SOUTH AFRICA: First Safari At Tootabi Hunting Safaris

i saw lots of Kudu, some weren't big enough, i missed a good one while waiting on an absolute gagger that never came closer, Please don't take one portion of a report and think this was everything, that certainly isn't the case.
While my Kudu certainly didn't break any records, and could have kept at it for a bigger one, i was/am more than happy with what i took. A good hunt, long walks, thunder rolling in the sky, rain falling down, i have no regrets, and once again had i shot a touch lower the day before, or had another hour of daylight or put a bullet in the gun the picture would be different.
This property is known for Kudu, monster Kudu, i am coming back for redemption
 
..........................., i was/am more than happy with what i took. A good hunt, long walks, thunder rolling in the sky, rain falling down, i have no regrets, ................

Fair enough Dobber. Good luck on your next hunt.
 
One of the highlights of the hunt was visiting the school, was actually looking forward to this part of the trip, but certainly was more emotional than i had planned, glad we were able to help out, even that little bit am sure helps and i applaud all outfitters and anyone who goes there and helps out

 

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Glad you were able to do something with the kids.
 
Up at 6am and ready for the days hunt and away we went
No one should start their day off with an uphill walk, they are painful but it sure took any aches and pains away once I was loosened up
First stalk we went along a ridge and did some spotting, there was lots of cows about but no Bulls so away we went to try another spot
Parked almost on top of the ridge this time so things were looking up
Walked along the ridge and finally saw a bull across the valley, needed to get a bit closer though as he was 330 yards, finally got close enough, got the sticks up, gun on sticks and I couldn't find him, he buggered off and saw him climbing the other ridge
Walked further along the ridge and saw some small Bulls and cows, a bit further into the walk we decided to let Atti go get the truck while Lammie and myself walked further along the ridge. Glassing along the way saw a few more and then 2 Bulls standing about 100 yards they were close together and I had to shoot the one on the left, sticks up, gun ready and me as steady as I could be, cross hairs set and squeezed the trigger, "faTHUMP" a hit and they both took off in different directions. Lammie says I think you hit it too far back, now am cursing myself again, everything felt right, time was on my side
Quickly along the ridge to see if we could catch him going into the valley and nothing, damn damn damn, not happy with myself. We walked up towards where they were standing and there he lay, the shot was perfect shoulder but angled into the body a bit
Walked up to him with an overwhelming sense, the emotions aren't something anyone who has never done this can understand, nor will I try to explain as I don't think they can be put in words

Back out in the afternoon for warthogs, lots of smaller ones and sows with kids but no tuskers
Another amazing day with lots of walking, legs were near ready to give up on me in the last hill we climbed but the end was near as we crested the hill and started down to the valley below
Total walked today, just over 18km
My poor legs are scratched up from all the thorns, looks like I have been attacked by a rabid cat, but still worth shorts, sure made it easy to cool down and my legs weren't that pretty to begin with
After all that walking Lammie claims his boot soles are wearing thin, time for a resole!
 
Loodt, I'm confused??

@shooter thanks for your concerns posed. I would like to understand your confusion better?

If it is aimed at the Kudu picture of @dobber then you should not be concerned at all. @dobber was more than happy to take this bull for what it was worth. He weren't interested in Horn Size being Rowland Ward or SCI but rather in an experience of a lifetime. He had ample opportunity on bigger ones however they did not fall into his reach at the time of the hunt.

A hunting trophy to many will have a different meaning.

Lastly but not least, @dobber is happy with what he hunted and as discussed with him had the trip of a lifetime.
 

@shooter thanks for your concerns posed. I would like to understand your confusion better?

If it is aimed at the Kudu picture of @dobber then you should not be concerned at all. @dobber was more than happy to take this bull for what it was worth. He weren't interested in Horn Size being Rowland Ward or SCI but rather in an experience of a lifetime. He had ample opportunity on bigger ones however they did not fall into his reach at the time of the hunt.

A hunting trophy to many will have a different meaning.

Lastly but not least, @dobber is happy with what he hunted and as discussed with him had the trip of a lifetime.
I agree with Loodt, what Dobber experienced during his stay far outweighed the size of his kudu horns. If he described in detail his experience, you would understand.
Also looking at those horns, two to three years, he would have stretched a tape!
 
If the client is happy, then we should be happy for him as well. While we all strive for the the biggest and baddest trophies, hunting should amount to more than just the tape measure.

@dobber Congrats on your first safari and we hope you have many more.
 
Congrats for a great hunt Dobber, it´s the experience what counts, not the tape measure. I could tell stories of fantastic trophies shot without any effort, except paying for the extra inches !
 
If the client is happy, then we should be happy for him as well. While we all strive for the the biggest and baddest trophies, hunting should amount to more than just the tape measure.

@dobber Congrats on your first safari and we hope you have many more.

I could not agree more James.

This was just on my feed this very morning and after reading all the posts figured it applied.


This is a very good quote Adam... thanks.
 

@shooter thanks for your concerns posed. I would like to understand your confusion better?
...........

A hunting trophy to many will have a different meaning. ........


eg. For instance Namibia has a minimum standard enforced by the law.

Prohibited Practices

It is illegal to hunt for trophies:
  • at night and/or with an artificial light;
  • that do not qualify in terms of the minimum measurement requirements as specified by the MET, Namibian Quality Control. If trophies do not meet this requirement, they do not have to be paid for. Exceptions are trophies with abnormalities and age deformities, which are taken home by the client, (Refer to the NAPHA Medal Brochure for minimum measurements.); and...........
 
Hunting will always add up to more than a tape measure.

Does anyone knowing the Eastern Cape have any regulations like Namibia?
 
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Hunting will always add up to more than a tape measure.

Does anyone knowing the Eastern Cape haa any regulations like Namibia?

PART VI - Professional Hunters and Hunting Contractors
(Substituted by PN153/1984)
51.
(c) "trophy"means the carcase of a wild animal hunted by a client which he retains as a momento of his hunting success
 
Hunting will always add up to more than a tape measure.

Does anyone knowing the Eastern Cape haa any regulations like Namibia?

There is no legislation like that here.

The ph and outfitter must have their own standard. A client should not be allowed to shoot at a kudu bull if it is not a mature.

It will reflect that standard of a bussines.

As it has been pointed out that would have been a great bull in a few years if you look at the deepness of the curl
 
Ordinance 19 of 1974
8 "carcase" in relation to any wild animal means the whole or any part of the meat (whether dried, smoked, salted, cured or treated in any manner), the head, tooth, horns, shell, scale, tusks, bones, feathers, tail, claws, paw, hoof, skin, hide, hair, viscera or any part whatsoever of the carcase, and included the egg
 
Thanks guys. I do not want to detract from this hunt report. I just wanted to get an answer to the question posed.
It's been answered.
 
eg. For instance Namibia has a minimum standard enforced by the law.

Prohibited Practices

It is illegal to hunt for trophies:
  • at night and/or with an artificial light;
  • that do not qualify in terms of the minimum measurement requirements as specified by the MET, Namibian Quality Control. If trophies do not meet this requirement, they do not have to be paid for. Exceptions are trophies with abnormalities and age deformities, which are taken home by the client, (Refer to the NAPHA Medal Brochure for minimum measurements.); and...........

I honestly think @shooter that you owe @dobber an apology for hijacking his thread about his recent hunt.

Should you like to get more clarity on this matter please feel free to post a new thread and do so.

I hope you understand my point and view. Respect it and also those of other members.

The trophy is in the eye of the beholder.
 

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