- Joined
- Feb 29, 2016
- Messages
- 543
- Reaction score
- 2,481
- Location
- Las Vegas, NV
- Media
- 157
- Member of
- NRA Life, SCI Life
- Hunted
- South Africa (Limpopo, Northwest & Eastern Cape), Namibia, Nevada, Newfoundland, Zambia
And so it begins,....
After struggling to figure out how to upload photos from my phone to either of my desktops after one of the awesome updates, I figured a couple things out.
The Hunters: Vanguard 2279 and Norfolk Shooter (Mani)
The Outfitter: Dave Freeburn of @DAVE FREEBURN SAFARIS and Keenan (Apprentice PH)
My Rifles: Ruger M77 Guide Gun .416 (Ruger) loaded with 400-grain Swift A-frames and backed up by 400-grain Barnes Banded Solids. I really wanted the North Fork Cup Point Solids, but they would not feed reliably. Leupold 1-6x30 scope.
Christensen Ridgeline .300 PRC with factory Hornaday 190-grain CX. Swarovsky Z3 4-12x50 scope.
NF's Rifles: CZ 550 .505 Gibbs and his favored 7x64.
Observer/Accomplice: Mani's nephew, Sergio. That's not his real name. Some of you are aware that NF became a target of the Anti's and their horrendous behavior. We accept the fight, but Sergio doesn't need to get caught in the crossfire.
THE STORY
After painful deliberation, Mani purchased a CZ 550 in .505 Gibbs which fits his need for a classic safari rifle. Then came the obsession with hunting with it. We talked to a number of outfitters concerning a Cape Buffalo hunt for the two of us. We received a great offer from Dave Freeburn of @DAVE FREEBURN SAFARIS for a 2x1 hunt on his farm in the Limpopo outside Thabazimbi. The hunt would run 06/20/2024 to 06/27/2024 with a day of arrival and departure on each side. For me, this would be my third cape Buffalo hunt and my tenth safari. I also hoped to hunt Limpopo Bushbuck which is now my mountain to climb.
We had hope that @spike.t would be able to join us on the hunt, but he professed to be busy with farm maintenance and wouldn't make it. We knew we would have a great time with Dave, but Spike T makes everything a party. Spike (Mike) was sending us videos via our WhatsApp group of him risking his life daily burning brush on Takeri. For those of you who haven't hunted Takeri in northern Zambia, it truthfully is one of the most amazing places I have ever been.
As always, I utilized Jenn (Lady warrior Extraordinaire) at @TRAVEL EXPRESS for my flights. I opted for Comfort+ for the Delta LAS-ATL-JNB route. Checking in my Pelican case went smoothly and I really appreciate Delta sending notifications as my bags are loaded. This is comforting after the 04/2022 debacle with United Airlines where my rifles arrived in JNB with me but my suitcase with my clothes and ammo took it's one vacation to Amsterdam. I also utilized Afton for firearms clearances. Mr. X and I are FB friends and chat occasionally on WhatsApp.
Arriving in the evening, I had booked City Lodge at OR Tambo for the night's stay. Mani and Sergio were to arrive the next morning after a leisurely 12 hour two time zone flight from Heathrow. Mike had texted me to let me know that he had contacted the manager at City Lodge and prepaid for four Gin & Tonics for me in the bar. That's a lot of alcohol for me, but I was going to do my best. I got to my room and decided I would definitely stay at City Lodge again. I freshened up a bit and headed downstairs to have a late dinner and a couple G&T's. I asked my waitress about the G&T's but she advised me that she was unaware. I messaged Mike and he told me to go to the bar and talk directly to the bartender. As I approached the bar, someone grabbed my shoulder and said "Give me all your money!" Well, crap. It IS Johannesburg after all. The closest I've ever come to being kidnapped and robbed has been outside ticketing in 2022. I turn to deal with this situation.
Spike mother#@$%&#* T! I so knew he was lying about not being able to make it. He knows how much fun I am and had never actually met Mani face to face despite chatting online for years.
What is known about Spike T, international man of mystery? Obviously the wayward son of landed English gentry. We've all heard the stories of how his screen name came about. Roadie for the Sex Pistols in the 70's. Ill-fated and short-lived career as a porno movie stuntman in the 80's. Race car driver on the F3 & F1 circuit. Some say he is who Daniel Craig based his version of James Bond on. Regardless, Mike is a really colorful guy and I was thrilled to see him show up. And yes, we drank G&T's.
After a good night's sleep, I had breakfast and then cleared my room. The walk over to the airport was quick and I met with Dave Freeburn in the arrival area. Mani and Sergio were arriving some time around 1030. Their day of arrival coincided with President Ramaphosa's inauguration and we wanted to get on the road before the roads became hopelessly blocked. They arrived, collected mani's rifles and we were off.
Dave's lodge consists of several duplex-style guest rooms within a walled compound. The range is just behind this. Mani and I went and zeroed our rifles. I replaced the muzzle brake on the Ruger with the extended muzzle device which matches the brake in weight. Point of aim/impact was not affected.
The Fire Pit were much alcohol was consumed.
Our hunt started early the next morning. I was struck by how cold it was. This wasn't helped by me leaving Vegas where the temps were at and above 110 f. Now, I became more sure that April and May are my favorite months to hunt in South Africa. Bundled up, we hit the trails looking for fresh tracks. As the day wore on, it became warmer and much more pleasant.
Left to right: Mike's CZ550 .500J, Mani's CZ550 .505G, my Ruger M77 .416R and Dave's Heym .500NE double. Not pictured: Keenan's Remington 700 .458WM.
We were a fairly large group on this hunt. Dave, me, Mani, Mike, Sergio, Keenan and Older John (tracker). Approaches on game consisted of Dave and the hunter.
Dave's farm is hard hunting. Very thick brush broken up by open areas. Want to know where the Buffalo were? Not in the open areas any time we were near them.
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