[toxic111]

May 8, 2013

Wow I'm here in Africa, a dream come true.

All I can say so far is wow, after 24 hours of travel on 4 different aircraft, including an 8 hour layover in Frankfurt, then a 2 hour drive from the airport. As I am writing this I am looking out from my chalet at the lodge.

After dealing with SAPS (South African Police) in Johannesburg, thank goodness for the permit agency we used. Using their VIP services we were whisked through customs, and the firearms office in under 15 minutes.

The last flight of the trip was from Johannesburg to East London we were finally to see what Africa looked like from the air. To tell the truth, it looked like home for the most part, it was just missing all the oils wells.

After being met at East London airport by Braun we worked our way to the Glen Boyd Lodge where would be staying, on the drive in we saw a young warthog, impala, blesbuck & nyala.

Once getting settled into our chalet's we made our way to the dining hall for lunch. Looking out over the field next to the lodge there were 6 white rhinos, yes rhinos! Also spotted in the field were countless guinea fowl, a nyala, vermin monkeys, several warthogs & waterbucks.

We are just taking a bit of a break after all of this travel, then the plan is to go for a drive this evening & check our rifles & scopes to make sure we can hit the broad side of a barn.

With some glassing I just discovered some cape buffalo came out as well. One very large bull (at least to my eyes), and several cows & calves.

This evening we went and checked our rifles to make sure they are still dialled in. Of course the first shot of mine was out. The second shot was pretty much the same. With a few adjustments everything was shooting good again.

What was really cool was seeing three giraffes at the range area as we pulled in.

After the range session we went for a drive to see what was moving about. With the high gusty wind not much was moving. We did end up seeing four kudu and one blesbuck though.

The first day of this adventure is about to close. Will be off for dinner & drinks soon with the PH and other guests.

Tomorrow the hunt begins.

May 9, 2013
Day One
Impala/Kudu

Plan for today was impala and/or kudu. Left the lodge around 6:30am for the ranch where we would be hunting today. Once we arrive we talked with the landowner, and helped us with a game plan.

We drove into the area and set-up to the glass. First thing I saw was some warthogs, a sow & young. My PH points out some kudu cows, nut no bulls. We watch for awhile seeing a few more kudu cows and some impalas.

After awhile Braun (my PH) says impala ram. I'm looking across the valley trying to see it, meanwhile right in front of us 30 yards away is the impala. After a 30 second staring contest he snorts and bolts. That was very cool in itself.

We leave this spot, and drive further into the ranch. We get out of the backie and start a walk in.. We walk and glass trying to find something to go after. We see several impala and blesbuck, but nothing to try for.

After some walking we glass an area and the PH sees a couple good impala rams. He looks carefully and we start off on the first stalk of the adventure, me following close behind.

After 3/4's of a mile through thick brush, creeks and stooped walking the PH sets up the sticks and I bring the rifle up. The ram is facing towards us, and I centre the cross hairs on his chest and squeeze the trigger. The rifle recoils an I hear the wet whap of a bullet hit. We watch the impala run about 30-40 yards and collapse.

My first day, my first African animal is down a decent impala ram

After setting up and taking pictures, we drop the impala off at the house with the tracker/skinner so he can dress and skin the animal. Braun and I head back out for lunch and to glass the hillsides.

After awhile of that and not seeing anything we head back the tracker. With some text messaging with the landowner he comes out to show us where to set up and glass for the evening.

Almost forgot, the first thing we saw heading into the farm this morning was ostriches, very cool sight I thought, but they can screw up a hunt very badly according to my PH.

Anyway afar glassing to near dark, we head back to the truck. We saw several kudu cows & bulls, but no shooters. So we head back to the lodge for supper of springbok roost & potatoes.

I head to bed exhausted but with dreams of what was yet to come.

May 10, 2013
Day Two
Kudu

Woke up to the alarm on the phone ringing at 6am. I stumbled out of bed, got dressed and headed out to the dining lodge for breakfast. The day was cloudy and cool.

The PH and I ate our breakfast and then loaded the hackie for today's hunt for kudu, since we were not able to find a shooter yesterday.

After a hour or so drive we arrived at the gate to Johnny's place. We had to wait a bit for the landowner to arrive and unlock the gate, once the introductions were made it was time to hunt.

Johnny (or Jonathan) joined us on this hunt. Minutes into glassing the hillside we had a good bull and the stalk was planned. Four of us worked our way to where the bull was seen. Working through the brush, cactus and hills we jumped the bull and some cows.

Spooked a little they took off, but we were able to get on them again. After what seemed like miles, but was probably only a few hundred yards. I was able to get a chance at around 100 yards. The PH set-up the sticks, I eased the rifle into position and settled the cross hairs on the shoulder.

"CRACK!" the rifle reported, but no sound of a hit. Both Braun & Johnny were not sure of a hit and where able to watch the bull disappeared over the neighbours fence. I missed at 100 yards an animal the size of an elk. Though I think I hit a branch on the way there.

After the miss we pulled out and drover further into the property. We stopped several times and glassed the hills looking for more kudu. More walking and glassing as well. Several cows and a few bulls were spotted but no shooters were seen.

After a hour or so of that we spotted a good bull. The stalk was on again, thins time through thick bush. Jonathan asked me if I can make a 300 yard shot, I told him I'm not confident in that long of a shot, I would prefer 150 or less. Without a real comment we continued the stalk.

Working our way through the bush we were able to close the distance to around 250 yards. Braun set-up the sticks again. I settled the scope on the shoulder and pulled the trigger. On the recoil I could tell I missed. Argh! Two kudus Two misses!!

After these misses I was a funk, was it me or the rifle? To settle things down Braun suggested we go into town for lunch as Johnny had to go in for a bit as well.

We drove into Fort Beaufort, about 15 minutes front he property we were hunting on. It turns out it was Braun's home town, so he told me a little bit about the town and showed me his old school as we drove by.

We saw lots of local residents along the road selling oranges. They collect these off the ground at local orange groves and sell them for extra income.

One thing I forgot to mention was the impala rams chasing ewes we saw while looking for kudu. These rams got as close as 20-30 yards chasing their girls, all the time grunting like whiletail deer chasing does back home.

So we were back at the property after one of the best chicken sandwiches I ever had, glassing for kudu. We drove, we glassed, we waled, we glassed. Finally Johnny spots a good bull, and the stalk was one yet again.

We worked our way around to the till the wind was right, then started working our way through the bush till we had a shot opportunity. Finally the sticks came out, this time I used Braun's shoulder as extra support for my shooting arm.

I set up, but the bull was behind some brush and there was no shot. I held the scope on that bull for 2-3 minutes and the bull never moved from behind the trees. Johnny suggests moving the sticks over a few yards maybe presenting a clear shot.

I settle the cross-hairs in he shoulder about third of the way up and squeezed he trigger. the rifle recoils against my shoulder and we hear the distinct sound of a bullet hitting flesh. The bull looks hit hard, but I cycle the bolt again and fire again, the second shot also flying true Two perfect shots at 260 yards after the two morning misses.

I can't believe it, my second African animal is on the ground & it is only the second day.

Light fading for good pictures we set up and the pictures done. Johnathan heads to get his bake and some help to get this 600lb animal out, as we cannot get a truck to it. We load the kudu in a tarp (this time 'we' means 'them') and we drag the kudu about 60 yards where we were able to get the backie to.

We head down to the skinning pole and my skinner got to work with help from Johnny's helpers. By the time the cape and backskin was off it was dark.

It was a great ride back to camp with smiles all around. I felt a that I redeemed myself. After a great supper and conversation headed off to bed with kudu dreams.