Schmidty
AH senior member
I just returned home from my hunt in South Africa. I'll post a full report on my entire hunt in a different thread. However, I wanted to share specifically my hunt experience for Kudu. The entirety of the hunt was to be cape buffalo and Klipspringer. We were to start with buffalo giving a couple of days dedicated to bowhunting buffalo and then switching to rifle if needed. If and when the buffalo was secured the plan was to switch to bowhunting for Klipspringer. The buffalo hunt was on a different property than what the Klipspringer hunt was to be on.
I was hunting the Limpopo region. Specifically the bowhunting was done on bowhunting only property that was over 17,000 acres in the mountains near Thabazimbi. I was asked prior to the hunt if I was interested in a Kudu with my bow as the property I was hunting for Klipspringer is known for having nice Kudu. I said maybe but it wasn't really on my list for this hunt. I did have a Kudu with my bow on my bucket list from someday on a another safari. This was my 4th safari and previously Kudu wasn't hunted and I never really saw any to get to worked up over. That all changed this week.
After day three of my to be 10 day hunt the buffalo was secured with a .458 win mag barrowed from the PH. On day 4 we headed up into the mountains sit in a blind for Klipspringer. As the day unfolded not too many animals came into the waterhole and it wasn't very eventful until the last 30 min of the hunt. The PH Pieter spotted Kudu in the bush and said there was a big bull. I could not see the kudu from the shooting window I was looking out of. Not long after Pieter said the bull was coming right out front. I decided to get my bow in hand and position myself for a shot if I decided to shoot him. I still was not 100% committed to shooting a Kudu yet mostly because of not wanting to break the self set budget especially after killing a buffalo.
Once I saw that Kudu bull at 25 yards out of my shooting window my heart pounded so hard and breathing got uneven. The bull hung up facing me at 25 yards and didn't like something and spooked. I now was obsessed with a Kudu bull!
Over the next three days we hunted hard between two specific blinds where a shooter Kudu bull was spotted each day only to end with the same result...bull is coming in and then they spook or the cows spook and blowup the water hole. On day 2 a "massive" bushbuck came in and Pieter told me how hard it is to get a big mature bushbuck with a bow. He never told me I should shoot it but he made an impression of how rare of opportunity it was at a bushbuck like that is, with a bos. I could tell he was excited at such a nice animal. But I passed for two reasons, I didn't want it to mess up our kudu sit and I truly had no idea how much they were. After it came and left Pieter was still talking about the bushbuck. Finally I asked him "should I have shot it" and he replied "yes". I told him I didn't want it to mess up our kudu hunt and I didn't know how much they cost, he told me $1,6000. Back at camp that night the outfitter impressed upon me how big of bushbuck we saw after showing him pictures and videos. He was surprised I would pass up such a great opportunity on such an animal. I truly had no idea how big of deal it is to the PH's that a big bushbuck is.
Sit #3/kudu hunt #3: At the end of day three finally a bull commits to the water and at 20 yards I completely lost my composure trying to get into position for a shot and I miss fired my realse as I was getting the bull into view and sent an arrow flying not even close to the bull. I was so dejected after three -8 hour blind sits only to have bulls hang up and spook, then get a picture perfect broadside shot at 20 yards and completely blow it.
Pieter my PH was very positive with me and just said that's hunting and we both were happy I didn't make a bad shot and wound the bull. On the 45 minute drive back to camp it was very quiet. Typically we chatted and got to know each other better but this ride was much different. I asked Pieter if maybe we could try hunting Kudu with a rifle at a different property where rifle hunting was allowed. I could sense his hesitation. He didn't say no but I could tell he wasn't into that idea. He just said he'd have to talk to the outfitter. Later that night at camp both Pieter and the outfitter said to me "you must shot a Kudu with your bow, your not leaving here without shooting a Kudu with your bow". At first I was kind of thinking maybe they just want to save some Kudu for other rifle hunters coming in. I was upset at my mistake on the Kudu earlier that day that I had a negative and self doubt attituted. I learned later that Pieter and the outfitter were being genuine and they really wanted me to fulfill my "one day" dream of killing a kudu with a bow. They could have easily let me go rifle hunting and upped my odds of getting a Kudu and upped their odds of making money. But they truly wanted me to keep a good attitude and get a Kudu with my bow.
So day 4 we head back bowhunting for Kudu. We are back in the blind where we say the "massive" bushbuck. Around mid-morning Piter says "you're friend is coming in" I immediately said "the big bushbuck" and he just shakes his head yes. I stand up and look out the small viewing window and see the bushbuck coming in. I ask Pieter if I should shoot it and he said yes. That's all I needed to hear. I get into position, the bushbuck makes the water and at 20 yards facing to the right I made a great shot and bushbuck tips over within 25 yards. I was relieved to have made a nice shot and kept my composure. It was a good confidence builder. Turns out it was not exact one we saw on day 2, it was still a big one just another different one. The rest of the day came and went and just like our others a shooter Kudu bull started coming in only to spook and leave.
Day 5 of Kudu hunting and final day of hunting. (My dad who was with on the hunt, got sick, and wanted to head home earlier. He changed our flights to leave a day earlier while at camp when I was Kudu hunting the previous day and I didn't know it until that night).
Anyhow, the pressure was on now as Pieter and I were going for one last blind sit for Kudu. They started like all the others, breakfast at camp and 45 minute drive up to the mountains to hunt. On the way Pieter and I were more chatty than usual. Maybe it was from the new found confidence from killing the bushbuck but there was a definite good feeling vibe going in to the hunt. On the way Pieter saw another PH on the road he knew and waved and that guy responded with a thumbs up to us. As we arrived to the gate to the property Pieter said "when we drive back out the gate today there's going to be two horns sticking up out of the truck". On the way in Pieter and the tracker collected zebra dung to burn near the blind to help cover our scent. He burned dung each day, today he said the wind was perfect for this blind but we are going to do everything right. As I sat in the blind I repeated my shooting process in my head and kept telling my self to pick a spot and follow through if I got the opportunity on a bull. There was a calmness in the blind that morning. I did not spend much time looking out the window and just wanted to sit calmly and keep my mind right. At about 10:30 Pieter turned to me, we made eye contact and he just shook his head with a slow confident yes nod. I knew what that meant. I stood calmly not looking out the window. A few minutes later Pieter told me to get my bow in my hand. I got my bow and just stood looking at the water not wanting to even see the bull until it was at the water to keep my self calm. Once the bull made it into my view I just needed to wait for him to pick a side to drink from and turn broadside. He came in at a quarter too me angle from the right to the left. He got to the left side of the water and looked at the blind. I thought he was on to us. He then turned and decide to walk to the right side of the water. I thought here we go again, a bull comes close then spooks. He committed to the water and presented a 20 yard broadside shot. He had not yet started drinking or put his head down to drink. Just standing there alert I drew my bow, settled my peep around the sight ring, centered the pin, and settled on the kudu and released. Upon release (confirmed on video) the bull ducked and turned slightly and my arrow stuck a little high and forward knocking the bull off his feet and dropped over. We assessed the situation and determined we must get out of the blind and put in a follow up shot into the chest cavity. There was no way to do that from the blind because he fell down facing away. With nothing but a butt shot available we got out and got the proper angle I put an arrow into his chest cavity. At that point, reality set in on what we had done and we both were shaking. A quick celebration with and handshake and hug and euphoria came quick.
This Kudu hunt reminded me how bowhunting makes me feel alive and gets my heart going more than anything else I have experienced. I am so glad Pieter stuck it out with me and encouraged me to stick with the bow. Like he told me everything happens for a reason.
If I had not missed the bull on day 3 I wouldn't have killed the bushbuck on day 4. I also wouldn't have killed the old mature Kudu I did. Pieter estimated him at 12 years old. He was so skinny you could see his ribs. Pieter took a nice pic of him walking in and you can see his ribs and shoulder blade. I'm not into measurements but for that are interested, Pieter estimate him at 53"-54". After pics were done he did a quick measurement and it went 53.5", he said in it's prime with not worn down tips it might have pushed 55". None of that means much to me as much that it was a good mature bull and the experience is all I cared about.
I was hunting the Limpopo region. Specifically the bowhunting was done on bowhunting only property that was over 17,000 acres in the mountains near Thabazimbi. I was asked prior to the hunt if I was interested in a Kudu with my bow as the property I was hunting for Klipspringer is known for having nice Kudu. I said maybe but it wasn't really on my list for this hunt. I did have a Kudu with my bow on my bucket list from someday on a another safari. This was my 4th safari and previously Kudu wasn't hunted and I never really saw any to get to worked up over. That all changed this week.
After day three of my to be 10 day hunt the buffalo was secured with a .458 win mag barrowed from the PH. On day 4 we headed up into the mountains sit in a blind for Klipspringer. As the day unfolded not too many animals came into the waterhole and it wasn't very eventful until the last 30 min of the hunt. The PH Pieter spotted Kudu in the bush and said there was a big bull. I could not see the kudu from the shooting window I was looking out of. Not long after Pieter said the bull was coming right out front. I decided to get my bow in hand and position myself for a shot if I decided to shoot him. I still was not 100% committed to shooting a Kudu yet mostly because of not wanting to break the self set budget especially after killing a buffalo.
Once I saw that Kudu bull at 25 yards out of my shooting window my heart pounded so hard and breathing got uneven. The bull hung up facing me at 25 yards and didn't like something and spooked. I now was obsessed with a Kudu bull!
Over the next three days we hunted hard between two specific blinds where a shooter Kudu bull was spotted each day only to end with the same result...bull is coming in and then they spook or the cows spook and blowup the water hole. On day 2 a "massive" bushbuck came in and Pieter told me how hard it is to get a big mature bushbuck with a bow. He never told me I should shoot it but he made an impression of how rare of opportunity it was at a bushbuck like that is, with a bos. I could tell he was excited at such a nice animal. But I passed for two reasons, I didn't want it to mess up our kudu sit and I truly had no idea how much they were. After it came and left Pieter was still talking about the bushbuck. Finally I asked him "should I have shot it" and he replied "yes". I told him I didn't want it to mess up our kudu hunt and I didn't know how much they cost, he told me $1,6000. Back at camp that night the outfitter impressed upon me how big of bushbuck we saw after showing him pictures and videos. He was surprised I would pass up such a great opportunity on such an animal. I truly had no idea how big of deal it is to the PH's that a big bushbuck is.
Sit #3/kudu hunt #3: At the end of day three finally a bull commits to the water and at 20 yards I completely lost my composure trying to get into position for a shot and I miss fired my realse as I was getting the bull into view and sent an arrow flying not even close to the bull. I was so dejected after three -8 hour blind sits only to have bulls hang up and spook, then get a picture perfect broadside shot at 20 yards and completely blow it.
Pieter my PH was very positive with me and just said that's hunting and we both were happy I didn't make a bad shot and wound the bull. On the 45 minute drive back to camp it was very quiet. Typically we chatted and got to know each other better but this ride was much different. I asked Pieter if maybe we could try hunting Kudu with a rifle at a different property where rifle hunting was allowed. I could sense his hesitation. He didn't say no but I could tell he wasn't into that idea. He just said he'd have to talk to the outfitter. Later that night at camp both Pieter and the outfitter said to me "you must shot a Kudu with your bow, your not leaving here without shooting a Kudu with your bow". At first I was kind of thinking maybe they just want to save some Kudu for other rifle hunters coming in. I was upset at my mistake on the Kudu earlier that day that I had a negative and self doubt attituted. I learned later that Pieter and the outfitter were being genuine and they really wanted me to fulfill my "one day" dream of killing a kudu with a bow. They could have easily let me go rifle hunting and upped my odds of getting a Kudu and upped their odds of making money. But they truly wanted me to keep a good attitude and get a Kudu with my bow.
So day 4 we head back bowhunting for Kudu. We are back in the blind where we say the "massive" bushbuck. Around mid-morning Piter says "you're friend is coming in" I immediately said "the big bushbuck" and he just shakes his head yes. I stand up and look out the small viewing window and see the bushbuck coming in. I ask Pieter if I should shoot it and he said yes. That's all I needed to hear. I get into position, the bushbuck makes the water and at 20 yards facing to the right I made a great shot and bushbuck tips over within 25 yards. I was relieved to have made a nice shot and kept my composure. It was a good confidence builder. Turns out it was not exact one we saw on day 2, it was still a big one just another different one. The rest of the day came and went and just like our others a shooter Kudu bull started coming in only to spook and leave.
Day 5 of Kudu hunting and final day of hunting. (My dad who was with on the hunt, got sick, and wanted to head home earlier. He changed our flights to leave a day earlier while at camp when I was Kudu hunting the previous day and I didn't know it until that night).
Anyhow, the pressure was on now as Pieter and I were going for one last blind sit for Kudu. They started like all the others, breakfast at camp and 45 minute drive up to the mountains to hunt. On the way Pieter and I were more chatty than usual. Maybe it was from the new found confidence from killing the bushbuck but there was a definite good feeling vibe going in to the hunt. On the way Pieter saw another PH on the road he knew and waved and that guy responded with a thumbs up to us. As we arrived to the gate to the property Pieter said "when we drive back out the gate today there's going to be two horns sticking up out of the truck". On the way in Pieter and the tracker collected zebra dung to burn near the blind to help cover our scent. He burned dung each day, today he said the wind was perfect for this blind but we are going to do everything right. As I sat in the blind I repeated my shooting process in my head and kept telling my self to pick a spot and follow through if I got the opportunity on a bull. There was a calmness in the blind that morning. I did not spend much time looking out the window and just wanted to sit calmly and keep my mind right. At about 10:30 Pieter turned to me, we made eye contact and he just shook his head with a slow confident yes nod. I knew what that meant. I stood calmly not looking out the window. A few minutes later Pieter told me to get my bow in my hand. I got my bow and just stood looking at the water not wanting to even see the bull until it was at the water to keep my self calm. Once the bull made it into my view I just needed to wait for him to pick a side to drink from and turn broadside. He came in at a quarter too me angle from the right to the left. He got to the left side of the water and looked at the blind. I thought he was on to us. He then turned and decide to walk to the right side of the water. I thought here we go again, a bull comes close then spooks. He committed to the water and presented a 20 yard broadside shot. He had not yet started drinking or put his head down to drink. Just standing there alert I drew my bow, settled my peep around the sight ring, centered the pin, and settled on the kudu and released. Upon release (confirmed on video) the bull ducked and turned slightly and my arrow stuck a little high and forward knocking the bull off his feet and dropped over. We assessed the situation and determined we must get out of the blind and put in a follow up shot into the chest cavity. There was no way to do that from the blind because he fell down facing away. With nothing but a butt shot available we got out and got the proper angle I put an arrow into his chest cavity. At that point, reality set in on what we had done and we both were shaking. A quick celebration with and handshake and hug and euphoria came quick.
This Kudu hunt reminded me how bowhunting makes me feel alive and gets my heart going more than anything else I have experienced. I am so glad Pieter stuck it out with me and encouraged me to stick with the bow. Like he told me everything happens for a reason.
If I had not missed the bull on day 3 I wouldn't have killed the bushbuck on day 4. I also wouldn't have killed the old mature Kudu I did. Pieter estimated him at 12 years old. He was so skinny you could see his ribs. Pieter took a nice pic of him walking in and you can see his ribs and shoulder blade. I'm not into measurements but for that are interested, Pieter estimate him at 53"-54". After pics were done he did a quick measurement and it went 53.5", he said in it's prime with not worn down tips it might have pushed 55". None of that means much to me as much that it was a good mature bull and the experience is all I cared about.
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