Three weeks in RSA

[grayghost]

I won't drag this out into a novel, but instead give a very brief report and accompany with pics.

Dates: May 27-June 16, 2007

RSA Provinces hunted: North West (Kalahari), Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape.

Noteworthy areas: Kalahari (Botswana border), Stormberg Mountains/Karoo, Coastal region of the Indian Ocean, "Suur Veldt" various bush riverine to canyons.

Species hunted and taken: 1-African Lion, 1-Cape Bushbuck, 3-Common Duiker (also called Grey or Bush Duiker), 1-Black and 1-White Springbok, 2-Common and 1-White Blesbok, 2-Baboon, 2-Impala, 1-Steenbok, 2-Blue Wildebeast, 1-Mountain Reedbuck, 1-Oribi, 1-Caracal Cat (African Lynx), 2-Warthog, 1-Cape Kudu, 1-Cape Grysbok, 2-Genet, 1-Jackal and Waterfowl (Yellow Bills, Shelduck, Egyptian Geese).

Species hunted but not taken: Waterbuck, (hunted a 31-33" class bull relentlessly but he stayed one step ahead. I passed on several 27-29 inch bulls), Klipspringer & Vaal Rhebok. I swear some of the most difficult hunting I've ever done. Similiar to hunting Sheep and Goats. Rheboks eyesight surpasses Pronghorn Antelope IMHO.

Rifles used: .280 Weatherby Mark V synthetic/stainless with a Leupold VX-L 3.5x10x50. Remington .223 Varmit Special w/Weaver (1973 model) 4x12x40. CZ-550 .375 H&H w/Leupold VX-III, 1.5x5x20

Ammo: Swift 300 grain A-Frame (Lion). All others: Nosler 160 grain Accubond (.280) Nosler 60 grain Partition (.223). All bullets performed flawlessly with no failures. All large plains game even the Wildebeast were taken with one shot. Ranges: 60 to 311 yards.

This hunts highlight was the Lion (posted previously) but was a hunt in the true sense. I do not book myself "package hunts" although some of my clients choose to do their first African hunt in that style. Rather I prefer to meet with my PH every morning and tell him: "Let's go hunting." We always have a great day. Even on the few days we take no game. Some game requires a permit (Oribi/Grysbok, etc) which is requested well in advance. We're already seeing a "sell out" for next years Red Duiker and Suni permits.

My hunt opened with the taking of my Lion. This is one of his tracks we tracked across the Kalahari:

To the end result:



Then onto some plains game and other species.
Cape Bushbuck @ 179 yds. w/.223 Rem. We stalked this ram from a distance of 859 yards.


Having taken a female Common Duiker near Groblersdal, my chance for a male came early one chilly morning while glassing for Kudu and Warthog. Remington .223 was just the ticket for a 260 yard shot.


While looking for ducks, we came across this dandy of a Black Springbok. Again, the .223 @ 140 yards.


Trophy Blesbok...it wouldn't be my best! .280 @158 yards.


Finally! Baboon's are extremely wary and intellegent (for the most part). We had a troop run across the top of a bluff. The Alpha male stopped to sort things out...bad mistake. I dumped two of them in rapid succession with the .223 @170 yards.


Impala cull. 60 yards with the .280

Nice trophy ram I took in Gauteng Province


Super trophy Steenbok. We saw lots of them. .223 @ 100 yards. What can I say: it was raining and I like hunting Steinbokkie

[grayghost]

Next up in the rain was a lone Blue Wildebeast Bull that had become a loner. Bachelor bulls had expelled him from the herd and he lived in a deep ravine along side the Nyala and Kudu. Word had it he had a pal: an Ostrich. As promised, I found them both feeding on a finger point no more than 100 yards apart. As luck was to have it, we bumped a Kudu bull that bumped the Ostrich that bumped the Wildebeast. The next time we saw him, he was broadside across the ravine: 298 yards away. I was instructed to shoot, reload and continue shooting until he was down. "Poor man's Buffalo" I'd heard that many times before. At the shot I was able to recover from the recoil and listened to the bullet hiss across the valley floor. A loud "whop" and the bull jumped into the air, mule kicked and nearly pushed his chin into the ground. Broken left shoulder anchored him. No further shot was needed. This would be the only 160 grain bullet I would recover from my hunt. It came from the far right shoulder under the skin. Perfect expansion through very thick hide, bone and muscle. I remain impressed with Nosler's Accubond.


This year it seemed Mountain Reedbuck are everywhere. I am pleased to see how well they are doing in the Eastern Cape. Very affordable game animal and similar to hunting Mule Deer. This is a high scoring ram. Rem .223 @230 yards.


Down to the coast to hunt Oribi. Our group, although we hunt 1x1 had coordinated a Blue Duiker, Caracal Lynx and Oribi hunt. It was an exciting day to say the least. I found this ram while listening for Bushbuck barking. Bushbuck bark anytime a Leopard or Caracal is on the roam. Again the .223 at a mere 130 yards... an instant harvest.


An ultimate Predator: the African Lynx or Caracal Cat. They are hell on small pygmy antelope, Bushbuck and even Impala.


Now this is a whopper of a Blesbok! We found this ranch by accident while out hunting one day. We will save this area just for trophy hunters. Huge herd but with a strict quota. That's how you grow BIG trophies. 243 yards with the .280


Not far away we have a private ranch that produces some outstanding trophy White Blesbok. This monster is over 18 inches! 240 yards with the .280 and he collapsed.


This is what I call a hog! Here's both of them. Another use for the .280




Hoping to take a Cape Kudu over 50 inches, I had several located but shot this one without much study. Just a quick scenario at 311 yards. His shiney horns got the best of me.... Not a 50 incher but a real nice bull with even horns and a beautiful cape. One shot with the .280


White Springbok...dang they can be hard to hunt at times. This was one of those times. It took all day to sort out a shot. Fast shot with the .223; no problems. Excellent caliber for all small to medium (up to 100 lbs) game. Don't fool yourself: African animals are TOUGH as nails. Choose your rifle and bullets carefully.

[grayghost]

Inbetween big game hunts I took some time to hunt waterfowl. I'm crazy about duck and goose hunting! Next year we're putting together some upland and waterfowl hunts together in the grain rich areas of RSA. Some want to stay after the 5 day bird hunt and search for plains game. That's in the works too. Here are some Yellow Bill ducks:


I'm holding an Egyptian Goose. Below is a male South African Cape Shelduck. Both are absolutely beautiful birds and deserve no less than mounting.


Next PG hunt was for a Blue Wildebeast Cow. I wanted a full rug for my office and they make outstanding rugs. While sorting this cow from the herd, I spotted 12 mature Bushbuck rams. This area is so full of Bushbuck and Nyala they're like flea's on a dog. I missed an opportunity at a 17+ inch ram. My fault for reacting too slow. You learn in the bush or lose. 253 yards with the .280. One shot.


Next was an exciting hunt for the Cape Grysbok. Small game, small caliber. That assures a lifesize mount or full cape in good shape.


Another Duiker. This taken while hunting Waterbuck. My .280 was used. Exit hole was as large as a tennis ball but far enough behind the shoulder. Excellent ram with good horns. Those are Termite mounds he's resting on.


That concludes my report. Hope you enjoyed it. I wish I were back in Africa as I type this. Next year is too far away. The lure of the bush is as strong as a woman's perfume....it pulls you.
Good hunting,
grayghost

[gd357]

Wow,

sounds like a great hunt, and really good pics. i'm jealous.

gd

[grayghost]

Thanks gd357. Everyday in Africa is a new adventure. I only wish I could stay 4 months instead of 3 weeks. Maybe next year. grayghost

[gd357]

I know what you mean... sort of. Every trip to deer camp comes to an end way too soon, and you never quite know just what you'll run into. One of these days I'll get over there.

gd

[OneShotBandit]

Nice pics! For sure a damn fine Lion!

[bsterns]

Grayghost, what a nice array of pictures. That hunt must have cost a fortune. I too am jeolous that I cannot go soon. That is a nice looking 280 remington you used on some of your animals. I think the 280 caliber is the best all around caliber for plainsgame. I took all mine with it. The 160 gr. is good for kudu, wildebeasts, or gemsbok and the 140 gr. is good for springbok, blesbuck, impala, and other smaller deer sized game. The only problem is they never heard of it over there or at least not in Mariental, Namibia where I went to buy more bullets. My PH had never heard of it either. It is a great caliber nonetheless. I am still waiting to get my trophies back from last June, 2006. I am afraid something is not right. PH has not returned my emails.

[grayghost]

Thanks OSB.
bsterns:
I've been shooting the .280 around 27 years and love it. Elk, Bear, Deer, Antelope etc., plus most of the PG I take in Africa are no problem for it. Ammo is a problem outside of the US. That's why I take plenty with me. You won't find it on the shelf in Africa. Several of my PH's commented that the .280 will be their next rifle, but in RSA that takes two years to acquire.
Fortunately, Africa can be as affordable as any US hunt if you plan. The average Elk hunt in the US is pushing $6K and look at Brown Bear in AK: $16,500.00, Moose at $14,000.00 and so on. I'd love to hunt AK but for value Africa is the deal. Not every safari has to cost a fortune. Lots of good deals on package hunts.
As for your Taxidermy, the standard in RSA is 8-10 months, Namibia is 12 months but there have been some issues lately. It's just as important to research your Taxidermist as is your PH. Email me and I'll see if I can get you any information.
Good hunting,
grayghost

[grayghost]

I've added another pic of my Lion and a second Impala.