SOUTH AFRICA: Pawprint Kalahari Lion & Lioness Hunt

[Ridgewalker]

Ridgewalker, I hope your granddaughter is feeling better. You'll love Reitzdale Farm as I'm pretty sure that is where you're going. I was with Norfolk Shooter and Dabloobana in May for their hunts. I was after Buffalo and Sable. Eventually, I'll get around to writing my hunt report.
Hearing the Lions roar in the morning was a great experience. Beautiful lodge and great food.

Thanks so much for the info! I was bugging Norfolk Shooter to write it up so I could see pictures and have an idea what to expect, but I understand how it is working. You play hard when you play and work hard when you work.
Granddaughter isn’t doing well and on her birthday...bummer to feel bad!
Thanks again!

 

[Ridgewalker]

As usual, I follow the airline recommendations of getting here 3 hours before an international flight. Unbelievably smooth! I was the first in line at the check-in. The lady was quick at getting things done. No strange questions such as “where is your SAPS approval form”. Porter took me to the rifle check in where again I was the only one there! Flew through it. Now at the gate nearly 2 1/2 hours early! I’m amazed!

I can only hope the rest of the trip goes this smoothly!

 

[tarbe]

Here's hoping all goes smooth!

Stay safe and have fun.

Looking forward to reports from the field.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I may have spoken too soon about going smoothly. Pulled in to deplane and the ramp took about 40 minutes to get it to work! Finally it did and now I’m at the departure gate waiting for Toby to show.

 

[Mort Hill]

Have an awesome adventure! Nothing like Africa, a pal, and an agenda to get the juices flowing. If a slow ramp is the only hiccup, you will have nothing to worry about! Blessings on your journey.

 

[johnnyblues]

Go get em Phil! I’ll except a WhatsApp photo! Lol

 

[Dr Ray]

Happy hunting. All the best - talk when you return,

 

[CAustin]

Send pictures when you can!

 

[Shootist43]

I should have told you Toby works in GA. He probably put in his 8 hours and then went to the airport. I think his philosophy is that Delta will then have less time to loose his guns.

 

[CAustin]

I should have told you Toby works in GA. He probably put in his 8 hours and then went to the airport. I think his philosophy is that Delta will then have less time to loose his guns.

I worked out for Him last year!

 

[Shootist43]

Hey guys, we're waiting!!!

 

[CAustin]

Toby got an oryx I see on Facebook

 

[johnnyblues]

Anxiously awaiting word!

 

[cpr0312]

Best of luck! Waiting on the first update!!

 

[Art Lambart II]

Have a great Time guys, i'm looking forward to the report.

 

[Jfet]

Well, I just get back from the Caprivi and this magnificent adventure is taking place. Looking forward to the story.

 

[Ironhorse375]

Ridgewalkers internet is pretty sparse.
But hes conneting with his quarry Going to be a great story

 

[Vanguard2279]

It looks like the hunt has been successful according to the Pawprint Facebook page. The best wifi at Reitzdale is when you are standing next to Pieter and he has activated his personal hotspot.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Sorry for the delay guys, but no internet at Rietzdale. We got to PawPrints lodge late yesterday. Toby left to head back home. So I’m up early and will start my report.

Monday, 7/29. After Anna and Charles from RiflePermits whisked us through SAPS, Pieter’s sister, Susan, and mother, Glouda, picked us up and took us to Glouda’s house for a light dinner, shower and sleep.

Day 1, Tuesday, 7/30. 5:00am and Toby is already up and ready to go. Me, I’m dragging. Johan picked us up at 6:00 and we’re off for the Kalahari! About a 5 1/2 hour drive.

After arriving, we tested rifles and they were all good to go. So off we went. Chris driving, Johan PHing, tracker, Toby and me. We’re trying for impala and gemsbok first until Seun (lion PH) arrives Tuesday. After 6-8 walk and stalks I finally got a shot thinking the gemsbok was facing me straight away. Wrong! He was actually looking straight at me, but the body was to my right, so I shot right under his head completely missing his body! Dugh, didn’t understand what Johan was telling me about his position. Oh well, I guess I made my first miss in Africa! A bit disappointed in myself, but now my miss is over and tomorrow is another day.

Interesting what they call a “wide load”... “abnormal”

FYI, shredded impala for lunch and oryx fillets for dinner...mmmm...delicious!

 

[Ridgewalker]

Day 2, Wednesday, 7/31. Took off and soon spotted another good horned gemsbok. Johan and I climbed out of the bakkie and stalked to under 200 yards and set up on the sticks. Several passed a small opening where most of their backs were visible. Finally as the last one moved through the opening I pulled the trigger. I saw dust fly up behind him and thought the Barnes 235 gr had passed through him. Again no blood! I can’t believe I have missed my second gemsbok in as many tries! Ugh! Frustrating! Johan doesn’t believe I missed due to the reaction of the gemsbok, so Seun brings Ruger on a leash to try to find the animal. We only look briefly when Seun says he doesn’t want to release Ruger for fear he will be killed by the lion that he thinks might be in the area. I concede and sadly count the gemsbok as a lost animal. I hate letting a fine animal suffer if that is what happened!

We drag brush behind the bakkie all day. While looking for fresh lion spoor. Finally about 5:00 we hit fresh tracks of a male! We all climbed out and began the stalk. William, the tracker, along with Seun, the PH, then Johan, myself and Toby. About 5:30 the lion shows a flash of himself and the pace picks up. On we went and on he went until the sun was setting. Finally Seun called it off saying the potential of wounding a lion this close to dark wasn’t a healthy situation, so we backed out and went to the lodge for gemsbok fillets, beverages, chitchat and finally bedtime. Not a good night’s sleep thinking of what all had gone wrong in my shooting.

William is the “bait” as I called him sitting in the seat on the front of the bakkie.

Left to right, Johan with a CZ in 458 Lott, William with sticks to beat the lion up and Seun with a Markell 470 NE.

Tracks as the sun set.

Another beautiful Africa sunset.

The size of these are obviously male!

Another size comparison.