Two Eland in The Salt
And so it came to pass that, Don went out ahunting with PH “Adab” and Tracker “Erik”.
And, I did so in the company of two PH’s, “Isaak” and “Juan”.
I have hunted with Isaak on previous Safaris and he is A+ for sure.
I like Isaak very much and would happily hunt with him for the rest of my days.
I had only just met Juan but he was highly recommended by forum member and good friend, Mekaniks (Chuck Wendt).
No surprise but Juan also turned out to be an A+ PH and general good person.
I don’t really know why I ended up with two PH’s.
Maybe it means I am such a good hunter that I need twice as many PH’s as “normal” hunters do.
But perhaps more likely, it means I’m such a bad hunter that I need twice as much supervision.
Humor aside, I suspect it was just that there was an extra PH in camp who decided to tag along.
As such Juan, although a tip top PH himself, volunteered to act as tracker for Isaak and myself.
Whatever the cause for me having two PH’s, it certainly was productive, that is for sure.
It used to be that Khomas Safaris transported clients to a place, way down in the Kalahari for eland Hunting.
But this new land where the new lodge called “Aub” is being renovated, evidently has quite a few eland on it, among other species.
It certainly is excellent habitat for game animals, (as well as pleasing to look at).
During the morning of the first full day of hunting, Don shot a good eland bull, with the .338 and a 225 grain Woodleigh bullet, as his critter was facing him.
I may have some of the details askew so, please refer to his ( 1dirthawker ) hunt report.
His PH (Adab) or maybe it was his tracker (Erik), relayed the good news to my guys.
Then, some time later we all got together for congratulations and such.
After the stories and hearty hand shakes subsided a bit, Isaak and Juan once again, took me wandering through the bush, general direction of some eland bulls, last seen 2 or 3 hours ago.
Don went with us.
Himself being a bear and moose guide in Alaska, plus an avid bowhunter and rifle hunter as well, he stayed well back as the spoor became more and more fresh.
This new 20,000 acres is not just beautiful but it is also hilly and in this particular area of the property, covered with thick thorn bush - thorn forest.
Nonetheless, game trails spider web throughout and we (Juan and Isaak, no credit to me really) were able to track these elands for several kilometers / several miles.
I’m getting old at 71 now but, the thrill of following fresh spoor kept me going and I stayed right on Isaak’s heels.
We had watered up well before setting out. And so, over hill and dale we walked and walked and walked and walked, then we walked some more.
Suddenly Isaak froze in his own tracks and simultaneously he set the sticks.
While quickly settling the .375 into place, several mature eland bulls began to materialize (well, a hoof here, a horn there, a dewlap somewhere in the thorns, etc.)
But a split second before I could pinch off a shot, they bolted.
However then, one just as suddenly stopped again to look back at us and he had halted ending up almost broadside at that.
Although only about 30 or so paces from my rifle, much of him was concealed by thick foliage.
His left shoulder was however clear of obstruction.
Quickly, I put crosswires on his left shoulder and pressed off a hurried shot.
Just as I fired, my bull spun hard to his right.
This resulted in my 300 grain Norma “Oryx” bullet striking him high up, just behind his last rib, on his right side.
He instantly dropped to the shot, in a satisfying cloud of dust.
Being as he was slightly down hill from me, my bullet had crossed him, through the heart-lung chamber.
The “mushroomed” bullet was recovered in this eland’s left shoulder, by the camp butcher.
I scrubbed it in camp and preserved it in a small plastic pill bottle full of liquid soap.
And, I had placed it into our checked luggage but, I do not recall which suitcase exactly.
So far, I have not found it.
If and when I do find it, being as I am an enthusiastic bullet digger, indeed I will post pictures if it.
There was much celebrating around the fire on the evening of this the first hunting day.
More to follow …….
Cheers,
Velo Dog.
