Day 4 of Hunting
Everyone was starting later than usual on this day as yesterday being Saturday was everyone's weekend night which resulted in some drinking. I loaded up into the truck after a late breakfast and away we went, The day didn't include much more than our routine of jokes while driving and glassing followed by attempting to stalk a large warthog. In the evening after sitting up on some high rocks, enjoying the scenery, and glassing, we spotted two warthogs feeding. We stalked to within seventy yards and never got a shot.
On this afternoon we didn't have much for stories rather than a large male Kudu that we attempted to stalk within bow range yet were spotted by the Kudu resulting in him running for his own safety. After seeing and attempting to get close to other game with no success, we came across a herd of cow Kudu. We had minimal time to make a shot on one at twenty yards resulting in us not being able to recover the animal. I felt terrible about this. With the possibility of the animal suffering, as well as the embarrassment of having to tell my father and everyone at camp that I wounded the animal. I then realized that this bow setup not being right for me due to not being the bow I've practiced with nor being used to it. I was constantly questioning if it was me or the bow. I had a very uneasy feeling due to the outcome of attempting to take an animal with what I believed to be a less than perfect bow setup. Yet I was still grateful for my guide setting me up with this bow, I realized that it may not be the best thing for this trip.
Day 5 of Hunting
Right after breakfast and just before heading out to continue to track our wounded Kudu, we shot some arrows just to realize that the bow kept hitting high. We properly moved the sight to where it needed to be. But when we went to confirm the adjustments it was not hitting where I intended consistently. This was also very frustrating.
We decided to just head out and find the animal I wounded before temperatures get too high. We tracked for what felt like another eternity of hopes. Small trickles of blood which then ended. Errens advised me that it's best to end the search as this was most definitely just a meat shot and the animal will most likely live after healing with little to no suffering. He then asked me if I wanted to switch to the gun. "Most definitely", I replied with certainty. Although I had to swallow my pride as a bow hunter, it was the ethical thing to do. Not only for any animal I wish to harvest but for my guide and tracker as well due to the possibility of this tracking for what seemed to be forever going being mentally and physically taxing on them as well as myself.
While conversing with Errens about my decision to switch weapons based on ethical decisions, I spotted a female Kudu perhaps sixty to seventy yards from us and looking straight at us as well. The Kudu ran with great strength and health. Hendrick unleashed the tracking dog and the chase was on. She left one small speck of blood confirming that it was her yet since she seemed healthy and strong we decided to let her go and called back the dog.
After lunch we took Errens Remington 700 chambered in .375 H&H fitted with a 2.5-10x Leupold VX-7 scope to the range. I was concerned that being a bow hunter and not shooting a rifle in years that I would have to be taught how to shoot a rifle all over again. But with his great coaching we were ready within minutes and I was feeling confident with the gun and away we went.
Within minutes Hendrick spotted a herd of Black Wildebeests. The stalk was on and after crawling through thorns, sticks, rocks, etc. we were within shot range(approximately one hundred and forty yards). Errens setup the shooting sticks between the multiple trunks of the tree we were using for cover as I could rest my right arm against the tree for more stability. When a mature bull showed us his broadside and the others stepped out of the way, I began to give the trigger a nice a steady squeeze with the crosshairs right on the beats's left shoulder and with surprise the rifle fired and the animal kicked it's hind legs into the air as if it were trying to shake off an attacking lion. The entire herd of thirty plus black wildebeest erupted in a loud run that echoed through the area which started with them running in a tight circle followed by them running off into the distance carrying the rumbling sound of a stampede with them. As Errens turned around and attempted to signal Hendrick as he awaited with the vehicle, the herd disappeared while one of the beasts continued to run a tight circle and crashed into the open dirt. Kicking and trying his hardest to get back up on his feet as I watched through the scope ready to put a second round in him if he were to manage to get back up on his feet, he lifted his head two to three more times until he became still and expired. I then noticed the surge of excitement and the feeling of success.
Black Wildebeest rifle kill 140 yds.
We had the animal loaded and arrived at camp in time for lunch. And by three fifteen in the afternoon we were off to hunt Errens farm. AKA Farm Kelpie.
His farm was quite unique. He showed me his trophy room which showed that he also was a successful hunter.
We loaded back up onto the truck with two extra trackers, "Smiley"(because he's always smiling) and another with a name that does not translate to English, only Afrikon.
While driving through the steep terrain, we jumped a large group of Baboon which like usual, ran from us. We bailed out of the truck in a hurry and climbed up a steep pile of rocks and got setup in a hurry. Errens got me onto a large Baboon walking across a large dam at two hundred and forty two yards. I put the crosshairs right on the front of it's chest as it traveled on all fours from left to right. I began to give the trigger a nice steady squeeze. The rifle fired and gave a loud bang echoing through the small valley. When the scope settled there on the dam lay a lifeless baboon. "The rifle's not for sale Danny", said Errens with great humor. A celebrated high five from Errens and Smiley was exchanged followed by us climbing down in a hurry of excitement to go recover the fun and exciting kill.
It was a great lethal shot that made me feel extremely confident with the gun. Especially on such a small moving target at two hundred and forty yards.
Baboon kill. Rifle 242 yds.
We did some more driving in search of more game. Stalked in on an Oryx that caught sight of us and ran just as we were getting setup for a shot.
That night a small storm passed through with lightning causing two decent brush fires. Fortunately we were not in the path of danger yet I felt for anyone who was.
Brushfire
To be continued......
