Vaal Rhebok hunting

I am starting to plan my third trip to South Africa and am looking for information on Vaal Rhebok. I've used the search function and Google and have gained some data on this really interesting animal.

My issue or question is am I setting myself up with unrealistic expectations? I will be 65 years old at the time of the hunt and while I can walk well, and fairly quickly, on level ground, but hunting steep slopes at higher altitudes might be an issue. I live at 200 ft above sea level and can feel altitude issues starting at about 3,000 asl. I know my ability to move vertically will be an issue of speed, balance and oxygen, my knees are fine. I work out daily (3 mile walks, very fast pace). The outfitter says speed going up hill isn't the issue.

I would appreciate input on your personal experiences on hunting Vaal rhebok. Is it really like hunting sheep in North America? What was the terrain really like? Did you walk up paths, game trails or was it boulder jumping, shale slides, loose gravel? I want to be reasonably sure I'm within my abilities.

Thank you for any input you have.

Upton O. Good it is do-able, I know of a guy that hunted Huntershill Safaris in 2010 he was in his mid 60's and over wieght and couldn't walk all that good at all, but he got a Vaalie. What I would do is give youself plenty of days for hunting make the Vaalie your priority then once you have him go for the other animals that you may want to hunt we did see Vaal Rhebuck within shooting distance from the truck they were young only 6 1/2 or 7 inch horns so I passed on them. Good luck with your planning.

one other thing I would suggest is hunting pants with knee pads in them and a light pair of leather gloves for crawling and stalking up to the edge of bluffs and looking over low rises on the ground to glass for Vaalies those dang rocks hurt your knees.

We have hunted them for many years in the Moordernaars Karroo region of the Western Cape ( about 3 hours from Cape Town). The tip with the knee-pads is a good one, the entire Karoo is rocky, has thorns and loose shale. Regarding mountains, its not too bad and I wouldn't compare it to Sheep hunting in the US ( though in the Natal I believe Rhebok are hunted near the Drakensberg and it can get upto 500ft. Down here int he Cape its not so bad. In the mornings you often find Vaalies on lower ground. I know an absolute expert on Vaalies, a farmer and P.H in the Laingsburg area ( he has taken a few over 9"). If you need a good one, let me know and I will put you onto him. YOu would probably need 5 days of hunting. Attached some pics from the last few years:
Attachment 11972
Attachment 11973
Attachment 11974
Attachment 11975
Attachment 11976
Attachment 11977
I have added a few pic of the terrain too, to give you an idea. It is also a great opportunity to hunt Klipspringer, as they too are common in this area.

Attachment 11978

PS: Regarding your condition, as long as you can walk at a steady pace for a few hours on rocky ground, with inclines and declines and can shoot accurately out to 300m, you should not have any problem. I have scouted for sheep in the US, hunted Ibex in Asia and Chamois in Austria...vaalie hunting is NOTHING like that. Far less strenuous on the body and you wont be hunting much over 3500ft in the Karoo region, if that high at all. Shooting from a bi-pod is good, so practicing with one if you are not familiar with shooting from one would be advisable.

If you are patient enough and do not rush it anything is possible ! I had a client shoot one with a double 9.3x 74R ! It is definately one of the tougher trophies to get because of limited distribution and habitat ! Anything is possible ! Goo
d luck on your quest ! They are definately a prize trophy !

Originally Posted by Blueduiker

We have hunted them for many years in the Moordernaars Karroo region of the Western Cape ( about 3 hours from Cape Town). The tip with the knee-pads is a good one, the entire Karoo is rocky, has thorns and loose shale. Regarding mountains, its not too bad and I wouldn't compare it to Sheep hunting in the US ( though in the Natal I believe Rhebok are hunted near the Drakensberg and it can get upto 500ft. Down here int he Cape its not so bad. In the mornings you often find Vaalies on lower ground. I know an absolute expert on Vaalies, a farmer and P.H in the Laingsburg area ( he has taken a few over 9"). If you need a good one, let me know and I will put you onto him. YOu would probably need 5 days of hunting. Attached some pics from the last few years:
Attachment 11972
Attachment 11973
Attachment 11974
Attachment 11975
Attachment 11976
Attachment 11977
I have added a few pic of the terrain too, to give you an idea. It is also a great opportunity to hunt Klipspringer, as they too are common in this area.

Can't see the attachments. Would love to. 9" plus, wow. Love to see these pictures.

The oldest hunter I know of killing a Dahl sheep with the outfitter I used to work for was 88 years old. He took his time, knew his limits and had no ego about staying within them.Perseverance won out for him and he killed a real nice ram. You will have no problem with the climbing as long as you emulate his attitude and determination.

My Vaalie this year was killed at the bottom of the mountain on a winter wheat feild as was the one killed by the previous client (a freind of sestoppleman). This is possible if you are patient and a bit lucky. His is pictured here

Trophy Gallery

and mine is here

Another great hunt with CT safaris

Hang around this da*n place long enough you start seeing these previously under the radar trophies in a new light.

Now you guys have me looking at these hill climbers!

Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

Hang around this da*n place long enough you start seeing these previously under the radar trophies in a new light.

Now you guys have me looking at these hill climbers!

LOL yet another reason to go back! You might as well add Oribi to your list too, they are tough and unique as well. You havent even scratched the surface of the unique critters that slip past under the radar!

Your right about that Brickburn...My first trip to the EC in 04', I had opportunities for steenbuck, mountain reedbuck and Vaalie. Like a dumbass, I looked the other way. Was only interested in the "big stuff"! Andrew, my PH told me I would regret it one day. Boy was he right.......Then again, that another excuse to go back.

See, you guys are going to make me go down into the EC and go hunting.
Andries talking about monster Steenbok walking around in open cattle paddocks, Diamond talking about Vaalies walking into winter wheat. AAAAHHH!

Originally Posted by BRICKBURN

See, you guys are going to make me go down into the EC and go hunting.
Andries talking about monster Steenbok walking around in open cattle paddocks, Diamond talking about Vaalies walking into winter wheat. AAAAHHH!

If it makes you feel any better I can also talk about monster Steinbok in the winter wheat.

Originally Posted by Diamondhitch

If it makes you feel any better I can also talk about monster Steinbok in the winter wheat.

Thanks.

It sounds like it is quite do-able, but when finished, you will most likely say it is the most difficult hunt in SA.

So my third hunt to S.A. will target these trophies:

Vaal rhebok
Klipspringer
Mountain reedbok
warthog
and perhaps another bushbuck.

And, of course, geese.

Thanks for all of the input. Now the problem is to have the patience to wait 11 months. I'll spend the time practicing on the rifle range and researching my primary desired trophies.

Sounds like a great hunt. Where are you planning on going and who with?
Just to be prepared you should hit the stairs as much as possible between now and then, walking stairs works the same muscles as climbing unlike jogging or walking on level ground.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Diamondhitch

Where are you planning on going and who with?
............

My query exactly and (if I might be so bold as to ask)

...... here comes the stair machine.

Uppies...

i think you most definately should consider adding Red Duiker and Suni to your wish list....

slowly collect your Tiny 10, much more difficult and more hard work than the big 5 or dangerous 6