Angelo_orygun
AH enthusiast
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2019
- Messages
- 459
- Reaction score
- 861
- Location
- Prosper, TX
- Media
- 3
- Hunted
- South Africa, North America
I’m in the process of finalizing my 2022 Safari plans and was looking through the documents from my 2016 Safari, I figured someone might enjoy reading this as much as I did! Hard to believe it took me 6 years to get back!!
Somerby Safaris
Limpopo - April 2016
My Safari started the morning of Monday April 19th, my PH “PD” was early to pick me up and from my hotel and we headed north out of Johannesburg. I had wanted a Kudu from the first time I ever laid eyes on one at the SCI Show, I now had 2 days of hunting to make it happen. This short amount of time was a concern, but I was in RSA for work and this was all that I could spare with my schedule.
After swinging into camp to unload, have a quick meal and change, we headed out to the area that we were hunting. PD explained that this area had extremely good Kudu genetics and set my expectations on what we would look for. We traveled around for a while, passing two smaller Kudu bulls and then we found what we had been looking for. The old bull was with a herd of cows and very cautious, never presenting a shot. Once we got close, the entire group would take off running and the chase resumed. After a few hours of cat and mouse we found the group once more, and they took off once more, this time over a low-fence, and across a large cattle pasture. At 1100 meters I watched my bull stop, turn broadside and give a display I will never forget, promptly followed by jumping over one more fence and disappearing into the bush. My heart sank, I confirmed with PD that he was a great mature bull, and we proceeded to make the most of our last bit of hunting light.
Everything that I had ever read about hunting Kudu was happening. Trees and branches started to look like Kudu. Every time we found the herd, the Grey Ghost would disappear into the bush, I wondered if I would actually get a chance on this trip. On our way back to camp we found the group once again! I was finally faced with a chance at this great bull. The old boy was standing 75 meters away, his chest towards me, doing his best to disappear into the surroundings. Not this time.
After taking this wonderful animal I was speechless, a very real dream come true. After absorbing the gravity of the moment and enjoying the beauty of the hunt, we took a few pictures and then loaded the bull into the truck. It was at this moment that I truly realized the size and age of this animal, a true trophy and an amazing experience.
Once back in camp PD and I discussed what to do with the rest of our hunting time. I asked what he would suggest that I hunt based on the time left at the area that we were in. We settled on going after a Blue Wildebeest and Blesbuck the next day, and if a Warthog were to present itself, that was fair game.
Mid-morning on the second day, we found a nice Blesbuck that exceeded my expectations, a true trophy in my eyes! After a few hours of pursuing a large group of wildebeest and zebra, we settled on a beautiful old bull. At close to 100 meters and a quartering shot that was placed almost perfectly, I learned just how tough these animals can be. After what seemed like forever, and a track of 250 meters with no blood, I was greeted with an amazing animal. Old textured horns full of character and an amazing brindle coat, I couldn’t be happier.
Mid-afternoon on my second day, I had pulled the trigger three times, had three amazing animals and uncountable memories. I mentioned to PD “If I spent a week with you and kept shooting like that, I could really spend some money!” we both laughed, PD asked “what do you want to hunt now?” I said “a cigar and a scotch” so we headed back to camp to clean up!
My experience with Somerby was amazing from start to finish. Everything was top notch, the staff and camp were amazing. Africa is more beautiful than I imagined, and just like they say, on the flight home I was already dreaming of my next trip back! This next trip will most certainly be a little longer and definitely with Somerby Safari again!
And finally, almost 6 years to the day, I’ll be back for that “little longer” Safari!!
Somerby Safaris
Limpopo - April 2016
My Safari started the morning of Monday April 19th, my PH “PD” was early to pick me up and from my hotel and we headed north out of Johannesburg. I had wanted a Kudu from the first time I ever laid eyes on one at the SCI Show, I now had 2 days of hunting to make it happen. This short amount of time was a concern, but I was in RSA for work and this was all that I could spare with my schedule.
After swinging into camp to unload, have a quick meal and change, we headed out to the area that we were hunting. PD explained that this area had extremely good Kudu genetics and set my expectations on what we would look for. We traveled around for a while, passing two smaller Kudu bulls and then we found what we had been looking for. The old bull was with a herd of cows and very cautious, never presenting a shot. Once we got close, the entire group would take off running and the chase resumed. After a few hours of cat and mouse we found the group once more, and they took off once more, this time over a low-fence, and across a large cattle pasture. At 1100 meters I watched my bull stop, turn broadside and give a display I will never forget, promptly followed by jumping over one more fence and disappearing into the bush. My heart sank, I confirmed with PD that he was a great mature bull, and we proceeded to make the most of our last bit of hunting light.
Everything that I had ever read about hunting Kudu was happening. Trees and branches started to look like Kudu. Every time we found the herd, the Grey Ghost would disappear into the bush, I wondered if I would actually get a chance on this trip. On our way back to camp we found the group once again! I was finally faced with a chance at this great bull. The old boy was standing 75 meters away, his chest towards me, doing his best to disappear into the surroundings. Not this time.
After taking this wonderful animal I was speechless, a very real dream come true. After absorbing the gravity of the moment and enjoying the beauty of the hunt, we took a few pictures and then loaded the bull into the truck. It was at this moment that I truly realized the size and age of this animal, a true trophy and an amazing experience.
Once back in camp PD and I discussed what to do with the rest of our hunting time. I asked what he would suggest that I hunt based on the time left at the area that we were in. We settled on going after a Blue Wildebeest and Blesbuck the next day, and if a Warthog were to present itself, that was fair game.
Mid-morning on the second day, we found a nice Blesbuck that exceeded my expectations, a true trophy in my eyes! After a few hours of pursuing a large group of wildebeest and zebra, we settled on a beautiful old bull. At close to 100 meters and a quartering shot that was placed almost perfectly, I learned just how tough these animals can be. After what seemed like forever, and a track of 250 meters with no blood, I was greeted with an amazing animal. Old textured horns full of character and an amazing brindle coat, I couldn’t be happier.
Mid-afternoon on my second day, I had pulled the trigger three times, had three amazing animals and uncountable memories. I mentioned to PD “If I spent a week with you and kept shooting like that, I could really spend some money!” we both laughed, PD asked “what do you want to hunt now?” I said “a cigar and a scotch” so we headed back to camp to clean up!
My experience with Somerby was amazing from start to finish. Everything was top notch, the staff and camp were amazing. Africa is more beautiful than I imagined, and just like they say, on the flight home I was already dreaming of my next trip back! This next trip will most certainly be a little longer and definitely with Somerby Safari again!
And finally, almost 6 years to the day, I’ll be back for that “little longer” Safari!!
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