SOUTH AFRICA: My Hunt With Huntershill Safaris In The East Cape

[One Day...]

My honest feedback is that i think far too many people get hung up on score, medals and size

The only justification for actually killing animals we love is to make them immortal in our own soul, so who cares what others think...

Seems to me Cam Moon is there...

 

[Cam Moon]

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I truly appreciate the feedback. Just to clarify, I feel that my role as a hunter is very important on many different levels, and at home I hunt for meat. If I have the opportunity to harvest an animal with special attributes such as unique antlers or something that would "score high", then to me, that's a bonus! I look at an animal on my wall as a tribute rather than a trophy. I have a lot of respect for the animals I have taken, and each one is a gift. When I ask if it's a "good one" or ask for feedback and the opinions of others, it's simply because I am not familiar enough with the African animals as of yet, and will always value someone's opinion, whatever it may be.
To me, they are all beautiful!

 

[Michael Dean]

I leave for HuntersHill October 6, 2019. Thanks for the report, I'm really looking forward to getting there.

 

[Cam Moon]

@Michael Dean
You're going to have a fantastic time! Tell me all about it when you get back!!

 

[Michael Dean]

@Michael Dean
You're going to have a fantastic time! Tell me all about it when you get back!!

What was the food like?

 

[Cam Moon]

It was amazing! Max prepared some of the best food I've had!

 

[superdutch]

Great report, hunt and trophies! Thanks for sharing it!

 

[Bobpuckett]

Great Report! Thanks for sharing when you go back for your beest slam add the Golden Wildebeest as you can't beat the deal. Congrats on your trophies

 

[Cam Moon]

As I had said, Jason was going to take me out to another area to hunt for Gemsbok, as he said they have some spectacular ones there, but that would mean a lot of driving for just one animal. He chatted with Greg and he said we could go to the "pantry" and cull an open cow if we could find one. Growing up on a farm I know the importance of efficient breeding management, and in a way, in it's own right, it's a kind of conservation effort as well. I agreed, and we headed to another area to take a look. These animals were mostly for breeding purposes and are seldomly hunted. I must say, they were not near as flighty as the others have been. We couldn't just walk right up to them, pick one out, and shoot it, but they didn't bolt at the first sight of the truck either. They knew we were there, and they watched us as we watched them. I'd love to be able to tell a story of how we found a group and put a three hour stalk on them before taking a beauty in a hard earned hunt, but I can't. I can however, be happy about doing my part to help keep a healthy, growing population of Oryx. We left the truck and got into a good viewing position, set up the sticks, and watched. It was important to make sure the one I took was open, and also wasn't one with a calf. After careful observation we had one picked out, but waited for quite some time just to be certain. Once we were sure (as sure as we could be) I got set up on the sticks and took my shot. I would say it was under 150 yards, and I had all the time in the world, but I still pulled off a terrible shot. I pulled left when I pulled the trigger (again) and hit her way too far back. Luckily I did get a quick follow up shot as she was running away, and although it didn't drop her in her tracks, it did take the wind out of her sails. She found the nearest bush and laid down. We closed in and I had to take a third shot. The animal that was the least "hunted" and it was my worst shooting. Go figure. I didn't end up with the Gemsbok bull I had imagined, but I got a beautiful cow that I'm more than satisfied with.

_____________________________________________________

Jason and I were getting along very well and talked about doing some fishing and just hanging out. A neighbor had asked Jason if he could come and try to shoot some warthogs. He wants to get rid of them because they are digging holes under his fence and then predators come in and kill his sheep. Jason told the farmer that he would come and do that and asked me if I'd like to go. I thought it sounded like a hell of a way to spend the afternoon! The real bonus would be if I got a big hog, because it would be an extra trophy at no charge!
We grabbed our rifles and went out and did a lot of walking, but only saw two warthogs. I shot one of them, but I kind of wish now I would have let one go at the one that was running away. I didn't because I was worried about not having the clearest shot. However, this was just pest control anyway, and the farmer really wanted them gone. I should have taken the shot. Oh well, one is better than nothing, and I still had a good time.

While we were out there I saw Steenbok, Duiker, Hogg deer, and Springbok. I saw some of the usual animals on the way back to Huntershill, and when we got back I saw two Rhino and a couple of Red Lechwe in the yard. Then on my way to my Chalet there was a buffalo in the yard buy the pool. That certainly makes a guy pay attention! LOL
I had supper and drinks and stayed up way too late, but I was having fun and in good company. Tomorrow would be my last day of hunting @HUNTERSHILL safaris

 

[Chago]

That's a awesome report. I really should have done one as well. I was at HH August of 2018. Man it was a awesome trip. It was my very first Africa adventure. I went into it as a "once in a lifetime". Right.... I was looking at flights to come back on my flight home lol.

And yes I hear ya about going to the rocklands for your gemsbok. I would suggest going there next time. A totally different experience. Landscape, temperature etc. Everything was different. At the main lodge in August I had sleet and snow even in the mountains. Temps sat around freezing or just above most of my trip. Being a Canadian that was perfect for me to hunt. Then when we went to rocklands we got my gemsbok and impala. Up there was flat rolling hills, desert like arid air and soil. Temps were quite warm I was in a t-shirt. Great hunt.

 

[Newboomer]

Love that beat up old springbok.He really has some character with the busted horns, scars on his face and neck. To me that is a unique trophy and the kind I like to take. Anyone can shoot a "pretty boy" but an old warrior is something special.

 

[Cam Moon]

November 3rd 2018. This would be my last day hunting at Huntershill (until next time!) I stayed up way too late the night before enjoying some drinks. Thankfully I didn't feel TOO bad in the morning. I'm not as young as I used to be!
I met Jason at 7:00, had breakfast, and we headed out. We were on the search for a black Springbok to complete my Springbok slam. While we were driving looking for Black Springbok I saw a Warthog and casually said "That's a big pig." Jason hadn't seen it. He looked over in the direction I was indicating... "Shoot it!" he yelled. I wasn't sure if I really should or not. By this time Jason had the truck stopped and was almost pushing me out. "Shoot it!" I hesitated. "Are you sure, I......" "Shoot it! Yes! Just shoot it!" I jumped out and shot it with the .270 and it dropped. We hoped back in the truck and drove over to it, but when we got there it was still moving. Jason handed me his .223 and said to use it. That finished my warthog and added another trophy to my hunt. Afterwards, he kept talking about it. Apparently for this area it's massive! They have other areas where they hunt Warthogs, and have some really nice ones. But here, Jason said...... Never. Must have been just passing through. We loaded it and continued on, still searching for a black Springbok.

 

[Cam Moon]

 

[Bobpuckett]

That's a nice warty anywhere.

 

[Cam Moon]

Thanks @Bobpuckett !

 

[Cam Moon]

We saw a few Scimitar and decided to have a better look......For one in particular. Sure enough, there was a bull in the heard with a broken horn. Just the one we were looking for! We had decided a few days ago I'd try for the unicorn! LOL Well, once again I didn't exactly amaze anyone with my tremendous shooting skills, but a few shots later and my Scimitar was down. Awesome! Truly a beautiful animal. An interesting tidbit on the Scimitar Horned Oryx.... They were so endangered that they actually became listed as "Extinct in the wild". Believe it or not, it's trophy hunting that has brought back their return. You may have heard the term often said in Africa about their wildlife, "If it pays, it stays!" It's really quite true, but something that most people don't truly understand. It's difficult coming from such a different culture to really understand how real life is in Africa. If these animals don't have a value, or benefit people in some way, then the people really have no desire to keep them around. That's why trophy hunting is so important. If there was no trophy hunting, the land would be used for something else deemed to be a benefit. Most likely farming, and there would be no room for wildlife, as they would be seen as a pest and a hindrance. As hunters, we are not decimating the animal population, we are supporting it!

 

[Bobpuckett]

Awesome hunt, I'm sure Alberta has very few of these fine animals! Congrats on a fine trophy! One horn is better than no horn!

 

[enysse]

Thanks for the hunting report, nice springbok slam!

 

[Cam Moon]

We carried on with both the Warthog and Scimitar Oryx in the back. Still no black Springbok, but a tremendous day already! After a while Jason figured that the Black Springbok must be in another area, so we decided to head there to see what we could find. On our way out we got another look at the Scimitar heard. Jason was so excited! There was a younger bull there. He said that he wished people could understand the benefits of hunting, and particularly in a case like this. The bull I took was an older, mature bull. He would have been getting on in years as far as breeding productivity. However, he would have more than likely killed the younger bull, as they compete to breed. Jason explained how his broken horn was actually an advantage for him. He could "lock up" with a competitor and still have his good horn to use as a spear. Us taking him opened up new breeding opportunities for other bulls, and ultimately helps the heard. It was good to hear, and good to see Jason so happy about it. We left on a really good note, off to see if we could find a black springbok.
We searched for a bit, saw a few and then set up in a rockpile and waited. Henry and Stroulie kept searching. They ended up spooking up and sending a nice black ram our way! He almost came right towards us. I still had my safety on, and missed out on the opportunity to take a shot when he ended up stopping closeby and broadside to me! I don't think he even knew we were there. Boy, did I feel stupid! He continued on and ended up stopping less than 200 yards away. Not right on top of us like her was, but certainly doable. With my safety off this time, his journey was over. My final Springbok!

 

[Cam Moon]

______________________________________________________My last hunting day over, it was time for sunshine and bevies! I'll throw up some pictures of the grounds for everyone to see, as well as the lounge/bar area,etc.

My last day.
I hate to have to go, but I get to see some very special people and share the stories of my adventure with them, so I'm looking forward to that.
Jason had Henry and Stroulie set up the skulls for pictures. He was going to measure them, but couldn't find his tape.

It was a pretty uneventful morning. Jason did take me out to see the Lions they have, and a couple of them are HUGE! They had two Cheetah as well, which I saw the other day, but one of the Lions got out and killed the (neutered) male. My understanding is that these animals are "rescue" animals that have come from various zoos and similar places that cannot afford to keep them any longer. Jason figured the other Cheetah and the White Tigers that they brought in would be sheltered at this time and not really visible, so we just went back to the lodge. Maybe I'll see them next time. Maybe I'll go see the Bushman cave paintings they have as well!

Cherelene took me to the East London airport to start my long journey home. I got dropped of at about 4:30 on Sunday afternoon RSA time, and I would be landing in Calgary about 31.5 hrs later.

Huntershill far surpassed my expectations. The hunting area is huge, the scenery is breathtaking, the people are awesome, and the animals are amazing! I don't quite know how I'm going to pay for taxidermy and shipping, but I didn't really have the money to pay for this trip to begin with. Before I came my thought was that I can't really afford it. Being here has taught me that I really couldn't afford NOT to. Money will come and money will go but experiences last forever! This experience is like none other I've ever had. It will stay with me, and will now always be a part of me. I was not born in Africa, but Africa was born in me.
@HUNTERSHILL safaris