Well next was a part of the trip I was looking forward to but wish we figured more time to look around. We went to a nee area Pieter is looking at that has not been hunted for a few years other then by local meat hunters.
We made the 3 hour drive to the new camp which we would spend 2 days at. As we meet the guy who takes care of the place and start driving in we make a stop along the road. Pieter is looking at the ground when we all decide to have a look to. Not 1000 yds in the new place and there is a leopard drag mark were it made a kill and moved the kill off leaving a trail in the sand. Was very nice to get to see and we all were hoping we may get to see the cat but no luck with a sighting.
The drive in we see tracks all over and a few impala as we make it to camp. The lodge is very nice and at one time I would say top in its class but needs some odds and ends done to bring it back to its glory. It was more then nice enough for anyone to stay there but just looking around you could see what it use to be.
We placed a pop up at a waterhole and found a place I could use a treestand also. We take a drive around to see how big the area is and to see what is moving around. we see some more impala and a few kudu in the mountains. There is sign all over and we are surprised we did not see more game. I start the next day over a waterhole with my treestand. After a few hours I could hear zebra around but they would not come in. Then out of the corner of my eye I see some small male impala come to the water. Then a small male duiker and some monkeys joined. Then all of a sudden right in front of me walks 8 female impala and the test is on for how good the stand would work. Well only being 15ft up a tree I was worried they may spot me but they walk right by me at 10 yds and never even looked at me. The first test was a pass for me as I was happy they had no idea I was around and if you can fool Impala your doing ok. The might goes on with another group of impala coming in with 3 males that were all shooter but across the pond and out of bow range at 60 yds.So day one ends plenty of animals but no shots.
I took a nice walk around seeing some giraffe and a skull of an eland that dream are made of. I would have loved to seem him walking but he died month early and just the skull was left to see.
We did get out to look around for a civet and genet but only saw plains game and a few jackal. I did not spend a lot of time night hunting as we were having to much fun around camp to be out looking for the night critters this hunt. We saw sign of civets and carcal around but no sighting.
Later that evening we found out why the game was not being seen as much as we would have liked. Some local guys had came through the fence with dogs and must have been doing it for sometime and with a few leopard working the area to the game was on high alert. I guess the one downfall of the place not being hunted much made some locals brave enough to try and poach on the area. Now with hunters around then will go away and the game will move around again over time.
The last night I went to an area that had plenty of sign. I saw a few nyala and again a bunch of impala of all sizes. I finally had enough and decide I needed another impala for a skull and rug. He is a old mature ram and a good one to take.
That would finish are hunt at the new place and I hope to get back one day to hike around the back of this place. I saw eland tracks that had my mind in overdrive as they were just massive in size. You could hunt this place for a week and never see it all it is that big. This will be a hunt for guys who want to really work for the trophies they take and I am sure the rewards from hard hunting would be really worth it.
