This was it. Up at Sunrise
We were off to the concession this time. Marius has been made aware that I can actually shoot a rifle and we are determined to find me a worthy trophy.
We spread out on the hill side and start glassing. Finally, around 09:30 Marius sees a Ram that looks like he would fit the bill.
He was on the opposite slope near the ridge feeding.
I finally made my way back up the slope to Marius' position and had a look at the Ram. He would certainly be worth the effort.
However, how to approach? If we went all the way around we might not be able to find him. It was a very long shot to where he was currently standing. Feasible but, I'd prefer not to shoot that far when stalking was possible.
I had recently seen that it was possible to get quite close to Bushbuck.
It did not take long to decide to try and do a straight out assault and see how close we could get.
As we started down the slope in a line with his position we kept close tabs on him as we went.
The Bushbuck was not bedding down. Part way down the hill he started to slowly walk at an angle toward us and down the valley slope. Good and bad news. If he managed to get to the bottom before we were in position he would be gone. As it was, he was helping us close the distance.
Marius was getting nervous we would lose him and suggested I take a shot. I ranged him and thought we could still get closer without too much more bother.
We continued and it was going to get critical in a big rush.
I found a place to sit down and was getting prepared and ranged the other slope in a few places to know the distance. I had lost him in the cover.
Thankfully, Marius knew where he was.
As I was getting prepared Marius found a slightly better vantage spot ten yards to the left and got me over to that spot.
He threw up the sticks and I rearranged them to allow for my sitting position and the recoil that I knew was going to happen. I did not want the sticks jumping up as they levered back with recoil.
At this point I could not see the Bushbuck and Marius pointed to a spot where he thought the Ram would come out.
I ranged it at 160 yards. Perfect. Aim low and everything would be fine.
I was ready to go and the ram finally walked out of a tunnel in the cover and started his way up the valley parallel to us.
We were off to the concession this time. Marius has been made aware that I can actually shoot a rifle and we are determined to find me a worthy trophy.
We spread out on the hill side and start glassing. Finally, around 09:30 Marius sees a Ram that looks like he would fit the bill.
He was on the opposite slope near the ridge feeding.
I finally made my way back up the slope to Marius' position and had a look at the Ram. He would certainly be worth the effort.
However, how to approach? If we went all the way around we might not be able to find him. It was a very long shot to where he was currently standing. Feasible but, I'd prefer not to shoot that far when stalking was possible.
I had recently seen that it was possible to get quite close to Bushbuck.
It did not take long to decide to try and do a straight out assault and see how close we could get.
As we started down the slope in a line with his position we kept close tabs on him as we went.
The Bushbuck was not bedding down. Part way down the hill he started to slowly walk at an angle toward us and down the valley slope. Good and bad news. If he managed to get to the bottom before we were in position he would be gone. As it was, he was helping us close the distance.
Marius was getting nervous we would lose him and suggested I take a shot. I ranged him and thought we could still get closer without too much more bother.
We continued and it was going to get critical in a big rush.
I found a place to sit down and was getting prepared and ranged the other slope in a few places to know the distance. I had lost him in the cover.
Thankfully, Marius knew where he was.
As I was getting prepared Marius found a slightly better vantage spot ten yards to the left and got me over to that spot.
He threw up the sticks and I rearranged them to allow for my sitting position and the recoil that I knew was going to happen. I did not want the sticks jumping up as they levered back with recoil.
At this point I could not see the Bushbuck and Marius pointed to a spot where he thought the Ram would come out.
I ranged it at 160 yards. Perfect. Aim low and everything would be fine.
I was ready to go and the ram finally walked out of a tunnel in the cover and started his way up the valley parallel to us.
Great Bushbuck Wayne. Even after spending a week in camp with you, this was the first pic that I've seen of him.
