Probably the thing that impressed me the most, was the outfitter's importance on quality trophies. Hardest hunt we've been on, but worth the effort. Some animals I would have been happy with, our guide had us pass on. That, my friends, is why you trust your guide.
The impala came into us (they were in full rut) chasing females while my wife & guide were spotting warthogs. He stopped at 150 yards to take a look. That's all it took.
The Blue was kinda a set up deal. Our guide had been seeing this old boy browsing almost every night in this "magic field". He definitely was a loner. A herd of impalas got in between us as we glassed him, as when they spotted us, they busted. But the Blue wasn't sure what was going on, and turned broadside @ 170 yards. "Nuf said.
We were eating breakfast when we "got the call" that the zebra stallion had been spotted. Like Indiana Jones, we were on the truck in minutes,gear and all, flying across the concession. We stalked in about 200 yards and got within range, when, again, we got busted by an impala buck. The zebras, not knowing where we were, actually came to within 70 yards but my scope was dialed in at 16 power & fogged lens, so I totally missed a "chip shot". When they got to 150 yards, they stopped, and my shot was deflected off of a bush striking him in the bicep. Now injured, they stopped again at 250 yards, and this shot "thunked" as it struck his colon. We had the best tracker ever, and he caught up with him in about a mile. The zebra was done and collapsed as we approached.
We were chasing a huge gemsbok for several days (which we never did get) when my wife spotted some warthogs under a tree. She was impressed by particularly by the one. Our guide said "but it's a female!" One look told him that she wanted THAT warthog. (you KNOW that look). 150 yard perfect shot! What was the story was that the whole time we planned our hunt, I would tease her about wanting an UGLY warthog. So later that night, after taking hers, a trophy class male presented himself at 80 yards. Hard quartered away shot, perfectly placed, and I had another trophy, and a lifetime of "what in the world?" from her!!! LOL!!!
Last day, gave up on the gemsbok, stalked in on a huge kudu, got busted by a blue. On the return, our guide spotted the gold class blesbok nearby, and from the truck my wife from 100 yards, also put one thru his bicep. He only went 50 yards, allowing her the finishing shot.
On the way back, last hour, last day, our tracker spotted a set of kudu horns 80 yards off the road, laying down. My guide nodded his head, but said "If he gets up, he's gone." Now I'm not a fan of shooting animals laying down, and it is a difficult shot, but it seemed this was "my shot". Our guide said, "Can you make that shot?" "In my sleep!", I said. Placed inside the lower neck, the bull rose and made it 15 yards before crashing!!! I've always said that the TV shows always got their trophy "on the last hour of the last day" to make it dramatic. To us, it culminated the "hunt of a lifetime!!!!
