SOUTH AFRICA: KMG Hunting Safaris 2015

[gillettehunter]

Thanks for the update and photo's. You let your pillow retrieve geese for you? Sounds more like Marius' job! Good luck with the other animals. Bruce

 

[KVS]

Really enjoying reading this thread. Brilliant!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Just a tease
This is the Silver Ghost. By this I mean he is actually quite grey in comparison to all the other rams.
Grey Ghost is taken so Silver it is.
He disappeared after day one and finally came out and was bedded in a "perfect spot" for a stalk.
The details of this hunt are going to be long and involved.
Suffice to say Marius and I were tested repeatedly. I hunted this one ram the entire day.
Freezing, stalking, circling, climbing, descending.
He did not get that old by being stupid.

This picture was from 114 yards from the opposite hill before descending into the "blood bank".

 

[BRICKBURN]

What do you need these for?

To follow this........

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

What do you need these for?
View attachment 46032

To follow this........

View attachment 46033

Really.......that's how you're going to leave it?

 

[Wheels]

This picture was from 114 yards from the opposite hill before descending into the "blood bank".

View attachment 46031

You wouldn't have to descend into the blood bank if you used a rifle!

 

[Wheels]

Really.......that's how you're going to leave it?

It seems the biennial Brickburn soap opera has begun in earnest. "Who shot JR"

 

[billc]

if you got that bushbuck with the bow you are the man. That is one dandy of a bushbuck.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Sadly, that is where I have to leave you hanging in the wind until I get home.

I left Marius on the side of the road this afternoon. Said goodbye to Bolt and "Turd" aka Rigby.
Miss the little guy already. (Rigby, just to be clear)
Marius reiterated that it was unfortunate my friend could not be there for company.


Marius is an intense, organized, dedicated hunting machine. If you have even the slightest doubt about hunting with this man, DON'T.
He spent 16 to 18 hours a day with me hunting and making sure that I was taken care of.
That is more time than any other PH in all my experience has ever spent solely focused on me and my hunt.

One of my favourite comments from him during the hunt, after a blown stalk, was "If it were anyone else I would have (paraphrasing) "pitched a fit". We both laughed.
He talked to himself about how I was managing this hunt and I was not getting overly intense about a pile of trophies at the end. He reminded himself of it and let the steam ease out of the mental kettle a few times.

Marius wants you to succeed so badly you can almost feel the intensity brimming off of him.
He is quiet and does not pressure you. You can just feel it.

Michelle Pieterse, one of my hosts at Mpunzi Lodge, made a comment that "You must be very patient". Far from it really.
This was just such a challenge, that to succeed you just have to FORCE yourself to be patient.
Sitting for hours and hours in close proximity and having to wait on the Bushbucks timeline.
This is not rifle hunting. Which suits my usual methodology; CHARGE!!!! Never wait, make it happen.
Can't do that with a bow.

This hunt was a test of mental fitness. Drop your attention for a second and you screw up and that is the end for the day.
These Bushbuck live amongst Leopard and Jackal that are hunting them constantly and the Bushbuck are switched on.

I would not have traded this hunt with Marius for all the Tea in China. Absolutely awesome.
Walk and Stalk Bushbuck in the thick of it.
Like the Nike Commercial says: JUST DO IT!

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

 

[BRICKBURN]

I recognize that mark. I brushed the others off already.
The ups and downs of hunting for sure.

Can you see the sweat and the tears???

Glad the hat is not breakable.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Since I left you hanging this long I thought I had best get back to the job and finish it.
I'll be starting the back track through time and finishing this story now.


What do you need these for?

To follow this........

 

[BRICKBURN]

Just a tease
This is the Silver Ghost. By this I mean he is actually quite grey in comparison to all the other rams.
Grey Ghost is taken so Silver it is.
He disappeared after day one and finally came out and was bedded in a "perfect spot" for a stalk.
Suffice to say Marius and I were tested repeatedly. I hunted this one ram the entire day.
Freezing, stalking, circling, climbing, descending.
He did not get that old by being stupid.

This picture was from 114 yards from the opposite hill before descending into the "blood bank”.

Marius was up top at the Bakkie.

This is the terrain I am wondering around in.

Looking back toward the ridge where the Bakkie is parked.

This opening in the saddle had more game go through it than you can imagine. Nyala, Waterbuck, Bushbuck, etc.

The panorama from my seat.

The nice thing about stalking with a bow is you end up with LOTS of time. You must be patient.
The camera is one method I use not to go insane and run after the critters. It also makes you appreciate the surroundings and all the little things.

I hunted this guy for ten minutes to get this shot. Following him around as he flitted from dew drop to dew drop.

 

[BRICKBURN]

We skipped a day in the area to let the Bushbuck settle down. Getting in close makes them a little skittish.

I crawled back down the slope and started my assent to the other side of the valley to be in position.


One of the rams that moved across below me and we determined he was not quite the right size and there was no way I was going to catch up to him and get in front. So, a picture would have to suffice.

This was another crossing spot for game. Everything seems to funnel around this terrace on this hill. This is where I encountered a young ram at five yards. He was walking toward me following a ewe.I froze he came around the bush and nearly jumped out of his skin when he figured out what I was.
I had not determined his size so the camera was not out in time to get a picture.

I continued along this counter and ended up stalking in on Waterbuck and finally and nice EC Kudu bull. I was just under 50 yards from him at full draw trying to figure out exactly which stripe to send the arrow to when he departed. He was curled around watching me so I could not figure out proper shot placement in time.
An incredible stalk.


This is where one Bushbuck disappeared into cover. I had to investigate because I could not believe that he could get through this stuff.

Another rare beast of the EC. Not a monster but such an incredible animal.
He was hissing at me until he realized I was not going to hurt him.

This was one little treasure that I discovered on my wanderings and following Bushbuck in the cover.
An absolute highway through the bush.
If I had a blind I would be set up right here.

After the final go at the Kudu it was time to pack it in for the day and make our way out.

The first attempt at Egyptian Geese was managed on a pond on the top of the property.

The Geese did not cooperate.

 

[gillettehunter]

Love the pics as well as your report. All of us here on AH appreciate all the time involved in a report like this. Helps us to remember Africa again and gives us animals and places to dream about. The flowers and butterfly pics are great. Thanks Bruce

 

[BRICKBURN]

Bruce, it's a bunch of work, but it is also fun to remember the experiences again as I write this up.
Glad you are enjoying it.

 

[BRICKBURN]

The day off from Bushbuck hunting was done on the Mpunzi property.

This was a very special circumstance that I got to encounter and not many get to participate in this kind of hunt.

Louw had arranged for a specialty pack of dogs to come in to try and cull some Black backed Jackal. The Jackal are "taking advantage", really they are a little to ravenous and focusing on the wrong spies for dinner.


Of course I know absolutely nothing about the layout of the property.
Everyone is joining in on this hunt.
There is but one goal, Jackal number reduction.

I am sent along an eastern fence and I set up my own little shooting stand out of available resources.

I situate myself at a crossroads of the boundary fence and an old internal fine that has been removed.

the panoramic view.

I can see 600 yards down the old fence and 250 in either direction on the boundary fence. Perfect.

We have assumed the Jackal are going to make an escape out the boundary fence and be easy pickings.
Little did we know.

I was given a radio to listen to the progress of the hunt and also communicate any useful info I might have. Afrikaans and Xhosa being my second and third languages I could really help out.
Most of the time I listened and guessed from the tone and also from listening the dogs baying as they chased the Jackal.

This is my view down the old fence line. The orange spots are the old fence rolled up in to balls.

I actually ended up seeing more Jackal than anyone else. They were not heading to the boundary fence.
They have a home range and they stayed in it and ran back and forth cross this fence line with impunity.

Dogs in the way, trackers in the way, Louw in the way with a puncture.


Every time I had a shot opportunity there was a safety issue.
I was using a 375H&H with 250 grain TTSX. Not something you want to skip off a rock in the direction of anything you cared about.

If I would have had a smaller caliber with a more delicate bullet I might have given it a whirl.

Marius' spot along the boundary fence.

 

[BRICKBURN]

One last evening Marius offered to give Jackal calling a try.
I do not know anyone who can call Jackal and Coyotes well.
Typically, people over call and jus educate the Jackals.
Marius is not one of those people. He knows what the deal is and did a great job.

Setting out the call

I gave my Ghillie suit a little exercise.

Marius had his camo on as well.

We had some response to the calling but nothing came right in and attacked. This is not like open prairie hunting where you can see the Coyote from a mile and watch him approach.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Once in a "Blue Moon". Actually, it's a true Blue Moon.

Do you think hunting during the Full Moon effects anything?

July 31 we got up and drove to the concession after breakfast.
We would be hoping the wind and the weather would help us out today. Maybe some sunshine to warm up the slopes and create some sun bathing opportunities.

Sure enough, at 10:38 I took this picture.
The Silver Ghost was resting low in the drainage on a sunny slope out if the wind.

I had just blown an opportunity on a decent Bushbuck up the slope. He jumped the string at 27 yards. Incredible. Marius did not believe it. But, the Ram was watching me and we were in close proximity. After lots of circling and tracking with the dogs, zero blood found and it was off to find this fellow.

With a rifle it was all over from this photos vantage point 114 yards. However, with the bow it was another matter.

Straight down the slope through the thick junk, trying not to make too much racket as I went. In this stuff you have to fight your way down hill and up hill. Ducking, getting stuck, etc.

I finally made my way through to the bottom and came out in the open on the other slope. I was now about 15o yards away and moving slowly into the wind on paths without any leaves or sticks.
Marius could see me and he let me know where the Ram was. Still in the same place.

As I moved ever so slowly in the rams direction I was warned which path might be better. This is where vantage points conflict sometimes. What appears heavy from up on high is not so from down in the junk. For the most part we were spot on with direction and suggested paths.

As I came closer I slowed down, knocked an arrow and slowed my breathing. Waiting.

I heard in my ear that the Ram had arisen from his bed and was moving my direction. I was within 50 yards and I could not see him. I just froze behind a fairly thin bush.
At about thirty yards I could finally make him out as he moved toward me. As soon as he moved beyond a slightly thicker part of the bush I would draw the bow and wait....

At this instant the Ram decided to freeze. SOB, he knows something is up. I have not moved but the Ram has seen something he did to like. It's a freeze off!
I do not move a muscle for I have no idea how long. A painfully long period of time. Literally.
Finally the Ram starts to move back to where was bedded. I get the warning he is facing away and I can move. I can no longer see him, so I move slowly.

He has gone an extra twenty yards relatively quickly and I am moving around the bush about to draw. I am however focused at the thirty yard distance. He is at fifty plus and when I move around the bush we both surprise each other. He spooks and beats a retreat into the bush. He is not really too scared.

Marius watches him and lets me know where he is heading. Straight up the slope about 150 yards and he starts to feed and eventually beds down. Perfect. I wait. Nothing. There is no use trying to get closer as he is looking at his back trail and I can not see through the bush he has entered.

Finally, after a long wait, he moves up the hill on his own. Marius knows where he is and I now start making my way down wind and up the hill to head him off. There are no paths through this stuff in a straight line, you just have find your way.

I make my way in, at Marius' direction and come to a small opening and pause. "He will be coming past that hole!" OK.

I wait, the Ram goes behind and bush. Marius cannot see him. I can't see him. Where did the Ghost get to??

I move up the slope to the last known location and decide to move into the open. Nothing.
WHAT!!???

"He has to be there somewhere". At this point Marius suggests throwing rocks into the most probable bush and scare him out and we will be able to start all over again. I'm in for that plan.

I am within 5 yards of this bush. I take five large rocks and throw them into various sections of this is not a very large bush.

NOTHING! he must have gone through and made his way out the back where neither of us could see him.

I nock the arrow and move through a small tunnel in the bush right beside where I have been throwing rocks.

As soon as I made my way through into the open on top of the bush and I am peering around. I hear on the radio in my ear; "He is sneaking out the bottom of the bush and heading down hill."

No bloody way!!

I have now been within three yards of this guy and he held his ground with me lobbing rocks at him. That is one gutsy animal. I got beat by a very smart animal.

I head down hill across the contours and away down wind and hope to cut him off if he tries to make it out of the drainage to the east. Marius helps me pick my way through. There are spots that are impossible and you have to back track repeatedly to get anywhere.

Marius sees him slow down and stop.

I have swung quite far over and downhill and start to make my way back along some paths and then Marius says he is going to come out on the path in front of me.

I get into a position for a shot at a path that I think he is going to come out on. However, there are two paths and I can not tell where this guy is coming out.

I decide I am way too close and back up ten yards and get behind some cover. The bush is not thick, but at least it will provide some cover. I have one shooting lane where he will appear from up hill and one at about 40 degrees to my right that would have him slightly down hill. Perfect quartering away.

I am so glad I moved back. If not, I would have had been in a knife fight with a specialist. He came out the closer path. Damn. Way too close. I freeze and do not move a muscle. He does not see me. There is no reaction and he continues slowly walking down hill.

I am now going for my number two window. When he is behind the bush I start to draw my bow.....

This little notation tells it all.

He bolted out of there like he was on a rocket.

I was so frustrated I threw my hat on the ground. I was quite impressed I did not scream at the top of my lungs and scare everything out of the valley.

I sat down for a minute and collected myself. I then told Marius I would meet him at the bottom to be picked up.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!


This is hands down one of the smartest critters I have ever encountered in my entire hunting career.

As Marius said if this were anyone else he would have pitched a fit.
I nearly did myself.

We were both frustrated.

Just to give you an idea how long I had been stalking this guy. It was now 15:00.
Four and half hours of stalking on this session.
This is about as intense as it can get.

The Silver Ghost is still there. Growing bigger by the day. He does not have to have gotten any smarter. He has that down.
I hope someone tries to bow hunt this guy.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Another full moon tonight.

I have enjoyed the Bow hunt and I have decided to take some advice from a pro and change the outcome.

You wouldn't have to descend into the blood bank if you used a rifle!