Newest Canadian PH in South Africa (make that Mozambique)

[BRICKBURN]

So, I have returned from 7 weeks in southern Africa. (Namibia and South Africa)

I spent 10 days of my time studying my butt off and going through the various tests and qualifying processes for becoming a rookie PH in South Africa (Limpopo).

It was incredibly demanding, we spent 14 hours in the class most days and the last two days were testing.
I am glad to say that I had an advantage in some instances and was extremely disadvantaged in others.
Caping animals is foreign to residents. They don't do it. So I was a hand up there. Trees and birds, well guess who had the hand up there.

So, I passed at the end. Some sections I got 100% some 70%. "The Laws" I managed an 82%., etc. Shooting distance and speed shooting were interesting with someone else's rifle and I still managed to qualify.

The Director David Sutherland from Sutherland Hunting Academy said that "he felt very sorry for my PH" on my upcoming hunt. It turned out that David's cousin is the wife of one of the unfortunate PH's Malcolm Thomson at Leeukop Safaris, that could have been leading my hunt in KZN. I even got to torture Niel a bit while I was there.

Suffice to say it was an intense, demanding course and was incredibly rewarding and if you have the time it is worth learning from this man. I have to get some more time on the ground hunting African species before I could truly apply for a license. That was not the real point of the exercise though.

I wanted to be a bit of trouble for my PH's. I got tested at Leeukop Safaris on many occasions by Kemp Landman ( my PH) It was fun to play the game and try to beat Moosa (my Zulu tracker at spotting things). At the start of the 10 days I could not see any game before him, including Zebra, which you think will stand out; They do not, it is not a zoo. At the end I could hold my own on some things. But an experienced Zulu tracker, whoa man, that is something to behold. As many of the local hunters I spoke with said, if you can even come close to Moosa you are doing very well. It was fun.

The course was was worth the time and effort to meet people who loved to hunt and loved the outdoors and were willing to teach a Canadian a few things and share their country.

 

[sestoppelman]

I understood one had to be a resident of RSA to be licensed there. If that is not so what is the truth of the matter? Thanks!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Not intending to be misleading Ses.
Yes, you do have to be an RSA resident, although you can get a "work permit" (Which I found out during my course)

I would also have to write "the LAWS" in any other province than Limpopo to get a license anywhere else.

I managed to pass the course for my own edification.
A restriction of 30 days "hunting experience" was placed on my qualification. (More than half of which I have obtained now.)
If I want to actually obtain the PH license I will have to get a "work permit" or obtain "RSA citizenship".

 

[Diamondhitch]

Sounds like a cool trip. I have thought the PH course would be a gas.

So whens the hunt report coming? You know we need pics!!!

 

[BRICKBURN]

DH I am working on it. This was the first kick at getting back to everyone on the trip.
There is a lot of pictures and information.

Here are a couple of pictures to whet the appetite while I get prepared to give "the big picture."

This Buffalo I affectionately called "Helmet Head". I did not even see them hiding the the brush. I was so focused on the Kudu we were chasing. I was "just walking behind the PH" and looking up the slope. There is trust for you. Snuck back later and got to within thirty yards to take this shot.

This Nyala Bull shot was taken by my wife while out on a game drive. The Non hunters "got tired" of seeing Nyala females and young bulls. If you can believe that!!! What does that tell you about the game management at Leeukop?!

This Rhino cow showed off an impressive horn while she was protecting her young calf. Incredible animals that I encountered many, many times during my hunting experience at Leeukop.

This was a trail cam picture that was taken after Niel ( PH @ Leeukop Safaris), who was PH for my young friend Nathan, spotted a fresh leopard kill of an Impala. So, the camera was set up and here is one of the pictures of the female Leopard. Determined after many hours of Leopard hunting with what was later dubbed "the Big White Gun"

Another nice Buffalo bull we ran into while out hunting Kudu. A completely different herd of Buffalo.

The "Hunting Chariot" crossing the Pongola River. These trucks are so tough and they take such a beating in the rough terrain, just getting you there. I do not fit very well in the front cab (just like those damn planes, no leg room) so I stayed outside in the back with Moosa.

Here is another Buffalo Bull. You guys can guess which one I eventually tried chasing down with my bow.

 

[sestoppelman]

I did not mean to imply that you were trying to mislead, just curious. It is something I think many of us have thought about more than once, myself included. At my age (58) such dreams are not very realistic. Good luck in whichever direction it takes you!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Nothing taken badly Ses. Just wanted to make sure.
If you have the time and want to really do some work, it is worth it, really.
Even if you do not end up working in the industry.

I read and read and read. It was the fastest ten days of my life in the last ten years I can tell you that.
You beg the lord for more time to study.

I did not mean to imply that you were trying to mislead, just curious. It is something I think many of us have thought about more than once, myself included. At my age (58) such dreams are not very realistic. Good luck in whichever direction it takes you!

 

[Second Wind]

Brick,

Oh yes there was something taken badly!

Ses, what exactly did you mean by that remark: " at my age (58)" LOL!!!!!

Seems to me the late, great Sachel Page said it best: " Age is a about mind over matter....if you don't mind, it don't matter"

That remark sounded more like it came from a 26 year old gym-bunny: "Oh yeah, he looks really good . . . . for his age"

I never could figure out exactly what she meant by that

(btw I'm 57)

 

[sestoppelman]

Second Wind, Well 58 is a little late to be thinking about starting new careers IMO. But only IMO.

Brickburn, I hear you. In 1974 I went to a guide school in Montana, two weeks in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. Worked for an elk outfitter in the Clearwater Mtns of Idaho for 2 seasons. It didnt work out but I would not trade the experience for anything. Sometime I plan to write a little story about my sometimes humorous and embarrassing trials and tribulations while doing so!

 

[BRICKBURN]

I would not give those ten days up for anything either.
I learned a lot.
I may just volunteer my time next summer and get those last days in and write the Natal Laws.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Congratulations on passing the test BRICKBURN!

 

[Second Wind]

Brother Ses,

Ya know, at 58, what if it all just went away.... Buffet said it right "woke up dry beneath the African sky just me and my Swiss Army knife"

While your experience was much more exciting than mine, airboat pilot and duck guide on the inland bays of the Central Flyway, it was, like yours rewarding and taught me much about people in general.

You're never to old to chase a dream or make yourself happy.

I've already looked into the PH schools, Elizabeth (the oldest) really would like to go, me, I am looking in a different direction, I'd just like to have a small place in the country, probably RSA or Namby, with a dirt strip that, with a charter, could whisk me away to one of my many hunting camps throughout the region. I figure a nice way to spend a few months of the year. Split the rest between pirating in the Keys and running the river in New Braunfels.

Oh, did I mention I was thinking about retirement ROFLMAO!

 

[Nyati]

Brickburn, congratulations :beer:

 

[enysse]

Congrats Brickburn! Those cape buffalo pictures are awesome!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Just looked back on this thread and in the ensuing years I have managed to gain more than those thirty days of hunting experience required. Including actually judging and guiding some friends (not for consideration) .

I took my first Blesbok on my own that first year, judging to shooting. Two years later I guided a friend to his Rowland Ward Blesbok. It is an interesting switch to have the pressure on you for someone else's trophy expectations. It changes the game completely.

Last trip I got my first really true judging screw up with a Black Wildebeest. I called it and the Bloody bosses, got me. I'll do a rematch one day.

Leopard hunting in Namibia was incredible. I learned great lessons in how to hunt. Two being; you must spend the time and timing is everything.
Playing a game of chess with these animals is an real challenge. A successful cat PH is worth his weighting gold.

The Dangerous Game followup (Leopard) in the dark with my camera was interesting. (Talk about confidence in the hunting client) Upon later review, we thought it might have been prudent for me to have a rifle instead of a camera. Elephants roaming the bush and all. I thought the three capable shooters with me could take care of it.
I know what the local trackers have to operate like now.

Approaches on Elephant in tall reeds. That is interesting. An Elephants eye has plenty of expression in it. You can really learn to read that body language or not. If you don't learn, you will have a short term career.

Stalking up on sleeping Aardwolf in Botswana and leaving it sleeping was fantastic.

Walk and stalk Bow hunting Vaalies in the mountain peaks, Blue Duiker coastal bush, Bushpig in blinds.
Day time, Walk and stalk Hyena and Cape Buffalo with my bow all provided opportunities for learning from experienced people, the bush and the game itself.

Sneaking up on Crocodiles is, I found, really tough to do. They must be able to feel you coming when you are close.

I have encountered one snake track and avoided seeing any snakes. Quite happy with this accomplishment.

I can find a scorpion like nobody else. Thankfully, I have learned the lessons very well about which ones can kill me. I don't panic when I see the little devils, like I might with snakes.
I just manage to find them on most stalks when I am on the ground crawling around.

In all that time I have avoided seeing a any Lion, even the ranched variety. The rest of the dangerous critters I have seen close up and personal.

I'll just keep on learning. It's been a lot of fun.



ps. From the pictures above. It was the last Buffalo I took with my bow.

 

[G Skinner]

Brick I'd share a fire with you any time just to listen to your tales ! Congrats.
Glen

 

[sestoppelman]

You have gathered a LOT of experience in a relatively short length of time. I just re read this whole thread. Now 63 not 58! Oh and when someone tells me that 60 is the new 30 I slap them hard!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Just looked back on this thread and in the ensuing years I have managed to gain more than those thirty days of hunting experience required. Including actually judging and guiding some friends (not for consideration) .

I took my first Blesbok on my own that first year, judging to shooting. Two years later I guided a friend to his Rowland Ward Blesbok. It is an interesting switch to have the pressure on you for someone else's trophy expectations. It changes the game completely.

Last trip I got my first really true judging screw up with a Black Wildebeest. I called it and the Bloody bosses, got me. I'll do a rematch one day.

Leopard hunting in Namibia was incredible. I learned great lessons in how to hunt. Two being; you must spend the time and timing is everything.
Playing a game of chess with these animals is an real challenge. A successful cat PH is worth his weighting gold.

The Dangerous Game followup (Leopard) in the dark with my camera was interesting. (Talk about confidence in the hunting client) Upon later review, we thought it might have been prudent for me to have a rifle instead of a camera. Elephants roaming the bush and all. I thought the three capable shooters with me could take care of it.
I know what the local trackers have to operate like now.

Approaches on Elephant in tall reeds. That is interesting. An Elephants eye has plenty of expression in it. You can really learn to read that body language or not. If you don't learn, you will have a short term career.

Stalking up on sleeping Aardwolf in Botswana and leaving it sleeping was fantastic.

Walk and stalk Bow hunting Vaalies in the mountain peaks, Blue Duiker coastal bush, Bushpig in blinds.
Day time, Walk and stalk Hyena and Cape Buffalo with my bow all provided opportunities for learning from experienced people, the bush and the game itself.

Sneaking up on Crocodiles is, I found, really tough to do. They must be able to feel you coming when you are close.

I have encountered one snake track and avoided seeing any snakes. Quite happy with this accomplishment.

I can find a scorpion like nobody else. Thankfully, I have learned the lessons very well about which ones can kill me. I don't panic when I see the little devils, like I might with snakes.
I just manage to find them on most stalks when I am on the ground crawling around.

In all that time I have avoided seeing a any Lion, even the ranched variety. The rest of the dangerous critters I have seen close up and personal.

I'll just keep on learning. It's been a lot of fun.



ps. From the pictures above. It was the last Buffalo I took with my bow.

In three previous trips I never saw a snake. This last one 3 in one day including a cape cobra and puff adder.......with my wife who is completely petrified of snakes.

 

[sestoppelman]

I have seen several snakes on my trips. Huge python in Zimbabwe in '96, small one in RSA last trip, some very small snakes in Tan and part of a cobra on that same Zim trip, I never saw a tracker move so fast!

 

[BRICKBURN]

I hope to maintain the record. Statistically, I doubt I can.