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After an early breakfast the next morning, we were transported back to the Joburg airport where “Mr. X” met us. Mr. X is a member of the Afton House staff who assists Afton House clientele with the “hoops” of South African immigration, flight arrangements and luggage transfer. We were then assisted to our departure gate to await the third leg of our final destination of Windhoek, Namibia aboard South African Airlines.

Once we arrived in Windhoek and completed the immigration and baggage labyrinth we were greeted by Agagia Hunting staff and were off to Agagia Lodge which is located approximately 2 hours north of Windhoek. Once at Agagia we were warmly greeted by Agagia staff and were given a Namibian welcome. We then unpacked, practiced with our bows and prepared for our hunts. Doc & I were booked for a 10-day hunt and Forrest was booked for a 12 day hunt.

This was Doc’s virgin voyage to Africa and his first bow hunt on the Dark Continent. For those who have hunted Africa, I’m sure you can vividly remember you first African adventure. This was Forrest’s third trip to Africa and his first time to hunt Namibia. This was my fourth trip to Africa and my second time to hunt Namibia and with Agagia.

Tielman and Carin Neethling run a “top shelf “ operation. They are both serious bow hunters and fully understand the needs of a bow hunter. The lodge provides super accommodations and the food is excellent. All of the staff are certified in their profession whether they are a PH, a tracker, a skinner, a food preparer or a housekeeper.

There is an abundance of game both in quantity and quality. Shot distances at water holes range from 4-25 yards, with most shots averaging 15-17 yards.

This was my first time to hunt Africa in June. My previous trips had been in the months of July, August and September. The later months offer warmer temps and lower moisture levels making waterholes more attractive. Thus more animal sightings and hopefully shot opportunities can be anticipated.

Since we were the first group to hunt this season with Agagia the animals were much less skittish than prior hunts. I watched many of the animals drink at the waterhole and then go lay down under shade near the waterhole. Because of my prior trips to Africa my “want list” continues to shrink. My 2015 list included kudu, black wildebeest, jackal and anything better than what I had already harvested. I was successful in reducing my perpetual “want list.”

In ten days of hunting, I had 766 animals sightings at the waterholes. This included 13 various species of game. I killed eight animals and lost three animals (2 warthogs and an impala). I had bad arrow shot placement on a zebra and had to put the animal down with a rifle. I regretted the situation, but it was the ethical thing to do. Three of my animals will hopefully qualify for SCI record book recording. As a collective group were took an approximate total of 32 animals. I took approximated 700+ photographs plus videos during my hunt.

Perhaps the highlights of my trip were being with Doc, a “first timer” to Africa, sharing camp with my good friend, Forrest. Also sharing camp with Denny Steiner and his wife, Maureen and grandson, Evan. Denny is the representative for Agagia Hunting in the U.S. Plus, having the pleasure of being in the company with Zeev Nederman from the U.S. who was at Agagia in pursuit of leopard with a gun. Zeev moved from Agagia Hunting to South Africa and was successful in taking more African game.

While at a waterhole one day my PH received a text message that leopard bait was needed. I was able to respond to the fulfilling the request in 10 minutes with a nice female warthog. Zeev was successful in killing a nice leopard, which is a story within itself. Other highlights included seeing and photographing a black mamba, seeing a leopard quickly cross a waterhole and viewing the beautiful African sunsets.

Planning and preparation are key components with any successful endeavor. Annelise Dubose of Areva Travel handled all of our travel arrangements and our layover stay at Afton House in Joburg, Annelise’s mother, Annelise Meeker, just happens to be the owner of Afton House. Tielman and Carin Neethling operate one of the premier bow hunting concessions in Namibia. Thanks also to my wife for tolerating my wild adventures and to the Good Lord for providing travel mercies and great memories for one of my lifelong passions- bow hunting Africa.

My equipment setup for this trip included an Elite Synergy Bow set on 55#@28 1/2” draw. Easton Axis Realtree Shafts with 4- 2” Blazer vanes (RH). Arrows were tipped with 125 gr. broadheads (either 2-blade vented VPA or Woodsmen Elite 3-blade vented). Total arrows weigh was 492-495 gr. Arrow speed was 223 FPS.

I will share a couple photos with comments about my hunt and conclude with a sunset photo. From that point forward the other hunters on this adventure will let participate with their experiences and thoughts along with thread viewer comments. in the adventure share their experiences and thoughts. Your patience in letting me post is appreciated, remember keyword is SUNSET. Thanks

The reward for an unusually long, slow day at the waterhole.

He was in full rut but was looking for love in the wrong place.

Female warthog with heart-shaped tusk.

Looked him over for about 5 minutes before I made the decision to shoot. He is record book material.

Great memories of the past and dreams of anticipation for the future!!

Thanks for making me start dreaming about another trip. Wow! Awesome adventure!

Thanks for sharing your adventure. Some nice trophies!

Come on, man, that's weak.

You put off something you've wanted to do for decades, because you dread a flight that takes less than a day?

:-)

We leave for S.Africa in 2 weeks. Can't wait.

P.S. Love that big Blue Wildebeest.

writer- I've never jumped up and down with excitement about a continuous 16 hr. plane ride. Kinda doubt I ever will. I have not let 16 hrs of flying stop me from going anywhere and hope that I never will, unless it is for some medical reason.

Have you ever been to Africa? Have you ever been on a continuous 16 hr. plane ride? If yes, did you find it a pleasant experience and something you yearned to do?

AZ-Rich - I have to say that there is no real clear comparison between RSA and Namibia. It really depends on the animal you are desiring to hunt. I really like the beauty of the land and the people in Namibia. Lot less people and crime in Namibia which is comforting.

Looks like a very successful hunt, congrats!!

Best regards, Scott Alberda

Australia, yes.

By the time I got to New Zealand I had more than 17 hours in the air.

I didn't say it would be something I'd want to just do for the hell of it. You now, fly to Joburg, turn around and fly back the next day!

Somethings you have to make sacrifices for.

Hell, my great-grandfather was a stow-away on a steam ship from Germany to New York, by himself, when he was nine. My wife was in labor for 20 hours with our first...and she still wanted a second, and I've never seen anyone more uncomfortable than she was. :-)

My plans are to go to Africa in 2016. If I have to fly 16 hours, to enjoy 14 days someplace I've wanted to go for the past 50 years...sign me up!

You have some valid points. Thanks for sharing.

I hope to encounter another 16 hr "grueling flight" in 2017. Still got some "unfinished business" with some animals in Africa.

NZ govt flew me in first class, my flight attendant was a dead-ringer for a 30-year-old Shania Twain, but with that killer Aussieish accent.

Robin was an avid hunter and fly-angler with her father in New Zealand so we talked fishing and hunting, and recipes and she wanted to know about my daughter hunting and fishing with me and if we'd ever come over and go with her and her father.

She gave me directions to the family's cabin on some cool trout river, and said she'd clear it with her father for me to stay there if I ever returned with my daughter. :-)

OK, haven't heard such glowing reports about some of the flight crews on planes going to Africa.

This sighting gave me a new awareness of danger as I walked and stalked thru the bush.

Please remember to share a pic of the mount when it's done.

I'll be that was "exciting" at night, with the dog barking, fear of mambas, the size of those tusks...

Are all of the animals born on the property, or are they purchased and then released?

Just askin'...

Agagia was originally a cattle farm. It has since been transformed into a wild game farm. Remnants of the cattle operation can still be seen on the property- windmills, corrals, etc. Some of the animals are born on the property and some are purchased and released.

From what I understand wild game is treated much the same as domestic stock farming is in the U.S- raised, bred, bought, sold, auctioned, etc. The stock on a parcel is the "property" of the owner of the parcel. I really don't know who owns the wild game that is on the sides of the road everywhere. I don't know what the deal is with what we call "road right away" in the U.S.

The morning that Doc & I left, we saw large amounts of red hartebeest, kudu, gemsbok, warthogs and baboons on the sides of the roads- I have know idea who would own then, I guess if the animals went over or under a property fence they would then be owned by the landowner.

I learned that it would be difficult for blesbok to survive in the area of Namibia where we were hunting because they are easy prey for cheetahs.

I would love to join you guys next time around!

The location where the giraffe on the left is standing is same spot where the mamba was drinking water. The mamba slithered back into the bush behind where the giraffe is standing. You never know what is in the bush !!

Also saw slither marks of a mamba about 600 yards from the waterhole on a game trail in the bush also on 6/15.

After these two incidents I watched every step I took and looked at every bush before advancing on walks in the bush trailing game !!

Check your PM's !!!!!!!

Buffalo

Check you PM's. I sent you one.

Duncan