SOUTH AFRICA: My First Hunt With KMG Hunting Safaris Won’t Be My Last!!!

Great eland, great hunt, and great write-up. You made me feel like I was right there with you!
 
That second eland is a dandy and one to be proud of. Marius took good care of you and gave you one amazing hunt and your report did a great job telling the story .
 
Congrats on a fine eland and a great hunt!

How did the lioness hunt go ?

The lioness is in the salt as well as a Mountain Reedbuck,Fallow Deer and a Warthog ... I hope to get it written up shortly after I get back!
 
Congrats on a fine eland and a great hunt!



The lioness is in the salt as well as a Mountain Reedbuck,Fallow Deer and a Warthog ... I hope to get it written up shortly after I get back!

Sounds like you had a great hunt! I look forward to the report (y)(y)
 
Congrats on a fine eland and a great hunt!



The lioness is in the salt as well as a Mountain Reedbuck,Fallow Deer and a Warthog ... I hope to get it written up shortly after I get back!
Congratulations. Looking forward to your report.
 
Congrats on a fine eland and a great hunt!



The lioness is in the salt as well as a Mountain Reedbuck,Fallow Deer and a Warthog ... I hope to get it written up shortly after I get back!

Thanks, sounds like you had a great hunt as well. I'll be anxiously waiting to hear your report.
 
Day 9- Part 2

On our drive back out to continue our quest for the elusive warthog, I jokingly said to Lori I hope the trackers phone doesn’t wring again. I’m not sure if Greg heard me or not, but as soon as we started another stalk he stopped and took the trackers phone and placed it on silent and handed it back. After he did it he looked at me and said, I don’t know if he will figure out how to turn it back on but at least we won’t hear it again today. We had a good laugh and continued on with our stalk.

We made it to a great spot overlooking a large waterhole. We were thinking if the warthogs were up and moving they would most likely be on a waterhole or heading to one soon. As we glassed the area there were no hogs in sight. The area we could glass was vast so we decided to sit in the shade and wait a bit in hopes something would appear. After sitting for quite a while seeing nothing Greg said let’s move on. We slowly made our way through the bush seeing animals as we went just not a good shooter warthog. We browsed around for an hour or so and made it to a ridge where we could glass the valley area on both sides for a long way. Stopping there for a while we again see nothing worthwhile so Greg decides to get the truck. As he is gone to retrieve the truck I spot a really nice steenbuck ram walking down a fence line about 200 yards away. We watch him for a while and as Greg approaches we watch him run off into the bush. We load into the truck and head off to another spot to check a waterhole the tracker says is a good spot. On the drive there I spot the biggest common reedbuck I have ever seen. He was bedded just off the trail about 40 yards and froze as we approached with the truck. I was nearly speechless when I saw the sheer mass of this animal as was Greg. We stopped briefly for a look and some photos as Greg said you interested in him. I quickly said yes I am but Lori quickly said you have one of them let’s get a warthog. Greg said Lori, John shot a mt. reedbuck and we will never see another common this big, should I see if we can get a permit for him. I thought about it for a few minutes as we drove off slowly so we wouldn’t spook him and decided I wanted a warthog worse than I wanted another reedbuck. Lori was correct I did shoot a common in 2014 however Greg was also correct in saying I would probably never see another common this big.

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Well that animal lived to see another day just like the warthog that ran off at the sound of the phone call the tracker had before lunch. We continued our drive stopping to look at a few more areas and waterholes with nothing seen. With only a couple of hours remaining of my hunting time I was starting to think the warthog would prevail again over me as we just were not seeing anything on this property that was promising. We made our way around another waterhole and up a ridge when suddenly Lindile pounded on the roof of the truck. This got our attention quickly and Greg immediately shut the truck off. They talk for a second and Greg said, let’s go quickly Lindile just spotted a really nice boar. Out of the truck Greg and I go with the property tracker following as Lindile and Lori stay with the truck. The boar was feeding in an open area with very little cover so the decision was made for just 3 of us to make the stalk. I never saw the hog as Greg lined us up behind a tall thick bush as the only good cover around. We made our way to the bush and I could finally see the hog feeding in the open area about 150 yards away. Up go the sticks, I put a bullet in the chamber very slowly and quietly and place my 300 into position. I was shaking and breathing out of control as I look at the tusks protruding out past his face, Greg whispers take your time he doesn’t know we are here. I gain my composer take some deep breaths and Greg says take him when you’re ready. I put the crosshairs on his shoulder as Greg softly says don’t shoot him high, he turns broadside and I squeeze the trigger. What happens next neither of us ever expected. The large boar drops in his tracks and kicks a few times then goes motionless. Greg says load another, these animals don’t usually stay down for long. I rack another round in the chamber as we walk slowly closer to the hog lying lifeless on the ground. We keep a close eye on him as we walk closer but he hardly flinches again. As we get up to him and confirm he is expired, I notice my 180 grain core lokt entered dead center between his eyes and exited the shoulder on his right side. After watching the video we noticed the hog at the split second I squeezed the trigger, turned his head and body just perfect, eliminating the need to track. This is proof that sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. Lori, Lindile and Tasco quickly make their way to us at the sound of the shot and Lindile goes to work cleaning him up for pictures. A big celebration of high fives, some hugs and even a kiss from Lori then we take our final success photos as we end our hunting trip with a very fine warthog.

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After we take a few pictures, Greg gives the two trackers a lesson on how to carry a warthog the easy way. He gets it into position and Greg and Lindile each grab a front leg as the other tracker grabs the hinds and they walk to the truck laughing all the way. This was the first time either one has carried a warthog like this, I am sure it won’t be the last as it made it very easy.

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We get the hog loaded up and head back to the skinning shed for Lindile to work his magic for the last time this trip for me. On our way back, Greg turns to me and said we still have some daylight left, should we drop this off and go look for that common? I thought hard about it for a while but decided I would call it the end of a fantastic hunt creating great memories and friendships with KMG Hunting Safaris!

As we made it back and unloaded the hog, Lori took some photos of Lindile and his little helper that was there helping with both animals. Lori and I were impressed at how this youngster was right there helping out the entire time, not just skinning but also cutting the animals up pulling the cart of meat to the cold storage. It’s good to see them teaching the art at such a young age, and the willingness to learn this young. I have no doubt that this youngster will be a future tracker/skinner some day and with the energy may not too far in the future.

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Once the final skinning was complete, we loaded the hides and skulls into the truck, and headed back to Mpunzi in the daylight. On our drive we reminisced of the great 9 days we had and shared our thoughts with each other what some of our most memorable moments were from the hunt. It was on the ride back that I realized today was the first 2 animal day of the entire trip and it seemed like a long time ago that I was successful on my first animal the zebra. We talked about each day and the amount of time we spent really getting to know each other as we made our journey to and from each concession. As we were talking about the time we spent in the truck, Greg said at that point we had driven 2159 kilometers. It took me a minute for it to sink in but realized that was over 1300 miles and most of it was driving through the mountains. There are a lot of hunters that would have an issue with this and I’m sure many PH’s as well. Lori and I had no problem with it other than the morning we had to get up at 230am to start our day. Greg never once complained and we never cut a hunt short because of the drive. As I have stated we were the first to leave and the last to return to the lodge every day, but to me that just added to the adventure and made the trip that much more exciting.

We arrived back to Mpunzi just before sunset to be greeted by a barrage of questions from the rest of the group. They knew the days hunt must have been successful or we wouldn’t be back so early. We talked around the bar over a couple cold beers; we quickly swapped stories then went to our rooms to get cleaned up before dinner. After a change of clothes and freshen up a bit, I talked Lori into playing along on a little mischief with Marius. Lori is a bit shy and doesn’t say a whole lot but played along just great for my little game. As Lori approached Marius I stood off next to him talking to Terry. With Marius knowing we were up to something but not what we had planned. I was able to video Lori showing Marius a photo of the massive eland as she asked him if he was happy now. As he looked at the photo they both laughed as Marius said now I’m happy, Yes I am happy now. We had a quick laugh, I shook his hand and again thanked him for his amazing offer in allowing me to take an outstanding trophy.


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Before dinner we all gathered outside on the deck for a group photo as Greg would be leaving camp and going home to his family and rest for a couple short days before his next hunt begins. Lori, Greg and I get a photo; say our farewells as we walk Greg out to his truck telling him we will see him again.

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Once again we are pampered to another fine meal of impala and duiker with all the fixings prepared by Nichole and Michelle. As we eat our last evening meal, we talk about the awesome week we have had and already begin talks of a return trip. After dinner, dessert and a few more drinks with lots of laughter we turn in for the final night rest at Mpunzi.
 
That was a huge common Reedbuck. I could not of passed him up. Nice warthog. Congrats on a great trip. Marius really came through for you. Bruce
 
Agreed, heck of a reedbuck. This has been one heck of a report! My daily report will be much shorter!;). Congratulations on a great safari.
 
John great report buddy, it was my pleasure to share our African adventure with you, Lori, Greg and Carole, T-1 and T-2. We need make a plan to go again, maybe 2019?
 
You are a better man than me to be able to pass up that reedbuck!
 
Now, that's a trophy Eland. Congratulations.

Glad you got pictures of the Reedbuck, no one would have believed you otherwise.

Thanks for sharing your hunt with us.
 
That was a huge common Reedbuck. I could not of passed him up. Nice warthog. Congrats on a great trip. Marius really came through for you. Bruce

Agreed, heck of a reedbuck. This has been one heck of a report! My daily report will be much shorter!;). Congratulations on a great safari.

Yes it was a monster reedbuck and a very hard decision to let him live to see another day. If it wasn't for really wanting the warthog I probably would have put him in the salt and come home with photos with him.
 
Congrats on the pig!!
 
John great report buddy, it was my pleasure to share our African adventure with you, Lori, Greg and Carole, T-1 and T-2. We need make a plan to go again, maybe 2019?

Thanks for the invite Kurt, Lori and I defiantly had the time of our life. Everything about the trip was perfect great times with great friends... I am ready to go back now just not sure my hunting account is yet!!!
 
You are a better man than me to be able to pass up that reedbuck!

Not a better man, just a different mission...


Now, that's a trophy Eland. Congratulations.
Glad you got pictures of the Reedbuck, no one would have believed you otherwise.
Thanks for sharing your hunt with us.


I'm beyond pleased with the Eland, as I said hes got it All.... I give Marius all the credit for the reward and final results. I am truly grateful to him to have had the opportunity to harvest such an awesome trophy!!

As for the Reedbuck, it wouldn't matter to me what others believed, that beast is embedded in my memory forever!!
 
What a great report. It felt like I was there for every stalk. Congratulations on a fantastic week and thanks for sharing!
 
I'm exhausted. ;)
 
Man if I see that reed buck I may have to take him.
 

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