After we were fed and rested up, we returned to the same hills where we were glassing in the morning. Marius figured that the Kudu had probably stopped in the next valley and it was decided that that was where we would start glassing for the wide bull. If we couldn't find him there, we would cross over the next hill and glass the adjacent valley. Once we got to a vantage point, much to my relief, I hear Marius say "There his is". He then had a discussion with Lloyd and Doug and a plan was made. Lloyd, Doug and Tina would stay behind to keep and eye on the wide guy while Marius and I again would go off alone to get to the best place for a shot as possible. When we reached the spot that Marius said was a good as we could hope for, he radioed Lloyd to see if the bull was still where we had last seen him. We were assured that he was and the waiting game began. After a while, the wide bull moved into a spot where Marius could now see him. He told me that if the bull kept feeding in the direction that he was going, he would step into an open spot and that's where my shot would be. The distance would be 250 yards pretty much straight across from us, but just a wee bit lower. Oh boy, here come the nerves! In a short while, the bull stepped into the open spot that Marius had said he would. I got on the rifle and Marius asked if I was on the right one? I told him that I was sure I was, but Marius had a look through the scope to double check. "Yes that is the right bull. Take your time and shoot him". I got my shaking knees as still as possible and fired. We heard the thump and the bull wheeled to his right and disappeared into the thick cover. We watched every Kudu that was leaving for the tell-tale wide horns, but he did not appear. Marius asked me how I felt about the shot, and I admitted that I wasn't sure. I had been shaking pretty badly. But we knew he was hit and the fact that he was the only Kudu that we had not seen running away gave me hope. Marius assured me that he would get Lloyd to get the dogs on the trail and we would stay where we were to watch if the bull stepped out. Lloyd, Doug and Tina returned to the bakkie in record time and were soon approaching the area where we had last seen the bull. Flex and Rigby were turned loose and withing seconds were barking. Marius said that they had found him when all of a sudden we see the bull running hard up the hill. I couldn't shoot safely with our companions over there and it happened too fast anyway. They bull again disappeared into cover and in less than a minute we could hear Flex barking again. Marius said that Flex had the Kudu bayed up and that now we must hurry to get there. So down the hill we ran. I no longer had to worry about being a Duiker and went full-on Buffalo mode. When we got to the bottom, we had to cross a fence, and in doing so, the clips of my binocular harness both fastened on to the top wire. There I balanced...trying to unfasten my binoculars from the fence trying to do it in a hurry and not fall on my head. Finally freeing myself, I jumped down. Marius could see that I was getting winded and offered to carry the rifle for me was we now had to climb up the next hill where we could still hear Flex barking at the bull. I said "Yes! And if you see the bull, shoot it!". Marius said that he wanted me to and encouraged me on. Somehow, I made it up to where Lloyd, Doug, and Tina were. I looked a little further up the hill and to my surprise, I see the giant "V" of the bulls horns facing us only 25 yards away! Marius quickly set the sticks and I immediately put one into his facing shoulder. The bull wheeled around and disappeared into a patch of spekboom. After a short while, the bushes stopped shaking and we made our approach. Marius went in ahead, then turned right around with a big smile on his face. He skipped the handshake and went straight into a big bearhug. By now it still hadn't really sunk in what had just happening, but Tina knew. She had lived through my Kudu obsession for years now and was right there to hug me as everything started to click into place and my emotions started come out. I have to admit that I had me a little cry as I put my hands on MY Kudu for the first time. It was a feeling like no other in my nearly 40 year hunting career. And I had Marius to thank for it. He knows his stuff and is persistent like no other hunter I've met. And a huge thanks is owed to Flex who kept that Kudu occupied while I hauled my big butt up that hillside! He completely redeemed himself for his little faux pas this morning!
My bull where he fell.
The "informal photo shoot".
Getting the bull down the hill.
The photo above shows why he ran. Shot was way far back into the abdomen. Definite concern over my shot concentration is setting in.
Lloyd and Tina.
My dream is now a reality. Not the biggest bull out there, but this one is mine and I couldn't be happier!
Day 2 is just ending and I already have my Kudu, Bushbuck and Nyala! What the heck will tomorrow bring? KMG is amazing!!!
Definitely on my short list when I head to the East Cape
