afternoon journeys up US 27 towards Moore Haven.
The anticipation and excitement of the upcoming weekend hunt could be cut with a
knife. Generally there would be a fine gathering of the Ft Lauderdale crowd on the
front porch of the Moore Haven house where stories from hunting local ducks to pur-
suing the African Big five would carry through the late afternoon. Mrs. Martin’s din-
ners were always a treat. Additional camaraderie and good cheer would always sur-
round the hunting camp meal. Everyone at these lively gatherings was always made
to feel genuinely welcome. Often after dinner, a visit to the Caloosa Lodge in Lake-
port carried the good spirts and jovial time late into the evening.
The African Safari Club of Florida has lost a
true hero. Founding father, devoted hus-
band, dad, businessman, outdoorsman and
overall good guy, Charles Schiller Martin
was one of a kind. Known to all of us
younger generation as Mr. Martin, he was a
very kind hearted and mild mannered gen-
tleman who dedicated much of his time to
the well-being and happiness of those who
surrounded him.Shiller Martin
49. 49
It seemed like every duck hunting or Chalo Nitka weekend was a
party. Those who were lucky enough to be a part know what I mean.
Boy, how I miss those good times.
Perhaps one of my favorite memories was on one of the first early
teal and wood duck weekends that I was invited to the “Lake”. I
would be hunting with Dane and Steve Greep. We were all high
school “youngins”. As usual, Mr. Martin would drive the airboat and
pick the spot for our morning shoot. At daylight, while pitching out
decoys, a decent sized gator was trolling through the exact pond
that we would be hunting in. I was a bit fearful and
fearful and brought the gator to Mr. Martin’s attention. “No big deal” he says “get your
inner tube in the water.” If the gator wasn’t good enough to get my hackles up, as I
leaned over the edge of the boat to set my “tube” in the reeds, a large water moccasin
scampered over the lily pads where I was about to step in. Again, I received the order
from Mr. Martin “get out, it’s time to go hunting” I believe that was Mr. Martins way of
saying it’s time to set your city slicker ways aside and become an outdoorsman. Although
this occurrence took place over three decades ago, it seems I have never been able to
live this one down. Dane, Steve and I sure killed a lot of birds that day. Unfortunately,
we never shot a duck. And that is a whole other story. Good times for sure.
The many great duck hunts and the chance to raft up with dozens of airboats at mid-
morning on the “Lake” were always lively occurrences. Stories of the great shots and
misses, tickets being written by game wardens, over turned boats, cold temps, hot
temps and new duck hot spots or “honey holes” were always part of the gathering. Little
did I realize then how much I would cherish those opportunities later in life.
Mr. Martin always worked tirelessly to make sure that everyone else had fun. In all of
the years that I was present hunting with him on Lake Okeechobee, I never saw him
shoot at a duck. His job always seemed to be to drive the boat, help make the coffee and
turn the pancakes. He was neat and orderly and always took excellent care of his gear.
The decoys were to be put up in a certain way and the airboat was correctly covered with
a tarp at the end of each weekend. Waders, jackets, guns and other gear were meticu-
lously cared for. Although Mr. Martin was not seen actually taking part in the shooting
aspect on the lake, it was not to say that he was not an excellent hunter. In one of his
last safaris to the Dark Continent, it was common knowledge that nine big game animals
were harvested with just nine shots from his bolt action Winchester. An amazing accom-
plishment. Of course this story was told not by Mr. Martin but by other members of his
hunting party. Typical of the humble demeanor of this classic gentleman.
50. 50
I am certain that it was the stories, photos and lore of all of Mr. Martin’s
travels and the travels of his acquaintances that would make me want to
pursue a dream job in the outdoors. Shortly after college, I quickly came to
my senses and looked well beyond a career as a game warden and pursued
even bigger interests. After years of hard work, Quail Creek Plantation be-
came a success. Of the thousands of friends and customers that we have
been fortunate enough to entertain, I can honestly say that I was most
proud to have Mr. Martin and his family here for me to finally pay it back.
Fortunately, we shared a handful of great quail hunts with the next genera-
tion of outdoor kids and grandkids. All for Mr. Martin to see. I know he was
proud of our path in the outdoors. He was the reason we were all there and
also the reason we are so passionate about this wonderful lifestyle.
Shiller with Son Keith
51. 51
People can talk about role models, but I feel one could go far and wide and
never find a better example of a role model than Mr. Martin. In the thirty plus
years that I have had the good fortune of knowing this fine gentleman, I have
never heard him utter a bad word or comment about another human being. He
never had a mean spirited or spiteful comment to say about anyone. He was
masterful at finding the good in all people. In return, Mr. Martin had the full re-
spect of all who knew him. As an outdoor mentor, Mr. Martin had a special
humble way of explaining things that was never condescending or sarcastic. If
he questioned you, it was not in a rude way and may have simply come with
one word – Why? And that was it. Everyone was made to feel special as if
they were a part of the family.
When I think of legendary outdoorsman such
as Ernest Hemmingway, wooden decoys,
classic guns, old school catalogs and maga-
zines such as LL Bean and outdoor life, I will
always think of Mr. Martin. Truly an outdoor
legend in my book and the book of many
others. He will be greatly missed by all.
54. 54
Conservation Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
The purpose of the African Safari Club of Florida Conservation Award is to
honor among their peers those special members for lifetime achievements in
promoting awareness about the role that hunting plays in Wildlife Conserva-
tion and Habitat management.
“The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will.”
Teddy Roosevelt
Duane Drawdy
