Ladies and Gents,

Compliments of the season to you and your families.

A quick rundown of the year before we get into 2012. After a relatively late start, things got busy towards the end.

First up in late April was Andrej from Kazakstan, accompanied by his buddy, also Andrey, from Russia. Hunting was tough with the rains still on and plenty of jungle!!! We were caught in a flash flood drowning my Land Cruiser, and it took 3 days to get it out. However manage we did and got a good old Dagga boy as well. Andrey 2 got a nice Elephant which we found close to the last day so all well.

Next we welcomed Caroline and her father Kerry from Texas into the Dande area to Bow hunt for Elephant. Always a tough one but try we did, coming up short in the end. Always something to come back for. They were accompanied by another family, wonderful folks, taking Elephant and Leopard, with PH Steve Brewer.

A Belgium group led by Hubert then took us after Buffalo in Chirisa, and after a few days saw a couple of Buff down.

Next saw father and son, Bradley and Andrew of Texas, join me on a Buffalo hunt with their mighty and trusty Black Powder Pipes, weighing in at a mere 19lbs each. These boys stuck with the programme, walked the miles and took down the beast. Well done lads!!

August was upon us, and we returned to Matetsi with Janusz and Jerzy from Poland, and Peter from Germany. Work to be done and done well, the boys taking Buffalo, Elephant, Sable and a bunch of plains game, including some brute Warthog.

That was August done and dusted, now it was into September and seeing the Russians arrive Irek, Alex, Andrey and Serg, looking for Buffalo in the Chete Safari Area. After a hard hunt and good time all the boys got their Buffalo, so more Happy Days!!!

From there it was a trip to the South of the country to the Bubye Valley, where Ted, Carol and Frank, joined up to hunt Buffalo and Sable.

After turning a few Buff down, Ted managed to get one real close a nice old Dagga boy that went down fighting. Frank got his Sable after a long stalk and pretty smart shooting. Well done boys I look forward to hunting and fishing with you in Wyoming and Alaska.

From the Omay back to Chirisa, to welcome a group of South Africans from Durban.

I hunted with Dean, and after a bit of a trek Dean put his man down with the dreaded 378. Send more Bullets!!! Dean was accompanied by friends Danie, Zelda, Shane and Torry. A good time had by all and a trip not to forget. Thanks, guys, for hosting us in South Africa and showing us your patch.

Last but not least were two brothers, Mike and Rob, also from South Africa, and camera girl/learner hunter Ragnhild. Mike taking the best Buff of the season on the first day, and Rob a nice Bull a couple of days later. Now November and pretty hot. It was tough work, and lots of walking, getting in close was difficult, so well done to you all.

Well that's it folks all done for the year. Many thanks to you all for coming out to hunt, for your generosity, but mostly for the camaraderie and kinship of the hunt.

Philip, center left with hunter Andrej Labanov

It is with regret that I have to inform you that long-time Tracker, PHILIP ZUWANDE, passed away on the 27th December 2011. Some of you will remember him as the quiet chap at the back, but always there. Loyal till the last. A good man, sorely missed .Go well my friend, track Elephant and Buffalo in green pastures of the sky.

Life is fragile, life is fleeting, hold onto family and friends, and give thanks always for our many Blessings.

ASTA MANYA. Till tomorrow

Scott Arnold Guthrie