SOUTH AFRICA: A Great Day At NB Safaris

[SSGBIV]

Where is the pic of the Tsessebe?

 

[SSGBIV]

Starting to sound like Allan Quartermain!

 

[SSGBIV]

Africa Safari July 2017
NB Safaris, Limpopo Province

Day 5

Going out at first light, saw a beautiful Secretary Bird standing on its nest atop a large, lone tree in the center of the plain. On the way to the brushy thickets, where we planned to continue yesterday’s search, we sighted a herd of Impala with a very nice mature ram. His horns had a perfect classical lyre shape. I took him with the Weatherby .338 at 120 yards, quartering away. I placed the shot just behind the right shoulder, exiting the opposite shoulder. The 250 grain Silvertip did its job, and the Rooibok fell within 40 yards after performing a spectacular front summersault flip.

We saw a Vervet Monkey scampering across the veld, as well as a family of Mongoose that rose on their hind legs to watch us as we passed by. Impala seem to be everywhere today, including some magnificent rams. A special treat was getting close to a herd whose herd ram was a spectacular Black Impala.

Debbie went up with Debbie in the Bumblebee today to provide air support and reconnaissance. We stalked within 80 yards of a herd of 10 Cape Buffalo, but none appeared hurt, so we left them unmolested. Our man was not among them. Debbie spotted a lone bull lying down up high in a rocky ridge area, so we headed back to camp to regroup.

After a refreshing cup of coffee at Neil and Debbie’s beautiful ranch home, we armed up and headed out. As before, Neil carried his Double .500 Nitro Express, Andre his .450 Watts, our tracker Lucas with Andre’s .375, and I with my trusty Marlin 45-70 lever gun. The stalk was quiet and successful, even as it was uphill over rocky ground. We closed to within 40 yards of the massive bull before it stood and turned to face us. Moving forward, I rested my rifle on a tree branch for solid support before identifying the bull. He appears to be the same bull as we saw on Day 1, with a massive boss, and slightly curled 38- inch horns.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I’m dying to conclude this drama! Come on SSGBIV! Just kidding! I’m really enjoying this!

 

[Hank2211]

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I've only hunted tsessebe once, but it was a difficult hunt (days of looking and busting stalks), until it wasn't. I find them an under-rated animal.

 

[SSGBIV]

I've only hunted tsessebe once, but it was a difficult hunt (days of looking and busting stalks), until it wasn't. I find them an under-rated animal.

 

[SSGBIV]

 

[Ridgewalker]

Those horns on your impala look extremely heavy! Nice! I love hunting impala!

 

[SSGBIV]

 

[SSGBIV]

 

[sestoppelman]

Who are the characters here?

 

[SSGBIV]

Who are the characters here?

Top photo, left to right: Tracker Lucas, PH and friend Andre van der Walt, yours truly, and outfitter and freind Neil Barnard.

 

[SSGBIV]

Africa Safari July 2017
NB Safaris, Limpopo Province
Day 6

We’ve been hearing Jackals around Mountain Loop, and yesterday Neil smelled something at the far end of the reed marsh, near the outlet. We stalked the edge of the marsh, looking for tracks or blood. We discovered a porcupine’s cave up in a rocky draw, with signs of current habitation. After a few hours, as we moved up a gentle, rocky slope, Andre turned to me and said, “Congratulations. There is your Buffalo, Bull.” I ran forward and quickly shot 2 rounds from my lever gun into the creature’s heart. He’d been dead at least 3 days; Brown Hyenas and Jackals have taken his ears, eyes, and balls.

Congratulations, celebration, elation. My first 2 shots using the 540 grain Hammerhead solids had killed him. Lucas is sorry about the cape. We take pictures and videos, and basically babble like lunatics. The 2 Debbie’s come down to congratulate us, bringing tequila. Shots, beers, toasts, more pictures and videos. Harry Kitney arrives with Tonya, his pretty and tirelessly selfless girlfriend. More pictures and congratulations are taken and given over the stinky beast.

At lunch, in our smelly finest, I presented Andre with a bottle of 15 year Macallan Single Malt Scotch, purchased on our way through Dubai, in gratitude for his courage, friendship, and wisdom throughout the trying, emotion-filled hunt. We resolved to drink it at an appropriately special time.

That afternoon, we return with the skinners to supervise the dissection of the massive old bull. I want to see those bullets, as well as Andre’s 500 grain Hornady that he fired into the animal after we found him dead. One of my solids disintegrated on the right shoulder knob, which was shattered. The other was well intact after being withdrawn from the mid-chest region. The “insurance” shots went through both sets of massive ribs and vitals quite nicely. Those ribs are heavy and thick. Andre’s 500 grain Hornady expanded nicely and stayed intact after a high heart-lung shot at an upward angle on the dead buffalo.

Back to the bar to raise a toast, after a shower!

 

[SSGBIV]

 

[Chago]

Let's see the taxidermy pictures???? Lmao

Too soon??

 

[Ridgewalker]

Nice bosses! I like those rough bosses!

 

[IvW]

Not my idea of a buffalo hunt, neither is it an appropriate caliber, rifle or bullet for the task at hand.....

 

[SSGBIV]

Let's see the taxidermy pictures???? Lmao

Too soon??

Ahhh.... Chago. Yes, I’ve heard about you.
Thanks very much for asking about the taxidermy. I worked with Karen Barnard of African Expressions, and she was a dream to work with. Not only did she stay in continual contact with me throughout the process, but she relayed my desires directly and accurately to her taxidermy specialist, who is an absolute artist. I’m happy to respond to your request for photos.

 

[SSGBIV]

Not my idea of a buffalo hunt, neither is it an appropriate caliber, rifle or bullet for the task at hand.....

In that case, you’re definitely not going to want to hear about Day 7!
Thank you for sharing your opinion.
Good Day, Sir.

 

[Chago]

Ahhh.... Chago. Yes, I’ve heard about you.
Thanks very much for asking about the taxidermy. I worked with Karen Barnard of African Expressions, and she was a dream to work with. Not only did she stay in continual contact with me throughout the process, but she relayed my desires directly and accurately to her taxidermy specialist, who is an absolute artist. I’m happy to respond to your request for photos.

They look real nice. I was just making a joke because of the other thread.

I am glad you heard about me though. Did anyone else from AH.com make it into your guys little chat group? Lol