Adventure In Steenbokpan

ADVENTURE IN STEENBOKPAN

During the early days of October 2019 I was invited by Johan Smit to accompany Huntech Game & Outdoor to Wildebeespan ‘Home Of The Bowhunter’ situated in the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

This farm is in the Steenbokpan district, about 103km outside Thabazimbi.

Sunday 20 October 2019 finally arrived for this much-anticipated bowhunting adventure. After stopping at the local Twin Cities gas station in Brits and topping up my travel mug with some good coffee I was ready to take on the long road to Thabazimbi. With my Mathews Monster Wake safely packed away in its Tork Craft Hard Bowcase, SureSight fully charged and my No Scent Field Spray on the seat beside me, we were finally underway. After a short felt 82-minutes’ drive from Thabazimbi I entered the main gate of Wildebeespan ‘Home Of The Bowhunter’. The bushveld looked dry but still thick with brush. After driving through the main gate and continuing with the road to the Lodge a herd of Common Blesbuck ran across the thick sand road.

On arrival at the Lodge I was warmly welcomed and greeted at my truck by Andries Badenhorst, the PH on the farm. While entering the Lodge Lapa I was introduced by Johan Smit to the farm owner Dirk Uys.

The Lodge was situated well between the Knobthorn and Marula Trees on the 380ha farm where when you wake up in the morning you are often greeted by the abundance of Natal and Crested Francolins or even get a knock on your window by a Hornbill. The Lodge area consisted of 2 semi-detached thatched units which can accommodate 4 people each, unit have their own outside bathrooms which consist of a shower, toilet and wash basin.

After unpacking all my bowhunting gear from my truck into my unit I joined up with everyone in the Lodge Lapa for a wonderful cooked meal and stories around the camp fire before heading to bed for our early morning wake up.

I woke up the first morning ahead of my alarm filled with excitement. After a quick shower and getting all my gear sorted, packed and ready I headed out to the Lapa to enjoy a cup of coffee in the cool crisp bushveld air while waiting for the others. Andries and I headed out to an elevated hide for the day with our cooler box packed with snacks and coldrinks. A vertical symphony of birds and insects entertained us as we were waiting. Later, that morning we were surprised by some bachelor Greater Kudu Bulls and a Nyala Bull but unfortunately the wind shifted, and they made their way back into the South African bushveld.

It wasn’t long before we spotted a small herd of Southern Impalas in the distance coming our way. Moments later my binoculars were out and in my hands. I started spotting which one I would like to take. With Andries on the camera I started getting ready, arrow was nocked and within seconds I was at full draw as my pin settled, squeeze and “thwap!” I watched as my arrow disappeared, going through my Southern Impala. Andries made the call back to camp for the recovery vehicle to come fetch us. It wasn’t long till we were on the blood trail and photos were being taken before returning to camp.

After lunch that afternoon we headed out again. This time we sat in a treestand, unfortunately nothing came in. After pick up we enjoyed another wonderful cooked meal at camp before heading to bed.

The following morning Andries and I headed back to the Treestand but due to great swirling winds rocking us side to side we chose to rather return to camp. That evening while enjoying the ambience of the camp fire we were entertained by the sounds of nearby Jackals calling.

The next morning Andries and I found ourselves in a very spacious Pit Hide nearby Camp. As this was my last morning on the farm before heading back home, I was very determined and hoped I had enough luck left before ending my 2019 bowhunting season. I hoped that the Zebra that Johan Smit told me about would make an appearance. We hadn’t been there long before Andries said to me, “here come those bachelor Greater Kudu Bulls again” but there was no sign of the Nyala Bull that accompanied them on day one on the farm. They spent quite a time there at the waterhole before heading back into the thick bushveld bush. After putting down my binoculars Andries said, “get ready here come the Blue Wildebeests”. My bow was out of its bow sling with an arrow nocked. I quickly ranged various spots around the waterhole before the first Blue Wildebeest appeared in front of the shooting window. Just as I was getting ready to draw my bow Andries said “Wait! Here comes your Zebra”, and from that moment-rapid pulse, the shakes, weak at the knees. We’ve all had that feeling sometime. The Zebra walked around the waterhole a few times, almost left before coming back and standing slightly quartering away from me. 25 yards was the distance behind the rocks. With Andries on the camera, I started drawing back my bow and within seconds I was at full draw as my pin settled on the spot. I squeezed my Scott Release and “thwap!”, the arrow hit the shoulder and my Zebra disappeared with a dust cloud.

We reviewed the footage quickly on the camera and confirmed it was on the numbers. I sent a quick WhatsApp message to camp and the recovery vehicle with Johan Smit and Andrea Potgieter a.k.a “Pink Impala” was there soon. We headed out on the blood trail and recovered my Zebra within 50 yards from the hide. After taking some epic trophy photos we loaded my animal onto the vehicle and returned back to camp. While the skinners were attending to my Zebra and preparing my flat skin for transport, we enjoyed a late brunch together followed. This was by me packing up all my gear, loading my truck and taking the long road back home to Gauteng after this epic bowhunting adventure with Huntch Game & Outdoor.

Good shooting . Nice animals . Well done
Bruce

Congrats !

Nice report and sounds like a great memory!!

Very nice and good shooting, (bowing?)! Thanks for sharing the adventure.