DAY 12
I awake at 0400 to a wind storm that has come into camp. The noise of Velcro fasteners ripping, flaps slapping and things slamming. Damn, it scared the hell out of me.
So here I sit in bed and write.
At the campfire before sunrise.
I head out with JP, Richard, Martin and X!hosa.
Looking for Gemsbok, Kudu, Eland and Duiker today.
Yesterday Martin had warned it would be cold today.
Damn it was humid and cold beyond what we had seen thus far.
Kudu were out feeding early today. The cold must be driving them to feed.
We ran into various decent Kudu bulls, nothing in my size range. It is a pleasure to see such a healthy population of Kudu on this property.
Multiple Duiker, Richard cannot find them in the scope or on the ground.
When you lose sight of them a second acquisition is a pain at best.
Nothing so far.
We grab my trail cameras at Hippo blind and #1 to see what came in the last few days.
I just downloaded them and we carried on hunting.
During our touring we watch as an Ostrich off in the distance proceeds to hide from the truck as we approach. It is amazing to watch it lay flat on the ground and stick its neck out flat and become a small black rock.
After more touring and not seeing much more of consequence I see a mature Male Ostrich and decide it is time to acquire one of these wily trophies.
I get set and am not really sure where to shoot for shot placement. I had never really thought about it. I use shotguns on birds!!
I decided center mass between the two wings on a quartering away big bird. One shot and down he goes. The 270 did its job. We approached and JP stopped me from shooting again and just finished him off immediately with a “bonk” on the head. Just like an over size pheasant.
The men behind the curtain.
Trophy pictures are taken and it is interesting to watch X!hosa examine this beautiful animal with such interest.
The Ostrich is loaded up and taken back to the skinning shed.
In for a long lunch and lay down.
When we head out again we go north to try and find a good Gemsbok for R. The wind has calmed down significantly and it is now presenting a decent consistent breeze for hunting.
The quarry is spotted walking slowly through the bush at about three hundred yards. Off we all go. I follow on a Stalk on a good Gemsbok for R and have my rifle along just in case. We are making our way very slowly toward the Gemsbok when we encounter a small herd of Zebra that halts any further progress toward the Gemsbok. We are crouched down to avoid detection and after waiting an eternity (you know the feeling) for them to clear out we looked at each other and changed the plan mid stride.
After speaking every so quietly with R we agree we are going to go for a double!
I whisper to JP a “double” while holding two fingers up. He looks at me quizzically and mouths “two”, while insistently holding up two fingers. I nod the affirmative. He just smiled. Apparently it is not going to be an issue.
Martin is holding back behind us sitting on his heels/haunches literally waiting and watching.
There are two Zebra slowly feeding, moving from right to left. They are under forty yards and are clueless we are there. I am to R’s left about three feet in the wide open. When the Stallion clears the brush he will most certainly see me. Timing is going to be a major consideration to pull this plan off.
Sure as hell, the Stallion barely clears the bush and stops in his tracks. He immediately wants to know what that strange lump is laying on the ground. He is locked on staring at me. R’s Zebra is still hidden behind the bush and there is no shot for him. I’m asked if I have a shot at the second one in line. I confirm that I do indeed have a shot. I’d prefer the dark Stallion but, the plan just has to come together.
We change the plan.
“Ok, are you ready. On three!” “I’ll call it.” “One, two, three.” Boom, boom.
Not quite one shot, but really close. Good enough. Both Zebra are hit perfectly. They are down in a short order.
It was an awesome stalk to get us within 40 yards.
I turned around for a minute and look back and X!hosa's sense of humour is being expressed yet again. I had to get a picture.
Martin is shocked. When he moves up he says “doof-doof” and laughs and claps. We keep hearing this “doof-doof” exclaimed and repeated from the back seat all the way back to camp. I chuckle to myself at his apparent glee at this obvious anomaly in his hunting experience.
We are all laughing and celebrating on the drive to the lodge.
I awake at 0400 to a wind storm that has come into camp. The noise of Velcro fasteners ripping, flaps slapping and things slamming. Damn, it scared the hell out of me.
So here I sit in bed and write.
At the campfire before sunrise.
I head out with JP, Richard, Martin and X!hosa.
Looking for Gemsbok, Kudu, Eland and Duiker today.
Yesterday Martin had warned it would be cold today.
Damn it was humid and cold beyond what we had seen thus far.
Kudu were out feeding early today. The cold must be driving them to feed.
We ran into various decent Kudu bulls, nothing in my size range. It is a pleasure to see such a healthy population of Kudu on this property.
Multiple Duiker, Richard cannot find them in the scope or on the ground.
When you lose sight of them a second acquisition is a pain at best.
Nothing so far.
We grab my trail cameras at Hippo blind and #1 to see what came in the last few days.
I just downloaded them and we carried on hunting.
During our touring we watch as an Ostrich off in the distance proceeds to hide from the truck as we approach. It is amazing to watch it lay flat on the ground and stick its neck out flat and become a small black rock.
After more touring and not seeing much more of consequence I see a mature Male Ostrich and decide it is time to acquire one of these wily trophies.
I get set and am not really sure where to shoot for shot placement. I had never really thought about it. I use shotguns on birds!!
I decided center mass between the two wings on a quartering away big bird. One shot and down he goes. The 270 did its job. We approached and JP stopped me from shooting again and just finished him off immediately with a “bonk” on the head. Just like an over size pheasant.
The men behind the curtain.
Trophy pictures are taken and it is interesting to watch X!hosa examine this beautiful animal with such interest.
The Ostrich is loaded up and taken back to the skinning shed.
In for a long lunch and lay down.
When we head out again we go north to try and find a good Gemsbok for R. The wind has calmed down significantly and it is now presenting a decent consistent breeze for hunting.
The quarry is spotted walking slowly through the bush at about three hundred yards. Off we all go. I follow on a Stalk on a good Gemsbok for R and have my rifle along just in case. We are making our way very slowly toward the Gemsbok when we encounter a small herd of Zebra that halts any further progress toward the Gemsbok. We are crouched down to avoid detection and after waiting an eternity (you know the feeling) for them to clear out we looked at each other and changed the plan mid stride.
After speaking every so quietly with R we agree we are going to go for a double!
I whisper to JP a “double” while holding two fingers up. He looks at me quizzically and mouths “two”, while insistently holding up two fingers. I nod the affirmative. He just smiled. Apparently it is not going to be an issue.
Martin is holding back behind us sitting on his heels/haunches literally waiting and watching.
There are two Zebra slowly feeding, moving from right to left. They are under forty yards and are clueless we are there. I am to R’s left about three feet in the wide open. When the Stallion clears the brush he will most certainly see me. Timing is going to be a major consideration to pull this plan off.
Sure as hell, the Stallion barely clears the bush and stops in his tracks. He immediately wants to know what that strange lump is laying on the ground. He is locked on staring at me. R’s Zebra is still hidden behind the bush and there is no shot for him. I’m asked if I have a shot at the second one in line. I confirm that I do indeed have a shot. I’d prefer the dark Stallion but, the plan just has to come together.
We change the plan.
“Ok, are you ready. On three!” “I’ll call it.” “One, two, three.” Boom, boom.
Not quite one shot, but really close. Good enough. Both Zebra are hit perfectly. They are down in a short order.
It was an awesome stalk to get us within 40 yards.
I turned around for a minute and look back and X!hosa's sense of humour is being expressed yet again. I had to get a picture.
Martin is shocked. When he moves up he says “doof-doof” and laughs and claps. We keep hearing this “doof-doof” exclaimed and repeated from the back seat all the way back to camp. I chuckle to myself at his apparent glee at this obvious anomaly in his hunting experience.
We are all laughing and celebrating on the drive to the lodge.
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