I would leave on June 25th and my daughter would follow me on the June 27th. She had a conflict with AAU Regional track meet that she was competing in.
My daughter said all she wanted was a zebra and to just hang out with me for the rest of the trip. This might be a spoiler but that didn't happen. Lol
Before, the landing she walked around requesting everyone rise their window shade. I looked at my friends and said, "Watch this"!! At that point I proceeded to lower my shade a single inch. I said, I bet she say something when she walks by me. Everyone including by standers begin to smirk. As she approached I got still and straightened my face. When she got beside me, she reached over me and pushed the shade back up that one inch. As she walked away we all busted out in laughter.
On that landing the pilot actually missed the runaway and had to pull up and swing back around the second landing attempt. So, maybe it makes a difference!!??
How did you get it to work. I keep trying but when rotate it doesn't change the image in the tools setting.
That evening we saw some small common springbucks and waterbucks. It was a little slow that evening but still had a good time.
Looks like a very nice place.
I like stringing you guys along!!
hunt forever's Link
https://youtube.com/shorts/twcN7iZTOaE?feature=share
hunt forever's Link
hunt forever's Link
hunt forever's Link
hunt forever's Link
to the Blinds. We started off with a Roan bull come into water and the salt. Then a few really nice Sable's. I shot a Sable on our last trip so it was safe.
I debated if I should tell this next part but its hunting and mistakes happen. The Zebra would be my Achilles heal for this trip.
I few hours later Adam spotted a group of Zebras approaching the blind. They were very cautious and took their dear sweer time. They would walk closer to the blind then turn around. They did this a number of times before they committed.
Finally, one of the male zebra's presented a shot. I pulled back my 80lb Hoyt RX5 tipped with an ironwill and settled my pin and has I released my arrow the zebra took a quick step forward causing my arrow to hit futher back then desired. My heart sake to my feet as I knew exactly what happened. We watched the herd and my zebra run into the bush. As we set in the blind, we played the video on Adam's phone in slow motion to confirm what I already knew it was a bad hit. The elevation was fine but it was over 6in to the right.
After a 8am Breakfast, we headed to the Blinds.
hunt forever's Link
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We continued to wait impatiently giving the zebra time to bed down. About an hour had passed and all the sudden we looked up and there stood a nice group of Blue Wildebeest. One of the bulls was a mature male with a dark face a sign of maturity. I pulled back my bow thinking please make this arrow count. I'll let you watch the video.
The ironwill and the 80lb bow did its job. Adam said he had never seen a bow drop a Blue Wildebeest in that manor. No tracking needed!! After, a few pictures we spent the rest of the day tracking and looking for the zebra. We caught a quick glimpse of him trotting away but lost sight of him. My gut kept telling me he might be in this oje area certain but we couldn't locate him. We spent the whole day looking for him until we couldn't see due to darkness. I haven't lost alot of animals with my bow but when it happens it really sucks.
Bummer about the zebra. They are certainly some tuff critters.
My daughter made it safely into camp and would be joining me for the rest of the hunt. Our PH decided to try another location about a 30min drive from the lodge. He had our lunches packed and off we headed. The morning started off strong with some Sable, springbuck, Roan and warthog visiting the blind. A little after 11am we caught some movement in the bush. We could tell straight away it was a mature Eland Bull. He walked around for a while slowly working his way to us. When he arrived, he began to pick a fight with some baby warthogs. They gave him a run for his money. It was fun seeing 2 baby warthogs giving a 2000lb animal a run for his money. The bull was facing us for about 5 min, realizing he probably wouldn't present a broadside shoot. We made the decision to try a quarting towards shot angle. I pulled back my bow and placed my pin on the front shoulder and let it fly.
My daughter is using the V Series with bleeder blades.
That morning we headed back to the blind we hunted on day one. Brylee had her bow in hand and was patiently waiting for a Blue Wildebeest, Zebra or Gumsbuck. While in the blind, we saw a group of Wildebeest grazing in the distance. They stayed in the distance for some time, then all the sudden they made a bee line to the blind. The guide picked a big bull for her to shoot. It took some time to get a clear shot at him but finally the opening appeared and relased her arrow. After the shot we were both shaking form the excitement.
I still can figure out the exit hole on the blesbok. Here's a picture of the arrow entry.
Yes I saw white, black and common springbuck. None within bow range. I was looking for a colored springbuck.
We headed to new area this morning looking for a Red hartebesst. We got a late start this morning and busted a big herd of hartebesst at the waterhole. Well, at least we know their in the area. We started off seeing some Gumsbuck and small warthogs. Later that day, we saw two different groups of waterbucks with some good bucks but nothing great. Thst afternoon we saw a really good buck heading our way with some cows. He presented a 30 yard shot and the arrow hit its mark. It took off on a dead run and made it about 200 yards before dieing on its feet. Their really impressive animals up close!!
Thanks for sharing with us,
Robb
Today Brylee and another girl headed to town for a girl's trip. They headed to the diamond mines, animal park and to the shops.
Geoffrey and I headed to the same blind in hopes of seeing the red hartebesst herd. We got into the blind early that morning and sat all morning with little action until after lunch a large group of Red hartebesst approached the blind. We picked one of the best bulls. My arrow and Ironwill did the trick and the hartebesst only ran 80 yards.
The color markings on its hide was breath taking!!! All the mounts, I've seen don't do them justice.
After visiting with Brylee about her day, I asked her if she wanted to go after an old Gemsbuck bull we saw yesterday. She jumped at the chance. So, we headed back to the blind that morning in hopes of seeing that bull again. Just before lunch, we saw a group of gemsbuck approaching but without the bull. They milled around the blind for about 10 minutes before we saw a single gemsbuck walking towards the blind. We could tell it was him. Once, he reached the blind it took about 15min before he presented a good broadside shot for her. She took careful aim and place the arrow just above the leg.
After taking some great photos we jumped back into the blind for an evening hunt. I was still looking for my 1st warthog and at sunset a male warthog showed up. It wasn't big but honestly I didn't care. I shot careful aim I placed the arrow in its the vitals.
We decided to drive around in hopes of spotting a shooter steenbuck that we could stalk. I really love the small antelope speiecs or the Tiny Ten.
It didn't take long for us to spot a steenbuck in the grass. We were able to get within 51 yards of him so I dailed my rover pin to 51 yards and took careful aim. It turned out to be one of my best shots to date. I'm confident half was luck but it hit the buck perfect. I was so pumped I did a massive happy dance. Geoffrey and Brylee started busting out in laughter at seeing me jumping and dancing. It was a sight to behold.
Ya’ll got some awesome trophies. Congrats !!
Thanks for sharing.
I wanted a chance at a mtn and a common reedbuck this trip. They had a mtn range in the area so we headed that direction and started glassing. After about an hour, we spotted some females and a small buck. A few minutes later we glassed up a good buck. We watched them for about 2 hours before they bedded down in the rocky hill side. We made a game plan and I headed after him solo while they stayed behind and watched. I had to hike around the mtn to approach him from above him. It took some time to stalk into bow range but I was able to get within 30 yards. I couldn't get any closer so I just got behind a big Boulder and waited. The wind must have swirled because all the sudden a doe I hadn't seen popped up from beside him and started looking around. After 5 min of that she decided to leave taking him with her leaving me no shot. The rest of the day ended with no more sighing of a reedbuck. We decided that evening to try and locate them tomorrow.
Day 9
We went back to the same mtn range and spotted the buck from yesterday on a near by mtn. I worked quickly and got to 60 yards but he knew something was up and took a few steps forward and looked back. I took the opportunity and took the shot.
I managed to take my 1st impala in Africa and another steenbuck.
We traveled to a completely new area looking for a mature red Lechwe. I wanted to do some more spot and stalk hunting. We spent the whole day looking for a good buck. About an hour before sunset we spotted him. He headed into a rocky reven so we followed after him. The area had rocks and ridges helping us close the gap to 60 yards before he caught sight of us. He caught movement or smiled us and moved 10 yards in the opposite direction. He stopped and looked back at us giving me just enough time to get a clean shot off. He only made it 80 yards before falling over. He had beautiful horns and a hide to match.
We would spend the next 2 days chasing Aoudad in their rocky hill country on foot. It reminded me of Mule Deer hunting back in the US. We had a blast chasing groups around their rocky mtns. Towards the end of the second day, I was able to close the deal on great ram.
Brylee shot a cull impala and a warthog
We actually leave this afternoon but I decided to pack thr night before and to hunt the morning. I still really want a duiker or white spring. If I had to chose it would be a duiker. I had a number of animals water but one of the last ones was a duiker!!!
really wanted to be with me for the Buffalo. I wanted to spot and stalk for the Buffalo but it made me nervous bringing my daughter along. She insisted she wanted to be by my side during the hunt. If something happens to me, doing what I love so be it but not my daughter. We had seen some Buffalo herds while hunting but not the size I wanted. I figured this would be my only Buffalo because there are so many animals I want to take in Africa. So, the decision was made to hunt a water hole with Brylee so she could join in the excitement. Another PH saw he a gaint Buffalo on the far side of the property. We decided to hunt the nearest water hole the next day. Within a few hours, we saw the buffalo peak out from the brush and look towards the waterhole. My mouth dropped in disbelief. It was a true gaint. My heart began to race like a stock car engine. As he got closer and closer my heart beat faster and faster. I finally told myself to calm down. When the bull made it to the water he was only 23 yards away. I pulled back my bow and put the pin on the shoulder. When I released I saw the arrow hit where I had aimed and bury into he's massive shoulder. The arrow went all the way to the fletchings exiting the far shoulder. I thought to my self his done.
The bull ran about 50 yards and did a 360 looking to charge at whatever just stung him. He then slowly walked towards a tree surrounded by bushes. We were thinking he would go down any sec but has the minutes passed we got more nervous. After watching him for 30 plus min we made the decision to try and get a second arrow in him. I told Brylee your staying here at the blind.
The Buffalo had only managed to go 120 yards before positioning himself in some bushes. We carefully worked our way closer watching the wind and being sure he never saw us. We worked our way to 47 yards but couldn't get any closer without being seen. If he saw us the game would be over and I would probably have to use a gun. Which, I didn't want to do but would for safety concerns . We sat waiting for 15min hoping the bull would move and allow us to get closer. No, such luck. He was hurt bad and didn't want to move. The only shot I had was a quarting away through a fair amount of brush. I had an opening but it was tight especially at 47 yards. I would be kneeling which would make it even more interesting. I looked at my PH and said let's do it. I realized, this was my last chance to take this bull with a bow. I can't explain the pressure I felt at that moment. I actually took a couple seconds to myself and some depth breaths. Then, I pulled back my bow and placed my pin just below the branch that crossed his body. I squeezed the trigger and then remember hearing what sounded like my arrow hitting brush. My guide said great shoot but be still. The bull ran about 30 yards and did a 360 spin looking for us. Then ran another 30 yards and did it again but that would be his last spin. He took a few steps and fell over. I couldn't believe my eyes. I had taken a Buffalo with just a bow and arrow!!!
What is the bow specs, arrow weight and BH ?
Here's a picture of the 1st shot. Because he's hanging it's a little deceiving. The shot was directly above the leg in the picture it appears to be more towards the edge of the shoulder. I would like to hear opinions about the shot placement.
hunt forever's Link
hunt forever's Link
For the angle it was a good shot. Just a little high.
What was your bow setup and arrow weight
Curious about arrow specs and bow poundage as well...