SOUTH AFRICA: First Ever Trip To Africa My Wife & I Hunted With Kei River Safari

[tedthorn]

We have looked forward to this trip for two years and in short it was everything and more of what I hoped it might be. Our friend graybird was the spark that lit my fire and my wife was the wheels of the machine that put it together for me.....all I had to do was show up and bring a rifle. Many thanks go out two those two. We also hunted with our friend Snell and met new friends in the process.

We hunted with Kei River Hunting Safaris. Andrew Renton is the owner operator and put together a trip/hunt for us we will never forget. Many thanks to Andrew and his crew

I used my old-abused-rusty Remington 700 in 30-06

The hunt areas ranged from dence brushed steep mountains to giant rock covered mountains. Definitely not the Africa most people in the US are used to seeing on TV

I'm not much on story but ask and I will tell but for now, please enjoy the pictures

The very first evening we wasted no time as my PH Jeremy put me and my 30-06 within 100 yards of a small group of Impala and promptly threw out the sticks....my first African animal and I was tickled

Day two held several stalks that just didn't work out but by the end of the day I had another notch of sorts in my belt

After I got a couple smalls under my belt on day 3 my PH put us into a different gear as we focused on the bigger things on my list.....this big blue was more than I could have ever hoped for. Big carved up basses and great color.

That same evening a short stalk but a very steep climb put us within 200 yards of this Waterbuck. The 150 grain Accubond did the trick on a steep angle from below quartering away.

Day 4..... The evening before another PH had seen a good Kudu on a high mountainside. During our evening meal we discussed a plan. I love it when a plan comes together!!!!

We pack up all our gear and head North a couple hours for the next 3 days. Gemsbok and Black Wildebeest would be next

A good story goes along with this big bull all to himself but in short he fell to the -06 at just over 300 yards

The next day was for getting into a herd of Black Wildebeest....they are a cool animal no doubt

A crawling stalk and one 150 grain Accubond sends this old wide and cracked up guy to Missouri

more to follow

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Well done Ted, love the Kudu! Looking forward to the rest of the story.

 

[tedthorn]

The evening after the Black Wildebeest was spent getting after a good Blessbok ram. This turned out to be a fun hunt as we climbed above a small herd and waited for them to feed out into a shooting position.....this didn't work out and we ended up moving several time before we got this guy in the way of a 2850 150

We pack up all our gear one more time and get on the road back south to our original spot. I've had Bushbuck troubles all week.....females only. Tonight will be different.

Just at dark this guy fed out of the timber and gave me a 235 yard shot. He isn't the longest but he has great hair and markings

Quite a stack of work for Piggot Taxidermy in about a year

There are some big mountains in RSA. Far bigger than I imagined.....not Rocky Mountain size but plenty big enough for my sore knees

I rounded out my down time shooting Vervet monkeys and Hyrax.....shot "at" a Baboon.....they stay a long way away and wouldn't be still.....next time

 

[tedthorn]

Nothing fancy from this back woods hillbilly. I am however proud and very pleased to have "bit the bullet" and took on this adventure.

 

[ROCKET]

What a great hunt you did Ted......I enjoy the story and awesomes pics.....lot´s of trophy´s and the landscapes are great also......!!!!

Congratulations.....!!!!

 

[Nyati]

Congrats, Ted, seems like you had a great time and got good trophies !

Thanks for sharing.

 

[tedthorn]

My wife enjoyed the trip and hunted with us every single day as an observer and game spotter. The Kudu met his demise because my wife spotted him bedded on the opposite mountainside we were on with only his head and horns showing.

Here she is enjoying an Amarula on ice at African Sky Guesthouse the evening we arived in Johannesburg.

 

[tedthorn]

We visited Karl Human Taxidermy. He will doing our dip and pack.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Lucky guy to have a supportive trip planner in your house.

Congrats.

Thanks for sharing your hunt.

 

[bluey]

thanks for sharing your hunt and photos with all of us ted ,
love that big bodied water buck and your bueatiful bushbuck ,really catch my eye , out of yourswag of great trophies
congratulations ,mate .
I brought my a bottle of amarula home from our trip and she has replace that bottle several times since .

 

[RickP]

Nicely done for the first trip. The kudu is beautiful. Of course the next question is when are you heading back? ;D

 

[tedthorn]

I have 48 months left on the loan I pulled so....

In 4 years god willing I want a second dose of Africa

 

[tedthorn]

One evening the observer became the hunter as we set up in a spot that we had spotted a bachelor group of Impala the day before. Just as light was fading she put a 150 grain Accubond into the high shoulder of this nice ram at 341 yards.......the highlight of my trip without a doubt!

 

[Royal27]

Great hunt and pictures!

Africa really does have beautiful landscape. It is so much more than just the animals...

 

[tedthorn]

Our PH broke her in proper after her first African kill

 

[tedthorn]

We had these shirts printed to sum up our trip

 

[gillettehunter]

Nice pics. Looks like a great time was had by all. That's a pretty decent Bushbuck. Just ask those who have gone a time or two and never gotten one. Always nice to have the wife come along. Bruce

 

[graybird]

Congrats again you two! I had a blast and I'm ready to do it again!

I guess we'll need to start discussions again in deer/elk camp in about 5 months!!!

 

[lwaters]

Sounds like a wonderful trip and a lot of nice trophy's.

 

[Jfet]

We had these shirts printed to sum up our trip

View attachment 29008

That says all that needs to be said! Great Job!