SOUTH AFRICA: Karoo Wild Safaris Hunting Report

Neale said:

Day 6

We went for a drive in the morning and spotted three Gemsbok on a far hill. Mitchell and I walked down the hill and started up the other side towards the Gemsbok. The climb gave the legs a good work out but as we were getting close to the summit and along the rim from the Gemsbok they spotted us. If only we could get a little closer. We tried to close the distance but they were getting nervous and then all of a sudden they took off down the hill. They are certainly sure footed animals and what took us an hour to climb they travelled in seconds. Last we seen of them were as they topped the ridge on the other side of the valley. Apparently they galloped to within 50m past where Victor and Steve were waiting. I think they eventually stopped somewhere up near northern Namibia. With a blown stalk under our belts it was back to the lodge for lunch and a rest. Early in the afternoon we drove to the same area where we had seen the good Kudu the day before. On the way Victor dropped Mitchell and I off and we walked up the northern side of the hill to get a bit of elevation and wait for the afternoon heat to subside. We were waiting for about an hour and the thick vegetation was starting to come back to life. We glassed a number of Nyala ewes and young bull, a very good warthog but no Kudu. We then got a call on the 2-way from Victor who was further up the hill to say that he had spotted a good Kudu and we should make our way up to him. When we got there Victor and I walked down the opposite side of the hill and left Mitchell to spot for us. As we got down to within range of where we suspected the Kudu was our visibility was obscured by the thick speckboom in the foreground and the lay of the land. We tried to get to a better position many times without success. Victor was whispering to Mitchell on the radio trying to get directions. ( all in Afrikaans “ his left, my right, your right, my left, how far, close, far ?????) Eventually it was narrowed down that the bull was lying down directly opposite our position. When we finally pinpointed the approximate position of the bull it was now a waiting game. I set up on the sticks and had ranged about the only open spot about 200m away. The afternoon was coming to an end and still we waited but no movement. Victor said that I should wait where I was and he would try and move around the hillside to see if he could spot the bull or maybe make him move off in a favourable direction. That was the plan that I was to find out later that Victor rated it with low success. Victor had not gone for very long when I heard a sound of movement and the Kudu bull came into the small opening that I was already set up on. I couldn’t believe my luck and a quick look through the scope confirmed he was a good trophy. I squeezed the trigger and the 280 broke the silence. The hit was good and the Bull went straight down. Inside I was jumping for joy and couldn’t get down the hill and across quick enough. As I drew closer to where I thought the bull was standing when I shot it all looked different. By this stage Victor had joined me and it was decided that I should return to where I took the shot and guide Victor to the correct clearing. After a few frantic hand waves Victor yelled out that he had found him and he was a beauty. I raced down to find an absolutely magnificent Bull Kudu. He was in very poor condition though and had a damaged back off-side hock that was swollen and infested with screw worm fly. He smelt bad but the sweet smell of success was over whelming. The hunting gods were smiling on me.

Many beers consumed tonight and Victor presented us with our Kudu caps.

(Note; remind Victor to get more beer)

Kudu

Day 7

We drove to a property to the south to look for white Springbok. The countryside was fairly open and grassy and there were plenty of white Springbok sighted. The problem was, how to get close enough. We walked a fair way in pursuit of Springbok but they were onto us and as far as you could see they were running or looking in our direction then running. We used a little bit of cover and stalked toward where some Springbok and sheep were grazing. After finding a suitable position it was decided to set up and wait and wait and wait. A springbok ram eventually came within range but was obscured by some low bushes. I was watching him through the scope and he bedded down behind the bush. We could not move from our position and the morning was starting to heat up. After an hour or more he was still in the same position and not looking like moving till the afternoon. We decided to make some noise by hitting some rocks together, quietly at first and then louder. Eventually we started talking amongst ourselves in the hope that he would get up and move into a shooting position. When he did finally rise, even though I had been watching him through the scope I was not ready. I made a hasty shot and saw him stumble and go out of sight. We waited just in case he came out the other side but after he did not appear we made our way forward. He was lying about 5m from where he was shot and I was probably lucky as I had to make a fairly quick shot as he walked through between two bushes. A magnificent little animal and the completion of my Springbok slam.

White Springbok

In the afternoon we went to Victor’s farm where there were some common Springbok. It was Steve’s turn to take a Springbok and we saw some on a ridge. We walked along a dry creek bed for cover and closed the distance. I stayed back during the last part of the stalk and Victor and Steve moved forward. Steve was set up but it was a difficult shot as the springbok kept walking and Victor was calling which one to shoot. Steve took the shot but hit it in the front leg and it took off with the rest of the mob. It followed his mates along the side of an open hill and Steve and I followed. We tried to get closer for a shot but they just kept out of range. Victor returned to the vehicle and to cut a long story short, Victor made a very good shot from 270m with his 243 to finally put him down. I think at this point Steve was wishing he was put down. I felt for Steve as I had never seen him shoot without the highest of confidence and now it was shattered.

Hope Lindsay got more beer today



Day 8

Victor’s father Harry took us for a day visit to Addo Elephant Park It was a great day and we saw many animals including Elephant, Buffalo and Lion. Harry was good company and loves his Kudu.

The highlight of the day was when we were stopped to watch a male Lion sleeping under a small tree. A group of Elephant were making their way down to the water when they caught scent of the Lion and chased him into the bush in a cloud of dust and loud trumpeting. The visit to the park was well worth it and it topped off a fantastic week.

Can’t wait to get back to the lodge and drink more of Victor’s beer

Elephant at water Addo

Variety of animals at Addo

You could spend all day watching these fellows

Day 9

Back to the hunt

Victor and I decided to put in a stalk on the Gemsbok that had returned from Namibia and were now back on the hill on the southern side of the property. We started up a spur that leads to the top of the hill about a kilometre from where the Gemsbok were resting. Making our way along the last section was slow as the cover was starting to get less and a kudu cow had already seen us and made her retreat. We continued down a shallow saddle that offered cover and slowly made our way towards a tree that was to become our final destination. Slowly making it to the tree the target Gemsbok was a shade over 200m away. I got a lean on the tree and hit him well with the first shot but he did not go down, reloading I sent another shot in his direction. He ran about 60m and stopped but although he was staggering he would not go down. As we got closer the Gemsbok took off and I fired an offhand shot that creased him along the neck. The next shot put him down but not out. A finishing shot was required. These are tough animals. I looked at him and he was a perfect trophy with long heavy horns. I was so happy until Victor and I looked at each other and realised the closest vehicle access was way down there!!!

Gemsbok

We have to get him down to the base of this hill

Victor called his father and Harry brought over a team that were fencing on the farm and eventually the gemsbok was carried/dragged down the hill.

In the afternoon we went looking for a Kudu cull. We set up and waited for the afternoon for the Kudu to come out from the thickets. Just before dark we had only seen a kudu cow and as we were walking back to the vehicle a suitable Kudu bull walked into a small clearing. I set up on the sticks and he started to move. I made a hasty shot and they took off. We went to the spot where they were but could not find any blood. I felt disappointed with my ability but it was getting dark so we went back to the lodge for more beer to drown the disappointment.

To be continued

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