Sorry guys, been meaning to get back to this, but the return to work and family has kept me busy.
So we had several great days at Sandy Mount. Kevin started hot, taking a number of species he was after. But as hunting goes, things sometimes turn and he was in a bit of a lull as we finished up our time there. But that's ok, that's what make you appreciate hunting.
We now headed north to another property northwest of Johannesburg, specifically near Groot Marico. This is great kudu and nyala country and that is what we're after for Kevin. For me, I'm still interested in a mountain reedbuck and they have those here too. While Kevin and I have been hunting 2x1 at Sandy Mount, Jacques' long time partner Ockert has now joined the party. Okie is hunting with KJ and I'm hunting with Jacques.
The property is very hilly and is a hunting paradise for kudu. The land is privately owned and only limited hunting occurs here by the family and their friends. In the 2 and 1/2 days we spend here, I saw as many kudu that I would call shooters as I have in all of my previous hunts. Did I take one? Well.......no. I'm being picky and want one at least in the 54-55" range. Jacques and I do see one bull that got us quite excited. The right horn was long with good curls and the last curl completed with the tip pointing out. What about the left horn? Where is it? Must be hidden by that tree........ummm no......it's broken.......damn!
However, back to the first morning there. We spot a fairly sizable herd of blue wildebeest coming up out of a valley in front of us. I have a blue and unless something special shows up, I'm not inclined to take one. Well something showed up that we deemed special. Not because of size, but because of age and the character of his horns. He is an old bull and he has seen his share of fighting. But he appears to be declining.
So a roughly 190 yard shot with my .375 puts an end to the old bulls life. The North Fork hit just a bit on the back side of the left shoulder and blew through the middle of the right shoulder. I racked another round and got him in my scope as he spun around and Jacques telling me not to bother as he was dead if not down. I picked up the bull in my scope and yes, the blood was coming out like a fountain and the bull dropped a moment later. These North Fork 250gr .375s usually on the larger animals would be found under the skin of the offside. That the bullet passed through and kicked up dust shows how in decline the old bull really was.
One last hunt with Bullet, he's getting a bit older now and I'm not sure I'll get to hunt with him again:
Check out the drop, the worn off points and the beat up bosses:
And those worn down teeth: