Day 6, Sun 31 July
Back at home base at Flintbeck. We headed out to different properties all within 20 mins. I was back at Cliff's again at the lower blind. It was windy and gusty this morning and there was a noticeable lack of activity, even the birds were not showing up to water. Three vervet monkeys came in at 10:15, but they were skittish and moved on after only a few minutes.
A view from inside pop up blind
No other activity so we decided to pack up at noon. We drove to the top of the mountain to get the second blind to take with us, as we were heading to a new concession Pieter picked up in two days. On the way back down the mountain a giraffe stepped out from the bush 10 feet in front of us and we had to stop quickly. It is amazing how a large giraffe can appear out of nowhere in the thick areas. There were a few more giraffe just inside the bush to the right.
Drove back to camp for lunch and had some homemade pizza on the patio. It was outstanding!
For the afternoon I headed back to the blind where we had been seeing kudu previously. The wind continued to blow and there was again less activity from all animals. Then at 5:20 pm we saw a kudu bull out to the left. A smallish bull (high 30's) came in and fed about 20 yards in front of us. We could see another bigger bull to the left but he was just watching the area and not letting his guard down. After 10 minutes he jumped a small fence and began working his way by us. I stood up and got ready to launch an arrow. When he got out in front I drew back, but he then turned facing away and gave me no shot. It would have been hard to let down quietly in the blind so I held the draw for about 1-2 mins waiting for him to offer me a shot. He finally turned left and I let the arrow fly. The green luminock seemed to fly in slow motion towards the kudu and hit a little higher than mid shoulder. It made a thump and all hell broke loose with the two Bulls crashing off to the right and up the gradual hill. I saw the arrow break off and fall as he was running away. Checking the arrow it had penetrated about 10-12 inches but must have hit bone, as I would have thought full penetration. The full arrow had come back out the entrance hole except for the broadhead, which must have lodged in the far shoulder. Decent blood on the arrow and on the track, but I would have liked to have seen more sign of a lung shot on the ground. It was now decision time. Less than 30 mins to dark - do we track now and risk bumping him or wait? If we wait will jackals and others have a feast? Ugh. We decided to have our tracker John follow the trail and we would circle around in the direction we last saw the kudu running.
John picked up the trail and we drove around to get into position. 15 mins later John walked within 30 yards I'd where we were parked and showed us a good blood trail that crossed the road in front of us. Things were looking better, but the sun was now gone and shadows disappearing. We followed for another 75 yards. The road turned to grass and it was hard too see the trail. We moved ahead past the grassy area and saw more blood on the rocky surface. Then we came upon a thick area and stopped for a second. 10 feet in front of me in the thick stuff we heard some branches breaking and bushes shaking. I stuck my head into the bush and saw the kudu trying to get up but falling into the bush. He almost made it fully up, wobbled a few steps and was down for good. It was a moment of excitement as well as relief. I finally had my kudu! There was a big pool of blood at the site that showed I did get lungs. I would estimate he went 400 yards from the arrow impact. Here is a picture a few mins after we found him in the fading light.
We had to go back to camp and get some help to pull him out of the bush. We jammed the truck in as far as we could but it took 4 of us some time to get him close enough to use the winch. We finally got him in the back and drove to camp. Here is a picture once we were able to set him up back at camp. Used a light by the skinning area best we could. I was getting some pics of this baby! Measured 49.5 and 48.5 - for my first kudu and with a bow I am extremely happy! You can see the entrance hole on the bottom side of the shadow of his horn on his body.
Back at home base it was a night for me to remember for a long time. This was my #1 animal for this hunt. Looking at my journal now, I didn't have too many notes on what everyone else saw. Sorry guys - LOL . However, after the previous day's success we did need to slow down a little
The one journal entry I have is about Johns successful hunt of a Red Hartebeest at Kali's place. And what a beast it was. I think is measured in excess of 25.5 inches and it has good mass. Here is a photo. I'll look for another pic as I think I have one from another angle. This completed John's "Beast Slam" as he now had a Black a Blue and a Red. Not a bad first trip to SA.
We had another great dinner - eland schnitzel, salad, gravy, sweet potato/pumpkin, new potatoes, papaya. Are you kidding me - an incredible meal! Also a few beverages
Looks like a great Trip! I'm a fan of that wonky Hartebeest Bill took. Also love the ostrich. @billc what are you gonna do with that big bird? I want one in the worst way but cannot get a green light at home for a shoulder mount with the wings out
That is one dreamy warthog
