SOUTH AFRICA: Safari At Atherstone Reserve With Dave Freeburn

[JES Adventures]

Day 1


We said our goodbyes to Tania in Thabazimbi and loaded up with Dave’s PH Kenan Van Wyk.

It was an hour plus drive to Atherstone Reserve and we enjoyed the scenery as we inched closer to the Botswana border.

Once we arrived at the reserve, Kenan signed us in with the guard and we passed through the gate. Not 50 yards in, we spotted our first of many elephant on the road!

It took another twenty minutes to get to the camp and it is a lovely spot with a waterhole about 100 yards away. This makes for nice game viewing when not afield.

The entire lodge was recently remodeled and everything was like new. It is rustic yet very comfortable with solar power, en suite bathrooms and a nice dining Lapa.


We arrived shortly after 12 and Kumbulani the chef prepared lunch for 1 o’clock. Debra and I unpacked our bags and got settled into our room, then went outside and sat and watch the water hole as an old giraffe bull came in for a drink.

Lunch was very nice, traditional, Bobotie and salad.

After lunch, we went to the range to get familiar with the rifle a 308 Beretta straight pull bolt gun with a suppressor and quality vortex optics.

Once we were comfortable with the rifle, we headed out in search of Zebra. Not far in to the day we spotted our first black rhino. Sometimes later, we saw a female white rhino, and her calf. Other Game spotted such as Kudu Waterbuck, Warthog, Elephant, Giraffe and Impala.

The bush is extremely thick in many areas and makes the hunting very challenging. My initial impression is this is more like hunting a concession than a game farm.

We carried on until sunset, but had no success finding Zebra so made our way to camp.

We were welcomed by a blazing fire and I had a whiskey to warm up. The chef prepared roasted chicken, potatoes and salad for dinner.

Another whiskey and cigar by the fire and we called it a night after nine to be ready for tomorrow.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 2

I set my alarm for 6:30 and went for coffee. We headed out just after 7:30 and started to see game right away. More Rhino, Giraffe, Kudu and Impala. We came to a more open area and spotted Tessebe, Warthog and Impala. After a couple of hours we spotted the first herd of Zebra. Kenan suggested we make a stalk and we took off in pursuit. About 250 yards into the stalk a group of Tsessebe ran which spooked some Impala and in turn the Zebra.

Back to the truck so we could circle round and get the wind but the Zebra were never spotted again.

On the road again we spotted more Kudu and Warthog. Suddenly, the vehicle stopped and in the bush we saw a Zebra. Debra got lined up and as she was settling in for the shot a Gemsbok stepped in front of the stallion.

She waited them out and the Gemsbok cleared but before she could take the shot the group bolted and the opportunity lost.

We made our way to camp for lunch and a short respite. At two o’clock we headed back out to the field.

A beautiful day, the wind picked up a bit so we have to factor that into any approach. As we drove the reserve, we saw White Rhino, lots of Elephant, Blue Wildebeast, Impala, Tsessebe and Giraffe. It seems the Zebra know they are on the list and they have been laying low.

Shortly after five Debra spotted a group of four Zebra and they took off in pursuit. After about a half hour they returned to the truck just as the sun was setting and Kenan called it a day. A brisk half hour drive to camp and straight to the fire to warm up.

Kumbulani made another great meal of roasted pork tenderloin and stuffed butternut squash. Mulva pudding for desert then a cigar by the fire to finish the day.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 3

Up at six to be out at seven it was a colder morning today. The animals weren’t moving much for the first couple of hours.

As the morning progressed, we started seeing Impala, Blue Wildebeast, one Black Rhino, and Giraffe. Cruising down the road shortly after 10 I spotted a Zebra off about 175 yards so tapped the roof for the vehicle and stop the driver. Keenan confirmed I was OK to shoot so I lined up and squeeze the trigger. The report from the 308 was a solid hit and I quickly reloaded. Several other Zebra started running and came into view, two of them stopped. Keenan said shoot another one so I lined up on the shoulder about 250 yards to my estimate and held high and squeezed the trigger. The report of the solid it came back and then we had two Zebra down.

We got off of the vehicle and started walking out into the field to make sure we didn’t need a follow up. Keenan and the tracker got about 70 yards in front of me and a Zebra jumped up. I was unable to get a finishing shot in it as it was not safe. I made my way to Kennan who was holding the sticks as I could. I got on the sticks and followed the Zebra as it was running, but unable to get a shot off before it got into the heavy brush.

It took the better part of a half hour to find blood but once we did, we got on it and there wasn’t a significant blood trail so tracking was very slow.

While scanning the area for blood, we found the first Zebra down and dropped a pin on it so we could come back once we found the other.

Thinking back about how the Zebra acted when it got up when they jumped it was what I saw as it ran away, I believe that I broke the shoulder and he shouldn’t be far.

Another half hour to 45 minutes into the tracking, we found more blood and it was high on a branch of brush which confirms it’s not a leg shot but will be a shoulder shot. We carried on for another hour and the blood trail became thinner and thinner. After another hour of combing the area, Keenan said we need to take care of the Zebra that’s down so let’s sort it out and make a plan to come back.

While on our way back to camp at a fairly fast speed, Keenan missed a ditch in front of us in the road and we caught a bit of air! Typically not a big deal but I was on back of the cruiser and jammed my recently replaced knee into the winch on the back rack.

I could see it coming and was yelling as loud as I could to get him to slow down, but he never heard me.

Once back in camp, I got an ice pack and a whiskey too soothe the pain.

My daughter Jordan had arrived from her recent Wildlife Veterinary course and we caught up on everything that had transpired. I’m looking forward to the next week hunting with her and my wife, it’s such a blessing to be in the bush with your family.

Dave showed up late afternoon and we talked about the morning hunt. I am convinced the zebra is dead but in the tall grass we had no success tracking it once the blood dried up.

I am always bothered when I shoot an animal and can’t find it, but had to remind myself that we are culling which is a necessary part of game management. In this case there are no predators in the reserve and the unrecovered Zebra will take its place in the ecosystem to feed the smaller predators and scavengers.

We relaxed after lunch watching the waterhole at camp and called it a night shortly after dinner.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 4

Up and out today a little late, we finally left camp shortly after eight.

As we drove, the animals were fairly active and we saw White Rhino, Giraffe, Impala, Blue Wildebeast and Warthog.

Around 9:40 I suggested we stop and have breakfast sandwiches that Kumbulani packed for us. After the short break we got back to it.

Dave wanted to walk into another waterhole and stopped the car a fair distance away.

As we approached the water quietly Dave suddenly reacted to something on his left. We came around a bush and there at five meters was a Waterbuck bull staring at us! Of course he bolted and ran so we continue to make way around the waterhole. About five minutes later Dave froze and motioned for Debra come up as he set the sticks.

She got steady, took aim and fired. The report of a solid hit, the Zebra when straight down. She reloaded and we were off inordinate herd. We caught up to them in some heavy brush but she managed another shot and had a second Zebra down.



We went back and took photos of the first then Dave and the guys had to drag the other out on the canvas closer to the road.

Back to camp to take care of the Zebra and have lunch. We went out again around three.

Zebra 1

Zebra 2

It was a beautiful evening hunt spotting a variety of game but no Zebra presented a shot. So we went back to camp for dinner and fellowship around the fire.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 5

I woke up early this morning and went for coffee shortly after six. Debra and Jordan were up by 6:30 and we plan to leave camp at 7:30.

About a quarter to nine we spotted some Zebra so Dave and Jordan were off in quick pursuit. The bush is fairly sparse in this large grassy area so the rest of us stayed back at the car.

About ten minutes later we heard the first shot. The report followed by the sound of a ricochet was puzzling. Then a couple of minutes later another shot.

We could see Dave and Jordan coming back about 9:17 and the tracker and scout went to meet them.

The first shot was a miss, the other sounded like a good hit so we are taking the trail to start the recovery. The grass is high so Deb and I stayed on the back of the cruiser to use the elevation to our advantage looking down into the grass.

Meanwhile Dave, Jordan and the scout took the trail to locate the first Zebra.

It was tough going die to the high grass but Bosman and Joel did a great job of tracking. They followed the trail for at least an hour after we lost blood so the six of us started combing the area in hopes of finding the Zebra all to no avail.

After a hour or so, Dave called it so we went back to camp.


Another great lunch of burgers and onion rings we left camp about 3 and headed out in search of Zebra.

Around 4:15 Dave spotted a group walking down the road about six hundred meters so
he closed the gap a bit and we got off the cruiser and started a stalk. The zebra went into the thick bush on the right and Dave set the sticks. He said “195 meters”. The first crossed but never stopped. I watched the bush and another emerged and walked through. I told Dave I will not take a walking shot. He said “I’ll try and stop the next one”.

As I watched the bush moments later another started out and I followed as it entered the road. Dave made enough noise that the Zebra stopped and looked, I settled in on the shoulder, held a little high for the range and squeezed the trigger. The 30-06 barked and thud of a hit the Zebra disappeared in the bush. We started down the road and found the spot and the first blood was found. We carefully moved forward and found more blood 15 to 20
meters in, then it stopped.

We started combing the area but the bush was extremely thick and with record rain this year the grass was high.
A Zebra called out on the distance and Dave said “they are calling for the one that is missing, he must be dead here somewhere “.

We spent the balance of the day searching the Zebra, more blood, anything but we were not successful.

Driving back to camp I went back and analyzed everything. I was very calm on the shot,

I was using my own 4 Stable Sticks which I practice with regularly this sort of range. The rifle is zeroed with quality optics and the animal standing still. To this day I cannot surmise what happened with that shot.
Day 5



I woke up early this morning and went for coffee shortly after six. Debra and Jordan were up by 6:30 and we plan to leave camp at 7:30.



About a quarter to nine we spotted some Zebra so Dave

And Jordan were off in quick pursuit. The bush is fairly sparse in this large grassy

Area so the rest of us stayed back at the car.



About ten minutes later we heard the first shot. The report followed by the sound of a ricochet was puzzling. Then a couple of minutes later another shot.



We could see Dave and Jordan coming back about 9:17 and the tracker and scout went to meet them.



The first shot was a miss, the other sounded like a good hit so we are taking the trail to start the recovery. The grass is high so Deb and I stayed on the back of the cruiser to use the elevation to our advantage looking down into the grass.



Meanwhile Dave, Jordan and the scout took the trail to locate the first Zebra.



It was tough going die to the high grass but Bosman and Joel did a great job of tracking. They followed the trail for at least an hour after we lost blood so the six of us started combing the area in hopes of finding the Zebra all to no avail.



Dave called it so we went back to camp.



After a great lunch is burgers and onion rings we left camp about 3 and headed out in search of Zebra.



Around 4:15 Dave spotted a group walking down the road about six hundred meters so

he closed the gap a bit and we got off the cruiser and started a stalk. The zebra went into the thick bush on the right and Dave set the sticks. He said “195 meters”. The first crossed but never stopped. I watched the bush and another emerged and walked through. I told Dave I will not take a walking shot. He said “I’ll try and stop the next one”.



As I watched the bush moments later another started out and I followed as it entered the road. Dave made enough noise that the Zebra stopped and looked, I settled in on the shoulder, held a little high for the range and squeezed the trigger. The 30-06 barked and thud of a hit the Zebra disappeared in the bush. We started down the road and found the spot and the first blood was spotted. We carefully moved forward and found more blood 15to 20

meters in, then it stopped.



We started combing the area but the bush was extremely thick and with record rain this year the grass was high.



A Zebra called out on the distance and Dave said “they are calling for the one that is missing, he must be dead here somewhere “.



We spent the balance of the day searching the Zebra, more blood, anything but we were not successful.



Driving back to camp I went back and analyzed everything. I was very calm on the shot,

I was using my own 4

Stable Sticks which I practice with regularly this sort of range. The rifle is zeroed with quality optics and the animal standing still. To this day I cannot surmise what happened with that shot.



Back to camp for a drink by the fire followed by another great meal. I hit the shower at nine o’clock then called it a day.



A rough day, Zebra are strong and a marginal hit with a 308 doesn’t leave much of a blood trail.



We’ll be back at tomorrow, hopefully I have the chance to redeem myself!
Back at camp for a drink by the fire followed by another great meal. I hit the shower at nine o’clock then called it a day.

A rough day, Zebra are strong and a marginal hit with a 308 doesn’t leave much of a blood trail.

We’ll be back at tomorrow, hopefully I have the chance to redeem myself!

 

[Altitude sickness]

Zebra are tough. What bullet were they using in the .308

 

[gillettehunter]

I'm also wondering about bullet performance. Has me wondering a bit.....
Bruce

 

[JES Adventures]

It was a Sako cartridge, 180 bullet but don’t recall that the bullet was named on the box.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 6

I awoke shortly after six and went for coffee. The girls started to stir just before seven so I went and got coffee for them.

The plan today is check one of the grassy areas then go sit at a waterhole until one o’clock.

Once in the open area we saw Blue Wildebeast, Impala and Tssessebe. There was a small group of Giraffe then some White Rhino. We came across a cow with a very new calf, the smallest White Rhino I have ever seen.

We carried on around the field then made way to the waterhole. Dave left me with Bosman about 9:25 then took Debra and Jordan to another water hole.

Just before ten some Warthog showed up follow led by a Blue Wildebeast bull. Then a bachelor group of young Impala Rams and they all had a drink. After a few minutes they started to disperse and something spooked one of the Impala and everything ran away.

Not fifteen minutes later more Warthog, female and young. Around eleven a large group of Blue Wildebeast came in but only about half drank The herd Bull locked eyes our hide as I sat motionless. He senses something was out of place and the whole herd spooked and ran away.

The wind is changing directions so Bosman lit some Elephant dung to help mask our scent.

More Warthog came and went, the action has been steady enough to for an interesting morning.

I must’ve dozed off as Bosman whispered something and I looked up and sixty meters away was an Elephant bull drinking. He was quite content and stayed drinking for several minutes. He started to move around the waterhole and continued to drink. I was not concerned as he had not noticed our hide. Then suddenly he seemed to notice the hide and locked in on us and started coming closer. At about forty yards I said “Bosman” and he stood up clapped at the Elephant a few times then the bull turned and strolled off.

As the morning progressed there was a steady stream of animals coming to drink but no Zebra.

Around noon another Elephant bull came to drink, this one a bit larger and more mature. He drank for the better part of a half hour. He was about sixty yards from us and when Dave started driving towards the waterhole to pick us up the bull looked up the road then turned and came our way. He started towards the blind so Bosman tried the clapping again. This time it brought a negative reaction and the bull moved closer to us. At about 20 yards he shook his head and we retreated from the makeshift blind.

Dave pulled up and quickly got out of the cruiser and started shouting to get the bulls attention. The bull finally lost interest in us and moved off but that call was way to close for me with nothing more than a 30-06 and my shooting sticks!

When I got on the cruiser Deb informed me she had shot a Zebra earlier in the day.

Back to camp for lunch then out for an evening drive at three. We spotted a variety of game as we drove including one extremely nice blue Wildebeast bull but we couldn’t manage a shot.

Just before five Debra spotted two Zebra so I tapped the car and Dave stopped. We offloaded and were quickly in pursuit. Not a hundred yards into the bush we spotted them and Dave set the sticks but as I got up on them the Zebra trotted off. We carried on and found them again walking slowly in the bush, pretty calm.

Once again back on the sticks bit not quick enough for a shot. I watched the opening and could see Zebra moving closer. As it entered the opening Dave called out to stop it but there was no reaction. I made a decision to take the shot walking and the report of the shot was solid and the two
Zebra ran off.

Dave and I followed up and less than a hundred yards the stallion lay dead. We moved through the bush looking for the other Zebra and located him a couple of times but had no clear shot.

The daylight is coming to a close so we went back for pictures and getting the Zebra out to the nearest road.

As with every evening we were welcomed to camp with a big fire and went to have a highball and relive the day. Dinner tonight was Zebra filet with creamed spinach and mixed vegetables. It was our first time to eat zebra and it was quite nice. Very tender and a mild flavor. Desert was banana crepes then back to the fire for a nightcap.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 7

Out of camp at eight we are going to split up and hunt two different water holes. Bosman and I got to our spot a little before nine and by nine fifteen he had the hide ready and we settled in for the morning.

A quiet morning, the first thing to show up was a sow Warthog with four piglets.

We took a slow drive back to camp and got there a little after two. The girls showed up
about ten minutes later and we had lunch just before three. A quick turn around I would be sitting at a new waterhole not far from camp.

We got there and set up by 3:30 and about ten past four Bosman pointed at some Zebra about a hundred fifty meters away. The one in the lead looked at our blind so we stayed motionless. After a few minutes they relaxed and started skirting the pan.

I eased the rifle up as they walked and started to follow the largest one in the lead with the crosshairs. As he stopped I saw he was quartering towards me so I put it on the point is shoulder and squeezed the trigger.

A solid hit they all ran and I never got a shot at a second one. We heard her crash and fall over which spooked the others and they ran away.

We stayed in the blind for about fifteen minutes to see if they’d come back but they called off in the distance so we went to recover the Zebra. The big stallion lay dead abut 50 yards from where I shot him.

Bosman and Kieran made a plan and Kieran went back to camp to get help and a vehicle with a winch to aid in loading.

Back in camp well before sunset I relaxed by the fire until the girls showed up. They didn’t have any success on Zebra but saw nice Waterbuck and Warthog plus got some great pictures of Elephants and Rlack Rhino.

Atherstone is an absolutely amazing place to hunt, truly one of the wildest hunting areas I have ever been in South Africa.

Another great meal followedby fireside chat then off to bed. We have three days left and we need to step up our game.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 8

I woke with first light while Jordan and Deb slept in a bit. I took them coffee and got ready for the day. The plan for me is to go back to the same waterhole as last night since there has been a lot of Zebra activity there. I overdid it the first half of the hunt and my bad knee is really giving me trouble, so sitting is best for me.

Debra and Jordan will go with Dave to another location and sit as well.

Bosman and I got settled in the hide about 8:40, a beautiful clear morning with a slight breeze.

A slow morning, nothing came in and at noon we called it and went for a drive. We saw Rhino Kudu and Impala while we made our way back to camp.

As we arrived I see a big Zebra stallion and a nice Warthog on the back of the cruiser!

After lunch and a short rest we went back out. Bosman and I sitting at the waterhole where the Elephant gave us fits a few days before. We were set up and Dave pulled away at about three forty.

The plan was for Dave to pick us up around five thirty. The wind was swirling so not much game came in. Around four thirty a herd of Blue Wildebeast started to come in but caught our scent and retreated to the bush. They stood back in the heavy cover for at least twenty minutes then snorted and moved on.

A big Giraffe bull came out and once he hit our scent line he was very cautious and classes the pan.

The day is coming to a close as I glance at my watch and see it is five twenty five. I hear the Wildebeast behind us now, they have circled the pan and are still not convinced to come in. An old Eland cow appeared opposite from our hide so could not smell us.

Once she started drinking the Wildebeast couldn’t help themselves and the herd ran in. About half the group passed but when the herd bull spotted the blind he knew something was out of place. I glassed him through my binos and he’s well outside his ears with big bosses and good tips.

I managed to get the rifle up but it got caught in the camo netting and I had to reposition. A cow caught the movement and startled so the bull followed suit. I kept on him with the scope and when he stopped I put it on the point of his shoulder and squeezed off. A solid hit the herd scattered and he stumbled off. I reloaded and watched him go down. I waited a bit and he was struggling to get up and when he did I put an insurance shot in him.

He was done by the time I got to him, an impressive old bull much better than the one I shot back in ‘89 on my first South African Safari. I had estimated him to be 30” and the tape showed he was a fraction of an inch over that.

Dave and the girls showed up about ten minutes later and we took pictures and had a beer while they loaded the big old bull.

Back in camp we enjoyed a G&T by the fire as we watched lightening in the Southern sky for most of the evening.

After dinner we relaxed by the fire and planned the next day. I will go to one waterhole while the girls sit at another.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 9

Wake was for 6:30, I woke about 5:40 and lay in bed saying my prayers of thanksgiving to be in the special place with my wife and daughter.

A cool morning after the wind shifted to the South and a brief rain in the night, something very unusual for this time of year.

We left camp around 7:30 and got to the waterhole where we will sit by 8:15. Dave told me there is a Black Rhino cow that frequents this spot so if she comes in to drink we should quietly retreat from the blind to a safe distance until she finishes.

We were in the blind only a few minutes when we heard Zebra call off in the distance. Some fifteen minutes later a call again but this time closer. Bosman said “they are coming”.

A lone Impala ram appeared just before nine followed by five Kudu cows. Then, a few minutes after the Kudu left a Black Rhino cow came out to drink. Once she had her fill, she started walking our way. I took the rifle and went to the back of the tree line. Bosman hollers at her but she was curious. As she came closer, about 25 yards he threw some sticks at her and she snorted and ran away.

A steady stream of animals coming to drink throughout the morning. A beautiful dehorned Black Rhino bull came in just after eleven. Thank the LORD he drank on the opposite side of the pan and exited the same way.

Some thirty minutes later we heard the call of a Zebra close by. I got the rifle and set it on the sticks and they started to file out of the brush about a hundred and fifty yards away. There were five in the group and they made their way to the water. They stopped about thirty yards short and I looked them over through the scope. One was perfectly still, broadside and head erect. I placed the crosshairs at the base of the ear and squeezed off the shot. The Zebra fell in a cloud of dust as the others broke and ran. I quickly reloaded for a second opportunity but none of them stopped.

Fifteen minutes after I shot a male Rlack Rhino came to drink followed by two Wildebeast. Fortunately the bull drank and exited about seventy five yards from us and never noticed we were there.

As the day warmed up with the sun high in the sky, more game made its way to the pan. We saw Eland, Waterbuck, Gemsbok and Warthog.

It’s nearing one o’clock and another Black Rhino bull comes to drink. He smells the dead Zebra and goes to investigate. Dave pulled up about that time and we drove over to collect the Zebra. The young rhino bull comes at us out of curiosity. After several minutes he finally retreats and we can carry on with loading the stallion.

Back at camp to drop the Zebra and have lunch then a quick turn around. Bosman and I will go to the same waterhole as this morning and the girls will drive.
We got close and Bosman stopped so we could walk in. As the water in the pan became visible he stopped and said “Kudu”.

We moved slowly and carefully and off right I caught movement. I looked and saw Zebra. I found an opening and got on the sticks. After a few moments I started scanning the bush and saw three more. Bosman waived me forward and we came to an opening and could see two Zebra about to crest a rise staring at us. I set the sticks and put off the safety. Then settled on the center of the neck and squeezed the trigger. The Zebra went down and we moved forward to try and get a second shot but not successful.

Bosman got the hide set and I was in my chair then not two minutes later another Black Rhino cow! She drank about 80 yards from us but then noticed us and came for the blind.

I retreated and she kept coming. I got behind a tree and watched. Bosman went round the bush wide and threw a rock at the cow hitting her on her side and ahe snorted and ran off.

Ten minutes later another bull shows up on our right. He came to drink them not Five minutes after that another bull appeared on our left. The two bulls met each other at the steers edge. When they got together you could hear them communicating, a high pitch sound somewhat like a calf.

While watching a Waterbuck cow and calf around four thirty Bosman said “Zebra” and pointed across the pan. I got on the sticks and followed them as they came in. They stopped behind some brush for a few moments then the bigger one came forward and I watched it. When it stopped I put the crosshairs on the front shoulder quartering and squeezed off. They erupted into a cloud of dust but a few seconds later we heard the crash and thud of the Zebra going down. We went to follow up and saw it dead about 60 yards from where I shot it so we went back to the blind. It’s almost five and I told Bosman to call help to load as it’s a half hour drive from camp and the sun will be setting when they get here.

That’s ten in the salt, our personal goal met! Now we are in the bonus round.

Just as Bosman walked off a dehorned cow came from the right them a bigger bull from the left.

I watched them drink, they were both a safe distance and calm, they didn’t know I was there.

Scanning the area a Zebra stallion appeared so I got the sticks and settled In on him. He was looking straight on at 140 so I aimed dead center of his chest. The shot rang and he bolted in a cloud of dust. The rhino bull snorted and came towards me from a hundred yards away. Running and snorting I retreated from the blind and he eventually lost interest and disappeared into the bush.

Bosman and I got to the vehicle and drove to where I shot. He picked up the track and walked about a hundred yards in the bush. Bosman spotted the stallion down about thirty yards ahead of us and he must’ve heard us as he got up and started to run, I got another round off and hit him. We found him down for good another fifty yards ahead of us.

Thats one in the bonus round, an exciting day to say the least!

By the time that Dave arrived, Bosman, Kieran and me had already loaded the first two zebra. The trackers started clearing way to drag out the big stallion, he was about a hundred meters in the bush.

Jordan had shot another nice stallion so we are up to twelve now!

Back at camp after a long day, everyone was tired so we had dinner then spent a short time at the fire before calling it a night.

 

[JES Adventures]

Day 10

We chose to get up a little later today, so we got out of camp closer to nine. A beautiful winter morning, blue sky and comfortable temperature. As we drove we saw a variety game and we didn’t have a target specie but out to see what the bush has to offer.

Close to eleven we were driving up on a waterhole and could see some Waterbuck cows off to the right. After further inspection we located a great bull that we decided to make a stalk on. The wind was perfect but the bush very low and we spooked some Warthog on our approach. This caused the bull to be on guard so we moved very slowly.

Dave stopped and ranged the bull and said “224 meters” and I was fine with that. Dave set the sticks and I got into position with the bull looking at us, slightly quartering. Dave told me to wait for him to turn broadside and as I watched through the scope I was very comfortable and said “I can shoot him on the point is the shoulder”. Dave said to go ahead and just as I was going to squeeze he trotted off towards the cows.

We quickly moved up and got into position for a shot and of course he was looking at us once again, 225 meters this time.

I squeezed the trigger and the bull bucked up on his hind legs and ran off. Dave kept an eye on him and saw him go down.

We got about a hundred meters away from the bull, his head still up so we eased out into the opening and I put a finisher into him.

A gorgeous bull, heavy horned and just under thirty inches.

Kieran and the girls arrived and after congratulations we took photos then had our breakfast sandwiches.

Back to camp and what a surprise when we pulled up to see a large herd of elephant at the waterhole. Everyone made way to get some photos and the bulls, cows and calves were very calm and stayed for over an hour.

After a great lunch of steak burgers and onion rings we sat and watched the elephant drink and play in the water.

Later in the afternoon a group of thirteen giraffe stopped by to drink along with Kudu and Eland.

Dave suggested we do Sundowners at Verport dam which is not far from camp and has a nice view for sunset.

A couple of G&T’s and some droerwurst enjoying our last African sunset in the bush.

Once it was completely dark, two white rhino came in to drink, curious about us they started to come around the dam. A fitting end to a great hunt in an amazing place.

My family and me owe a big thanks to Dave and his staff. Dave is the consummate gentleman, runs an excellent camp with great food, new vehicles and comfortable accommodations.

Atherstone Nature Reserve in itself is something that has to be experienced as it is unlike any other place I have hunted in South Africa. It is a wild nature reserve with lots of Dangerous Game.

After 38 Safaris and over a thousand days spent on the Continent. I can, without any hesitation recommend you take a hunt on Atherstone with Dave Freeburn, it is truly amazing place and you will never forget it.

John Ed

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

@JES Adventures are you planning to have wall to wall zebra rug in your new trophy room at Reserve Ranch? You and your family connected on a bunch of zebra! Thanks for sharing the report.

 

[JES Adventures]

@JES Adventures are you planning to have wall to wall zebra rug in your new trophy room at Reserve Ranch? You and your family connected on a bunch of zebra! Thanks for sharing the report.

Thanks, The thought entered my mind….Not really!

My daughter will take the two she shot, I am doing a shoulder mount on one, giving some as gifts and will use some for furniture. I found a South African guy now in Ft. Worth, Texas that makes custom furniture.