VertigoBE
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SOUTH AFRICA: My 2024 Season
- Thread starter Frederik
- Start date
PARA45
AH ambassador
Did you guys figure out why the chicken got you two sick? Was it bad?
I'm enjoying this report tremendously, some great animals taken.
I'm enjoying this report tremendously, some great animals taken.
Frederik
AH elite
Chicken must have been off for sure but we couldn't smell that it was off before we put it on the braai.
There was 6 of us in camp that night and me and Adriaan shared one chicken. Other guys were fine and that explains how we got sick at the same time eating the chicken at the same time.
Congrats on a successful season so far. Really enjoy your writing and reports. Thanks for taking us along.
Frederik
AH elite
So afternoon hunt started off with Aaron being dropped off with my ghillie suit and the 6.5x58 Portuguese Mauser in its original form no custom work to it. He was going to sit at a strategic point to see if he could bag a warthog or an impala ewe.
Myself and the other 3 hunters went out to see what we could find spot and stalk.
I was open to the idea of an zebra as well as Alic and Bruce and Derrick to impala and wharthog.
Alic was also game for a blue wildebees and kudu cow.
Aaron had a shot at an impala ewe and we went to help check for blood or any signs of a hit. But by his description it was a compelte miss as the ewe just stood there after the shot and then only ran off to join the others. In his defense the mausers sights are extremely fine and need getting use too we did practise with it quite a bit and he was proficient on hitting a target at 50 meters.
I quess the exitement got to him and he was not concentrating hard enough. We left him to sit again and went to spot and stalk again.
The zebra's must have known about our plan and gave us a good run around trying to outsmart them and the impala as it was the end of season was on high alert when hearing the vehicle. So we also dropped off Derrick and his son to do some proper stalking.
Which left me and Alic on the vehicle and we went blank except when picking up Derrick and his son before last light we found a kudu cow that was willing to give Alic a shot and she dropped on the spot.
So although it was a busy morning the afternoon was quiet and Alic got a good kudu cow for the freezer.
The night was spent around the bonfire and everyone had a taste of the giraffe fillet as most haven't tasted giraffe before.
Plans were set out for the morning Aaron would sit and wait with the portuguese mauser Derrick and his son stalk into the thick stuff after impala. Myself and me Alic would go after the zebra and wildebeest spot and stalk.
Zebra disaster
The zebra would keep going in circles on a hill not a koppie but it was very rocky and difficult to stalk. I had the 375 H&H with me and the owner asked if I mind to sit on this hill and position myself if the zebra would come past. I agreed and we also had plans to be back at camp 5pm for the rugby game between Ireland and the Springboks.
I took a nice position on a rock in the shade and had a good view from there. I had blesbuck coming past me at 40 meters and had a clear view. Just enjoying the birds and nature the blesbuck suddenly came past again much faster as being chased about 100 meters away. Something must have moved the blesbuck and good chance it was the zebra. I got ready set myself up on the sticks and then came the zebra and luckily slowed down following the blesbuck. I had a gap in the tree line about 100-120 meters away and made a call that if a decent zebra would stop there I would shoot.
The mare was about zebra no.8 and she stopped in the exact gap in the tree line I lined up to shoot her just on the top of the sergeant stripes. The shot went off she jumped and almost stumbled and then ran off after the rest with the rest of the herd following her.
I felt confident on the shot waited a few minutes and walked over to the spot where she stood while I contacted the others about the shot and the general directions the zebra herd was heading.
Following the path and some tracks after 20 meters I knew there was trouble, zebra bleed properly when hit in the vitals and I could only find spatter of blood.
I followed the tracks slowly as the tracks were difficult over the hard rocky surface with limited blood for another 1km or so. I was joined with the oters to help. Derrick and his son got picked up and me and the owner worked the tracks while the others went in a general dierection they were headed to maybe spot her.
What was not in my favour is that the mare didnt split form the herd which meant the hit was not a good one at all. The blood was also not thick and bright so I was supecting a superficial wound maybe a stomach.
At 5pm after loosing her tracks amongst the rest of the herd tracks and not finding anymore blood I made the call to go back to camp and enjoy the rugby and get back on her the next monring early and give her chance to stiffen up and hopefully die.
I obviously didnt enoy the rugby that much and we lost right at the end with 1 point so rugby was a loss and me who basically haven't wounded an animals in a long time was bust.
Sunday, we were all up early and made a call to look for her untill 10pm. we headed out to the last spot on the tracks and followed it as far as we could we dropped off the others to walk in a line in the general direction where the herd was heading.
Few minutes after dropping the guys off that was walking in the line we found some blood where she stood but a small amount nothing to get exited about. We took the track no more blood and then decided to take the vehicle to cover more ground as she has not split from the herd yet.
We went bust went into extermely thick stuff after the herd on tracks but only busted wildebeest and impalas covered the small farm properly but did not get sight of any zebra except for 3 stallions that was on their own.
So we went and packed up the owner siad if they spot her they would call me if they found her alive or dead but I have not herd anything so it was a wounded animal for me. It would have been my second zebra but it was not meant to be.
Hunt enough and succesfull eventually you will wound it not a precise science.
It's the second animal the 375 has wounded since 1994 obvioulsy not the rifles fault but the driver.
Myself and the other 3 hunters went out to see what we could find spot and stalk.
I was open to the idea of an zebra as well as Alic and Bruce and Derrick to impala and wharthog.
Alic was also game for a blue wildebees and kudu cow.
Aaron had a shot at an impala ewe and we went to help check for blood or any signs of a hit. But by his description it was a compelte miss as the ewe just stood there after the shot and then only ran off to join the others. In his defense the mausers sights are extremely fine and need getting use too we did practise with it quite a bit and he was proficient on hitting a target at 50 meters.
I quess the exitement got to him and he was not concentrating hard enough. We left him to sit again and went to spot and stalk again.
The zebra's must have known about our plan and gave us a good run around trying to outsmart them and the impala as it was the end of season was on high alert when hearing the vehicle. So we also dropped off Derrick and his son to do some proper stalking.
Which left me and Alic on the vehicle and we went blank except when picking up Derrick and his son before last light we found a kudu cow that was willing to give Alic a shot and she dropped on the spot.
So although it was a busy morning the afternoon was quiet and Alic got a good kudu cow for the freezer.
The night was spent around the bonfire and everyone had a taste of the giraffe fillet as most haven't tasted giraffe before.
Plans were set out for the morning Aaron would sit and wait with the portuguese mauser Derrick and his son stalk into the thick stuff after impala. Myself and me Alic would go after the zebra and wildebeest spot and stalk.
Zebra disaster
The zebra would keep going in circles on a hill not a koppie but it was very rocky and difficult to stalk. I had the 375 H&H with me and the owner asked if I mind to sit on this hill and position myself if the zebra would come past. I agreed and we also had plans to be back at camp 5pm for the rugby game between Ireland and the Springboks.
I took a nice position on a rock in the shade and had a good view from there. I had blesbuck coming past me at 40 meters and had a clear view. Just enjoying the birds and nature the blesbuck suddenly came past again much faster as being chased about 100 meters away. Something must have moved the blesbuck and good chance it was the zebra. I got ready set myself up on the sticks and then came the zebra and luckily slowed down following the blesbuck. I had a gap in the tree line about 100-120 meters away and made a call that if a decent zebra would stop there I would shoot.
The mare was about zebra no.8 and she stopped in the exact gap in the tree line I lined up to shoot her just on the top of the sergeant stripes. The shot went off she jumped and almost stumbled and then ran off after the rest with the rest of the herd following her.
I felt confident on the shot waited a few minutes and walked over to the spot where she stood while I contacted the others about the shot and the general directions the zebra herd was heading.
Following the path and some tracks after 20 meters I knew there was trouble, zebra bleed properly when hit in the vitals and I could only find spatter of blood.
I followed the tracks slowly as the tracks were difficult over the hard rocky surface with limited blood for another 1km or so. I was joined with the oters to help. Derrick and his son got picked up and me and the owner worked the tracks while the others went in a general dierection they were headed to maybe spot her.
What was not in my favour is that the mare didnt split form the herd which meant the hit was not a good one at all. The blood was also not thick and bright so I was supecting a superficial wound maybe a stomach.
At 5pm after loosing her tracks amongst the rest of the herd tracks and not finding anymore blood I made the call to go back to camp and enjoy the rugby and get back on her the next monring early and give her chance to stiffen up and hopefully die.
I obviously didnt enoy the rugby that much and we lost right at the end with 1 point so rugby was a loss and me who basically haven't wounded an animals in a long time was bust.
Sunday, we were all up early and made a call to look for her untill 10pm. we headed out to the last spot on the tracks and followed it as far as we could we dropped off the others to walk in a line in the general direction where the herd was heading.
Few minutes after dropping the guys off that was walking in the line we found some blood where she stood but a small amount nothing to get exited about. We took the track no more blood and then decided to take the vehicle to cover more ground as she has not split from the herd yet.
We went bust went into extermely thick stuff after the herd on tracks but only busted wildebeest and impalas covered the small farm properly but did not get sight of any zebra except for 3 stallions that was on their own.
So we went and packed up the owner siad if they spot her they would call me if they found her alive or dead but I have not herd anything so it was a wounded animal for me. It would have been my second zebra but it was not meant to be.
Hunt enough and succesfull eventually you will wound it not a precise science.
It's the second animal the 375 has wounded since 1994 obvioulsy not the rifles fault but the driver.
Frederik
AH elite
So my brother finally decideds to get married at 45 years of age his first.
Try and organize a bachelors at that age in South Africa as most of his mates are gone overseas for work. Luckily there was a small get together with good friends on a farm in the Free State province.
1 August were on route to camp and hunt on the farm cold or not we are going. This is a working farm 12500 acres not High fence except for a small piece fenced off of 150 Acres.
Our Friend Bob decided it was time for a new camping area and got a pice with a slop going up to at as backstop for a shooting range up to 700 meters, next to a small dam or pond filled from the rain.
Home for the next few days camp setup and ready to go.
Game to be found was free range kudu, warthogs and some lost game form nearby game farms that couldn't keep them in.
Next door neighbour wanted to take off 5 x wildebeest cows otherwise it was a search for mainly kudu.
As with a bachelor there was a heap of liquor at the camp. As we called the first night our next to the fire getting "Acquainted evening!"
Yes there was good ampount of alcohol consumed after all it is a bachelors.
Please note no firearms were harmed fondled or used during these episodes.
All I can say is that my brother was getting smarter after every drink. By 1 Am we called it quits and headed to our respected tents.
So the next morning not so early we got up steadily to find this.
Don't think any translation is needed.
As some of you know the Free State can get extremely cold with a fierce wind that was howling through the previous day.
After some very needed fix it up juice from a can on fire we headed out to find my brother his very first blue wildebeest.
A quick breafast from the left overs of the previous night which was Lamb ribs on the fire we headed out to the neighbour's farm for the blue wildebeest.
The farm was dotted with game all of which was off the menu, Common Blesbuck, white blesbuck addleback blesbcuk, springbuck as well some ostriches. There was one area where there was good thick stuff and we drove around it and spotted the wild beests among the trees. As we drove closer they went to the other side of the thick stuff and thats when me and Vincnet my brother got off and stalked thme as the wind was perfect.
Spotting them just on the outskirts of the thisck bush we zigzagged among the buhes to get closer and at 120 meter I setup the shooting sticks for my brother. We talked about the shot placement and told him to make sure it's not too high. He was using my 7x57 loaded with 140gr Safari Bullet Comapny bullets running at 2800fps . Perfect load for the flats. The herd mingled and spotted us but was not sure what we were. I identified a large cow at the far left she stood perfectly broadsie as a young one walked past her and he took the shot.
She jumped nicely and we hit the hit the herd thun dered off and we lost her among them. Expecting to see her drop anytime they ran downhill and then heaed more to our right further downhill to a dry creek bed.
With the lay of the land that it is I told my brother no worries she would be piled up just past the slope that we could not see.
To be continued
Try and organize a bachelors at that age in South Africa as most of his mates are gone overseas for work. Luckily there was a small get together with good friends on a farm in the Free State province.
1 August were on route to camp and hunt on the farm cold or not we are going. This is a working farm 12500 acres not High fence except for a small piece fenced off of 150 Acres.
Our Friend Bob decided it was time for a new camping area and got a pice with a slop going up to at as backstop for a shooting range up to 700 meters, next to a small dam or pond filled from the rain.
Home for the next few days camp setup and ready to go.
Game to be found was free range kudu, warthogs and some lost game form nearby game farms that couldn't keep them in.
Next door neighbour wanted to take off 5 x wildebeest cows otherwise it was a search for mainly kudu.
As with a bachelor there was a heap of liquor at the camp. As we called the first night our next to the fire getting "Acquainted evening!"
Yes there was good ampount of alcohol consumed after all it is a bachelors.
Please note no firearms were harmed fondled or used during these episodes.
All I can say is that my brother was getting smarter after every drink. By 1 Am we called it quits and headed to our respected tents.
So the next morning not so early we got up steadily to find this.
Don't think any translation is needed.
As some of you know the Free State can get extremely cold with a fierce wind that was howling through the previous day.
After some very needed fix it up juice from a can on fire we headed out to find my brother his very first blue wildebeest.
A quick breafast from the left overs of the previous night which was Lamb ribs on the fire we headed out to the neighbour's farm for the blue wildebeest.
The farm was dotted with game all of which was off the menu, Common Blesbuck, white blesbuck addleback blesbcuk, springbuck as well some ostriches. There was one area where there was good thick stuff and we drove around it and spotted the wild beests among the trees. As we drove closer they went to the other side of the thick stuff and thats when me and Vincnet my brother got off and stalked thme as the wind was perfect.
Spotting them just on the outskirts of the thisck bush we zigzagged among the buhes to get closer and at 120 meter I setup the shooting sticks for my brother. We talked about the shot placement and told him to make sure it's not too high. He was using my 7x57 loaded with 140gr Safari Bullet Comapny bullets running at 2800fps . Perfect load for the flats. The herd mingled and spotted us but was not sure what we were. I identified a large cow at the far left she stood perfectly broadsie as a young one walked past her and he took the shot.
She jumped nicely and we hit the hit the herd thun dered off and we lost her among them. Expecting to see her drop anytime they ran downhill and then heaed more to our right further downhill to a dry creek bed.
With the lay of the land that it is I told my brother no worries she would be piled up just past the slope that we could not see.
To be continued
Last edited by a moderator:
Frederik
AH elite
Well as wide as the Free State is and open she was gone!!!!
I phoned the guys to come and help and maybe with the extra height of the bakkie we could see her but no she was MIA. I asked Vincent about the shot and he was very confident that it was true she jumped as if she was hit hard but then again she didn't run afterwards like she was on a detah run for the bit that we could follow her.
Vincent went down to the creek and to follow it if maybe she fell in it after the herd went over there and I went after the herd to see if I could spot her. She was a large cow with horns that were not wide at all barely sticking halfway to the ears.
I slwoly followed the herd they went back into the thickets and I followed suit. They slowly went into the open again and I stalked up to 150 meters away took position and scanned them properly. This just didnt make any sense non of the looked sick no blood no funny behaviour whatsover.
2 hours later after I met with the other others we drover around the thick stuuf like the first time and there jumepod a lone blue wildebeest cow. I confirmed saw a bit of blood behind her shoulder hanging past her belly line.
Arend, took his 375 H&H and gave her a shot that slowed her down more and she went into a thick bush and we lost sight. I went after her and told the guys to drive around see is she came ou the other side.
Now, in the Free State there is a bush with thin horns but they are extremly sharp we call it "Katbos".
Cat Bush directly trabslated and as the name tells you it scracthes and is extremely thick. I pulled out my 9mm so I could manouver in the thick stuff after her and spotted her laying down with her head away from me.
I shouted to the others and saw that they were all clear and two shots later she was down for good.
We pulled her oput and got her setup for photos.
My brother was a t first not too happy to take photos with her as he wounded her but we encouraged him that we kept on looking and we did find her it could have been worse.
His shot was a tad low but 6' behind the shoulder and there was very little blood coming out from both sides as her intestines plugged both sides.
Vincent with his first ever Blue wildebeest and you can see the Katbos behind him that light green stuff where she ran into max 2 meters high. You can see the exit from the 375 the exit from the 7mm bullet is basically on the ground was just a tad too ,ong and too far back.
'
Ice broken the wildebeest loaded and Arend wanted to show us how great his 375 H&H Winchester mod 70 shoots and we found him a cow at 220meters 30 minutes later.
As soon as the shot went I could her the thump of the hit and then could hear her moan from that distance shen went 50 meters and fell over. Perfect heart shot from 220 meters with the 300gr bullet.
Arend's cow was not as large as Vincent's which we were reminded of his sniper skill taking a smaller target at 220meters.
Nice photo of the open plains in the Free State with Arend.
Loaded her up and off we went to get them skinned. It was time for some food and the sun was cooking nicely that day although it started so cold. We enjoyed the camp and head out to look for some kudu and just before it got too late we decided to call it quits and have a sundowner or two rather just enjoying the day. Vincent also had a bit of a hnagover from the previous night so he was really tired after the stress form the wounded cow as well.
Vincent Left, then me, Arend and Bob the farmer to the right. Cheers Boys.
Friday night was Eisbein Saurkraut and mash it was good.
I phoned the guys to come and help and maybe with the extra height of the bakkie we could see her but no she was MIA. I asked Vincent about the shot and he was very confident that it was true she jumped as if she was hit hard but then again she didn't run afterwards like she was on a detah run for the bit that we could follow her.
Vincent went down to the creek and to follow it if maybe she fell in it after the herd went over there and I went after the herd to see if I could spot her. She was a large cow with horns that were not wide at all barely sticking halfway to the ears.
I slwoly followed the herd they went back into the thickets and I followed suit. They slowly went into the open again and I stalked up to 150 meters away took position and scanned them properly. This just didnt make any sense non of the looked sick no blood no funny behaviour whatsover.
2 hours later after I met with the other others we drover around the thick stuuf like the first time and there jumepod a lone blue wildebeest cow. I confirmed saw a bit of blood behind her shoulder hanging past her belly line.
Arend, took his 375 H&H and gave her a shot that slowed her down more and she went into a thick bush and we lost sight. I went after her and told the guys to drive around see is she came ou the other side.
Now, in the Free State there is a bush with thin horns but they are extremly sharp we call it "Katbos".
Cat Bush directly trabslated and as the name tells you it scracthes and is extremely thick. I pulled out my 9mm so I could manouver in the thick stuff after her and spotted her laying down with her head away from me.
I shouted to the others and saw that they were all clear and two shots later she was down for good.
We pulled her oput and got her setup for photos.
My brother was a t first not too happy to take photos with her as he wounded her but we encouraged him that we kept on looking and we did find her it could have been worse.
His shot was a tad low but 6' behind the shoulder and there was very little blood coming out from both sides as her intestines plugged both sides.
Vincent with his first ever Blue wildebeest and you can see the Katbos behind him that light green stuff where she ran into max 2 meters high. You can see the exit from the 375 the exit from the 7mm bullet is basically on the ground was just a tad too ,ong and too far back.
'
Ice broken the wildebeest loaded and Arend wanted to show us how great his 375 H&H Winchester mod 70 shoots and we found him a cow at 220meters 30 minutes later.
As soon as the shot went I could her the thump of the hit and then could hear her moan from that distance shen went 50 meters and fell over. Perfect heart shot from 220 meters with the 300gr bullet.
Nice photo of the open plains in the Free State with Arend.
Loaded her up and off we went to get them skinned. It was time for some food and the sun was cooking nicely that day although it started so cold. We enjoyed the camp and head out to look for some kudu and just before it got too late we decided to call it quits and have a sundowner or two rather just enjoying the day. Vincent also had a bit of a hnagover from the previous night so he was really tired after the stress form the wounded cow as well.
Friday night was Eisbein Saurkraut and mash it was good.
Last edited by a moderator:
Frederik
AH elite
Sorry Guys,
I have been so busy last few weeks but here goes on our last day of hunting in the Free State.
After a long night staring at the bush tv again and my freezer being quite full already for the year but exceptions can be made we had a nice late slow morning.
The night wasn't as cold as previous and we slept well had coffee like cowbioys on the fire again stuff that lets a spoon stand upright. Leasure morning enjoying the sun and the birds and just chatting then me and Bob decided well since we are on his new shooting range we need to break it in a bit with some handgun action.
So we stacked some clays at certian points and just had a blast to keep the eye in and just general practice with draw and shooting. Must say Bob is an expert on drawing and cocking as he doesn't carry one up. He did very good on time even if I carry one up.
We played with the FN browning and my carry Taurus GC3 and Bob with his Glock. Bob, has been shooting his Glock so much with high end loads that my medium loads of 124gr didn't want to cycle everytime.
About 300 rounds later and everybody having a turn with each the fun was over and we decided that we needed to drive out again and see what we could find. As I was the only one except for Jaco who actually just came for the camping and shooting and he didn't really wanted to shoot something.
The 204 went along for some varmint as well and soon we found some vervets that was trying to hide high up in a tree. I gave Vincent the 204 and he wacked one propely and Bob got one after with the shotgun.
Arend, took this particular odd looking photo of an Bachelor tripod aiming at the monkey.
Needles to say he is not a Bachelor anymore wonder if he could do that photo again.
I was contemplating of also going back to the other farm for a wildebeest but I decided no we have on in the freezer and I would rather go for a kudu if we could find one.
Well we didn't and headed back to camp for lunch and further talk around the campfire to resolve all issues on the world and general fun.
Now please learn from this as I am a culprit of my own advise that I hand out. My 7x57 was loaded with 140gr Safari Bullet Company bullets I shot them at the range at 200 meters and had an Idea of the drop at 2800fps. What I didn't know was how far the drop would go at beyond 200 meters.
To top it all we were camped at an shooting range although there wasn't a target at 300 meters I could have put up one at 300 meters but was too lazy and didn't expect to shoot beyond 200meters although I was in the Free State.
So about half past 3 we head out and went to the side where we spotted the kudu bulls te previous day. Ddn't find any and our way back we spot this beaut of a kudu cow and the sun is so perfect that she shines in all her glory you could see this was a large cow. I asked for range but nobody could really tell and I heard someone say 350meters. No here is where I was dumsmacked if the range was 350 where do I aim? I quickly made a quess and aimed between the first dot and second dot on my Mildot scope and fired. It was a clear miss she just stood there for one second and gently vanished into the bush.
We then pulled out the range finder form the cab measured and the range was 385 meters. I was annoyed I shoukl not have taken the shot hastily but maybe took the time to range properly but that wouldn't have helped either as I didn't know the bullet drop.
The sun started setting and we all were fine if that was it to end the trip when we bumped into some kudu on a open field we got closer with the bakkie and the small group headed into the bush and we stopped about 200-250 meters away from them. A young bull then suddenly stopped I took aim this time higher than normal as I was obvioulsy scared of the bullet drop and had no idea of the exact range as things happen so fast and fired. The bull dropped on the spot and I realized I must have spined him we quickly got closer in case he would get up if I only nicked the spine but it was a proper spine shot and he was down.
Then we saw the snare around his neck, it didnt look like it was there for a long time but must have been recent. Somewhere during his walks and moving in the thick stuff the snare would caught somewhere and it would be his tragic end. So that was maybe lucky that I missed the big cow and got the young bull instead.
So all ended well lesson learned, learn your bullet drop! The 160gr at 2600fps 7mm bullets I knew what to do up to 300 meters but the 140gr bullets I had no clue. My stupidity ended up to be lucky and got an animal free from a future horrible death.
Our Trip to Bob and his farm came to and end we spent the time around the fire and Bob's wife and girl came to join us around the fire for a proper meal that Jaco created.
Untill next time at Bob's.
My last hunt if I'm going to hunt something will be in November we will see what happens.
I have been so busy last few weeks but here goes on our last day of hunting in the Free State.
After a long night staring at the bush tv again and my freezer being quite full already for the year but exceptions can be made we had a nice late slow morning.
The night wasn't as cold as previous and we slept well had coffee like cowbioys on the fire again stuff that lets a spoon stand upright. Leasure morning enjoying the sun and the birds and just chatting then me and Bob decided well since we are on his new shooting range we need to break it in a bit with some handgun action.
So we stacked some clays at certian points and just had a blast to keep the eye in and just general practice with draw and shooting. Must say Bob is an expert on drawing and cocking as he doesn't carry one up. He did very good on time even if I carry one up.
We played with the FN browning and my carry Taurus GC3 and Bob with his Glock. Bob, has been shooting his Glock so much with high end loads that my medium loads of 124gr didn't want to cycle everytime.
About 300 rounds later and everybody having a turn with each the fun was over and we decided that we needed to drive out again and see what we could find. As I was the only one except for Jaco who actually just came for the camping and shooting and he didn't really wanted to shoot something.
The 204 went along for some varmint as well and soon we found some vervets that was trying to hide high up in a tree. I gave Vincent the 204 and he wacked one propely and Bob got one after with the shotgun.
Arend, took this particular odd looking photo of an Bachelor tripod aiming at the monkey.
Needles to say he is not a Bachelor anymore wonder if he could do that photo again.
I was contemplating of also going back to the other farm for a wildebeest but I decided no we have on in the freezer and I would rather go for a kudu if we could find one.
Well we didn't and headed back to camp for lunch and further talk around the campfire to resolve all issues on the world and general fun.
Now please learn from this as I am a culprit of my own advise that I hand out. My 7x57 was loaded with 140gr Safari Bullet Company bullets I shot them at the range at 200 meters and had an Idea of the drop at 2800fps. What I didn't know was how far the drop would go at beyond 200 meters.
To top it all we were camped at an shooting range although there wasn't a target at 300 meters I could have put up one at 300 meters but was too lazy and didn't expect to shoot beyond 200meters although I was in the Free State.
So about half past 3 we head out and went to the side where we spotted the kudu bulls te previous day. Ddn't find any and our way back we spot this beaut of a kudu cow and the sun is so perfect that she shines in all her glory you could see this was a large cow. I asked for range but nobody could really tell and I heard someone say 350meters. No here is where I was dumsmacked if the range was 350 where do I aim? I quickly made a quess and aimed between the first dot and second dot on my Mildot scope and fired. It was a clear miss she just stood there for one second and gently vanished into the bush.
We then pulled out the range finder form the cab measured and the range was 385 meters. I was annoyed I shoukl not have taken the shot hastily but maybe took the time to range properly but that wouldn't have helped either as I didn't know the bullet drop.
The sun started setting and we all were fine if that was it to end the trip when we bumped into some kudu on a open field we got closer with the bakkie and the small group headed into the bush and we stopped about 200-250 meters away from them. A young bull then suddenly stopped I took aim this time higher than normal as I was obvioulsy scared of the bullet drop and had no idea of the exact range as things happen so fast and fired. The bull dropped on the spot and I realized I must have spined him we quickly got closer in case he would get up if I only nicked the spine but it was a proper spine shot and he was down.
Then we saw the snare around his neck, it didnt look like it was there for a long time but must have been recent. Somewhere during his walks and moving in the thick stuff the snare would caught somewhere and it would be his tragic end. So that was maybe lucky that I missed the big cow and got the young bull instead.
So all ended well lesson learned, learn your bullet drop! The 160gr at 2600fps 7mm bullets I knew what to do up to 300 meters but the 140gr bullets I had no clue. My stupidity ended up to be lucky and got an animal free from a future horrible death.
Our Trip to Bob and his farm came to and end we spent the time around the fire and Bob's wife and girl came to join us around the fire for a proper meal that Jaco created.
Untill next time at Bob's.
My last hunt if I'm going to hunt something will be in November we will see what happens.
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Trogon wrote on Mac Baren's profile.
@Mac Baren, I live central to city of Cincinnati. I have work travel early this week but could hopefully meet later this week (with no schedule changes). What area of town are you working/staying in?
Kind regards
Ron
Kind regards
Ron
Read more at the link about our 40000 acre free range kudu area we will also be posting a deal on the deals page soon!
Looking for brass or reloads for 475noz2 Jefferies ammo. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Charles