SOUTH AFRICA: Lion Hunt With DE KLERK SAFARIS September 24 To 28, 2021

[degoins]

Thank you.

 

[Frederik]

Some random photos I will hopefully get done with part 2 today.

Took a break from the blistering sun and 36C degrees celcius heat.

Good size Sherperds Tree

One of the waterholes with all kinds of tracks except lion.

On my way to the farm I saw a black shouldered kite being hit by a truck and stopped to have a look at this unfortunate even and this beautifull bird.

Perfect blue Kalahari sky as backdrop.

 

[flatwater bill]

Enjoying the report and photos, Frederick..................wanted to learn a little more about DeKlerk, and the lion hunt is always interesting.............keep posting.......................FWB

 

[Frederik]

More photos.

 

[PARA45]

Love those sunsets.

 

[Frederik]

Part 2 - The Lioness

So After rethinking the count of the 6.5 x 55 rounds I am missing where one of the was used it might be that I shot 4 shots at the range, 1 on 1st wartie 1 on missed wartie, 3 on springbuck then the pig after the springbuck I was left with only one round of 6.5x55!

Sunrise on Sunday Sept 26th

So even if If we did not connect with any signs of lion or the lion themselves it was still a superb hunting day. Bagging a Rowland Ward Kalahari springbuck and one with horns that turn back excatly what I was after. Shooting another pig for the staff wish I had more ammo along but anyway my mistake.

Heidi, Han's wife was on the helm of the evening's dinner and it was outstanding again with Frikkie the braaimaster doing the meat on the fire. Oh and Vegetables called chicken!
We had a serious talk in the war room about the next day and was decided getting up earlier and then checking all water holes. Lion can hide away but they must drink water.

Again I woke up early to just sit outside and hear the earth waking up and having quiet time but no lion simphony was heard. Oh before I forget, we did just before sunset come upon fresh cheetah tracks the day before forgot to put that in above.

Breakfast was great and quick and off we went mission finding panthera leo! First waterhole no tracks and then heading more west we finally came upon a fresh track heading east. Time was 07:30

Adam, Frikkie and the rest of us got off the cruiser and had a look at the tracks it was only one lion but the lion was running. Maybe chasing something but no other tracks. The tracks were not very clear to me but Adam and today joined by Chris another trackers was sure about them. The tracks went back into the veldt and we decided to go around the block by going back the way we went and head north.

Finally after 2 days lion signs will this be it? Will we connect and will all go down well so that Boela and Swys could head back to KZN the next morning early. Saturday night I had a few thoughts asking myself if there are even lions on the property.

Lioness track my 458 lott 480gr woodleigh for comparison.

We were almost at the northern border of the farm when more tracks were found in the road heading straight for the fence. Stopping at the junction where the road met the fence there were two sets of tracks one heading east and the other west. The crew thought the tracks heading west were the freshest. Off we went and we didn't go too far when we spotted a giraffe bull on the bordering property heading north as well and on our side further south another giraffe bull heading north. Obviously these two were sizing each other up and we just stopped to see what was going to happen when suddenly the bull on our side almost stepped on the lioness that was lying in the road.

The lioness took a turn around the giraffe bull and he decided today minght not be the best day for a boxing match with the neighbour. Heading into the veldt east our direction the lioness headed south away from us untill she was out of sight. The whole interaction was happening about 500meters away from us and we headed in the direction to see where the lioness would go.

We turned south and there was no lioness in sight we slowly moved further looking for tracks that would maybe head into the veldt. Suddenly Chris shouted, stop! Next to us on our left was a small bush and hidden underneath in the shade was the lioness. She was no more than 8 meters from us and I really didnt feel to comfortable in the back of the cruiser. One leap and a bond and she would be on top of us she flattened herself and Adam reversed a bit just too calm my nerves. Maybe even the rest of the crew I don't know? My rifle was safe inside it's gun bag on the roof rack maybe not the best place for it.

Swys, could snap a quick picture or two before she headed off in the veldt.

Making us nervous in the back of the cruiser.

Picture taken just before she took off and we reversed a way a bit. She was flat on the gorund with ears flat when we first saw her made me a bit uncomfortable.

Time was now 9am and it was getting hot quick and really hot expecting high 30's again today. We got all our gear together and Frikkie commented that we should wait half an hour or so to warm up and that she could lie up in more shade.

Double checking my rifle magazine filled with 5 rounds and having another bottle of water we headed off on the tracks Adam taking the lead with Chris confirming the tracks and helping out if Adam looses it. Hans, joined us as soon as we told him that we found fresh tracks as per law two professional hunters need to accompany the client on a lion hunt. Hans, also brought his trusty 458 lott along as backup.

We bumped her the first time not too long on the tracks and she headed off directly for more shade. Frikkie was correct she was looking to avoid the warm weather and rather find cool shade. We bumped her twice more as she just kept going. Adam and Chris had their work cut out as they lost the tracks for a bit but 5 minutes later we were on her trail again.

I have no idea how long after that 5 or 10 minutes but Frikkie spotted her ears sticking out from the grass about 150 meter further out. Lying in the shade again and behind her looked like a wide espance without too many bushes to get some shade. She knew about us for sure and I suppose she decided to make her stand. The closer we got the flatter she went and if Frikkie didn't spot her first we would be on top of her before seeing her. Frikkie got us into position the first time around 40 paces from her. We could figure that her head was left but had no idea how she was lying and she didnt budge or move. Only ever so slightly moving her head up to peer at us but if we didn't know she was there we wouldn't have seen a thing.

We slowly moved closer and closer up to ppoint where we thought we just had to wait it out at 25 paces. She didnt want to show herself and looking through my binoculars and Frikkie his, we managed to make out the outline of most of her. I told Frikkie I am confident in shooting into the grass and have a very good idea of where her head and shoulder should be. Swys gave me and Frikkie small lapel microphones for filming the hunt so he could record our voices. I asked Frikkie again is he happy that I take the shot and then asked everyone if they were ready? Time 10:05am

I steadied myself on the shooting sticks and the red dot was good and I fired! She saumersalted the moment I heard the shot and ran away from us I quickly reloaded and fired one more from behind. She dropped to the shot then I reloaded and she moved left of a small bush and then fired the 3rd shot while she was moving centre of mass and she fell again for the last time. I reloaded and Frikkie confirmed the good shots and I reloaded the magazine. We didn't wait too long and moved forward to make sure she was dead. By the time we got to her she has gone completely. Suddenly without a word I was left alone with my lion and emotions started to well up.

I stroked her lifeless body, thanked Our Father thanked her and dropped a few tears. I could hear the team in the background softly and I just sat with her for probarbly for 10 minutes and walked over to the team. I asked if I could say a prayer of thanks and for the gift of this special hunt and we then started with the photos.

With the photos afterwards we saw she was blind in her right eye cropping the image from Swys you can see the white eye.

How she fell after the shots top of the body shot was my first into the lungs. Below that the entry wound of the 3rd shot. All shots exited no bullets was recovered.

The 3 shot sequence not in high quality.

Perfect Kalahari sky with a picture perfect lioness I was an still am very happy and proud of the hunt.

Frikkie Left, Hans middle and a very happy hunter right.

Swys and me.

400 pounds she was huge and before you ask yes I was helped to keep her up like that but couldn't keep her there for ages. All the photographers were shounting hold! hold! we need more.

I think that is wrap for part 2.
I see I have enough for part 3 to follow.

 

[DWB]

Well done on a dream come true! On the rifle and the cat! Many years of plans it took!

 

[cpr0312]

Awesome stuff, congrats on the lioness!

 

[brentrphillips]

Reading your experience brings me right back to camp. I hunted with Frikkie and enjoyed evening camp fires with Hans, Heidi and Marie every night. Classic African safari and wonderful people. I was there in May 2021. Highly recommend.

 

[jacques smith]

Great story telling. I hunted a lion with Frikkie many moons ago before 2015 when it was still legal to send out of country. Please give him my best. Jacques

 

[PARA45]

Beautiful and congrats on a successful hunt! I'm 8 months from this trip.

 

[Frederik]

Well done on a dream come true! On the rifle and the cat! Many years of plans it took!

Thank you Deon yes years of making plans then waiting for the license for the rifle then this was a bit quicker but took some doing and I feel blessed.

 

[Frederik]

Beautiful and congrats on a successful hunt! I'm 8 months from this trip.

Hope the time flies past good luck on the preparations.

 

[Frederik]

Great story telling. I hunted a lion with Frikkie many moons ago before 2015 when it was still legal to send out of country. Please give him my best. Jacques

I sent him the link to the report and he red part 1 I'm sure he will pick your post up.

 

[Frederik]

Reading your experience brings me right back to camp. I hunted with Frikkie and enjoyed evening camp fires with Hans, Heidi and Marie every night. Classic African safari and wonderful people. I was there in May 2021. Highly recommend.

Great animals and hard to find trophies, congrats.

 

[Frederik]

Awesome stuff, congrats on the lioness!

Thank you next plan of action joining my son to do his I hope it stays open long enough.

 

[BourbonTrail]

Congrats, and bravo on a story well written.

 

[Nyati]

Great hunt, great story, reminds me of a hunt in the Kalahari, 2007, where a good friend shot a very nice lion.

We were following tracks on the bakkie, when I spotted a strange shade in the grass

Me on the left, with hunter

 

[DieJager]

Congrats, can't wait till it's my turn...

 

[Uncle Sauce]

Congrats! thanks for sharing your story!