SOUTH AFRICA: Buffalo & Sable

[IvW]

I really like that old buffalo bull. More worn down and older would mean a scrum cap bull. Looks like he was a real old feisty battle horse...Well done on an excellent trophy.

 

[BeeMaa]

Congratulations on an amazing Buffalo, a true old bull all worn down.
And never say never, because you just don't know when you could get another call from Paw Print Safaris...
After all, as you said "it is addicting"....so when are you going again?

 

[Bill116]

To all of you that have posted comments, I sincerely thank you for the kind words. I return to Paw Print Safaris in April. Doing their tented camp for plains game... now to finish the rest of my hunt here.
Thank you again. I got alot of assistance and help along the way from all of you on here. This is my daily reading each night.

Regards, Bill

 

[Bill116]

Day 4: So today we go after my nemesis, red hartebeest. 3 previous attempts have come up empty. We had a late breakfast, 730AM, then headed out. Found one by himself, the stalk is on. After much walking I get about 1 second on the sticks and he bails. To keep this short, we made 4 different stalks today with no luck. So I am now 0 for 4. The neat thing was that during one stalk a young giraffe followed us for about 150 yards. I guess he realized I wasn't going to be taking any shots today so he ambled off. Back at camp for dinner at 7PM.

 

[Bill116]

Day 5: As we returned to camp last night I told my PH it was his choice for animals on the hit list. So, done with breakfast and off we go. As we were walking along we see a group of red hartebeest feeding in an open area on a hillside. We have a few trees to use as cover. We close to about 80 yards and set up at one of the larger trees. He has me sit for a bit and get myself ready, they have no idea we are there. After 10 minutes or so he has me get on the sticks. Then says to get on the 3rd animal from right to left. As I look through the scope I see a zebra. I ask him if he is sure. Yes, we are taking a zebra today! Shot goes off, he flinches and runs about 25 yards out and turns to the left. Next shot and he is done. That was a nice surprise. I was amazed at how stocky they are. A well built animal. I am amazed that something that is only black and white could be so cool looking. He will become a damaske as my girlfriend wants one for her living room. We went back to camp for late lunch and then I tagged along on a game drive with 2 other couples who were leaving in the AM.

 

[Bill116]

Day 6: We are going after blesbuck today. Just one of those animals I find irresistible. After a short walk we see 2 along a ridge about 300 yards away. Off we go to have a look. 3 ridges over we catch up to them, PH says they are good ones. So we keep on their track. We come to the top of another ridge and they are right in front of us. On the sticks, shot goes off, down he goes. It was a lot steeper hill than I thought, and he was only about 35 to 40 yards away. So a little high shot but he went nowhere. We were back at camp for a late lunch. Tagged along to assist with removal of a real nice kudu that another client had shot.

 

[Bill116]

Day 7: Last day. Not hunting today. Just lounging around. I did manage to read ALL of Mr. Kevin Robertson's Perfect Shot II. I know I was done hunting... but I will be back at Paw Print in April.
A big thank you to all of you regulars on here. I read lots of posts on the site, don't post too often. Am really looking forward to my April visit. I have impala, kudu, nyala, bushbuck, and another crack at red hartebeest. Best to all of you on your next adventure.

 

[Ridgewalker]

More fine animals!

 

[BenKK]

I’m very happy that you’re returning!

 

[Adrian]

Congratulations on such a fine old buffalo Sir!
Truly superb animal to have the privilege of hunting.
I wish for a similar beast one day.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Bill116, so glad you are going back! I think youre going to really like the Limpopo tent camp! I know I really enjoyed it. It’s fun just being able to walk right out of camp hunting. I know when I was there in May 2018 the impalas were in rut. You would hear them coming through camp at night and see their tracks the next morning. Fun stuff!
I saw blue wildebeest, impala, kudu, giraffe, warthog, bushbuck, civet, caracal, and tracks from leopard and I can’t remember what all else. Oh spring hare.
You’re going to feel like you’re taking a step back in time! I had a grand time there and I’m certain you will as well!
Best of luck with your health and hunt!

if you want to see some pictures of it, go to
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...int-safaris-sable-crocodile-hunt.43437/page-5

 

[Tra3]

This looks like an excellent hunt. Thank you for posting.
Did you recover any of the bullets?

That buffalo is amazing.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

Great job on two old warriors. It’s appropriate that older hunters take older beasts. Did the same in 2018 and because of age and health issues I thought I would never return to Africa hunting. But the stars aligned and in four short weeks we are off to the eastern cape. This time my wife is joining me, she didn’t last time. Oops! Won’t make that mistake again. Again congratulations.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

thats a great buff and a great sable
sounds like an awesome hunt
i hear hunting is the best cure for heart disease!!! just keep on doing it

 

[gesch]

Thanks for giving us a captivating report. The animals are really beautiful each in their own way. I really like that buffalo. I would love to get one exactly like it someday. Were you happy with the Ruger rifle in 375 caliber? Thanks again. Looking forward to the report from your upcoming hunt

 

[Nyati]

Congrats Bill, great trophies !

 

[meigsbucks]

Congratulations on such a great hunt and great trophies. The sable is fantastic and that is one old buff. Hunting buff is something special.
I’m glad you’re going back.

 

[Bill116]

To Tra3: Here is pic of bullets recovered. In the first picture the forward one is from the buffalo. Was the first shot. He was quartering to us facing left. It went in just in front of left shoulder, through lungs and into the off shoulder. The aft one is from the zebra, nice broadside and right on the front shoulders. Was very happy with the Swift A-frames. When I return in April will be taking my 30-06 with 180 grain A-frames. Have had that rifle for over 45 years. Just recently put a new wood stock from Boyds on it.

 

[Bill116]

Ridgewalker: Thanks for the link. I read your report initially. I need it for reference as my girlfriend is going on this next trip, and she is a big time city girl! We are doing the Kruger Park tour the first few days there. I used to do alot of elk hunting out there. We usually went to the Granby area. It is where my ashes will end up when I leave planet earth. I am really looking forward to this tent camp. Will harken back (sort of) to all the stories of African hunting we read in our youth.

 

[Bill116]

Gesch: I was very happy with the 375 Ruger with Swift A-frames. It is a great combination. 1 shot kill on the blesbuck, and the zebra probably didn't need a second shot. The bullet blew through the sable on a mid range shot. Of course the buffalo.... well, it is a buffalo. He had 5 separate holes in his lungs. After each of the first 2 shots the PH told me good solid hit. When we found him for the final standoff the PH said he is dead, he just doesn't know it yet and will not accept it. I will never forget that last "stare down" with him. Once he saw us he turned and faced us head on, defiant as all hell.