Chasing The Tiny 10 South Africa - The Journey Begins

Green Chile

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I have long focused on chasing the big dangerous game that makes your heart accelerate and your palms sweat. Perhaps a mental professional would even say that I’m addicted to it. What could possibly be better than sneaking into the footprints of one that is taller than trees…5 tons in weight and 5 decades or more in age? I will always be an elephant hunter. Who can ever forget their first buffalo...or any buffalo after that? What about baiting for cats and the long wait for one that comes…or often doesn’t! I’ve even grown to love stalking the ancient river lizards around the reeds and cut banks…moving so slow to catch one asleep on the sand…and then realizing that he is watching you as you watch him.

Every trip of mine to Africa has focused on dangerous game. I’ve taken some excellent plains game here and there but never made a trip for that single purpose. Last year, while hunting elephant in Zim, I came across a common duiker that just could not be passed up. While I have not scored him, his longest horn measured 6+ inches and the PH almost lost his mind when we took him. He was very special! Something about him broke down my stubbornness or lack of awareness about these tiny, beautiful creatures. That hunt report can be found here https://www.africahunting.com/threa...d-in-zimbabwe-cancellation-hunt-report.77747/.

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I came home and started researching more about these small antelope. I had read about them in times past but there was not a lot written about them until Peter Flack opened up about his growing addiction to them. If you haven’t read Heart of a Hunter by Flack then you are really missing some excellent writing about the Tiny 10 (and many other hunting subjects). In asking around of some PHs, I hear there has not even been a lot of professional research done on some of the tiny 10. We don’t seem to know a lot about their life patterns, etc. I’ve asked trackers and PHs if they have ever seen a baby red duiker. So far, no one I’ve talked to has even seen one in their whole career. Fascinating but little is known or written of them. There is one large book on the subject of duikers that I used to own and unfortunately sold it along the way. The price on it has really climbed but I am looking for a copy of Duikers of Africa - Masters of the African Forest Floor: A Study of Duikers - People - Hunting and Bushmeat by Vivian J. Wilson.

I recently started researching and making more plans for hunting the tiny 10 and small antelope in general. This hunt report is my first focused attempt on that subject. I will be sharing the results of that hunt for 4 of the tiny 10 here as well as 2 separate subjects that will be posted separately to keep the focus better on this hunt report. The other 2 subjects are very worthy of their own topic; dealing with police issues in Africa while hunting and missing/wounding game. I hope that you will also join me on those separate topics that I will post in the near future.

I hope you enjoy this report as I always enjoy sharing the ups and downs of my own experiences with others. I'm always learning and hope you find it to be interesting and entertaining.
 
The first day back in Africa is always interesting and a little crazy as you get moved into the area by plane, truck, boat and whatever else is needed. Thankfully there were no issues with the travel this trip. I learned early on to rely on the professionals when traveling to other countries and as always, Darren and Jennifer Ginn at Travel Express got everything in order for this trip. It wasn’t a complex travel plan but it’s worth a LOT to know that it’s going to be right and they are standing by if needed. I did some experimenting last year in my 2 trips to Africa with Darren’s help. I tried flying from Dallas to Paris to Joburg to Polokwane (SA) on 1 trip…and Dallas to Istanbul to Joburg to Bulawayo (Zim) on another trip. Those options added too much time getting there and weren’t relaxing to me. I would rather push hard and get there fast. So my 2 trips this year were getting on Delta and doing the long hop from Atlanta to Joburg to get in country. Yes it’s a long flight of 15 to 16 hours but you get it out of the way. As always, your mileage may vary but for those who don’t have millions of airline miles and you are wanting to get to Africa quickly, consider the economy routes that get you there faster.

I’ve used Rifle Permits many times without issue but this time, my PH asked me to try using Africa Sky’s VIP services and that was a great experience. I’ve often wondered what it would be like to skip the long lines at Africa Customs after getting off the plane. I was met before that point and walked through a very short line that had me done with Customs in 10 minutes. They also had my firearms permit and we gathered the guns at the SAPS office and went to Africa Sky’s lodge for the night. Great service, great steak dinner and back to the airport for the final flight to Polokwane.

Some photos of Africa Sky...

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One thing of note when going through OR Tambo airport in Joburg...the panhandlers and "shoe shiners" are getting much more aggressive in their tactics. When you go through security screening to go downstairs to Skylink domestic gates, you will find them just past security. They will try to detain you sounding official to get $20 out of you. This time I just said no thanks and kept walking BUT he tried to stop me and said, "Don't do that!" to stop me so I would talk to him. I looked at him and said stop...then moved past him. Don't let them get you as they have nothing to offer and are just looking for money. Move past them to get to your gate. The flight to Polokwane is about 1 hour and was uneventful.

At this point of the story, we encountered massive problems with SAPS in Polokwane. I will detail that in a separate topic to keep the story moving here. Suffice it to say, what you have experienced before in Africa is NO guarantee that you will have the same experience next time. TIA!
 

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Started the quest for the Tiny Ten (Twelve with Mt Reedbuck and Vaal Rhebuck) in 2018 and have become obsessed! Very rewarding to hunt!
 
I have long focused on chasing the big dangerous game that makes your heart accelerate and your palms sweat. Perhaps a mental professional would even say that I’m addicted to it. What could possibly be better than sneaking into the footprints of one that is taller than trees…5 tons in weight and 5 decades or more in age? I will always be an elephant hunter. Who can ever forget their first buffalo...or any buffalo after that? What about baiting for cats and the long wait for one that comes…or often doesn’t! I’ve even grown to love stalking the ancient river lizards around the reeds and cut banks…moving so slow to catch one asleep on the sand…and then realizing that he is watching you as you watch him.

Every trip of mine to Africa has focused on dangerous game. I’ve taken some excellent plains game here and there but never made a trip for that single purpose. Last year, while hunting elephant in Zim, I came across a common duiker that just could not be passed up. While I have not scored him, his longest horn measured 6+ inches and the PH almost lost his mind when we took him. He was very special! Something about him broke down my stubbornness or lack of awareness about these tiny, beautiful creatures. That hunt report can be found here https://www.africahunting.com/threa...d-in-zimbabwe-cancellation-hunt-report.77747/.

View attachment 643617

I came home and started researching more about these small antelope. I had read about them in times past but there was not a lot written about them until Peter Flack opened up about his growing addiction to them. If you haven’t read Heart of a Hunter by Flack then you are really missing some excellent writing about the Tiny 10 (and many other hunting subjects). In asking around of some PHs, I hear there has not even been a lot of professional research done on some of the tiny 10. We don’t seem to know a lot about their life patterns, etc. I’ve asked trackers and PHs if they have ever seen a baby red duiker. So far, no one I’ve talked to has even seen one in their whole career. Fascinating but little is known or written of them. There is one large book on the subject of duikers that I used to own and unfortunately sold it along the way. The price on it has really climbed but I am looking for a copy of Duikers of Africa - Masters of the African Forest Floor: A Study of Duikers - People - Hunting and Bushmeat by Vivian J. Wilson.

I recently started researching and making more plans for hunting the tiny 10 and small antelope in general. This hunt report is my first focused attempt on that subject. I will be sharing the results of that hunt for 4 of the tiny 10 here as well as 2 separate subjects that will be posted separately to keep the focus better on this hunt report. The other 2 subjects are very worthy of their own topic; dealing with police issues in Africa while hunting and missing/wounding game. I hope that you will also join me on those separate topics that I will post in the near future.

I hope you enjoy this report as I always enjoy sharing the ups and downs of my own experiences with others. I'm always learning and hope you find it to be interesting and entertaining.
Ready to read all about it, thanks for always sharing
 
Looking forward to it, I’ve stated before I made a huge mistake by not taking advantage of several opportunities in Mozambique, could have shot 4 relatively easily ( blue and red duiker, suni and oribi) . Now I’m playing catch-up with only three down, bush duiker, klipspringer and steinbok. Contemplating a sharpes grysbok next year but $3 grand is a lot for a 20# antelope in RSA.
 
First night of hunting… SOUTH AFRICA Limpopo Part 1

This trip allowed me to stay a night at the home of my good friend and PH, Dieter Prinsloo who owns Mattanja Safaris. Dieter is an AH forum sponsor and great all around guy. As much as we both love hunting DG, we had planned on something different this trip. We were both very excited to focus on the tiny 10 and Dieter had plans for going ofter 4 of the 10 in one short week. I say “short week” because Dieter always wants me to stay longer but I can get away for 1 week easier than 2 as a business owner.

There are not many places where you can go after 4 or 5 of the tiny 10 in one area. There are parts of Limpopo where this is not only possible but with good odds of success on every species. Of course, it’s real hunting and there are no guarantees as you will see on this hunt report. However, Dieter can offer good chances on common duiker, steenbok, klipspringer, Sharpe’s grysbok and red duiker within 1-2 hours of his home base in Limpopo. I had the monster common duiker from last year so we had plans for the other 4 on this trip plus whatever the bush offered up.

Dieter has a beautiful avocado farm in the mountains of Limpopo and it was a real pleasure to meet his family. The first evening we jumped in the baakie for a little tour of his farm and to meet up with his neighbor who had offered a chance at Sharpe’s grysbok and some night critters.

One thing about the tiny 10 is you will have to travel to get them all…and the means of hunting them can vary quite a bit from species to species. On this trip, we would use spot & stalk, calling, night hunting and chance encounters to be successful in our goals. First up…night hunting.

We jumped in the back of the truck and the neighbor drove slowly through the avocado and nut groves while we scanned for movement and glowing eyes. I had my Blaser K95 single shot in 22 Hornet with a Swaro Z6i scope in 1-8x with illuminated reticle. This is my favorite DG scope but I also love it for night hunting.

Here are the 2 rifles I brought on this trip...more to be said about them both as we go forward in the story.

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One of the things that tends to happen to me (and certainly you as well) is what do you do when you run into something special while looking for something else. Here we are looking for grysbok, one of the main focuses of my trip, and we run into a killer bushbuck in the process. We are looking around the orchards and groves and there were lots of bushbuck around but then one is seen on the edge of cover creeping around…what looks like a freaking 18” plus bushbuck sneaking around like a ninja. What do you do in the moment? My first response was that I was holding the wrong rifle for a big bushbuck…and my answer was he’s awesome but let’s focus on the grysbok first…so I turned him down and stunned my PH. Dieter is going to read this and think I made the WRONG choice! I can hear his voice in my head right now…hah. I actually have no regrets on it but he was an awesome bushbuck and did I see him again later? Of course not! I might have made a different choice if I KNEW what was going to happen with our goals that night but I did not (and could not) know the outcome ahead of time. These things happen all the time and sometimes I take the diversion and sometimes I stay focused. This would be an interesting subject for discussion on the forum sometime. I don’t see it as right and wrong but shades of grey.

I’ve heard a lot of grysbok stories of it taking long hours or even multiple trips to find success with them. I was very fortunate on this trip to have access to a wonderful small farm with a pocket of grysbok population…not to mention the kind offer of the neighbor to help us find one and a permit in hand! After about 1 hour of looking and seeing several female grysbok, we located a male and my shot was successful with the 22 Hornet exiting but not damaging the trophy. Honestly, I was stunned to have such early success and it’s not just any grysbok but one with 2” horns. I hear what some of you are saying, “Excitement over 2” horns???” You betcha! Rowland Ward minimum is 1.5” so finding that 2” grysbok was fantastic. Focus in on his horns and look at the mass and length...and then his delicate little hooves. What an awesome creature.

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Congrats and love the write up so far. I have 7 of the ten and hope to finish it off on a trip to Mozambique in the next couple of years.

HH
Excellent. Which 3 are left for you? Probably sunni and...

These little guys require a lot of planning and effort. I doubt anyone has accomplished it randomly without some strategy and focus.
 
Congrats! Excellent mass, but I'm not sure I could have passed up an 18" Bushbuck!!
 
Congrats! Excellent mass, but I'm not sure I could have passed up an 18" Bushbuck!!
I hear you...sounds crazy right? Honestly, I didn't know how big it was for sure but the PH and the neighbor acted like I was nuts. We did look for it later but no luck there.
 
First night of hunting…part 2

After getting the grysbok so quickly, we decided to look around in the dark and see what we could find. Those avocado and nut farms are so beautiful and full of life, especially at night.

The landowner/neighbor made an interesting comment as we looked around for night critters. He said sometimes you see a few but then there are some nights that they seem to all be walking around at the same time. His statement turned out to be very accurate that night.

I had several of the night critters on my wish list and we saw most of them that night. First to go down was the large spotted genet. There are quite a few in this area and they are beautiful little night creatures. On this one, the little 22 Hornet ripped him up a bit on the exit as they have thin skin. I couldn’t tell before the shot but we were fortunate to take a nice male of the species.

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We kept cruising around slowly and saw a mongoose but he was not sitting still for anyone and he moved out like a streak. I also think this was the time when I reached into my pocket and then tried to load the break action Hornet with an EMPTY shell casing in the dark. Huh…that doesn’t work out well. We laughed about that.

As we came around another corner, there was a huge civet. This one was in a very awkward angle for a right handed shooter and I took a quick shot and immediately said it was too far back. The civet was anchored though and I got another shot into him quickly. Interestingly, the civet was the only animal shot with a 22 Hornet on this trip that didn’t exit…and in this case, neither bullet exited. They are pretty dense. Here again, a great male example and pretty large.

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Great hunt so far. Waiting patiently to hear more about the rifles.
 
Looking forward to it, I’ve stated before I made a huge mistake by not taking advantage of several opportunities in Mozambique, could have shot 4 relatively easily ( blue and red duiker, suni and oribi) . Now I’m playing catch-up with only three down, bush duiker, klipspringer and steinbok. Contemplating a sharpes grysbok next year but $3 grand is a lot for a 20# antelope in RSA.
3 grand is a lot for Sharpe's. Time and $ are big factors in how you approach taking the T10. There is nowhere you can get all of them in one location. Some places are higher cost than others but more convenient since you are there. In this case, trophy fees were 2500 for Sharpe's grysbok and 2300 for red duiker. There is almost no place in Limpopo where you could get both of those at any cost but you can here...for some cost.
 
I have 5 of the Tiny Ten and went 2 years ago to hunt Klipspringers and Sharpe's Grysbok. I got most of the predators on my list but could not get the Sharps, Klipspringers or Civet. So, I am jealous.

The spotted hyena in my avatar is one from this hunt but I really wanted the Sharpe's. Sharpe's are very difficult to hunt.
 
I hear ya B. This hunt will have some good luck, some hard work of course and some downright low points. I'm splitting the hunt into 3 different topics for those reasons.

I felt super jazzed to have such a good first night hunt and the hunt didn't even officially start until the next day!
 
So that was a pretty good start all things considered…and wait until you hear the rest of the story when I post another topic about police interference on the arrival day that threatened to end the hunt before it even started. This hunt didn’t even officially start until the next day but here we are coming into camp with 3 quality animals to skin. Dieter joked and said this is the first time he showed up to start a hunt with 3 trophies already in the truck.

This would turn out to be an interesting hunt weather-wise. It’s very hot and dry of course as Africa is experiencing the worst drought in decades but there would be days of wind and overcast conditions and even hail storms. Tiny 10 seem especially susceptible to weather conditions changing. In my limited experience with them, they seem sensitive to weather changes and I will be sharing some examples of that.

This first official day of the hunt has now started. We have gotten up pretty early and driven to a special honey hole for red duiker on private property. Dieter is very good at landowner relationships and he had gone the extra mile to secure permission (as well as permits) for several T10. This is something important to consider when getting into speciality species like T10; does your PH have the relationships to be able to make a plan B or C or Z if necessary?

We get to the first area and it’s pretty close to town actually. We were hunting in the back of someone’s property within sight of other farms and houses. I thought…now I know why Dieter wanted me to bring a little gun instead of something like a 375 with solids. Those houses are right there! You could hear workers talking on neighboring farms. We got back into the back of this small location and setup to call red duikers. They are one of the T10 species that responds to predator calls. They are territorial but also curious little creatures. So Dieter starts blowing a rabbit distress call and we are setup like we are calling fox or coyotes. I’m on the sticks and Dieter is calling while the tracker helps watch for movement. We moved around and did several calling sets but had no noticeable movement on our property. We did see 2 red duikers on the neighbor’s property but nothing in front of us. A very interesting hunt and not the last for the red duiker on this trip.

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After some time there, we drove about 1 hour back to the main lodge for lunch and to make a plan for the afternoon. Dieter said let’s get the .416 out and go for a drive to see what’s moving. Leadwood Ranch has quite a variety of game and it was good to be moving and seeing it again. One of the things on my list was looking for an above average nyala. I’ve been on the search for a 30” nyala and well, they just don’t grow on trees everywhere. I talked with Craig Boddington earlier this year on a hunt with him and he said it took him around 25 years to get a 30” nyala. I think he only has 2 nyala of that size after over 40 years of hunting Africa.

I’ve seen lots of decent sized nyala on other trips but love watching old Shifty One sneaking around. Anyone here love nyala? In some ways, they might be the most beautiful antelope in Africa. As we were driving, we noticed a couple of nyala of interest down in a dry creek bed. As we walked in to get a closer look, I could tell by Dieter’s approach that he was interested in at least one of them. You just notice the body language after awhile…the way they hold the sticks changes or they walk a little differently. Dieter slowed way down so I knew things were getting more serious. It turns out one was very good and the other was younger but as these things go, he was another full set of senses on alert for his older friend.

The younger bull sensed us and took the older bull into the brush on the hill above the creek bed. We got back in the truck and moved ahead of them seeing them at various points but they were moving calmly and slowly. They had seen something but hadn’t scented us yet.

We got ahead of them without spooking them but they had definitely seen us now. As we got close, they stood directly behind some thick bushes looking at us through the cover. It was interesting because you could see they were deciding on whether or not to clear out of the area but they had some cover so they held tight for a moment. By this time, we had decided that the larger nyala was big enough and would take a shot if given the opportunity. As they held behind the brush, Dieter said you’ve got a .416 and this is our only chance…the .416 recoils and the nyala is running…and down in 20 yards. The shot exited the nyala but also peppered him with shrapnel from the exploding bush. Dieter shrugged and said you had a .416 and I knew it would work. He was right…and he was right about this nyala…longest horn was 29.25”. What a beautiful nyala. @TOBY458 the first kill for the Blaser you sold me and the .416 barrel.

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So that was a pretty good start all things considered…and wait until you hear the rest of the story when I post another topic about police interference on the arrival day that threatened to end the hunt before it even started. This hunt didn’t even officially start until the next day but here we are coming into camp with 3 quality animals to skin. Dieter joked and said this is the first time he showed up to start a hunt with 3 trophies already in the truck.

This would turn out to be an interesting hunt weather-wise. It’s very hot and dry of course as Africa is experiencing the worst drought in decades but there would be days of wind and overcast conditions and even hail storms. Tiny 10 seem especially susceptible to weather conditions changing. In my limited experience with them, they seem sensitive to weather changes and I will be sharing some examples of that.

This first official day of the hunt has now started. We have gotten up pretty early and driven to a special honey hole for red duiker on private property. Dieter is very good at landowner relationships and he had gone the extra mile to secure permission (as well as permits) for several T10. This is something important to consider when getting into speciality species like T10; does your PH have the relationships to be able to make a plan B or C or Z if necessary?

We get to the first area and it’s pretty close to town actually. We were hunting in the back of someone’s property within sight of other farms and houses. I thought…now I know why Dieter wanted me to bring a little gun instead of something like a 375 with solids. Those houses are right there! You could hear workers talking on neighboring farms. We got back into the back of this small location and setup to call red duikers. They are one of the T10 species that responds to predator calls. They are territorial but also curious little creatures. So Dieter starts blowing a rabbit distress call and we are setup like we are calling fox or coyotes. I’m on the sticks and Dieter is calling while the tracker helps watch for movement. We moved around and did several calling sets but had no noticeable movement on our property. We did see 2 red duikers on the neighbor’s property but nothing in front of us. A very interesting hunt and not the last for the red duiker on this trip.

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After some time there, we drove about 1 hour back to the main lodge for lunch and to make a plan for the afternoon. Dieter said let’s get the .416 out and go for a drive to see what’s moving. Leadwood Ranch has quite a variety of game and it was good to be moving and seeing it again. One of the things on my list was looking for an above average nyala. I’ve been on the search for a 30” nyala and well, they just don’t grow on trees everywhere. I talked with Craig Boddington earlier this year on a hunt with him and he said it took him around 25 years to get a 30” nyala. I think he only has 2 nyala of that size after over 40 years of hunting Africa.

I’ve seen lots of decent sized nyala on other trips but love watching old Shifty One sneaking around. Anyone here love nyala? In some ways, they might be the most beautiful antelope in Africa. As we were driving, we noticed a couple of nyala of interest down in a dry creek bed. As we walked in to get a closer look, I could tell by Dieter’s approach that he was interested in at least one of them. You just notice the body language after awhile…the way they hold the sticks changes or they walk a little differently. Dieter slowed way down so I knew things were getting more serious. It turns out one was very good and the other was younger but as these things go, he was another full set of senses on alert for his older friend.

The younger bull sensed us and took the older bull into the brush on the hill above the creek bed. We got back in the truck and moved ahead of them seeing them at various points but they were moving calmly and slowly. They had seen something but hadn’t scented us yet.

We got ahead of them without spooking them but they had definitely seen us now. As we got close, they stood directly behind some thick bushes looking at us through the cover. It was interesting because you could see they were deciding on whether or not to clear out of the area but they had some cover so they held tight for a moment. By this time, we had decided that the larger nyala was big enough and would take a shot if given the opportunity. As they held behind the brush, Dieter said you’ve got a .416 and this is our only chance…the .416 recoils and the nyala is running…and down in 20 yards. The shot exited the nyala but also peppered him with shrapnel from the exploding bush. Dieter shrugged and said you had a .416 and I knew it would work. He was right…and he was right about this nyala…longest horn was 29.25”. What a beautiful nyala. @TOBY458 the first kill for the Blaser you sold me and the .416 barrel.

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Nice job! Glad to see the R8 going to good use!
 

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Grz63 wrote on Doug Hamilton's profile.
Hello Doug,
I am Philippe from France and plan to go hunting Caprivi in 2026, Oct.
I have read on AH you had some time in Vic Falls after hunting. May I ask you with whom you have planned / organized the Chobe NP tour and the different visits. (with my GF we will have 4 days and 3 nights there)
Thank in advance, I will appreciate your response.
Merci
Philippe
Grz63 wrote on Moe324's profile.
Hello Moe324
I am Philippe from France and plan to go hunting Caprivi in 2026, Oct.
I have read on AH you had some time in Vic Falls after hunting. May I ask you with whom you have planned / organized the Chobe NP tour and the different visits. (with my GF we will have 4 days and 3 nights there)
Thank in advance, I will appreciate your response.
Merci
Philippe
rafter3 wrote on Manny R's profile.
Hey there could I have that jewelers email you mentioned in the thread?
VIGILAIRE wrote on wesheltonj's profile.
Hi Walden. Good morning from England, Chris here (The Englishman!) from Croatia. Firstly it was a pleasure to meet you and Michelle - a fellow Sanderson! I have finally joined AH as I enjoy it very much. Glad you enjoyed the hunt and your write up which I read on AR was very good indeed. I am sending on WhatsApp pics from Bojan of some of the animals hunted recently. Take care and best regards. CS.
 
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